There have still been some difficult things going on:
-Physical therapy is twice a week. Part of the therapy is having my kneecaps and thighs scrapped with something akin to a windshield scraper to get rid of all the scar tissue that has built up inside my legs since the accident. This leaves broken blood vessels all over my legs and bruises my knees even more.
-I still can't run or bike or dance ballet.
-The bills continue to accumulate by the thousands of dollars.
BUT... there have been many more amazingly encouraging things going on:
-I feel much, much more like my self--even like an improved version of my self. When you're on the brink of death a couple of times, you really learn what is valuable in life. And I have learned to live much more freely and generously and lovingly.
-I've had some of the best, most insightful and uplifting conversations lately with friends and family.
-I've heard countless stories of God's incredible faithfulness in times of adversity.
-The power of prayer has been displayed so brilliantly.
Probably the greatest highlight was having the opportunity to travel to southern California to see Jodi's wedding. Jodi was my teammate in China for 2 years--the second year we were a team of our own and became very dear friends. From her I learned how to cook, how to be hospitable, how to love and live largely, how to trust God for everything, and how to play awesome card games. :)
I flew out to Long Beach last week and stayed with her family. I've stayed with them a couple of times before, and love them more each time I see them. They are a wonderful example of faith and living out God's Word. My time out there was both restorative and highly enjoyable!
I loved being around millions of Asian-Americans, many of whom I've met before. They have such a close-knit community, and for some reason I really click with them. I think I must be Asian-American, although I look pretty white on the outside. One funny story--I was sitting at a banquet table with 10 other cool Asians. They were debating about the proper pronunciation of a Chinese word and looked at me for the right answer. Everyone laughed about the irony of the only white girl knowing the proper Chinese word.
It was also pretty warm in comparison to Indiana, where it snowed here last week. I enjoyed listening to and sharing wonderful stories, laughing until I cried, helping out with intense wedding preparations (there were 350 guests!), and eating great food. At the wedding reception, I was out there right in the middle of the dance floor, sometimes right in the middle of the circle dancing quite freely. My knees paid dearly for it, but I felt so joyful and like the old Laura.
I was also reunited with several of my old China teammates--some of whom I hadn't seen for 3 years. It's amazing to see how they've grown and changed, yet it was like we hadn't been apart for even a day. As the youngest, I was still Baby Laura, but also realized I have grown a lot in the past couple of years. We laughed, nearly cried, and remembered crazy China stories and God's amazing faithfulness. I felt so at home and so blessed to be with them again, that I don't think I could have been any happier.
My last plane back from California was the 23rd plane I've been on since March, I calculated. Whew. I think it's time to settle down a bit for the next few months. There are still plenty of adventures to be had, though, even in the middle of Indiana!
I want to leave you with an amazing C.S. Lewis quote that really spoke to me, and kind of encompasses some of the past few months to me:
"God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world."
And here are some pictures from California:
1 comment:
Wow, I don't think I've ever commented before Jodi...guess she's got other stuff going on :) YOU admitted you've grown a lot since China AND that you're still having more adventures. I love you! Thanks for sharing!!
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