Safety Goggles is the New Look!

It's been awhile...I know! It's been a busy month, trying to to catch up on school, dealing with my new eye, and lots of soccer! But, I know how much this blog means to my friends and followers, and how much it helps me get through some tough times!

Since I last wrote, a few things have taken place. Finally, I am back in school. As much as I tried staying home from school in the past because I woke up tired or didn't feel like it, I am so thankful for the opportunity to go back! I really do enjoy seeing my friends, learning from a teacher rather than trying to do it on my own, and being involved with all of the fun school activities. I do get a lot of questions and stares with my big pink eye, but it's nice to be back. Going back to school has helped me realize that losing an eye doesn't change who you are as a person. It's only those who don't know me who may look at me different. It also makes me realize how many people I don't know that have stories similar to mine. Maybe I look at people who have differences than others and rather than getting to know them, I look at them as weird or different. That has really stuck out to me more than anything. People shouldn't look at our differences and define us by them. They should take the chance to get to know us, hear our story, and come to know the qualities that make up our character. That is my prayer--"Lord, help me to not judge people on the outside. But, help me to reach out to those who just want to be heard and have the chance to have a great life with great people just like I do!"

Another big change for me is I have a new look--other than the big pink eye! LOL! A few weeks after they removed my eye, my doctor told me I would have to wear safety goggles for the rest of my life! WHAT?! Did I hear him right? I mean, for 2 months, I have dealt with pain, a broken arm, not being able to see, surgery to remove an eye, and headaches everyday...no problem! But SAFETY GOGGLES! UGH! Does he not know that I am a 15 year old girl and that I have never even worn glasses...much less GOGGLES! I didn't understand what the big deal was; but after listening to him, I realized what he said. I have one eye at this point in my life--still believing for healing! So, I have to do everything I can in my own strength to protect it....so, on to the eye glass store!

I had no idea what to expect. When you hear the word GOGGLES, you can only imagine the big plastic things people wear when they work at certain places. I was so relieved when they pulled out the tray to choose from--thank the Lord, they are not the big plastic goggles! They looked like real glasses! I was able to pick the frames I wanted, and I love them! Although I have never had to wear glasses, the look is growing on me! It makes me look smart! :)

Last, two weeks ago, I met with an Ocularist. That is a trained technician who is skilled in the arts of fitting, shaping, and painting my ocular prostheses. I really enjoyed understanding what she does and how she will be involved in my life for awhile. She fitted me for an eye and gave it great shape. Here are the before and after pics...

I went from a droopy eye to a nice full-sized eye in just a matter of minutes! She was amazing and an answer to prayer! Before I met with her, our youth group prayed for my appointment. I was very specific about my desires. My 16th birthday is coming up in December and originally, they said it would take her until the first of December to fit me and paint my new eye. When we prayed, we agreed that God would open a door to get it sooner! After meeting with her and seeing the amazing work she does, they scheduled it for November 2nd!! That's not only before my birthday, but it's before our purity conference at church!!! God answers prayer!

10 more days, and you will not even be able to tell which eye is real. I am thankful for the amazing work my doctors are doing. My faith in Christ remains strong. I want people to know that God is still a miracle-working God. The miracle of my transformation is a testimony in itself. Please continue to pray for me! One specific area are headaches. These are not like simple headaches that I have had in the past--these are painful headaches that make me want to scream sometimes! It's caused some irritability, discomfort, and difficulty to focus on school work--especially trying to tough it out all day long. It's something my doctor said I would deal with, but I believe God is able to keep my mind in perfect peace!

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