Being Broken

For someone who enjoys being active, there's nothing like NOT being active to deflate your sails... Unfortunately, the last couple weeks, that has been my story. For those who know me well, you know I am committed to hitting the gym 4 to 6 times per week, for the most part -- even I slack off from time to time -- and walking my dog on a daily basis, in addition to the gym. Not only is being active my main way of relieving stress, but it's something I love to do!

I picked up running about four and half years ago, and I was finding a great balance between running and other forms of cardio and strength training. During spring 2010, when I was training for a half marathon, I developed tendinitis in both of my legs... While this derailed my training and affected my performance, it didn't stop me. It probably should have...but I'm pretty stubborn and competitive...so giving up on the race was not in my plan. Come to find out, my "condition" is somewhat common in women in their twenties, and my doctor said I might "grow out of it" when I hit 30. I honestly thought it would be sooner since I generally take pretty good care of myself...but sure enough, the tendinitis didn't seem to go away until this past fall right around my 30th birthday. By the spring, it seemed all the way gone...so I was thrilled! 

I COULD RUN AGAIN! And run is what I did! I started training for my first run -- the Girls Just Want To Have Fun 5k -- in 3 years! I ended up getting a new PR (personal record, for you non-runner/non-athletes out there!), which was such a blessing! Since that race had gone so well, I signed up for an upcoming Night Trail run which was part of the same racing series (BCS Race Series) put on by the folks that run the BCS Marathon & Half Marathon. <<Side note:  They put on FANTASTIC races with fun post-run parties, if you're in the market for a good run!>>  I was really looking forward to running this race with several of my friends!

Now, rewind to about 3 weeks ago... I started having some on and off lower back pain. It seemed odd since I hadn't been doing any yard work, or moving/lifting, the usual things that trigger back pain. The pain lasted short periods some days and longer periods other days; there one day, and gone the next... Then, the pain started to persist. After about 4 days of consistent 24/7 pain and discomfort, several friends recommended I check-out a chiropractor. I had never been to a chiropractor before, but I decided anything was worth a shot!

Come to find out, I had been dealing with a twisted pelvis that caused some alignment issues for my whole body. Consequently, over time (we're not sure how long all of this has been going on), my spine curved slightly to balance out my would-be crooked shoulders (caused by the twisted/uneven pelvis). Due to the instability, my spine tried to "fix" itself by calcifying some of the vertebrae, and I have a bit of disc degeneration in my lower back and neck.

So, what does that mean for me? Well, it means that I have been out of the gym and out of activity (other than walking the dog) for about two and a half weeks...and I'll be out of commission for another 1 or 2 weeks, at least. I'm currently in the middle of week 2 of a 9-week treatment plan that starts out with several visits per week and will gradually taper off (assuming that I respond well to the adjustment and the therapies -- I'm getting roller bed, electro-, and trigger point therapies, currently).

You would be correct in assuming this has been a frustrating struggle for me. While I do NOT claim to understand what it's like to have a disability, I feel like I have a very small glimpse of what it's like to have to be limited by the physical ability of your body. I miss the gym; I miss my gym friends and instructors (shout out to my Sunday Pump'ers and my Monday CxWorx'ers); and I miss being able to sit, stand, lay down, walk, etc. without pain or discomfort.

That being said, I know that there is a potential for good to come from everything! And, while this isn't a fun post filled with photos and funny tales, it does have a purpose (yes, I know it took me a while to get here)... I know I can look at this experience from a "woe is me" perspective, but I choose not to. One of the reasons I wanted to write this was to let out the tension and stress of this burden so others can see that when tough stuff happens, there's always a bigger picture. 

Right now, I am broken... I am not the self I want to be. When the reality of these words struck me the other day, I knew I had to share my store with others. Those statements can be said by all of us. We are ALL broken. We are ALL not the selves we want to be. If we're being really honest with ourselves, with know these statements to be facts. We see the signs and symptoms in our daily words and actions that display our brokenness, but we sometimes like to pretend that we'll be okay on our own...that we'll figure it out...

