Hi Friends! I'm home from surgery. It was last night and was quick and easy and so far the pain is limited. Of course, I am not walking or putting pressure on it. I will be in bed until Sunday or Monday. I can feel the effects of all of the prayers b/c this was a more invasive surgery than the last one, but yet my knee is much less swollen and so far it doesn't hurt as bad. The anesthesia was very mild so I am surprisingly alert.
I'll write details about my interesting cross-cultural experience later. A quick thought - surgery at 6 p.m. in Costa Rica means everyone arrives at 6 p.m. not that the surgery starts at that time.
I have some quick prayer requests:
Parker's schooling. We are meeting with his teacher on Wednesday to see if he is in the proper grade. (he's in first, but might need to be in second). We'll see what she says.
Our Empleada situation (a very long story) and that God will provide a new helper by Monday or Tuesday.
School starts on Tuesday so please pray I will be surprisingly functionable. I have full confidence in this.
For language school in general - that we will have awesome attitudes, alert minds and the time to do our homework and do it well.
Protection from spiritual warfare - we are definitely seeing it.
Thank you friends. I love and appreciate you all.
One more thing...if you would like to call me I would LOVE it since I am just laying around until Monday. It is like you are calling St. Cloud so it is not an international call and totally free if you are in St. Cloud 321-766-4043. CALL ME!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Homeschooling Ramblings
Tomorrow is Ally's first day of kindergarten and Parker's first day of first grade. They have never been in school before outside of the Pham household. I am excited for them and about all that they will be learning. I am saddened for them because of all that they will be missing. I believe what they really need to is to be home with their family learning from their parents and siblings and watching us live out our faith. They need to be loving on their brothers and sisters and cultivating a heart for the family, not developing their own "private" life at school. Obviously, I have strong feelings on why we have chosen to homeschool our children. You might not know this, but it took us almost 2.5 years to get here because of this issue of sending our children to school.
Before I go on, please know that I don't think it is wrong AT ALL for parents to send their children to school. It is just not best for our family. Seven years ago, God gave us a vision of what our family would look like and public school was not part of the picture. You see, we don't feel it is possible for our vision or family expectations to be met if someone else is raising our children. We believe that if they are in the world 8 hours a day and with us a few hours a day then they will choose the world because it has the greater influence over them. We believe that these four little ones are the greatest gifts God could give us and the most precious gifts He will ever give us. We don't want to miss a moment of anything. Everything that Parker has learned thus far I have taught him - how to write, read, math, swim, the Bible, his manners and his ability to discern right from wrong. Although I think there are amazing teachers and schools in the world, I believe no one is going to invest in him like I will. No one is as motivated to see him succeed academically, spiritually or emotionally as I am. How can they possibly be? I am his mom!
This situation is only for a year and I have surrendered it to the Lord many, many, many times. Because it is so closely connected to my heart I have to keep laying it down at the altar.
Tomorrow, I will drop them off knowing that this time next year we will be starting school together as a family in Peru and it will be wonderful and we will have over a decade of togetherness. God revealed to me last December that if I would give Him the vision that He has given us that He would restore it to something even better. Sometimes a vision has to die. We have to completely give it over to God and then He gives it back as something completely unrecognizable, but oh so perfect! I can't wait to see what God has in store for our family. I know that tomorrow is just another day of obedience and I rejoice in the calling God has placed on our lives. I rejoice in the people who will be loving on my babies this year. But most importantly, I rejoice in the fact that this is only temporary! :)
P.S. I met Parker's teacher today and she is an IMB missionary. One word to describe her - WONDERFUL.
Before I go on, please know that I don't think it is wrong AT ALL for parents to send their children to school. It is just not best for our family. Seven years ago, God gave us a vision of what our family would look like and public school was not part of the picture. You see, we don't feel it is possible for our vision or family expectations to be met if someone else is raising our children. We believe that if they are in the world 8 hours a day and with us a few hours a day then they will choose the world because it has the greater influence over them. We believe that these four little ones are the greatest gifts God could give us and the most precious gifts He will ever give us. We don't want to miss a moment of anything. Everything that Parker has learned thus far I have taught him - how to write, read, math, swim, the Bible, his manners and his ability to discern right from wrong. Although I think there are amazing teachers and schools in the world, I believe no one is going to invest in him like I will. No one is as motivated to see him succeed academically, spiritually or emotionally as I am. How can they possibly be? I am his mom!
