A time of patience

Saturday morning, I drove through a blizzard. A real South Dakota highway of nothingness blowing snow zero visibility blizzard. I was coaching a swim meet in Watertown, which is about 60 miles north of Brookings. On Friday, it took me about 55 minutes to get from our house to the swim pool. On Saturday morning, it took me 1 hour 50 minutes. There were definitely points when I thought, this is ridiculous and I should turn around. There were also points that I thought that it wasn’t that bad of a drive. And there were points that all I could do was pray.

That drive was a good reminder to me that while I can’t see what is in the future, there is a destination. There is a final point that I am traveling to. And there will always be a few angels and a God to watch over me and protect me on that journey. While I may not know why things are happening, there is a purpose of the timing.

When people think of January, they think of new beginnings and a time to start fresh. I’m beginning to think that January is a time for me to quickly learn patience and learn that there is a greater plan for me. January has held some happy times and some sad times for me. January 2005 was when Phil and I went on our first real date. January 2007 was when I started my internship with the City of Colorado Springs. January 2008 was the month that I got to start planning our wedding. January 2011 was the month that Phil interviewed for and accepted the airport manager position in Brookings. January 2012 had some major ups and downs. That was the month we had a miscarriage and I had a D&C procedure. But it was also the month that we moved into our first home. January 2013 was the start of baby prepping the house, as well as the start of some of my pregnancy issues. With so much happening in the previous January’s, I should not be surprised that this January has a few moments that make me remember that God is in control. From starting a new job of teaching a course at SDSU to driving a different car to seeing Olivia grow up in the blink of an eye, there is so much to be thankful for. This January though, Phil and I are thankful for technology and medical care.

A week ago, we were sitting at the table for dinner and Olivia was eating some cut up fruit and veggies. She started to make a weird jerking/twitching move and Phil and I just looked at each other, asking ‘what’s up?’ She would have the movement, then be fine, then do it again. I immediately went to the phone to call my mom (Nurse Jean to the rescue!) and by that time, Olivia had stopped. During the whole two to three minutes, Olivia had about five or six of these one to two second twitches. She would smile and giggle and was in a good mood during the episode. We cautiously watched her and since we couldn’t truly explain what was going on, we thought she had a minor reaction to a new food she tried. Two days later, I gave her that same food and the twitches happened again. Thankfully, I had the iPad close and was able to video a few clips. I sent them to Nurse Jean, called Phil and we talked about what we should do. Thursday at lunch (she didn't eat that fruit again), Olivia had three minor episodes and away to the pediatrician she went. After a physical evaluation and blood work (which was normal), the doctor watched the video clips we had, asked a few questions and then said she would recommend we go see a pediatric neurologist. Our appointment is April 1, so we feel okay that our doctor doesn’t think it is urgent enough to get her in sooner. But now we sit and wait. And pray. And give a few more hugs and kisses. And know that during this blizzard of our life right now, while we can’t see what is to come, we know that we have the guidance of a loving and caring God.