Anticipated Freedom.

There is always that momentary awkwardness when you enter a Doctor's office and have to "check in" at the front counter. I usually don't find it that strange to talk about myself in the third person (as most of my fellow Kaleos could tell you), but it always seems much more peculiar in this setting. For some reason, I can't really explain why, in that initial conversation with the secretary I always seem to declare my arrival to the office as more of an inquiry than a statement. "Jayme Adams is here?" The secretary usually returns this quizzical statement with a repeat of what you just said, as if to give you a second chance to present yourself and really mean what you say this time, and you answer confidently back with a solid "yes". Perhaps it is because deep down inside there is a part of me that truly does not want to be there and has cornered my brain during this brawl, and that is where this tendency to throw in that raised tone stems from.

Today was the day. Six weeks had passed. I wanted freedom.
Upon arriving in Chemainus, the Doctor's orders were as follows: cast execution, X ray, assessment. The experience of having my cast taken off is one that will vividly remain in my mind for quite some time. There is a certain manner in which Doctors/nursing staff compose themselves in order to assure the patient that they are indeed in good hands and should feel quite at ease and confident in their medically trained abilities. This was unfortunately not the case for me. The elderly lady assigned to saw off my cast seemed both flustered and uncertain. These are two qualities that immediately threw my comfortability into a spin. I'm not sure how many of you can relate or have experienced a cast removal, or even perhaps have been used as a demo in some sort of magic trick, but being that close to a moving blade is not something that I find that enjoyable. First of all the sound is terrifying. Secondly they slide these super thin wooden flat-sticks (like the kind you say "ahh" with) in between the cast and your skin as if that "durable" piece of wood would be able to withhold the pressure from the saw. And lastly the tool's brand is titled as "Stryker"-enough said. I found it surprisingly hard to smile through this process. It didn't help matters that the nurse would mutter to herself and say things that were quite inaudible by the cacophonous screams of the saw all the while having this tentative expression on her face. Whether it was truly an answer to my prayers or actually the end of her shift that caused the 'sawing-replacement' to fill in, I do not know. I felt immediate relief, until I noticed that this new nurse had not re-positioned the wooden sticks and began to saw away. Images of me hiking armless through the Indian Himalayas flashed through my mind as I felt the blade inching closer and closer, and I actually jumped when I felt the pressure of the connecting saw and the heat of its rapidly spinning blade hit the surface of my arm. The new nurse quickly apologized and I watched in horror as she raised the blade to her own hand and hit the trigger. My horror turned to confusion, which was soon followed with a realization that this saw blade would in fact cause me no harm whatsoever. Goodness, that would have done my nerves some good if that demonstration would have been shown at the very beginning!
After that dramatic experience I had my X ray done and then met back with the Doctor to assess the results. He informed me that the fracture was not fully healed yet and was still visible in the X rays. This was not the delightful news I had anticipated. He considered recasting it, but then we settled on letting it remain braced in the half-shell of my previous cast carcass. And there it will remain for these next two weeks until I depart to India. Although this incomplete recovery does bring me grief, I am somewhat satisfied with knowing that I can now shower and splash as much as I want.

I type this blog as I sit here alone in 311. My room has been extremely quiet these last few days as both Jesse and Malayne have taken off during our Reading Break this week. There were only eight others who decided to remain here back at camp for the entirety of the break. Amidst the mountains of papers and coursework that we Kaleos were destined to, we still managed to involve some fun into our week such as trips to both Nanaimo and Salt Spring Island. As well as random games, activities and other creative endeavors that weren't too highly appreciated on the boys side...

It was strange being the only Kaleo of us four out at Lake Cow youth this past Friday. The night went well, fun was had, and it was cool to see how Michelle tied the games that we played in with the devotion later on in the night. We talked about how living your life without Jesus is like wandering around blindfolded and in darkness; stumbling over things in your way and the complications of that unaware lifestyle. It was a heavy topic, and I wish more of the kids would have been there to hear it, cause I know that for those that were present you could see the words of the message sinking in and see them working things through in their heads. It's frustrating when the kids take so long to settle down or pay attention, but I'm coming to realize that it is completely worth it when you grasp their full attention and can see that rare understanding developing in their eyes.

