Whew. . . blessings in disguise

Howdy!

A little southern speak there...sorry about that.

It's been a hectic day and I guess I've gone country. But it has been great "checking off" my chores list. Friday I was horizontal all day, so my 4 loads of laundry had to be done after church today. It was rough going, but everything is put away, the closet is clean, and the bed is made. Yay!

Now I'm baking a spice cake...typical, I know. Lots of baking this month so far....I am baking two more times this week, too! For parish group I'm making apple streusel bars, then some cookies for our SPED meeting Thursday....then teriyaki chicken for the weekend! Lots of fun times at the oven!

So I had a break from work this past week and we traveled to San Juan Island to stay at Roche Harbor. It was a great trip---TONS of snow along the way! We got there and the forecast called for snow....but is was clear the whole first day. The second day, however, brought many inches of snow--the most I had seen in almost 20 years! It was amazing! We saw a whole deer family eating clover together, bald eagles (both of us for the first time!), and many fat robins. :> Chirp!

So why is this post entitled "blessings in disguise?"

I am almost constantly sick. This is a pattern in my life that has been constant since I was but a tiny tot, so I am not complaining when I say this. Just stating a fact.

For some reason, any time I leave home to take a trip. . . .even overnight. . .I always get sick. Stomach, head, sinuses. . .something is going to pitch a fit and try to ruin the trip altogether.

At first, I thought, "Here I go again. . . I am going to ruin this vacation being sick." But then. . .we were there to rest. My husband was totally content in looking at the snow and wildlife. We didn't have anything fancy planned. . .and we had not packed for the blizzard that entrapped us. . .so we mostly sat around in our fire-lit cabin playing cards and enjoying the snow. It was also good to have time to discuss our recent house options since we don't often have time together during the week.

Now that we are back on the mainland, I am finally feeling better. Sometimes, God has to "make me sick" so that I take time to rest (hence healing my body from the weekly "beatings" it takes at work). God allowed me to be sick during our vacation so that I would have to rest. And on Friday when I had many chore-related plans, God allowed me to have a "no standing allowed" headache so that I would actually REST.

I have trouble giving myself a break, if you haven't already guessed. Between all of the things I love to do and my job, there isn't much time left over to REST. And God says--REST IS GOOD! DO IT! NOW! But often, I just don't listen. Because of my stubbornness, God often has to allow me to get sick to get rest.

At least this is how I view my life. I really need to try to rest more so I get sick less! ;) Preventative care! Vitamins and supplements clearly aren't all a person needs to stay in good health, and I know that the Lord is looking out for me and HE wants me to take good care of myself so I can keep going . . .with a happy spirit and attitude because I FEEL GREAT.

So thank You, Lord, for helping me get some rest during my break from work.

Back to enjoying my cake baking.

Quad-Vision?

All these jokes about having super robot x-ray vision may have been unfortunate. :/ I am now (as of the past few days) seeing in quads. . .or perhaps just like a kalidescope (sp?)? I used to have two very specific pictures when I opened both of my eyes. . .and now it is more like a mesh of several pictures. . .some are far away, some are blurry and light, some seem clear. It is like being a bug. . .or a spider. But which item is real? If I reach out, what will I be grabbing. . .air, or an arm? Not sure, but all this to say. . .mine eyes hath experienced changeth again. That's the best of my "Olde English."

Tomorrow I'm going back to my neuro-opth. for my first check-up since becoming a pirate. It's been almost a month--it will be a month this Wednesday--since I started patching it up. While my vertigo is better, my eyes are actually getting somewhat worse.

Many questions to ask tomorrow:
1. Is there a surgery I can have to correct this problem?
2. Am I lowering my chances of healing by working?
3. Do I need to go on disability to potentially regain my vision?
4. Do I truly have another (even more rare and serious) underlying neurological disease since I am not currently fitting only the typical issues associated with OCS. . .I am exhibiting more?
5. Will I be making people walk the plank forever? If so, where can I get a schnazzier eye patch?
6. Is this a genetic issue that could potentially transfer to my future posterity?

