We are half way through week 5 of being in the states. Growing up in the Midwest…I would have never considered it to be a vacation spot, but now living in the Caribbean, it becomes that because family lives there. We are thankful for the family and friends that have taken us in, treated us to meals, transported us, and just listened. On August 8th, when we departed the DR, we really had no clue what was in store for our time away, but God did and does.
The first two weeks were spent in Peoria, Illinois, visiting Jeff’s family. I (Kamanda) had some medical concerns that needed to be looked into. I had a biopsy, ultrasound, and surgery on my breast all in the first week. This healing process has taken a little longer than I was anticipating, and anyone who knows me…knows that I have a hard time sitting still. But as I look back on it all now, God has been and is telling me to s l o w d o w n. I’m not in control, and I need that reminder. Thankfully, the cyst that was removed came back benign. The second week, along with my recovery included Braegan catching a virus (Roseola) which consisted of a high fever, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, and a rash. Living in the DR for the past year, we have been able to avoid illness other than the common cold (gripe)…so this wasn’t very fun.
These past two weeks have been spent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, visiting my family. Braegan’s virus was on the mend, and I was still healing. On Tuesday, August 26, Braegan, Jeff and I had the opportunity to eat lunch with my mom’s parents at fabulous Italian restaurant. Little did we know on that day, it would be our last meal with my grandfather. The next morning, he woke up very dehydrated at his home, and was taken to the hospital where he passed away two days later on August 29th. For the past several years he has been struggling with Dementia, and my grandma has been his primary caregiver. She has truly been an example to me of what it means to show love in sickness and in health. Trent, my brother, arrived the following day from California. He was already planning to spend the week with us, and God’s timing of my grandfather’s passing made this even better for us to be together as a family. The visitation was on Labor Day and the funeral service was the following Tuesday. My mom is one of 6 kids, and it has probably been close to 7 years since we were all together. My brother’s wife, Bree, also flew in on Labor Day. This was the first time for the Shaffer family to be together since Braegan was born in a year and a half. Along with all of this, Braegan came down with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease which is a series of little blisters on these three parts of the body. It is highly contagious, and I’m actually now getting over an infection in my breast that entered through my incision.
Tomorrow we head to Indianapolis to spend an evening with Joe, Shannon, Kate and Jimmy Zimmerman. We will then spend a day in Peoria with some friends before flying down to Atlanta to conclude our trip with some close friends.
Throughout the past two months, I’ve been listening to Bethel Music’s album You Make Me Brave. A song that I feel summarizes our first year in the DR as well as this trip to the states is “Anchor“. I’ll leave you with the lyrics:
In every season
In every change
You are near
In every sorrow
You are my strength
You are near
A peace in the storm
Your voice I will follow
In weakness I rise
Remembering You hold my world
I’m holding on to hope
I’m holding on to grace
I’m fully letting go
I’m surrendered to Your ways
The anchor for my soul
Father You will never change
I love You, I love You
My great Redeemer
My constant Friend
You are near
My faithful Father
You took me in
You are near
I will remember
Your promise forever
My Strength, my Defender
I can count on You
You are my Savior
My Hope and my Shelter
Your love is forever
I can count on You