DETOUR

What happens when you get comfortable?  For me, it seems, I take life for granted.  I don't see the "newness" in my daily routine.  It's for that reason that I have not had a new blog in over 6 weeks.  I mean really, who wants to know what I made for dinner, or that I walked through our Christmas market for the 10th day in a row? Same old, same old.

With today's technology, maneuvering through a detour isn't always that difficult.  Our car GPS system instantly offers us a "detour" when there is heavy traffic along our route.  We so heavily rely on it, that we seldom even know exactly what road we are supposed to be on.  We follow it blindly.  (My map-wielding father-in-law just gasped aloud) 

Having said that, now let me take you on my "detour".  What comes to mind when you hear that word?  The Webster definition is : the act of going or traveling to a place along a way that is different from the usual or planned way.

Nothing is worse than being at the end of your journey and seeing that big yellow/orange sign "DETOUR".  Have you ever considered the alternative?  What if the sign wasn't there to alert you?  What if you continued on your merry way and in the darkness and newness of your unfamiliar surroundings, you ran your car off a cliff, drove off the side of a damaged bridge or came to the end of a lane long ago forgotten and overgrown without any instructions for getting you back on your way? I hope to challenge you to see detours in a new light.

Sarah finished her first quarter of grad school in mid-December and made her way to France.  I had "planned" almost every moment of her time here with us.  She landed, she slept and we were on our way.  First up, a quick visit to her favorite spot, Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland.  

We spent Saturday hiking through the mountains and enjoying the snow. Okay, maybe I didn't enjoy snow, but David and Sarah did.  Then, the real reason for our visit....ROSTI.  Think hash brown potatoes with toppings.  Sunday we hiked through the valley and then headed back into France.  We did a quick stop at one of the village Christmas markets before finally landing at home.

Monday, Sarah and I headed to London for three days of adventures!  We were both excited.  I was thrilled to land and to see and hear ENGLISH.  We found our hotel (which was a little difficult without an internet connection) and headed to our first adventure.....a "Jack the Ripper Walk".  

Who hasn't heard of Jack the Ripper?  Who wouldn't find it interesting to walk along the dark foggy streets of London and retrace where the murders happened?  Okay, maybe it's not something for everyone, but Sarah and I found it interesting.

Days 2 and 3 were filled the "top" sites of London:  Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, we shopped at Harrods, we saw a musical production in London's theater district and we of course stuffed ourselves with "fish and chips".

Back to Strasbourg on Thursday.  Now it was time to prepare for our "next adventure".  DJ was arriving on Sunday morning (11AM) and our family was hosting a Christmas party on Sunday evening. The invitation said to "stop by" for a "Cup of Christmas Cheer" between 5 and 9pm. Apparently, in France, you don't "stop by".....you "stay". (Detour)  So while I anticipated 50+ guests "popping in" to meet DJ and Sarah, I didn't know that all 50+ would stay the entire time.  We had such a fun time and there were so many different people (neighbors, people from our church, AIA members, Lilly people) here that I wouldn't have had it any other way.  

Some of our "50+" guests.

We had people in one corner speaking German, we had another group speaking French, we had DJ standing in the middle of the dining room with his eyes glazed over having only had 3 hours of sleep in his last 24.  (Note to travelers:  if you are claustrophobic, please don't choose a middle seat.  Poor DJ wasn't able to sleep a wink because the lady beside him had to get up and walk around every hour)

When the people were gone and the apartment was "back together" both kids commented on what great friends we have here.  (Detour alert:  Strasbourg was NEVER our plan.  It was God's plan to be here.  What fascinating friendships would we have missed if we never made the detour!)

Bright and early Wednesday morning we boarded a flight to Morocco.  I was so excited for David and the kids to experience Africa.  I had an event/excursion planned nearly every day.  

We experienced a bit of a problem at the airport with our driver. We couldn't find him and the owner of the company was not answering his phone.  After about a 40 minute "search", we finally gave up and hired a taxi to take us the 2 1/2 hours to Essaouira.

We made it safely to our beach front hotel and were able to enjoy a few hours in the sun before we headed into the Medina for dinner.  We enjoyed our best meal of the trip at a funky little 70's inspired place called Elixir.  

Wednesday, Christmas Eve.  We were all excited to begin our Moroccan adventures with a 3 hour ATV ride through the sand dunes and along the beach. It was absolutely amazing.  It was also the only adventure that I would be able to take part in.  DETOUR.

