great blog and giveaway

One of my favorite blogs is 4 Reluctant Entertainers . I discovered it on crosswalk.com a while back when Sandy Coughlin had written an article on hospitality, I believe. Sandy is having a giveaway that is not only worth telling you all about, but it also gave me the inspiration to post this to challenge and expose some of you "lurkers" as well. (hey - I'm guilty of that myself). She asks her readers to share what their biggest entertaining challenge is. I love the suggestions she offers, but ESPECIALLY this one: Invite at least one couple over who needs fellowship! You don’t know how, by inviting them, you can bless and encourage them! We all know someone at our church, office, Ladies' Bible Study group, school, etc. who is desperately seeking someone's attention - why not you?

Hospitality has always come easy to my family. Maybe because of my hispanic upbringing - ever see the movie Fools Rush In, or my Big Fat Greek Wedding? That's how big some of my family gatherings were growing up. Jeff and I love having people over for dinner and love to be invited to a friend's home, but it seems like people just don't do that very often anymore. The timing of this topic is perfect as well because our church, The Sanctuary Fellowship is kicking off an event called "The Dinner Table" to provide the opportunity for our church family to get better connected with each other.

I'm also having a little giveaway of my own - I bought these adorable little placecard holders at a country store near Lake Livingston. I have a variety of cards to switch out to accomodate your menu, but standard business cards fit as well. If you would like a chance to win them, please leave a comment by Monday, June 30th, 5 pm (CST). I'd also love to have some of you over for dinner and conversation, or maybe a Wii game night! Let me know if you're interested!

ankle update

I saw the doctor this morning for what I hoped would be good news and I could begin physical therapy. It's been 7 weeks since my injury and initial surgery. Dr. Orth's preference is to not bear any weight for 10 weeks, so I've been trying to prepare for that timeline.

The doc is not happy with the progress of my incision healing. A week ago he said he wanted me to contact a wound care specialist to consider hyperbaric therapy to stimulate new cell growth. When I think of hyperbaric treatment, I think of scuba diving and large, room-sized chambers providing oxygen therapy. This technology has come a long way and is a common treatment used with treatment of wounds, especially in diabetics(which I am not) and amputees. Another possible treatment is a muscle flap transfer where they would remove part of my calf muscle and transfer it to the wound. I'm waiting to hear back from the doctor after he consults with the specialists. Basically, if you were to remove the large scab that still lingers on the outside of my ankle, you'd see the metal plate... I know, yuck! There's just not enough tissue there to work with...

In the meantime, I have orders to continue working on my foot, getting it to flex even more. The doc assures me it's in my best interest to work out it myself vs. going straight to PT, since they will not be as gentle. The good news is, that my pain is minimal and I'm grateful for that!

I have accepted the fact that my ankle may never be the same again, but I am hopeful that I will be able to walk without aid soon. I'm also determined to stop whining about it as well!

A Glimpse

I spent part of the morning and early afternoon yesterday with my good friend, Dede, who's a foster parent. Dede and her husband have one grown son living on his own and one 10 year old son who's currently away at camp, but this was by no means a week of rest for her. She currently has 3 foster kids, ages 2, 4 and 6 and is expecting another later this fall when the mom delivers the baby. When I got to her home, she also had 2 foster kids from across the street over to play, ages 3 and 8. Talk about a hectic house! I spent time with her at home, during play time, lunch, and then swimming at the community pool. I brought my own 9 year old and his friend as well, and everyone had fun!

I know fostering will be challenging and sometimes tiring, but I also know it will be rewarding knowing that I am investing in the lives of children who have no one that puts their best interests first. I'm praying for those God will be putting in our care soon, because they are already out there - I pray that they are protected and kept safe in the hands of their current caregivers. It's overwhelming to think about how some kids live and are (not) cared for. I know we live in an evil world and it's to be expected when so many are lost, but it breaks my heart how so many children have to live.

I also struggle at times with how overwhelming it might be in the future and do I really know what we're getting into? It would definitely be more comfortable to keep things the way they are. I'm trusting the Lord to direct our paths in this new season of our lives.

"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1 John 3:18

our road to fostering

We're back on track on our process to become foster parents! We began the application process back in April but got off track when I broke my ankle, but things are moving along now. All that we're lacking on our part is our CPR/First Aid training (will do next week) and then a few days of training and a home study from the case manager.

We are so ready - we feel like we've been preparing for this for years- Jeff's Grandma lived with us for almost 9 years and I can now appreciate the lessons the Lord taught me through that season of our lives. We've learned the importance of hospitality, serving others and most importantly, of being obedient to this command:

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

Our home has usually been the house that the neighborhood kids hang out in and the parents trust them to be in - we even moved about a year ago and we have a previous neighbor (teenage boy) who rides his bike 2 miles just to hang out and play video games. Our children have learned patience, putting others before yourself, and the importance of being kind to others.

As we get closer to this reality, we are getting exited about what God has in store for our family. We know it won't be easy - but we're ready!

Something's Not Right...

All you have to do is look at the picture to see that something's not right with my leg just below the knee. I told the doctor about it a few weeks ago and he even x-rayed both legs to compare, but he said it looked fine in the x-ray. I think this may be the source of some continued pain & discomfort (although I'm not off of pain meds long enough to find out). I'll bring it up again at my visit today, but I thought I'd see if you all see what's obvious to me?

UPDATE 6/6: The results of the MRI showed a lot of bruising on the bones (I didn’t know bones can get bruised!), but no dislocation of the Fibula (the smaller outside bone on the lower leg). There may be some shifting of the Tibia, so I’m scheduled to take yet another CT Scan to clarify. Doc was concerned of the lack of ability to flex my foot so it’s not in a “pointed” position, so no physical therapy. I will be slowly working daily on getting my foot flat myself. I’m to wear my heavy, uncomfortable boot cast every day all day. If I’m unable to get my foot flat within the next 10 days, then the doc will have to do it and put a hard cast on it when my incision is healed.