Hello Friends and Family,
Many of you have asked about what is going on with my health. At this point we do not know exactly. We are in the (slow) process of figuring it out. I have been very sick since we have gotten here but it got really bad this past week. I got blood work done this morning and am going for "another" ultrasound tomorrow. As of now we know that my spleen is enlarged (a normal persons is 12cm by 6cm....mine is 19cm by 8cm). So that is great concern. We should know something more on Thursday night and then on Friday we will begin to make decisions and to what needs to be done. We will be in touch with all of you soon, via email, facebook, or the blog.
Much Love,
Tiffany (and Richard)
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Can I be transparent????
To say that I haven't struggled with "our new life" would be the understatement of the year. Almost everyday at some point I think "what in the world are we doing??" I have talked to a few friends who have been in our same situation and they say this is normal....but it doesn't feel normal. I typically adjust very well to new things. I have no problem making friends and I try to make the most of all opportunities but since the day that I have arrived here I have felt SO attacked by s*tan. At least once a day I find my self in tears and wanting to hop on the next plane home. Just as I never in a bazillion years thought G*d would bring us to a foreign country....I never in a bazillion years thought I would feel this way when coming here. I have already been pulled and stretched beyond what I ever thought possible....and boy is it exhausting.
I tell you all of this not because I want sympathy but I want to be transparent. I want you all to know that this is not easy. BUT as I sit in my self pity and wonder if I am going to make it through another 9 months...I am reminded of some Paul's last words to encourage Timothy to persevere.
"But, you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your m*ninstry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:5-7
So....as I daily continue on this journey in K...I know that there will be trials...I know there will be days that I dont want to do this anymore...but I also know that G*d see's the bigger picture and HE has it all under control. A little stretching and pulling never hurt anyone....right!!??!? :) We have no doubt that G*d called us here and that is what keeps us going when we feel like giving up!
*Disclaimer...please do not take this post as being negative towards anyone or anything here. I am just sharing what is on my mind! Love you all!
I tell you all of this not because I want sympathy but I want to be transparent. I want you all to know that this is not easy. BUT as I sit in my self pity and wonder if I am going to make it through another 9 months...I am reminded of some Paul's last words to encourage Timothy to persevere.
"But, you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your m*ninstry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:5-7
So....as I daily continue on this journey in K...I know that there will be trials...I know there will be days that I dont want to do this anymore...but I also know that G*d see's the bigger picture and HE has it all under control. A little stretching and pulling never hurt anyone....right!!??!? :) We have no doubt that G*d called us here and that is what keeps us going when we feel like giving up!
*Disclaimer...please do not take this post as being negative towards anyone or anything here. I am just sharing what is on my mind! Love you all!
Friday, September 24, 2010
So excited!
I am so excited because I am going to begin teaching a Zumba/Step-Aerobics class at the school on Tuesday's and Thursday's! Yay for cardio and outreach!!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Something I want to share...
Above is a link to a blog of a dear friends of Richard and mine. We went to OCC with this beautiful couple and then Sheyenne and I worked at LifeChoices Crisis Pregnancy center for a year together. Please take the time to read through their blog. It will touch your heart and your life!
Love,
Tiffany
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Top 10 things I will never take for granted again....
So after being here in K for almost 4 weeks there are several things that I will NEVER-EVER take for granted again.
10. Having a car....we love walking for the exercise but not everything is in walking distance and taxi's can get expensive.
9. Bathtub...we only have a shower and it makes bathing Kyler VERY difficult (I am typically drenched by the end of the whole ordeal and I am pretty sure our neighbors think that we are beating him.)
8.Walmart/Target....I miss the one stop shop on every street corner!
7.Dryer (we have to hang out all of our clothing or drape it in our living room if the weather is nasty)
6.Dishwasher (not that I mind washing dishes...but I will never take a dishwasher for granted again)
5. Drive thru's, delivery, and take out food. We are spoiled to get this kind of service in the US.
4. Being able to drink water from the faucet....it is getting quite expensive to keep drinking water in our house...for those of you who know my husband he is a VERY heavy drinker :)
3.My bed (mattress)....my back has continually been hurting since I have been here...they dont really have mattresses.
2. A crushed ice Diet Dr. Pepper (from Sonic, QT or Babes)...there is no explanation for this...I just really miss it!
1. Being able to call my family and friends anytime I want too! I miss them all so much!
Disclaimer:
I obviously can live without all of these things (well #1 is debatable) BUT I miss them all terribly and when we do return to the states I will praise G for them daily!!! :)
Love you all,
Tiffany
10. Having a car....we love walking for the exercise but not everything is in walking distance and taxi's can get expensive.
9. Bathtub...we only have a shower and it makes bathing Kyler VERY difficult (I am typically drenched by the end of the whole ordeal and I am pretty sure our neighbors think that we are beating him.)
8.Walmart/Target....I miss the one stop shop on every street corner!
7.Dryer (we have to hang out all of our clothing or drape it in our living room if the weather is nasty)
6.Dishwasher (not that I mind washing dishes...but I will never take a dishwasher for granted again)
5. Drive thru's, delivery, and take out food. We are spoiled to get this kind of service in the US.
4. Being able to drink water from the faucet....it is getting quite expensive to keep drinking water in our house...for those of you who know my husband he is a VERY heavy drinker :)
3.My bed (mattress)....my back has continually been hurting since I have been here...they dont really have mattresses.
2. A crushed ice Diet Dr. Pepper (from Sonic, QT or Babes)...there is no explanation for this...I just really miss it!
1. Being able to call my family and friends anytime I want too! I miss them all so much!
Disclaimer:
I obviously can live without all of these things (well #1 is debatable) BUT I miss them all terribly and when we do return to the states I will praise G for them daily!!! :)
Love you all,
Tiffany
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Update on life in K!