This situation is only for a year and I have surrendered it to the Lord many, many, many times. Because it is so closely connected to my heart I have to keep laying it down at the altar.
Tomorrow, I will drop them off knowing that this time next year we will be starting school together as a family in Peru and it will be wonderful and we will have over a decade of togetherness. God revealed to me last December that if I would give Him the vision that He has given us that He would restore it to something even better. Sometimes a vision has to die. We have to completely give it over to God and then He gives it back as something completely unrecognizable, but oh so perfect! I can't wait to see what God has in store for our family. I know that tomorrow is just another day of obedience and I rejoice in the calling God has placed on our lives. I rejoice in the people who will be loving on my babies this year. But most importantly, I rejoice in the fact that this is only temporary! :)
P.S. I met Parker's teacher today and she is an IMB missionary. One word to describe her - WONDERFUL.
Knee Stuff
Don't forget to read the Model, Assist, Watch and Leave blog before you read this one. It is much more important and I had hoped it would show up first.
*******************************************************
John and I met with the surgeon and my patient advocate doctor today for about 45 minutes. I am much more at peace with the surgery now that I have more information. All 3 of the doctors here feel this is definitely the best route for me. The surgeon said if I don't have this done the problem will not correct itself (or it would've improved already with conservative treatments)and I might possibly run one day but he doesn't want to say either way just in case I can't. This is not a common surgery, but they felt that if it needed to be done I am definitely the candidate for it.
The surgery will be like this: the doctor will cut open about 2 inches of my leg along the lateral right side. He will then cut my Illiotibial band that runs from my hip to my knee about 60%. This will help the band to release, thus relieving the pressure it is constantly putting on my knee and hip joints. In a few weeks time, as the band heals, it will reattach itself through the help of scar tissue and blood-cells back to my joint. But when it reattaches, it will be much loser and without the inflammation and pain - Lord willing.
The doctor said he has done this surgery about 20-25 times and all of his patients have responded well. He said that in general, 80% of patients are pain-free after recovery, but then there are a percentage that still have the same problems. Please pray I am not in that category.
Recovery will look like this:
7 days on crutches
A taxi to and from school
Stitches out at 10 days
Therapy to begin after stitches
Therapy for 3-4 weeks for 2 times a week
Thank you for all of your prayers and concerns. I'm sure it will all go very well! Love to you all.
*******************************************************
John and I met with the surgeon and my patient advocate doctor today for about 45 minutes. I am much more at peace with the surgery now that I have more information. All 3 of the doctors here feel this is definitely the best route for me. The surgeon said if I don't have this done the problem will not correct itself (or it would've improved already with conservative treatments)and I might possibly run one day but he doesn't want to say either way just in case I can't. This is not a common surgery, but they felt that if it needed to be done I am definitely the candidate for it.
The surgery will be like this: the doctor will cut open about 2 inches of my leg along the lateral right side. He will then cut my Illiotibial band that runs from my hip to my knee about 60%. This will help the band to release, thus relieving the pressure it is constantly putting on my knee and hip joints. In a few weeks time, as the band heals, it will reattach itself through the help of scar tissue and blood-cells back to my joint. But when it reattaches, it will be much loser and without the inflammation and pain - Lord willing.
The doctor said he has done this surgery about 20-25 times and all of his patients have responded well. He said that in general, 80% of patients are pain-free after recovery, but then there are a percentage that still have the same problems. Please pray I am not in that category.
