Recap!

I know I know, it has been way too long since my last post. Probably like 3 weeks or something? I don’t know. I think last time I posted a bunch of pictures. Sus is supposed to put up a bunch of pictures from her and dad’s trip to visit me, so hopefully you will enjoy those! Wow, I might just tell some random stories to catch you all up on the past few weeks. I know you all have just been dying to know what I have been up to, so I will put you out of your misery and tell you.

SPOILER ALERT: Sus Came.

So, in short, a few weeks ago, I left Impfondo to take a respite in Point Noire, which was absolutely wonderful. I probably should not admit this, but I did accidentally cry some tears of joy as I sat on the plane leaving Impfondo. I think that was a symptom of burnout. But, I guess it wasn’t severe burnout because I don’t think actual tears ended up falling. I think they more just filled to the brim…I got distracted because I had to help the man next to me fasten his seat belt for takeoff. And then unfasten it when he went to the bathroom, and refasten it when he came back, and unfasten it when we landed. Anyway, the time in Pointe Noire was wonderful and encouraging, and then Candace and I went to Brazzaville, which was also awesome. Being in Brazzaville brought back all these memories of when I first arrived in Congo 6 months prior. It was pretty cool to reflect on that and think about different impressions, fears, ideas and everything that I had at that time compared to the present. I think it was like a small gift from the Lord reminding me how far he has brought me and how much he has changed me! I loved my time there as well.

Part of the reason that I was in Brazzaville was to be with Candace until she left and to pick up Sus and Dad at the airport for their visit. Finally, it was time for them to arrive! I was so excited about them coming I could hardly believe it!! I actually didn’t believe it until I physically saw them. Walking into the crazy baggage claim area in Brazzaville and seeing them there was the best feeling ever! There might have been some more tears shed at that point too. It was perfect. Then, the next morning, Candace and I said our goodbyes as I boarded the plane to Impfondo with the family. We had spent an incredibly large amount of time together over the past three months, so saying goodbye was sad for sure. I guess that is how Siamese twins feel that are joined at the hip and then they have surgery to be separated.

Candace's last stand.

Once back in Impfondo, I hit the ground running and was mostly recovered from my previous burnout status. Sus and Dad had some recovering to do from traveling and time change while simultaneously adjusting to the heat, but I think the Lord really tweaked the weather perfectly because it cooled down during their stay. I worked in the OR doing anesthesia and was otherwise with them every second.

Working hard in the OR.

We took a million bike rides and did all kinds of fun things. One of the highlights was going fishing on the river with my friend Serge in his dugout canoe. He is Congolese and him and his family are wonderful. Anyway, he caught three fish and the Sizemores caught zero. But, we almost flipped the boat like three times, and he didn’t even come close once. I’ll let you be the judge of who is cooler.

Dad and Sus post bike "wreck".

I was so happy to have my family here to witness first hand what life is like here. They got to spend time with all of the missionaries and meet most of the hospital staff and some important patients, like Freckle. Their excitement and enjoyment of Impfondo was so encouraging to me and really helped strengthen me as I continue on here. I feel so blessed to have those memories of us being together here. Though it was sad to say goodbye, it was so wonderful being with them that I just ultimately feel thankful.

So, that is that in a nut shell. Work in the OR has been really good. The two other girls that do anesthesia are on vacation, so I have been doing it everyday and taking call as well. And, since Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden and doomed women to difficult labor for all eternity, I have been called in multiple nights/early mornings for maternity cases. It’s kinda funny because all of us who work in the OR now cringe when we see a maternity nurse coming because they rarely carry good news. They aren’t like “Hey look, we brought you snacks.” They’re more like “We have this crazy screaming pregnant lady with bodily fluids going everywhere. Enjoy!” But, I have tons of respect of the maternity nurses because I could not do what they do.

It just stopped raining and now it is cold outside and there is a breeze! It is the best. The past few nights have been so hot that Joan told me to do a rain dance last night, and voila, it has rained all day today. Ok, that is all for today. This was a super long post…surely you all aren’t still reading it. You’re crazy. You can get back to your life now and I will head to bed. It turned out to be a long day in OR due to a late afternoon visit from a maternity nurse. Thanks for reading!!

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