Sorting it Out

I have not blogged in quite a while. I have been processing what I am feeling and trying to figure out how to put into word everything that is going.

About three and a half years ago, I began to get sick frequently. I would develop an infection and then my asthma would go critical. Over time the infections got closer and closer together and my asthma got worse. This spring, they began to look at my immune system for answers and …. They got answers. It seems that my immune system has some missing elements in it. Now they are beginning the process to begin gamma globulin immune therapy. Today I filled out the paperwork to begin the process and I should hear from the drug company in a couple of weeks.

How do I feel about all of this? I feel …. All kinds of things. I am relieved that there might finally be a solution and an end to the constant illness. I am hopeful for a future where I begin to once again do all of the things that bring me joy and life. I am afraid … afraid that this will not work, that I will continue to get sicker and sicker. I am afraid that the treatments will make me horribly sick.

But in spite of everything I am feeling I am choosing hope as the feeling that I am standing on. I choose hope.

And hope is always the right decision.

Just Connie

Wild Land Burn to Learn Photos

I want to post some of the photos I took while I was up on the aerial ladder. I have to say again that being up 80 feet int he air was very exciting! It was a great place to watch everything that was going on. But of course the real thrill was having the opportunity to learn to run  the aerial adder. I was terrified I would do something wrong. But the Chief was very patient with me. And I am rally looking forward to doing it again. So here they are!

Looking down from 80 feet up! Look how tiny the huge ladder truck loooks!

Getting ready to climb back down

Burning off ... is going slow ... too wet

Wild Land Fire Training

The view from 80 feet up

One of the things I have loved about working with the Fire Department is that it has given me many new experiences. Saturday was my very first wild land Burn to Learn. My job was primarily to document. the event. That meant that I went up on the aerial ladder.

It was an incredible experience. My heart was pounding as I clipped myself into the safety belt and climbed the ladder to the basket. as the arm extended up and up and up the world spread out below us.

For the next hour I took photos of the the crews setting fires. Then the chief decided it was time for me to learn how to operate the aerial ladder. So with fear and trembling I put my foot on the pressure plate and began the process of learning how to operate the arm without jerking us all over creation. I felt better once I learned that the basket had a self leveler and I was not getting ready to dump us out on our heads.

It was with great exhilaration that I climbed backed down the ladder and jumped off the truck. Where else would you have the opportunity to experience everything I had a chance to today? I am so very thankful for the the doors God has opened for me here.

I can hardly wait to find out what is next .....

Learning to use the emergency shelter

Getting put back together after shelter training

Just Connie