Moonblog Journal

I leave very soon for a 10-day mission trip to Caracas, Venezuela.   Unfortunately, my husband is unable to go with me, so I’m doing this trip without him.  Since we’ve been married, we’ve never been apart from each other for that long before, so it’s going to be a challenge to say the least.  We’re coming up on 6 1/2 years married, so that’s a long time together to never have been separated like this, especially when you consider I’ll be in another country, not just a different state.

Much like India, this is not a “safe” trip, and just like India, there are only 3 of us going.  My father-in-law is one of the three people going on the trip, and in charge of this team.  He let us know that statistically speaking, one is 3x more likely to get murdered in Caracas than in Baghdad.  Comforting, isn’t it?  Not for nothing is Caracas named the most dangerous city in the world.

So- You see statistics like that, and in this day and age, you can obviously Google Caracas, Venezuela and see the news reports and know that I’m not exaggerating, and you might be asking yourself a very valid question.  ”Why on earth are you going to such a place?”.    Well, for one: Matthew 28: 19-20; “ 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.”  

Not to sound “preachy”, but God has given us a second chance here.  We deserved nothing less than death, and God said “Hey, I love you enough to allow you to butcher my Son in your place, covering your sins with His blood”.  (Not a direct quote there, obviously.  ;) )  So- we’ve been given a task.  Share this Good News with everyone else.  Go “Into ALL the Nations”.  Not just the ones with low crime rates.

I feel led to the mission field.  Not long term, at least, not yet anyways.  However, India is where Joel and I have seen the majority of our labor, that’s where our vision is.  South America has never been high on my radar, so to speak.  You go where you feel called, and I feel called to Asia.  So it came as a bit of a surprise when I kept feeling like I should go on this trip.

I kept putting it off, telling myself “Oh, there will be plenty of people signing up! They don’t need me.”  Then, I find out that only 3 people have signed up- (One of which has since had a family emergency and cannot go on the trip, but that hadn’t happened yet), and I started really feeling the tug of my heart.  Again- I didn’t act on it.  Joel and I discussed my going, but not in any depth.    My husband and I were at dinner at his parents house, and the trip came up,  and Jon (Joel’s dad), said that the trip probably wouldn’t be able to happen because he needed at least 4 people, and they only had 3.

At this point, I’m thinking to myself- “Okay God, you’ve made your point.  If this is where you need me, I’ll go.”.  That’s when I spoke up and said I’d go.

We are going to be taking and helping set up a water treatment system that will purify their water with plain table salt, and only a couple tablespoons at that.  That alone is going to be a huge help, because it is going to give them safe water that is clean from all the bacteria and other nasties that reside in it.  We are also going to be working at a youth camp for a week, which I am really excited about.  I love working with children, and despite the fact that at the camp we will have very few comforts, being able to spend time sharing God’s word with these kids is the greatest comfort of all.

The hardest part for me is leaving Joel here.  I know Jon hates having to leave his wife behind too, and Cris is also leaving family behind to go on this trip.  So, while none of us have to worry about having to get house sitters or anything like that, it is hard.  I’m more worried about Joel getting to work on time and getting himself fed at least somewhat nutritiously than I am about anything that could happen over in VZ.  I know.. I know.  Silly, right?  Still, that’s the role of a wife, this one at least.  ;)

Now, it’s not like I update this thing regularly or anything, but I’ll try to update it at least when I get back, if not one more time before I leave Friday morning.  Now that I’ve written a small novel, I think I’ll close this.  I still have packing to do, and now that the bug treatment has absorbed into my clothes and dried, I need to get them all folded and shoved into plastic bags to save space.

Fare thee well till next our paths cross.  *Waves as she slips back into the shadows of cyberspace*

Tuesday, Kae and I went to visit Mom.  Recently Gotein contacted Mom and gave her a free sample of Gotein powder, and a set to give away.  She offered me one of hers to try, and I took a chocolate, as that is her least favorite, and the one I felt safest going with.

Now, this powder comes in one of those foil packets; Kind of like what crystal light to Go comes in, just about 20 times bigger.  However, the directions on the packet say take a 16.9oz bottle, drink 1/3 of it, add the powder, shake it, and go!

