One month until Christmas and one month since I last blogged. A lot can change in a month.
One month ago I had just sent out my support letters, I was planning a fundraiser, and I had just told everyone at work, including my athletes about my trip next year. Then I got the call that my mom was in life-threatening condition on her way to the hospital and all thoughts of the trip were put on the back burner.
Things are still not great, and we don’t have all the answers. She had an acute kidney injury and unexplained anemia. But she’s currently stable and undergoing occupational therapy to see if she can get back to where she was before hospitalization. She’s still in a health and rehab facility and likely will be for several weeks.
I’ve spent a lot of time this month thinking about the fragileness of life. There is nothing more frustrating than dealing with things out of your control. When the only thing you are capable of doing is checking your own perspective and reactions. Going on this trip has the potential to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Leaving each new country and the people there in situations where the only thing I can be is a smiling face or a friendly hug. I’m a fixer, I don’t often sit back when presented with a problem. I attack it head-on until I’ve exhausted all my resources. But sometimes all you can offer is your presence. All the food, money, or words you can offer can’t fix or undo the damage in someone’s life. You just have to be there and care. That much is true all over the world, from your hometown to the most remote village.
Life doesn’t go as you planned. I planned on calling after all the support letters I sent. I planning on answering the phone when my friends called about the trip. But I didn’t. I couldn’t go through those conversations right then. I couldn’t act excited about a trip when my mom was the only thing on my mind. I couldn’t catch up with old friends I had written letters to when the first thing they were going to ask what’s new with you? So I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t call and I’m sorry I couldn’t answer.
I firmly believe in God. I believe that when you do something in his name there are forces that fight back. The negative thoughts. I didn’t get the December fundraiser set up. I didn’t blog. I didn’t check the site. I fell behind my fundraising goal before I even started.
But then last week I checked the site. Even without calling, even without answering. I had 4 new donations. From 20 dollars to 300 dollars, every little bit helps. I am so thankful to you all for reminding me that God is bigger than anything life can throw at you (and your family). So I am asking you guys again. My goal was 20% by the new year. Especially if you were planning on getting me anything this holiday season, please consider donating instead. I was hoping to have 10 people on the monthly donation list starting in December, whether 20, 50, or 100 dollars. Because a lot can happen in a month and I have the amazing opportunity to spend a month in 11 different countries. Imagine all the things that could happen, all the people I could help, all the work God could do, in just one month.
<3
