Feats of athleticism

Well, folks, I am pleased to announce that I am feeling better and better each day. Today will be the third day in a row for me to walk around the block. Once. Per day. Unattended. My muscles seem to think that this training program is a bit intense...at least that's what they scream to me when I wake up in the morning. They scream at me, I laugh at them, and we keep moving forward. It's a rather humbling experience. I never thought I would be rejoicing over something so small, but here I am. So, praise the Lord for continued improvement!

Some answers!

I'm slowly adjusting to the winter temperatures here at home. I'll admit to becoming more of a pansy after the so much time in Venezuela. Thankfully my brother's dog, Athene, has adopted me and I've been grateful for her warmth and company...not to mention the fact that she made for a very low-maintenance Valentine's Day date. (Take-out Chinese, in case you're wondering...and she didn't even eat off my plate. I know, my standards are high).

AND it is my great joy to inform you that we have an answer regarding my health! Doctors here think that a previous illness threw some of my body chemistry out of whack and that is the cause of the fatigue that I've been experiencing. The best news? It's an easy fix. A little medication and some simple changes to my daily routine and I should be right on track. We don't know exactly how long it will take for a full recovery, but we are hopeful and still praying for March 4th. Overall, I am encouraged...ready to take on the world (or at least the walk to my mailbox) and excited to rejoin the crew back in Merida. I sure do love my team!

Recently I've been blessed by people from all over the world (some of whom I do not even know!) who are praying for my health and my team. It's been both encouraging and humbling as I continue learning just how much I need other people. Thank you.

Taking the next step

Doctors in Maracaibo were unable to give us any answers, so we made a tough decision to return to the US to continue pursuing a diagnosis and treatment for the weakness I've been experiencing in the past month. I arrived at my parents' house in Kansas on Monday after 20 hours of travel - a grueling day for me since I get tired from even the smallest of 'adventures' outside of the apartment. I was able to take all of Tuesday to rest and am feeling ready to see a doctor here in Wichita this afternoon.
I am blessed that my mom works at one of the hospitals here in town and has been able to take care of a lot of details with appointments and insurance for me. Calling her resourceful is an understatement and I think she will be my greatest asset for getting on the road to recovery and back to Merida as soon as possible.
It is surreal to be back home so suddenly and there are moments where I hardly know what to make of it. I'm at home, yet feeling so far away from home! I traded palm trees and ceaseless car alarms for a quiet, bleak winter landscape. Teammates and friends are now thousands of miles away and this morning I find myself wondering if I've just woken up from a very long dream. Phone calls and emails assure me that I haven't, but it's a bit mind-boggling nonetheless.
Right now I am scheduled to return to Venezuela on March 4th. We'd like to ask you to join us in praying for answers to this little medical mystery as well as a full recovery before March 4th. Thanks so much to all of you who have been joining us in prayer and for the encouraging emails you've sent!

From Maracaibo, with love

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. A few days after my last post I got pretty sick. And for the past several weeks I've struggled with some health issues that have really lowered my energy and ability to get around. Recovery has been very slow and we are still trying to figure out what is actually going on. It's been a long process, and frustrating at times. Right now I am visiting another Crusade staff team in Maracaibo while trying to get some answers and better medical care.
I've been blessed to spend time with friends that I am staying with here. At times I have been overwhelmed by their hospitality, and while I might be passing through a difficult season in life, I don't see much to complain about. Praise the Lord for that.
It's already been 5 days here in Maracaibo, and while I think we are closer to answers about my health, we are still without a concrete answer and still without treatment. I'm praying the answer comes soon and that I will be able to rejoin my much loved team in Merida within a couple of days. Thanks to so many of you who have sent encouraging emails my way! They really boost my spirits and are WAY more fun than the vitamin-B IV they use here to give me a boost.
And if you have a minute, would you praise God for my incredibly outstanding teammates in Merida (Bryon, Amber, Claudia, and Sam) who have encouraged me, supported me, and helped maintain my sanity (what's left of it) throughout all of this?