Tag: sick

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365 Christianity

Sleep and Vitamin C

I could probably summarize my day in just the title of this post: “Sleep and Vitamin C.” Essentially, that’s all I’ve done today is sleep and taking as much vitamin C as I can. I think today was worse than yesterday and my energy has just been completely sapped.

Last night I tried to find some NyQuill around the house, but we don’t have any. I thought we had purchased some in the States, but I guess I was wrong. We have had friends, even other Czechs, try to find that kind medicine here and they turned up nothing really similar to it. I don’t know if there are regulations or not against it over here, but man I sure could’ve used some last night. I ended up taking some Tylenol PM just to get some sleep which was helpful, but it’s just not the same as NyQuill.

We’ve gone back and forth today about whether we should chance going to Prague tomorrow or not. Unfortunately, the place we’re staying won’t allow us to change our reservation so I guess we’re planning on leaving tomorrow morning on the train. My other fear is that I’ll be stuck laying around and sick in bed. I’m hoping that rest tonight will be really good for me and that the Sudafed that I found will help me sleep.

As a family, I can think of no other time in our lives that we’ve been as sick as we have been in Czech Republic. I recognize that there are ebbs and flows to sickness in family, especially with young kids, but it sure does make it difficult. The past two days we have had to cancel our Czech lessons because I’ve been sleeping and our Czech teacher cancelled tomorrow’s lesson because she is sick!

I realize the common cold is temporary, momentary, and light, but when you fill up a trash can with tissues throughout the day it’s hard not to focus on anything but the moment. Despite all the sickness, I know I am supposed to keep my focus on Christ. Lord willing, I can do that better tonight and tomorrow.

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365 Czech Republic

Sneeze. Sleep. Sneeze. Cough. Etc.

I had a feeling this was going to happen again. A lot of people around here have been getting sick lately and now Titus and I down for the count. Avery had it a few weeks ago and Bethany is showing early signs, but it looks like the current cold strain has hit the family.

I’m just not a huge fan of sore throats. I feel like I can deal with just about any other symptom, but the sore throat is the worst. I’ve tried sleeping a lot today and am hoping to get to bed early tonight (shortly after finishing this blog).

The timing a huge bummer as we’ve already made arrangements to have a mini-vacation in Prague this weekend and to see our friends Zach and Kara. I’m holding out hope that I can feel better in the next 24 hours. We have an 8:00am train leaving on Friday and will come back on Sunday afternoon. Although we did a small tour of Prague our very first time we came to Czech, we were severely jet-lagged and I don’t really think we got the full experience. Our trip this weekend is kind of our first time really experiencing the capitol city of the country we now call our “home.” Please pray we’re able to feel better and enjoy some time away as a family.

It rained most of the day today and it was one of those rare days where I never stepped foot outside. The kids have wanted me to “rascal” (wrestle) them, but I just haven’t felt well enough or even have enough energy to do so. These are not my favorite days, but I’m trying to have a good attitude. Sickness is never fun, but I guess it’s just another opportunity to look to the Lord for strength.

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365 Czech Republic

Encouraged

Overall it’s been a really encouraging week. Many people have sent us kind words via email and social media in regards to our baby gender announcement (if you missed that post be sure and go check it out). Bethany and I have been working harder on reviewing our Czech language cards and I’m just encouraged by our daily progress.

Normally we have language lessons on Wednesday mornings, but Avery woke up in the middle of the night and threw up in her bed (my apologies to any weak stomach readers). Our teacher has a young boy who has just gotten over some sickness so we didn’t want to take Avery to her house and now we’re scheduled to have lessons on Friday. Avery has been sick most of the day with a runny nose and cough, but it doesn’t look like any of us have it yet. I assume it’s just a little cold and that Titus won’t be far behind her, but you never really know with kids and sickness.

