All kinds of crazy :P

Sunday:  We went to FBC Pasadena, the church of the pastor we stayed with a few weeks ago.  We went to Sunday school, which Gary LOVED!  It's about 95% Fuller students/staff so there is some hard-core in-depth theological discussing.  It was also very multicultural.  We'll definitely learn a lot.  Jeremy (our friend who also just moved here and helped with the truck last week) was supposed to join us, but his truck broke down, so he couldn't make it.  Later that afternoon, we attended FBC's annual Fuller student/staff party at the pastor's house and got to know a lot of people - Praise Jesus!
Monday:  The moving truck came, and the bulkhead in the truck had been broken and we couldn't get to our things.  After several hours of trying, finally a man from the depot came out and got it off with power tools!  It was too late at that point to get much help, and the big furniture needed to come off first.  So..
Tuesday:  We got started with the unloading, and a guy from the apartment complex came out and helped.  Later he brought out his wife and another neighbor.  Together they got everything out!  Awesome!  Only a few bumps and bruises along the way, but hey, more friends!!  And then ... the journey begins ... We've been unpacking and unpacking and rearranging.  Our living room area was complete packed - floor to ceiling - every inch - with boxes.  We were going to use Jeremy's truck to move stuff to a storage unit, but obviously, that can't happen quite yet.  Luckily there is some storage at the apartment complex, or we wouldn't be able to function in here. 
Wednesday: More unpacking!  It's super hard because of how crammed the space is right now.  I can't put clothes into dressers until I know how the furniture will be arranged, but I can't arrange the furniture until all the boxes are gone.  It's a lose-lose situation I guess, but we're trying!  Well, mostly me, which is also hard since I can't move the heavy stuff.  But it's okay that Gary's not here - it's his first day at his new job - WOOHOO!!  He just called on his break and said it's going well :)  I'm not sure when I'll start - my supervisor has been on vacation on and off for a few weeks so it's kind of tricky.  Anyway, we can't wait until everything is unpacked and set up!  Then you all can come over for dinner (okay, I know it's a little far...) :).  Well, that is all for now folks (oh except for a health update: of course, our bodies were aching like crazy last night, and I had a tickle in my throat from all the dust, but otherwise mostly okay, but I currently have a splitting headache that tylenol is just not helping...so I must be going) ... ttyl :)

PRAISE THE LORD!!

Thursday night I went into VS to apply for my job (the one I'm transferring, it's just a technicality) and it went well, but I was in shock.  The mall itself is huge, and the VS was four times as big as mine - bigger than any in Chicago or at Easton.  It was crazy.  They have products I've never seen before and they have four rooms dedicated to Pink!  They are a top level store traffic-wise, and are just under top-level for sales (and they want to be, so the pressure is on!).  So I am slightly terrified about getting adjusted, but am sure it will come quickly.  I should start in the middle of next week when my supervisor returns from a pre-holiday vacation.  While I was there Gary walked around, picking up applications, with a few promising prospects (thinking it would be wonderful to work in the same place since we are sharing a car - oh how I miss Goldilocks). 

We realized last night how stressed out I have been over the whole not having jobs thing.  We realized that since after the honeymoon, stress has really been affecting me, even though I didn't really realize it before.  So, we decided to make sure we dedicate each day to God when we wake up (we both prefer devotions at night, and had been doing well with that schedule, but felt the need for this addition!).  Well, we did it today and guess what?!  The Lord had us in his hands all day!  We woke up and headed back to the mall to turn in his apps.  The lady at Brookstone wanted to set up an interview for Monday, but that is when our moving truck is coming, so she said - how about 1:30 today?  So we headed out to lunch (see story below*) and then returned.  The interview went very well, and instead of the sales position he applied for, they were interested in hiring him as stock manager, based on his experience.  She had him return again at 5:30 to meet/interview with the person he'd be working directly under, and again, it went very well.  He's HIRED!!!!  While we will still not be making as much as needed, we are so excited for God's provision and guidance, and the possibilities to come.  Today was a wonderful reminder of the need for reliance on the Lord and the trust we have in his provision.  Thank you to all who have been praying and a major thanks to the one to whom we pray :)

*Side story of the day: We woke up at eight and realized both the Ohio State and Notre Dame games were starting at 9 (man, I am not used to this time difference - what happened to PM football games? and I apologize to anyone who gets a phone call from me past midnight because I've neglected to remember the difference...sorry Jill x3).  The nearest BDubs is about 30 mins away, and we had to go to the mall to turn in Gary's job apps first.  We tried looking up other sports bars, but they either weren't open early or don't carry the Big Ten Network.  So Bdubs it was for the second halves of our games.  We entered to an almost-empty restaurant, except for one table of three, who cheered "Go Bucks!" when I walked in with my I <3 Ohio State tee.  We found out they were OSU alum.  We asked them after the (SHUTOUT!) game about other places to watch the Buckeyes, but they said BDub's (which they were proud I called it, because no one outside of the midwest knows what that means) is about it.  They said we could friend them on facebook and they'd keep us updated on any Buckeye events going on in the area!!  Yea, new friends!

