33 things

I have a delightful friend named Kristin. I'm blessed with a lot of really terrific people in my life, but Kristin is one friend who literally brings tears (of laughter) to my eyes every time I see her. We were discussing the some of her co-workers and how they were creating lists of things that they hoped to accomplish by the time they were 25...as if that were old. We were realizing that if we were to create our cutesy lists, we'd have to come up with "33 things to do by the time we're 33." It doesn't have quite the same ring to it, but I think we're going to go for it anyway. I'll let you know some of the highlights once that comes together. :)

Marcus and I are headed off tomorrow for the Rismiller Family Vacation. We go to Sun River each year, pile everyone into one big house, and have a blast. It's a lot of quality of family time, and by the end of the week--everyone's pretty exhausted. It really is such a blessing that we all get along so well, and when asked the nieces and nephews couldn't decide if they liked family vacation or Disneyland better--so that helped put things in perspective about how important this trip is. I have no picc line and no feeding tube this year, so I'm looking forward to white water rafting and perhaps the Paulina plunge. I'll be sure to keepyou posted on those.

My brother, Andy, and his fiance, Alyssa, are having a wedding shower at my parent's house in Tri-Cities too--so that's going to be a blast as well. We're looking forward to seeing them and their wedding is coming up in just over a month!

My health seems to be hanging in there for now... I had some weird numbness and tingling yesterday, but it went away and I'm doing well today. I'm still puking, but my weight is stable, and has stayed in the 100's! We love all of your prayers and encouragement, and we thank you for your love.
brelin

longer than first lutheran.

I realized yesterday, that I have been vomiting for a longer period of time than the amount of time that I held my first job out of college. Immediately after graduation, I got a job working as a youth director at First Lutheran Church in Kennewick. It was an amazing job, rather, a calling--where I believe I helped to shape the faith lives of many young people there. I was also young myself, and learned a great deal from that whole experience. In my first month alone, we worked through September 11--and what that meant to us as a nation, as well as young people in a Christian community. I was reflecting back on all the kids and fun that we had just the other day, as I was home visiting with one of the old youth group kids. :) I worked at the church in Kennewick from 9/01-6/04. And, I've been vomiting now 9/07-07/10. Longer. More puking than my first job.

This has caused me to reflect a great deal over the past 24 hours about how I am living now. For a long time, I have been thinking only: "As soon as I get better, I'll be able to affect people this way..." or "When I'm well, I'll be able to return to ministry..." or "When I'm digesting better, I will be sure to do _____." However, I seem to be in this holding pattern of puke. And, while wellness is obviously a good and worthwhile goal, it is important for me to live my life faithfully now. I can't keep waiting for wellness before I allow God to use me. I have to be ready for Him to use me now.

As a society, I believe that we get so caught up in getting ready for what's next. When you're single, you're always looking forward to getting married. Once you're married, people are always asking about when you're going to have kids. I'm not sure what happens after you have kids, because we haven't had any yet, but I'm sure there's something else that you're worrying about... We never really stop to take time and enjoy the phase of life that we're in. We need to rest comfortably in God's love, content in knowing that He has us right where He wants us... and that He'll move us along when He's good and ready.

I'm confident that God will use me and my vomit today. I'm not sure what He's doing in me or through me, but I trust that He's got me right where He wants me to be right now. He's holding me close and reminding me to keep my eyes right on Him.

This past week, I had the opportunity to spend time with my Grandma Sarah in the Tri-Cities. We had a terrific time laughing together and looking through old photos. We also worked hard to re-decorate my mom's backyard while she was away! I think we did a great job!! :)

When I got home, Marcus and I attempted to do an overnight hike to Lake Ann (near Mt. Baker), but ended up coming home after a few hours of hiking around and playing in the snow because I was a little too unsteady on my feet. We did have a terrific time getting down the mountain--Marcus glissading, and me sledding on my bottom with my backpack on. It was a sight to behold. :) We're learning to adjust to life with illness, and sometimes that means coming home even when you really don't want to.

Overall, I'd say I'm doing pretty well. I think the meds are helping me. I am keeping liquids down everyday, and some food down most days. There have even been one or two days when I didn't throw up at all. Awesome. Here's a picture from the hike:

running. tennis?

