Back on my feet

I've never been a person who thought much about ankles. I know there are people who don't like their ankles. There is even a made up word - "shankles" - for when a person has ankles so thick that their shins and ankles appear as one. It's official. I now have one shankle.

My injured ankle is so ugly! In the morning it looks fairly normal. By the end of the day it is exploding out of whatever shoe or sandal I force my foot into. Ugh. I can't stand it. I'll be wearing long pants until it's healed.

Wednesday night I slept really well with no pain at all for the first time since the injury. I woke up Thursday morning so excited to go back to work for the first time! I thought to myself, "Wow! This doctor really knew what he was talking about. He knew the exact day that I'd be better."

I drove about 2 kilometers, sat in a meeting for three hours, and drove home. I even elevated my foot during the meeting. It was only noon, but as the photos above demonstrate, my ankle was a mess. I haven't had a painless night since.

Driving seems to be the worst for it. Walking on flat surfaces is fine, but inclines hurt. Pushing in the clutch makes something in my ankle pop. Then it tingles and hurts for the rest of the day.

My friend Mario asked if he could come to church with me this week. He left his church and hasn't found another one where he feels comfortable. Since Carlos is going to stay with him, he'd like to set a good example for Carlos by being part of a church again. I'm not sure if my church is right for him. My gut says no but he's certainly welcome if he feels like it's a good fit,

This afternoon Carlos, Molly, Mario and Mario's Dad had a meeting to go over the rules of the house. They are going to write up a lease and a food agreement, just to have everything on paper so that everyone is on the same page. School will start in a week and a half so I imagine Carlos will move in soon.

Ana called today. She is concerned because public schools start Wednesday, which is two weeks earlier than usual. She was planning on two more weeks to gather money for uniforms, backpacks and school supplies. Instead she is broke.

She asked the church if they have anything. I know that was hard for her because she hates having to ask for things. The church has a bag with a couple of notebooks and some pens which the government gives to all registered churches. It will help, but there are still lots things she will need.

I told her I will find out tomorrow what Impacto Juvenil is doing this year. Last year they gave heavy duty backpacks crammed full of school supplies. Some kids got uniforms and shoes too. But each club is different.

Ana said other mothers got phone calls from Impacto Juvenil asking the kids' clothing and shoe sizes. But the kids who are in Ana's son's (David) club didn't get that phone call. I explained that each club is sponsored by different donors. Some donors give more money than others. It seems like maybe the donors who support David's club didn't buy uniforms and shoes this year.

I scoured my house for things the kids could use. Over a year ago my Mom bought a backpack for a kid who ended up not needing it. It's been sitting in my closet waiting for a home. That will go to Samuel. I had some notebooks, markers and pencils left over from literacy class and from the behavioral disorder class. All of that is stuffed into Samuel's backpack. Someone in his family will use it.

I am most worried about uniforms and backpacks. Fany told me earlier this week that even cheap, poor quality backpacks are $40! I hope we only have to buy one.

Tomorrow morning at work I'll talk to the leader of David's club. Ana's having nightmares because the kids will not be allowed to attend school without the uniforms and the proper supplies. I told her not to worry. If necessary I will reach out to some sponsors and ask if they can help. God will provide!