Trying to Sprint in a Mud Pit

The lack of updating the past few days was contributed by 2 things which contradict themselves:


#1) Not much has occurred
#2) There hasn't been free time to type an update


We did not make the three times a day walking goal yet.   However, we did make it outside to the mailbox on Wednesday!  The infection seems to be responding to treatment but still has a grip on Jeff's body and is affecting his rehab.   Yet, we are THANKFUL for the response to treatment.


We also had another positive highlight, we recreated the father-daughter banquet at home tonight.  It was a nice opportunity for Jeff and Kenzie to have some quality time together.  I will save the details and pictures for the next blog but I will give you a sneak peek...

There hasn't been time to update the blog due to trying to transition to life on our own.  At times, I really miss the hospital and those nurses!  :-)  In the hospital, we were able to focus the majority of our energy, thoughts, and time on Jeff's health.  Now, we must work to blend our "new normal" with the "old normal".   The differences become more apparent as you try to resume your previous routines.    


This leg of the journey reminds me of running a cross country race.  OK, I know it isn't the most exciting, glamorous sport but stick with me just for a moment.  You can get back to your Super Bowl hoopla soon enough.  


During a cross country meet, there is a lot of commotion at the start of the race.  Coaches are by the athletes' side for words of expertise about the race ahead, you can talk to fellow teammates sharing similar anxieties, adrenaline flows giving you an added boost as you head to the starting line.   Then the gun goes off and chaos ensues.  You have no fatigue when the race starts and you have a chorus of friends, family and school supporters providing encouragement.  It is the beginning of the race that is actually the easiest.


Then you get to the backside of the course, suddenly you turn the corner to be faced with a steep hill.  By now, the field of racers has thinned and sometimes your nearest teammate is out of sight.  It is much lonelier, more quiet.  The back part of the course is out of sight from spectators and fans.  Now, your legs are burning, your body is fatigued but you know you have to keep going.  You want to look good when you come around the next corner and get seen again by the crowds.  You look ahead and see a competitor who was right next to you when the race started and wonder how did they get so far ahead, why I am still back here.


This is where we are right now, we are on the backside of the course.  We are climbing the hill.  Gone are the nurses to assist and the daily doctors visits coaching us with their words of expertise.  Other "teammates" with similar experiences with this surgery are further ahead at this point.  We knew we would be facing a hill on the course.  But we mentally prepared ourselves for a grassy instead of a muddy hill.  There is a difference between running in grass vs. mud.  If you doubt me, and you live in Central Illinois, the current wet weather provides the perfect opportunity to try it out.


This blog has been one of complete transparency.  The times of strength are authentic and real.  They are also much easier to write.  Exposing weakness comes with hesitancy.  We don't want to get in the trap of dwelling on the negative or getting caught up in self-pity.  More importantly, we don't want our trials to become the focus of a prayer life that deserves so much more.  Our struggles are so pale in comparison to the THOUSANDS living with no medical care, no food, no clean water, no clean clothes and no safety from abuse.  It sounds like something fabricated for a good comparison.  It is not.  If anything, the inaccuracy in the previous statement is the underestimation of "thousands" instead of "millions" of people suffering.  Our financial struggles are temporary and we can make adjustments in our lifestyle to accommodate it.  They cannot.  We will eventually return to jobs with income, Jeff will regain his energy and strength, we will return to our "normal" daily schedule raising our kids, and life will go on.    


We have friends who have made the choice to leave their comfortable lifestyle behind and dedicate the next five years serving and living among those in need, to not only provide what is lacking, but to bring news of an incredible ending.  One day, we will all have the opportunity to cross the finish line in this race called life and be greeted by our biggest supporter.  We WILL be provided energy that will never fade, legs that will never cramp and good days that will NEVER cease.  2 Timothy 4:7-8


It is those who are intentionally sacrificing their bodies, their finances, their lifestyles for the sake of building God's kingdom who truly need our prayers.  It is those with none of the provisions we take for granted who truly need our prayers.  


It's easy to get caught up in the trials of this life.  It is easy to focus inward.  It is at this point, we need to lift our eyes and thoughts upwards.


God is Good!!!  ALL the time!!!!


-Stacy