Watching joy

Definitely was a little rusty Monday morning, but necessity took over and we had the cobwebs dusted off in no time. I have two joy stories from this week.

While in Panama we had been added to a WhatsApp group planning a party for one of the Honduran docs who will be leaving us at the end of the month. A combined birthday/going-away party of sorts. Tuesday morning, the plans for where and when still hadn't been solidified so I offered our home, and before I knew it we were hosting a surprise party for Genesis. We didn't know food, itinerary, who was coming, or pretty much anything, just that people would be showing up, ready or not. And in the process, I almost ruined the whole thing. Since it was a surprise, I had inherited the responsibility of getting Genesis to show up at our house. Easy enough, just invited her for dinner. But silly me, I invited her for the time that had finally been decided on by everyone else. Meaning.... as Hondurans, she would probably arrive before everyone else. Thankfully upon realizing my cultural faux pas I was able to send an excuse and apology for not being ready and could she come later. Whew! The night actually went very well!

Look at that Joy! Totally worth it.

Friday mornings I have my surgery clinic. Only a handful of patients today, but one of them was a patient of mine from last year. Suyapa had fallen from her chair and broken her leg. We had done surgery and then started the long process of healing. At her 12 week follow up appointment, she still was not ambulatory and very hesitant to stand. I had encouraged and challenged her, even to the point of pulling her to her feet proving to her that she could indeed support her own weight. This morning when I called her name, her arthritic hands gasped her walker and she marched right into my office. Granted it was a very slow and careful march, but she was so so proud of herself. Needless to say I was proud of her too. She gave all the credit to God, but I'd like to say she had at least a small part to play as well.

Joy for her achievement! So proud of her! Amen!

Much Love.