It's That Time of Year Again...

Well it's that time of year again when Summer days get shorter, Labor day is just around the corner, Dave goes back to school, and we get back into the swing of things.  

It's been an amazing Summer for the Strasburg Fam.  We feel so blessed and thankful for our wonderful life.  This Summer has been filled with so much love, blessings, gratitude, and struggle.  I'm not sure how many of you know what has gone on this Summer, but it has been a little tough along with all the good that has come with it.

Dave didn't go to school this summer and ended up getting a job working for my Dad.  It was great because it just made him even more convinced that he wants to be a doctor.  I'm so proud of him and how hard he works for our little family.  

This summer for me has been challenging.  I have been unable to eat the majority of the summer and have had to have my stomach stretched twice because it keeps closing off.  I have been pretty weak this summer, but also very blessed.  I have an amazing neighborhood who cares for me and loves me.  I have incredible friends who have been there to help while Dave has been working.  And I have been blessed with the greatest family on the planet.  

Last month after returning from an amazing trip to see my family in Washington, I was in the emergency room in extreme pain.  As Dave drove me to the hospital at 2 in the morning I kept passing out because the pain in my stomach was so intense.  We called my doctor on the way to the hospital to let him know that I was headed up there.  My amazing doctor met us at the hospital and started running tests.  After a CT scan results came back, they had found an intussuception in my small bowel.  (That is where your bowel is looped and so nothing can move through.)  They rushed me in for emergency surgery.  My family, my husband, my friends, and all of my neighborhood held a fast and prayed for my health.  They prayed that God would heal me and that I would live through this.  We were all so scared because this is the exact thing that happened in 2009 to start all of my health problems.  It was a very nerve wracking and draining time for my family and me.

During the surgery my doctor was getting read to do a bowel resection, when he watched the intussuception unravel itself.  He didn't have to cut my bowel, or even pull it apart.  My bowel just did what it needed to do all on it's own.  He was also able to clean up scar tissue which is what causes so much of my pain, and so much of the reason to why I can't eat like normal people.

After surgery I came back into my room recovering and hurting, but feeling so much better than before.  I am so thankful to amazing doctors, nurses, family and friends.  I don't know how I could be more blessed in my life.  

2 days later I left the hospital to go heal at home.  Since Dave is working full time I went and stayed with my mother so she could take care of me while I got strong enough to take care of myself.  While at my mother's house an amazing opportunity happened to Dave and me. For the last 3 years Dave and I have lived in Highland Utah.  It's a beautiful town and we love it.  The only problem is that it is 45 minutes from Dave's school.  

This coming school year Dave has been able to get a job working at the Hospital in Salt Lake City.  We didn't know how we were ever going to see each other with his long hours at work and school and then the late nights getting home.  As we prayed for an answer to know what we should do, a house became available 5 blocks from Dave's school.  We knew that the house was an answer to our prayers.  Within 3 days the house was ours and we started moving in.  Everything has just worked out so beautifully.  I can't thank God enough for blessing our lives the way he has.  Dave will now be able to walk to school, and no longer have to spend long hours driving from Highland.  We are so thrilled!

 School starts on the 20th of this month for Dave, and slowly but surely we are moving our entire lives from Highland to Salt Lake City.  I can't explain how excited, happy, and overwhelmed I am.  I am going to miss my friends and family in Highland, but I am looking forward to making new friends here.  The house we got is in my most favorite part of Salt Lake City.  It is where I lived when I was single, and I'm just so excited to be back.  I couldn't have picked a better place for us if I tried.

As I sit here tonight in my new bedroom, watching my husband paint my house, I am so overwhelmed with love for my Heavenly Father for not only giving me another chance at life, but giving Dave and I an entire new experience and opportunity to make new friends, touch new lives, and be touched by amazing people around us.

To all the friends and family we are leaving, we want to know how much we love you, and are so thankful for all you have done for us, and continually do for us.  Thank you for remembering us in your thoughts and prayers.  I know I am alive today because of your faith, hope, and love.  I can never repay your kindness and love.  Please know that you mean more to me than I can express.

Earlier this summer I promised I would show our family pictures that were taken on our trip to Washington.  I just got them today so I had to show off my darling little husband and me.  I'll also post pictures of our new house when I get things a bit more settled.  Thank you again to each of you who make our lives so wonderful.  We love you and think of you often.  We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for you!

Love,

The Strasburg Family