Journey of Us Part VI
Holy Toledo, it's been a few months since I followed through with my installments of our Journey and our 10 year anniversary is this month! If you are behind, you can do a search for "Journey of Us" on this blog and all installments should appear. Enjoy.
My previous installment was the birth of our firstborn, Jonathan. Now we will jump ahead one year...
2002-2003
Jonathan is now well on his way to the ripe old age of ONE! Meanwhile, Aaron and I, along with Jonathan, are on our way to living out God's call on our lives. We are headed to Brooklyn, NY to start a kids program at a small church, Livingwaters Fellowship. Actually, we left a month after Jonathan turned one. We arrived in Brooklyn, NY 2 days before Halloween. Already our lives are changing.
We move into the 2nd floor of the church. There is a kitchen, a bathroom, a large main area with bunk beds and couches, and two 8X8 cubicle type rooms. These two rooms would become our home for the next ten months. We were in one "room" along with our dresser, TV, VCR, DVD player, and computer desk. Joanthan in the other with his bed, a changing table, and a crib. It's not much, but it's home.
The main area at any given time would be filled with multiple males ranging in all ages from all over the US (which also meant sharing a bathroom with up to 40 guys during the time I couldn't walk). They came on week long mission trips. There was another family on 3rd floor where the females would stay. Most of the time, we loved sharing our space (or were they sharing theirs). There were times, like 2am when they'd wake up Jonathan, when it wasn't so fun.
It's difficult to remember back, so I'll give you the highlights.
*Aaron began looking for work. Interview after interview, but no job. Meanwhile, we helped out around the church with misc. tasks. I began helping with the ESL program and loved it. I was able to teach, which was a life long dream. Aaron ran errands for Paster Ron and helped when mission teams would arrive.
*Thanksgiving, we helped serve dinner to hundreds of people from the neighborhood. It was an amazing experience. In the short time of arriving, we were making friends and enjoying life as New Yorkers. Subway trips to Manhattan, parallel parking, walking to the Super Market on Knickerbocker, playing at the park, walking and walking and walking, listening to sirens 24/7, eating amazing Chinese food, Pizza pie, and learning Spanish (we lived in a Puerto Rican neighborhood).
*Approximately 6 weeks in now and tragidy begins to set in. Jonathan and Aaron were taking a shower (Jonathan either took showers with us or bathed in the sink, no tub) and I went in to grab Jonathan out. There was a sixteen inch step out of the shower and my ankle gave out as I leaped down. I tried to catch myself with the other foot and that ankle went too. We fell, Jonathan rolled, and I was left in severe pain. Thank God, Jonathan was fine. I on the other hand, broke both feet and sprained both ankles. The NYFD came and wisked me away to the hospital. I was in shock and in pain. Oh and for the record you do NOT want to end up in the ED at Wykoff County Hospital! You will not be seen, unless you're dying, for 8 hours. Oh and it's soooo busy, your visitor can only come in once an hour for 10 minutes. Oh, and if you need to pee, they'll give you a bed pan and leave you to figure out how to use it. NIGHTMARE! So, after many hours, I leaveparadise hell on crutches with a wrapped up left foot/leg to return the following day after the swelling goes down. I ended up on crutches for 6 weeks. Remember, we live on the second floor. No elevator. I hardly left the couch. Aaron, my amazing husband, did it all! Laundry, cooking, cleaning, taking care of me (including bathing), and Joanthan! He was a trooper! Money was tight, but thank God he wasn't working.
*However, God was working. Each week, I'd go in for my Ortho apts and I was making huge progress. God was healing me. We had no insurance, so everything was out of pocket. Each week, it was 50 bucks to walk in. God always provided! When it was time to get "the boot," the physician said it would be $650!!!! Um, we don't have that kind of money! So, another physician came in and said, "I have one that may work and I can give it to you for $250." Nice, but still, we didn't have that kind of money. The original physician said, "I can do better, I have one in my car I can give it to you for 100 bucks." We'll take it, but will need to call the in-laws in MN to see if they can pay for it. Mind you, we live in NYC, no one does anything for anyone without expecting something in return and certainly nothing for FREE! I got my "boot" and the Doc trusted me to come back Friday (one week later) with his 100 bucks cash. When other New Yorkers heard the story, they were amazed. So were we. God was taking care of us.
