almost dying

My camera cord has disappeared.  Don't worry; it's in my room somewhere.  :)  It's really amazing to me how me and my roommate can make such a big mess with just the two of us and we each only have one suitcase...but somehow we manage haha.  Anyway, the moral of the story is that while I have several good stories and experiences to share, I'm waiting to post them with pictures...so hopefully tomorrow or Friday expect some good posts with pictures. :)

BUT.

What I really want to write about right now has absolutely nothing to do with Brazil.  It is just simply that I am so so grateful for everything right now.

Some of you know that I have had a lot of foot pain the last few months (nothing super serious; just some good 'ol plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and a few stress fractures...), but it hasn't been bothering me as much lately and I went for a run this morning.

I ALMOST DIED.

No, really.

Okay, not really.  But I thought I was going to!  It hurt!  So much.  I had to walk probably 3/4 of the way home (of a short 2-mile run) and was nearly in tears when I got home.

The whole time I was thinking about how miserable I was.  I know my pain is hardly nothing compared to what some people go through, but really, I love running.  I miss it so much.  The "stay off it for 6 weeks" has turned into a little over 6 months, and I still have so much pain.

But then it hit me:  I was running.  I was in pain, and couldn't go as far or fast as I wanted to, but I was running!  Maybe I won't ever be able to run a marathon, but I can walk.  The people in my group often ask about my feet (because I have so much pain...combined with 15 blisters) and I have started jokingly replying "well, they're still attached!"  But this morning I thought about it, and was like, "Yeah! My feet are still attached!"  Painful, non-functional, and annoying as my feet are sometimes, they are still attached.  And they take me where I need to go.

I think I'm pretty lucky.

What started my day off in a super-negative and whiny mood totally changed when I realized that what I DO have is so much to be grateful for!  I have so many wonderful things in my life.  Family.  Health.  Friends.  The gospel.  Being in Brazil.  Living by the ocean.  Eating Chinese food.  I could go on and on.  There's so much to be grateful for in my life.

Isn't it funny how much a little perspective can brighten your day so much?

My feet are still attached, and that is something to be grateful for.  :)