Ugh.

I have nothing exciting to write this week, as the last week was rather difficult emotionally and physically. It began with an overwhelming sense of helplessness, not for myself, but for people I know are suffering. Tragedy of acquaintances in the States and the perpetual Doom that is hovering over the poor, small countries in SE Asia made me heartsick. I found myself continuously asking God how much a person is supposed to endure in one life and then feeling guilty for the overwhelming blessings of my life. Then I was struck with a mild case of salmonella poisoning from that blasted meal last Saturday (see previous post). I vaguely remember waking up Saturday night, crying because I was scared, weak, and sick (I didn't even know how to call an ambulance if I needed one). It was a very dark weekend. But. Apart from the colony of cold sores now taking up residence on my lower lip, I have almost recovered my health and strength. I am realizing that there is no real and comforting explanation for who has to deal with tragedy, just as there is no real way to explain the blessings we receive. I do know that good comes in the midst of bad. There are stories of children thought dead that have been reunited with their families; there are communities helping each other survive. For me, my pants that were getting a bit tight after all these hearty Romanian meals are now a bit loose.