My Nana

God's plans are so much bigger than anything we could ever imagine. When I went to my appointment at the Costa Rican consulate, the lady literally checked off all my paperwork and then put it in a fedex envelope to send to Costa Rica. There was no logical reason for me to have turned it in here in the US instead of in Costa Rica. But God wanted me home, and I am so glad he brought me home at this time.

My grandparents had been visiting my family from Arizona, and they decided to stay a few extra days so they could see me. On Friday night, we all had a wonderful dinner together, and I was able to share with them everything going on in Costa Rica. Later that night, my grandma suffered a very severe stroke. The ambulance came and rushed her to the neurotrama unit in Roseville, where they operated and drained the blood from inside her head. There was severe brain damage and she had fallen into a coma. During the next few days we visited her everyday at the hospital, but there was no response and the doctors were not very hopeful. On Monday, a miracle happened and my grandma was able to respond to question by wiggling her thumb to answer yes. We got to spend several hours with her, sharing good memories and telling her how much we loved her and how much she impacted us. When we'd ask her if she was ready to go see Jesus, she would wiggle her thumb like crazy. Then when we asked her if she wanted to stay with us, she wouldn't move at all. My grandma had always made it very clear she did not want live in a nursing home, but this was the confirmation we needed in order to be able to take her of the respirator. On Monday night we sang all my grandma's favorite hymns to her and gave her a special charge to watch over us from up there. We took her off the respirator and after everyone had said their goodbyes, she went to be with Jesus.

My heart cannot yet grasp the fact that my Nana is gone for good, but I know that God has had his hand over all of this. In the last 6 months my grandparents traveled all over the country visiting all of their friends and family. They spent a month at my parents' house and got to see all of the kids' different Christmas programs. Then they would have been by themselves in Arizona when my grandma had the stroke, except, I had to come home to the States at the last minute for my residency. God definitely has a plan and I know that we can trust Him, especially in the midst of such hard circumstances.

I covet you prayers for me and my family, especially for my grandpa. He and my grandma were married for over 50 years. Papa knows that God will be his strength in these hards times, but it still is so trying.

I am so thankful to be home with my family right now, and I really appreciate all of your prayers and support.