Tuesday, March 31, 2015

So, Now What?

"What do you do all day?" "Are you bored?" "Are you going to go to school, or work, or anything like that?" --being interpreted as: 


"What are you doing with your life? Anything?" 

…Well, yeahhh…. I was planning on doing something with my life, thank you very much. The next year and a half or so anyway... I was going to be a missionary; not just someone who professed to believe in Christ, I wanted to flood the earth with the knowledge of Him. For a year and a half, I was planning to devote every thought, action, event, and purpose of every day to finding people who are looking for answers. Answers that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings.
That was my focus. 


Fast forward to now2 and a half weeks post surgery… I can't carry my own food to the dinner table.
(crutches:1 brie:0) 
I can't sleep through the night because my knee aches, cramps, and expresses its frustration with being hurt; I can't do any activity for an extended period of time because I get tired; I can't even kneel down to pray at night, so have resorted to standing on one leg and trying not to fall over when I close my eyes. Guess how much fun it is to walk everywhere on crutches, using a backpack to carry all your stuff? Not very.


Really though, the physical recovery has been a breeze


It's the mental recovery that has taken the biggest toll.

That itty bitty voice prompting me to call it quits in my soccer game was probably definitely right; that adds a fair share of guilt, knowing that my injury was self-induced. Every time someone asks (with definitely good intentions) what I do with all this extra free time and how I fill my days, it opens up a whole can o' worms --or emotions-- and the feels start comin out, usually in less than pretty eye leakage. sore subject? yep, a little. 
I am bored. Out of place. I want to be useful, productive...



K PAUSE. pausa. parece. halt. 

By now... you're either shaking your head in dismay, or you're annoyed by my obnoxious "feel bad for me" vibe. Frankly, I hope its the latter because I'm annoyed too
I only brought it up because this past week or so has been a tad of a toughie. It doesn't matter how many books I read, movies I watch, or desserts I eat, there is still something off. I had a good 2 or 3 days when I felt downright crummy for myself. With a long list of suggestions to stay busy and zero motivation to do any of it, it makes for the internal battle of a lifetime. Then I realized.. 

"hey! It's aiight homie. Everything is going to be okay. When weeks are tough, you are stressed for no reason and just reaaaally feel like poop, that is okay."<---inside-head-self-talk… I don't say poop in public ;)


Can we just take a second and think about how incredible this life really is? I mean honestly… cliche comment here we go: Life is a gift. 


and a pretty awesome one at that.

Usually we have an idea or a plan for what we want in our lives, and usually they are good, worthy goals! Then sometimes it may feel like your "gift" wasn't exactly what you put on your wish list… but just like those handmade socks your grandma gives you every christmas, you realize that "gift" may not be all that pretty, or something you weren't really asking for… but it is tailor made for YOU, unique for your situation, and loaded with endless opportunities ever heard of a sock bun?
Your "gift" is something special, if you choose to see it that way. 
the gift of a sock… gift of life… sock bun…endless opportunities… yeah? 
Gosh I'm hilarious.


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let's be real folks
I'm just an abnormally normal 20-something girl and {sometimes} I don't have any idea what I'm talking about. BUT, I have decided that in the midst of adjustments, set-backs, let downs, and "blah" days… I'm on a search for happiness.
we could all use a little bit more of that ^
Sometimes, that happiness is found polishing off an entire pint of ice cream with a good chick flick and enjoying every second of it. Other times, that joy will be found in the realization of so many wonderful lessons, opportunities, and blessings. It's obvious that some days are really super great, and other days are kinda on the lame side. And that is A-okay, because the highs and lows are the things that truly make life what it is: 
a gift.


eat some chocolate, take a selfie, and have a good day. you deserve it. 


Monday, March 16, 2015

Grateful for the Little Things

WOOOOOOP!! (say it with me.. come on, nice and loud) WOOOOOOP!! sometimes it's nice to just get a lil crazy and let out some emotion. For me, the wooooop sounded a little more like AGHKEJSUDHLJF… yeah, try and figure that one out. Mix a growing dose of cabin fever with a fairly high pain threshold paired with some drugs, I really don't know what I'm saying anymore. 

