This was a lesson that the adults and children learned during our training:
Growing up in our home culture we have learned to be BLUE. This effects how we think, what we do and what values we have. In the new culture where we are going, they have all grown up to be YELLOW. YELLOW is how they have grown up. Once we are there, we will no longer remain purely BLUE but yet we will never become fully YELLOW. Our goal is to become GREEN. GREEN is the mixture of our home culture and our new culture.
Lord, help us to be open to becoming GREEN.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Susan's First Trip to the ER
It was Friday, Sept 2, 2011. We were so excited to have finished our training class. We were all packed for our trip to Myrtle Beach the following morning. The weather reports said to expect a large thunderstorm that evening. We all stood outside to watch the impending storm roll in.
When we walked back into our apartment, I (Susan) realized that I had gotten a insect bite (unsure what kind) on my toe. It itched and burned enough to know that something had gotten me. Within a few minutes I started to itch all over my body. By a couple of minutes later, my face had turned bright red and I felt very hot. God prompted me at that time to take an allergy pill. I actually took one of two different medications that I have.
I decided to take a shower to relieve some of my symptoms. Within a few minutes of being in the shower my chest started tightening up and I was having some difficulty breathing. I got out of the shower quickly and got dressed. Todd called Tippy Littlefield, a friend of ours who lived nearby. She told Todd to take me to the hospital and they decided that Mike, her husband would drive us because he had been there before.
So, Mike drove us towards the hospital which was about 20 minutes away. During this time I was getting steadily worse. I passed out and Todd was doing what he could to help. I told them that I didn't think that I would make it all the way to the hospital. Mike called 911 while he continued to drive through the now heavy rainstorm. Through the storm and the poor reception he was able to give the operator directions for how to meet us. We pulled into a gas station and the ambulance met us there only minutes later.
Once I was in the ambulance they gave me a shot of epinephrine, started an IV and gave me more Benadryl. Within a short while I started to feel better, although drowsy from the medication. Todd and Mike followed the ambulance to the hospital. I was seen right away by a doctor and was given more steroids. They took good care of me including an EKG, chest x-ray, blood work and urine sample. They kept me for 5 hours total to make sure that I was stable. We arrived back at our apartment about 2am. Grandma had been with the boys so she went home and we went to bed. I woke up the next morning with no indications of the night before.
Things we are thankful for:
**God's prompting to take the allergy medicine. I think that this medication delayed me from getting even worse.
**Safety on the road through horrible driving conditions.
**Mike Littlefield's willingness to drive us to the hospital. "Mike, I'm sorry that I threw up in your van." (Mike's position in Wycliffe is serving as a pilot. This is only the first of my emergency medical "flights" that he will take.
**The ambulance that was already on the way towards us when we called. They were enroute to another call but were able to meet us first.
**Learning about how my body reacts in a severe allergic reaction. Knowing this will allow me to get proper help in the future if it ever happens again.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers that kept me safe.
When we walked back into our apartment, I (Susan) realized that I had gotten a insect bite (unsure what kind) on my toe. It itched and burned enough to know that something had gotten me. Within a few minutes I started to itch all over my body. By a couple of minutes later, my face had turned bright red and I felt very hot. God prompted me at that time to take an allergy pill. I actually took one of two different medications that I have.
I decided to take a shower to relieve some of my symptoms. Within a few minutes of being in the shower my chest started tightening up and I was having some difficulty breathing. I got out of the shower quickly and got dressed. Todd called Tippy Littlefield, a friend of ours who lived nearby. She told Todd to take me to the hospital and they decided that Mike, her husband would drive us because he had been there before.
So, Mike drove us towards the hospital which was about 20 minutes away. During this time I was getting steadily worse. I passed out and Todd was doing what he could to help. I told them that I didn't think that I would make it all the way to the hospital. Mike called 911 while he continued to drive through the now heavy rainstorm. Through the storm and the poor reception he was able to give the operator directions for how to meet us. We pulled into a gas station and the ambulance met us there only minutes later.