Hello friends and family,
I know that it has been a week or so since I have posted...and I am so sorry about that. We started school and it has been a bit crazy, but hopefully we will get into our routine and things will slow down.
So much has happened and I have some very neat stories to share!
LANDLORD:
Kyler has made a few new friends. Our landlord has grandchildren and they come and visit often. So when Kyler heard children outside playing he immediately wanted to be a part of the action. He is now friends with Blend and Blerona (pronounced Blair-own-a). They are a few years older than him but they love him as much as he loves them.
Today was the end of Ramadan. So we have today and tomorrow off school because it is a national holiday. This morning at 9:00am our landlords son showed up on our front door step with a huge tray full of food (rice, chicken legs, peppers, roast beef and flee) it was delicious. At first I was like I so cannot eat this at 9:00am but they were not going to leave until we took our first bite. Then about 2 hours later they showed up again with a huge plateful of desserts. Fortunately they didnt wait around to see if we would eat any of it. So we can save it for later. They are very generous to us and we appreciate their willingness to make sure we are comfortable in a new country.
Below is a picture of us with our landlord and his wife.
SCHOOL:
School is off to a great start. We have felt a bit overwhelmed with lesson planning and preparation but we are well on our way to having success in our classrooms. Richard has already had some major breakthroughs with some of the kids (most of you saw the email he sent out). We P that those relationships continue to grow and that those students will get the counsel that they need. Richard has also began a relationship with a man, F******, at our school who is asking questions about "our father" and wanting to seek answers and truth. He is very devote in his religious beliefs so this has proved as a great challenge for Richard....yet one that is very exciting! Please continue to keep F****** in your P.
HOME:
We are all adjusting very well. G is blessing us so much! Richard and I had the opportunity to go out on a date last night while L*** stayed late to care for Kyler. It was so nice to have some time alone to talk and process life in K (so far).
We are very excited that we get to go to Orllan (a village) on Saturday and Sunday to visit some very dear friends. They just got back from the states and we are excited to take a break from city life and enjoy some country living! We appreciate their willingness to open their home to us. We know that Kyler will love running around on some green grass!!! While there we will also get to meet L*** family. She has been such a blessing to us so far and we are excited to meet the people who are responsible for raising a wonderful young lady!
L*** and I had a wonderful conversation this morning. She found out this past week that she passed the exam that allows her to attend University. We rejoice with her and are very excited for her. We talked this morning about her goals and dreams for her future. She would love to become a nurse and a mi**ion**y (do medical work in other countries). How exciting is that??? We P that G will make a way for her to do both. She is such a wonderful young lady who loves JC with all over heart and her desire is to serve him.
Our newsletter will be coming out tomorrow so look for that in your email inbox! We have been so blessed by our friends and family. We appreciate your generosity, love and support to us while we are in K.
Love you all!!
Tiffany
I know that it has been a week or so since I have posted...and I am so sorry about that. We started school and it has been a bit crazy, but hopefully we will get into our routine and things will slow down.
So much has happened and I have some very neat stories to share!
LANDLORD:
Kyler has made a few new friends. Our landlord has grandchildren and they come and visit often. So when Kyler heard children outside playing he immediately wanted to be a part of the action. He is now friends with Blend and Blerona (pronounced Blair-own-a). They are a few years older than him but they love him as much as he loves them.
Today was the end of Ramadan. So we have today and tomorrow off school because it is a national holiday. This morning at 9:00am our landlords son showed up on our front door step with a huge tray full of food (rice, chicken legs, peppers, roast beef and flee) it was delicious. At first I was like I so cannot eat this at 9:00am but they were not going to leave until we took our first bite. Then about 2 hours later they showed up again with a huge plateful of desserts. Fortunately they didnt wait around to see if we would eat any of it. So we can save it for later. They are very generous to us and we appreciate their willingness to make sure we are comfortable in a new country.
Below is a picture of us with our landlord and his wife.
SCHOOL:
School is off to a great start. We have felt a bit overwhelmed with lesson planning and preparation but we are well on our way to having success in our classrooms. Richard has already had some major breakthroughs with some of the kids (most of you saw the email he sent out). We P that those relationships continue to grow and that those students will get the counsel that they need. Richard has also began a relationship with a man, F******, at our school who is asking questions about "our father" and wanting to seek answers and truth. He is very devote in his religious beliefs so this has proved as a great challenge for Richard....yet one that is very exciting! Please continue to keep F****** in your P.
HOME:
We are all adjusting very well. G is blessing us so much! Richard and I had the opportunity to go out on a date last night while L*** stayed late to care for Kyler. It was so nice to have some time alone to talk and process life in K (so far).
We are very excited that we get to go to Orllan (a village) on Saturday and Sunday to visit some very dear friends. They just got back from the states and we are excited to take a break from city life and enjoy some country living! We appreciate their willingness to open their home to us. We know that Kyler will love running around on some green grass!!! While there we will also get to meet L*** family. She has been such a blessing to us so far and we are excited to meet the people who are responsible for raising a wonderful young lady!
L*** and I had a wonderful conversation this morning. She found out this past week that she passed the exam that allows her to attend University. We rejoice with her and are very excited for her. We talked this morning about her goals and dreams for her future. She would love to become a nurse and a mi**ion**y (do medical work in other countries). How exciting is that??? We P that G will make a way for her to do both. She is such a wonderful young lady who loves JC with all over heart and her desire is to serve him.
Our newsletter will be coming out tomorrow so look for that in your email inbox! We have been so blessed by our friends and family. We appreciate your generosity, love and support to us while we are in K.
Love you all!!
Tiffany
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