Gummi Bears

I finally got around to try some of the home made goodies. I decided to go with the easiest first- the Gummi Candies.

The first thing we did was sprinkle 1 package flavored gelatin and 3 packets unflavored gelatin over 1/3 cup water.


Then we heated it over medium heat and stirred until all the powder dissolved.



Then we tried to "pour" the mixture into the very tiny molds. This did not go well, as you can see.



So, we improvised with this medicine dropper and it worked great!


But, I made one very tragic, horrible, fatal error. I bought this...


The Sugar Free Jello was a mistake. The gummies were cute, and popped out nicely but have that disgustingly sweet aspartame taste that makes you want to gag and then die and then decide that it is just not worth it and you go buy bigger pants. Bleck! So, if you decide to make these, just go for the full on caloric sugar laden Jello. You will be glad you did. I mean is Jello really that bad? I think NOT!

Either way, it was fun to make and now I know how to whip up this special little treat in the jungle where we can't buy gummi bears...well, that is if we can buy Jello...I didn't think about the fact that we might not be able to get Jello. This might have been a huge waste of time. Crap.

P.S. I am sorry for saying "crap".

Suspense

I hope if you read this blog, you like suspense. I mean since I write about having significant doctor's appointments that will decide our immediate future, and then do not update for over a week. I tell myself that most of you who read this are our facebook friends or family or have contact with us in some way other, so you already know....that we really don't know anything.

JMG did go to the doctor, and the doctor did say that he needed to be treated with prednisone, BUT that he sees no reason why we can't go ahead and go. This was very exciting to us, until we talked to the doctor in PNG who felt a little nervous about us coming.

We also think that he may only be on the medicine for 4 months instead of 6, but are not totally sure. So, yeah. What are we doing, you ask? We have no idea. But I promise I will let you know as soon as we find out...or a week later.

This past week has been like when you run into someone on the street or in the mall (back when malls were indoors) and you go right, but they go right, and you go left, but they go left too, and you are stuck in this very awkward and frustrating position. So, whenever this dummy called Sarcoidosis picks a direction and gets the heck out of our way then we will be...well...on our way.

Other than that we have just been preparing for JM to take this medicine. Apparently, it is from the devil himself and causes all sorts of problems. I have not had a lot of sympathy for him, though. JM is mostly terrified about gaining weight. I mean these babies have done a number on me and I think this is a good way to make us even. For example...

People keep telling him that he will be starving all the time- I just tell him, "Well, now you will know what it is like when you are breastfeeding."

He was also told that he will retain a lot of water and bloat- "Hello! Do I even have to talk about my experiences with that?"

He has been told that he is going to gain weight no matter what- "Um, yeah, what do you think 3 kids in 4 1/2 years will do to you?"

Also mood swings- "We will not even go there."

Lack of sleep...heartburn...I could go on, but basically this medicine is going to make him feel like he is pregnant, and I have to admit, I am getting a tiny bit of satisfaction from it. And, since pregnant women love to show people what the inside of their uterus looks like with a baby in it, I thought I would share with you the inside of JMG's chest. Look at the big lymph nodes! Aren't they precious?? NOT!! Little Turds are ruining our lives!!

Anyway, I guess it really isn't the same. I mean I went through all that and got these three precious little girls. And they were worth all of it, even if they did give me all of the above issues, PLUS back problem and chin hair! I love 'em more more each day!

Women are manipulative

Its true. Women are manipulative. That is what I learned from Beth Moore's Bible study on the Patriarchs. We are constantly trying to get things done. God promises something and we wait for a little while, but then we start to get antsy and try to hurry that promise along. Look at Sarah- her impatience with God brought about Ishmael and we all know how that turned out. Then there's Rebekah who knew that God told Isaac that Jacob would serve Esau, but she had to get all up in His business and try to force things herself. I could go on, but I won't. It was a great study for many reasons, but I really appreciate it showing me this in my own life. I have a tendency to trust God, but not His timing. I want Him to hurry things along and I start to think that He is waiting on me to do something, so I better do it, knowing the whole time it is just rationalization.

