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FloraTheGypsy
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Name: CenterOf
Interests: playing on playgrounds, eating cookies, calculus, chapstick, research (pretty much on anything and everything), hanging out with the Big Guy who created everything, making up intersting websites or infos for people, peanut butter and jelly samwiches, reading (too much...), and foos ball (i'll kick your butt anytime anywhere - greg can attest to that).
Message: message me
Member Since:
1/10/2003
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| I know this is about a month overdue, but some people are not on facebook, so here it is:
This is quite long, but worth the read.
So, as most people know,
I had what is known as Oral Allergy Syndrome. It is where you have
allergies to trees, but at the enzyme level, fruits and vegetables have
things in common with certain trees, so when those foods are eaten, the
body is confused and starts attacking those enzymes, thinking that it
is tree enzymes. I had one of the most severe cases of it documented
(The allergist was amazed. I was paraded around the allergy clinic to
show all the nurses what “real bad allergies” look like as a scratch
test). Most people with it are only allergic to a few things and it
just gives them an itchy mouth. I was allergic to every raw fruit and
vegetable (except for iceburg and romaine lettuce) that I have ever
had. This is a genetic anomaly that I have had since I was born.
Starting when I was 8, I noticed that when I ate fruit that my mouth
would itch. The nature of this syndrome is that it is degenerative.
This means that as time went on, not only did I become allergic to more
and more things, but my reactions to those foods became worse. It
finally got to the point where I could not eat any raw fruit or
vegetable or else my throat would close up and I would stop breathing.
I have had to carry around my epi-pen (a shot of epinephrine) wherever
I go, in case I accidentally eat something I shouldn’t. I have not
really been able to eat out at restaurants because I never know if the
food is cooked well enough, and even if it is, if they sprinkle any
garnishing on my food, like parsley, I can’t eat it. This allergy has
been something that has deeply challenged me. I have watched for so
many years everyone else eat things that grow naturally, and I have had
to decline. This isn’t some allergy to a food that our modern culture
has created – it is an allergy to nature itself. And it is awful. And,
as most of you know, I am a vegetarian and most likely lactose
intolerant. My food choices were very limited. Even when cooking with
vegetables, I had to make sure not to touch my eyes or they would get
all itchy. I had to make sure that I did not use the same knife on the
carrots that I used on the cheese – or I could have a reaction. I am
not going lie, it also wears on you emotionally. BC has been so
amazingly supportive and his diet has even changed to help me find
things that I can eat.
Well, we went to a new church on
September 2nd, and there was a guest speaker speaking on healing. He
talked about all of the things that I have heard before. “All you need
is to believe in it.” “Jesus healed because people believed. Their
faith made them well.” Etc. Yeah, I knew all of that. And I thought I
believed it. Turns out that when push comes to shove, we don’t always
believe the things we think we do. So after his sermon, there was a
time of prayer. So the speaker was praying for healings to take place.
Now we were just visiting that Sunday, so I was just sitting there.
Honestly, I wasn’t even praying a whole lot. I was really only half
listening to what was going on. Church had already gone past 1:00, and
we had Daniel and Jessika coming over so we needed to get going anyway.
Well, then my throat started to get really hot. I thought at first I
was going to randomly cry – but that wasn’t it. Then I thought I was
having a random anaphylactic attack (throat closing up allergy attack)
and I didn’t know why that would be happening because I hadn’t even had
breakfast. So I was about to tell BC that we needed to get me to a
hospital, when the guy speaking just said to the whole church, “I feel
like there is someone in here whose throat has a tendency to close up.
And God wants to heal that today.” I just sat down and broke down
crying. All of a sudden, my mind was flooded with all of these lies.
“He’s talking about someone else. It’s not for you. Why would you get
healed? You weren’t even praying. You didn’t ask for it right then. God
wants to heal other people. Someone else is going to go up and tell him
that they were the ones healed before you do, so you won’t get it.
(like God’s healing is a race...???)” Etc. And I realized that I didn’t
truly believe that I could be healed. I believed that others could, but
not me. So I sat there and worked through all of these lies, eventually
coming to a place where I knew that God really could heal me, but that
I didn’t know if I was healed or not, and either way, I knew that I had
at least made some progress in the right direction. So we left and I
was talking to BC in the car about all of these things, and he was
telling me that those were indeed lies. Then he just looked at me and
said, “Lauren, you just have to claim it, and it’s yours.” That’s when
I realized that there is a response involved with this – another thing
I realized I was not in the right place with. So I wrestled with that,
and finally, I just said, “Ok Lord. I claim this healing.” We went home
and life went on as usual. I didn’t want to try anything for a while,
because I wanted to make sure that I was ok if nothing had changed. So
one night, we went out for chocolate fondue, and we were served
strawberries and bananas. So I sniffed a strawberry – that was usually
enough to cause a mild reaction. Nothing. I licked one. Nothing. I took
a miniscule bite. Nothing. Finally, I actually took a small bite, but
large enough for me to taste it. It was phenomenal. Nothing happened. I
ate about 10 strawberries. I hadn’t had strawberries since I was a
little kid. I forgot what they tasted like. I have never enjoyed food
as much as I enjoyed those strawberries. The bananas were excellent
too. The next day, I had a veggie wrap for lunch – full of things that
would have killed me the week before. It was heavenly. I ate the whole
thing without any reaction. Then I went and ate three apples and some
grapes. I had not had an apple in 14 years.