The past couple of days, I have gotten to do two things that I enjoy. One is go running. This is the first time in several months that I had enough energy to run. anywhere. It was awesome. And while I was running, I ran into some of my Young Life girls--which was super fun, and I got to rest in the middle while chatting! (awesome)

And this afternoon, when the sun peeked it's head through the clouds, Marcus and I went to play some tennis!! This is the first time that I've had enough energy to do this in months too!

I'm thrilled!

Now, don't get crazy, thinking that I've made a full overnight recovery. I am still puking several times each day. But I really think that I am managing to keep much more food down each day, and fluids are also staying in much more consistently. I am hopeful that I can enjoy this new "not struggling to stay out of the hospital" version of myself for a while. It's much more pleasant. :)

Thanks for all of your love and sunshine-y thoughts,
brelin

terrible at blogging

Sorry that I have been terrible at keeping you updated lately. I have been really busy doing lots of fun things, which is good--since that means I've had enough energy to do fun things!! :)

I would say that overall, I've trended towards improvement. I'm keeping a little bit of food down some days, and keeping liquids down most days. This is a vast improvement from where I was one month ago. I'm pleased with this progress. I've been able to get out of the house everyday, and play with my friends--which has been lots of fun too!!

Mentally, I'm doing much better as well. My friend, Rebecca, was visiting from Hong Kong this past week, and we got to spend lots of time together--which was awesome. Marcus and I also went camping to Sun Lakes in eastern WA, and just returned home last night. It was sunny and warm, and I'm LOVING it.

There have been a couple of days in the past week where I have gone almost all day without throwing up--which is HUGE. I'm so thankful for this reprieve from constant nausea and pain. Marcus and I were recalling that it was last July when I was feeling "healthy"--so perhaps it is something miraculous about the month? Another thing that I noted, is that I'd been taking zinc supplements trying to avoid a cold that Marcus had. My thought was that perhaps that is helping my nausea and vomiting as well? So, I've continued taking them, since they seem to be helping.

Loads of hugs to all,
brelin

no news is good news?

Mostly, I guess... there is nothing to new to share. Except that it is finally summer at my house. So I have literally been outside as much as humanly possible. And doing my best to stay hydrated. There are some people in Seattle complaining that it's "too hot." I think they are ridiculous. Unless they are old and without air conditioning or menopausal. I feel like those are legitimate reasons to complain.

Since my last entry, I have been busy with lots of things. I was feverishly writing letters to send my Young Life girls off to camp with, since I was not able to attend with them. This was quite a lot of work... and took a lot longer than I had anticipated. But I was able to get it all done, and I'm really looking forward to hearing all of their stories when they get back.

Marcus and I also went to the Tri-Cities and spent a couple days with my parents and my little grandma, Sarah. She has recently moved in with them, and is having some pretty significant health issues. She is 91 years old and currently makes me look chubby. :) Grandma and I had a great time going through old photos together, and her telling me stories from the 1930's and 1940's. It was wonderful!

We got back to Seattle to celebrate a rainy 4th of July with the Rismiller's, roasting hot dogs in a drizzle in the backyard, and then lighting fireworks off in the cold. It was fun, but freezing. Summer (FINALLY) arrived on the 6th of July here in Sammamish. I celebrated by spending the day at the pool. I have made it a point to go to the pool at least one hour every day since then just on sheer principle. :) It is glorious to wake up to SUN finally, and I feel like I'm in heaven.

My health remains fairly ridiculous, and it's been almost a month now since I've gotten out of the hospital. I will call the doctor next week and set up an appointment to follow-up and see what I should be doing, if anything, differently than I am doing now. My weight seems to have plateaued, which is good, and my fluid levels seem to be good. I'm not feeling dizzy for the most part, although when I do get dizzy it comes on very suddenly--so you could pray that the dizziness stops.

A good friend is home from China for a bit, and we have been spending as much time as possible together! It's such a joy to have her back--and I've missed her so much!! :) I'll try to post some fun pictures of our adventures together next time.

My verse of the week is this: Your love has given me great joy and encouragement. Philemon 1:7

I hope you are all experiencing joy and encouragement today!
Love and hugs to all.
brelin