Anyway, hi there! Thought I would post an update regarding my status post-surgery. The big day was Thursday, March 12th and I was at the hospital pretty much all day. For all you medical peeps out there, they used an autograft from my hamstring to make a new and improved ACL ligament, and repaired my medial meniscus via sutures. They also found a wittle surprise when they got in there and had to cut out part of my lateral meniscus cuz it tore too. --i know fútbol got kinda crazy, but really Brie?--


mom and me pre-surgery!
home post-op..
pretty drugged




Before
<----------

and

----------> 
After






Today I saw the doc again for my post-op-take-the-bandaids-off-give-me-a-lollipop-appointment. except I didn't get a lollipop :( He took the surgery suction sock off and all the bandages, and gave me the go ahead to take a shower! no more sponge bath for me! 
it's the little things, folks.

Disclaimer: the following content may be inappropriate for children (or those acting like children) 
Graphic images included, viewer discretion is advised.


hey that's me! poor lil knee...

self-disintegrating stitches! they make those?!






Sorry for the orange hue of ma leg… 
couldn't stay away from the self-tanner ;)

























Because they repaired my meniscus (stitched it back up rather than chop it up and take it out) that is good for the long run, cuz I'll need all that cushioning in my knee for the next long while of my wonderfully active life! Only downside is the month-long non-weight-bearing rehab.
^aka no walking. "armpit bruises for days!" sincerely, crutches.
BUT that's okay! Cuz after 4-6 weeks I can start walking… then I can start biking and jogging… then before I know it I'll be able to do anything! --except maybe play soccer. or teleport.--




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One of the many blessings of being slightly immobile is learning to be grateful for the little things.


Here are some things that may seem little, 
but I am sure as heck grateful for em!

-food-making skills. you go mom! Keep doing mom things, because all that 'mom'ing is really helpin me out.
really though, I can't even fill up my water bottle and take it to the couch myself…


-disney moviesdo you realize how much do-good-be-nice-be-happy stuff is in those shows?! Big Hero 6 has my vote right now. Watch it on Norco and you'll like it even more.

-down time. I know it's only been a month and a half since the injury, but I am really likin the "forced to sit down and just BE" lifestyle. it's amazing how many types of roses you actually notice when you take the time to stop and smell them.

Referring back to the opening word of this post...
 WOOOOOP!!
that's what I said when I opened my email inbox this morning… Missionary Monday means emails from all my fellow mission buds! I have a lot of friends who have been out serving for awhile now, but this particular week hit me hard... Because of my Peru MTC friends. They left for their individual mission fields last week… and I would have been with them. So, without getting into the juicy deets and feels (that was my last post) I'll just tell you that I was more than excited to read everyone's update about their first week out serving the Lord :)

thanks for sending all those prayers up to the Big Man for me… they were felt on my end, and definitely heard on His. I am in good hands… I am on the road to recovery!


Thank you Chinese Fortune… you know me so well.


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

A Change in Plans

As I sit down {back at home} to write about my fun lil Change in Plans… There are kiiiind of a lot of emotions running in circles in dat brain of mine. If you're looking to exercise your empathy, or you are just curious, I'm going to try to explain my feelings about my current si-chew-aye-shun.* *"situation" for all you non-MadGab players*

Disclaimer: I've never been too good at explaining emotion… I would much rather just sweat it out with a nice long, fast run or intense workout circuit and loud music. But that's not exactly an option for me as of late, so I figured the next best option would be this: 
Identify, Accept, and Address my "feels." 
*cringes at the thought*

Wish me luck…
it might be therapeutic and also a little messy, but I'm sure we'll both come out on top.

You've been warned.


I am sure you've heard by now (if you haven't, this could be awkward) … it took me my whole athletic life to go without any major injury. Then, 2 weeks into my mission I played 5 minutes too long and half a second too rough in a --pickup-- soccer game at the MTC and… 
major injury.