Prayer for me this week would be awesome. I am still suffering from this nasty cough. So for health-not only for me, but for my entire India team as a fair chunk of us have all caught the same lousy bug. Quick healing and recovery for my cast-free wrist (and that I will take extreme caution with its new found freedom)-as well as for Tom, who is also out of his cast now and is slowly trying to strengthen his ankle and reinforce it in these next couple of weeks before we depart for India. Also that I will remain diligent and focussed in my studies and not be distracted or overwhelmed with the coursework that is ahead of us before we all depart on our missions. And finally that my funds for India will be met and provided.

Well my arm is in desperate need of some moisturization, and I should be getting back to my heap of homework. I leave you with a few photos of our trip to Salt Spring (provided by Eric Johnson). Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Blessings,
Jayme

Jo, myself, Kristy and Tom 

Delighted with the rescued seashell. Not so much with the photo.

Perhaps we will start a band

Just Breathe.

The schedule for this past week originally did not include many items on the menu. After this last lively month though, I was ready to embrace a week where, with the odd class, I would be focused on my studies and be somewhat more inclined to buckle down on some much needed homework, as well as being able to have those moments where I could just clear my head, reflect and work through some of the thoughts that have been bombarding my brain as of late. Of course, no week at Kaleo can truly be activity-free, but even with the events and distractions, it was a decent week and one that once again has flown by.

Our training for India has been going well. During the week we have regular workouts-such as circuit training, the monstrous Qwanoes stairs, runs, and weekly hikes. Also, throughout the week we get together as a team for prayer meetings, info-sessions, and we are currently reading through a book that explores spiritual warfare called, “The Three Battlegrounds”. We have less than a month before we depart, I can’t believe how fast it’s coming up. A lot of our team is still working on raising enough money and funds to go. Lately I’ve been stressing over this myself. I am nowhere close to the $3250 that we are required to have. We are constantly bringing these concerns before God, He has already done some amazing things for some of our team, and right now we continue to lift this up to Him and trust in His providence.

This week at youth we ran the night. Before it began we were able to drive out to Lake Cow earlier in the afternoon and hang out with Sheri and Michelle (the head group leaders at LC). We’ve been trying to plan a dinner with them for a while now, so it was great that the timing finally worked out and we were able to go chat and hang out at their place before the festivities at youth began later that night.
We began the night with some new games-which were all major hits and I don’t think I heard any complaints the entire evening-which is always a good sign…For the devo-Leila shared her amazing story of her camera/purse/bag being stolen back at Missions Fest, and then she read the letter from the thief that was sent back to her, in a package not long after the incident, with a few of her more personal items. The kids were super attentive throughout the entire story, and it was super cool to see them participating and interacting later on in the devo when we talked about Abraham and Isaac as well as trusting God in every situation. There are times I wonder if the things we say or talk about on those Friday nights are sinking in at all, but from some of the answers we received, you can tell that it was understood and thought over. It did my heart a lot of good to see that☺We ended the night with munchies and cake-as it was Jonathan and Daneille’s birthday that week, as well as one of our youth kids. Perhaps we will be given the opportunity to be in charge again over these next few months. I would love to incorporate some sort of music/worship into the night as well, as we have some pretty talented musicians amongst us leaders. Hmm we shall see..

This year’s Valentines Day was unlike any I’ve ever had before. We started the day with a delicious brunch here at camp-menus and waiters included. Team India then took off to Duncan where we had appointments to get our immunizations. Nothing says Happy Love day like a couple needles in your arm…After the shots, myself, Jesse and Malayne went out on a room-date with one of the guy rooms. We drove out to Nanaimo where we started our evening at Value Village looking for appropriate bowling attire for the activities later that night. We were all fortunate to find some pretty nifty shirts-one of the guys even scored some spiffy bowling shoes as well. We then donned the purchases and drove to Fast Eddie’s-a decent diner where we ate an enjoyable dinner consisting of shakes, burgers and fries. We finished off the evening with a round of five-pin bowling. Because Malayne and I still had our casts, it was determined that everyone would then bowl with only their left hands. Tom of course, was excused from this, as he still had his leg in a cast as well, and we figured that the extra hopping would make things challenging enough. Because some individuals decided to forgo the lefty rule during certain rounds, I will not announce the final scores at this time…

My text books are calling, so on this sunny afternoon I will be inside reading, sipping back some Buckleys once again, as my nasty cough has unfortunately returned.

