Planning
Today Stephanie and I were able to take some time to do a little life planning. I posted this on twitter and got back a “What is life planning?” comment. I thought it could be helpful to put together a quick post of what a “life planning” time looks like for us.

Where are we now
This should be a pretty easy one. We try to at least know what our lives currently look like. It is helpful to do a quick fly-by and make sure we are both on the same page. I am always surprised by the little current events that seem to slip through the communication gaps (like the mens family kayaking trip or current work events).

What is God calling us to
This is a good one to hit first because it will greatly (or should greatly) dictate the Where do we want to be questions that come next.

Where do we want to be
In light of what God is calling us to next, we align that calling with where we would like to be in the next six months to a year.

- Where are we going to live
— Stay where we are?
— Move locally?
— Move to a different community/state/country?
- What does our health look like?
- What does our family look like?
— Kid(s)?
—- Birth one?
—- Adopt one? 
—- Both? 
—- Foster care?
— Pet(s)?
- What does work look like? 
— Stay or Go? 
— Promotions? 
- What do our finances look like? 
— What debts do we have? 
— What are we saving for? 
— Who are we giving to? 
- What does ministry look like? 
— Are we serving where God wants us to serve? 
— Are there areas we should be serving that we are not? 
— Are there areas we should not be serving where we are? 
— What would transitioning out of current ministries look like? 
— Who are we dicipling? 
— Who should we be dicipling? 
— Who do we need to follow up with? 
- Vacations? 
— How many? 
— Time off? 
— Schedule? 
— Local or distant? 
- Schooling? 
— How did this one get back on the list…

Pray
Pray over the discussion and the plans. Know that they are not chiseled in rock. Pray not that your plans would be fulfilled but that God’s would be.

Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
Proverbs 19:21 

Do it again
Where you think you will be in six months and where you find yourself in six months will be different. Regroup and plan again. You and your spouse are called to be one. It helps if you are both heading the same direction.

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5

Tell somebody
Do you have some close friends to be accountable with? It may be helpful to discus your plan with them. Ask them for input. 

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisors they succeed.
Proverbs 15:22

NOTE: This should prefferably not be your parents unless you live at home AND they are still supporting you. In that case they should know you have a plan to grow up. 

UPDATES WILL BE POSTED BELOW

Stephanie was admitted to Overlake Hospital again last night. After spending a few hours at my Grandma’s house Steph began to complain of a pain in her lower right chest area (below her rib cage). The pain continued to intensify very quickly and I took her to the ER – a place the neither of us really wanted to go again.

The hospital was a lot busier this evening and it took about an hour for a doctor to finally hear Steph’s cries of pain and try to figure out what was going on.

After an X-ray and then a ultrasound there appears to be an issue with her gallbladder. We were admitted for the evening (mostly because the doctor was worried about the pain returning when we were at home – they gave her some really good stuff in the ER). It was a good thing because once the pain meds wore off she was hurting again.

We are meeting with a surgeon this morning (around for further analysis. I will post another update at that time.

Steph is sleeping comfortably right now. I am wide awake, but have my Bible and am enjoying Romans right now. Please pray for comfort for Steph and clear answers tomorrow. I can’t thank all of our friends and family enough for all of your support during this trying time.

Update on September 24, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Steph is scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery around 6pm this evening. Here is a bit more on the issue: Choledocholithiasis. She is resting pretty peacefully thanks to the pain killers. I will post as more info is available.

Update on September 24, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Surgery has been moved to 8pm.

Update on September 24, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Steph is in surgery now. I will update once I have talked to the surgeon.

Update on September 24, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Steph is out of surgery and is doing pretty good. Groggy from the anesthesia, but looking great. No pain to speak of yet. Unfortunately we got stuck in a shared room, so I am going to have to head out for the night and come back in the AM. I will post an update as soon as I can.

Update on September 25, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Steph is looking great this morning. She is just a bit sore from the surgery, but the intense pain is gone (along with her gallbladder). She went for a little walk at 5:30 this morning and just finished breakfast. She is doing a little bible reading and Facebook scanning now.