So of course, I’m looking at this huge amount of powder, and this little itty bit of water, going no way.  This stuff is going to be the consistency of mud if I follow the directions.  So I took a 20oz bottle, emptied it down to 16oz and dumped in the powder.  In hindsight, what I should have done was go with the amount of water they said to go with but in a 20oz bottle, so that I could add more water if I thought it was too thick.  However, I didn’t think that far ahead.

Regardless, despite my error, I didn’t ruin the drink.  It was a little more watery than it should have been, and it had that kind of “proteiny” aftertaste to it that you just kind of are stuck with when you drink a protein drink that you don’t make into a smoothie.  That being said, it didn’t gunk up in the bottle.  It didn’t taste like pond water.  It was still good, despite my own error.   It had a faintly reminiscent taste of chocolate milk, just watered down, which, if one were to actually follow directions I doubt it would taste watered down.  ;)

Overall, on a scale of 1-10, 1 being the worst and 10 being the best ever, I would give this product a 8, and that is ignoring my own error with the product.  It’s portability is a major plus, and the amount of calories, or lack there of, is pretty darn impressive.

Vanilla: 17g Protein 5g Carbs 24 Vitamins/Minerals 100 Calories

Chocolate: 16g Protein 6g Carbs 24 Vitamins/Minerals 110 Calories

Strawberry: 17g Protein 6g Carbs 24 Vitamins/Minerals 110 Calories

I am hoping to win the giveaway from Mom so that I can try the other two flavors, as I can’t afford to go out and buy them right now.

So- Do I recommend this product to you?  Yes.  Go to www.gotein.com and place an order.  There is a coupon on the card Mom gave me for 20% off your order- it is MED05.  They are worth it overall, and you can’t go wrong for the max of 110 calories!

Fare thee well till next our paths cross.  *Waves as she slips back into the shadows of cyberspace*

I was looking at my blog and realized, my last post said “Wow, it’s almost August!”.  Then I giggled, because looking at the date, it is July 14th, and while it might not be considered almost to some, to someone who doesn’t update their blog regularly… Okay, even rarely these days, I think almost counts for me, don’t you?

Time to play catch up- Joel first:

Joel’s surgery went well, however, they pulled a huge mass out of the back of his knee.  The surgeon was dutifully impressed, as was the guy (Who happens to go to church with us) who stitched him up.  It was about the size of a small pink eraser, which just isn’t normal to pull out of someone’s knee.  Joel is in pain daily, and will end up having another surgery in about a year, year and a half from when he last had it.  This will be the norm for the rest of his life.  *sigh*  He seems to take it pretty well though.

On to me- We’ve had insurance issues, and I haven’t been to the doctor this year for my diabetes check-up.  I know, I know.  I need to.  However, my numbers have been decent, and I can buy an A1C kit over the counter to check my 3 month numbers to make sure I’m not out of control while I look for a new doctor that doesn’t charge as much.  I can’t afford to pay over $120.00 per visit out of pocket for the first $500.00 so that my insurance finally kicks in.  I need to find a Doctor that charges less so that I can afford to pay that out of pocket deductible so that I can get to the 20% payment that the insurance charges.

My Plantar Fasciitis is still around, and still causing me daily pain.  I have a feeling it isn’t going away.  I also around the beginning of June had some pain in the left side of my hip/thigh area show up, that I will get checked out before the end of this month, because I can’t afford not to.

The reason I need to do it before the end of the month is, I’m leaving the country again.  This time, I’m going on a short-term mission trip to Venezuela.  It’s just me this time, Joel has to stay here, which makes me really nervous.  Part of what made it easier on me in India was having my husband with me.  I am going to miss him terribly, and this is going to be very hard on both of us, but I think harder on me.  There are 3 of going on this trip, a lady from church named Cris and Joel’s Dad Jon.

We are going to install a water treatment system and to work at a children’s youth camp for a week, and do some preaching(That’s Jon) and Teaching (That’s Jon and Cris who can both speak the language, Cris fluently- I’m not sure if I’ll be doing any teaching or not, or just helping out Cris with the women’s workshops).  You never really know until you get there.  Even then, you don’t know until it happens sometimes.  That’s the adventure.