Once I was in the ambulance they gave me a shot of epinephrine, started an IV and gave me more Benadryl. Within a short while I started to feel better, although drowsy from the medication. Todd and Mike followed the ambulance to the hospital. I was seen right away by a doctor and was given more steroids. They took good care of me including an EKG, chest x-ray, blood work and urine sample. They kept me for 5 hours total to make sure that I was stable. We arrived back at our apartment about 2am. Grandma had been with the boys so she went home and we went to bed. I woke up the next morning with no indications of the night before.
Things we are thankful for:
**God's prompting to take the allergy medicine. I think that this medication delayed me from getting even worse.
**Safety on the road through horrible driving conditions.
**Mike Littlefield's willingness to drive us to the hospital. "Mike, I'm sorry that I threw up in your van." (Mike's position in Wycliffe is serving as a pilot. This is only the first of my emergency medical "flights" that he will take.
**The ambulance that was already on the way towards us when we called. They were enroute to another call but were able to meet us first.
**Learning about how my body reacts in a severe allergic reaction. Knowing this will allow me to get proper help in the future if it ever happens again.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers that kept me safe.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Been too long already
We have been attending training classes here in North Carolina for the past week. Because of home work and family life I have not updated the blog. Here's the rundown of the past "events."
1. We completed our journey here to Waxhaw, NC. We arrived here 2 days early because we were tired of traveling. We could have spent more time sightseeing in Tennessee but we just wanted to get to JAARS and get settled. I am glad that we had the couple of extra days of rest.
2. The boys started "school" too. Both Andrew and Connor have separate programs to attend while we are in class. They were hesitant the first day but have thoroughly enjoyed their classes.
3. Grandma Eileen, who was able to drive here with us was assigned her own class. She came knowing that she would volunteer in the children's program part time. Once she arrived she learned that they really needed another head teacher. She graciously accepted and teaches a class of 1 year old every morning.
4. We have enjoyed many thunderstorms since we arrived. We watched a storm come in quickly last night and the boys enjoyed playing outside in the warm rain. We moved inside when the wind picked up and the lightning got closer. Today is the 60th day that they have had over 90 degrees. It is hot and humid with the occassional thunderstorm.
5. We worshipped on Sunday at First Slavic Baptist Church of Charlotte. The service was entirely in Russian. We enjoyed the choir and the praise music and the vibrant pastor. It was a good size church with what seemed an attendance of over 300. When we came they offered us a translator. We were encouraged not to use a translator so we limited ourselves to asking only a few questions. The boys did surprisingly well as they tried their best to be quiet and still through the 2 hour service. We will be attending this church for the next 3 weeks.
6. We are enjoying the pool and the library here on campus. Yesterday, the boys and Grandma visited the Mexico Museum also here on campus.
7. We are thankful for the prayers of many. We have had no health issues and we thank God for his protection and provision for us. I will try to do better to share our journey with you. Thanks for reading, Susan.
1. We completed our journey here to Waxhaw, NC. We arrived here 2 days early because we were tired of traveling. We could have spent more time sightseeing in Tennessee but we just wanted to get to JAARS and get settled. I am glad that we had the couple of extra days of rest.
2. The boys started "school" too. Both Andrew and Connor have separate programs to attend while we are in class. They were hesitant the first day but have thoroughly enjoyed their classes.
3. Grandma Eileen, who was able to drive here with us was assigned her own class. She came knowing that she would volunteer in the children's program part time. Once she arrived she learned that they really needed another head teacher. She graciously accepted and teaches a class of 1 year old every morning.
4. We have enjoyed many thunderstorms since we arrived. We watched a storm come in quickly last night and the boys enjoyed playing outside in the warm rain. We moved inside when the wind picked up and the lightning got closer. Today is the 60th day that they have had over 90 degrees. It is hot and humid with the occassional thunderstorm.
