Missing Persons This is REAL

I am posting for a dear friend of mine. I personally know Bren and her son. I met them over 7 years ago in San Diego and in fact we rented the house they had previously rented in San Diego. This is a parents worst nightmare. I don't care if a child is 7 or 23 for a parent to lose their child it is a nightmare.

This is my son Gary Andrew Bowman. Age 23 as of Oct 7.(Born in 1986)He sometimes goes by Gary but has always been called Andrew by his family. His last known address is the college he attended Immaculata University in Immaculata PA. (The school is in the background of the picture below). He graduated on May 11, 2009 wi...th a BS in Information Technology, and also the last known of his where abouts.He has light brown hair, sometimes wears a beard, sometimes not.Has hazel eyes, and wears glasses. No notable scars or tattoos.6 foot 2 inches 210-225 lbs. Wears a size 15 shoe.He played clarinet from grade school through college. If anyone has seen my son or has any information please call the Morristown TN Police Department at (423) 585-2701 or email me here at hfombudsman@aol.comAny information is greatly appreciated. My message to Andrew:Andrew there is not one day that goes by that all of your family doesn't think of you and shed a tear. We all love you so much and just want you to let us know you are safe. I love you forever and a day my dear son.



Bren, I love you and pray for Andrew to contact you and his safe return.

Children with Allergies

Friday we went back to the allergist for a follow-up. Reuben looks and acts so much better. His eczema is under much better control than just a mere four weeks ago. Zinc oxide wraps are helping him. The antihistamine he is on is helping control his itching and even helping him gain some weight (which he needs). The RAST testing shows he is highly allergic to many things. His IgE level is extremely high (which was to be expected). So, the RAST testing can give him some false positives (I knew this from previous RAST testing done 2 years ago). But we did find some of the test results that make total sense based on how he reacts. He is allergic to LATEX, SESAME SEED, CANOLA, CHAMOMILE, SAGE, GRAPES, and BLACK OLIVES Confirmed the ones we have already known Peanuts, Mold, Soy, Nuts. As far as olives the allergist said he can eat them and we can cook with olive oil as long as he can tolerate it but not to use it as a moisturizer for his skin. Along with the LATEX allergy goes a allergy to bananas ~ he has recently been complaining about his throat/mouth hurting when he at bananas.

We have bought latex free socks, underwear, bandages, and anything else I can find latex free. We met with a child psychologist who gave us great ideas about helping Reuben get control of his eczema. And also about teaching us and him ways of making life easier on the whole family.

I am grateful to the Atopic Dermatitis Clinic for being there to answer my questions and helping my son.

Thankful Tuesday

oooops this posted without my original thanks....

I am thankful for so much this week. God has been faithful to us

I am thankful for...

listening to little girls singing "my grandpa loves me, my grandma loves me, little girls little girls, my grandma linda is at work she is coming to church with me" They are rather comical, almost arguing but laughing at each other and giggling all at the same time

boys playing together learning

a smiling independent son where just a month ago was clingy and needy

my husband who has admitted he has anxiety and fears letting others down and fears being alone. Together we can face this. I love him and want him to know that.

my mom being able to visit from California

the falling leaves

the cloudy skies ... makes me appreciate the sunshine even more

my prayer partner who prays for me

the man at church who is praying for my husband

my amazing extended family who is spread out across the country

the internet for the ability to stay in touch

the excess stuff we have that I am now able to share with a family who just lost everything in a house fire.

Fall and Apples

Something about fall and apples go hand in hand. Yesterday we went Apple picking at one of my favorite places. Tougas Farm The Framingham Centre Adventurer group and our Twin Club both went. We picked 75 pounds of Gala, Empire, Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Cortland, and Granny Smith. There were 25 of us from our Adventurer group. They have a small petting zoo as well. The kids loved feeding the goats. It is a cutest sight watching them hold out their hands and giggle in delight as the goats tickle them with the goats tongue. So far we have had apples with French toast and apples with oatmeal. We love the taste of fresh apples right off the tree and fresh cider.

This week mom is working in NYC so she came for a visit on either side of the trip. It is fun to see her and I am glad she is able to be here to see us. Looking forward to Friday when she comes back and we can spend the weekend together again. Sabbath is Adventurer induction. The kids are so cute in their uniforms.

The prophecy seminar is in full swing and I think Nique will be getting baptized at the end of it. We are still doing prayer partners and praying over our lists of prayer requests on a regular basis which has been an absolute blessing to me. God has just poured out his blessings to me.

Thankful Thursday

Tuesday was a busy day and I didn't post my thankful post

Today I am thankful for...

God who is faithful even when I don't remember to thank Him
Children who love to laugh and play
Friends who pray for me
Friends who know just what to say and when to say it
Family who is there for me all the time
Doctors that can treat my children
Companies that label their products so I know I am buying safe things for my kids who are allergic
Sunshine that warms
Rain that makes the grass and flowers grow

epilepsy

This week my best friends daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy. It is not a death sentence. ~E is 3 years old. Now we will have to educate ourselves and others about epilepsy. She will not live in a bubble. She is still a normal active growing three year old. Fortunately for ~E, there is a chance she will grow out of her seizures. I am grateful that Children's hospital is close and has the doctors to treat ~E. She is being treated at a Epilepsy Clinic

Thankful Tuesday

God will prevail in ALL things. God is Lord of my life!!! Satan will not get me down.

Today I am thankful for ..

my church's evangelism.
40 days of devotions and prayers
my prayer partner and her commitment to me and my list of concerns
for doctors that have turned my 7 year old son into a normal happy little boy.
for the neighbor kid who asked "who cured Reuben's eczema?" (there is no cure but he looks that good)
for children who are resilient and can bounce back to life's trials
for my husband who has one of the worst duty's known to the military yet handles it handles it with grace and dignity and support of the families.


“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.”- Isaiah 26:4

Sabbath is that one day

God has given us ONE day that is HOLY and blessing. Sabbath is that day. This was that day. When I woke up this morning the sky was dark and raining and I so could have just rolled over and gone back to bed. But I was like Satan you are not keeping me from the blessing of church and fellowship again. We got out the door. Brian had drill weekend. But the kids and I went to church. When we arrived we were greeted by the Pastor and an umbrella.

We didn't get to really hear the sermon because the girls were a little talkative today but we sat in the mother's room and tried as much as possible. There is something peaceful about being in God's house though.

After church was our "huddle" time for our 40 days of prayer. God is working in lives as we pray together. I have a prayer partner and an appointment time to meet and pray every day with her. Having an accountability partner is important to keep me focused and encouraged that someone else is praying for me as well.

The kids started Adventurers today. Looks like it will be a full year for us. I volunteered Nique and I to lead the Little Lambs, the three year old program. I figure we have 4 of the 6 girls in the class. Nique is also going to do the marching instruction. See last year she noted how they were marching in so this year I said you can teach them. LOL

A full a blessed day.

new plan of action

yesterday I took Reuben into a new specialist for his eczema. After some new skin testing, we found out he is allergic to one new thing (horses) and not allergic to milk. HOORAY!!! The rest the tests confirmed what we already knew (so far). We were given a new course of treatment for the time being. He is getting some antihistamines, antibiotics both oral and topical, topical steroids (which I am not completely happy with), a new moisturizing cream, zinc oxide wraps for his arms and legs (I have to say after just one night I can already see improvement). There are some more blood tests being run and we go back in a few weeks for a follow visit.

There have been some insurance hurdles to get through but I think we will get through them one way or the other.

Brian says if this clears Reuben up we are going to take family pictures as soon as possible.

I am so happy that God is watching over us and that we aren't alone in this battle.