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  ~Romans 3:23~

And, the good news, and the really powerful fact is that God fixes us! He is the solution for our brokenness -- whatever that brokenness might be! He died for all of our brokenness...every single sin...and He wants us to live for His glory (not our own).

"And He has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."   ~2 Corinthians 12:9~

Doesn't that just fill you with hope and encouragement? What an awesome God we serve!! If we just let him treat the signs and symptoms of our brokenness, how much easier our paths would be!

The road so far hasn't been easy...and I know the next seven and a half weeks won't be either... But I have hope and I have faith that I will make it. I know that God is providing my doctor with the knowledge and compassion to treat me so that my body can be healed. I know He has been and will continue to encourage me with a positive outlook and attitude to get me through the upcoming weeks. Some days will be tougher than others. Some days I'll be in more pain that others. Some days I'll be so frustrated that I will cry about it (yesterday was one of those days). And, all of that...every single bit...is okay. Because He will give me supportive friends, family, co-workers, and students who will check on me, care about me, pray for me, make me laugh, and support me through all of the up's and down's. He will use this experience for his glory, and if he will allow me to be an instrument in his plan, then I'll gladly take that path -- I could always use a little toughening up anyway!  :)

Personal Side Note to Anyone Reading This:  If you have never been to a chiropractor or had x-rays taken to check on your skeletal alignment and the functioning of your muscles with your spine, I would HIGHLY recommend it. I am so lucky that I caught this when I did...but had I recognized the signs/symptoms sooner, I may have been able to treat the problem sooner. If you're looking for a place to go, I go to Campion Chiropractic; they take most insurance plans and are genuinely nice people.

It's easy to think we're healthy and "fine" when, silently, things are negatively affecting us physically. The same can be said for our spiritual health. I would love to chat with anyone who thinks their spiritual alignment could use some adjusting...or get you in touch with someone else who might offer a better perspective than me!  :)

If you reached the end, thanks for reading. I know that was a lot to get through...but I really needed to share my heart today! Love to all of you!

Birthday Wish List

I know what you're thinking... "Abby, really? A birthday wish list? How old are you?" And, if you are thinking that, I can definitely understand why...but stick with me for a minute. Yes, it's true, in 2 short weeks, I will be turning 30...the big 3-0... WOW! I definitely don't feel 30, and everyone tells me I don't look 30...but that's a conversation for another day.

So, why the birthday wish list, then, right?! Well, I will tell you why... Ever since the Lord put it on my heart to go to Uganda, I knew this experience was going to be bigger than me -- so much bigger than anything I could imagine. Then, after serving in Uganda for 2 short weeks and experiencing everything that I was blessed to see and do, the Lord has continued to remind me of the importance of missions in Africa, and in particular, the importance of the work of Jason and Kari Segner and the ministry He is helping them lead, Healing Faith.


Jonathan and I giving de-worming medicine to children in one of the villages. It only takes $1.20 to keep a child FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR free from dangerous parasites found in polluted drinking water that can lead to malnurtition and even death if gone untreated.

Look at all of these beautifully happy faces! Do they steal your heart like they've stolen mine?

During the last week, as we enter final preparations for the 2nd Annual Healing Faith benefit (the primary fundraising/support event for the Segners), the Lord has pressed on me that I need to do something more -- give something of myself...which brings me to my birthday wish list... It's simple really:

30 for 30 in 30

That's 30 people donating $30 in 30 days.

We will start today -- 2 weeks before my birthday, and continue until 2 weeks and 2 days after my birthday. That's a total of 30 days (from October 24th through November 23rd). I'm hoping that instead of buying me gifts or dinner, or maybe even instead of buying yourself Starbucks or ice cold coca-cola for a couple days, you'll donate that money to Healing Faith instead. Trust me, I absolutely know how difficult it can be to come up with $30, and if that's the case for you, then rally 2 friends to join you, so that the 3 of you can donate $10 each for a total of $30 between the 3 of you. I think this would be a marvelous representation of the power of 3 exhibited throughout the Bible and represented by the Holy Trinity.