5. We worshipped on Sunday at First Slavic Baptist Church of Charlotte. The service was entirely in Russian. We enjoyed the choir and the praise music and the vibrant pastor. It was a good size church with what seemed an attendance of over 300. When we came they offered us a translator. We were encouraged not to use a translator so we limited ourselves to asking only a few questions. The boys did surprisingly well as they tried their best to be quiet and still through the 2 hour service. We will be attending this church for the next 3 weeks.
6. We are enjoying the pool and the library here on campus. Yesterday, the boys and Grandma visited the Mexico Museum also here on campus.
7. We are thankful for the prayers of many. We have had no health issues and we thank God for his protection and provision for us. I will try to do better to share our journey with you. Thanks for reading, Susan.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Joplin, Missouri
We visited Joplin yesterday and today. My (Susan) mom's brother Fred lives there. We enjoyed having dinner with Fred, Jana and my cousin Ariel. After dinner we got a tour of the tornado damage. What a sight to see the devastation in person. We saw where many houses used to be. It was hard to imagine that the barren places used to be homes, stores, and businesses. Many places have been cleared but there are still many places that haven't been touched along with countless piles of debris. We saw St. John's hospital. It remains untouched since the tornado.
During our visit we heard many horrible stories. These stories will be with them for a long time. But even more remarkable were all the stories of God's protection. A little girl shared that she wasn't scared because she saw the angels there with her, a large family gathering with minimal protection was spared, buildings collapsing right after the people got out, people feeling "someone" holding their hand. You could say, "Where was God in this?" Just ask the people of Joplin. God was right there with them.
During our visit we heard many horrible stories. These stories will be with them for a long time. But even more remarkable were all the stories of God's protection. A little girl shared that she wasn't scared because she saw the angels there with her, a large family gathering with minimal protection was spared, buildings collapsing right after the people got out, people feeling "someone" holding their hand. You could say, "Where was God in this?" Just ask the people of Joplin. God was right there with them.
Big Brutus
Unless you have been through Kansas you will have no idea what Big Brutus is. Big Brutus is a retired piece of machinery from a coal mine. Now, this isn't your average tractor. Big Brutus at its tallest point is 16 stories tall. This thing is massive. I will post pictures when I can figure that out. We got to climb up into the cab and walk around in its belly. Did I mention that this thing is massive?
When I was walking down the last flight of steps I thought that there would be no way to describe how wide and tall and long and big this thing is. Unless you have seen this for yourself, you'll never be able to grasp how big this machine is. This reminded me of God's love. Unless you have seen for yourself how wide and tall and long and big is the love of God, it is hard to understand and to imagine.
We all should experience Big Brutus and God for ourselves.
When I was walking down the last flight of steps I thought that there would be no way to describe how wide and tall and long and big this thing is. Unless you have seen this for yourself, you'll never be able to grasp how big this machine is. This reminded me of God's love. Unless you have seen for yourself how wide and tall and long and big is the love of God, it is hard to understand and to imagine.
We all should experience Big Brutus and God for ourselves.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
More Than Half Way
Well, we passed the half-way mark of our drive to North Carolina. We have driven more than we have left to drive. This is a good feeling. We are in Wichita, Kansas. Our last 3 nights were spent in North Platte, NE, Rock Springs, WY and Elko, NV. We have seen miles and miles of salt flats, empty deserts, roaming hills and corn fields.
Everything has been going smoothly. On our first day of travel, after about 400 miles Connor asks, "When are we going to get to the airport?" We realized that we had been talking about taking this long trip. Every time we have been on a long trip, we have flown. Bless his little heart that he patiently waited 400 miles before asking about our airport destination.
We are at Todd's cousin Hink's house and are blessed to be staying with family. The boys are in the basement alternating play between the Wii and the pool table.
Everything has been going smoothly. On our first day of travel, after about 400 miles Connor asks, "When are we going to get to the airport?" We realized that we had been talking about taking this long trip. Every time we have been on a long trip, we have flown. Bless his little heart that he patiently waited 400 miles before asking about our airport destination.
We are at Todd's cousin Hink's house and are blessed to be staying with family. The boys are in the basement alternating play between the Wii and the pool table.
Monday, July 18, 2011
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