I say all that to say this: I am not going to JMG's doctor appointment on Monday. He is supposed to go to meet with the pulmonary doctor about whether or not we should treat his sarcoidosis and stay here for 6 more months or whether or not we can go ahead and leave. I have already had the entire discussion with the doctor in my head. Telling him that we really can wait to treat him. We are so close to Australia that if he has any problems then we can just go there and start treatment if need be. If it goes away on its own with most people, why don't we just wait and see if he is "most people". But...I got convicted today that all this is manipulation. We have prayed for God to send us in His time and and I will not manipulate that timing. I am just gonna be honest and tell you that I will have a hard time keeping my big mouth shut and not arguing with the doctor if he says we should treat, so I have decided that I will just not go and therefore will not be tempted. Amen.

I have also decided to make good use of this extra time here and practice some scratch cooking. I found a great website that teaches you how to make all sorts of fun things from scratch like goldfish crackers, gummi bears, fruit roll ups. Its gonna be lots of fun! Or it is going to be a big frustrating disaster. It could go either way. I will take pictures and update you on how it is going and whether or not you should try it.

****Disclaimer: this may not actually happen. I am constantly reading stuff on websites and getting excited thinking I will do these things and then losing all motivation and never doing it. It is very probable that making this stuff will never happen. Thank you for understanding.

And the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, PATIENCE...

Patience. I need a lot of that. I am very very grateful for the outcome of my husband's biopsy. (For those of you who do not know, the biopsy results showed that he had Sarcoidosis, not cancer). And while we found out that Sarcoidosis could cause us to not be able to go to the field because it can be chronic in some cases, most of the time it doesn't cause people problems and can even go away on its own with no treatment. So, we are now waiting to find out what kind my husband has...patience.

The doctor did tell us that he thought JMG would be fine, and that he didn't see any reason why we couldn't go to PNG, especially if we could find a pulmonary doctor in Australia if a problem arose, but he wanted to wait a week until full results of the biopsy came in to discuss all our options...patience.

The doctor also told us that JMG might not even need treatment. If he does need treatment that will keep us here for another 6 months. UGH!!!! If not, then we will be able to leave in maybe 2 months, but again, we have to wait a week for the full results to come back. This is going to be the longest week of my life...patience.

So, while I am waiting, I will reflect on God's goodness and how relieved we are that JMG did not have cancer, on the new and very good information we found on Sarcoidosis and that it wasn't as bad as we thought, on the fact that the surgery went well, and there were no complications even though it was kinda risky due to the close proximity of his lungs and a major artery, on all the people who have shown us such love and support through prayer and encouraging words during this time! Thank you, Jesus for showing us Your love through Your people!

(I have also decided to reflect on the fact if we have to stay 6 more months, then I will get to see the conclusion of Harry Potter...for research purposes only of course!)

Give the people what they want...

While we are waiting on my husband to have surgery, let's get back to what you love- self deprecating jokes and sarcasm!

My close friend in college and former roomate used to always tell me that if she were stranded on a desert island and could only take one thing with her, it would be tweezers!! In fact, this statement is what drew me to her and created our friendship in the first place.

Look at this lovely little 12 year old girl. All dolled up with huge hair and a bedazzled jacket for her Glamour Shots by Deb. Ok, so they were done by Olan Mills, not Deb. Raise your hands 80s babies if you have Glamour Shots! And raise your hand if your mom still has them in a frame because they cost her so much money back then!
As you can see, however, the entire picture is ruined by the huge caterpillars trying to high five each other at the top of my nose. Needless to say, I will be taking multiple pairs of tweezers to PNG with me. I am sure you can find tweezers in the country, but as you can tell, I require I certain type. Heavy Duty. In fact, they are kind of like tiny weed-eaters for your face!

Anyway, I found this picture at my moms over Christmas and just thought it would be too selfish of me not to share! So, here it is- my gift to you! Merry Christmas people!

P.S. Thanks to everyone for all your prayers and encouraging words during this time! We are very blessed to be surrounded by such loving friends and family!

Questions and Answers

I love God's Word! I am so thankful that He chooses to communicate to His children through it! I have had many questions this past week, and His Word has had an answer for every one...

1. Why is this happening to my husband and my family?

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1: 6-7

2. What are we going to do about all our stuff? If we are here another 6 months what are they girls going to wear? All there summer clothes are already on their way to PNG?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?" Matthew 6: 28-30

3. What about all our plans? Will I get to be a tribal wife, like I so desperately want to?

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness in our lives! Please give us the chance to share with others who do not have Your hope, comfort, and peace in times of trouble.
"May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:22