P.S. "YeeeHaawww!"

This is just to share my joy that this surgery was nothing like my first one. After my first surgery in '06, I was taken out of the hospital in a wheelchair, used a walker for the first two weeks, then crutches for the first month and even intermittently for the next year because I could hardly put any weight on my left leg. This time, however, five minutes after I came out of 'la la land' I was walking around with no pain (from weight-bearing) and no assistance devices. I walked out of the hospital BY MYSELF! The saying is "never say never"...but, I can say that I will never be sorry I had the screws taken out. In the same breath I will also never be sorry for what the Lord continues to do in my life. The fact that these two "nevers" can exist in the same paragraph just shows that God is a great God.

Two Screws Less - update on my surgery

I’m sure by now you all have given up checking this blog for updated updates (does anyone with a lovely dial-up speed of 28.8 kbps share my pain?). But the promise of my wonderful friend, Carrie Martin, rings true (the "I promise" blog on Aug.5th). I am still alive and my surgery on July 3rd did what I was hoping it would do - that is, relieve me of the most debilitating pain I was having, and slowly gain back what I was able to do 'once upon a time' two years ago.

From the time the screws were put in two years ago, to the time they were taken out, I was on a downward spiral. From the human standpoint, it seems a wasted two years since I am back to square one with my back problems. Well...okay, 'square zero' might be more accurate. After all, not only did the screws not fix the major problem, they created other problems like muscle weakness which is taking months of physical therapy to overcome (although, there is the plus that the nerve damage healed during that time - could‘ve fooled me that anything had healed during those two years). But we all know because of who God is, nothing is ever wasted. Not even pain.

Speaking of physical therapy, I finished six weeks of it at the end of September - three hours a day, three times a week, plus an hour of traveling time. I felt as if I had a full-time job! Thankfully, I can now continue this program here at home. I'm still having some pain, still avoiding sitting, still avoiding driving long distances, still lying down quite a bit throughout the day, but...trust. It's a beautiful word. And who is more worthy of my trust than the One who created me and saved me?




Bambie surprised me by driving all night long from Michigan to drive with us to Atlanta for my surgery.





Talking on the phone to Sophia five minutes before I was given the "I feel good" stuff. Sis couldn't leave her post in Michigan.

Day Camp in MI - Aug.18-22

Dad, Mom, and I headed north to Benton Harbor, MI to serve and be blessed by what God is doing through Sophia in her work with the Mexican migrant families. Besides helping with the songtime, my other title was "Floater". This was the second year for this week of organized chaos, blessings and blasts. Only, this time we had the children from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Children were saved and others were edified and challenged in their walk with God - and we stood in awe everyday of the work God was doing in lives. We had 75-80 in attendance.



The Blue Bus - Mr. Ingram's route



Inside the big blue bus



The White Bus - Bambie's route



Don't let the size of the little children fool you. They can eat!



Aunt Esther in the middle of a missionary story review game



Miriam Alvarado - one of Sophia's right-hand young ladies



You know it's good when ya get it on your nose



The return of the all-time favorite activity of last year



"El Faro" - The Lighthouse picnic shelter



Skits to illustrate truths: Omar Alvarado (with Sophia inside the box)

Victory Bible Camp July 28-Aug.1

Serving at camp this year took on a new slant for me since my surgery was at the beginning of this month. I gave myself the title of "Floater".



Victory Mountain campers and workers



On our way




A rare moment - when the sisters are together. Four of Bambie's five children are now old enough to be campers. This aunt feels old!



I participated in the annual shaving cream battle - watching from the sidelines =)



Brother Randy Blanchett (from Michigan) was our dynamic camp speaker. Believers were challenged and encouraged and others were saved.

Workgroup # 2 - July 21-25

East Side Grace Brethren Church (from Columbus, OH area) came with a force of 60 some hard workers to tackle numerous arduous jobs - including a new roof for the church and parsonage.

VBS & Workgroup # 1 June 22-28

Willow Valley Grace Brethren Church from PA came to serve with us once again. Our children here love the young people who return year after year to invest in their lives during our week of VBS.

Time in California April-June

My six weeks in California for more prolotherapy (http://www.caringmedical.com) wasn't entirely painful. I had plenty of fun times with the VanPelt family and their church family in between my six treatments.



In Montgomery Woods



My favorite Dr. couple - Dr.Rodney and Kim VanPelt



Enjoying one of California's many beautiful lakes



Memorial day fun in the Sierra Nevada mountains

I promise...

