Amazingness Around Me

Do you ever sit and look at how AMAZING the people around you are. I mean, you go to work, church, the gym, etc. and there are people all around. It seems impossible that we'd forget the awesomeness that God puts into each and everyone of us...but we do.

I know this family....ahem, the Shelstas...and they are all pretty much the most amazing family I've ever seen (aside from my own, of course...and all those other amazing families I've seen). Anyhow, the moms and pops of the familia are so stinkin' cool--they traveled the world as young adults, stayed rooted in their faith, and performed with Up With People for YEARS.

Then, they went on to get married and have 5, yes count 'em, 5 children!

Starting with their youngest, Taylor...he just rocks my socks. Every time I see him, he yells my name and greets me with a huge wave or thumbs up. I pretty much think God created wonderfully talented, hilarious, compassionate young man all wrapped up in Mr. Taylor. He loves pirates and colors/draws sweet pictures.

Then you go to Brenna...who can wail and sing like none other! I mean, that girl brings down the house with soul! Her genuine spirit transforms the heart with love and spirit....not to mention, she's as cute as a button! She makes you think more about who Jesus is and how He can be apart of your life every day. She's traveled (and is currently traveling with Up With People too!)

The family continues to Cass who is going to be an astounding teacher (I can just tell). She always gives me a hug to say hello, and she makes you laugh with your whole body when she gets rollin'! She'll be going with UWP soon to join the family legacy of performers and inspirational motivators.

Jared is wicked cool and has gotten the UWP vibe too. He gets to be a techie in the cast...lights, design, sound, etc. This fella also has a touch of humor blessed upon him (which is a total understatement).

And Mr. Garret (who is married to the beautiful Aubrey). When someone can articulate all the skepticism of the Church without being declared a heretic, you've got talent! I mean, we all search our souls and find doubt in what we see on Sundays. However, it's not always so easy to describe and explain where that doubt stems from...not to mention calling folks out on the stuff that sucks. I pretty much think this song captivates the mind and heart when it comes to pastorship. CHECK IT OUT! (P.S. don't misunderstand me, I said CHECK IT OUT, so.....DO IT!

Pertussis Positive

So, after being sick for over 3 weeks, last Friday, I decided to go to the doctor (again) for ear pain. I did in fact have an ear infection, so I began antibiotics for said infection. However, curiously on Saturday I began coughing. Not really thinking much about it, I ignored the cough and figured if I had anything that required meds, it'd be covered because I was already on antibiotics.

Wrong.

I continued to get worse as the week progress...a fever being the second most draining part of it. The foremost draining part of being sick was my cough.

Finally, after missing another day of work, I decided I should listen to those around me and go to the doctor (again!!)... So they put me into the "respiratory isolation" room. The doctor decided to test me for whooping cough, which was a lovely squirt of saline solution up my nose. After depositing a snot rocket into a small plastic pee cup, the nurse politely gave me a mask to wear to the lab and pharmacy before departing the medical clinic.

As I left, adorned with my nifty light blue mask I stepped out of the office heading towards the lab and pharmacy. I do not think I have ever experienced such shame in a public setting. I had a leprosy experience. I walked out and everyone was staring at me because of "the mask." It's like declaring to everyone, "Hey! I'm unclean! I'm dirty! I'm not worthy to be around you for any reason." The doctor said to notify my job and those living around me, because I could potentially make them sick if I had whopping cough. Outbreaks are common in the Boulder County, because people don't notify the proper authorities when they have it.

Well, after several days of fevers and coughing, I was tested positive for pertussis. Check out a microscopic version of the bacteria:

Now, I'm having to notify all those I've been around since I've been coughing. Folks at work, some people from church, friends, all the family have all been put on antibiotics.

Now, back to my leprosy moment. I could not help remember the instance of Jesus and the ten lepers.
"Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"

When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."

My greatest fear is that I will be one of the nine who do not return and and say thank you to the Lord for all He has done for me. Is that even possible? Could I be so arrogant and rude? Probably. Chances are good that I would do such a thing.

But I stand here today declaring just the opposite. I give thanks for the blessings I have. I offer up my suffering with whooping cough to the Lord for those who do not know Him. May every cough be a sacrifice and prayer for those whose life is still in the dark. May my faith in Jesus Christ be all I need and not just a healthy body to live in.

Amen.

Update

It's been forever since I blogged regularly, so I'm going to try to pick it up again. New things that have been happening are all actually pretty exciting...so here we go!

1. My mom has *finally* allowed 32 years of working at Adams County come to an end with retirement! I am so excited for her, and I'm excited for the possibilities she has to look forward to! She has yet to decide what she's going to do with her time and where she'll start working next...but it's still exciting. Her last day is March 23rd, and she can't be more than ecstatic to be moving onto new things!

2. My parents are also celebrating 30 years of marriage! Another biggie for the month of March...can we say fiesta?

3. Things at work have been going well. I'm working on creating and uploading information on our new website. I've been named the site's administrator...and even though it's a ton of work, it makes me feel so good to have it coming along nicely. (Blogging has actually made it possible for me to conceptualize the 'how to' behind creating a website. So props and thanks to Blogger.)

4. Working at the school has given me the opportunity to help folks who need translation. This is by far one of the coolest things I get to do during my hectic days (that and seeing kids get busted). hehehe...I probably have that social justice streak in me still.

5. I'm a fan of my Nintendo DS game system. I bought a new game yesterday, and I totally love it! I'm playing "The Need for Speed CARBON." I love racing games as well as Skipbo.

6. My new baby cousin Isa is as beautiful as ever! She's starting to get that double chin that most well-feed babies get. She's starting to stay awake more during the day, so it's great to see her do more than just sleep. I love her cute little smile...not to mention the funny little grunting noises she makes! They're adorable.

All in all, things are going alright for me. I am feeling a little strained for time..but that's nothing new! Life in the world of Joy is always pressed for time! :-)