Nothing like warm cookies

Life has definitely been getting better the last couple weeks. Tonight, I celebrated absolutely nothing at all by making chocolate chip cookies. For some reason, I've been pining to make cookies lately. So I did. And they were good. And there was evening and morning, the 4th week of second year.

I also slept til 11:30 today. Because I could. It was wonderful. I rode my bike to school with Ted. I learned all about EKG's and catecholamines today in class! I listened to a lady talk about experiencing a heart attack at age 25 because of a genetic disorder, and while that doesn't sound particularly wonderful, she knew the Lord and spoke with love and truth and gentleness to a group notoriously skeptical and won their hearts. She admonished us that without wisdom and grace, our knowledge is nothing. I wanted to hug her. Then I ate some delicious Thai food on the Av. I went climbing at the UW rock gym with Ted and Josh and Melissa. And I made cookies. Did I mention they were delicious?

Why is life so good you might ask? Well, I guess because I've finally started pursuing God again. I've been pretty disagreeable with Him because of how He chose to do some things in my life last year, and I've finally come to the conclusion that being bitter only hurts me more. Life in the Spirit... there's just nothing like it. It's good to be moving that direction again.

So enjoy your day and give thanks to God for the ways He is blessing you in every moment.
And make chocolate chip cookies. Then, send them to me!

May I be so Bold... Yahoo!!

I am currently riding the bus having just left my HOUSE, which I am living in as people are known to do who are NO LONGER HOMELESS. Just thought I’d emphasize that. Praise God who provides and allows us to experience testing so that our endurance will grow. Although to be honest, I’ve had just about enough testing for one summer.

Here are the specifics on the house, cause everyone wants to know I’m sure. 2BR+ 1BA W/D D/W util inc big BY great neighborhood.

For those of you who are not fluent in Craigslist, that means 2 bedroom with an extra little room downstairs, washer, dryer and dishwaster, utilities included and a big backyard! All that for a mere $1400/month. Yikes. This is more rent than I have ever paid in my life times 1.5. But I’m grateful to have a place to call home. It even comes with old lady furniture (including beds). I made sure to replace as many decorations with weapons and outdoor gear as quickly as possible so as to not confuse any guests about my status as an old lady.

Not that I dislike old ladies. I’m actually rather fond of them and have even been related to a few in my day who were fine examples of human excellence.

One irony. I unpacked my stuff last night, including a watch that was still on Alaska time, so I am late for the med school a capella practice today. Bummer. I got a great night’s sleep though. In my own bed. In my own house.

Homelessness

I'm sitting in a coffee shop on Canal Street (which I highly recommend by the way) not out of choice, but out of desperation. Despite the fact that it is now 7pm, I have done nothing resembling productivity today. And I didn't plan anything because I had full intentions of studying diligently. The desperation part comes in when you start asking questions like: where else could I go to study? Nada. Homelessness is a nomadic disease devoid of direction and security.

All that after only 3 weeks. I hear some people live without a home for more than 3 weeks sometimes.

Of course, they're not scraping through medical school.

Then again, they don't have gracious friends who take them in.

I won't pretend that I have it nearly as bad as guys like "Guitar Man" who I enjoyed breakfast with today, but he seemed pretty content with life as he ate his sausage and cheese bagel sandwich.

The canal looks peaceful from here, a calming presense in this currently scattered mood.

The couple in the corner cuddles and steals kisses... obviously infatuated with each other and oblivious to the world quickly streaming by on all sides.

Who knew blogging could be so random and yet somehow therapeutic. This one was definitely more for me than for you.

With high hopes of healed homelessness hereafter,

Ross

Continued blogging affairs

After a conversation over wine with some dear friends/fellow travelers on this journey of medicine, I've decided to make an attempt at continued blogging. Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I'm still in search of a house, but hopeful. More and more places keep popping up that are closer to what I'm looking for. Kind of like women in my life. Huh.

In an attempt to more fully focus on God and prayer, I've given up food for a little while. I'm not sure how long this will last, but I'm predicting that I will have my first meal shortly after acquiring a new residence. Let's hope that comes sooner rather than later.

(saying this isn't to show how cool and spiritual I am, but more to encourage people to fast. I think it's underdone in our culture, and given the preoccupation many of us have with food [myself included], it strikes me as a good idea to remind ourselves who really controls our bodies. plus, lots of cool Bible people did it. like Jesus.)

Another random bit that excites: whilst wandering around Ravenna looking for a fax machine, I came across a retirement home. Brilliant!! Both close to my future residence (I hope) and the UW! One thing I really want to do here is get some good, old-fashioned dominoes going with good, old-fashioned people. It's really quite spectacular if you've never tried it. One of the activities I looked forward to attending back in my darker days of soul searching.