...she really is still alive! Her surgery really did go well--now I guess she's doing so well she's not tied down to update us!

The Baers did camp last week, and Sonya said it went very well. They had many kids get saved, and even some "Ee-Taow" experiences. (Sonya would gladly tell you; shoot her an email if you want more details!)

She still loves you!

Carrie :-)

WOOHOO!

So, I don't want to steal ALL of Sonya's excitement, but it could be another two months before she updates on her blog about her surgery. Thursday afternoon I got a phone call from Mama Baer saying that Sonya's surgery went wonderfully, that she (Sonya) had walked to THE BACK OF THE CVS TO THE PHARMACY--AND WASN'T IN PAIN UNTIL 3/4 OF THE WAY BACK. This was HOURS after having the screws removed. Praise God with the Baer Family that this WAS God's will to have these screws taken out! I'll let her update you on the good stuff later!

Love from Sonya (I'm sure!)
Carrie

It's Me Again...

Hi Sonya's friends,

It's Carrie again! I talked to Sonya this afternoon, and her "for sure unless something changes" appointment for having the screws removed is July 3rd. I forgot to mention in the last update, that she is not having these screws removed because her SI joint is better. In fact, the screws are being removed because there has been little progress over the past two years. Ideally, two years after surgery, Sonya should have increased mobility and be on the road back to "normal". Instead, she has more pain and less mobility than before her surgery. So the screw-removal will bring her "Back to square one", as the doctor says it. "Square one" is as she was in Jersey Shore, PA when I met her--able to work, cook, clean, move, and even run (on occasion!) The date seems much further off now, but it will provide her family time with a work group that is coming this Sunday, and I think more time to get ready for VBS.

Please be in prayer for Sonya as she waits for her "undoing", and for Momma and Papa Baer as they will be driving her down and back to Atlanta for the surgery (especially on the way back!!)

My (Little) Friend Sonya

You can probably guess from the title that this isn't Sonya. It's Carrie! Sonya and I were roommates during the NTM training. I asked if I could update her website for her after we talked last night. She's got some new things going on, and I knew many of you would like to know also.

Sonya is tentatively scheduled for having the screws removed from her SI joint on June 19th. She's waiting to hear if it's a go.

Sonya spent 6 weeks in California in May and June receiving prolotherapy. During that time, the doctor treating her began to suspect that she may have Lyme's disease. This would explain why her body has not responded well to prolo over the past 8 years. She most likely got Lyme's as a small child.

Most importantly: WOULD YOU PRAY? Sonya has a lot of things up in the air right now, but we all know that God has them secure in His hand.

An Early Birthday Celebration

Dad's ingenious candles


Mom always knows her kid's favorites - thanks, Mom!





Celebrating ___ years with my best friend (that's your guess)

It's rare when Sis and I are home at the same time, but we've enjoyed nearly five months together. We parted ways ten days before our birthday. So...Dad and Mom surprised us with a little celebration before Sophia went back to Michigan, and I headed out here to California. Thanks, Dad and Mom!

Scenes from Mexico Trip March 14-28

5:30 a.m. At the Airport - Headed to San Antonio, TX


Hours and hours in the van


Geologists go crazy here since they can't explain their evolutionary theories with these layered mountains


Mary's Sunday School class for a day


Sophia and Bro. Duane Schendel teaming up for a chalk art talk


Out Ridin'


Gotta go? That will be three pesos.


Young people at the church in Iguala


Gemelas (twins)


There's no good way to eat a Mango on a stick - except with everything ya got!


Marcelina - who walked two miles to bring us sandwiches she had made


A sweet reunion for Sophia - nine years is a long time to wait to see friends again


Cactus Tree


The Doorkeeper - he makes his living by making sure people pay their pesos before entering el bano. He's reading a track I gave him.


One of the fancier altars along the street





Pastor Pablo and family


Breakfast with Pastor Pablo and Sylvia


El Burro with his master - this is the lady who sent her daughter to go buy pop for us


Making a living - Xalitla is well known for the 'happy' art work. The reason? The artists are believers and so they paint happy faces








The embroidered work that she gave me, but could have sold at the market


Our sunrise service in the mountains


Chow Time


Daniel and Sarah - missionaries sent out from the 'mother' church to help start another church







Celia preparing our food - generously providing piles of meat that she really couldn't afford to buy


Pedro and Celia's family


Money Exchange - heading home


Our flight home - a reminder that our lives are in God's hands