Recovery will look like this:
7 days on crutches
A taxi to and from school
Stitches out at 10 days
Therapy to begin after stitches
Therapy for 3-4 weeks for 2 times a week
Thank you for all of your prayers and concerns. I'm sure it will all go very well! Love to you all.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Love - Model, Assist, Watch and Leave
This morning my quiet time was in Corinthians. Very often I have to go back and read what love is because I am very adept at forgetting that love is not about ME! As I meditated on the verses of what love is....patient, kind, not self-seeking....and if I don't have it I am only a clanging symbol, I was convicted. How annoying is a clanging symbol? It is loud and serves no purpose. I'm ALWAYS convicted when I read these verses. I prayed and asked the Lord to help me to love others better; my family, my friends, my neighbors, the people of Costa Rica - everyone. I asked him to turn my eyes from myself and onto others. I prayed, "Please show me what your love looks like in my life."
The kids and I started the morning while I offered to let John sleep. At breakfast I found myself easily irritated with the kids for several different reasons - none of which I can actually remember right now. I had already had to discipline them a few times and it wasn't even 7:30 a.m. yet. Anyway, as I was speaking to them in a very irritated, but not quite yelling voice...I think barking might better describe it, I was suddenly convicted. "Jessica, you asked me to show you how to love others. Start by being patient with your children." Ouch...I took this conviction to heart and immediately looked at my babies and said, "Kids, I am so sorry. I was just reading in the Bible this morning about being loving and the first verse about love says that it is patient. I am not being patient right now and I am sorry. Will you please forgive me?" That's it! That is all I said.
I hadn't even paused from my sentence when Parker looked at me and said, "Mom, will you please forgive me for not cleaning my room like you asked me to?"
Then immediately Ally said, "Mom, will you forgive me for fighting with Parker?"
And then Jaxson said, "Mom, will you forgive me for climbing in Avery's crib?"
It was like three little birdies singing a beautiful song. Truly enchanting. One right after another.
I smiled and said, "Of course I do. I love you all so much. I forgive you and I hope you forgive me, too." They did - just like they always do. I modeled the example and then they followed after me.
During missionary training we learned about being the kind of missionary that model's Christ to others, assists others in a relationship with Him, watches them grow and then leaves them to stand on their own two feet. It is called: Model, Assist, Watch and Leave. I discovered today that this is also the exact proto-type for parenting. Model! Assist! Watch! Leave!
God showed me this morning to stay in His word and to follow Him. Model a life of love for my children, assist them in their journey, watch them and then they will leave to follow Him. I hope that my life will not be a clanging symbol, but one rooted in the foundation of true love. A love that has nothing to do with what I want or think I deserve, but ALL about how I respond.
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
The kids and I started the morning while I offered to let John sleep. At breakfast I found myself easily irritated with the kids for several different reasons - none of which I can actually remember right now. I had already had to discipline them a few times and it wasn't even 7:30 a.m. yet. Anyway, as I was speaking to them in a very irritated, but not quite yelling voice...I think barking might better describe it, I was suddenly convicted. "Jessica, you asked me to show you how to love others. Start by being patient with your children." Ouch...I took this conviction to heart and immediately looked at my babies and said, "Kids, I am so sorry. I was just reading in the Bible this morning about being loving and the first verse about love says that it is patient. I am not being patient right now and I am sorry. Will you please forgive me?" That's it! That is all I said.
I hadn't even paused from my sentence when Parker looked at me and said, "Mom, will you please forgive me for not cleaning my room like you asked me to?"
Then immediately Ally said, "Mom, will you forgive me for fighting with Parker?"
And then Jaxson said, "Mom, will you forgive me for climbing in Avery's crib?"
It was like three little birdies singing a beautiful song. Truly enchanting. One right after another.
I smiled and said, "Of course I do. I love you all so much. I forgive you and I hope you forgive me, too." They did - just like they always do. I modeled the example and then they followed after me.
During missionary training we learned about being the kind of missionary that model's Christ to others, assists others in a relationship with Him, watches them grow and then leaves them to stand on their own two feet. It is called: Model, Assist, Watch and Leave. I discovered today that this is also the exact proto-type for parenting. Model! Assist! Watch! Leave!
