1st week down, Computer found!

My first week returning to seminary classes is almost complete! Though physically exhausting, I've greatly enjoyed being able to once again learn from our wise professors. One was born in South America, another has pastored various churches on the mission field, including a French-speaking congregation, and the other is a father and musician who really understands the language learning process.
Answer to prayer-- I found a laptop at such a good deal online for a one day only sale that I decided to get it! Dell is building it and it should be here by the end of the month. In the meantime, my sister Bethany has let me borrow her old laptop to get started on my class papers. Thanks to all who offered to give me their computers. I was humbled by the generous offers of so many of you to help me in my need. The advice of where to look was helpful, thanks to all for their suggestions. Praise the Lord with us for His provision!
I did so well driving to and from classes by myself this week and using my walker between car, bathroom, and classes that I've decided to put the scooter search on hold for a while as I focus on my course work. We will see how my strength holds up in the coming weeks.
My next IVIg treatments are Monday and Tuesday. The week before I receive them is always the most difficult on me physically; as my body's supply of immuno-globulins nears empty, I usually begin to look forward to my next treatment.

Daily Graces

September 2006
Dear Friends,
HEALTH
These last months have been full of changes in the Knaebel household. Christopher has been receiving IVIg treatments once a month, spread over two days @ 7 hours each, and is seeing slow, but consistent improvement by the week. He is down to 40mg/day of Prednisone (about half of where he was 2 months ago), which has decreased water-retention in face and improved the steroid related acne. For the last month and a half, he has been climbing the 3 front stairs to and from the apartment on a regular basis. He is also driving short distances in car again. Though he can do many things a couple of times that he could not do a few months ago, he gets fatigued very quickly. Pray for endurance as he works in physical therapy.
SCHOOL
Rebecca passed her last two courses and has now started her final Moody course, Physical Geography online from our local community college. She will be done in December and hopes to pursue a historical theology degree at Westminster, as seminary wives go for free. She is excited about the possibility of pursuing another job outside of the home as Christopher is becoming more independent in normal everyday activities.
Christopher will be taking Hebrew, Doctrine of the Church, and New Testament Introduction at Westminster this semester for a total of 8 credits. The doctor has prescribed a scooter to help him save energy while getting around on campus, though he is currently trying to find a vendor for one.
FINANCES
We have started saving 20% of Rebecca's earnings for Self-employment taxes which will be due in December or March (depending on how quickly we make enough to file). Thank you to all for your financial gifts, we have used them to keep our parents debt-free while we are dependent on them. So far, Dad Knaebel has not had to borrow any extra money to cover our monthly rent, electric, phone, & insurances. Dad Hall continues to pay for Rebecca's classes and cell phone.
HOUSEHOLD
A storm last weekend caused a drip in our apartment right over Christopher's laptop computer, destroying it. Thankfully, virtually nothing else was damaged. We are unable to post the most recent pictures to our website, as they were lost on the computer. Pray that we will find an affordable mobile replacement shortly, as he will need it for writing papers this semester.
Music has returned to our home-- in late July as we acquired a piano that a local church was giving away. Christopher has been playing a Rachmaninoff piece he has always wanted to learn: Prelude in C# Minor (he is half way through it).
FAMILY & FRIENDS
Rebecca's sister Sarah visited in late July and she had a blast taking her into Philly to see some of the historical sites. They enjoyed a birthday lunch for Sarah of Rabbit - without the buckshot! The only other time Sarah had eaten rabbit was when a friend had gone out back and killed it with buckshot. The following visit was from Rebecca's best friend Lindsey who flew in as a surprise birthday gift. Dad, Mom, & Kimberly Knaebel came out mid August to celebrate Rebecca's birthday: dinner @ Macaroni Grill (her favorite restaurant)! We have certainly enjoyed all the family time as Chris' sister Bethany and her husband Alex have been now in the area for about 2 months. Alex has started at Westminster in the MDIV program along with Christopher; Bethany is nannying in the area. Grandma Pribble (Chris' mom's mom) got to visit over Labor Day and was blessed to see Christopher again returning to the music he loves: Alex & Christopher had a jam session on the guitar while Bethany played a little piano! It was soothing to the ears of the entire family as well as encouraging to their hearts to see how far the Lord has brought us these last nine months.
Thanks for your prayers & encouragement. We would not be here without you all and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Love, Christopher & Rebecca