*Christmas time was quickly arriving and depression was setting in. We had no money, I was laid up, and we were missing out on "Christmas in New York." One night while in our room, we were talking about our frustrations and concerns. Aaron's concerns...it was Christmas and he had no money for gifts for Jonathan and I nor did we have a tree. Realizing this is not what Christmas is about, but still important to us. The next morning, Pastor Anna came and said, "there is a group coming from Pennsylvania and I told them to bring you a tree." So easy, so simple...we cried. God cares about our wants as much as our needs! We also received gifts from home, gifts from our new church family, and money to spend on each other. We were soooo blessed! And in return, we continued to bless others.
*We also found out during this time we were expecting our second child. About a month went by and I had an appointment for a mandatory ultrasound. Now, I don't know what it is like today in NYC for pregnant moms, but back then, they asked at every single apt if you were keeping your baby. After about the 4th person asked me this, I demanded they put on my chart in big letters, "KEEPING!" So, we head in for our ultrasound and once in the room, it wasn't long before we knew...no heartbeat! We sobbed. Eleven hours later, I had a DNC and three hours later we were heading home broken hearted.
*January 1st, we started our children's program, "Sunday School Rocks!" We started out with 2 kids. Our mission, to provide a fun place for kids to come hang out on Friday nights and learn about Jesus. We had kids come from 18 months (Jonathan) - 15 years old. We would play games, worship, have a lesson or two, and then serve a treat afterwards. The kids loved it and word spread quickly. When we left in August, we were running 50 kids strong. It made every obstacle we faced worth it! I loved those kids and still do (although, most are adults now).
*Jonathan and I were headed home a week after Joey went to be with Jesus. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed my mom! Aaron followed on his own flight the next day to surprise his mom. Again, God provided. If I remember right, someone paid for our tickets. We spent 2 weeks in MN and it was much needed.
*Upon returning to NY, it was now Spring time, Aaron hit the job hunt hard. We were going on 5 months with no job. Finally, he was hired on at a collections job in Long Island City (20 minutes by car, hour by train). The week before he started, he went in for a physical. He found out he had a hernia. Later that week, off to the hospital we went. When they brought him back, he took our car keys (not thinking it would take very long), leaving Jonathan and I stranded with 5 bucks for what would be 12+ hours!!!! During this time, we went to the park, ate at McDonald's, and visited with people in the waiting room. There was a women we spent a lot of time with as she waited to here how her nephew faired. He had been shot earlier that day and she was unsure if he'd live. Her heart broken. God was using Jonathan and I to comfort others. When they got into the OR, they found a tumor, not a hernia. Thank God it was benign, but none the less, scary! I remember him not coming out of the anestesia for a LONG time. Finally, when all the managers and "big wigs" left, one of the sweet nurses let Joanthan and I back to sit with Aaron till he woke. Thank God they caught it and thank God he was able to start his new job 2 days later.
*Summertime came and Jonathan and I spent our days playing at the park, running thorugh fire hydrants, running dad to work, playing baseball with the neighbor kids, hanging out with Danny and Millie, and enjoying life. We helped out with serving at homeless shelters. I gave my testimony at the Bowery Mission. We went on field trips with the ESL kids. Lead mission groups around Manhattan. Mind you, we lived there a year after 9/11 and I visited the site quite often. Each time as sad as the first. We went to Yankee games. We even went camping. One of my highlights, seeing Mama Mia on Broadway! What an experience!
*August of 2003...Blackout!
Jonathan and I had gone with our friends to Jones Beach for the day. When we returned to the city, we stopped by a park to use the sprinkllers to rinse away the sand. It was odd, the sprinklers weren't on. Next, we noticed there were no traffic lights (which made travel more suicidal than usual). We turned off the CD and flipped on the radio....the power was out! Not just in the city, but all over the state/region! Our cells weren't working either. Terrorist??? That was everyone's fear. My fear, driving across Brooklyn to Long Island City to pick Aaron up from work without traffic lights (train wasn't working and I could only hope he was there waiting for me). It was a whole new level of scary. Thankfully I made it and he was waiting for me. The Blackout lasted quite sometime and thankfully, we had generators, candles, and flashlights! God always provides!
*Aaron and I were growing restless. Not sure where God wanted us (NY or MN). He prayed. He prayed God would have him fired from his job if we were meant to go back to MN. A couple days later, his boss callled him in the office. Aaron explained our restlessness and his boss took it as his two week notice. We were heading home. Jonathan and I already had our tickets to fly home for a vacaion (State Fair time) and left a week later. Bittersweet. Pastor Ron, a girl from MN, Jason, and Aaron drove our stuff back (I had packed prior to my flight home). It was good to be home.