The surgeon should be by sometime this morning to go over everything and follow-up with Steph. She should be discharged this afternoon and will just have to take it easy for a couple weeks. Thank you all again for your prayers. We are very blessed to have such great family and friends.

UPDATES WILL BE POSTED BELOW – IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT HERE

On Tuesday Steph started having some headaches that she thought were related to some medication changes that were made (and that may still have been the case). On Thursday evening she started a fever that went along with a bad headache. She stayed home from work on Friday to rest. The fever came and went throughout the weekend. Sunday night she started having a shortness of breath and I decided we needed to go to the ER.

We went to the ER at Overlake Hospital around 11pm. The whole staff was amazing and did they best they could to make us both comfortable and figure out what was going on. She had a high heart rate, low oxygen, bloating a nasty headache. They suspected pneumonia or a possible blood clot in the lungs, but all of the blood work, x-rays and a CT scan came back clear. The admitted us to the hospital around 5:15 Monday morning for observation.

They had her on oxygen and an IV from the moment that we got to the ER. They continued to monitor her oxygen levels with supplemental oxygen and without. She had fevers come and go with medication. They decided she should stay Monday night.

Monday night was up and down with fevers and breathing difficulties. Steph had three breathing treatments during the night and early morning and they really helped open up her lungs. She has been breathing very well now without oxygen. Her oxygen levels have been stable during her shower and a long walk this morning.

The fever has gone down considerably, but they tell us they may come and go as she fights off the viral infection from home. Her breathing and oxygen levels are the most important thing and those are looking great. We are about to go on another walk and we will be discharged shortly after. I will post updates here throughout the day and as she progresses. Thank you all for your prayers!

Update on August 31, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
We are home! Steph is doing great and we are now home. We picked up Max from the Vet and he was happy to be home as well. Now we just need time to rest and recover. I’m sure you will see her around Facebook soon. Thank you all for your support!

Update on September 1, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Steph did pretty well through the night. She only had to get up a few times and slept really well.

She is fighting another fever this morning, but the meds should kick in soon to battle it out. A big thank you to Aunt Laurie for bringing by homemade soup yesterday. We look forward to enjoying it throughout the day.

I told Steph she will feel 50x better just being able to watch Steve Jobs at the live Apple event that is to take place at 10am – she said I was “crazy”. We’ll see.

PS – Happy Birthday Carly and Emily!

Update on September 2, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Fevers are still coming and going. Not too high though. They seem to be coming down a bit. She has just been “uncomfortable” quite a bit due to the temperature swings. She has been able to sleep quite a bit and that is encouraging. She has spent a majority of today sleeping. She is taking a shower now and that makes her feel about 10x better just in itself. We are going to visit the doctor tomorrow for a checkup.

Steph’s mom was stopped by earlier today and gave some helpful tips for keeping Steph comfortable and reducing her fevers. Thanks to all of you who have given or offered prayers and support. We appreciate everything!

Update on September 14, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Steph is doing much better. We have been fever free for about four days now. She is still very tired. We go back to the doctors office on Friday to see some results of a few more tests. Still nothing definitive, but it is good to see progress. Next update will be on Friday morning.

Update on September 20, 2010 by Brandon Schoenberger
Well, we finally received an answer: Infectious mononucleosis also known as Mono. Steph has been feeling much better and went back to work today. I will let her post from here on out. Thank you all for your prayers!

If you have seen the great Disney/Pixar movie Up, then you know all about the “cone of shame”.

Max has to wear his own cone of shame for the next 10 days. Hopefully he will get a good report on Monday and get it off earlier. He really hates the cone and I don’t blame him. I feel for the guy, but I still can’t help but laugh at how ridiculous he looks. I’m not the only one though; while waiting to cross the street to go to the sculpture park one of those Ride the Ducks tours had a bit of fun at Max’s expense. “He wears the cone of shame!”, they yelled. Max just hung his head…

He had his teeth cleaned and a few pesky eyelashes removed that where growing into his eyes. Thus he must wear the cone until it all heals up. Thankfully, he is a very good sport at taking his meds. Nothing like peanut butter and pain killer.