Miracles

And now to the second entry about gratitude. Last September, we asked for your faith and prayers on Rich's behalf in regards to the completion of his PhD. He's been working on this for the last nine years and things were looking like they were wrapping up, and then he had a major set back. His professor started to question a set of data that he felt invalidated Rich's entire project. We were fearful that all of it would get thrown in the garbage and that Rich would have to take a year off medical school to do a whole new set of experiments.

Rich's professor, and another professor in Hawaii, set about trying to solve the problem or salvage the paper. After severl months, things were still not looking good; but then the miracles started. First, Rich found an advocate in department who had some influence and who felt that Rich had completed the departmental requirements. Then, Rich's professor decided that a new set of experiments would not be fair and decided to try to turn the paper into some theoretical piece of work, throwing out all of the experimental data. Rich's advocate then met with
Rich's professor, and told him it was time wrap things up or change Rich's graduation committee.

Then, the greatest miracle; Rich was inspired with a mathmatical solution to the problem and Rich's professor was in the mood to listen. Because of that, his work is validated and publishable, and Rich earned his professor's respect. In his professor's words, Rich had earned an A+ by solving a problem that his professor couldn't solve.

So, now instead of years, we're down to weeks until Rich has his professor's signature on his thesis. It still has to go to the thesis editor, but the big hurtle seems to have been gotten over.

So, thanks to all of you you fasted and prayed for us. You're prayers have been answered; our faith has been increased; and I know the Lord loves us. I am grateful!