Thankful Thursday!

Tomorrow marks our third week with a broken washing machine.  The new part is supposed to be here on August 12.

Sam ordered a used part on-line that arrived on Tuesday.  He put it in our washing machine on Wednesday.  It's been going ever since.

I am so thankful for a husband with the know-how and ability to bring my washing machine back to life!  I am so thankful for the friends and neighbors who allowed us to use their washing machines in our time of need.  I am even more thankful that we no longer need to lug laundry around the neighborhood!  It's a thankful Thursday at my house!

Only at Sand Creek - on a Sunday!

Unfortunately, we had an incident at Sand Creek on our first run on Sunday.  Ethan says it was all his fault.  I believe it was mine.  Either way, we ended up with a guest with a possible broken hip.  I have not worked since.  I am not sure I am ever going back.  I feel absolutely miserable.  Ethan doesn't feel much better.  Not what we had planned.  Not fun.  Not a good day.  Just not.  

Only at Sand Creek - on a Saturday!

I can't believe I never posted what happened at Sand Creek last Saturday!  We had three fun zip groups followed by a team build.  

We had a bit of apprehension at home about the team build.  It was a Montessori day care.  Matt's ex-girlfriend works at a Montessori day care.  No one could remember the name of it.  Would she be there?  Or would she not?

Turns out NOT.  We had a great time with those that came in spite of the heat!  

Another Glory Story!

Back in June, Micah and I shared Mercy Ships with nursing students at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul.  Our friend Melinda, who had invited us to share with her class, took us out for lunch today as a thank you for our time. 

The first thing she said after "hello" was "I just finished grading midterms.  One of our questions was 'what impacted you most so far this year and why?'"  She said out of a class of roughly 28 students, eight had said our sharing of Mercy Ships and how we were obedient when God called us to go.  To Him be the glory! 

P.S.  We were also invited back to speak to the fall class😊 

Faoudou

 

24-year-old Faoudou who suffered from a goiter since he was 5 years old.

Faoudou went to school for several years, but eventually dropped out at a young age because of the constant bullying from his classmates. While his childhood held many difficult battles, it was made easier by his mother, who continued to stand by his side — hoping that he would one day receive the help he needed. “My mother has been very worried about me my whole life,” Faoudou said. “She prays every day for me to get surgery.”

One day those prayers were answered. Faoudou met a woman in the market who told him of a floating hospital ship that offered life-changing surgeries. Faoudou rushed to the port city ​​​​​​in hopes of receiving the help he so desperately needed. Once he met the Mercy Ships volunteer crew, Faoudou was soon scheduled for surgery that would change his life. Finally the day came, the goiter was removed and Faoudou was on his road to recovery.

Faoudou now dreams of returning to school, despite the difficulties he would face going back as an adult. While the journey may be difficult, Faoudou is eager to meet those challenges in order to achieve his dream of becoming a doctor.  "I see a lot of sick people here in my country. There are not enough doctors to help everyone,” Faoudou said. “I've always wished I could help. I want to learn how to care for people.”

Thankful Thursday!

I cannot tell you how thankful I am that my friend Jana's procedure yesterday showed results that will allow her to have her fourth brain surgery.  I'm not at all thankful for a fourth surgery, but I am thankful she can have it without any of the complications they were looking at yesterday. 

Only at Sand Creek!

When I set up today's team build with Valet Pools, I honestly thought it was a valet service - like in cars!  But, no!  These guys took the day off from building swimming pools in the middle of a heat wave to grow together at Sand Creek!  I have never in all my time there seen such a group of caring and supportive guys.  They included the rookies.  They encouraged one another.  And they swore and smoked like crazy.  It was great!  (Okay, maybe not the swearing and smoking . . .)