Running With Hope (Hebrews 12:1-3): Nebraska and an Update :)

Hey everyone! It's been awhile...I thought I would have time on vacation to write, but you know how that goes! As anticipated, the flights were hard, especially since they were crazy with the amount of turbulence we had. On the flight to Nebraska (we actually flew into Rapid City, SD as our friends live in Chadron, NE which is only an hour and a half south of there), they never even turned the seatbelt sign off so no one could even go to the bathroom. At first, Jenn and I started laughing because it was so turbulent it was like being on a roller coaster--talk about maxing out my vestibular system! Then all of a sudden the plane literally jerked and dove to the right--there were screams and a collective gasp--one of those moments where I immediately started praying. I'm not afraid of dying--I know where I'm going and it is going to be marvelous to see Jesus face to face but the actual process of death doesn't appeal to anyone! There's a reason God says, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23)...He rescued us from sin but because of sin we all have to die at some point unless Jesus comes back first. Anyway, I digress...big surprise! :) Long story short, I survived the flights, but not without lots of ginger candy and my non-alcoholic Ginger Beer that I got a doctor's note so I could take it on the plane. Jordan teased me that I was the only person he knew that could get a doctor to write a note for me to take "beer" on a plane. ;)

We got there in once piece late Friday night and had Tatyana's high school graduation first thing Saturday morning. Tatyana is the second daughter of Fabian and Amy Leija--dear friends that we met through Sovereign Grace Church in Tucson--we were in the same small group and their kids were the first to call us Aunt and Uncle. We have such a sweet relationship with them. It's hard to believe Tyler is 20 and living on his own and Tatyana is headed off to college! When we met in 2007, Tyler was 12, Tatyana was 10, and Taya was 7. They have since adopted another child, Trenton who is 6 and will be in first grade this next year! He didn't remember me as we hadn't seen them in 3 years, but my vest was a quick way into his heart and I got the biggest hug goodbye from him...precious memories were made this week!

I made it through the graduation and Tatyana made me cry...there was a point in the ceremony where they played the song, "We're in this together" from the High School Musical and all the graduates gave parents and other's that were a big part of their life a carnation...I was busy taking pictures of her giving her parent's theirs and the next thing I know she's walking over to me and giving me one. It was a very sweet moment and brought me to tears--even though Jord and I have been unable to have our own children, we have lots of spiritual children and it's so neat to see answered prayers and how God is working in their lives. Tatyana is going into nursing--she's going to make a phenomenal nurse--I've experienced her love and care as she's helped me bathe and given me massages and stayed at our apartment with us in Phoenix to help us when I've been sick. I can't wait to see how God's going to use her gifts in the future. It's a privilege to be a part of their lives and amazing to see the fruit of Fabian and Amy's labor and answers to prayers.

You know those friends where you go way too long without talking, but when you pick back up with each other its like you never missed a day of each other's lives? That's Amy for me...Jenn and I had such a sweet time visiting them! We not only got to be a part of Tatyana's graduation, but we got to see Taya sing a song at her 8th grade showcase...she's been given a beautiful voice by the Lord! She's also showing a Dairy Heifer this year and it brought back so many 4-H memories as she showed me how she was doing and I was able to give her some tips on training animals. We also got to go to Mt. Rushmore and see Ft. Robinson in NE which was a military fort in the 1800's during the Indian wars and where Crazy Horse surrendered and died. We also got to go to Chadron State Park--it's beautiful country and was so fun to see Jordan's home state! I'm looking forward to going back with Jordan and getting to Lincoln where he actually lived as a child. Some of my favorite books are written by one of Cathy's (Jord's Mom) good friends in Lincoln that are Christian Historical Fiction and tell all about Nebraska history in the 1800's so one of the books actually involved Ft. Robinson so I could totally imagine what life was like in my head...it was so cool! If you are interested here is a link to her website. :) My favorite book of hers is called "Karyn's Memory Box". Here is a link to her books.

Chadron got 20 inches of SNOW between Saturday and Sunday so we had lots of fun playing in the snow and making a snowman Sunday morning because church was canceled! By Tuesday it was all melted and we had 70 degree weather by Wednesday. Then on Friday when we left, the entire state of Nebraska and lots of other states were under tornado watch! Talk about crazy weather...but was so fun and I got to wear scarves and discovered the Huskers section at WalMart. ;)

I still had tremors and was exhausted and I had to stay home from Taya's awards ceremony because the auditorium with lots of clapping and darkness with bright lights up front caused major issues when we watched her sing. Thankfully, she was the 5th person on so I was able to handle it to make it through her singing, then Jenn and I headed back to the house. I rested when I would have liked to be out shopping with Jenn and Tatyana, but I was so grateful to be there and their front from had a fireplace and windows to look out which is where I did my treatments and read, so it wasn't so bad staying home. :) We also did lots of talking!

I'm thankful I was healthy enough to go and even coming home, I can see a big improvement between two weeks ago and today. I was exhausted Friday after traveling and had a "PCD hangover/turtle day" on Saturday, but I was able to go to my first ENTIRE church service since everything started yesterday! I still have to sit in the cry room and i was exhausted, but after resting a bit I was able to help with dinner and walk the dogs. Today I've gotten laundry done and put away and took the dogs for a walk and been working on some paperwork. I'm so thankful for the little improvements that really aren't so little!

Tomorrow is a big day doctor wise--I have three appointments in Phoenix. Vestibular rehab and then my first rheumatology appointment and my follow up neurology appointment to get the results of all those tests I had two weeks ago. I should have a better idea of what's causing the tremors, how long it will take for that to heal, if it will be more long term, when I can drive etc. On Friday, I see a otoneurologist who is someone that specializes more in vestibular/balance/dizzy type stuff so after this week I should have a lot better picture on what the long term recovery time looks like.

Also, something that is a HUGE answer to prayer and that has been kept under wraps is that tomorrow Jordan starts a new job--with AMAZING health insurance benefits!!!!!!! He will be an Engineering Technician at a local company here in town. He really didn't want to leave Vroom, but unfortunately they just don't have the health insurance that we so desperately needed. Between this new plan and my Medicare plan as secondary insurance, our medical bills will be reduced from thousands upon thousands of dollars to minimal!!!!!! We are so thankful and I'm excited for Jordan. He really wants to find a place and work there for 30 years and retire, so we are hoping this is it! We'll see how God leads in the future, but it is very obvious between our church, the support system we have here, and now this job, we are right where God wants us to be. :)

I think that's about it...here are some pictures to enjoy!
In the Love of the Lamb,
Rachelle :)