Latvia Year 4

Well, it's Thursday and around 8:30 tonight David and I along with 5 youth will be heading back over to Riga, Latvia. If you know me at all, you know this trip has become part of who I am. Every year for the past four years, I head over to Riga for 12-18 days and spend time with some of the most incredible people I have met. I have loved watching many of the same kids grow up and also seeing how our team works together to spread the love of Christ. And I also have to say, I have been incredibly blessed to be doing all of this work alongside my husband. Not many couples are able to say they have been out on mission together and I definitely try not to take this for granted.

This year, our small team will be spending 12 days, a full week of camp plus the surrounding weekends, with Pastor Petr and the youth. This year will be a little different as "Mama Giles" will not be going. She has been the glue that keeps things together while we are there, so please please please keep David and I in your prayers as that role now becomes ours. We will travel all day today and tomorrow, arriving in Riga around 11:30 PM Friday. Please pray that all the bags arrive safely, 3 out of my 4 years mine has decided to take a little trip around the world before coming back to me :/. Saturday we will sleep in and then take a train to Jurmala, a wonderful beach town we visit every year. This will give us the opportunity the have some fun as a team before the hard work begins. And then Sunday we head to camp! Please pray that our team has strong unity throughout the week and that we put the work before any selfish desires. Pray for our stamina; the days are long and the mornings come quick so it is very easy to become tired by Wednesday/Thursday. And finally, pray that we make the most of the time we are given with each kid. For so many of them, this is the best week of their lives and we don't take that lightly. Pray that we are able to show them just how loved they are.

I hope to keep blogging throughout the week, so keep checking back for some updates! Thank you all so much for your support, we love you!

Lindsey & David
"For I hold you by your right hand- I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid, I am here to help you'" --Isaiah 41:13

Phoenix

I haven't posted anything in forever but I wanted to give an update on Phoenix.

For those of you that do not know, Sunday we found out our dog has IMHA, which means his white blood cells are killing off his red blood cells too fast for his body to make more red blood cells. This causes two problems: first, the rbc's (red blood cells :)) carry oxygen so with those getting destroyed, his body is not getting enough oxygen; second, there is the risk he could get a clot and have a stroke. Unfortunately this is not a very nice disease and it will probably be around for the rest of his life if we make it through these next few days.

He has been in several doggie hospitals since Sunday with multiple tests done. Basically, a normal dog's rbc count would be around either 50-60%. For the majority of the past few days, Phoenix has been around the 18% mark. Yesterday, however, was pretty rough. He definitely went downhill energy wise and we found out his count had dropped to 9%. With it being that low, we decided it was time to do a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, we were having a hard time finding an emergency clinic (since we needed a 24 hr facility) in this area that had enough blood. So, David and I brought out our spontaneous side and drove straight from the vet to an emergency clinic in League City to have the transfusion done. With the cost of all this rapidly rising, we knew this transfusion would be very crucial. Well, when we picked him up this morning we found out that his rbc count had only gone up to 20% but he was like a completely different dog!! He actually ran up to us with his tail wagging! The day before he pretty much could not move so this was extremely encouraging.

While we were really happy today, we both realize that we are not in the clear yet. The crummy thing with this disease is that it can come back anytime. We also realize that euthenasia is not unrealistic. There may come a time where it just would not be fair to Phoenix to keep going. As much as that will break my heart, we are definitely keeping his best at the top of our list. But for right now, we are just so happy he has some of his energy back. And the best news, he is coming home for the night!! He will probably be back in tomorrow for another transfusion but it will be so great to have him home for at least tonight!! He is such a sweet boy and we definitely appreciate all your prayers!!!

Life is Crazy...

Life is just absolutely crazy but wonderful right now. Just an update, I am well on my way as a college student again. :) I'm loving being back but it is kinda weird being there with people younger than me. I definitely feel like I made the right decision in taking a break from school. Some people don't agree with that, and that's ok. But I am so much more focused and ready to get it done than I was before! Personally, I feel like you shouldn't start college until you have taken a year or two off. The age/maturity difference makes a HUGE difference! But, it is very hard being a full time student, working 2 days a week, and singing on the weekend. I pretty much study during any free time I have, so it has been hard not having as much "hubby/wife" time as before, and the pay cut has hurt a little bit, but I could not have a more supportive husband to be going through this with me. He is such a blessing.
Speaking of David, our first anniversary is coming up in a week!! I cannot believe it! This past year has flown by and we are so excited to celebrate our first year together! We are leaving next Thursday night to go to San Antonio for a great 4 days on the River Walk and Sea World! This break is very needed...it will be great to get away from the stresses of life! Even though I have a midterm the day after we get back!! Ha, I tried...