Now that I hopefully have you hooked (or at least committed to continue reading), I bet you're wondering how you donate... It's also really simple!  :)  Visit the Healing Faith donation page on their website:  http://www.healingfaithuganda.org/donate/ and follow the instructions outlined there as well as the weblink to the donation site. Because I am hoping you will donate straight to Healing Faith (no fees, etc. are assessed by donating online -- so they will get your full donation), feel free to comment on this post, send me a text or facebook message, or give me a call to let me know how much you donated. I would love to know if I reach the goal the Lord has placed on my heart -- 30 for 30 in 30 (or $900 if you aren't a math fan!).

Here are a few more photos of the wondrous work the Lord has asked the Segners to help with in the beautiful country of Uganda:


Kobasinja...the little girl who was severely burned...and whose healing experience has truly been a miracle. Read more here:  http://www.healingfaithuganda.org/stories-from-uganda/miracle-child/

Jason provided some relief for this little one who he thinks had chicken pox.

 

An elderly man in one of the villages.

Who doesn't love a good round of the Hokey Pokey?! We did this a couple times while out on home visits. The kids absolutely loved it!

Look at this little tiker helping haul bricks during the clinic clean-up day (aka Uganda Big Event) in Mafubira!

Here are a few verses I would like to leave you with so you can think and pray about how the Lord would like for you to join with me in fellowship to support Healing Faith...

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need."  ~Acts 4:32-35~

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory int he church and in Christ Jesus throught all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  ~Ephesians 3:20-21~

We Are in Jinja!!!

Sorry for the delay in my post... We finally arrived around 7:00pm yesterday (Wednesday) at Arise Africa International Guest House, here in Jinja. Soon after, we had dinner and got settled into the house, and today, we had our first ministry day in the Lombogo Village about an hour outside of Jinja. Please visit our team blog's post from today (click here) to read all about it -- I was today's team blogger!


And, now...to catch you up on our awesome journey to get here... As you know, this was my first EVER international flight, and it was really a LOT better than I anticipated it would be. Our flight from Houston to Dubai was about 14 hours, followed by dinner in an authentic Lebanese restaurant and an overnight stay in Dubai, a 5 hour flight from Dubai to Entebbe, Uganda, and finally a 3 to 4 hour bus ride from Entebbe to Jinja. I was able to sleep just the right amount on the long flight and got some good rest at the hotel in Dubai as well. My adjustment to the new time zone went really well, and I haven't had any problems getting sleep! SUCH a blessing!!


Due to some technical challenges, I'll have to add more photos later...like maybe when I get back to the states...so bear with me...and feel free to check the Team Blog -- we're updating it daily with super awesome photos from teammates who have sweet cameras so it'll be a good way to stay informed on what we're doing!


Here is one I thought most of my Aggie friends would enjoy -- me and some of the children getting an all-important Gig 'Em in the picture!!!

Please remember to keep us in your prayers! We need all your love and support while we're here! God is doing BIG things for sure, and we'd love for you to stay a part of it!!!

Marking Things Off the To-Do List

Well, today was a great day of marking things off the to-do list! I got up early so I could drop off a donation from a sweet friend to my team leader. Then, I took the dog to get her nails trimmed so the pet sitters didn't have to worry about unruly nails! Then, I went to get my last round of pre-trip immunizations...

Hepatitis B (2nd of 3 in the series), Polio, Tetanus, and Meningitis



The nurse said you're never too old for kid band-aids. I would have to agree...but I think a "real" kid must have gotten all the Bugs Bunny band-aids because all 4 of mine were Daffy Duck. Better luck next time I guess!  :)


I will have to come back in another 4 months to finish out my Hep B series (and possibly my Hep A series)...but as of right now, I'm good to go for Uganda! Whoop for that!


I think tried to drop off a prescription at the pharmacy, only to realize they didn't open until 9:00am...so I headed to work and made it there by 8:45am. I call that a pretty productive morning! I worked all day (atypical for my usual flex day Friday where I get off earlier than normal), but I got a LOT accomplished. I then headed back to the pharmacy to drop off and pick-up prescriptions...and got one step closer to being ready to leave!

