We're already off to a challenging start!  Saw doctor yesterday, was feeling dizzy and nauseated. Turns out I have an inner ear infection and vertigo.  They pulled out the big guns and gave me a steroid shot, plus a rocephin shot and I'm on augmentin now.  Thank the Lord for Valeria driving me to run two necessary errands.  I do have some great news; got my mac back from Chris at Hurricane Computers and he was somehow able to find a way to get apple to replace the entire innards of my Mac Air!  Yay Chris!  Apple wanted to charge me close to $300 based on their initial diagnosis, which meant it could cost more after they opened her up and checked under the hood, so to speak.  Chris got it all done for $200…love my computer repair guy!  (his shop is next to Peaches on Manatee Ave).

Vertigo is a very strange feeling!  Understatement! I find myself staying near a wall or something in case I feel like I'm going to fall over.  Doubt it will happen, but just in case.  At least I only have a 5'3" fall to the ground. Unlike someone I know who fell 6'3" and ended up with 19 stitches on his forehead.  I'll add the 5'3" to my benefit of being short list.

My folks are excited and finally have peace about me traveling to Greece on my own, thanks to a nice conversation with Pastor Jim (thank you P.J.!!)  However, when I told them about the inner ear infection and vertigo, Mom immediately told me to run, do not stop, to my doctor.  Well, I saw them yesterday so I'm ahead of the game.  I'm just praying that the meds will wipe out the bad germs like yesterday so I can fly on Sunday.  My sister weighed in on the conversation and told me she flew once with an inner ear infection and it blew her ear drum out.  Yikes!!  Pain is not my friend, and those of you know who know me are probably laughing in agreement.

I'm headed back to the doctor tomorrow to see if they think i'll be okay flying or need to wait.  At least I have a mileage ticket so can make changes with out any expense (assuming there are seats still available).  No worries on my end; God will get me there when He wants me there.

I checked in with Stephen, the CFO of Hellenic Ministries and asked him what the top 3 things he would like for me to work on while I'm there.  First is to put a balance sheet together. Currently Greece only requires non-profits to file an income statement (income and expenses), but financial statements should always include a P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement.  So, my big project will be rounding up all the assets HM has throughout Greece and putting together a Balance Sheet.  Stephen sees that it won't be long before it will be required.  The great thing is I LOVE to do puzzles and I love numbers.  I'm psyched about this assignment!

I made contact with an old missionary friend from South Africa and let him know what I am up to with HM.  I asked if he knew any of the missionaries there and he didn't, but (God is so good!), he offered to introduce me to a friend who has a ministry in Italy.  FYI, I LOVE Italy and was praying that this assignment in Greece would be a stepping stone to get me to Italy.  YES!!  My flight to Athens goes through Rome and I considered stopping for a week before arriving in Athens but realized January in Rome probably wouldn't be a good time to explore with temps in the 40's.  I decided I'll wait and go after, or maybe in between.  I'm really praying friends and/or family will want to come and check out western Europe with me, hint hint!  The last time I was in Italy was in 1993 with a 5 month old Jackson in a back pack.  Such a great trip; too bad he doesn't remember it.

Hey, I'd love to hear back from anyone reading about my journey; don't be shy, even just to say hello!

Blessings, M