Speaking of . . . we have wonderful neighbors here at our apartment!  Several people have stopped by to meet us and even brought us delicious muffins and cookies!  We are excited to get to know some new people.

Oh, and did i mention ... I am beating my dad, brother, and husband in fantasy football?  That's right - chicks rule.  (I think Gary is regretting making me play...haha.)

I really hope someone out there is reading and enjoying our blog, because I really enjoy writing it.  I haven't gotten much feedback, so I would love to know that you are there appreciating these updates so I can appreciate you :)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. --Matthew 6:25-34

Material World

Good news - the Idaho truck was able to come yesterday and we got it all unloaded.  Gary's friend Jeremy (they grew up together and he was in our wedding) just moved to Hollywood and came to help!  The other truck could have been here today, but due to parking regulations, we can't get it until Monday.  So, yea for some stuff, finally!
I thought I had been doing pretty well with very limited "things" (clothes, make-up, etc) while we were in Idaho, but it had just started to irk me.  My hair is going crazy without my usual products, my face seems boring without the normal variety of make-up, and my wardrobe is frustrating without much selection (especially since it's freezing and we have no warm clothes yet..and I'm pretty sure I haven't purchased a single new item of clothing since the wedding - 3 months! that is for sure a record!).  I think my main frustration currently is with the lack of furniture and dishes making it hard to function, but I keep thinking of those who sleep on the ground and cook over a fire.  I guess what I'm saying is this just goes to show that the more you have the more you want.  If I had never gotten used to so much variety, I wouldn't feel upset to live without it.  So, my goal is to be content with whatever we can fit in this little apartment - if it doesn't fit, I can do without.  I think it's just a good lesson and reminder for all of us to scale back a little and be content with what God has blessed us with, even if it means going without some of our usual luxuries for awhile, He will provide the necessities.

We're Here!!

Well, we made it!  We left Sunday after church, followed by some wonderful Pita Pit and Arctic Circle, and made our way down to Vegas.  We got up early and headed on over to our new home in Pasadena :)  We were excited, but realized we didn't plan too well.  We brought an air mattress, but no pillows or sheets, had nowhere to sit, no way to cook (not even microwave), and no towels for showering.  So we got some PB&J and snacks, bought a lawn chair, and actually got a bed!  We had been looking at mattresses, but wanted to wait until we got here.  We found a store with good reviews, went, got great service and a great deal on a fantastic mattress!  Its already been delivered and set up :)  They threw in some awesome memory foam pillows, but we still need to wait for the sheets and such to get here :/  Both trucks are scheduled to be in on Friday, but we might have to wait until next week because of parking issues.  Although we're roughing it for now, we're happy to be home.
I am feeling mostly better (still some headaches, especially while traveling), but now Gary is getting what I've had :/  So pray for continued health and the job search!!  Thanks all :)

Update on the Update :)

Much better today!!  Throat hurt a tiny bit more, still some back pain, but overall felt better.  Just needed pain medicine while packing which made me really dizzy climbing in and out of the semi, but hey...all packed!!  Both trucks are headed on out ... we decided to wait and leave Sunday, otherwise we'd be leaving tomorrow while my parents were out of town :/ and we'll stay in Vegas again to break up the drive and save my back from so much pain.  Can't wait!

Illness Update

Yesterday morning I felt much better, hence the energy to write that blog (probably with several typos im sure it was fast and I still wasn't perfectly healthy) ... but then in the afternoon I started feeling really weak and dizzy ... laid down for a bit - kept monitoring my blood pressure - its normally pretty low and when im sick realllly low and yesterday it was hanging around 75/45 :-/ ... i was trying to nap, and then gary needed to go get his car and asked if i wanted any food, I realized that (and the fact that in trying to nap I hadn't been drinking any fluids) would certainly help my body regain some strength - I hadn't eaten much all day.  While he was gone I felt extremely ill (when mom came to pick him up she thought I looked terrible - pale, weak, etc) and when he got here with the food (my fave food in the whole world!) I could barely eat it ... I took it really slowly and eventually got some down and started to feel better, but had an excruciating headache - very sensitive to light and sound.  My neck hurt a lot so it was hard to get to sleep but I eventually did, slept alright, and am again, feeling a little better this morning.  No fevers and my throat is actually much better, but the head/neck/back combo is still not too great.  So definitely no move today, hopefully this weekend - the trucks are pretty much packed!  I know this is a pretty long update with not that much interest, but it helps me chronicle what's going and keep track for future reference - so thanks for allowing me to ramble, and of course, for your prayers!  Hope you all are healthy and happy!

SUPER SICK!

