Why?

A quick update on my lovely, good ol' ankle! Ha. Things are progressing. I have been in the pool for aquatic therapy all this last week, which is great. It means we are moving in the right direction! I am still not walking and am not putting all too much weight on my ankle and foot but surely and steadily the weight tolerance is increasing. Most of the exercises I do in the pool have gone well. There has been some problems in the front of my foot when plantar flexed and when bearing weight, but that should not be any worry. We suspect that it is just my foot getting re-accustomed to bearing weight. So all is going well and I am optimistic!

Today I had the opportunity to teach the priests and was so excited to be able to do so. We talked about decision making and the implications and effects our decisions can bring. We looked at some examples in the scriptures in Christ, Nephi, and Abinadi, and also looked at some examples from today in Steven Biko, Lance Armstrong, and the New York firefighters who risked their life on September 11th. We discussed the aspects that went into making those decisions and the characteristics that factor into our decisions. It was an amazing discussion and very conducive to learning and to spiritual revelation and development. Something that we discussed that struck me was the powerful usage of the simple word, "why". Especially in decision making, the question "why" can provoke thought and help one identify the reasons for a decision and realize their intentions. When I make decisions that can have lasting impacts I often ask myself, "Why? Why am I making this decision?". It allows me to reflect on the decision and the appropriateness of it. Is it for the right reasons? Will it be beneficial to myself and those around me. Who will I be able to help?

Why do we do what we do? Why do we say what we say? Why? Such a simple word and phrase but with such profound implications and such potential for realization and thought. Ask why. By doing so, I have brought more significance and meaning to the decisions I have made.

One other thing that stuck out to me is something that impresses me about so many of my close friends: courage. Doing what is right is never easy and achieving goals aspiration is equally difficult. It requires courage to live in such a way. Be courageous! Our courage can be a deciding factor in the outcome of our decisions.

Love you all!

LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH.

Wahoo!!!

I got in the pool today for aquatic therapy!! Finally!!! Ha. My wounds have closed up and are just about fully healed so I was fortunate enough to be able to move forward with my physical therapy. We were able to put more weight on my ankle in the pool and hopefully it will speed up the process a little bit. Unfortunately, taht also means that my ankle is that much more sore tonight! Ha. It is dying and I am exhausted!! But I wouldn't have it any other way! =D

Short story of the day that made me smile:
As I was driving home from work one day, I stopped to watch a local Little League baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was. "We're behind 14 to nothing," he answered with a smile. "Really," I said. "I have to say you don't look very discouraged." "Discouraged?" the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. "Why should we be discouraged? We haven't been up to bat yet."

=D

LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH.

The physical therapy continues to progress, although slowly. I had another appointment this morning and we did some more of the same exercises. The wound has not healed up enough still so I have not been able to get into the pool for aquatic therapy. I have been able to add some more weight on it [though that still does not mean all that much weight]. The wound is beginning to look significantly better though and I should be in the pool soon, meaning that the progression will hopefully speed up! All I can do is continue to work hard and let my physical therapists do their thing! I trust them completely!

This short story is one that I have read over several times for the last bit and one that I love. I figured I'd share! =D

"Lesson in Heart"
A lesson in “heart” is my little 10 year old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time. She came home on beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in “field day” – that’s where they have lots of races and other competitive events.
Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down – but before I could get a word out, she said,
“Daddy, I won two of the races!”
I couldn’t believe it! And then Sarah said,
“I had an advantage.”
Ah. I knew it. I thought she must have been given a head start…some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said,

“Daddy, I didn’t get a head start…My advantage was I had to try harder!

So often our greatest obstacle are the "obstacles" we give to ourselves. The reality is though, no matter what obstacles we may face, we can give ourselves "an advantage" through our efforts. Sarah is a perfect example of that! I know the harder I try, the harder I work, the more successful I'll be!

LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH.

For the last week or so, I have been at the G'parents house in Sacramento. It was a nice little break but was also kind of frustrating since I couldn't really do much. I am still not mobile! Ahh! Ha. I had another physical therapy appointment this afternoon and we kept going slowly. My incision still has not healed up enough to start the aquatic therapy phase so we did some more crutch-aided exercises. Until I get into the pool the progression is going to be very slow, ans I will still be on crutches! =( But we are at least progressing, slow or not. That is definitely a blessing! We are moving in the right direction!! =D
Right now I am watching "Sandlot" with Matt Matt and Sissy and was just reminded of how it is one of the greatest movies of all time. Ha. Definitely a classic! =D

Update . . . of sorts. Ha. =D

Hey everyone! I have a quick, non-exciting update of my ankle progress. My incision has healed up pretty good and the beginning of the aquatic therapy phase seems to be just around the corner. [Knock on wood! Ha] I spoke today with another foot/ankle specialist that has been following my case and he too said it would be at least another 6 months before I have decent strength and would be able to be mobile as usual. So that kind of solidified the long road ahead of me! Ha. Just what I wanted to hear. Seriously though it will be a great opportunity to learn what there is in store for me.
The last little bit I have been thinking a lot about trials and our perception of the positions we so often find ourselves. Many of us, myself included, will periodically find ourselves wondering why it seems that everything always happens to us. Whether it is physical challenges or financial and social challenges; whether it is challenges with relationships with friends or friends period, at times it seems that we may always be the one getting the short end of the stick. One of the most often asked questions is why me? Why do I have to endure all of this. Why doesn't Johnny down the street ever have to go through anything. Everyone naturally thinks this in points of trial when comparisons arise. A short bit ago I caught myself comparing my situations to others. It gave me an opportunity to pause and reflect. I remembered a quote from President Boyd K. Packer: "Some are tested by poor health, some by a body that is deformed or homely. Others are tested by handsome and healthy bodies; some by the passion of youth; others by the erosions of old age. Some suffer disappointment in marriage, family problems; others live in poverty and obscurity. Some (perhaps this is the hardest test) find ease and luxury. All are part of the test, and there is more equality in this testing than sometimes we suspect”. We are all tried and tested according to our capabilities, situations, and character. The trial is not what separates us from others, it is our reaction. An idea that has been so lost and construed. When we face trials or difficult situations each and every one of us has a choice. We can choose to wallow or to rise. I have chosen to rise. We can choose to be the victim or learn from the experience. I choose to learn.
I also was able to reflect a lot on the humanitarian work I have done in the Republic of Georgia. Those kids have about as close to nothing as possible. They have one "outfit", consisting of mismatched clothing that is far older than they are. Those who do have shoes often squeeze their feet into shoes far too small. When they are fed, it is not what we would consider a meal. The first orphanage I went to had one "basketball hoop" as one of their few recreational opportunities. That basketball hoop was a lawn chair nailed to a tree with the seat removed to make the hoop. Temporally, they have nothing. Despite that, they are far happier than any other children I have ever known or seen, myself included. They have the perspective I seek. We are all tested and tried differently. That means we all have an opportunity to overcome our trials. Those orphans are such an example to me, fifteen years my younger, of how to approach situations that seem difficult. I challenge you all to do the same! Choose to rise! Choose to learn. Ultimately, choose to be happy!

Just some pictures from the orphanages to remind me of the orphans' examples.

One of the beautiful orphans. This was one of my favorite pictures.

Their old basketball hoop . . . [I was 15 in this pictures. ha]. . . Their new one!!!

Giorgi [on the right] is probably the best example of charity for me! I love these kids!

BE THANKFUL. EXPRESS LOVE.
LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH.