His Way

As the end of September neared, I eagerly anticipated my trip back to the States for my brother's wedding. On the last Thursday of the month, I went to bed with a headache. When the headache wasn't gone in the morning, I assumed it was some virus. I had a low-grade fever off and on, and was very tired. I cancelled my plans for the day and took a couple long naps. Saturday I still had a lingering headache, so I cancelled my weekend plans as well. I had thought "It's a good thing I'm getting this sickness out of the way before the wedding!"

By Sunday evening, after a weekend of being home, my thoughts started to run wild. I told myself that it couldn't be my shunt... Then again, what if it was? Monday morning, after a restless night, I couldn't shake the thought of my shunt malfunctioning again. I texted Makoto and Anna, telling them my concerns and wondering about setting up a doctor's appointment. I figured, best case scenario, it's a virus, and I'll get over it. Worst case scenario, it's my shunt, I need surgery, but maybe there would still be a chance to make it back for the wedding.

I took a walk to the river to read and pray, which proved to be one of the hardest walks of my life, physically and emotionally.

Makoto and Anna responded, and within a few hours we were on our way to the hospital, where we found out just the news we didn't want to hear... My shunt was indeed again malfunctioning. We told the doctor about my hopes to get back for the wedding, and he was so kind in getting me scheduled for surgery the next day. One of the most touching moments was the opportunity to share a prayer with my doctor, Makoto, and my parents - via phone call. I was out of the hospital four days later, with a nice long incision, and 32 staples.

Although I had to change my flight from my original plans, I still had time to make it back for the wedding. Praise God!

The few days before my flight were a mix of thankfulness, fear, excitement, and anxiety. It was a wonderful gift to be in church in Tokyo the day after I got out of the hospital. I'm so thankful for the prayers and encouragement of my church family, both here and in the States. There were still many unknowns. I feared something going wrong while I was flying, or back when I was in the States. But, God is faithful, and prayer is powerful! I had a lot of practice in "taking every thought captive" when the devil would want to discourage me. Thanks to everyone for the prayers on my behalf!

Praise be to God, my flight went very smoothly - I even got a whole row of seats to myself! My time back in the States was full, but blessed. Through the unknowns, through the fears, may I always remember:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9