From North Carolina

It's late Thursday night here at the Atkins home in Graham, North Carolina. We arrived here last Saturday after quite a hectic week of mission trips, kidney stones and surgeries. As many of you know Isaiah had to have a shunt revision done last Thursday. Thankfully that all went very very well and we were discharged by Friday noonish.

We had been planning on flying up together to visit Cristy's family and friends here in North Carolina, but then she developed a kidney stone. So we were faced with the question of what was best to do. By last Friday Cristy had not yet passed her stone but was in considerably less pain. Furthermore, she was on some pain medicine that didn't keep her "doped up" so she was able to carry on a lucid conversation. We prayed, and decided that since our next trip up here probably wouldn't be until Christmas that we would go ahead and come. Thankfully, in the wee hours of Saturday morning all was resolved. Praise the Lord.

We've had a wonderful visit here in North Carolina. It was the first time that Cristy's church family at Beacon Baptist was able to see Isaiah. She's very close to all of the people there having known them for about 25 years. We were also able to minister some with Beacon. They are already supporting us for our work in Russia, and plan to increase that in the next year. On Sunday both Cristy and I were asked to teach Sunday School. And this past Wedesday night Cristy spoke to the teenagers about our work in Russia, while I gave an update on our plans to the adults as well as preached.

In addition to all of the visiting and work we've enjoyed some considerable rest time! Thankfully, Isaiah has been sleeping very well through the night and both Cristy and I have been able to catch up on some sleep these past few days. It's also encouraging to sit down and talk with some people about our vision for Russia, especially people who are really eager to ask questions about our future work. Also, today we took a short trip over to Old Salem and toured some of the old Colonial Moravian Village. It was very interesting and relaxing, and it was just a good time for Cristy, Isaiah and I to spend together as a family. We made it back to Graham here about 3PM.

Tonight the Simmons family, a family that is very close to the Atkinses, came by for a visit tonight. I've enjoyed getting to know them over the past 2 years as we've come up here for visits. Also, Cristy's life-long friend Grace stopped by to see Isaiah for the first time. It was good to see her again.

Finally, what better way to top off the night that with a rousing, schmack-talking game of Phase Ten! It was tough going there for a while, but I emerged victorious. Ah, the sweet savor of victory.

Tommorow will hopefully take off from the Raleigh-Durham Airport at 5PM headed for Jackson. Lord willing, we will land in Jackson about 8:15 and be back in Yazoo City before 10PM. It's been a good trip, and I think a much needed trip for us. We hope to tell you more about some of our ministry opportunities here soon. Please check back.

In Christ,
Thomas