It All Began As a Little Spot

Last Sunday as we traveled to Corbin after our time in Louisville Trey told me about a spot on his right knee that was pretty soar.  I felt bad for him to know it was hurting but we both just assumed it would get better.


Monday morning he had developed a limp and a knot began to form on his knee.  Mom made an appointment for him to visit the Dr. Monday afternoon.  They took a culture from his knee and gave him an antibiotic to fight the infection and told him to return on Friday.  Throughout the week his knee continued to bother him.

He remained on the couch with it propped up throughout the week hoping for any sign of improvement.  Friday morning we entered the Dr.'s office ready to hear some good news and find receive a diagnosis.  The Dr. was surprised to see that the swelling had remained and sent us from his office to an Orthopedic practice to further examine his condition.


After a very painful numbing shot the Dr. began to draw a sample from his knee.  We had plans to begin traveling at 6 a.m. this morning to visit Trey's grandparents down south.  As the Dr. talked through the different options for Trey's knee it became quite clear that our plans were about to change.  Instead of putting Trey on another antibiotic that would take days to enter his bloodstream to show progress the Dr. suggested Trey go to the hospital and be placed on an i.v.  This i.v. would be able to go straight into the bloodstream.


HOSPITAL!  This is not something we were expecting in the least.  However, we were ready and willing to make the best decision possible for the situation.  Friday afternoon Trey was checked in to the hospital to begin healing...

We plan to move to Haiti on September 12, two weeks from now.  To say that having a knee injury while visiting family just a few weeks before our big move was not in our plans would be the understatement of the year.  However, there are so many things that we know the Lord is showing us and teaching us during this time that we do not want to miss.


1. Unexpected things happen in the United States and in Haiti.  
2.  It does absolutely no good to worry about the unknown, trust in the Lord and seek wisdom from Him when decisions need to be made.
3.  It is good to sit and be still.  As our minds race and our "to do" list grows we must never begin to look to ourselves for the strength and ability to complete the task.
4.  The Lords timing is perfect, he is NEVER surprised by our situations.
5.  We must continue to make our plans in pencil.


There are so many more things that could be added to this list.  We pray that our hearts continue to be open for teaching opportunities from the areas the Lord places us.


Trey was able to check out of the hospital today at 2:30 pm.  It was absolutely no fun to see the love of my life laying in the hospital for the past 2 1/2 days.  I am so glad he is free of the i.v. so I can now receive some real hugs :)

And the Journey Continues...

We departed from Cedarmore early last Monday morning.  In one weeks time so many things happened!  Here is a brief update.


On Monday night we stayed in Ohio with Josh and Andi Chasteen.  Josh and Trey grew up together in Ohio.  It was so much fun getting to catch up on life.  Tuesday morning I received a phone call from my mom.  My Papaw Ballou had passed away on Monday night.


Papaw had been sick and battling with cancer for quite some time.  While he will be incredibly missed it is so good to know that he is no longer suffering.  Tuesday was an emotional day as we longed to be at home with family but were not able to head to Corbin until Friday.


We traveled to Michigan to meet with the board of Baptist Haiti Mission.  It was great getting to place faces with the names of people we had heard so much about as we have prepared for our move to Haiti.  The meeting was very encouraging and very informative. It made us even more excited and ready to move to Haiti!  Below is a picture of Trey and I before the meeting at a beach on Lake Michigan.

After our meeting in Michigan we were on the road to Corbin.  The funeral for Papaw was on Saturday.  I was amazed by the strength of my Mamaw Peggy throughout the entire day.  After 55 years of marriage her love for my Papaw was incredibly strong.  Although we are all sad it is amazing to think that he is now with Jesus.  He is truly seeing his faith come to life!  Thoughts of this amazing reunion and many others provide a peace and a comfort that can only come from the Lord during this time of great loss.


Sunday morning my sister Dalice moved to Western Kentucky University to begin her freshman year of college!  We are so excited for her and all that she will experience throughout these next few years.  We are so proud of her and excited to see where the Lord leads her.  We already look forward to many many skype dates.


Also, early early Sunday morning we traveled to Louisville to share about our upcoming time in Haiti with our Crossing Church family.  We have been out of pocket for so long because of being at camp that this was the first opportunity we had to be able to share with our church home.  After the service our sweet friends Jeremy and Lauren Skarda through a going away picnic for us.

In this picture are several of our closest friends.  We laugh together, cry together, challenge one another, and simply do life together.  It was difficult to say our goodbyes but it is amazing to reflect on the faithfulness of our Lord in giving us such amazing relationships.  We pray that over the next several months we will be able to stay in touch and even possibly have some amazing friends come see us in Haiti!


We are now back in Corbin and spending some time with family.  It is very relaxing right now and for that we are extremely thankful!  We will now rest hard as we know that the time to work hard is quickly approaching.

Changes

The only thing constant in life is change. -Heraclitus, Greek philosopher

I was introduced to this quote quite some time ago.  However, the truth of this message is ringing loud and clear as we are close to one month before we move to Haiti!  I will be honest when I say that the next few weeks of "good bye's" is not something I am particularly excited about.  We are incredibly thankful to have the time and ability to travel and visit family over the next several weeks.  Before this begins I wanted to give a quick recap of the first of this week.


Sunday morning we were given the opportunity to share with our Corbin church family about our upcoming move to Haiti.  We were overwhelmed by the positive feed back and the many hugs and words of encouragement from family and friends.


We drove back to Cedarmore on Sunday night and first thing Monday morning we were packing up a 8' by 40' semi with several of our friends from Crossings and preparing to send it over the ocean to Haiti!  It was such an encouragement to see all of the items being placed in the container.  Everything from basketball goals, friers, canoes, and mattresses were loaded!  After a very full two hours of quick packing we loaded up in the back of the container for a photo opp :)

Tuesday night we had our first official going away party.  David and Tera Melber graciously opened up their home to us and several others in our Crossings family.  It was a sweet time of fellowship.  We were both overwhelmed by the faithfulness of our heavenly Father.  The lessons and growth that we experienced while with Crossings can never be replaced.  Although the relationships with Crossings will be different once we move we are thankful that they will never be lost.


Wednesday we turned in our keys to our apartment in Louisville.  We loved our first home together and the year we were able to spend in it.  Although I was sad to say goodbye to it I am overwhelmed with excitement about our new home in Haiti!


Thursday (today) has been very low key and I like it that way.  The weather is beautiful and I am enjoying taking the time to BE STILL and know that HE is God.  Throughout the next few weeks of "See Ya Later's..." I am choosing to cling to the reminder that we are given power and sound mind through our relationship with our Savior!


2 Timothy 1:7, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.