. . .and many others that I can't think of off the top of my head. That's why it's good to make a list.

In other news, the hubby and I are about to celebrate our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! That's right! I can't believe it's already been a year--it seems like just yesterday, but when I really examine the times we've spent, I see that it can't be just yesterday! Look at all we've done since then: holidays, workings, getting our friends married, packing one home, moving across the country, starting new jobs, setting up a new house, housing an old friend from Taiwan, starting a new church, losing my "single vision," etc. It's been a year of change. . .a great year, to be honest. Even amidst the current battles and challenges, I have loved it. I love learning, I love being married, and I love growing closer to God via all the world/God throws at me.

Last night I went to a fall festival to visit with my old co-workers, then today I was able to spend time with a new friend. What a great blessing to be healed enough to get out and do something. :) Up next weekend. . .time with the hubby and pumpkin carving fun! I've also gotten really happy with my pumpkin cooking. . .up this weekend, we have pumpkin cheesecake bars. Can't wait to see how those turn out!

Paid in FULL

Paid in full.

What does this mean?

Anyone living in this crazy time understands the greatness of being "debt-free" or finally being "in the green." It is something to be thankful for if it comes, but something also that typically we feel like we are going to have to work REALLLLLLLLLLY hard to get. I'm talking 9-5, weekends, after hours, two jobs, starving children. . .that's the kind of "hard" I am talking about.

You know what?

Sometimes, you don't have to work hard. Sometimes you don't have to do anything, not in a worldly sense.

I grew up poor. I'm talking soup kitchen, trailer park, one outfit poor. So in comparison with that past, anything is going to go "up" from that. I understand that working hard is a good quality. Yes, I know, slothfulness is a sin; thus, we should try to avoid this by seeking God and working as if we work for the Lord, not for man.

All this to say, now in my 20's, I have just recently had a "backslide" experience. After all my medical issues (while having NO insurance), my husband and I were left with a $35,000 debt to the hospital, not to mention all of the little side bills they love to send weeks after (probably several thousand more). This would put us back in that "poor/indebted/unsure" category that can be confusing and frustrating. Also, we just weren't sure where the money would come from if the hospital wanted loads of money each month. I like to eat. Food is good.

We filled out the financial aid packet, we prayed, and we told God that we knew He could pay off this debt for us. We also told God that we knew this was His decision. Perhaps His desire was for us to pay this off while leaning on Him. Perhaps He'd show up with His "magical checkbook" and whip out His pen made of angel wings. We did not know how He would answer our prayers, but we trusted in His judgement and in His ability to judge what would be the best for us as a family.

Last night, we shared our troubles with small group. We've shared with others, but not in a group setting or with a group from our new church, so we were thankful for their love, support, and prayers.

After all the weeks prior of praying at home and praising God for either path He might choose to give, it was nice to join with others (in person) for prayer.

The hospital has sent us so many envelopes with bills, I was starting to get paper cuts and lose sensation in my fingers, so when I saw ANOTHER envelope I was reluctant to open it.

Open.

Slowly read (I still can't see).

100%.

Paid in full.

Account taken to $0.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?!?!!?!?!?

God considered and heard our prayers. He acted upon them (this time, in a desired way), and we now have nothing left but the random (much smaller) bills from the different doctor's offices and labs.

PAID IN FULL.

GOD PAID MY DEBT IN FULL.

GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYER AND PAID MY DEBT IN FULL.

$0.

I cried so much after reading this letter. It was a slight remembrance of God coming into my life. A tangible experience that others can understand who may not yet know this great God.

Did I have to work for this? No. All we did was fill out the form and pray. Did I work fifty hard years to pay off this debt and interest? No. Did I become another man's slave? No. Did I change anything about myself to try and look more appealing? No.

Salvation.

Paid in full.

My debt brought to nothing; my slate wiped clean; a new creation.