God showed me this morning to stay in His word and to follow Him. Model a life of love for my children, assist them in their journey, watch them and then they will leave to follow Him. I hope that my life will not be a clanging symbol, but one rooted in the foundation of true love. A love that has nothing to do with what I want or think I deserve, but ALL about how I respond.
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:1-7
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Blog This!!
Yesterday the kids got in the cutest pose and said, "Mom, mom....get the camera so you can put this on your blog." I happily obliged and here is the result..... (Avery didn't want any part of this):
CUTIES!!!!!
Also, just trying out a video......
JUST MONKEYING AROUND
Banana Splits and Kisses
Yesterday afternoon we rounded up the troops and headed to the local mall for some play-doh. Yes, you heard me right.....play-doh. There are some things in life that are a must have and play-doh is one of them for the Pham family.
I'll spare you all the details, but there are two things I want to share about some observances we made while we were out. The first one being......I saw a woman feeding her 3 month old baby, or less, a banana split. I'm seriously NOT joking! The baby was cradled in her arms with his limp head and arms while she tried to scoop banana deliciousness into his mouth. My heart was saddened to see this. Not that these things don't happen in the states because they do. In fact, my Mema told me she use to feed my dad coke out of a bottle at like 8 weeks old. So at least this situation reminded me of my Mema, but I still couldn't help staring and feeling so sad for this little guy. I remember reading once in a No Greater Joy magazine that we wouldn't feed our animals toxic food, so why we would we do that to our precious babies and kids? I highly doubt this little guy's digestive system can handle such "junk" in his body.
We quickly settled in for the world's cheapest dinner. We fed our whole family for $6 as we stuffed them on toxic burgers, fries and juice. Hey, at least their bodies can handle it once in a while. Not like we eat like this very often. Anyway, in the middle of dinner Parker has to go to the bathroom. So I walk him over there only to have to stand behind him and cover his eyes from the two people who are HEAVILY making out in the food court. They didn't come up for air for at least 5 minutes and when they did it was only for like 20 seconds. I'm not sure if they even knew they were in public. I tried to protect Parker from seeing this outrageous display and I think I was successful. This is the third time I have seen people kissing like this in public. It makes me super uncomfortable and if we were in America I would definitely say something, but it's TOTALLY not my place here. I did try to see if anyone else was as appalled as I was, but that didn't seem to be the case. I was the only loser who was staring. We just scurried on as I tried to get that yucky image out of my mind.
We did manage to get some play-doh and it didn't cost our whole month's salary like we thought it would. The evening consisted of kisses and banana splits, but not the kind you were thinking of. :) It was an interesting night nonetheless.
I'll spare you all the details, but there are two things I want to share about some observances we made while we were out. The first one being......I saw a woman feeding her 3 month old baby, or less, a banana split. I'm seriously NOT joking! The baby was cradled in her arms with his limp head and arms while she tried to scoop banana deliciousness into his mouth. My heart was saddened to see this. Not that these things don't happen in the states because they do. In fact, my Mema told me she use to feed my dad coke out of a bottle at like 8 weeks old. So at least this situation reminded me of my Mema, but I still couldn't help staring and feeling so sad for this little guy. I remember reading once in a No Greater Joy magazine that we wouldn't feed our animals toxic food, so why we would we do that to our precious babies and kids? I highly doubt this little guy's digestive system can handle such "junk" in his body.
We quickly settled in for the world's cheapest dinner. We fed our whole family for $6 as we stuffed them on toxic burgers, fries and juice. Hey, at least their bodies can handle it once in a while. Not like we eat like this very often. Anyway, in the middle of dinner Parker has to go to the bathroom. So I walk him over there only to have to stand behind him and cover his eyes from the two people who are HEAVILY making out in the food court. They didn't come up for air for at least 5 minutes and when they did it was only for like 20 seconds. I'm not sure if they even knew they were in public. I tried to protect Parker from seeing this outrageous display and I think I was successful. This is the third time I have seen people kissing like this in public. It makes me super uncomfortable and if we were in America I would definitely say something, but it's TOTALLY not my place here. I did try to see if anyone else was as appalled as I was, but that didn't seem to be the case. I was the only loser who was staring. We just scurried on as I tried to get that yucky image out of my mind.
