Changes & Challenges

Two things I was fully expecting with this journey is change & challenges. I guess I just didn't expect them so early in the journey - before I have even officially applied to be a Foster parent. Lots of things have been changing in my personal life recently and some are proving to be quite a challenge as well. 


First, my email address has changed. A few weeks ago it was hacked beyond recovery. I still have the same name of 'soletmefall' but it is now '@live.com' instead of hotmail. That was quite a change. You never realize how many things you really have attached to your email address until you have to update what feels like a million other accounts!


Second, as you may or may not know, I have been reaaly sick since the beginning of June. After many visits to doctors, & just as many tests, it was determined that my gallbladder has failed and is no longer functioning properly. It was decided that they would remove it the week after my family's annual vacation, on August 17th. However, after continuing to have attacks and pressure from those around me, I called the surgeon. He moved my surgery to THIS Tuesday, the 24th. This was a heart-breaking change for me. I was trying to be strong and hold out until after my family vacation, but my body and world around me would not stand for it. My annual trip to Knoxville, IA is more than just a "vacation" away from work. It is the one time of year I actually get to spend real time with my family. Sure, I see them on holidays, but I'm only there for a couple days and everyone is running around like chickens with their heads cut off to get everything accomplished. Knoxville with my family is a tradition of more than 20 years that really feels like home. I cry at the thought of missing it. There is a 1% chance I could still go for part of the week, but I doubt it will happen. Then again, 1% is still a chance. I will just pray God will provide a way through all the challenges.


Missing my family time in Iowa is not the only challenge created by my health issue. With a lack of sick & vacation time (from my previous injury) and living on a paycheck-to-paycheck budget, I will be out of leave time at work and out of money at home. Being stretched too thin on these two fronts will mean that I probably won't have the time or money to stick to my plan of officially applying to Foster in September. I will have to delay that by at least a month or two. It has not been taken off the table by any means. It is just going  through some timing changes. Once I recover from all of the challenges of my current situation, I will be making that phone call!

I know these are just normal life changes and challenges and not comparable to the changes & challenges to come. However, at this time they seem pretty big to me. I feel like I have been handed quite a few challenges since committing to this journey towards fostering, but I also feel like God is going to take care of everything. If you have a spare moment, I would appreciate your prayers for my surgery on Tuesday, the next couple of weeks of recovery, and the challenges that will last into the next month or two. Thank you for all of your support and for following my journey!