With about 30 minutes left in our tour, I crested a sand dune and my ATV landed badly.  In a failed effort to keep myself upright, I planted my left leg in the sand.  Well, the ATV kept moving forward, I heard (above the sound of the ATV motor) a "POP" and it felt like my kneecap exploded.  Into the sand I went, clutching my knee.  The only thing I remember is thinking "I broke my leg".

Let the DETOUR begin.  They gently loaded me onto my ATV and we began our last 30 minutes back to the end point.  Let's just say that it is difficult to drive an ATV over rough terrain with one hand while you hold your kneecap in place with the other.

As we began our trip back to the hotel, our driver was kind enough to attempt getting to an open pharmacy so that we could attempt to locate crutches or at least some type of brace.  I never expected a Muslim holiday during the "Christian" Christmas time, but apparently, for the first time in over 460 years MILAD UN NABI (The prophet's birthday) fell on Christmas eve. Guess what?  Nothing was open.  We tried no less than 4 pharmacies, even ringing the personal residence of one of the pharmacists.  

I was unable to bear any weight on my leg without my entire kneecap shifting inward.  My two able bodied heroes (DJ and David) were tasked with carrying me from the van to my room.  Yes, take a moment to mentally picture that.  Two 6ft+ men walking through the lobby of a 5 star hotel carrying a woman (legs splayed).

Safely within the confines of my room I began the task of "detouring" my next 10 days.  Massage appointment, cancel. Sunset camel ride, cancel. Segway tour of Marrakech, cancel. Dinner reservations, cancel.  David and I were scheduled to spend a week upon our return from Marrakech touring Normandy, the Loire Valley and the Champagne region of France.  CANCEL. (Below are some photos of David and the kids enjoying the excursions....good news was that I apparently picked "awesome" tours)

If you know me on a personal level, then you know that God has gifted me organizationally.  I had spent HOURS researching, planning and reserving nearly every detail of 4 weeks of my life.  From December 9th when Sarah landed, until January 4th when David went back to work, there was an itinerary in place. I even knew how much drive time there would be in the car from point A to point B....DETOUR.

I'm going to spend a few minutes to praise God and allow His mercy to shine through.  It happened to ME.  Praise God that it wasn't David, DJ or Sarah.  While I had "things to do", I was the "best case" scenario for an injury.  I can't imagine sending either of my kids home to begin a new school semester injured. There was no way that I could have managed getting David around by myself, he's simply too large for me to help in any effective way.

I sent a text to our friend Brittney Howard.  I needed a doctor in Strasbourg.  She and Matt were preparing to take some much deserved time off and travel through Belgium and into Amsterdam.  Matt immediately contacted the team orthopedic doctor on my behalf and arranged an appointment for me during the doctor's day off....yep, that is God's audible "turn right here" in the middle of my detour.

I could go on forever, but I don't want to bore you.  My current "position" is damage to both my MCL and ACL.  The doctor wants an MRI (which I will get in 2 weeks) and a follow-up appointment on the 27th of January.  He said that my MCL should self heal and my ACL would most likely need surgical repair.

The best part of receiving this news is that while my loving family thought I was just being "wimpy" and that I just needed to "suck it up", I actually DID hurt myself.  Someone (who shall remain nameless) actually called me "the grinch that stole Christmas" during our time in Morocco.  I guess that I now have a little more "street cred" with the family.

I'm not much for making "New Year's resolutions".  Do I need to lose a few pounds, yes.  Should I be working out more, yes. You know the usual stuff.  However, I think that because of this detour, I have decided that perhaps I should allow God to do more of the planning in my life.  Perhaps ask Him to direct my path a little more often.  I'm not saying that I will hang up my "travel agent shoes", but maybe not plan the dinner location and time for a trip that's 6 weeks away. 

I will try to be less self-sufficient and to allow others to help me.  I am usually the first person to accuse some of my "more independent" friends that to deny my offer of help is to "rob me of the blessing".  I guess now, it's my turn to allow others to bless me.  TRUST ME....that is not an easy thing for me, just ask David.  He has been my knight in shining armour throughout the last two weeks and I have HATED every minute of it.  

Thanks to all of you who have messaged me, have prayed for me and have visited me. Your friendship is the best part of this detour.