**In ten months, we had the privledge to see people (including ourselves) healed, clothed, loved, supported, encouraged, and blessed.
My previous installment was the birth of our firstborn, Jonathan. Now we will jump ahead one year...
2002-2003
Jonathan is now well on his way to the ripe old age of ONE! Meanwhile, Aaron and I, along with Jonathan, are on our way to living out God's call on our lives. We are headed to Brooklyn, NY to start a kids program at a small church, Livingwaters Fellowship. Actually, we left a month after Jonathan turned one. We arrived in Brooklyn, NY 2 days before Halloween. Already our lives are changing.
We move into the 2nd floor of the church. There is a kitchen, a bathroom, a large main area with bunk beds and couches, and two 8X8 cubicle type rooms. These two rooms would become our home for the next ten months. We were in one "room" along with our dresser, TV, VCR, DVD player, and computer desk. Joanthan in the other with his bed, a changing table, and a crib. It's not much, but it's home.
The main area at any given time would be filled with multiple males ranging in all ages from all over the US (which also meant sharing a bathroom with up to 40 guys during the time I couldn't walk). They came on week long mission trips. There was another family on 3rd floor where the females would stay. Most of the time, we loved sharing our space (or were they sharing theirs). There were times, like 2am when they'd wake up Jonathan, when it wasn't so fun.
It's difficult to remember back, so I'll give you the highlights.
*Aaron began looking for work. Interview after interview, but no job. Meanwhile, we helped out around the church with misc. tasks. I began helping with the ESL program and loved it. I was able to teach, which was a life long dream. Aaron ran errands for Paster Ron and helped when mission teams would arrive.
*Thanksgiving, we helped serve dinner to hundreds of people from the neighborhood. It was an amazing experience. In the short time of arriving, we were making friends and enjoying life as New Yorkers. Subway trips to Manhattan, parallel parking, walking to the Super Market on Knickerbocker, playing at the park, walking and walking and walking, listening to sirens 24/7, eating amazing Chinese food, Pizza pie, and learning Spanish (we lived in a Puerto Rican neighborhood).
*Approximately 6 weeks in now and tragidy begins to set in. Jonathan and Aaron were taking a shower (Jonathan either took showers with us or bathed in the sink, no tub) and I went in to grab Jonathan out. There was a sixteen inch step out of the shower and my ankle gave out as I leaped down. I tried to catch myself with the other foot and that ankle went too. We fell, Jonathan rolled, and I was left in severe pain. Thank God, Jonathan was fine. I on the other hand, broke both feet and sprained both ankles. The NYFD came and wisked me away to the hospital. I was in shock and in pain. Oh and for the record you do NOT want to end up in the ED at Wykoff County Hospital! You will not be seen, unless you're dying, for 8 hours. Oh and it's soooo busy, your visitor can only come in once an hour for 10 minutes. Oh, and if you need to pee, they'll give you a bed pan and leave you to figure out how to use it. NIGHTMARE! So, after many hours, I leave
*However, God was working. Each week, I'd go in for my Ortho apts and I was making huge progress. God was healing me. We had no insurance, so everything was out of pocket. Each week, it was 50 bucks to walk in. God always provided! When it was time to get "the boot," the physician said it would be $650!!!! Um, we don't have that kind of money! So, another physician came in and said, "I have one that may work and I can give it to you for $250." Nice, but still, we didn't have that kind of money. The original physician said, "I can do better, I have one in my car I can give it to you for 100 bucks." We'll take it, but will need to call the in-laws in MN to see if they can pay for it. Mind you, we live in NYC, no one does anything for anyone without expecting something in return and certainly nothing for FREE! I got my "boot" and the Doc trusted me to come back Friday (one week later) with his 100 bucks cash. When other New Yorkers heard the story, they were amazed. So were we. God was taking care of us.
*Christmas time was quickly arriving and depression was setting in. We had no money, I was laid up, and we were missing out on "Christmas in New York." One night while in our room, we were talking about our frustrations and concerns. Aaron's concerns...it was Christmas and he had no money for gifts for Jonathan and I nor did we have a tree. Realizing this is not what Christmas is about, but still important to us. The next morning, Pastor Anna came and said, "there is a group coming from Pennsylvania and I told them to bring you a tree." So easy, so simple...we cried. God cares about our wants as much as our needs! We also received gifts from home, gifts from our new church family, and money to spend on each other. We were soooo blessed! And in return, we continued to bless others.
