Migraine Update

Woke up with a doozy of one this morning! Still went to school and tried to make it through the day!

I can't thank you all enough for your encouragement and concern during this very difficult time with my head. It's so strange that it came out of nowhere. Anyway, I appreciate the prayers and advice VERY much. I am changing my diet, resting, etc....
Saw the dr. today and he did a cat-scan. Good news is no tumors, aneurysms (spelling), etc.... Bad news - STRESS! Not sure how to manage it in this kind of environment. He said he believes I am having 1 LONG migraine that has yet to cease. He put me on a load of medications that will surely either jack me up or make me comatose. Kind of hard to learn a language, be a wife and run a household on all these meds, but I guess it's even harder to do life when my head is being plowed by a semi-truck on a daily basis. The doctor said to see how the meds work and if they don't bring things "under control" he will send me to a specialist to get a 2nd opinion on my cat-scan and to see what is best for these migraines. I'm going to try to stop trying to stay awake through them and I am going to just push my responsibilities aside when I need to. This is a major task for me, but I know that I can and should do it. Thanks for your prayers and friendship! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Some family prayer requests:

1. John wrote: Also, I just found out last that my father is having emergency surgery on his hip. Long story short, two months ago, he fell. He went to the doctor, who gave him steroid injections for two months. Pain didn't go away. Went to another doctor who x-rayed his hip. Found that he has been walking around on a broken hip for two months. He's been using a crane or walker. Thing is, my father is 75, diabetic and of poor health. My family is very concerned, because hip surgeries have the highest post-surgery mortality rates because of infection. So for all who prayed for our friend's son's heart surgery and recovery that went PERFECT, and for all who didn't too, please pray. He had the surgery today and is recovering. - John

2. John's sister is going to have neuroligical neck surgery next week on some disks. I don't know all the details but please pray for her. She has an 8 year old son and has been VERY sick almost all year. Her sisters are flying from the west-coast to come take care of her for a few weeks. :)

3. My step-father is having immigration issues. He has been having to go to court and it looks like he might possibly be deported back to England. He has been married to my mom for 5 years, but does not have a VISA or Green Card or passport. OUCH! They are obviously a bit upset and worried. My mom doesn't have a passport either and right now the wait is about a year to get one. They don't have much money to work on getting him legalized.

Migraine...yet again!

John wrote:

Not much to write except PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Pray. Okay...now we're begging. Jessica has yet another migrane. It came on out of nowhere. We had some friends over for dinner, all was fine, but then after they left. Whammo!!! She's on migraine number 6 in 11 days. She really needs relief and understanding. This is the worst one yet. She will see the doctor on Thursday (didn't see him today). Please pray!

Migraines, verbs, Avery, snowcones and ox-carts!

Thank you all for your prayers for my migraines. If you could continue to pray that would be wonderful. I had another one Saturday night, but was migraine free yesterday and today. However, I felt that my body was trying very hard to bring another one on today, but I decided I wouldn't accept it AND I took an excedrin migraine. I am going to see the doctor again tomorrow b/c I feel that 4 migraines in 8 days is a bit excessive for a person who doesn't suffer from them.

In other news. Have you ever wondered how we remember so many vocabulary words? I'm sure this keeps you up at night. Here are a few ways I remember tricky things:

Alfombra (rug) - because ALF (the tv character) was very furry....just like a rug.

Colgar (to hang) - I'm going to hang my colgate toothbrush on the rack! :) Get it!

Cobrar (to charge) - A cobra charges. So when I want to use the word...I just think of a Cobra!

Aspero (rough) - because asp reminds me of Aspen, Colorado. And the people who go there DO NOT have it rough!

Espeso (thick/dense) - because it sounds kind of like espresso.....And I think of a thick, sloshy espresso and then I am reminded of Espeso! :)

And there you have it! Now you know my tricks!

I had to make this slideshow to show you the MANY faces of Avery! Too cute! Never the same face twice. She is quite the ham.

