Snow, Birthday and the Hospital

My my my, what week it has been! Let me see, where to begin...

I guess it all started on Tuesday. California was in the middle of one of the craziest storms I can ever recall. There was massive rainfall, floods, mudslides, and at least one tornado at Sunset beach (yes, I'm serious). My family had decided to ride out the storm on the mountain, even though there were predictions of up to 10 feet of snow and a high likelihood of being snowed in. So on Tuesday night, just as I was climbing into bed, my phone rings. It was my sister Corrie. She told me that my mom's surgery site had become infected, and it was serious. Of course, it's snowing like crazy outside. My parents finally decided to take her down the mountain, with the help of some emergency vehicles. It was a scary time, and it was hard for me to be here, seemingly unable to help. But thanks be to God, they got down safely and made it to the ER.

Wednesday morning I woke up and talked to my mom first thing. It was my birthday. It was my first birthday away from home, first birthday that I had to go to school, first birthday in 6 years without my best friend, and first birthday in 4 years without going to Disneyland. To top it all off, my mom was in the hospital. It was a really rough morning for me. I made it through my first class, and was doing better by the time I reached chapel. I knew my mom was safe in the hospital, my sisters (who stayed at camp) were doing alright, and classmates started to wish me a happy birthday. I was overawed and humbled by how many people from my school wished me a happy birthday. It really made me feel, for the first time, that I belong here. I have friends who do care about me, and I about them. The people here are amazing, and I am blessed to be here. At dinner my friend Gracy made the cafeteria sing to me; slightly embarassing, yet a sweet gesture at the same time. That evening I attended a lecture about C.S. Lewis (who is absolutely amazing and inspiring and talented and such a godly example :D). Afterwards some friends threw me a "surprise" party with cake, cookies and a movie. In the end, it was a birthday completely different than any I've had before. And yet, it was a good birthday. I learned a lot through it. I learned that I must grow up in some ways and face the fact that life will never be exactly as it was in highschool. I've turned a bend in the road, and I will go forward with joy instead of longing for what's behind. I'm learning how to face trials and difficulties with grace and strength that comes from the Lord, and to perservere so that I may be "mature and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1). And I'm realizing even more how good, and kind, and loving our Holy, powerful God is.

Thursday and Friday were very topsy-turvy. One moment it seems that my mom is getting better and can go home soon, the next she's getting worse. The infection kept spreading, and the doctor's weren't sure what was wrong. She tried a few different antibiotitcs and has undergone some different tests, but the doctors still don't know. My sisters finally got snowed in at camp, since Caltrans isn't plowing past Chilao. They have somewhere around 3 1/2 to 4 feet of snow at the moment, and more snow is forcasted for Monday.

As a birthday present, my parents had arranged for myself and four friends to go ice skating on Friday night. We went to the rink, and it turned out to be very crowded due to a middle-school fundraising event. But the manager allowed us to exchange our tickets for another night, and instead we got coffee (at Starbucks!!!) and went to see Sherlock Holmes. It is SO nice to get off campus every now and then, and actually realize there's a world out there. I had a great time being with my RA, roommates and my good friend Gracy. It's just another example of the great people God has put around me.

So now I head into next week with some new lessons learned, and I'm ready to face the lessons this week holds. Mom is still in the hospital, but is feeling better today. I look forward to going ice skating and I'm still waiting for the birthday package from my sisters :). I'll go back to tutoring, which has been a really good experience so far. God is good. Then, Now and Forevermore. Amen and Amen.

With love,
~Carissa