July 31, 2009

Today marks my having lived in the Philippines for SIX MONTHS.

So often it feels more like 6 days.
Sometimes -- 6 weeks.
But it definitely doesn't feel like it's been 6 months.

When I was preparing to come to Manila, I think I had set up some mental expectations for the way my life would look 6 months after moving.

Unmet expectations yet again.
I think I'm okay with that -- in some regards.

I look back over the past six months. The things that I have struggled through. The people I've missed. The things I've hopefully learned. The things I'm still struggling with. The things I've experienced. The places I've gotten to visit. The people I've gotten to meet. The people who have helped all along the way.

God has been Gracious. Faithful. Patient. GOOD.

The eye clinic. I've gone there a few times during the last month or so.
My first visit I went intending to get new prescriptions for glasses and contacts.
I learned on that day to NOT go on a Saturday -- it's incredibly busy.
I took over 4 hours to go through all the eye exams, see doctor and everything else in between.
I left that day -- with no prescription for glasses or for contacts.
But with three prescriptions for eye drops because I had severe dry eyes.

2nd visit I went on a Monday morning which was GREAT! There were no lines and no waiting. It was beautiful!

My eyes were doing better and the optometrist was able to get a good reading to give me prescriptions for glasses... and for contacts.
But, the opthalmologist wants to treat me for one more month for dry eyes. So ... no contacts and three daily meds for the next month.

Oh... to see without contacts or glasses. And for my dry eyes -- to get better! :)