This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission when you make a purchase at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site in this way!

I come to you tonight with some encouraging, as well as some sad, news.

I finally heard back from Kariss’ specialist about the pathology reports. I think I revealed to you already that the endoscopy found nothing alarming – only some irritation and abnormal redness on the bottom of her stomach. The doctor comfirmed that it is gastritis, but not the helicobacter she originally tested positive for, so that is a good sign. Though we don’t know what caused it, we’re thankful it’s nothing more serious as was feared. She’s on medicine for the next ten days and I hope that any of you that are in the nutrition world that know something about gastritis (we’re still not sure what that means), might be able to shed some light on some natural approaches we could take with Kariss from here to ease her pain and get rid of the condition altogether.

The sad news is that we JUST found out that Ricky’s cousin, Stephen, passed away tonight. I don’t even know the details yet (we literally just got the call as I was about to put the kids to bed and Ricky has already left again) so I cannot tell you much except that I’m sure most of you remember Ricky’s cousin Michael was just killed in a car accident Easter weekend. Stephen is Michael’s brother. The oldest of the three boys, Jimmy, is now the only child left in the family and he and Ricky are the closest (in relationship and age). PLEASE keep the Cone family in your prayers, especially Aunt Diane and Uncle Kenny as they’ve now lost two boys within a few months. I’m sure I’m babbling a bit even as I write, but we just can’t get our head around this.

For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.
 Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion
      because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
 For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow.

~ Lamentations 3: 31-33 NLT