Third Time's a Charm

This week is a marker for us.

This second week of February six years ago (2002), my husband looked like this (he looks like a baseball, doesn't he?) :

It started with repeated, nasty sinus infections. Then the headaches. Several appointments and scans later, he was scheduled for sinus surgery and a craniotomy to remove something growing in his head that didn't belong. It was one of those bizarre things. No one could explain any cause or reason. The surgeries seemed to be successful and his recovery went very well.

Then, three years later (2005), again the second week in February, he looked like this. (He looks like an alien in this one):

The growth had returned and he faced another craniotomy. This one was...rough. But afterwards the doctors seemed quite confidant this had solved the problem for good.

So here we are in the second week in February again at the next three year increment. And look at him today. No baseballs or aliens this year. I love those laughing eyes.

We can't help but reflect on this three year marker and thank God that it's different this time.

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19