At lunch, another patient told me he makes a point to visit the animals outside everyday. I was eager to meet these furry new friends, and this afternoon my mom took me for a stroll around the animal homes. I enjoyed the chance not only to see the animals but to be outside for the first time in a week. [...]

Believe it. I mean I thought I'd never top my fourth birthday when I dressed up like Mary Poppins and had a party at the epic Burger King with a carousel. That's seriously tough to beat. Plus I got this epic picture of my sister making the most ridiculously awkward face while the rest of the party guests were beaming like little angels. I laugh just thinking about that picture. [...]

Thousands of people from all over the world have been praying for me coming into my story at various points. One of my fantastic students asked me for a two paragraph version of my predicament so he could create a prayer card to share. I thought it would be valuable to share those two paragraphs here as well for those who have joined my story at mid point:[...]

Everyday has a new step though some will seem less significant than others. For now, there's still plenty new and overwhelming. This morning I had my stitches removed which while exciting was a less than pleasant experience. I believe the final count was 31 stitches, but the 12 closest to my wound were the most painful to remove. I can only wonder what the nurses thought (only one of whom knows English fluently) as I chanted, "My God is so great, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do. The mountains are his, the rivers are his, the stars in the sky are his too. My God is so great..." over and over until the most painful part was finished. [...]

I was never a Boy Scout, but one of my favorite verses is Peter's command to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have with gentleness and respect (1 Pt 3:15). I've been put to the test as three different nurses have asked me about my tattoo. In a mix of German, Spanish, and English responses, I've tried to answer for the hope that I have. I have a master that I will forever serve, and my tattoo marks me as his permanent doulos - bond slave. [...]

This place is pretty great. My one complaint was no wifi, but my British neighbor down the hall offered me his password to his router. Now I'm pretty content with this place, and I'm excited to get to know the doctors, nurses, and patients here. [...]

You know the Lord is teaching you dependence when a man in a white coat rattles off a phrase in a foreign language and when you respond, "English?" he unplugs your hospital bed and wheels you out the door, into the elevator, through a tunnel, and down an empty hallway before depositing you alone to wait for a nurse. I knew I was getting x-rays, and I was vaguely familiar with the route, but I had to trust that's what was happening then. Alone in the hall, I was completely at the mercy of anyone walking by and completely secure in the hands of my Savior. I had some time to kill, so I started singing, wondering what the Germans would think of my impromptu English concert. Any guesses what song (other than "Rehab") has been stuck in my head lately? I'll give you a hint - I AM TIIITAAAANIIIIUM! The screws in my back are titanium, and I am confident that joke will NEVER get old.[...]

And unlike Amy Winehouse, I said sign me up! It took a while for insurance to agree to send me where the doctors recommend, but it looks like I'll be going to REHAB Basel in a day or two. There are doctors and therapists here who specialize in my kind of injury. Praise the Lord we're moving forward, and please pray my spirits stay high in the months of hard work ahead. http://youtu.be/09jANeJQ9Ms

Sitting in a wheelchair for the first time and enjoying the view of my flowers in front of the Basel buildings. I think Isaiah's "wings like eagles" might be a metaphor for wheelchairs. I'm not positive, but I think I have the upper body strength to fly down the hallway if they let me out of the room. I'll test this interpretation soon.