Thursday's Thoughts

Thursday's thoughts are ones of misery. Being sick when you're visiting someone and supposed to be encouraging them is tough. When you feel miserable, the last thing you feel like doing is trying to encourage someone else, or even just do the normal every day things. Today was rough for me, and I suspect that tomorrow might be worse. Physically, it's just a cold and sinus infection, but it's a doozy. I can't breathe through my nose at all, and haven't been able to since Tuesday, and my ears are also stopped up. My voice sounds strange because I'm so congested, and since I'm breathing only through my mouth 24 hours a day, my throat is extremely dry and sore. I'm blowing my nose constantly, as well, which means my nose is raw and has even bled several times today because my sinuses are so dry. But, what to do? I'm supposed to be here encouraging an intern whose hosts just left for the States on Tuesday, and who's definitely struggling through the beginnings of this transition, as well as culture shock, having just arrived at the end of February.

Thankfully, today was a rest day from ministry. So we did just that- rested. I've been trying to drink a ton of water and hot tea with lemon and honey to help flush the infection out of my system. The weather's quite lovely, so we took blankets out in the sun to read this afternoon and then went for a nice, long walk to the highest point in the village. I made roasted veggie and chicken soup for lunch, and sausage with mushrooms, bellpeppers, and asparagus for dinner. We talked and washed dishes together, watched an episode of Monk, and another of Psych, and just tried to relax. I kind of feel like I'm about to float away with all the liquids I've been taking in, but I'm determined to get this out of my head before I have two flights on Tuesday and then three on Wednesday. If you think about me over the next few days, I'd sure appreciate prayers for quick healing. Elizabeth is also sick, but seems to be heading towards the end of her cold. I know she'd appreciate any prayers for her health and continued adjustment here, as well, though!