Anti-malaria meds...and an antibiotic (just in case). {for the life of me, I can't figure out why this photo is flipped...it's not like that in the folder on my computer...oh well, you get the point!  :) }

And...finally...the last to-do item for today... Take my Aggie Ring off for the last time until I get back to the states! I wanted to give myself a couple of days to get used to having a bare ring finger on my right hand because I am so used to wearing my Aggie Ring. I just knew that I would get tired...and then freak out because I'd lost my ring... I will definitely miss wearing it, but I am excited about the symbolism of not doing so -- laying down something important and setting it aside...for something WAY MORE important. I am excited to serve the people of Uganda. I am excited to experience and observe their customs and learn about who they are as a people and a nation. I know that I cannot fully do these things, being the privileged American that I am. I pray and know that God will open our team's eyes and hearts to see the people and the country the way He does, and I am so excited for what He has planned for us on this trip. I see leaving my Aggie Ring behind as the first of several challenges on this trip -- challenges that will grow me as a person and teach me so much about myself and others!


My little ring made of gold...

As always, I ask that you keep us in your daily prayers! We need your love and support and the diligence of your prayer life! Thank you to each of you for all that you have done and continue to do to support and love me and this entire team!

Count-down = 2.5 days!!! Stay tuned for what happens next...

Gig 'em and God bless!

When Work is Something You Enjoy...

...it's not really work, now is it? I am so blessed to work in an extremely challenging and fun environment, where everyday is different, wonderful students abound, and colleagues are as much fellow professionals as they are friends!


I think I have shared this before, but work was one I the things I was initially most concerned about when embarking upon this adventure. When you're the primary advisor for Fish Camp at Texas A&M University, July isn't the ideal time to leave the office for 2+ weeks. Add to that, a new co-advisor (on the job for just shy of 2 months, following an interim period of almost a full year...), and add to that, being not just out of the office, but out of the COUNTRY...and add to THAT, arriving back at work post-trip with less than a week to go before camp... I really didn't know how this would turn out...


I was pleased to find out that my supervisor and his superiors, my co-workers, and even my students were SO supportive of my desire and need to be on this trip! As we have been preparing for my departure for the last 3 or 4 months, they have all been a great network of support and encouragement, despite the busy time we now find ourselves in...


In fact, they sneakily worked together to create a small departure token for me -- a box of cards and notes for me to take with me. There are a total of 15 -- one for each day I am gone!! I am so excited to read them all and be surprised by who each one is from! Words cannot express my gratitude and excitement for this genuinely sweet way they have acknowledged their support for me and our entire team!

The awesome box and collection of cards that I will soon be able to read!!!

Please keep praying for our team! We definitely need each and every prayer before we go and while we're gone! 3 days and counting...

Playing Catching Up...Part 2

Well...I finally have time to sit down and write "part 2" of this "catching up" business I started over a month ago. Oops!! Guess time got away from me once again. Here are the major updates of what's been going on...

1.  If some recent verbal commitments for donations have come through, then I have raised my full $3,800!!! It is absolutely crazy and wonderful and humbling to see God take my $500 deposit and grow it to my trip cost in as little as 4 months! Thank you SO much to those who have contributed! I truly appreciate each of you SO much! That being said, I still would love some additional donations/support to cover some personal incidentals for the trip -- pet sitting costs, immunizations, medications, food for travel days on the front and back ends of the trip, snacks for times between meals while in Uganda, miscellaneous supplies for the trip, etc. etc. If you or someone you know would like to support me, I would love to have you do so. Feel free to visit (and share this website):  http://imani-africa.com/donate -- you just put my name in the comments/notes box. The site works with NON internet explorer browsers! If you don't like donating online, comment on my blog or message me, and we'll figure out another option!

2.  My passport came in!!! My first ever passport!!! Clearly, I'm pumped about this!
 

I'm officially approved!!!



Apparently, the world is mine!



A Picture Says a Thousand Words...but I'll sum it up with four:  I. AM. SO. PUMPED!!!



3.  I got my first round of immunizations -- 4 at once...and I go back for my last 4 (or maybe 5) this Friday!

Yellow Card, Immunizations, Alcohol Swabs, and Band-aids...all ready to go!

A close-up...Hepatitis A (1 of 2 in the series), Yellow Fever, Hepatitis B (1 of 3 in the series), and Typhoid...

