Dad--the pillar

We all love dad! We are all clinging to him during our transition time!

Carrying on...

We are getting back into a routine. School is now underway and I have noticed a real ownership of what the kids are working on, so that makes it nice for a mom/teacher. I'm back to cooking and just started to add some language listening in this week.

Patrick is up in our new city trying to find housing for us. One lead turned out to be a dump on the inside "requiring 8 months of work" according to Patrick. We have another one in mind but it has been hard to find the landlord to talk price, etc. Patrick has been patiently plodding along by looking for housing, interviewing the ladies that will work at the physical therapy center, and working with the Mor. association to be able to potentially open the center in January. I have been really proud of him--his energy and courage.

I wish that I had a glowing report to share about my health. I feel a little discouraged that I'm still not better, realizing that I almost expected that my trip back to America would cure me. My heart is wrestling now with how you carry on when you just don't feel that well. I know that a lot of people suffer from chronic things on a daily basis and now that I'm amongst their ranks, I want to learn how they do it. My main things now are fatigue, back pain (which began 4 weeks ago with the new meds), and hormonal changes. I'm still coughing up a bit of blood several times a week so I know that I still need to heal. I am hopeful that I will feel much better in a few months. Please pray that I will indeed rest up but that I will carry on and be joyful when my cup is at 50% and that I will think of others more than dwelling on my health. I do take great courage that because of the Lord, my cup truly does overflow. We have seen His hand in many things, from special verses in His Word to people we've met in our new city. I just need to remind myself of this over and over!

Out of the mouths of babes--in a third world country

JP, our 6 year old was working on a question in his spelling book-- "What is a good rule to have when riding a bus?"

While he thought and thought, I looked over some of the words they suggested like "sit." I was going to comment about "sitting" when he said in all honesty, "Do not steal."

I couldn't argue with that one!

Good News!!

My sister and her husband have a new little baby girl! Paige Elizabeth was born on Saturday weighing in at 8 lbs. 12 oz. and 20". We have loved the pictures they sent--H even tried to kiss her little chubby cheek on the computer screen. She's darling. We rejoice in this great news!

Unexpected side effects

I began a new line of anti-fungal medicine last week--fluconazole. The doctor took me off of my original one because she didn't have a way of monitoring it overseas to make sure that I was actually absorbing it. Apparently, she wrote today in an email, my blood work said that I wasn't absorbing it very well. It's ironic though that I was feeling so much better.

Anyway this new fluconazole at 400mg. a day brings something new to my table--side effects. It seems dehydrating (lips and eyes are dry), causes dizzyness, brain fog, fatigue, and possibly extensive hair loss. I've experienced them all but the hair loss (and I'm scared of that one!). I'm thankful because my doctor is very quick at responding to emails. Pray that I wouldn't surcome to fear (I can't imagine being on these meds for the 8 months scheduled), that my side effects would be minimized or that the Lord in His mercy would heal me to be med-free. May He give me the energy and grace to see His hand in all of this that I might praise Him.

Return flight

We are back!  Our 3 airplane rides were all at night (2 the first night, then an all day wait in Frankfurt, and then our last flight at 10 pm followed by a 4 hr. car ride--putting us in at 5:30 am!) H said, "Why are we going to bed when the sun is coming out?" But sleep we all did from 6-noon! Now, 3 days later, we are back to normalcy (in the sleep dept. at least) and thankful to be back.

We are so grateful for your prayers.  More later...

Wrapping things up

We returned to Cleveland late on Tuesday night.  My doctor's appointment was yesterday and I was greeted with, "Wow, you look great!"  The other doctor said, "You've really filled in!"  Normally I might wince at that comment, but now it means I'm returning to health.  I've gained 5 pounds (was this due to Grandpa's yummy griddle cooking last week?) with some returned energy.  In some ways it's still the beginning--I have possibly a year of medication ahead of me.  But I am going full of courage in the Lord as he has given much direction and answered prayers.

We plan to return to Mor. on Sept. 23.  The Spanish school has very clearly said that the kids could not enter this year due to not being there for the first week of classes and not passing the tests.  So I scrambled to put together some homeschool material, thankful that we have homeschooled for the last years as the kids (and mom) are used to the routine.  Also, our wonderful insurance company agreed to give us several months of pills in advance, for which we are thankful.  So things are coming together.  Now, if only Auntie Sara would have her baby before we leave! 

Some points for prayer:

--The doctor just changed my medication due to the fact that she can't monitor me overseas to see if my body is absorbing it well.  Please pray that this new one wouldn't bring any yucky side effects and that my lung would continue to heal--even filling in the cavity.

--Upon our return Patrick will need to apply for a new visa under our medical association and also we will need to find an apartment in our new city.  Both of these can be slow processes so we ask for the Lord's grace and favor in the midst of them.

--Pray that our children would transition well.  They have had a blast in the states and are slowly gearing up to our return.  Pray that our new city would feel like home to them, that they would love people in our new neighborhood. 

Thank you so much for your prayers.