Only at Sand Creek . . . on a Saturday!

I started work at 8:15 a.m. this morning with a smile on my face.  My so-not-a-morning-person-friend in Seguin, Texas, Sarah, was actually up this morning and we had a texting frenzy on my way in to work.  Sarah is a breast-cancer survivor and it was so good to connect.  (Note:  I was talking into my phone.  Her daughter was laughing at her slow texting.)

Our first group of the day was from the Trios program at St. Olaf College.  They are first time college students in their families.  I volunteered to work the low ropes course and had a blast with both teams.  We ended with a zip and once again, I was NOT left behind on platform two - life is getting better! 

Then, THEY started to arrive!  We had so many zippers today, that at about 5:30 p.m., I said to the girl I was launching, "Ding! Ding! Ding! You are the two hundreth person I have launched today!"  I'm not sure if she really was or not, but believe me, I felt like it!  And it was probably pretty darn close.  

Highlight of the high ropes course at 3:15 p.m.? We had two women from Ukraine, both named Julia (pronounced "You-lia"), who loved the fact that I had been to their home country last year!

Question:  Why did I get the extra dollar in tips today?

Answer:  I went in to our "portable restroom" and cleaned up the disaster I found!   

Only at Sand Creek . . . on a Friday!

I rushed from the Y to Sand Creek yesterday, only to discover, for the second time this year, my team build had arrived before me - and I was a half an hour early!  (Don't ask at what speed I managed that!)

My group was from Brightstar Financial downtown - a bunch of programmers.  We started in the low ropes and filled the place with laughter as well as some deep thought and excellent comments.  From there, we were off to do two elements in the high ropes - the leap of faith and the giant ladder.  We ended with a zip - this time I was NOT forgotten on platform two!

The story of the day I dedicate to those who read this blog from Trinity:

In our time together, it came out that Allison had danced for fifteen years.  She did every thing with flair and grace.  On the zip line, I asked her where she had grown up and learned to dance.

"A small town in southern Minnesota."

"Which one?"
"Willmar."

"I lived in Granite.  Willmar is not a small town."

"Okay, I'm from Sundberg."

"Are you kidding?  Do you know the Reigstads (Don was our pastor at Trinity.)?"

"I am a Reigstad!"

Thankful Thursday!

Ten things I am thankful for on this particular Thursday in no particular order:

1.   Only Bill and I were swimming in the lap lane today.  It was so pleasant!
2.   Sarah came back to teach the MS class WITHOUT her playlist.  We have a great time together, but definitely like different types of music!
3.   All three of my classes at the Y were fun today! 
4.   We finally have all clean towels at our house.
5.   I didn't have to walk Annie (our dog) once today!
6.   Micah didn't completely forget to put supper in the oven - it was just an hour late . . .
7.   I had a great group at Sand Creek even if my boss forgot me!
8.   My PT at Twin Cities Ortho is willing to help me with my knees via e-mail!
9.   My husband finally made it home to cut up the ham.
10.  I got to talk to Dad while driving home from work.

Only at Sand Creek . . .

STRANDED ON TWO!

It was another awesome afternoon at Sand Creek! I had a team build with the staff from a vineyard church up in Detroit Lakes.  They were thinkers.  They worked well together.  They encouraged one another.  It was excellent . . . until we went zipping . . .

Duane (the owner) was on platform two.  I zipped down to two so he could go to three and relieve Anna (the course manager) who needed to be up on top to greet our 4:30 p.m. guests.  

I sent the remaining group from the church down to three and waited for Duane to signal me to come.  He never did.  I watched everyone leave the platform.  I was ready to zip down, but then I realized the brake block wasn't out.  I've been having some struggles getting in to the platforms so I didn't want to risk coming in without the block.  I tried calling Duane.  No answer.  I tried calling Anna.  No answer.  I sadly took the steps off of two and walked the back trail up to the parking lot where I said good-by to my group.  Then I went over to talk to Duane.

"Did you forget anything on platform two today?"  

Puzzled look.  "Umm . . . no."

"You forgot me."

The look on his face was priceless as he realized that's exactly what he had done . . . only at Sand Creek!

 

On the Road to the Rheumatologist!

   

This is the awesome song God gave that I so needed on my road to the rheumatologist!

"Steadfast Love" by Lauren Chandler

Life (was/is) not working for me this fall.  In between working at Sand Creek and working at the Y and working for ISD 196, thinking I had PMR, not to mention Micah starting college, the dryer dying, the dog being sick and the garage door failing to open, I had to make a hard decision. 

If I were going to continue with the Bible study I've been going to for the last ten years at Trinity, I was going to miss at least three weeks due to groups at Sand Creek.  After all, I am the Low Ropes Team Build Manager out there.

Not to mention, Trinity was doing Genesis.  I wasn't really pumped about Genesis.  So I checked in to Berean's Bible study options.

Their studies started the first week of October - another month to breathe and try to catch up.  It was only eight weeks.  I would be done December 5.  More room to breathe.  And they were doing a study on worship.  Worship has been on my heart all year.  

I took the chance.  I went to the women's study this morning and I know I'm in the right place for right now.  One of my dear friend's is at my table (thank you, Jesus!), a missionary who I could have met last summer had we gone to Uganda rather than Ukraine is at my table, and a whole host of other wonderful women. 

I truly miss my friends at Trinity, but I am looking forward to what God is going to do!

It's NOT PMR?!?

I met with a rheumatologist today, Dr. Prabhu Deepak Udayakumar, and he said, "I don't think you have PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica).  Your Prednisone dose is too high.  PRM should be controlled with 7.5 mg or less."  Knock me over with a feather!

"So, then what's wrong with me?"  "Well, we're going to find out!"  Next Monday morning, I have a fasting lab where I'm going to be checked for everything under the sun.  Okay, slight exaggeration - I'm only going to have nine tests run and hopefully one of those tests will give him a lead.  Obviously, there is definitely something wrong and he is going to do his best to help me!  

Things you need to know about my doctor - he laughs at my jokes!  I admired his wedding ring - it has his wife's name in it - Jenn (at least I can say hers)!  And he's a believer!  Glory!  

Unfortunately, there will be no definite answers until my next appointment which is sadly on Halloween.