 

With my Yellow Card that shows I've been vaccinated for Yellow Fever. I have to take this when we go!

Two in the right arm...

 

And...two in the left -- Yellow Fever is the one on the far back of the arm. It's a live virus and can't go into a muscle. Luckily, it's the only one that really stung!

4.  Our team has had a couple of supply packing meetings! They have been so fun! I love seeing how a group of people that don't know each other super well can work together and have so much fun doing it! Here are some photos from those fun nights!



What you can't see is this amazing multi-color (think pink, purple, and jade) metallic knife that Shawna is using to cut off these zip ties!

 

Lots of crates to sort through and pack with supplies!!

 

Kaitlyn and Tressie sorting supplies!



Kaitlyn and Tressie sorting more supplies...on a new night this time!



Rachel and Me!!  :)

 

Dawson...weighing our supply bags to be sure they're no more than 50 pounds each!



Rachel and Kaitlyn chowing down on Double Dave's for dinner!

 

Jackie and me in front of Rachel's awesome cross wall!


5.  We had a team hang-out night that ended up being a ladies' night. Rachel cooked us spaghetti that was SO delicious! It was great having time to hang out and get to know one another...and talk about all kinds of things that us ladies need to know for the trip -- clothing, hair care, make-up, etc.

Kaitlyn, Rachel, and Shawna

Rachel's delicious spaghetti!



6.  Generally speaking, things have been going really well for us! We've had a few hiccoughs along the way (mostly with baggage logisticis), and the Lord has helped us get through each one! We are so excited about serving the Lord, the Segners, and Healing Faith (the Segners ministry)! I know God is going to do big things for the people of Uganda, and I am thrilled that He has chosen us to help! Stay tuned for more updates soon to come!

Count-down is officially 4 days...and the minutes are ticking by quickly...  :)  Please keep me and our whole team in your prayers over the next couple days, and then while we're gone too! We need every prayer we can get!

The Heart and Faith and Love of a Child...or Two in this Case...

As I promised in my last post, I have been extremely blessed during this season of fundraising. I truly believe God is using it to show me that while my independence is awesome, I need to learn that I can't (and don't) do it on my own. He is there with me every step of the way, and so many family and friends are there with me too!

One of the most touching stories I've experienced thus far includes two young girls who I have known and loved for several years now. They are the daughters of two of my colleagues -- Jason and Jennifer Boyle. After giving one of my support request letters to Jen and Jason, they shared the letter with Ella and Claire (their daughters) who were both excited to help out!

Several weeks later, Claire and Ella ran a neighborhood lemonade stand to raise money for me and my trip! They ended up raising $32.00 in just one day of lemonade sales, and they donated it all to my trip fund! Shortly thereafter, they came up to work to present me with the envelope of money. It nearly brought tears to my eyes. I remember being their age, getting birthday money, and being so excited about the books, toys, etc. that I could buy with the money. I also remember being excited about saving some of my money. To know that those thoughts were probably going through their heads...and that they chose to help send me to Uganda instead of saving or spending their lemonade stand money means the world to me -- literally, the world!!

Here's a quick picture of my 2 youngest supporters who have hearts of heroes. I took this the day they presented me with their donation!

So, although words can hardly express my full gratitude... THANK YOU, Ella and Claire. You have helped me more than you'll know, which will know help many people who I know the Lord will touch with, by, and through this trip!

As an update, I still have a little more than $1,000 to raise...and exactly 1 month left to do it! Yes, we leave 1 month from today!!! If you would like to support me, please visit the Imani Tumaini Upendo website and donate (put my name in the comments box so they know to track the donation to my fundraising totals), or email/call/message me for my address to send a check or cash donation that I will turn in for you. {Please note: the donation website works best in internet browsers OTHER THAN internet explorer}

I know that God has BIG plans for our team and for me on this trip! I also truly believe He has big plans for YOU -- as you pray for us, send donations, and share our story with others! I hope Ella and Claire's story serves as inspiration to you -- that even the smallest amount of support is helpful! ANY donation means so much to me because of where the money goes...and because of what it signifies -- giving and obedient hearts! Thank you in advance for the love you are sharing with me and our whole team!