one of the best times in my life is the years chris and i were youth advisors at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, MO. we had more fun with this amazing group of young people that one is allowed to have.
we met with this group for over 5 years on sunday nights. we went on retreats with them. we went on ski trips with them, we spent two weeks with them every summer at "work camp" where we spent time doing construction projects for people whose lives we couldn't imagine.
but the beauty of those two weeks was that we learned more from the homeowners we served. they told us their stories. they showed us their faith. they changed us in ways more profound than i could every find the words to share.
as a parent now, as a parent of a daughter old enough to go on "work camp" herself, i value those young people more than ever. they taught me to be a parent. they taught me how to be a friend to them without crossing the line from parental role. most of ll, they taught me how to make a safe place for a young person to be the child of God they were created to be.
in may we will be having a reunion, organized by the youth. and i can't wait. many of these wonderful adults have joined together to plan a parents only saturday night and sunday family day. did i mention i can't wait?
the last time i saw many of these people was at jane's wedding, nearly 8 years ago. did i mention i can't wait?
so ill keep you all posted about the progress of this amazing event!
so work campers, we're all in it together--always will be.
i love you all so much!
Friday, March 25, 2011
the seizure monster
ok, i try really hard not to whine. but today the frustration is coming out.
i woke up today with focal seizures in my left arm.
i've taken three doses of my "emergency" meds.
the seizures keep coming.
i can't begin to tell yo the impact it has on our family. i spend probably one day out every 10 unable to go about my regular day. the emergency meds put me to sleep. chris has to pick up so much of the load. i don't know what i'd do without him.
this stupid condition permeates every aspect of our lives. my work, his work, the kids schools and my ability to help in their classrooms. when i'm "twitchy" i can't do much of anything that involves two hands. so while i'm halfway out of it, i can't even sit and stitch, type, concentrate. it's taken probably twice as long as usual to type this because i have to keep fixing all the typos.
sometimes--ok, all the time-- i wish my neuro could just look inside my brain and say, "oh, that's it. ok, here's what we do," and it's all better. but after 6 years it's still not all better.
i know it could be so much worse. i know others have it so much worse. i am thankful for the meds i have that do work. i'm grateful for a doctor and staff that work with me. they answer every phone call, they know who i am and make the referrals and phone calls i need.
on the 28th i see a new doc who specializes in epilepsy. maybe he can get this under control. that's my current prayer.
so i ask you all to pray for me as well. Monday can't some soon enough. i'll keep you all posted.
i woke up today with focal seizures in my left arm.
i've taken three doses of my "emergency" meds.
the seizures keep coming.
i can't begin to tell yo the impact it has on our family. i spend probably one day out every 10 unable to go about my regular day. the emergency meds put me to sleep. chris has to pick up so much of the load. i don't know what i'd do without him.
this stupid condition permeates every aspect of our lives. my work, his work, the kids schools and my ability to help in their classrooms. when i'm "twitchy" i can't do much of anything that involves two hands. so while i'm halfway out of it, i can't even sit and stitch, type, concentrate. it's taken probably twice as long as usual to type this because i have to keep fixing all the typos.
sometimes--ok, all the time-- i wish my neuro could just look inside my brain and say, "oh, that's it. ok, here's what we do," and it's all better. but after 6 years it's still not all better.
i know it could be so much worse. i know others have it so much worse. i am thankful for the meds i have that do work. i'm grateful for a doctor and staff that work with me. they answer every phone call, they know who i am and make the referrals and phone calls i need.
on the 28th i see a new doc who specializes in epilepsy. maybe he can get this under control. that's my current prayer.
so i ask you all to pray for me as well. Monday can't some soon enough. i'll keep you all posted.
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