We did manage to get some play-doh and it didn't cost our whole month's salary like we thought it would. The evening consisted of kisses and banana splits, but not the kind you were thinking of. :) It was an interesting night nonetheless.
Just Because We're Bored
One Word Answers
From my friend Heather at texasaggieinfl.blogspot.com
You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word. Answers.
Jessica Pham:
1. Yourself: determined
2. Your significant other: analytical
3. Your hair: highlighted
4. Your mother: dunno
5. Your Father: muscles
6. Your step father/mother: organized
7. Your dream last night: running
8. Your Favorite drink: gatorade
9. Your Dream Car: H2
10. The room you are in: small
11. Your Ex: lonely
12. Your fears: cancer
13. What do you want to be in 10 years: triathlete
14. Who you hung out with last night: Hubby
15. What You're Not: mathematician
16. Muffins: Carrotcake
17: One of Your Wish List Items: Bloggety-makeover
18: Time: Evening
19. The Last Thing You Did: stuff
20. What You Are Wearing: P.J's
21. Your Favorite Weather: Breezy
22. Your Favorite Book: Grisham
23. The last thing you ate: Peanuts
24. Your Life: adventurous
25. Your Mood: HAPPY
26. Your Friends: loyal
27. What are you thinking about right now?: running
29. What are you doing at the moment?: blogging
30. Your summer: COSTA RICA
31. Your relationship status: committed
32. What is on your tv?: nada
33. When is the last time you laughed?: earlier
34. Last time you cried?: Wednesday
35. School?: UCF
John Pham:
1. Yourself: systematic
2. Your significant other: Hot
3. Your hair: dark
4. Your mother: wise
5. Your Father: kind
6. Your step father/mother: none
7. Your dream last night: forgettable
8. Your Favorite drink: gatorade
9. Your Dream Car: porsche
10. The room you are in: dark
11. Your Ex: missionary
12. Your fears: failure
13. What do you want to be in 10 years: missionary
14. Who you hung out with last night: Jess
15. What You're Not: creative
16. Muffins: banana
17: One of Your Wish List Items: MAC
18: Time: short
19. The Last Thing You Did: confidential
20. What You Are Wearing: gators
21. Your Favorite Weather: wintery
22. Your Favorite Book: read?
23. The last thing you ate: doritos
24. Your Life: perfect
25. Your Mood: tired
26. Your Friends: distant
27. What are you thinking about right now?: ice-cream
29. What are you doing at the moment?: resting
30. Your summer: Virginia
31. Your relationship status: married
32. What is on your tv?: nothing
33. When is the last time you laughed?: today
34. Last time you cried?: orientation
35. School?: Gators
See what one word answers you can come up with and let us know. :)
From my friend Heather at texasaggieinfl.blogspot.com
You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word. Answers.
Jessica Pham:
1. Yourself: determined
2. Your significant other: analytical
3. Your hair: highlighted
4. Your mother: dunno
5. Your Father: muscles
6. Your step father/mother: organized
7. Your dream last night: running
8. Your Favorite drink: gatorade
9. Your Dream Car: H2
10. The room you are in: small
11. Your Ex: lonely
12. Your fears: cancer
13. What do you want to be in 10 years: triathlete
14. Who you hung out with last night: Hubby
15. What You're Not: mathematician
16. Muffins: Carrotcake
17: One of Your Wish List Items: Bloggety-makeover
18: Time: Evening
19. The Last Thing You Did: stuff
20. What You Are Wearing: P.J's
21. Your Favorite Weather: Breezy
22. Your Favorite Book: Grisham
23. The last thing you ate: Peanuts
24. Your Life: adventurous
25. Your Mood: HAPPY
26. Your Friends: loyal
27. What are you thinking about right now?: running
29. What are you doing at the moment?: blogging
30. Your summer: COSTA RICA
31. Your relationship status: committed
32. What is on your tv?: nada
33. When is the last time you laughed?: earlier
34. Last time you cried?: Wednesday
35. School?: UCF
John Pham:
