It's All Grace

a journey with the Thomason family

A Sunny Saturday

Today was the best day yet in regards to sickness. I’m feeling like my energy level are much higher and my head is starting to clear up, although I’m not out of the woods yet. I’m thankful for many who have prayed for our family during all the sickness!

We tried not to overdo it today, but we got a text message this morning from our friends, the Yormans, asking if we wanted to walk to the park and Lego store. We have only driven or walked past it the Lego store, so we were excited to go check it out. This was really the first time we’ve had an “outing” in a week so it was nice to just be out in the sunshine. For some reason Titus wanted to wear one of his new mustaches, so here’s a photo during our walk where he posed and said, “Dad, can you take a photo of me?”

As we walked the square right near our place, the crocuses were shining brightly against the green grass and we noticed they are all in a perfect half-moon shape. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Czechs did this on purpose. We have been seeing a lot of fresh flowers being planted of late and when you got to the store there are various sections of gardening and other things to get ready for spring. Here’s a photo of the white flowers in the half-moon shape.

We made it to the Lego store which was really fun. The kids were mostly just running around looking at all the Lego boxes from behind glass. We were only there a few minutes before other Czech friends just happen to walk in, including our language teacher Tamara! It was fun to see familiar faces and say hi. Here’s a wall of Legos that I took a photo of (below). It’s actually really nice to have everything behind glass because little hands can’t pick it up!

After the Lego fun, we made our way over to the park and hung out there for a while and just chatted while the kids played. Avery loves any toy she can sit on, so here she is playing on one of those springy rocker things.

Before long it was time for lunch and the Yormans invited us to join them at a local place in our town. I love Czech soup and this place has great soup, so we joined them and had a really fun time together. At one point Titus and their two boys, Beni and Caleb, were all playing a game on the iPhone (funny, it was a Lego game). Bethany took this photo of all three of them (below). Thanks, Yormans, for letting hang with you today!

Immediately after lunch we came home and took naps which was really nice. The sun was shining most of the day and it was nice to wake up and see it coming through our windows. We had our usual Saturday afternoon video chat with Bethany’s family and decided that it wouldn’t be best to push it too hard and try to make it to youth group tonight. We’re hopeful to go to church tomorrow and enjoy some fellowship there.

Tonight as we were video chatting with the family, Titus got out the mustaches again and quickly put one on my face. We were laughing about it and Titus wanted to take a photo of me. Here’s the photo that he got. I wish I had a photo of my dad to compare this to. We look a lot a like.

And now…I’m very sorry, but… I mustache.

March 7, 2015
A Really Long Week and a Godly Wife

Bethany and I both agree that this has been the longest week, or at least it feels like it is never ending. Maybe it’s because we have basically slept for half of the normal waking hours and our schedules have just been way off, but whatever the reason it’s felt like the last five days were equal to a month’s worth of time.

Tonight I feel like I might be over the hump of the worst sickness. By no means have I reached the bottom of the hill, and I’ve been genuinely surprised how long it has taken me to recover. Through all the sleeping, the intake of juice and liquids, and now antibiotics I’ve still had a rough day today which included a new addition of a headache most of the day. My voice is still a little raspy from all the congestion, but I’m hopeful that another good night of sleep tonight will bring it back.

Despite all the sickness, I think we’re doing alright thanks to God’s grace which was seen this week through my wife. Bethany has been incredible even when I’ve literally just been stuck in bed for three or four hours during the day. She has made us meals, worked with the kids, done the dishes, done laundry, taken Titus to school, picked him up, and all this while being pregnant and even sick herself! I don’t remember her complaining (although I’m sure in her humility she’ll contest that statement). I’m constantly amazed at her and her willingness to lay down herself for me and our family. She is an example to me of someone who loves Christ more than her own life because I see it in her example to us and her faith. I write this tonight as way of building her up and in the vein of Proverbs 31:28, “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (my emphasis). As sick as I’ve been this week, I really don’t know what we would’ve done without her self-sacrifice. I have more than once this week been reminded in my own heart of the vow we made, “…in sickness and in health…” and that Bethany is a woman of her word. Thank you, wife, for your love and care of this broken man. I love you. You are a helper suitable and I am blessed beyond words to call you my wife.

March 6, 2015
The March Envelope

Bethany was up early this and out the door by 6:30am to be at the doctor’s office. She had to take the infamous glucose test that all pregnant woman look forward to (sarcasm). It was a little different experience because in the States they have bottles ready-made for this test, but today they gave her a cup, poured sugar into it and she had to guzzle it down in two gulps. She told me the second sip was nothing but sugar chunks that she had to chew down! Yummy. They also did two shots and we’ll have the results by tomorrow. Lord willing, all will be well as has been true with her past two pregnancies.

We continue to battle sickness and hope for some relief soon. I have been taking my antibiotics regularly, but today was still a hard day of sickness. I’m hopeful that by the weekend I’ll start to see some relief, but in the meantime I sleep, eat, sleep, repeat. During one of my waking moments this evening we decided to open the March envelope from our friends in the States. The kids always look forward to so here’s some photos (captions beneath each).

This has become so common the kids get ready on the couch and begin smiling before I have the camera ready. I’m not sure where the “A” went to in the word “March,” but that didn’t stop the kids from diving in.

Titus reaches in for a surprise.

At first Titus found various pencils and then he started pulling out books. Inside there were a few kids books like this Curious George, along with a new cooking book that Bethany is really excited about.