This slideshow is from the cultural parade we went to on Sunday. It was called the ox-cart parade in downtown San Jose. We had a blast. Take a look at the snowcones. They were made of ice, strawberry syrup, powdered milk (YUK), and condensed milk (double yuk). All I have to say is: DELICIOUS! Who would've thought? Enjoy the culture through our pictures.

Prayer Request

We are needing prayer! I (Jessica) have probably had 3 migraines in my ENTIRE life - usually after having babies from hormonal changes. John has, unfortunately, been stricken with migraines throughout his life and our marriage. SO, it comes as a complete shock to us that I have had three debilitating migraines in less than seven days (Saturday, Wednesday and Friday). They start with a strange aura in the eyes and then lead to a mind-numbing head pain, accompanied with nauseousness. They are virually impossible to stay awake through and they last anywhere from 2 -10 hours. I just have to quarantine myself in a dark, quiet room until it's over....although that wasn't possible today. John is the same way.

Anyway, I saw the doctor this week and he said he thinks it is the same headache virus that was going around last month. He said he saw 3 other patients with migraines this week - people who don't normally get them. Who knows?!? It is impossible to take care of our family and learn Spanish when this is hitting me on a regular basis. Plus, it takes a few days to return to a "normal" feeling. Anyway, if you could please, please, please pray this will stop I would appreciate it very much. John hasn't had one in many weeks, but you could also pray his will not return. I am seriously starting to wonder if these are from environmental changes (high altitude, pollution, strange food, STRESS, etc...) because these are VERY uncharacteristic for me. And.....John's migraines have increased in frequency since we arrived.

Thank you for your prayers. I am positive that after you pray, I will come back with a drastically improved report. :)

You like???

Welcome to my new and improved blog! She's a beauty, eh? I have my sweet friend from Florida...ugh, I mean TEXAS, to thank for the new look. Heather spent a lot of time creating this trendy, contemporary look for me. What a great Christmas gift. I couldn't have afforded a professional makeover, but it sure looks like I had one.

THANK YOU HEATHER! I love my bloggity makeover and I LOVE YOU!

If you are interested in updating your look, you can drop Heather a line for a free quote. She will charge a fraction of what the professionals charge. She is hmjaggie@yahoo.com. WHOOP!

Let us know what you think!

Feliz dia de accion de gracias (Happy Thanksgiving)

Welcome to our first Thanksgiving "solo." The day started out rough with lots of tears from Parker (sincerely missing Florida, friends and Papa Dean), but ended with fun, crafts and a great feast! John and I think this might be one of our favorite Thanksgivings yet - despite the 4 hours we spent in school and the 1o pages of homework my teacher assigned. Anyway, our day in pictures:

Making a craft in celebration of Thanksgiving. Check out Avery's Face! Hillariously adorable.

Ally is getting ready to start her Thanksgiving craft. She is all smiles!

Enjoying desert and our expensive pumpkin pie! But worth every penny....I mean, dollar!


Showing off our Turkey pride! Please don't get the impression that we're crafty, cause it just ain't so!

4 Little Turkeys of THANKS! Each turkey says what we are thankful for!

Getting ready to "chow" down!

Our Feast "before." It doesn't look like much, but it was and we were so proud of our abundant harvest. Thanks Lord!

The top 5 things our family is Thankful for this year(taken by poll during dinner):

1. Jesus

2. Our house

3. Each other

4. Each other

5. Each Other

We are thankful for our friends and family, too. But it was a resounding "each other" as we shared our thanks.

Good Eats

There are lots of foods to choose from in this lovely country. But the most readily available, at least in our house are....ANTS! Here are a few of our favorite dishes:

Peanut butter and ant sandwiches.

Granola bars sauteed in ants.

Pineapple and ant salad.

Coffee and creme and ants.

And our favorite, Bananas a la ants.

You can't say we aren't getting our protein! At first we tried to rid ourselves of these pesky critters, but now we just enjoy them - in every last bite.
Besides, food is expensive here and we like variety.

As our grandma always taught us....If you can't beat em....eat em....ugh, I mean join em.

Rapid Update

I've got 5 minutes for ya.....

Parker is healed. Praise God! No more pneumonia and he is back to normal. Thank you for your prayers.

