Hey, hey! Time for an update!

Well, hello there! It has been a while, hasn’t it?

We’ve both been busy settling in to “the Lou” and finding our rhythms…..I thought an update was long overdue!

I’ve so missed this blog. I do not want to get back to the “single, party of 1” lonelier days but man did I have some serious time to think, think, think, and write, write, write. It was good for the soul. That’s one soul-care activity I desperately need to find time for again. We absolutely have to find time to lead ourselves and care for what we need to thrive. Right? Right!

As for me, I’ve been getting busier at Easter Seals Midwest. It has been a nice slow start building a case load and learning the ropes. I’ve done several evaluations and starting to provide some therapy. I’ve made several mistakes. Why do we initially go to “Maybe I’m not good enough” or “people are going to think poorly of me” when we make a simple expected mistake. I’m learning through this learning curve to be gentle and to extend grace inward. Starting over is hard. I’m so used to being “a big fish in a little pond” in terms of knowing things about work and having all the answers to feeling like a “drowning minnow” sometimes. I’m reminding myself to really feel this process and to appreciate the experience. Don’t get me wrong- I love the placement. I left a great group of co-workers back in California, but I was also welcomed in by a great group of co-workers. I’m appreciative every day of the professionalism, friendliness and knowledge of my fellow BCBAs. The rest of the staff is great too and truly care for the success of the clients. Another new part of this process for me is evaluating older clients (hence the steep learning curve). I’m assessing two clients now – both of them are in their late 20s.

As for Luba, he started a new job on July 1!! WOOT! It couldn’t be more perfect for him. He is working at the International Institute. It’s an agency that assists immigrants and refugees. It especially warms my heart as I had the chance to experience what this country offers refugees back in 2011 when I served CreateCommon Good in Boise, Idaho. So far, so good – he loves it. I’m so happy that he has been able to find a non-profit and one where he can connect uniquely with the ones served by it. We had learned about this organization by two different people in the same weekend (they didn’t know each other) so he hopped on to the website and found that they were hiring. 

As for us, we have been able to celebrate 3 birthdays so far! Finally, in one city! My birthday was in June and my sister and Luba celebrated July birthdays within a couple days of one another.  Two things: 1) you can tell who the photographer in the family is, and 2) I love cakes for birthdays. I did pick out a cannoli (with an appropriate candle) for myself but I love cakes for others. I believe everyone should have a birthday cake (or pie or whatever) for a birthday, with cheesy writing!

We have had two visitors since we moved. Jody visited us in May and the Diaz (April) family stopped in for a night during their move to Indiana. 

In June, I went back to LA for the GodChicks Conference. I go every year and its the single biggest event that feeds my soul. I take home so many nuggets of wisdom that I go back to throughout the year and years beyond. This year, I saw Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine, Holly Wagner, and Rich & DawnChere Wilkerson. I've already bought my ticket for 2016 - along with fave girlfriends. It was so great to reunite with friends- ones that went to the conference with me are my prayer posse. After the conference that Saturday night, I was able to meet up with my closest girlfriends for dinner.

 Joyce Meyer - going strong in her 70s!

 Can you believe I had written this in my journal one year earlier, at the same conference - this is the message I kept hearing all weekend whispered to me....it was true! 

 DawnChere Wilkerson

 Rich Wilkerson - I forgive you for befriending Kanye West

one of the best messages I have ever heard

 lunch with some of the strongest & bravest women I know

 Christine Caine

The conference was at the Dolby....the DOLBY! The Academy Awards are held at the Dolby Theater in the heart of Hollywood. No gold idols on this stage this weekend!

Socially, we are making some connections. Luba has met some South Africans and we’ve had a couple of dinners/lunches and plan to see them again. It’s nice to connect with South Africans for him and I get to live vicariously. Hearing them speak in Afrikaans takes me back to days in South Africa. They are the friendliest of people. 

A braai, in America!

We’ve been to 2 Cardinals games already. It’s so fun here! The ins & outs are so easy and it’s like a whole community there around the ballpark. There is not “right in for the game and right out after” like I’m used to. I’m learning about this whole “Cardinal Nation” business. And its serious business too. We went to games coincidentally that were against California teams – the Dodgers and the Padres.

I started a book club on meetup.com so that I could meet some gals that like to read and come from a variety of backgrounds. I had great luck in CA with meeting friends that way. I’ve met some really cool women so far. One of them had also gone through the same visa process as me so we hit it off immediately. What a strong connection we make through hardship, right? You cling to those who “get it.”

I'm looking for a new ENT so that I can get a check up this year. I had my thyroid checked as a routine ultrasound since I have 3 nodules living there...no big deal for now, but we will watch them. (yes, this is separate from my "neck testicle" I had removed) I met with the doctor for the results. None were found. What? Where in the hell are they? Oh well, still nothing to worry about. But, sitting across from this computer/desk is an all too familiar scene. 

It took me back to 2013, the beginning of my journey with the tumor I had removed. Each glance reminds me of life, of love, of tenacity, of faith, of healing. The list goes on. And to hear another physician say "You had that removed with NO damage whatsoever? No effects? It makes me giggle inside. It makes a warmth wash over me and I look above. I just bet God winked. No, I bet he got up off that throne and WOOPED or fist pumped (or some move we haven't learned yet but will be popular in a few years because he knows everything!)! A spiritual bond grew during that season that is indescribable. I need those moments because I forget sometimes that it even happened - what a recovery! I don't take one single moment for granted though as I'm able to continue on working and use my voice. 

I’m also unveiling a new project soon – a business. I’ll save the details for another post but it’s something I’ve always dreamed of but never thought I was ready for. So after some thinking, I figured WHY NOT! For now, I can dip my toes in the water to see how it goes and it gives me the chance to take care of myself (providing speech, extra cash) and see where this goes. I’ll never know if I don’t try, right? If I don’t believe in me, then no one will.  To be continued but here's a look at a business owner!

That’s about it for us for now. Keep in touch - we miss you!

Love,

Danielle (& Luba)