Snow Walking (2/4/15)

Speaking of Titus, I walked him to school this morning while it was snowing and it hit me just how different his childhood already is compared to mine. Not once in my life did I ever walk to school in the snow. In fact, I don’t believe I ever even walked to school! And the one time I remember it snowing while I was at school, my mom picked us up early and drove us home because she was worried about driving in it. Titus, however, is walking in the snow and we do our morning ritual of getting him dressed in all of his layers. In the photo above, he’s wearing a snow suit, sweatshirt, jacket, long johns, and that fancy hat with ear covers. It’s such a different life than mine was, but I’m glad he’s getting to experience something I never did. In my mind, it keeps it interesting.

Bethany made banana bread this week and it sounds like we’re going to try banana bread french toast tomorrow. It’s a first for us, but we heard about it the other day and thought it was a fun idea. With that to look forward to, I think I’ll hit the hay. Thank you for reading and being such an encouragement to me and my family. We are so blessed by many of you.

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365 Czech Republic

A Sick Day and a Date Night

Don’t be fooled by the title of this post. Usually when someone says they had a sick day they really mean they didn’t show up to the office and laid in bed. That’s what I should’ve done today, but thought I could plow through the day despite my sore throat and lack of a voice. Now I’m sitting here tonight really tired and just not feeling well.

This week is a shorter week because the Josiah Venture family will be together at our training center for two days at a big Thanksgiving event. Lots of missionaries from around Central and Eastern Europe will come and we’ll celebrate together and talk about what we’re thankful for. All the festivities start tomorrow night so I figured I would finish up some work at the JV offices, but alas I should’ve stayed in bed. I guess I did get a few things done today but now I have my first doctor’s appointment in Czech scheduled for tomorrow around 4pm. Hopefully I can get some medicine to help figure out why I have been so sick for a few months now.

Bathrooms (11/25/14)

Despite being sick, Bethany and I had a date night scheduled tonight that we enjoyed together. Our friend Rachael came over and graciously watched our kids for the evening in exchange for some photos I did for her a few weeks back. Bethany and I enjoyed a quiet dinner at a local restaurant near our apartment and drove to a new shopping center to try and get some gifts for Avery’s actual birthday this Saturday. The photo above is of the bathrooms there…so strange. The night went relatively smoothly, but while we were in one of those stores shopping a lady who could speak a little English said to us, “We’re closed.” This after a few minutes of the employees trying to communicate with and us not understanding. We laughed and apologized and out we went. Thankfully we got Avery’s gift purchased before that so we’re excited for her to open something on Saturday when she turns 3.

Shortly after we left for our date tonight, Rachael texted us this photo (below) of Titus asleep on his bed (around 6:15pm). Apparently he cried after we left and went to his room to calm down (on his own) and a few minutes later this is how Rachael found him. I guess he calmed himself down alright.

Titus Fell Asleep (11/25/14)

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365 Czech Republic

Sick Cycle Carousel

I hate to sound like a broken record, but the kids and Bethany are fully sick yet again. This time the kids have fevers and Bethany has actually had some significant stomach pain today. I’m starting to think our bodies are genuinely adjusting to this new locale and different weather patterns, but I’m not a scientist or very smart really, so take that with a grain of salt (also, that idiom is kind of weird…”with a grain of salt?”). So far I am free of the sickness that’s ailing my entire family, but I have a feeling that won’t last long. I’m really not trying to be pessimistic, I just look at the history and that’s usually what happens (I’m sure our family is not alone on this sick cycle carousel going round and round).

Juicing (10/6/14)

I was able to have lunch today with my friend Zach. He and I go WAY back and have been friends since the fourth grade and he was the first person to invite me to youth group at church when we were like 10 or something. He is definitely like a brother to me and it’s always encouraging to spend time with him. Sadly, he and his wife will be moving to Prague (about 4 hours from where we live) soon and we won’t be as close to be able to grab lunch, but I am genuinely excited for what the ministry God has for them there. It’s seriously so cool to do ministry with your friends.

That’s all from me tonight. I’m off to read my Bible and go to bed.