1. Yourself: systematic
2. Your significant other: Hot
3. Your hair: dark
4. Your mother: wise
5. Your Father: kind
6. Your step father/mother: none
7. Your dream last night: forgettable
8. Your Favorite drink: gatorade
9. Your Dream Car: porsche
10. The room you are in: dark
11. Your Ex: missionary
12. Your fears: failure
13. What do you want to be in 10 years: missionary
14. Who you hung out with last night: Jess
15. What You're Not: creative
16. Muffins: banana
17: One of Your Wish List Items: MAC
18: Time: short
19. The Last Thing You Did: confidential
20. What You Are Wearing: gators
21. Your Favorite Weather: wintery
22. Your Favorite Book: read?
23. The last thing you ate: doritos
24. Your Life: perfect
25. Your Mood: tired
26. Your Friends: distant
27. What are you thinking about right now?: ice-cream
29. What are you doing at the moment?: resting
30. Your summer: Virginia
31. Your relationship status: married
32. What is on your tv?: nothing
33. When is the last time you laughed?: today
34. Last time you cried?: orientation
35. School?: Gators
See what one word answers you can come up with and let us know. :)
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Fun in the Sun
The kids had a blast in our make-do splash-pad today. :)
The cute blonde is Jaxson's best-bud, Caleb. They are 2 pea's in a pod.
Also, Avery has a hard time in the shower so we decided sink baths are best.
The cute blonde is Jaxson's best-bud, Caleb. They are 2 pea's in a pod.
Also, Avery has a hard time in the shower so we decided sink baths are best.
We had a great day in the yard!
Help is on the Way - Part 2
If you just read my previous blog then you can imagine that yesterday was an emotional day for me . I had blogged yesterday morning about our house helper coming to "help" with the house.
When she saw my tears yesterday she held me close and started praying for me in Spanish. God gave me, for a moment, the ability to understand everything she was saying.
She said, "You are in God's hands. He is the center of your life and your family. He is the king and he will not let you go."
She then got on her hands and knees and prayed for me on her knees. She put her hands on my leg. No one has done this before for me.
I wept and wept.
Here I thought we were coming overseas to bring something special to these people and she is ministering to me on her knees. I was humbled.
God's faithfulness astounds me. This is a very precious woman and her help in our family far exceeds anything she can "do" in the home. She is a prayer warrior, a lover of Christ and most importantly a friend.
When she saw my tears yesterday she held me close and started praying for me in Spanish. God gave me, for a moment, the ability to understand everything she was saying.
She said, "You are in God's hands. He is the center of your life and your family. He is the king and he will not let you go."
She then got on her hands and knees and prayed for me on her knees. She put her hands on my leg. No one has done this before for me.
I wept and wept.
Here I thought we were coming overseas to bring something special to these people and she is ministering to me on her knees. I was humbled.
God's faithfulness astounds me. This is a very precious woman and her help in our family far exceeds anything she can "do" in the home. She is a prayer warrior, a lover of Christ and most importantly a friend.
Knee Update
I went to the rheumatologist yesterday who said my knee was "disorganized." He looked at it through an ultrasound and proceeded to show me how different it looks from my normal knee. After reviewing my previous MRIand all of my medical records, he sent me on the same day to the orthopaedic surgeon on his floor. The surgeon has scheduled surgery for next Thursday. He will cut the lateral part of my knee about 3 inches and then inside my leg he will partially cut my Illiotibial Band (the band the runs from the hip to the knee) to release it. This surgery may or may not help the problem, but it will allow the doctor to also see the extent of the damage in my knee. He said that it is possible I tore my IT band which takes YEARS to heal or sometimes it never heals. He also thought I might have torn a ligament based on where some of the pain is, but he will know exactly what is going on once he is in there. I asked about Arthroscopic surgery which is much less invasive, but he said that he needs to fully see the entire area and he cannot do that with a scope. UGH!!! There is an 80% chance of success in pain reduction, but it is my best option since for 9 months conservative efforts have failed to bring me to a normal functioning/pain level.