*We also found out during this time we were expecting our second child. About a month went by and I had an appointment for a mandatory ultrasound. Now, I don't know what it is like today in NYC for pregnant moms, but back then, they asked at every single apt if you were keeping your baby. After about the 4th person asked me this, I demanded they put on my chart in big letters, "KEEPING!" So, we head in for our ultrasound and once in the room, it wasn't long before we knew...no heartbeat! We sobbed. Eleven hours later, I had a DNC and three hours later we were heading home broken hearted.
*January 1st, we started our children's program, "Sunday School Rocks!" We started out with 2 kids. Our mission, to provide a fun place for kids to come hang out on Friday nights and learn about Jesus. We had kids come from 18 months (Jonathan) - 15 years old. We would play games, worship, have a lesson or two, and then serve a treat afterwards. The kids loved it and word spread quickly. When we left in August, we were running 50 kids strong. It made every obstacle we faced worth it! I loved those kids and still do (although, most are adults now).
*Jonathan and I were headed home a week after Joey went to be with Jesus. I couldn't take it anymore. I needed my mom! Aaron followed on his own flight the next day to surprise his mom. Again, God provided. If I remember right, someone paid for our tickets. We spent 2 weeks in MN and it was much needed.
*Upon returning to NY, it was now Spring time, Aaron hit the job hunt hard. We were going on 5 months with no job. Finally, he was hired on at a collections job in Long Island City (20 minutes by car, hour by train). The week before he started, he went in for a physical. He found out he had a hernia. Later that week, off to the hospital we went. When they brought him back, he took our car keys (not thinking it would take very long), leaving Jonathan and I stranded with 5 bucks for what would be 12+ hours!!!! During this time, we went to the park, ate at McDonald's, and visited with people in the waiting room. There was a women we spent a lot of time with as she waited to here how her nephew faired. He had been shot earlier that day and she was unsure if he'd live. Her heart broken. God was using Jonathan and I to comfort others. When they got into the OR, they found a tumor, not a hernia. Thank God it was benign, but none the less, scary! I remember him not coming out of the anestesia for a LONG time. Finally, when all the managers and "big wigs" left, one of the sweet nurses let Joanthan and I back to sit with Aaron till he woke. Thank God they caught it and thank God he was able to start his new job 2 days later.
*Summertime came and Jonathan and I spent our days playing at the park, running thorugh fire hydrants, running dad to work, playing baseball with the neighbor kids, hanging out with Danny and Millie, and enjoying life. We helped out with serving at homeless shelters. I gave my testimony at the Bowery Mission. We went on field trips with the ESL kids. Lead mission groups around Manhattan. Mind you, we lived there a year after 9/11 and I visited the site quite often. Each time as sad as the first. We went to Yankee games. We even went camping. One of my highlights, seeing Mama Mia on Broadway! What an experience!
*August of 2003...Blackout!
Jonathan and I had gone with our friends to Jones Beach for the day. When we returned to the city, we stopped by a park to use the sprinkllers to rinse away the sand. It was odd, the sprinklers weren't on. Next, we noticed there were no traffic lights (which made travel more suicidal than usual). We turned off the CD and flipped on the radio....the power was out! Not just in the city, but all over the state/region! Our cells weren't working either. Terrorist??? That was everyone's fear. My fear, driving across Brooklyn to Long Island City to pick Aaron up from work without traffic lights (train wasn't working and I could only hope he was there waiting for me). It was a whole new level of scary. Thankfully I made it and he was waiting for me. The Blackout lasted quite sometime and thankfully, we had generators, candles, and flashlights! God always provides!
*Aaron and I were growing restless. Not sure where God wanted us (NY or MN). He prayed. He prayed God would have him fired from his job if we were meant to go back to MN. A couple days later, his boss callled him in the office. Aaron explained our restlessness and his boss took it as his two week notice. We were heading home. Jonathan and I already had our tickets to fly home for a vacaion (State Fair time) and left a week later. Bittersweet. Pastor Ron, a girl from MN, Jason, and Aaron drove our stuff back (I had packed prior to my flight home). It was good to be home.
**In ten months, we had the privledge to see people (including ourselves) healed, clothed, loved, supported, encouraged, and blessed.
Comments
We need to get together!!!!!
Karlynn