Final verdict: complete rupture of my ACL and torn Medial Meniscus in my right knee. 
:D 
(tilt your head sideways mom, it's a smiley face)

^the sarcasm of that smiley face is actually oozing out of my ears right now. I am currently at home in California… currently bored, bummed out, and severely out of place. Luckily, surgery is soon(ish) --March 12-- and then its on the fast track (4-6 months) to rehab and recovery so I can get back out to the mission field!!!



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I am a very logical person --I've always been a "why" child--- so with that in mind, it was natural, even expected of me to question why

Why did this happen? 
I mean, other than as a result of me trying to do a bicycle kick to score the winning goal…
Why now all of the sudden?
4 back to back sports 4 years in a row in HS, then 2 years of collegiate track at BYU without ANY injury
Why me of all people?
On the Lord's time, following His call to serve… I'm doing everything right!

Well, I am still a very logical person and I still want to have answers… 
but I have decided to ask a similar, but at the same time very different question.


Why not?



Why shouldn't this happen? Why not now all of the sudden? Why not me?

I mean, sure… 
if I hadn't torn my ACL, I would have been {thoroughly} enjoying my last week of language and gospel training in Peru with some of the most incredible friends and fellow missionaries in the world, and would soon be headed off to Bolivia to share the message of Jesus Christ.

if I hadn't torn my ACL, I would not have to rethink my plans for the next six months of my life post-surgery, or sit at home {alone} with limited walking ability while everyone continues on with their normal, uninterrupted lives.

BUT
if I hadn't torn my ACL and meniscus, and bruised both my Femur and Tibia bones from the impact, I would not be experiencing "A-Z" of what has come about because of my injury… things that either I or someone else needs in this very moment of my life.

Sooooo, here's a neither comprehensive nor cohesive (but hopefully creative) list of 
events, reasons, or lessons learned that have/will come about in the next 6 months.

A-ask for increased perspective. 
B-be positive and optimistic about all things in life
C-crack jokes with my mom and dad over the dinner table
D-dip bananas in PEANUT BUTTER you can only find in the states
E-eat new recipes my mom was waiting to try with me
F-fix up an at-home workout gym in our house
G-grab a few extra hugs from my dad throughout the day
H-help my parents with their math homework
I-increase my internet-savvyness as I build up my blog
J-joke around with my new Physical Therapy friends
K-keep the lessons I learned at the MTC and applying them at home
L-love Dad's homemade breakfasts
M-make faces at the crying baby in the store to make him smile
N-never letting the negativity of the situation stick around 
O-open my mouth about the Gospel, and inviting people to ASK
P-pray for guidance, gratitude, and patience in all things
Q-quit feeling bad for myself
R-reach out to old friends, new acquaintances, and fellow humans
S-show everyone the joy of Christlike love and relationship
T-take 5(months) to reflect on the blessings
U-understand that positivity and progress is the purpose
V-valiently strive to be an example and follower of Jesus
W-work to grow even amidst setbacks
X-x-ray… at least I didn't get one of those!
Y-yogurt (in healthy or frozen form) is available in surplus
Z-zzzzzzzz. we all need a little more sleep don't we?

Okay, thats 26 things that are easily direct results of tearing my ACL and coming home. I don't blame you if you skimmed the list, but here's a quiz just to make sure you understand my point.
The blessings and opportunities that I have seen from this injury already are 
too many to count.
Really, the whole process has been incredible. (increíble!)



I've been blessed with a very calm reassurance from God that HE is in charge here. 
I have a firm belief in knowing there is a reason for why this happened to me at this very specific point in time. I am anxiously waiting to be recovered, but also feel very calm and reassured about there truly being a purpose for EVERYTHING that happens.

Sinceremente, 
Thank you to everyone who has sent support, encouragement, and prayers my way. 
(and for reading my blog posts!) I am so grateful for the chance I had to go to Peru, study spanish, learn the gospel, and love the people around me with a level of sincerity that I've never quite experienced. I am also grateful for this chance to be home, apply what I've learned, and seek to come even closer to my Savior as He is the one who carries me.



"she is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." 
-Proverbs 31:25