Well, you haven't heard from us in a few days because I have been extremely ill.  Sunday was wonderful as I was finally able to perform my dance at church (delayed from the toe injury ... i think my dad is putting the video on facebook if you would like to see it) but later that night my throat started hurting a little.  Monday I woke up and it still hurt, and as the morning went on, my head and neck were in terrible pain also.  I tried to nap, but between the pain, the noisy wind, and the annoying flies, it didn't work very well.  My temp was at 100.9, and since I don't have a spleen, I have to go to the ER at 101.0, so we thought that was close enough.  (As Gary and I walked outside to leave, we realized his car was in the shop getting fixed finally from the deer incident, so we had to have my mom come take us.)  We thought it was strep, but that test was negative.  They ran blood cultures, did the usual pee-in-a-cup test, and I convinced them to give me an IV (but i guess they missed the antibiotics part, and just gave me fluids and pain meds).  They thought we were about to be sent home (so we called me dad to come get us, and bring some food because I was starving!) when the lab tech couldn't get the second part of the blood culture (thanks to those ever-awesome tiny rolling veins I've been so blessed with) and doctor came over and wanted to do a spinal tap to check for meningitis, since my neck was so stiff.  I was pretty terrified, but we decided to go ahead and do it to make sure i wasn't dying.  Good news - I'm not :) but it was super painful - he had to keep using more and more numbing stuff and stuck me several times before any fluid came out :/ (And all this time I was starving! but they wouldn't let me eat or drink til after it was done).  They sent me home with some pain meds, thinking it was just a virus.  I had to lay flat on my back all night and drink lots of fluids to avoid a post-tap headache, caused by an imbalance in fluids from the procedure.  I never sleep on back, so, well, I didn't do much sleeping.  I was up most of the night and in tons of pain!  And now I kept going back and forth between extremely violent chills and then hot sweats.  So I laid flat and tried to rest in the morning (all while Gary is trying to figure out how to finish the packing I had been working on - the moving truck was coming at any moment), and then in the afternoon, I felt miserable and took my temp again - 101.4.   Well, when we left the ER, we asked about an antibiotic because every time I don't get one, even if they think it's not bacterial, I end up back in the ER within 24 hrs - but they wouldn't do it.  So, the pattern continues and here we go back to the ER (this time, dad had to come take me, since we still had no car and Gary had to wait for the moving truck).  This time they did a chest x-ray, perfectly fine, and we asked about flu because of the chills and such - he said they hadn't seen any yet but it wouldn't hurt to check - negative.  The last thing he could think of was some weird disease that required a throat ultra sound (which he just did right there in the hallway, where I was laying because they don't have enough rooms - the day before I got removed from a room to the hallway then put back in before the spinal tap - it'll be nice when the new bigger hospital is open...).  Again, all good.  He still didn't want to give me an antibiotic, fearing me building up resistance to them before I really need them, and over use of them can cause some sort of build up in your colon, and he saw my record with the colitis last summer and didn't want that to happen either.  So, he consulted some medical journals, called my family doctor, a pediatrician who is very familiar with kids without spleens, and a pediatric specialist in Boise - only the local pediatrician thought the antibiotics were a good idea - so he agreed to give me a prescription, leaving the decision to take them in my court (hoping I wouldn't, but every doctor I've ever been to has told me to take them even with a virus - I mean, I was supposed to be on penicillin everyday for my whole life - that's another story entirely, but yeah, I think it's okay, so I'm taking them).  Whew!!  So, that's pretty much the story.  Came home, slept (not perfectly, but much better), finally showered this morning which should help me feel better, and yeah, that's where we're at.  My back, throat, and head are all slightly better today - woohoo!!  Of course, I'm not feeling great yet, but maybe I can at least give some instruction on the packing today - some people are coming over to help load the truck.  I don't think we'll be leaving tomorrow as planned - I normally get car sick, so it's probably not a great idea - and I really don't think I could sit in the car forever with such a sore back.  Hopefully I'll keep improving and we'll be on our way soon (the trucks are going to be there at the beginning of next week, so we have to be there by then!).  Man, I'm sorry if this was incredibly long and boring - five bucks to anyone who just read this whole thing!  I think I need to write a book about all of my medical experiences (oh, one good thing that happened - Gary started keeping track of every test and medicine and treatment on his ipod because I can never remember that stuff ... like I've even forgotten meds im allergic too :/ and evidently hospitals don't keep very good records either) haha - but anyways, thanks to those of you knew and prayed for me - and for the continued prayers as i heal and we move!  I'm excited to live back in a big city where there is much better health care (I really miss Columbus Children's Hosptial :/ I'd almost move back there just for that hospital, but I think LA should have some good ones, right?!).  Okay, I have rambled on way too long, thanks again for the prayers and support (and reading this super-long blog!).  We'll keep you updated!

It's OFFICIAL!!!

We will be moving into our NEW CALIFORNIA ADDRESS next Friday (10/15)!!!

We are starting with Fuller student housing so we will be right in the heart of Pasadena!  We hope to get something else in one of the other areas we liked once we have our job situation completely figured out.   

Call/email/text/facebook one of us if you would like our new address!!


Thanks for all of your prayer & support!!