Upcoming surgery

I found out this week that I am in need of another sinus surgery. In one year, overseas, I had 9 ear infections and two of them were double ear infections, which were in-fact, very painful.

Over the last few weeks I have been in to see an Ear, Nose, Throat (ENT) Specialist to see what could be causing this. At the end of last year, almost the last day, I had a CT scan of my sinus' and that revealed what could be the issue.

Today the ENT went over the results with me, looks like I had a fractured nose as a child, which has put a bone fragment in the way of my sinus passage, along with a dieviated septum these two issues seem to be causing drainage issues that linger over my ear canal, causing these painful and repeated infections.

Good to know the details, now what do we do?

Results: I am going in for surgery early on Wednesday, February 2nd to see what can be done to try to clear this issue. Looking forward to resolve...

Driving through the snow

Here in Colorado I have been learning to drive through the snow. I wonder how this can teach me anything some of you might say ~ yet I choose to look at life with the lenses of "everything has a lesson somewhere!"

While driving here in the ice and snow I have learned quite a bit about road appropriate manners and more on defensive driving.

Anticipating others and the moves that they may make is "defensive Driving" - this can come at quite a wake up call and expense.

Having the right equipment, right tires, chains for your tires - ice scraper for the windshield so that you can see - all of this makes for the right tools and is very important.

Taking your time and not trying to get somewhere in a hurry is critical as just a tad bit more speed could catapult you into a spin across traffic lanes or into a ditch.

Ultimately so much of this learning to drive in the snow has become a bit for me of learning how to communicate with people. Both of these require taking in your surroundings and making adjustments. Sometimes I am better at this than other times and much of the time I find that I just need to call out to GOD for direction, wisdom and HIS fantastic insight.

Making Vanilla

One of the things that I brought back with me was vanilla beans from Madagascar and showing people how to use the beans has been a pure delight!

I have made all sorts of treats with this vanilla and have really enjoyed sharing the stories and care for the beans with people that have also enjoyed the process...

One family has made fresh ice cream with the beans two times and are looking at making it a third time in the coming days... The first time we scrapped out the actual Vanilla from the inside of the juicy bean and the second time they just used the extract that we made... BOTH

times it was an ice cream victory!

Happy New 2011

I hope that you had a great New Year celebration where ever you found yourself celebrating, I sure did!

I found myself here in Littleton, CO - staying inside where I could stay warm and out of the stress of sliding on icy roads late at night in unfamiliar territories without a cell phone. I did however spend lots of time reflecting on the journey so far, where GOD is leading and the next steps ahead. I watched videos of language teachers, friends in Madagascar and family here in the states... I even watched videos of me with my dogs and found myself missing them so much, catching myself laughing out loud at the funny things that I was doing with my dogs.

On New Years Eve - around 4 in the afternoon, I did drive very carefully down to the local store to get a few things just incase it snowed for a couple of days and I would not be able to get out. The normal stuff at Safeway like, milk, bread, butter, soup, tortalini, chips, salsa and some triscuts!

Who says if you are going to be alone for New Years that it has to be without some of the pleasures of AMERICAN foods?

Funny thing is that the cars here tell you the temp outside, not to sure that I wanted to know exactly what it was - even if it was off a little this

is still colder than I am used to in Madagascar and colder than I grew up with in California. Buuuurrrrrr

I took a walk out in the snow about 3 in the afternoon today and just about froze even though the sun was out... here are some of the pictures so that you can enjoy the journey with me...

I keep hearing GOD telling me that HE is going to show me great and indescribable things, HE is leading me on this journey of healing, sharing HIS wisdom with me and allowing this time of separation for me from Madagascar so that I can see exactly what HE wants me to do there... Right now it looks like helping to start businesses and spending time with Malagasy children in many areas, GOD keeps opening doors... I am praying for GOD to reveal how these areas will use me for the giftings and talents that HE has already given to me in order to proceed.

My heart aches to be back in Madagascar but I don't want to go back before God's timing would allow, I desire to walk with HIM, growing and learning in HIM, through HIM and with HIM... I know that you can't see His shadow there with me on this walk, but I KNOW HE is there walking along side of me, counseling me and allowing me HIS wisdom.

Do you know that GOD is walking with you? Do you hear HIS voice? Do you even take the time to listen? I am trying, what about you?