The rheumatologist told me I might not ever run again and if I do it will be very limited. Of course, I cried my eyes out upon this news, but am accepting it more and more. The Orthopaedic surgeon said I should remove running from my mind - at least for now. The goal now needs to be able to sit and walk with much less pain. He did tell me that the good news is that I am not in danger. This leg injury is not "dangerous" to my overall life. I had to smile at this reminder, because it is VERY true.
As for school, I will only miss 2 days of orientation. I will be on crutches for a week and will have to take a taxi to and from school, but I should be okay to sit with my leg up and listen and learn. It is only for 4 hours a day. I will then need to be in physical therapy for about 4-6 weeks.
Anyway, I am very, very nervous. Please pray for the details to work out. God is reminding me daily that I am in His hands.
The rheumatologist told me I might not ever run again and if I do it will be very limited. Of course, I cried my eyes out upon this news, but am accepting it more and more. The Orthopaedic surgeon said I should remove running from my mind - at least for now. The goal now needs to be able to sit and walk with much less pain. He did tell me that the good news is that I am not in danger. This leg injury is not "dangerous" to my overall life. I had to smile at this reminder, because it is VERY true.
As for school, I will only miss 2 days of orientation. I will be on crutches for a week and will have to take a taxi to and from school, but I should be okay to sit with my leg up and listen and learn. It is only for 4 hours a day. I will then need to be in physical therapy for about 4-6 weeks.
Anyway, I am very, very nervous. Please pray for the details to work out. God is reminding me daily that I am in His hands.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Help is on the way
Life here, although it is spectacular so far, is a lot of work. I have heard other missionaries say that it just takes longer to do everything and I was sure that would not be the case for us. Alas, it is true. I find myself constantly cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, laundry, etc... I don't remember working so hard in Florida. Of course, I was also home full-time.
Yesterday help arrived. Our "empleada" started. Empleada means helper. Let me tell you all that this woman did in one day. And don't forget, she also had the daunting task of trying to communicate with me through my Spanglish. Thank God for dictionaries. I did, by the way, learn A LOT yesterday and had huge breakthroughs in my speaking. I can understand more than I can say which is frustrating. But just yesterday I conquered the words, to clean, to buy, dirty, trash, refrigerator and floor. :) It really helped to build my confidence.
I digress. The house helper went shopping, did the laundry, made dinner, cleaned the kitchen up like 4 times, cleaned the microwave, made the beds, etc.... I was working out at one point (upper-body, of course) and it was almost miraculous to see my house get so clean while I was exercising. I was beeboppin' all day long. We even had friends over for dinner last night to enjoy the scrumptious chicken and potatoes she made. Glorious!!!
I will post a picture of our empleada, Etel. She is very kind and has the sweetest spirit. She is a hard, hard working woman and a Christian. That was very important to us since she will be watching our kids sometimes. :) One of Etel's children is getting ready to head off to be a missionary in Africa. We just love her and she is a great addition to our family. I will post a picture of her later today. She is going to be here M,W,F from 7-3 each day.
I must scoot because she'll be here soon. Praise God, "Help is on the way."
Yesterday help arrived. Our "empleada" started. Empleada means helper. Let me tell you all that this woman did in one day. And don't forget, she also had the daunting task of trying to communicate with me through my Spanglish. Thank God for dictionaries. I did, by the way, learn A LOT yesterday and had huge breakthroughs in my speaking. I can understand more than I can say which is frustrating. But just yesterday I conquered the words, to clean, to buy, dirty, trash, refrigerator and floor. :) It really helped to build my confidence.
I digress. The house helper went shopping, did the laundry, made dinner, cleaned the kitchen up like 4 times, cleaned the microwave, made the beds, etc.... I was working out at one point (upper-body, of course) and it was almost miraculous to see my house get so clean while I was exercising. I was beeboppin' all day long. We even had friends over for dinner last night to enjoy the scrumptious chicken and potatoes she made. Glorious!!!
