These past few months have been like none other in my life. I never imagined being on "sick leave" for six months, and if I had known, I certainly would have packed up my house a little differently, or asked someone to move in to the apartment... to keep in alive and rat free. Instead it is empty, rats are nesting in my cupboards, and no one is there to decorate the festive tree with my precious neighbour boys. There are so many things I am missing in and about Soroti right now:
- good friends
- teaching in churches and schools
- keeping up with Educational Care
- company, especially when you are lonely
- hot weather
- youth conferences
- kids camps
- a friend's wedding
- biking
- sunshine
- my adoptive families
- making Christmas cookies with Vanessa
- laughing with Teddy
- HOME
And there are so many other things I have lost over the past few months:
- opportunities to serve
- my Aunt Jean
- my car
- my out-going life-style
- Mr. Chaps, the kitty cat
- my energy
I am thankful that I am beginning to share in the churches again, about God's Work in Soroti, and how He continues to call me there and I'm glad that I can begin to move about, but it's not easy.
The past few months have truly been a struggle for me. I have gone from an extreme extravert, always being surrounded by friends and people, to becoming a shut-in with no one home most days. I have read books, created art projects, written letters, caught up on tv series, and cooked many meals for my parents, but it's not the lifestyle I would ever desire.
I miss people so much, but the hard part is, I haven't been feeling that well to go anywhere. Sitting in a car has been extremely painful for me, so longer road trips are out of the question. Originally when I came back to Canada my lungs were sore, recovering from the pulminary embolisms and I was preparing for surgery. But now I'm recovering from surgery - which is taking a lot longer than I imagined... and starting to struggle with other issues as well. The pain in my legs has become awful, but thankfully I found out 5 days ago that my Vitamin D levels are LOW and after starting some supplements, I'm starting to see that my legs are in less pain.
I still have concerns like:
- when will I get to go back to Uganda?
- how do I go car shopping when I first arrive back?
- will I find a dentist in Canada who is willing to do some pro bono work?
- why is there still pain in my calves (especially if there are no blood clots or squished veins)?
- will I survive this cold winter weather?
But I am also thankful for so much:
- a chance to get to know the congregation in St. Thomas
- for quality family time
- lots of conversations and card gameswith Mom and Dad
- for supportive mission agencies
- for fireplaces and duvets
- for healing
- for rest
- for the snail mail I've been receiving
- a part in the Christmas eve drama at church
So, here I am, continuing on in this journey of the unknown and out of my element, but grateful that God has a plan through all of this and I'm trusting in His faithfulness.
At craft night with a great group of people from church
The Santa Claus parade in Wingham
Truly Canadian
At the arena
Watching my nephew's hockey game