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365 Czech Republic

Haircuts Again

Haircuts Again (10/3/14)

Titus and I had another trip to the hairdresser today. Each time we go I have to ask our friend Mel to make the appointment for us since we don’t speak Czech, and our appointment today was at 9:30am. We got there on time and I told Titus I would go first. I kind of feel that when he watches me get a haircut before him it gives me a little more confidence. Earlier this week when I told Titus we would be going, he said to me, “Will you hold my hand?” There’s still a little fear there for sure.

But Titus did great! He stayed pretty still throughout his hair cut and I kept telling him he was getting his cut like daddy’s. Zuska kept talking to him in Czech and it was to watch Titus just smile. Below are two photos Bethany took of him today. He’s getting so big. The photo on the right is actually really accurate to how Titus was feeling today. He’s been kind of stuffed up for the last few days, but he definitely had a cough and was really stuffy today. Of course Avery is right behind him with lots of sneezes so I think we’re going to have a bit of a sick family for a few days here.

Haircuts Again (10/3/14)

As I often do on Fridays, I worked from home today. Right now I’m working on getting our team in the States some materials for their upcoming recruiting tour. We have a few of our staff people who will be visiting various Christian colleges around the U.S. recruiting interns for next summer. I’m helping get them materials to pass out and hopefully aid them in getting more students to spend their summer over here serving the Lord.

We watched a little moving tonight as a family since aren’t feeling well. I made popcorn on the stove but had to run to the store for some canola oil. Never in my life have I see so many bottles of oil at a grocery store (regrettably, I didn’t get a photo). I don’t know exactly what they’re using it all for but you get that stuff basically by the drums! The popcorn turned out alright, but it wasn’t my best batch. The kids really enjoyed it and that usually makes it worth the effort.

The Dodgers are playing their first postseason game tonight and I really do wish I was in the States to watch it with friends. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to watch it over here or not, but we’re root, root, rooting for the Dodgers all the way from Czech!

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365 Czech Republic

Sick Day No. 2 and Lots of Chicken Noodle Soup

The effects of the two Tylenol PM I just took are starting to take their tole as I feel my eyes getting heavy. Needless to say I will keep this short.

It’s been another rough day of sickness in the Thomason home with both Bethany and me not feeling well at all. I tried to go in to the Josiah Venture office to finish up a few things for next week’s conference but didn’t last long. Around lunch I decided to get some chicken noodle soup at a local place and it was delicious. After that I headed home for some much needed rest. Bethany made some home made chicken soup which I have had two more bowls of tonight. Mostly we’re just really congested and have zero energy. I’m hoping the Tylenol will allow me to get good sleep tonight and definitely hope to feel better tomorrow. On Sunday I will be at our conference center for meetings with the camps team and just want to feel well for that time. Please continue to pray for us as this thing is just lingering.

Here’s a quick photo of Titus, just for fun:

IMG_0091.JPG

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365 Czech Republic

Not Normal

“Today was hard. I don’t know if it’s just because the kids aren’t feeling well and I’m not feeling well, but it was not normal.” Bethany shared that with me tonight as I was sitting down to write this post. I had just said to her, “I want to write about today and then go to bed.” I think we’re both just barely hanging in there today.

Out the Window (9/16/14)

Titus was mostly just freaking out about everything which was definitely not normal. Clearly he’s not feeling well when he freaks out about Bethany throwing his Buzz Lightyear on the bed. I realize he’s a boy and he’s four, and yes there are times when he gets upset about petty things, but tonight he was just losing it over everything. Avery was also just off. Bethany said she was really emotional today and crying about everything without much self control. Again, not normal. Avery is two and she’s a girl, but Bethany said she just wanted to be held. I think we’re all just barely hanging in there today.

