Allison, Jack & Faith

If there is determination in this world, it's definitely in these three! Remember Allison, the sea turtle named after a tourists daughter who found her?

I have wondered about her and apparently the flippers are still being researched but what I thought was touching was that she has to push her now 10 lb body off the bottom, just to breathe.

And she is having difficulty swimming, as anyone would. Three flipper turtles can return to the sea but only having 1 reduces her chances of survival. If your interested, you can donate to the flipper fund at Sea Turtle Inc.

And the dog? Well, let me introduce you to Jack. He has an incurable nerve disease that started to paralyze his hind legs. But wait, not to worry. Eddie's Wheels has it covered!

How cool that we can provide a wheelchair to the best animals. They even have snow skis! Truly amazing. Also, don't forget Faith, the two-legged dog in the video below!



It just takes a few people who care to make someone feel like they are worth a million dollars. I have been officially back to work this week with some pretty amazing cards, hugs and genuine friendship!

Just take a minute to care. Really, really care! Find that "thing" that comforts your heart and watch the rainbows appear.

Love,
Jen

Back to Reality, MS Walk

We miss our Aussie family but it does feel good to be home! It was such an experiment traveling with Fred & Ginger. I walked more, climbed stairs and ramps and kept them on for more than 20 hours straight with the plane ride.

I am amazed at how they are truly a part of me know. One year ago yesterday I was rushed to the hospital only to have God teach me what it means to fight and to truly understand how quickly he can challenge your world.

I never would have thought I would be walking around Sydney harbour without anything but the support of my husband's arm. It's been an amazing year! Thanks to everyone again and again for the love and support you have provided!

The other person to thank is my mom, my #1 fan. :) It's our turn to take the focus off of me and take a minute to show her support. My mom was diagnosed with MS many years ago after many tests. She is doing well but I wish she wouldn't have to experience it at all.

My brother, myself and his fiance, Christy are going to participate in an MS Walk fundraiser this weekend in Addison. If anyone needs exercise you should attend. It's well worth it. I may be at the finish line holding water, but I will be there. Love you mom!

I was offered the opportunity to meet with a firefighter this week. He has lost a leg and is currently in treatment with some of the therapists I worked with. I am looking forward to this.

In addition, I am being able to have coffee with someone who prayed for me a lot while I was in the hospital and we had a connection as her son was in the hospital at the same time as me.

me.It's amazing the people God continues to bring in my life! Thank you to everyone for being with me this past year.

Love,
Jen

Cheers to the Simple Things & Happy Easter

The Easter bunny has been quite busy between the states and Australia. We woke up today to birds chirping, a sunny day and great coffee.

But, what about the bunny himself? Well, in Australia the bunny that the US knows, is not a popular one because of the damage they do to the land.

The prefered celebrant is the bilby. In 1991 a campaign was started by the Anti-Rabbit Research Foundation to replace the Easter Bunny with the Easter bilby (an endangered species by the way).

Other traditions? Hot cross buns (sweet spiced bun), pancake day (or shrove tuesday, last day before lent), Sydney Royal Easter Show (little Matthew had a really fun time), and the best of all, a 4 day weekend!

The holiday time here is really something the US could learn from! Kids go to school year round but have 4 big breaks. Anyway, Nick's uncle and his 2 little girls flew in last night so we are enjoying the last few days with them.

The simple pleasures? We did some great shopping yesterday and I witnessed the best exchange of happiness that I wanted to share. We were in a department store that had a wonderful pianist playing so we took a minute to sit down and listen.

As we are listening and looking at all our purchase options, an elderly lady walking with a cane scoots herself up to the pianist. She puts her arm around the pianist, smiles, and starts digging in her pocket for what we assumed would be money.

As we were "assuming", out comes 2 chocolate lady bugs which get sat on the top of the piano and are followed with a hug and kiss by the elderly lady. She tells the pianist how good her music was and they both smiled. Out of all the fabulous things you could buy in this store that was something that no amount of money could have bought!

I have also discovered one other simple thing. The addresses here are so easy. If you have 6 houses on a street, your number will be 1, 2, 3, etc. Ever wonder why the US houses are 4 numbers and aren't really relevant? I'm sure there is a logical reason but it's not simple or obvious. :)

Well, more later! Enjoy your bunnies, bilby's and chocolate today. We are on the road to the US tomorrow (mid-day monday or sunday US time). So, lots more stories to follow! All the best to you & yours today.

Love,
Jen

Back to Syndey We Go

G'day all. We are at the airport heading back to Sydney for the weekend. I have to say this is about the quickest security ever. They had more questions about Fred & Ginger themselves vs. whether or not I was carrying anything. :)

Hanging out in Kingscliff has been such a great time and met fun people. Walking on the beach has been a bit interesting.

If you ever need a really hard workout, grab prosthetics and start walking.

It feels like your in quicksand but you soon get your strategy. It has made me focus on everything around me as my surroundings have changed so much.

The overall experience with my challenges hasn't been bad at all. The only situation I can say was tough was trying to give a "peace" sign in a photo. I just had to smile and think it in my head.

One interesting bit though, is that most of the disabled bathrooms have been more difficult to access than the non-disabled. The locks are much easier in the non. Strange, huh?

While I'm comparing things, what about the coffee? It's a whole different concept with different terminology here. I have yet to find creamer besides milk! And what about just a "drip", is that a long black or a short/long white? It's been fun. Nick and I are going broke just on coffee, ha!

Well, more comparisons later. Just realized we are starting to board. Have a great day!

Love,
Jen

The Aussie Life

I can't believe it's been a week already. Did you know people here drive on the wrong side of the road, surf a lot and take boats to work? :)

We have traveled from Sydney to Kingscliff, to Nimbin and back to Kingscliff and we are on the road tomorrow as well.

Let me start by saying that Sydney is amazing!

My first amazing bit was when I ordered a hamburger and it came with an egg on top (amongst other foreign objects). Apparently this is pretty standard in the Aussie world and I have to say it was really good. I soon started seeing amazing everywhere.

Our first night we had a beautiful dinner on the barbie with Nick's family. The weather has been about 25 celcius. We have been to the aquarium (wow), Hyde park, Palm Beach, Bondi Beach, Icebergs and all of Nick's old stomping grounds.

That has been good fun. Getting in the beach was such a great feeling. A bit scary at first but, once the water touched me I thought "no worries, I can do this".

One of our highlights was seeing Jack Johnson, Matt Costa & G-Love & Special Sauce in Centennial Park. It was one of the best concerts I have been to. I have seen Jack before but not like this. Words cannot accurately describe how amazing it was!

We are now by the Gold Coast at Marie's—my wonderful mother-in-law. We have been enjoying our time with her and explored some new territory today.

If you are ever in Australia, you must check out a little place called Nimbin—hippies, hippies and more hippies! We saw things that kept a smile on our face all day. :) Not to mention the drive is gorgeous. It's the most awesome bit of rain forest.

We are going to Byron Bay this week which I am really excited about. They have great markets and local shopping. Not to mention this is the new hot spot and about an hour from Marie. Who knows who we may see.

We are flying back to Sydney on Friday for more family stuff then back to Dallas on Monday. Australia is such a place to fall in love with and forget who you are for a while. I have had more meat pies, lemon tarts and beers than I have my whole life—ha!

I have so much more to share I just wanted to say hey from Oz. I will write again in a few days. I hope your week is going well!

Love,
Jen