Yippee!

I am so happy to report I have been let off of the complete bed rest that I have been confined to for the last month. I still have to take it easy, but it was the best news I could have gotten. It was great timing because my best friend was in town so we actually got to go do some things instead of hang out in the hotel room all weekend.

God is teaching me so much patience this summer and a lot of times, I don't want the lessons but know they make me a stronger woman of faith. I am so blessed to have all the support I have, even being so far away from home. It is easy to get discouraged when everything seems to be working against you, but in the last week we have secured a place to live, found out the baby is developing normally and that I can resume some normal activities - all good news when it was really needed! Now if only I could have a drink....:).

Finally - A Place to Live

We've spent nearly all summer in temporary housing and we are so blessed to finally have a leasse signed for an apartment. We were hoping to get a house, but feel like it'll be better to wait until Spring. Especially since I am on bedrest and can't go searching for one.

God provides what we need, but sometimes he makes us get really nervous before we have definite answers.

The Gifts In My Life

The last several months have been a lot of ups and downs, but mostly I feel like it's just been us trying to keep our heads above water. God continously reminds me when it seems like everything can't get worse, He is there carrying me when I can't walk one more step.

Out of the blue, we have been blessed with new people in our lives. Even with me stuck at home all the time, I have still had visitors and we have made it through. It is just nice to have interaction with others especially during this period. It's so nice when friends of your friends are people you would be drawn to anyway.

The doctors said I may be able to begin a modified bed rest in a few weeks, which at least gives me something to look forward to. Guess we'll see:).

Lately I've bene thinking about how difficult life has been and then I just get more frustrated and depressed. Instead I realized I really need to focus on all the gifts I still have in my life and what I can do to serve God, even from my prime spot on the couch.

My husband is such a gift in my life. Oh yes, we fight and don't agree on so many things, but when it comes down to it, he is my greatest supporter and my greatest ally and God reveals Himself to me through my husband in all the little things my husband does.

Whether it's getting up to make sure the door is locked each night after we're nice and comfy in bed or making sure I have milk in the fridge even when he hates milk and would likely never buy it if it weren't for me, he does so many things when he's so tired to serve me. They may not be the exciting romantic spur-of-the-moment weekends or grandieur things novels write about, but in the end those little things are more wonderful and really show how much someone really loves you than the other actions.

I Love to Fly American

So with me going on bedrest, some smaller issues like a trip we had planned to see my family was obviously needing to be canceled. Since I had never had to cancel a trip before, I wasn't sure what to expect.

Much to my surprise, American Airlines was very helpful and very understanding. Normally I would've been charged a $100 fee per ticket for having to cancel the trip, but after I wrote them and since I was on doctor's orders for full rest, I instead got a voucher for the full amount for both tickets. It was such a blessing since we will easily use them after the baby is born but just can't right now.

So even though they have been my favorite airlines for awhile, they gained more respect from me with being so easy to work with during this challenging time.

Chaos and Blessings

That seems to fit life pretty well right now. In the midst of all of our chaos, we have had many blessings and are so grateful for friends, family and prayer partners God has placed in our lives over the years.

We thought we found a place to move into by next Friday, unfortunately the tenants can't get out in time and so we either have to find another place, find a smaller place, try to extend our stay here for a few weeks and rent a storage unit or pay a lot more for a place that's too pricey. We're not sure what will be the best option, but pray God shows us what path we should take.

With me being on complete bedrest, our toddler began daycare full-time. I hate putting him in it and he cries when we have to leave him, but I know at least he's getting a chance to play and be active instead of sit at home with me.

I was so pleasantly surprised by a box of goodies from friends in Minneapolis. It really, really made my day a bit brighter and was a very wonderful surprise. I also got a wonderful box of crocheting goodies and books from my mom, which really helps kill the boredom.

We've also gotten several prayers from many places and a lot of support who have faced similar situations. It really seems like when it rains, it truly pours. It is just nice to have people share their experiences saying they've been there and are still alive to talk about it:). It has really helped me feel more hopeful that this too will pass and we'll come out that much stronger when it is over.

My husband is such a blessing to me, especially during this time. He has taken on so much with no complaint and I know it's not easy for him. I couldn't ask for a more selfless and loving spouse. At times like these, when one of us truly carries the load (right now him), I really remember what a good team we can be.

He said sometimes he really enjoys me having to need him because I don't tend to be as needy as a lot of girls and would rather do a lot of things on my own. We truly need each other for support and love and prayers and it can be easy to forget when things are running smoothly. We especially need it during things like wrapping up grad school, moving to a new city and state and me being on months of bedrest.

So I thank God for a good man who makes me so thankful I married him. Even through our struggles and frustrations, we are gently reminded our marriage really is worth fighting for and we should always seek to strengthen the relationship and marriage we have, because it truly is a gift.

A Sudden Loss

What do you say when one of your friends suddenly dies? One of my longtime friends whom I spent a lot of time with in high school had a massive heart attack last week and after the family getting a report that no brain activity was found, they are removing his life support today. What really strikes me is that he was my age....literally... within a few weeks of my age. He wasn't even 29 yet. He leaves behind a baby the same age as our little boy and a wife. I don't even know my place in grieving with them. Most of the people we hung out with were related (siblings, cousins, etc.) and we are not family members.

The truth is, I rarely saw him after college, but I still care very much about him and the others from that group. I can't even imagine the pain and anguish they must be feeling right now. I can't travel home for the funeral, since I am on bed rest, but wish so badly I could join them in grieving in the same place they are.

He was such a good soul and was always fun and likeable. He was very much like one of my brothers and I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around the fact that today, they are removing life support. Today he is physically dying. I have to remember that although this is happening today, his soul likely left his body last week.

I pray that all of his family is comforted during this time of imaginable loss and that his little girl always knows what a good guy her dad really was.

Bed Rest

Well it looks like I may be able to blog a fair amount because I have just been put on bed rest for possibly four months. As bad as that was initially, I remind myself that the other options was that I was put in the hospital for possibly that whole time. I am very frustrated because since we are new here, we don't know anyone to help. The good thing is that there is daycare at my husband's work and they are taking the baby full-time so I can fully rest, like I have to. My mom is sending a box of goodies, which I am looking forward to since we are still in temporary housing and most of our stuff is not here. More to come soon!