I look at my pictures from when I went to India, and I realize how heavy I was when we went.  Do you realize, I’ve lost 20+ pounds since that trip?  I didn’t until I weighed myself.  I’ve been working out and consciously changing our eating habits so that I can lose weight.  Even small changes in some of the ingredients I use have helped.  I didn’t go out and by all fresh fruits and veggies, and swear off anything with flavor(fat) it in.  Far from it.  I’ve just been a little bit more conscious of my choices.  It’s slowly paying off.

My goal is to weigh 200lbs by June 2012.  I don’t think that is unreasonable.  If I don’t make it, I’m not going to beat myself up.  I’m not going to sit there and starve myself.  I’m just going to pray that I weigh at least 20lbs less than I do now.  I’ll be happy with that, though I want to weigh 40lbs less.

Speaking of which- it’s time for my cardio workout with my Wii.  We have a date at least 3 times a week in which it makes me remember why I hate working out.  ;)

Fare thee well till next our paths cross.  *Waves as she slips back into the shadows of cyberspace*

Huh.  Would you look at that?  It’s already almost August.  It feels like I haven’t posted in months… Oh.  Wait.  I haven’t.  Oh well.  ;)

I figured I might as well go ahead and post now.  Life has been really hectic lately.  Both my health and Joel’s could be better.  Joel’s PVNS is back, and now there are cysts growing in the bone of his knee as well.  On August 17th, we go and find out when his surgery will be.

It’s going to be more painful this time because they can’t just do it arthroscopic-ally, thanks to the cysts.  They’ll be able to scope the front, but they will have to split the back of his leg open to get the cysts out of the bone, so it’s going to be a longer recovery as well.

After my fated Valentine’s Day dinner where I shattered the glass into my hand and lost my job a week and a half later, my hand is still messed up.  I apparently did a lot of nerve damage, and there is a knot on the side of my hand of damaged nerves and scar tissue.  They want to do surgery on it because I shouldn’t still be in pain, but as we don’t have the money for that surgery, and it isn’t life threatening, I’m not going to get it done now.

I also have Plantar Fasciitis in my right foot.  That particular joy set on about 3 months ago now.  The bonus on that?  They can’t even give me the shot they normally would because my diabetes won’t like it.  *Sigh*

Speaking of Diabetes… Apparently instead of getting better, my numbers are getting worse, so in September, I go back for more blood work, and if they are still up, or go up even higher, my Dr. is probably going to put me on a second injection.  Yay.

Other than the crappy health issues of us both, we’re doing well.  It’s a little dicey with only one steady income, but the Lord is providing, so, it’s been a slightly stressful blessing in disguise.

Now you have the life updates of the past few months.  Don’t hold your breath that I’ll post again regularly.. But hey?  Who knows.  Maybe I will.

Fare thee well till next our paths cross.  *Waves as she slips back into the shadows of cyberspace*

Okay.. So.. Yeah.  It’s been a while.  To say the least.  *grins sheepishly*

Ah well.  Life has happened since I last posted.  We got back from India, and there are not words to describe what we experienced.  Perhaps I’ll post sometime about it.

The reason I’m posting now is to wish everyone a Happy Resurrection Sunday.  It’s a good day to reflect why we celebrate this day, and no, it’s not for bunnies who lay chocolate covered eggs. 

At any rate, I have to go soon so I’m going to close this for now.

Fare thee well till next our paths cross.

~Me

To say that I have been errant in keeping up with my blog entries is a slight understatement.  Tough.  I’ve written hundreds of blog entries.  It’s not my fault you’re not in my head to read them since I rarely post them.

At any rate.  Merry Christmas!  I pray everyone has a blessed day, and that everyone remembers it isn’t about the gifts we’re giving/receiving, it’s about the one we were given long before any of us ever drew breath.

Soon now, my husband and I will leave for India for a 2 week mission trip with our friend/youth minister at our church.  Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and pray for good weather whenever we’re traveling!