We went food
shopping last night, and I was like a kid in a candy store – except in
the produce department. I got a plum, a peach, TONS of apples, yellow
peppers, green peppers, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli – and more. For
lunch today, I have a peach, a plum, two apples, and a bunch of grapes.
I am so excited for lunch! I will never look at fresh fruit or
vegetables the same way again.
So here I stand, completely
healed of a disease that was caused by my genes being mixed up in some
areas. This is no testament to anything that I have done – by all
accounts I pretty much did everything you could do to not be healed.
This is a testament to the power of our amazing God. | | |
| So, I don't really go into my "introvert freak out mode" often, but I will be the first to admit that I definitely did this weekend. It is just another reminder that no matter how social I think I am, I have limits. I don't know if people believe me that in high school I really didn't have a whole lot of a social life. Nothing like I have now anyway. I just stayed at home, read books, and did homework. Then when I was like 16, I got my license and Krystle and Nate moved close to me. So I half lived at their house. For fun, Nate and I would go online and find bizarre words or go to the library for hours and see who could find the coolest book. We would rent the most random documentaries we could find and watch them with great interest. Other than the occasional Culver's run, Church, youth group, and babysitting, I wouldn't really do anything outside of my house or Nate's house. I will say that hands down, Krystle is the main reason I was socially prepared for college. She would always get Nate and me (or at least just me) to actually DO things with her. I was definitely NOT the person that I am today. I was shy and awkward in groups. No joke. So thanks Krystle. And Nate. For bearing with me in awkward times.
Well, as much as I have become very outgoing and social, I just cannot forsake that which I am - introverted. This weekend definitely tested me. I spent FOUR straight days with people. Not one moment to myself. In addition to that, I spent three of those days not in my apartment and not with my husband (I barely saw him at all) due to the fact that I was helping out with a wedding of our friends - which he was in. I feel awful and never want to spend that much time around people in one sitting again. I am going to have to take a few days to recharge my batteries for sure. In addition to being socially stretched, I am averaging about 2 hours of sleep a night for the last 7 days, no joke. I am currently spending the day alone in my bedroom with a glass of water and my laptop. Hopefully this helps.
On a side note, I have the most patient husband. He bears with me even when I break down and cry from social overload for the entire hour and a half ride back to our apartment - even when it is 2 in the morning - and just listens and holds my hand as I sob. He knows there is nothing he can do to make it better, but that I just have to have "me time" to recharge. Thanks God, for putting someone in my life that may not understand what it's like to be overloaded like this, but that is still willing to love me and be patient with me.
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| Really, I am still alive.
Just thought I would get that out there.
We're spending the summer on the West Coast with his family. We made it through the moving out process without anger or fighting - apparently that's a good sign. We drove from Wisconsin, to Iowa, to Colorado, to California, to Oregon. It was long. But done. Things are great here. We truly have a summer vacation! We've been fishing, crabbing, baking, walking, driving, hiking, and swimming. We are living with three of his friends from high school - and we are having a great time here. His friends are great, and I've even been dubbed one of his friends' favorite person. So there.
I'm learning how to play Starcraft - a group computer game that is kind of like Warcraft, but with aliens and bugs and things. For those of you that don't care about computer games, don't read the rest of this paragraph. For those of you that do (Ian Mc): Everyone agreed not to attack me, because I didn't even know what the buttons did or what I was supposed to do. So I had my guys harvesting minerals and such, and then I didn't know what to build, so I just built a bunch of the buildings that spun around in circles - mainly because they looked cool. What I did not know, what that they were anti-aircraft missles, and I was apparently directly between two other people that were attacking each other (one of which was on my team). All of a sudden David shouts, "Who the heck is shooting down all of my planes??" and then there were things attacking my useless base. Apparently I shot down most of his planes - to help my team win. What I did not know, what that my drones could not attack, so when I sent all 40 of them to battle the 3 invaders that David had sent, they all promptly died. //end nerdy rant
Apparently all of that previous nerdness was quite funny.
I've seen a few movies recently that I had never heard of before. Behind the Painted Veil, and Children of Men. The first one was pretty good - more character over plot. And Children of Men was not enjoyable. Good concept. Horrible way to go about it. Flushed Away was good. The Prestige was excellent.
I also found out that I am lactose intolerant. This has made fooding even more interesting/difficult/sucky than before. Hopefully when we get insurance in September, I can get the lactase pills from the doctor that will let me eat lactose again. ::crosses fingers::
I'm also starting to learn Italian.
