A Rafty Summer

I had it all planned out. After the winter season I would go home for a month, and then move back out to Avon, Co and raft all summer long. It was going to be amazing! If I couldn't be wakeboarding on the lakes back home I'm going to be on the river, soaking in the sun, making money, and getting in shape. It was going to be perfect!

After lifting, rigging, and flipping rafts over in 40°F water, swimming class III rapids, rafting in the snow through class IV rapids in 25°F weather, purposely jumping into river current and being rescued by a throw bag(rope) to shore, swimming into eddies, unexpectedly falling out in a class IV rapid section, prying, pushing, and paddling our way down the Arkansas, Eagle, and Colorado river, our intense two week raft guide training and Colorado certification finally ended on Friday and our rookie class of nine were officially Raft Guides for Lakota Guides. We rigged a trip for Saturday morning, arrived home at 7pm and proceeded to relax and unwind.

Had some stomach cramps that I didn't think too much of. Then the pain started moving into my back. Needless to say as the night grew longer the pain became worse and by 2am I was in the ER. We got there and they checked for kidney stones, appendicitis, and ovarian cysts. I was diagnosed with several ovarian cysts, each being fairly large(6cm at the largest). They gave me pain killers and told me to see a doc. Saw the doc Tuesday where she had instructed me to take birth control pills for the next month which will decrease the size of the cyst and we'll re-evaluate it in a month.

But in that month my physical activity is limited, which means no raft guiding. If I can't guide this month, by the time my health is under control the season will be over. So I have to find another job. No Fun. At All.

Praise God that I am on my feet. It is a very crazy situation. There were so many possibilities that could've made this worse. I could've been on the river when the pain started, I could've been at our two day overnight on the river, I could've been at home when no one was home to take me to Vail Hospital (45 min away). It's SO insane of a circumstance that I feel it could only be God. He most have something greater for me. Just when you think you have everything figured out....

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

Progress...

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philipians 3:14


It is not easy to see the light in the midst of a trial. As I currently struggle, I am encouraged that I can rejoice in my sufferings! Hallelujah! I have finally learned to not make the same mistake twice (or more). I would not be able to see the growth and the change in my life if it wasn't for the pain I have been through in the past. I stand on solid ground because of my God. I am steadfast. I do not waiver. He has taught me through trials to press on towards what it is He has in store for me. Perserverance. That is progress. It encourages me to have strength, to not faulter, and doubt. Character. Which affirms that God has a plan for my life! I have Hope for a better day. A greater tomorrow. A hope that will not dissappoint! I have seen progress and that gives me hope!


"And the God of all grace, who called u to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself RESTORE you and make you STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen." 1 Peter 5:10

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into hour hears by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us." Romans 5: 3-5