Back to Bangui!!

We are returning back to Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR)!! Our flight leaves from Denver, CO on Tuesday, Sept. 29 and we arrive in Bangui, CAR on Thursday, Oct. 1. We are really excited about our return, we have really missed all the precious people of Bangui, our colleagues and friends who are there!

We begin our travels from Denver, CO to Detroit, MI then to London, England Heathrow, then to Paris and then finally to Bangui.

Once we have arrived and have settled in a couple of days, we will begin our work again at the center on Monday, October 5!

Look for more of our Bangui blogs soon!

Events and activities....

These are some of the events and activities we've been able to enjoy while living in Longmont, CO with my parents, over the past 3 months while in the USA. Some of these events took place while waiting to have my cervical surgery done, and some of these took place post-operative to my cervical surgery.

• Each Sunday, we attended a lovely church in Longmont ~ the congregation and pastors have all been a tremendous blessing to us during our stay.

• I say both of my nephews graduate from one level in karate to another level (changing color of their belts)

• We attended a couple of my nephews Niwot Varsity football games - 'Go Cougars'!

• A delightful visit with my Aunt and cousin (who were traveling through to visit with family through out the USA)

• Enjoyed the 'Ladies Tea' given by my sister

• A time to celebrate my Dad's birthday and Trace's birthday, while with family

• I had enjoyed a Sabbath Saturday - a ladies gathering from the church, focusing on prayer

Tea Time!

~ Ladies Tea Time ~

It's 'Tea Time'......no, I've not found my way back to England! My sister Sandra, who really enjoys gathering for ladies teas, had put together a lovely 'Mother-Daughter Tea Time' on Saturday, September 19. Over the years, Sandra has collected beautiful different patterns of tea pots and tea cups, so delightfully dainty. During our tea time, she gave the tradition of tea time and the history of the tea cup. During our tea, we enjoyed delicious banana bread with a light creamery cream cheese spread, cream puffs,cookies and fresh fruit, all while we enjoyed sipping our English Breakfast Tea. It was a wonderful time to slooooow down for a part of the day, away from the business of live, sip some tea, and enjoy conversation.

Truly Thankful

We are truly thankful that on September 15 my 6 week post-operative appointment went so well. What was shared with us during this post-operative appointment was that my healing has gone very well, and my 6 week post-op x-ray looks good! I've been 'okayed' to travel back to Bangui, Central African Republic to begin our work again! We are giving all thanks to God for his faithfulness and goodness to us, and for my continued healing and comfort! God is good!! My neck continues to feel very well, a little stiff when working on my 'range of motion' for my neck, but this will take time, and I've only had 1 headache in the 7 weeks of my post-op ~ incrediable!

Thank you again so very much for your many prayers, 'get-well' cards, and emails during this time ~they have meant so very much to Trace and I, our hearts have been truly and tremendously touched and know what a blessing you are to us!

Waiting...

As we wait, we wait patiently in the Lord for my September 15 post-operative appointment with the neurosurgeon as to what he will have to say concerning my progress and evaluation of my cervical fusion X-ray. Once we have seen the neurosurgeon for this appointment, we will share with you what he thinks and when we can return to Bangui, Central African Republic to continue serving there!

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

We are indeed making our plans to return to Bangui, CAR and we rest in knowing that it is God who determines our steps!

Strabucks fan?

~ Starbucks fan? ~

Yep, I'll admit it, I'm a Starbucks fan! Once my neurosurgeon said the day of my cervical surgery I get to enjoy eating meals of; ice cream, milk shakes and other soothing soft foods over the next few days...I thought...hmm, Starbucks banana chocolate Vivanno! So, while driving home after my late afternoon surgical outpatient discharge, my dear sister and my husband made a stop at Starbucks specifically to get me my dinner for that evening....yes, you guessed it, the banana chocolate Vivanno! I was so delighted to discover this delicious cold treat.

Smile!

Smile!

A memorable moment caught on camera by Sandy, of Elly and I as we were enjoying our lunch sandwiches during our day in Oxford, England!

Quotable Quotes

~ Quotable Quotes ~

"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither".
C.S. Lewis

Since my time spent in Oxford England, I have begun to take a real keen interest in C.S. Lewis, his life and his writings. Recently, I began reading: C.S. Lewis Master Storyteller ~ written by Janet & Geoff Benge. It begins with the childhood of Lewis and it continues through his life's experiences and writings, it's an easy read, it has captured my interest, and has made me appreciate even more the time spent in Oxford.