While it wouldn’t hurt my feelings too much to be stuck in London an extra day or two on the way home.. I’d rather not have to worry about dealing with trying to get another flight and all that jazz.

We’re nervous, but excited.  None of the three of us has ever been farther than Canada, which I don’t really count as out of the country.    I’m not sure when I’ll post next, but I’ll try to when we get back from India at the very least so that everyone can see the trillion pictures I plan on taking while we’re there.

Again, God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Fare thee well ’till next our paths cross.

Yes, yes.  I know.  I’ve posted twice within a month.  *gasp*  This post is to ask for prayers.  My Mother, father, and brother (in law), along with several other members of our church, are going to Colombia on a short term mission trip, and they leave Saturday morning.

I ask for prayer: Pray that they are able to get everything done that they need to before they leave the country.  Pray for safe travels to and from and everywhere in between.  Also, please pray for fertile hearts to sow the seeds of the Lords word.

Well… I am headed off to bed.  I just wanted to ask for prayers to be lifted up for all those involved.

I’ll write again later.  I don’t promise it to be soon. 

Fare thee well till next our paths cross. *Waves as she slips back into the silent shadows of cyber space*

Hmmm.. So it’s been a bit longer than I expected.  I’ve thought about posting… I’ve even written the posts in my head.  I just never got them from my head to the keyboard.  Oh well.  Those who really wanted to know what was going on, called me or spoke to me when they saw me.

I’m not narccicistic enough to believe that enough people read my blog to notice when I don’t post for a month.  *wink*

Anywhoo… Well.  Origins was great, and we had a blast.  I got to play some of my newer favorite games with the creators of said games, so that was pretty spiffy.

As far as my marriage goes: Joel and I are doing quite well, and I don’t forsee that we will be doing the opposite any time soon. 

I have lots of things that I want to rant about, and to be quite honest, I don’t have the energy to do it right now.  So be forewarned..:  Rants to come in the (near?) future.

Well, I’m tired.  I’m rambling.  I’m going to bed.  Fare thee well till next our paths cross.  *waves as she slips  back into the darkened shadows of cyberspace*

Okay, Okay.  I know.  It’s been quite a long time since I posted last.  Sorry.  Life has taken precedence over the internet, and my poor blog has been neglected.

I am writing to announce that Origins Game Fair has once again alighted upon us, and once more we head to Columbus for a week of little sleep and lots of gaming.  *grin*

Excited?  You bet.  But I can’t decide which I’m more excited over.. Being at Origins for a week, or NOT being at work for a week.  It’s a hard toss up. 

I’ve been trying to get Heather to agree to come stay at our hotel for the weekend when she gets off work on Friday.  I think anyone reading my blog should encourage her in my comments section to do so as well.  And because I’m the blog owner and manager, anyone dissuading her will have their comments deleted.  *smiles innocently*

Well….  It’s midnight.  I’m tired, and I have a lot to do today before we hit the road.  Heather, don’t forget to force Jake and Nessie to adjust to human contact, then hit the road for Columbus on Friday. *hint*

Fare thee well till next our paths cross.  *waves and slips back into the shadows of cyberspace*

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigmented_villonodular_synovitis

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/394649-overview

Bev asked what surgery I was talking about… Here’s the long awaited response.

Sorry it has taken me so long to reply!  If you follow the links above, you will see what Joel has.   He had arthroscopic surgery to remove the synovium in his right knee.  The doctor told him it will come back.  We just don’t know when.  When it does, he will have the surgery done again, and wait for it to come back all over again.  Eventually, it will result in a full knee replacement.

Because my husband had to get a disease that is rare (they don’t even have a 15 year case study on it), they don’t really know the most effective treatment.  So they just treat the symptoms when they develop by removing the diseased lining in his leg, and go about their business until it comes back.

His surgery went well, and he went back to work on Wednesday of this week.  Now he’s learning to live without the lining in his knee, which causes pain, but he’s doing pretty well with it.

Any further questions, ask and I’ll answer.  I’m kind of in a hurry right now because I’ve got to leave for church.

Fare thee well till next our paths cross, blog readers. *Waves as she slips back into the silent shadows of cyber space*