We had a weekend visitor from Georgia. My friend, Jeanne, from InterVarsity came to spend 3 nights and 3 days with us. She discipled me while I was in college and was pivitol in my growth with Christ. We had a sweet visit and it was fabulous to share our lives with her.

John is continuing to soar in his Spanish language learning. He is involved in a start-up ministry here in town and is really enjoying it. He is also friendship building with a local taxi driver (they are teaching each other Spanish and English, as well). The taxi driver is is going to come to a Bible study. Please pray for this opportunity! His name is Melvin!

Also, a lady at our church asked me if we can meet 2 times a week to just talk Spanish. This is a huge answer to prayer since I am not in physical therapy anymore and need to practice, practice, practice - talking. We had our first meeting today and it was very nice. I am so thankful to God for taking care of every little detail and need.

On another note, I totally neglected Spanish during Spritual Emphasis week. Last week we had a test and I got the score back today. I thought it might be bad since my focus had not been on school. But once again, God showed His faithfulness to me and I received my highest grade yet on the hardest material yet! I just praise the Lord.

Thank you for reading and for your partnership with us. God is teaching us many things everyday and we are honored to be able to learn this language to share Christ!

Martha Stewart - eat your heart out!

You know you're a missionary when:

You make all your Christmas tree decorations by hand using only construction paper, glue and glitter! Martha Stewart would be very proud - and envious!

P.S. I didn't have time to rearrange the pictures. Sorry about that! The lady in the pictures with us is our sweet empleada, Louisa.

Track your eating

Don't know how many calories your consuming? Want to eat the entire food pyramid EVERY day? Want your skinny jeans to fit again? Do I have the website for you.....

www.mypyramid.gov

LOVE IT!!!!! I'm addicted. I can tell you every calorie I've consumed since Friday...including how many grams of fiber, protein and carbs. Definitely need to add more milk and veggie to my daily consumption.

Check out this gem! Let me know if you start doing this, too. I would love to know.

Jaxson Dean turns 4!

On Saturday, our biggest goofster, Jaxson Dean turned 4. We had a joint birthday party with another family at our school whose little boy, Sammy, turns 4 this week as well. We invited 2 other families from school whose little guys are also in Jaxson's class. It was a boy's only party because that's what Jaxson has wanted for awhile now. Anyway, we kept it small and simple, but we had a BLAST! The girls you see in the pictures are siblings of Sammy and Jaxson.

On Jaxson's b-day, we went around and shared our favorite memories of him. I shared about the day that he almost died when he was only 3 weeks old. I got teary eyed and Jaxson, in his sweetest voice said, "Mommy, please don't cry because I'll start crying, too. And I don't want to cry on my birthday." Ugh...he is so precious. I am so thankful that God has given us these past 4 years with him. On the day that he stopped breathing as an infant, God said to me, "If I take your child today, will you still say that I am good."

Yes, Lord, yes! I will! I will still proclaim your goodness.

God healed Jaxson and he has gone on to be a spectacular blessing to us. And yes, God is so good.

Lord, thank you for this time you have given to us with our dear son, Jaxson. He makes us laugh and smile everyday. What a great gift you have given to us.

Our last family gathering before we left for Costa Rica

Enjoying the food! And a pre-birthday Party for Parker!

My dad, uncle-Tom, me and Ally! And Avery, too!

Parker and his cousin, Jimmy!

My Goofy dad with the kids!

Pictures before we left for Costa Rica

Me and My kindred spirit, Anna - from Training! I miss her!

The Robinsons an Phams! 10 kids between us!

The sweetest Pastor's wife - Shannon and Heather! Whose the red-head?

Our going away banquet at church! :( Makes me want to cry!

Our last trip to Gainesville. Our dear friend, Amy Jo! :)

I know who I am

This is the truth of who we are thanks to Christ:

I KNOW WHO I AM:
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation ( Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16).
I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).
I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1).
I am God's workmanship(Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected(Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14).
I have been adopted as God's child(Eph 1:5)


"The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face shine upon you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn His face toward you
and give you peace."
Numbers 6:24-26

Phabulous Four