Avery found some bracelets and rings. She said, “Mommy, I just love the purple ones.”

Finally, we found another iTunes gift card (WOOHOO!) and these fake mustaches which Titus thought were hilarious. In the photo above this was his response after seeing himself in the bathroom mirror.

Thank you, friends, for your continued kindness and the gifts you gave to us and our kids. Your planning and forethought almost a year ago were such an encouragement to us today and we’re very thankful.

March 5, 2015
Better Health Through Blogging

I saw a Czech doctor I’ve never seen before at the recommendation of another missionary friend. Her office is about 35 minutes from where we live and since I really wasn’t feeling great, Bethany drove me and we brought the kids. While I was at the office Bethany and the kids went to the store so I could just focus. I walked into a small building near some high rise apartments (photo above) and I wasn’t sure if it was the right place so Bethany waited in the car while I went inside. Sure enough, it was so off she went while I waited to see the doctor (photo of the waiting room below).

After seeing the nurse who took down my information from my passport, I walked in to where the doctor was. Here’s how the conversation started (I’m leaving her name out intentionally):

Doctor: “Hi.”
Me: “Hello.”
Doctor: “You’re Shay?”
Me: “Yes?” (a little confused as to why she used “Shay” when all my paperwork says “Sherman”)
Doctor: “I know. I read your blog.”

She went on to tell me that she reads our blog as well as Connie’s blog because as a Czech it’s interesting for her to see how we see Czech culture. She added that it’s also an “English lesson” for her as she reads. She told me that she was reading our blog last night and I mentioned that I would be going to a new doctor and she said, “That’s me!” We continued to talk and she was telling me that because she reads our blog she understands our health situation and that we have been sick a lot since we moved. This was actually a huge help to diagnosing what might be going on with us a family.

No doubt about it, she said I have a sinus infection and prescribed me some antibiotics. But we ended up talking more about our situation and what she thinks might be going on. As I gave her some medical history on me, she had some ideas on my allergies and how there may be new allergies here that we didn’t have in the States, along with different strains of sickness. We also discussed just the dramatic change we’ve made in moving here and how that too could be wearing down our immune system. In the end, I really appreciated her thoughts and insight in trying to really help us get back to better health overall. It was such a blessing, and Doctor, if you’re reading, thank you so much all your help and kindness!

If having a Czech doctor read your blog wasn’t surprising enough, I found a baseball stadium here in Czech! Amazingly, it is right next door to the doctor’s office. When I finished up I texted Bethany that I was done and had just a minute to walk over to it and take a few photos. I couldn’t believe my eyes because baseball is definitely not a sport you’re going to see much of here, but there it was in all it’s glory. It couldn’t be better timing as my beloved Dodgers begin spring training games today in Arizona. The stadium was pretty nice and even had an American flag flying in the wind. Behind the stadium is a restaurant called “Original Baseball Restaurant” (at least I think that’s what it’s called) and I got a photo of that as well (below). I wonder if they have Dodger dogs? Play ball!

When we got back I just wanted to rest, but the kids wanted to go to the park since the weather was nice. Bethany felt up for it and took them later this afternoon. Here’s a few photos of their little journey.

And finally, some signs of Spring are coming up through the grass at the park (below). These little flowers were popping up all over and there were yellow and white versions. If anyone knows what they are be sure and leave us a comment and let us know! Let’s just hope I’m not allergic…

March 4, 2015
Sick Bodies, Encouraged Hearts

I’ve lost count of how many hours we’ve slept the last few days. I feel sad for our kids who see us here, but can’t spend the kind of time they want with us because we’re so energy zapped. Titus kept asking me to take him outside to play and I told him while I was lying on the couch, “Sorry, pal. I just can’t.” He said, “But Dad, it’s sunny out!” “I know, bud. I’m sorry.” Above is a photo of me lying on the couch. Even though I pretty much reject the “selfie” movement in our culture, I couldn’t resist documenting how I was feeling today.

Bethany has been a trooper even though she hasn’t been feeling well and she’s pregnant. She handed me this bowl of soup shown above today for lunch as well as took care of the kids and provided for their needs. I don’t know if the wedding vows “in sickness and in health” meant really bad colds or infections, but Bethany was faithful nonetheless and I’m thankful for her. That being said, she also gave me some other concoction after lunch which was quite fowl. You can see the photo of it below and her caption with my thoughts (aka “witches brew”).

We're still sick so I made some "witch's brew" as @shaycam called it. Ginger, garlic, lemon, honey and a pinch of cayenne in hot water. He drank it down but not without complaining that it tasted "like rats." Praying we can all be restored to health soon. #czechlife

A photo posted by Bethany (@wifeyness) on Mar 3, 2015 at 2:45am PST

We’re sitting here tonight tired and still sick and I have a doctor’s appointment scheduled for tomorrow at 1pm. It was the earliest I could get and it’s a 35 minute drive from our place. It’s not the doctor I wanted to see, but I have a good recommendation from another missionary here. I’m hopeful we can get some clarity and hopefully some medicine that will help me get back on my feet.

Right now we’re watching the live stream of the Shepherd’s Conference which I had the joy and privilege of attending a year ago before we moved to Czech. I was extremely blessed to hold the kids on my lap tonight and we as a family gathered around my computer to hear the music of Keith and Kristyn Getty. Their modern hymns are a source of encouragement for these sick bodies and make me long for heaven. There is definitely something special about singing songs that reflect the very words of God found in Scripture. Praise the Lord.

March 3, 2015