roller coaster

The past few weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions (specifically Thursday-Saturday, June 26-28) Lots to be thankful for, lots to take to our Heavenly Father, lots of tears... Now let me start off by saying I know we are so, so very blessed. And these things are nothing compared to what some are dealing with. 

We are thrilled that we were able to buy a house in Clemson. So thrilled! It needs some love though and we thought we were going to be able to have a whole month before Honduras to work on it. But because of loan issues (does our lifestyle over the past few years seem unreliable to you? ;) we weren't able to close until the end of June. Which gave us a little over a week to take on some large projects.

excitement. exhaustion. 

We also were thrilled to find out we were expecting baby #2. I went to a routine appt the week before we were supposed to leave and they said they wanted to see me back for some follow-up stuff right before we left. At the follow-up appt they saw some things that concerned them and asked if I could get to the high risk doctor before we left. Less than 24 hours before we were supposed to fly out, Chad and I are sitting in the high risk doctors office where they are advising me not to go. The doctor (who we had never met) prayed over us, and said things like "maybe this is spiritual warfare and Satan trying to keep you from going". 

joy. fear. concern. thankfulness.

My aunt and uncle were in Clemson for a few days to visit, help with Grayson, and help with house stuff. They were able to stay with us and love on us an extra day while we went to Greenville to the high risk doctor.

thankfulness 

Grayson had had a cold and started running a fever 2 days before we left. We took him to the doctor where they told us it was just a virus. He woke up on fire the two mornings before we were supposed to leave with almost a 105 fever. Multiple doctors advised us not to fly with a feverish child. 

fear

A few men stepped in and said "we want to help with the house stuff over the summer" Seriously, some we hardly know. Saying things like "I just want to serve you" and "don't worry about this".  Chad and I have been amazed by the body of Christ and are learning so much about selfless servanthood. 

undeserving. thankfulness. amazement. 

We went back and forth, back and forth about whether I should go or not. We sought other peoples opinions, talked to several doctors and ultimately decided that I would go even with it being considered risky since we would be working with Dr. Pirkle (an OBGYN) in Honduras. But then Grayson's fever spiked again and we made the call not to go based on him. (Saturday when we were supposed to fly was his worst day. Y'all, he was miserable and pitiful)

disappointment. guilt. 

Then the hard part came saying goodbye and missing Chad for 5 weeks. There was a lot of disappointment on my end too about not getting to serve and lead the Honduras team alongside him. I'd really been looking forward to it. 

sadness. disappointment.

So Grayson and I are jumping around a bit for 5-6 weeks until we all settle in Clemson in August. So, so thankful for family and friends who take us in, love and spoil us, and make us feel so at home. A big plus is we will get to go on my family beach trip where almost all of my first cousins will be there (this never happens). 

unsettled. thankful. blessed. 

And poor G hasn't been able to catch a break health wise. His poor immune system. The boy runs some crazy high fevers and with his febrile seizure last summer, that's always a little scary to me... especially when Chad isn't here. Then right after we got to Durham he broke out in the craziest, ugliest rash (I'll spare you the pictures) and spent another pitiful few days with another virus and fever. This one brought on arthritis and pain in his joints and he had trouble walking because of the pain in his ankles. whew! I'm so thankful he's healthy now!

fear. concern. thankfulness. 

Family, friends and church members have loved and served us so well during this time. It was a lot to learn and decide in about 24 hours. We've been so blessed as we process all of these emotions and crazy weeks. I'm constantly amazed at the Lord's provision and faithfulness in our life. Oh how he loves us. 

I'll leave you with G's cute little mugshot passport picture :) I guess we'll have to wait to get his first stamp in his passport.