At this time I've read just a little over half this book and I'm wondering already...which of C.S. Lewis's s shall I begin with first?

Compassionate, caring cards....

~ compassionate, caring cards ~

WOW.....what an amazing overwhelming out pour of compassion and caring express to me and Trace as well through cards, emails and phone calls over our 2 months staying in Colorado for my cervical herniation/fusion surgery and recovery. Our hearts are truly grateful and we feel tremendously blessed by so many, during this time. THANK YOU so very much for your many faithful prayers, for your kind and encouraging words, your love of Christ shown to us ~ know how very much this means to us and how much we appreciated them all!

Above, is the numerous 'get well' cards I had received through the postal mail. And, if you look towards the bottom of this picture, you will see there are two rows of square colorful print cards....these lovely little 'get well' cards on the inside were creatively; written, drawn and colored by many children attending VBS at our home church of Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church! What a wonderful surprise this was ~ THANK YOU!

Your kindness, love and thoughtfulness will always be remembered!

Love the Look?

~ Love the Look? ~

This is my new look for 6 weeks post cervical surgery/fusion! It's not very fashionable, however it's very necessary to wear. I'm to wear this cervical collar at all times except while; showering, sleeping and eating. Since this photo, I've added some color to my collar wardrobe...it's a little more fun to add some color to your collar!

What was found.....

~ My post operative surgical cervical herniation/fusion X-ray ~

After arriving in Colorado on July 9, I promptly had an MRI and an appointment with an excellent neurosurgeon in Boulder,CO. My MRI results showed that I had a disc herniation between C4 and C5. When the neurosurgeon said to me that I was at risk of spinal cord injury due to the severity of the disc herniation....it really hit me, just how serious this was!

On August 6, I went into the hospital for the repair to the disc herniation and fusion between my C4 and C5 vertebrae. The X-ray above shows the plate and screws (the fusion part of surgery). Two screws were drilled into my C4 vertebrae and two screws were drilled into my C5 vertebrae to hold the plate in place. In time, this will form a fusion of bone bridging the C4 and C5. I'm truly grateful for my sister who is an amazing compassionate surgical nurse at the hospital where I had my surgery at, for the very gifted neurosurgeon who preformed my surgery and for the wonderful, caring nursing staff and all those who had a part in my surgical case....they were all absolutely compassionate and gave me the utmost care during my 'out patient' surgery. To all, I give thanks to God for!

My unexpected episode!

~ My unexpected episode! ~

The day spent in Oxford was one of fascination in learning the history and also with an immense headache. Despite this immense annoying headache, I enjoyed my day in Oxford very much!

I was not able to shake this headache all day, and later in the wee hours of the morning (Monday, June 29), I had not gotten any relief from my ibuprofen that I was taking. Well, all of Monday and Tuesday I had spent laying in my dorm room flat on my back or sitting in this position (pictured above) unable to open my eyes much due to the extreme amounts of neck pain and headache!

I'm truly grateful for all those who I was attending training with, they were extremely caring and compassionate to me during this time of discomfort! Unable to get out of bed, due to the discomfort, many of my new friends made during this training would bring me my meals from the cafeteria and tea and cookies during our scheduled break during our training. They would stop by just to sit with me, to check on how I was doing, and to pray for me. What a comfort to have so many care for me and show the love of Christ at this difficult time. By Tuesday morning, Trace was sent an email to fly out of Bangui and arrive in the UK as soon as he could. He arrived that Thursday, July 1...we give thanks to the Lord for providing for his travels to be with me so quickly! After Trace arrived, we needed to make some decisions and travels plans back to the USA for me to have an MRI of my neck and treatment of what may be needed.

Oxford, England

~ Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford England ~

Off to Oxford England we go! On Sunday, June 28 there were 5 of us from the personnel administration training in Horsleys Green that jumped into a taxi van to travel about an hour away to arrive into the city of Oxford, established in 1231!

Here's a little bit of our day spent in Oxford....we began our day with attending Christ Church Cathedral (pictured above) for a time of worship and to take in the rich history there. It is unique as a college chapel and cathedral in one foundation. Originally the Priory Church of St Frideswide, the building was extended and incorporated into the structure of the Cardinal's College shortly before its refounding as Christ Church in 1546, since which time it has functioned as the cathedral of the Diocese of Oxford.

Next...we walked all through out our day taking in all the beauty, charm and history of the many different colleges within Oxford. All in all, there are 45 colleges according to the University of Oxford's web-site. What a marvelous day spent walking along the same streets as C.S. Lewis meeting J.R.R. Tolkien in 1926.