abbey abroad :)

So. Close. I am THIS [imagine me holding up my thumb and first finger a half-inch apart] close to getting my visa. It's been approved, I just have to fly to Chicago to pick it up. I've been trying to find a flight for tomorrow or Friday (I would even sacrifice missing Harry Potter to get there!), but they're all either really expensive or only allow me a few hours in the city. The company does pay for the flight, but paying almost $1,000 for a round-trip ticket to Chicago isn't exactly being a good steward of SBC members' money. According to the travel agent, the cheapest way for me to get a ticket is to book it a week in advance and spend one night in Chicago. That will get me there right around Thanksgiving, so I'm not exactly sure how that will work.

Dad went to the doctor yesterday and found out that what they thought was pneumonia was actually two blood clots in his lung. They're not occlusive, and if you know what that means without googling it, I'm impressed. :) Usually, they would admit him to the hospital for treatment, but there's a new drug that he can take at home. He gives himself an injection twice a day for seven days, which I could never do, but hey--my dad's hard-core like that. I am SO thankful he didn't have to go to the hospital! He'll do more tests tomorrow to see if he has any clots in his legs.

Meanwhile, my uncle is in town for the week, and my two aunts and grandma (all on Dad's side of the family) will be coming in this weekend. They leave Monday, when my brother and sister-in-law come in town, followed by my other brother on Wednesday. And my sister's off work all next week. So my dad will definitely not be bored for the next two weeks! Hooray for family and Thanksgiving!

Two posts in one day? Craziness.

Dad went to the normal people doctor today because he's been feeling out of breath and has night fevers and night sweats. He found out he has pneumonia. The biggest problem with this is that he won't be able to start chemo tomorrow as planned. It has now been 2 1/2 months since he was told he had a few months to three years left, and he still hasn't had any treatment. So please pray for a record-speed recovery so he can finally get some treatment!

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. --Prov. 16:9 

I read this verse last night and *literally* laughed out loud. (And I don't use that word lightly!) Doesn't my life right now perfectly illustrates this verse? Today is November 10. I was supposed to leave for Macedonia exactly one month ago today. I never dreamed I would be at my parents' house a month later, still visa-less. I did everything I was supposed to do--I got my photos taken, I did the background check, I filled out all the paperwork and sent it all in months in advance... and yet, I'm still here.

People keep asking me how frustrated I am with the whole process, and I won't pretend there haven't been a few days that I just want to show up at the embassy and ask what in the world is taking so long, but I've been so blessed to have Him show me the joys in this time of waiting. He's been so gracious by providing me with plenty to do, so I'm never bored or restless. I've gotten to form new friendships and strengthen existing ones. I've had more time to prepare spiritually. I've been able to help my parents in ways I never could have from across the ocean. I've had lots of opportunities to serve and to allow Him to develop a servant's heart in me. And most of all, He uses verses like Prov. 16:9 to remind me that I can plan all I want, but He is the One guiding my steps. The whole visa situation is so bizarre, I know it didn't just happen; He's directing it.

And I'm so thankful He does direct my steps. Because if it were up to me, I'd be celebrating one month in Macedonia today. But that's obviously not where I'm supposed to be right now, because I would be there. How awesome it is to serve a perfectly wise and trustworthy God who leads me and doesn't let my plans get in the way. :)

Pretty much every time I see people I know, they ask me about the two main things going on right now--my dad and my visa. I love that people care so much. It does get pretty tiring answering the same questions all the time, though! So I'll be sure to be better about posting updates on the blog, so people can read them here instead of hearing an abbreviated version from me in person.

So, first off, my dad. Love him. :) He starts chemo this week. He'll get treatments every three weeks. He decided not to participate in the study at UT Medical because it doesn't start for another few weeks, and he wanted to go ahead and start getting treatments. I still really feel that we should pray for his healing! He's been feeling pretty sick lately, and he's in a lot of pain. He seems to feel the worst at night. Please also pray for his morale. (And the morale of the whole family, for that matter.)

Next, my visa. They received my third visa application in the mail today, and I'm told by the team in Macedonia that the Macedonian government is saying this one should definitely be approved. There was a miscommunication on the part of the consulate with my second application, which is why it was denied. I spoke with the consulate today, and they told me I would get my visa processing fee back for application #2, since it was their fault it was denied. I asked them how long it usually takes for the application to get processed. The woman I spoke with said my application should go through more quickly than most because they already have most of the paperwork in the system. So that was good news! She couldn't give me any sort of timeline as to how long it might take to process the visa, but I was encouraged.

Hey, thanks. Thanks for reading and praying and encouraging. It really means so much to my whole family!

Today is not just any day. And I don't just mean that it's the day to figure out what to do with your costume or walk off some of that Halloween candy (Why, oh why did I eat so much?) or clean up what's left of your jack-o-lantern. Today is my sister-in-law's birthday! And I happen to love her very much!