He cried.

But I'm sure it won't be long until he is building castles in the sand!

I can't believe Isaiah is already 4 months old! How time flies!

Dad is home now. He was discharged last week and is at home in Menifee. He says he still feels really awful, and he is distraught by his failing eyesight and overall condition. It is a lot to take in. But he is at least a little more comfortable being home and sleeping in his own bed. Hopefully a physical therapist will be able to come sometime this week to show my dad some exercises to aid in his recovery. He is taking over 20 medications a day now, and it is quite taxing on him. Many of the meds are “dirty” meaning very harsh to the system- however they need to be taken to eradicate the infection in his brain. It is going to be a long road ahead, but we are just so happy that he is out of the hospital.

I want to thank you all for your kind emails, prayers and encouragement. You've all blessed us so much!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your prayers and thoughts. They are so comforting to me and I know that your prayers are making a difference.

Dad is in stable condition at the hospital. He is so much better than he was a week ago. He is no longer contagious, so we no longer have to wear the masks, gown and gloves to visit him, and Isaiah has been able to come into his room with me. My dad probably has 70% of his speech back. He is extremely weak physically, and I know he is mentally and emotionally drained. Although his state is a major improvement- I think it will get worse before it gets better again. He has constant headaches again- and everyday he has fevers ranging from 99 to 103. The fevers have affected his hearing, and he is also constantly nauseas. He cannot keep anything down but fruit (apples). We try to encourage him to eat, but even the smell of food makes him sick to his stomach. I have been bringing him Ensure and Gatorade and he has been drinking, but very little at a time.

I have spoken to the doctors to see if they can find some other medication to help with his nausea and fever. I just think that if he could eat some, his body would have more strength to fight. He has walked a few steps in a walker, but very shaky and unstable, due to being so weak...

Please continue to pray for him. We look forward to the day that he can be transferred to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy, but he needs to be rid of the fever for 24 hours. My dad says that he is not at all mad at God, and that God can do what He will, he knows there is a reason for this. I am amazed by his faith and his strength.

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts. Yesterday morning was a great day, as I saw my dad smiling and talking. I know your prayers have helped him improve. His speech comes and goes, and he is exhausted.

Doctors say it is spinal menangitis. We think he must have come in contact with it at work. Praise God that it was not a stroke. The doctors expect him to make a full recovery, but still need to keep him in the hospital for 3-4 days. But they are still puzzled as to why it has affected his speech.

Last night's visit was tough, because he could not get the words out to speak to me. I could see how frustrated he was. I read to him from the Bible and we listened to my favorite praise and worship songs on the boombox. I hope it lifted his spirits a little. He read one sentence out of the good book, it was shaky, but he did it. I can tell his head throbs from pain and the inflammation of fluid in his brain. He is tired, so tired. I wish there was more I could do for him.

I wish I could bring Isaiah in to see his Granpa because I know this would bring a big grin to my dad's face. But menangitis is highly contagious and we cannot take the risk. I brought pictures of Isaiah, and I see my dad looking over at them and smiling.

Please continue to keep him in prayer. Our family is exhausted, but we are hopeful. We are praying for God's grace, and his healing powers. Dave and I are so tired everyday- please pray that God give us the strength to get through this. Our little Isaiah is truly a ray of sunshine, he smiles and he just started laughing- and it's like seeing a rainbow on a dark day.

Once again, thanks for your thoughts and prayers. I am going for a visit this morning and will update again once I get the chance. God Bless you.

I believe that prayer changes things and if you are reading this, I ask you to please say a prayer for my dearest Dad, Rafael Cruz.

He was admitted to the Naval Hospital at Camp Pendleton this morning with stroke symptoms. He is unable to speak or write, but could walk earlier this morning. He can nod and shake his head in response to questions, and he squeezes our hands when we hold his. My father is such a humble servant of the Lord, and a good honorable man to all he meets.

The doctors at the Naval Hospital still are not sure what happened. They originally thought it was a stroke. They tested some of his spinal fliud, and found it to be infected. At this point we don't have much information, and details are still being analyzed. We don't know much about his diagnosis... needless to say we are worried, but I know my dad would tell us (if he was able to speak) to trust in the Lord, like he does. We are waiting for more test results and an MRI is scheduled for Monday.

Please lift up my dad in prayer. Please pray for a full recovery. Please pray that Jesus help him through his pain. Please pray for the doctors and nurses that are caring for him. Please pray for our family. My dad believes that prayer changes things and I do too. We need our father and our children need their Grandpa. Please pray for his strength and his health. Please ask your friends and family to pray for our family. You can never have too much prayer.

Thank you. God Bless.