When Life Gives You Lemons

Turns out it’s been a little over a month since I last put out an update, and so much has happened. It feels almost as though time was at a stand still for a while, and then randomly jumped to 2x speed. Like it just turned around and said, “Time to make things interesting…Here’s all these activities, time to juggle them as you jump some hurtles!”

Funny thing about time is, that you can always plan for something, but you are incapable of knowing what is actually going to happen until it’s already occurred.

Fascinatingly enough, I had originally planned my trip back to Kansas to talk to churches for during the month of April since it was one of the few sections of free time I had before graduation. During that time, my sister had been looking for a MALS (a vascular compression syndrome) surgeon and we hadn’t had too much success since there are all sorts of different takes on the surgery as well as availability between the surgeons. Come to find out, just two weeks before my flight out to Denver (the nearest major airport to my hometown in KS), there was a surgeon in Connecticut with availability to preform the surgery during the period of time I was planning on being gone.

Since, we just recently moved to Texas, we haven’t been able to find someone willing to watch our crazies (also known as our dogs who don’t do well with new people). Therefore, I was asked if it would be possible for me to stay behind, move my trip, and watch the dogs. After a couple preliminary texts to my church contacts back in KS and a cursory glance at the SouthWest rescheduling process, I rescheduled my trip for May.

My family flew out to Connecticut and I stayed behind. I wish I could say that everything went great and she’s back to her old self again, but as I’ve learned that’s not a logical assumption. These things take time to heal and adjust to. Following her surgery, we were told that there were no complications, but it would take up to three months to see the complete results on whether the surgery would actually help.

After seven days post surgery, she was released from the hospital in CT, but still had to stick around the area until she could have a follow up with the surgeon. At that point my dad flew back home, and it was just my mom and sister left in CT.

Nevertheless, the relief of being released from the hospital didn’t last very long because a day or two later we had to take her into the ER because she developed a fever (a sign of infection in her TPN line that goes straight to the bloodstream, how she is currently receiving all of her nutrition). She was there for another week before being discharged, missing her post op appointment with the surgeon. The surgeon agreed to do the appointment online, and the following day they boarded their plane back to Texas.

It was a relief to have her back home, which was quickly ruined since less than 24 hours later she was back at the hospital for a line infection. Again. That was on April 27. Accumulatively, I’m not sure she even had more than 72 hours out of the hospital since she went in for the MALS surgery on April 10.

I’m going to cut the story short, she wasn’t released from the hospital until May 6.

She left for CT for her MALS surgery on April 7th and until late on May 7th she had not spent more than 23 consecutive hours at home.

Average day in the hospital, that is, when we’re all able to be there.

We can make plans, but we can never know what’s actually going to happen. How can we mentally and spiritually prepare for the unexpected? In the Bible it says:

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

-James 1:12

When life brings struggles we can find strength in the Lord. God has promised to bless those who persevere, facing our struggles head on allows us to grow in our faith and assures us that God is by our side no matter what.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds.”

-James 1:2

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

-John 16:33

Now, I did end up making it to Kansas and was able to attended some of my close friends and cousins’ graduations on top of talking to the churches. I loved being able to see and hang out with everyone again! Talking with the churches went great. I’m glad they allowed me the opportunity to share about the mission God has put on my heart for this coming “school” year. It was wonderful being able to chat with people before and after the services and hear about their own experiences in missions and life in general. I can’t thank you guys enough for the impact you have had on my life and your prayers as I enter into this new chapter!

Not my best picture, but oh well…

I there’s not much more that I can say, but when life gives you lemons make lemonade.

I’m happy to say that I’m currently sitting at 47% funded! Praise the Lord! However, still waiting for it all to fully trickle in onto my online support page. Hoping that will be up to date by the end of the weekend! Currently, working on some other stuff with fundraising. I’ll let you know when I’ve got anything concrete.

Praises:

• That my sister, Bridget, has made it through two major surgeries within the past four months and is still fighting, strong.
• That I’ve got some pretty amazing Squad Mates!

Prayers:

• For healing for Bridget, and that we can figure out next steps. As well as peace for her and our family.
• For peace of mind for my Squad and the Lord’s protection against spiritual warfare. As well as for our group’s fundraising.
• For, C&F, M&M, L, G, and B

Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me through this, even those I have yet to meet!

I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to ask! If you feel led to partner with me, you can do so in a number of ways: by joining my prayer team (I’d be happy to have you!), supporting me financially (my support link is attached to the blog page), or by sharing mine and my Squad Mates’ stories. If you know anyone who might be interested in serving in this ministry I’d be glad to talk to them!

Thank you so much for reading this! I hope you continue to follow along on my journey with the Lord!

God Bless! Have a great day!

–Olivia