Ok, I am off to be disobedient and call someone at 2:37.
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| Seems like me updating on here has become the eighth wonder of the world. Well, I have 6 weeks left of school. Two months ago I finished my Math degree. Last month I finished my Spanish degree. And in a week and a half I will finish my Education degree. My last class is just to make sure I get certified in Math. It's hard to believe, it's almost over. Four years and three Bachelor's Degrees. Yikes. I was in such a different place 4 years ago in so many areas. I feel like I have come so far and have grown up. Yes, I still skip and enjoy PB&J with milk for lunch, but I feel like I have a serenity that only comes with experience. It's small, and it's growing, but it's there. It's big enough for me to feel. I feel like I am actually entering into the adult world. I thought it would be scary, but it's not that bad - really. Well, I say that now.
As of two weeks ago, I really had no idea what I was doing for a job. We were going to move to Oregon to be near his family. I was going to substitute teach and he was going to find whatever work he could. We were going to live with his grandma in her basement, and just wait for God to tell us where to go. Well, as usual, He told us earlier than we thought. Two weeks ago, I ran into one of my math professors outside. She mentioned that while she was at Colorado College that she heard about a position in the Math Department that she thought I would enjoy. That afternoon at about 12:30 she emailed me and the Chair of the Math Department at CC, so we would have each other's contact info. I looked at the job description online and emailed him back that I would like to apply and hear more about it. I checked my email again at 2pm, and he had said that they were having their meeting about the position that afternoon and would like my resume, letter of intent, and transcript by 4:30. I ran into the Writing Studio and had this one lady help me crank out a resume (I didn't have one) and cover letter in less than two hours. I emailed him everything at 4:10pm. Later that day, I received another email from him saying that he wanted to have a phone interview with me the following day. I said of course, and the next day we talked for an hour (which I had heard was a good thing). He said they would make their final decision in 5 days and would let me know. On the fifth day, I got a call from him saying that they had chosen me for the position. I had 4 days to accept the offer. Needless to say, we accepted - with joy! This is the most perfect job I could ever ask for - literally. Let me tell you about it:
- My job is to hang out in the student lounge and make it a fun place to be
- I have to be available for tutoring at all times for Calculus students
- I get to plan nerdy math events and parties
- I get to help teach Calculus classes
- I get to spend my free time becoming an expert in cool math computer programs
Basically, it's the Lounge Monkey for the Math Department. And I get paid on salary! And full benefits! Plus, I get block breaks, Christmas break, and Spring breaks off.
Best
Job
Ever
So, we are moving to Colorado Springs - which is only the most ideal place for us to be since we want to go into missions work.
In addition to being a great job and the ideal location, we will also be very close to three of our very close fellow seniors. Hurrah! There is much rejoicing going on here, let me tell you.
The Midwest shall be greatly missed, but there will always be love awaiting a visit from you in Colorado. Plus, there are mountains there.
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| Where to begin? So much is happening in my life, yet it all seems so slow. Why does it seem that all life is a bunch of worrying about what is to come next in the road, and when you think you know what comes next, or at least which way you will turn, the portion you are on seems to take forever and you can never really enjoy it because you feel you need to spend so much time preparing for the next leg of your journey?
Examples:
- High school is spent worrying about your college decision and what you are "going to do with your life".
- College is spent worrying about your post-graduation life and what you are "going to do with your life".
- Post-college is spent saving up enough money to pay off student loans and worrying about what you really want to "do with your life" once the loans are gone.
Why can't I just enjoy where I am more? I feel like ever since we sort of decided what we want to do with the next part of our lives, that it's just a matter of waiting until college is done to do that. Then as soon as I get there, I will be thinking about what comes next. Darn you overactive foresight! You border on the edge of unhealthy anxiety, and I will not let you cross over.
God, help us go in the right direction. Missionaries? Seriously? Two memories come to mind:
1. Freshman year of highschool: walking into my Spanish 1 class for the first time. I was struck with a very prominent thought, "This is the last time I will ever not understand any Spanish, because I am going to become fluent in this language." Which is true today.
2. Middle school, on Missionary Day: sitting in my classroom, and the missionary said, "Now, if God wants you to go into missions work, you will know. There will be an undeniable tug on your heart that you will not be able to ignore. It will plague you if you try to walk away from it. Just like when your stomach is hungry, and you have to eat, so it is with this. Does anyone feel that pull on their hearts?" And I meekly raised my finger from the back of the room. I don't think anyone saw me. But I saw me. I knew it to be true. And I have known ever since. From my first trip to Mexico, and my subsequent travels, I know it to be true.
We are not planning on doing missions work in the "normal" sense of the word. We are more going to facilitate things for missionaries and raise support for them here in the States. Well, that's the goal anyway. It might take a little bit to get it off the ground. Any and all prayer support is welcomed and appreciated. If you're curious about more, I'd love to talk about it as well.
I am also currently procrastinating my Math homework. Yes, it is Saturday night and I'm doing homework. Such is college life.
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