Sore Arms

Yesterday I finally had my dreaded doctor's appointment to find out what immunizations and what medications I would need for my India trip in ten days. (Wait, ten days?? When did this sneak up on me so fast?) I was all up to date on all my normal vaccinations, so I did not think I would be walking out of that office with more than one or two pricks of the shoulder. Unfortunately, India is one of the few countries where Polio still exists, and additionally there is Typhoid fever and Malaria to worry about. Oh and apparently tetanus shots, though they claim to be good for ten years, are really only good for about five. So I walked out of there with three Tweety Bird band aids and a prescription for an anti-malarial antibiotic that I have to take for 2 months.

Needless to say, though almost 35 hours have passed, I can't really move my arms. Last night I took a pain killer before I went to bed so I wouldn't be forced to sleep on my back the whole night. I fell asleep in my bed, but woke up on the couch. I don't know how I got there, but I remembered to bring my cell phone and a water bottle. I guess that's what happens when I take drugs before sleeping?

Inspired

I have found that the old expression "When it rains, it pours" particularly relevant to my life as of late. Between work, school, family, and my preparations for India, I have had my fair share of stress over the last couple months. In the overall busyness and emotion of it all, I have found myself questioning my decision to make the sacrifice of traveling to India. I am having to spend a lot more than I initially hoped to, and the amount of work I am getting off is costing me as well. The overall timing of it all, which seemed so perfect 6 months ago, now seems questionable. I will be getting back to Utah the day before the fall semester starts, and I am fully aware that I do not adjust to time changes well. I am terrified of how exactly I am going to get to the Rising Star Outreach campus from the airport and questioning my own maturity and capability. As I was thinking about all of this today, I almost began to wish I had never signed myself up for this thing in the first place.

I doubt myself often, but I am blessed to have people in my life who never cease to inspire and believe in me. I was talking to one such person on the phone today, whining and worrying about India, and he said some things that really helped me change my perspective. He asked me, point blank, why I decided to do this in the first place. At first, I honestly could not remember. This is something I decided to do two years ago. I remember being introduced to the organization by a friend, and something about her explanation peaked my curiosity. I read every single word on the RSO website and fell in love with the idea of participating in such a fantastic cause. I have been blessed to grow up in a home, never lacking food or clothing. I never had to wonder if I would have to beg for sustenance the rest of my life. I never had to wonder if I would receive an education. Reading about people who were so much less fortunate than I made me realize that I had to find a way to give back. My friend reminded me today that there is never a convenient time for service. There is never a convenient time to spend thousands of dollars and three weeks to go to India. He is so right. I need to realize that no matter what is going on in my life, I still have so much more than these poor people in India, sick and shunned. I know that once I am there, I will not regret my decision and my sacrifice.

My friend Kimmy just began her second session at Rising Star Outreach, and reading her blog makes me so excited to get there. The love she has for the people is so inspiring, and I draw comfort from the peace and happiness she exudes in her blog entries. I can't wait to see not only what I can do for the Indian people, but what I can learn from them.

I still have no idea what to expect, and I am still nervous to go out of my comfort zone, but I know that what I am doing is a good thing. I know that in the long run, it will all be worth it. Thank you my readers, my supporters. Thank you for investing and believing in me. I literally could not do this without you.