Room 311

Sustenance

Competition

Compatibility 

Excuses Excuses

Yes she does in fact live...
I, Jayme Adams have been one extremely busy girl these last couple of weeks!
Of course this does in no way justify my lack of updates, and I apologize to those of you who have been checking back occasionally, and have been somewhat aggravated with my absent responses and nonexistent posts.

I promise to do better.

Goodness where to start...

I am still confined in my casted-prison. But I am on day 27 and my anticipated freedom is in sight. There is still the odd pain here and there, but otherwise my wrist proceeds to grow stronger, and Malayne and I continue to count down the days...
I feel that since I am on the topic of injury I should inform those of you who have not yet heard the story of me cutting the cheese. No, this is not some crude-gassy story, although humorous you may find it. A couple weeks ago, my roommate Jesse and I were indulging in a late night snack consisting of stone wheat crackers, the cheese from outside our window, and an exacto knife. Some may call it reckless, others daring, but to sum things up, my gimped arm may not have been the best choice for the task of slicing the cheese. It did work for a while, but after a few slabs had been shaved, the exacto had a change of course and ventured into my left pointer finger. It created a pretty deep crater and the blood was gushing, so my intern, Jen and three other lovely ladies joined me in a late night adventure to emergency in Duncan, where I received three stitches. The best part of the night was the nurse's reaction when she asked for my uninjured arm, to fasten the hospital band to, and I handed over my casted-wrist..:) Just this past Monday I was able to get the stitches removed. But it is still healing and is far from pleasant to look at..

Patiently awaiting stitches at the hospital

This past Monday to Friday we had our Old Testament Literature course. Our Professor Don Taylor was amazing! The week of classes was intense, but Don made them quite enjoyable through his notes, outside lectures, snack breaks, projects, and my favorite, the sword-drills. I admit, at the beginning of the week when we were asked to write out all the OT books, I had a bit of trouble remembering some of them... But as the week went on, my good ol' AWANA days came back to me. Some of my classmates would get pretty worked up and competitive when it came to winning the drills-those little candies that Don would throw out to the winners became items of honor and admiration. There was pretty stiff competition in our class. On the last day, we had a final show down, and I am pleased to say that out of our class of 27, I secured a solid third place. During the week we were also assigned a group project that required our entire class to come up with a way to creatively retell the entire Old Testament. With the tv show "The Office" as our directing theme we had only four days to write scripts, assign roles, film scenes, and edit. Our whole group really went all out, and the final movie was a huge success:)

Youth group this week was fantastic. We hadn't been in two weeks due to Missions Fest in Vancouver the week before, so it was good to see their smiling faces teeming with excitement when our red truck pulled up in front of the church. Youth at Lake Cow was a little different this week. As soon as we got there we piled back into cars with the kids and headed to Duncan. We arrived at a couple's house from our congregation, who had offered their house as a moshing-ground for an epic night of Rock Band. The kids had a blast and really enjoyed this night of irregular activity. There was great opportunity to talk with some of the girls during the long drive to and from Duncan. It was cool to see some of the shyer ones open up and talk about their lives and just the current randoms going on with them right now. One of the girls blew me away completely with her imaginative stories-she explained a bit about one of her current compositions and wow, she is amazingly creative! Next week me, Leila, Daneille and Jonathan get to run the entire youth night. We all have numerous ideas of how we want the night to go and the message we want to get across to the kids. Prayer that this coming Friday will be super impacting and that what we have to say will really speak to them and spark questions and thoughts, would be sweet.

There is much more to tell, but I have my final exam for our OT Lit course tomorrow afternoon, and an early India-workout run in the morning as well. So I am hitting the hay.
A promise is a promise, (reminds me of that Munsch book Mom..) my blogs will be consistent from now on.

Lake Cow youth gals

 

Deb, Daneille and Myself outside Canada Place

Tom, Jake, Jeremiah, and myself 

(aka: The Gauntlet Legends Masters)

Posing for a breezy victory pic on the ferry.

Group shot outside Missions Fest