That's it for now... if anyone is still bothering to check this site, I hope you find my ponderings rewarding! I really enjoy writing them.

Ok. I'm really done.

For now.

Septemberly News on Daniel

Dear All,

What a magnificent week God gave us last week! Daniel had the usual 3 appointments for wound care but he also saw his Infectious Disease (ID) Doctor and his trauma Surgeon. Both were very pleased with his progress. Both moved his care to the next level - which I'll explain in a minute. Many things for which we praise God.

Dr. P (you couldn't pronounce his first and last name even if I spelled it out) is originally from India. When he was first asked to be the ID Doctor to treat Daniel's raging infections, he came in with a very professional, business attitude. You could tell he knew his stuff but he was quiet and we couldn't engage him. For example, we told him that Eddie, Sara Ann, Aunt Sara and I had been to India. Well, usually that starts a big conversation. People want to know what part of the country you visited and they tell you where they are from. And the conversation goes on from there. Well, Dr. P barely acknowledged we had said anything. He wasn't rude, just quiet. The Internist had told us he is quiet when he is worried. Well, on Tuesday morning of last week, he came in smiling, friendly and open to conversation. What a difference. Why the difference? He had a CT scan done the Friday before and it showed Daniel's infection was completely gone! As we conversed with him he stressed the seriousness of Daniel's condition when he arrived in the States but now was very positive and took Daniel off of IV drugs completely. No more spending 3-4 hours per day watching an IV drip for Daniel. So we no longer have a son who is an IV drug user! (ha!) Life is much more normal for Daniel. Thank you Lord. He just has to take oral antibiotics for 4 weeks as a precaution.

Then on Friday we went to see the surgeon. He is always friendly. He was happy with Daniel's progress. To stress how much healing Daniel had done and what the prognosis is he said that no matter what Daniel does the hole in his back is going to close. He can do any activity that he feels up to (and that a Wound VAC will allow). His sister has told him she wants a room painted!! Anyway, the trauma Surgeon discharged Daniel and said he didn't need to see him anymore. Praise be to God. So obviously Mom and Dad are grateful and doing better.

So, what about leaving the first week of September as Daniel had hoped? The hole is still there but not worrisome in the way it was. It is closing and there is skin growing around it. You can tell a big difference every time the nurses change the dressing (which is the only time you can see it). We are much encouraged by being able to see the dramatic healing God is doing. But it is still open. Also a further development. As of yesterday, Daniel was diagnosed with shingles. It is on his neck and scalp. A doctor told us that happens sometimes after someone has taken steroids. Daniel had steroids to counteract a rash from antibiotics a couple of weeks ago. So, obviously, God has plans for Daniel to stay around at least a little longer. Ok by us.

So, Daniel is on 5 different medications right now and has the Wound VAC (man purse) with him all the time. He began driving again on Saturday (he even drove me to the wound care visit on Monday, as it should be!). He said it took a minute for him to get the hang of driving - like staying in his own lane - but then it was normal after that. He has more energy in general. He is playing his guitar more. He is just doing more. For example, he drove to the park on Monday and walked for about 3 miles while it was still kind of cool. The only thing was the old ladies (like 40s and 50s he said- I gave him a hard time for that) were passing him. Sara Ann and I tell him we can still "take him" (down) at this point. But we know our days are numbered. And thankfully so. His strength is returning although the surgeon said it will be a year before he is completely back to normal strength.

Please continue to pray for his healing. The shingles are not very painful at this point but we understand they can be. So pray for freedom from pain. And while you are praying, praise God for your love and interest and support you have given the Stinsons in our time need. We certainly praise God for YOU!! The ordeal is almost over but the blessings from the outcome have not all been revealed yet. We look forward to that. God's blessings are new every morning. Without struggle, there is no growth.

Obviously Daniel will always have a testimony to give of God's love and care and how He spared his life. Pray that he will be used mightily by the Lord in His kingdom in the days, weeks and years ahead. How gracious our Lord is! When Daniel was only midway through his hospital stay in Ecuador and he was very foggy, I told him that 10 years from now if the conversation got slow or boring, he could just say something about the time he got shot in the stomach in Ecuador and that would get things going. My son who is usually sharp and with it looked at me and asked, "Why would I wait 10 years to talk about it?" Today he is clear headed and looking forward to God's continued working in his life -- if it is in Arlington Texas for a few more days or weeks or in Seattle or somewhere else after that. By this, we are much encouraged.

May God richly bless you today. May you see His hand on you. May you continually hear and respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting. And through that glorify the Lord and be blessed as well as be a blessing to others. May God lift you up today, no matter what your struggle.

Love,
Eddie, Marilyn, Daniel, Sara Ann and Jonathan