I will post a picture of our empleada, Etel. She is very kind and has the sweetest spirit. She is a hard, hard working woman and a Christian. That was very important to us since she will be watching our kids sometimes. :) One of Etel's children is getting ready to head off to be a missionary in Africa. We just love her and she is a great addition to our family. I will post a picture of her later today. She is going to be here M,W,F from 7-3 each day.
I must scoot because she'll be here soon. Praise God, "Help is on the way."
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Photo Album
Before you look at the album, please don't forget to see the previous 2 blogs about our trip. :)
We went, we enjoyed, we're burnt like toast. What a blast!!!
Thank you, Lord!
We went, we enjoyed, we're burnt like toast. What a blast!!!
Thank you, Lord!
Cool things
The first day we arrived at Punta Leona I noticed that the room had a candle in it. I thought, "how romantic." Hotels don't do this in the States. I'm gonna have to send a letter back home so we can get with it in the U.S.
3 days later when the electricity went out for 5 hours because of a torrential downpour, and we were stuck in the rain forest in an itty-bitty room with 4 children, we then realized what the candles were for. Anyway, we played eye-spy, what rhymes with bored....?, had a rock-paper-scissors-tournament, and what's your favorite? Jaxson's favorite is hot-dog pizza, by the way. Does that even exist?
**********
I was laying by the pool in my one-piece as I noticed that I was the ONLY person in the entire place that wasn't in a bikini. No matter the size or shape. EVERYONE wears a bikini. Very interesting.
Anyway, as I was sunbathing in my one-piece, the girl next to me, also in a bikini says "Oh, I am soooo hot," in perfect English. I think she meant her body temperature, not her state of being to males around her. :) Well, we struck up a conversation. She is 13 by the way. Guess where she is from? No, not Costa Rica. Well, originally. But she lives in St. Cloud, Florida. GET OUT!!!! I'm in the middle of no where in the Costa Rican rain forest and I meet a girl from St. Cloud who goes to Neptune Middle School. I spent many hours running that hill - the only hill in the entire town I might add, and she goes to the school next to the hill in my HOMETOWN. It was wild and I just kept thanking the Lord for bringing a piece of home to me right there in the middle of nowhere.
3 days later when the electricity went out for 5 hours because of a torrential downpour, and we were stuck in the rain forest in an itty-bitty room with 4 children, we then realized what the candles were for. Anyway, we played eye-spy, what rhymes with bored....?, had a rock-paper-scissors-tournament, and what's your favorite? Jaxson's favorite is hot-dog pizza, by the way. Does that even exist?
**********
I was laying by the pool in my one-piece as I noticed that I was the ONLY person in the entire place that wasn't in a bikini. No matter the size or shape. EVERYONE wears a bikini. Very interesting.
Anyway, as I was sunbathing in my one-piece, the girl next to me, also in a bikini says "Oh, I am soooo hot," in perfect English. I think she meant her body temperature, not her state of being to males around her. :) Well, we struck up a conversation. She is 13 by the way. Guess where she is from? No, not Costa Rica. Well, originally. But she lives in St. Cloud, Florida. GET OUT!!!! I'm in the middle of no where in the Costa Rican rain forest and I meet a girl from St. Cloud who goes to Neptune Middle School. I spent many hours running that hill - the only hill in the entire town I might add, and she goes to the school next to the hill in my HOMETOWN. It was wild and I just kept thanking the Lord for bringing a piece of home to me right there in the middle of nowhere.
OUR TRIP IN PICTURES
We visited the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica for 5 days.
We are ready to go:
Here is the view on the way to the beach:
These are the crocodiles we saw as we crossed over a bridge on our way. This was a highlight for us: 
We are ready to go:
Here is the view on the way to the beach:
These are the crocodiles we saw as we crossed over a bridge on our way. This was a highlight for us: 
Here is paradise:
This is the little, or shall I say big, guy who greeted us upon arrival to our room. No, he is not a pet.
These critters physically dug into our beach bag and pulled out our bag of snacks and took it into the bushes to eat it. They look like a cross between a monkey and a racoon:
Fun in the sun:
The beautiful pool by the beach:
Monday, August 20, 2007
You Couldn't Resist
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