Son

Imagine: it’s been 7 years since you felt well enough to travel. Where do you start?!

Well, you start with a present from American Airlines.

Seven years ago I had a gnarly neck and brain injury that threw me off my life’s track. After years of pain, you start to expect everything to be painful. This food, this experience, this relationship: painful. But earlier this summer I prayed that the Lord would help me to stop thinking so practically and start being more like a kid again. Sure I wanted to be pain-free, but I really wanted to be emotionally whole, to feel safe, and to have joy like a kid again.

Well, this summer my health began to improve. I went to Jeremy & Paige’s wedding. I was tight on cash, but overjoyed that I could travel without my head falling off.

Then the flight home.

Two days in a row I was on overbooked flights. Two in a row! The result was *$1,700 in flight vouchers.* It felt like the Lord was saying, “stop being practical, boy boy. Go, have some fun :)”

My heart is bursting with gratitude for the Lord’s unbelievable kindness and restoration this year. My health is improving, though still needing work. But more than anything, the sweetness of friendship & family has made my heart explode. I was able to take four trips this summer, the first true leisure travel I’ve had in years.

And about my health: the stem cell treatment in April has been fruitful! I’m able to exercise much more than before, work long hours without flaring up too much, and eat foods that used to mess me up. For years my identity was being an athlete, so the restoration of movement makes me want to rip a watermelon in half and start chucking it at people and stuff.

Most importantly, I’m learning more and more to *enjoy blessings* instead of *expecting everything good in life to be off-limits* to me.

Thank you, Jesus, for being safe, and for delighting in my welfare. Thank you for being a strong tower of certain rest. Thank you for delighting in me.

Thank you to everyone who prays for me! Keep it up please! The Lord hears (Isaiah 30).

Japan up next?