I was thankful this morning during our Tuesday morning team meeting because Dave Patty did a short devotional from I Thessalonians 2. Verse 8 is probably one of my favorites in the Bible. It reads, “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.” Our entire team is pushing hard to get ready for conference next week and Dave was just trying to remind us of why we give our selves for others. The point was that the gospel has to be the focus. Christ gave his life and we give ours for each other as an act of worship back to the Savior. It was a great reminder for me as I was struggling just to make it to the meeting! We spent some time in prayer this morning and my prayer was simply that the gospel would drive me forward this week and that I wouldn’t complain and lean back on the fact that I’m not feeling well. I trust the Lord will answer that prayer in His grace and mercy.

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365 Christianity

Late Summer Cold and Christmas Music

Fogadelic (9/15/14)

Well that didn’t take long. Last night I wrote that the family had all gotten sick, except for me. But today I was sneezing and sniffling the latter half of the day and I can feel my throat getting a little sore. When I told someone at the Josiah Venture office today that I was worried I may be getting sick, he said, “Well, it’s perfect weather for it.” He’s right. The weather hasn’t been much of a help as it’s been warm and cold, and often rainy. Today it was mostly foggy (photo above) and we saw the sun shine for just a bit around 3pm. It rained on and off throughout the day, but I guess it’s the kind of weather I would expect when we’re not feeling good.

Now don’t judge us, but we had McDonald’s for dinner. The Golden Arches are about twenty minutes from our place and I pass them every day when I go to Josiah Venture. Bethany texted me late in the day and said, “I have no energy…can we have McDonald’s?” She felt worse today than she did yesterday and so of course I said, “Sure.” I brought all the food back and we actually ate outside because I think we all just needed some fresh air and it wasn’t raining so we enjoyed that. Hey, sometimes a little American fast food can make you feel better!

Prepare Him Room

For a week or so I’ve had on my calendar to pre-order a Christmas album that I’m really excited about it. It’s from Sovereign Grace Music (SGM) and it’s called “Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus in Song.” It reales on September 29 and it’s only $5 if you pre-order it today or tomorrow (9/15 – 9/16). SGM puts out wonderful music for the church and I’m sure this Christmas album won’t disappoint. Music has always been something Bethany and I have enjoyed together and our kids love music too. So skip the Starbucks today and get some Christmas music that will exalt the Savior and bless your own soul. You can listen to a preview song below and click here to pre-order the album.

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365 Christianity

Sunday is For Sickness

It finally happened. The first round of colds have hit the Thomason family and so far it has claimed three victims. Bethany, Titus, and Avery have had coughs, sneezes, and some sore throats the past two days with today being the worst. I was going to go to church by myself this morning but Bethany wasn’t awake and I didn’t have the heart to wake her to watch the kids while they’re all not feeling great. So I stayed home, started some dishes, and hung out with Titus and Avery. Unfortunately, I missed a special morning at our church here in Czech where they meet at a different location. Friends here texted us a hand drawn map so we would know where to go, but of course I wasn’t able to use it. I’m still a little confused as to why they change locations sometimes, but I guess I’ll find out next time.

Sunday is for Sickness (9/14/15)

This evening I ended up seeing a movie with my friend, Zach, who had invited me earlier in the day. I had debated all afternoon whether I should go with the family under the weather, but Bethany said she would be okay for a few hours so I joined Zach and a few Czech guys at the theater. Mainly I was there for the fellowship and the popcorn. Movie popcorn just sounded really good and I basically skipped dinner to be there so I guess that was a meal. But while in the theater my friend in the States was texting me about some of the goings on at our home church in California. Apparently they are going through some changes and my friend was kind enough to point me to this morning’s sermon which I was able to listen to the end of tonight at home (isn’t technology amazing?). It sounds like the changes will be good for the church but we’ll be sure to keep praying for them during the next few months.

Below is a photo I got at the mall where the movie theater is. The ceiling changes colors like this and goes up for what feels like a mile.

Sunday is for Sickness (9/14/15)

We got a big week ahead as we prepare for the JV Fall Conference the following week. There’s still a lot to do and the entire Josiah Venture office is busy with preparations for the 300+ attendees. Please pray for all the work that will go into that and for our little family to feel better!