When God calls and you answer, your debt too can be paid in full. While I am thankful to have no hospital debt, I am MORE thankful to know that while I was sick in the hospital, I knew what would happen if anything were to happen to me. My slate had already been wiped clean. I knew that if my Lord called to me again (this time a call to go home), I'd be able to. My slate would be a carbon copy of the life of Christ. When God looks at me, HE sees Christ.

Did I work for this? No. Did I work my way to be funky enough to get God's attention? No. Did I make myself trendy and hide my sin so that I might appear clean to God? No.

We are not required to clean ourselves up before answering God's call. We must be ready at a moment's notice. He doesn't want a "fancier version" of you--He wants YOU. For free. Paid in full; balance $0.

Now that is "in the green."

Green is a symbol for life & tranquility. I often use it in my classroom because it is supposed to be soothing. I pray that I would ALWAYS remember to thank God for bringing my life "into the green" where I could enjoy Him and live forever.

Let God make you green.

TGIF!!

I was finally able to go to the doctor (since I had a high fever) so now I am on antibiotics to cure my sinus infection. I dislike doctors greatly, but I am ready to feel good again! I am ready to be able to walk and have fun and ride my bike!

I am very glad that today is Friday. I have been in a younger class all week at work and there are soooo many kids and sooo much action. . .and I have to blow my nose soooooo many times a day. . . the weekendis very welcome and I am ready for 6pm!

This week we are thankful that my husband has a part-time job. He also received a call on his "most-desired" job, and it really looks like he will get it! What an answered prayer! The job is very close to home, and it is the hospital he wants to work at. I hope that he will get the final word very soon!

Our friend from Taiwan left us yesterday; now we look forward to our trip to Taiwan with great anticipation. The good news--we have a place to stay for free and food in Taiwan is dirt cheap. The bad news: plane tickets are not dirt cheap. We hope to have enough money saved up so that we can travel there in 1.5-2 years. We actually are hoping to go in the "winter" because summer will be SO hot. If we can, we hope to visit during Chinese New Year, which takes place at the end of January and the beginning of February. It would be a great experience! My husband and I look forward to that, but for now, we are here in our new home, enjoying our new city very much.

I am thankful for the following things:

1. People here are more real. If you're mad, you say it. If you have issues, you don't hide them and put on a mask. This I appreciate; the south in general seems to be VERY into outward appearances and being "clean" and "good." I'd rather have honest.

2. Convenience. We shop at like, 6 different grocery stores. There are tons of coupons, and certain stores have good prices on certain items. However, we do not have to DRIVE to ANY of these places. NO. WE WALK.

3. A greater ability to serve daily. If you look back to number one, I like honesty. My spiritual gifts are serving and mercy. If no one is ill, how can I serve? Here, I feel that I can more easily serve and people are more likely to say, "Hey, I need help." God is giving me this huge blessing. If I cannot help and serve others, I often feel useless, sad, and as if I am not being obedient to God's call. Serving and setting an example for Jesus here is a totally different experience. I love it.

4. Parks and walking. Self-explanatory. We only drive on Sunday, and this week we are biking to church since our guest is no longer with us (we only have 2 bikes!!).

5. Awesome new church. I'm glad to be getting fed again. We love the church we are attending and their focus on serving the community. I often wonder why the body is not reaching out. This church has a great community focus that we love.

6. Weather. Much cooler. Less sweat=less annoyance. Also, less sunscreen irritation.

Overall, we're feeling happy and settled in here. Lunch break is almost over...off to brush teeth before a few more hours!

Swollen glands

So. . .I've been sick for 2 weeks now. . .it is killer! :( I wish that I could go to the doctor, but I work too late! I have no idea what to do about that one. Please pray that I get better!

I am hoping to be able to go tomorrow, but I am not sure if it is going to happen. It is hard to enjoy anything here when I feel this way--I feel so bad because we have a guest and all I feel like doing is sleeping!

Still praying on a full-time job for the hubby, and praying that things will continue to go smoothly at my job. I am around kids of all ages all day long. . . one day I will finally get to be a super parent for my own kids! ;) We look forward to that!~

More another day...but now my lunch break is over and I have to get back to work!