Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Realities

Recent challenges have brought to mind lots of thinking about who we do business with. We went through an ordeal where a dishwasher leaked. So here are so leftover thoughts that might help others.

1) Pull out all appliances occasionally for signs of leaking. Leaking can come from any part of the appliance and not just houses and connections.
2) Do not assume that the repairman will fix and not possibly cause more damage to your appliance.
3) State Farm Insurance has been fantastic but our broker completely failed to do her job.
4) Never buy another Frigidaire appliance. We have far too many repairs and incredibly non-existent customer service. They do not care and will not help.
5) This one is hard because we have bought appliances at Lowes for many years. They always get us the best price. However, the Lowes extended warranty is a waste of the paper it was written on and in fact caused more problems and expenses. No one else would stand up to take care of the dishwasher because it was covered under warranty and yet the warranty would not cover it either.
6) We live in a time when no one wants to take responsibility for anything. It is incredibly difficult to find anyone who works hard, cares, and will do their best to do the right thing always.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Tomorrow, Tomorrow. . .

I have waited for some time for tomorrow to come. It is finally the day I go to a new Rheumatologist. I am so nervous about this appointment. Often we talk about win/win situation. Well, this is a loose/loose situation. I loose if he doesn't know what is going on or give me medicine that will truly help. However, if he does give a diagnosis then I loose because reality often stinks!

I know that not many people ready this and maybe not even the same person twice. But if you have stumbled upon this blog and are a servant of the Lord Jesus, then please pray. I truly know that in some way this is a blessing but none the less I feel like I am standing at one of those intersections where your life changes forever.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Getting Ready

Today is last week day before I go to the new doctor. Yep, Monday is the day. I so hope that he has wisdom beyond his own and can help. The swelling in my hands is getting worse. Each night when I lay down to sleep, the pain and swelling are so apparent and it makes me wonder what damage is being done even then. I know that worry is from the enemy. So I try to put it out of my mind. This situation along with other life struggles has made me wonder. . .how many around me are suffering when people never know. Have you ever sat in a room full of people and wondered how many are struggling. Maybe it is at church. Maybe they even have their smile on. You know what I have found. . .people are even more determined to smile when they don't want to complain. Hum! So perhaps the ones that are physically or emotionally hurting the most are the ones that always have a smile for you. So I want to challenge you, next time you are in a group stop and think. Take time to really talk to someone and ask them how they are really doing. You might be suprised.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Blanket Statements (or thoughts) and God

I think so often we try to put God in a box. To make Him simple.  But yet how can we think the God who created human life with the intricacies of the body out of dirt is simple?  The answer is that He is not.  I believe that is one reason that we can continually learn from Him. While here on earth there is nothing new under the sun, but Isaiah 55:9 says "As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Whew that is a good thing and all this time I thought I knew it all! Not!

Not so long a go, I thought why is it people think they "get" God more when they have trials.  Maybe that means they didn't get Him before.  Because after all,  I know how to be humble (I am not always but I know how). Just being honest here and didn't that sound really humble?  After thinking this thought for a while, I even said something similar but more humble sounding out loud to someone! Yikes!

Well, I guess God decided it was time to teach me.  Slam. . .sick.  Now what.  Oh, I have had lots of pity parties.  Just finished another one.  Just saying.  But the truth is that I am seeing God different. I am seeing life different. I am seeing people different. I am seeing priorities different.  Now just to be fair with myself, there were other trials in which I just felt deeply betrayed and hurt. During that time I never felt closer to God. Oh my goodness, I think that was judging and anything but humility.  Something I have noticed about humility is that as soon as we realize we are humble then we are not.  Yep, that's right.  Because how can you be humble and be thinking oh I am so humble. That makes me so proud of myself.

Life is hard. Really hard. There are so many challenges, but remember that this is just temporary. God has so much more for those who believe and accept the free gift His son, Jesus Christ, has given. Fortunately, we don't have to come to him perfect for if we work on being humble to the Father then He will perfect us. Praise God! I definitely need lots of that.

My prayer for today is that I will seek to be truly humble.  Not only is this what God requires, it is where I find peace, love, comfort, etc. I want that so much.  Thank you God that my simple little mind can't begin to understand.  Please continue to teach me, oh Lord.




 

Monday, August 15, 2011

Back to School

Today was the day!  We began classes for 2011-2012 school year. For one of our children, this will be the last high school year.  Amazing!  The new year fills me with such anticipation, hope, and excitement.  Curriculum is still be tweaked, rules are still being made and the learning has begun.  Despite feeling rotten, I am excited to see what the year brings.  I just know it will be great. 

Thinking about Loneliness

No I am not feeling particular lonely.  I think today has just been too busy to even think about how I feel.  But someone dear brought it up and it got me thinking.  These days we are so busy with life and we fill our time with anything and everything. Yet so many are so lonely.  Ever been in a crowded place and maybe even among those considered friends and realize that you are so completely lonely.  It is such a devastating feeling. I admit that I have been guilty.  I have even been with my family and realized how completely alone I am.  Yuck. Why?  

I wish I even thought this answer was simple. I really don't think so.  On one hand, it very possibly is a lack of a true relationship with Jesus. The Bible says, " If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." (Psalm 139:8-10) 

Do you hear that? Wherever we go He is there!  Not only that, but nothing can separate us from Him. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39) 

If you know Him and you still feel lonely. . . take time to dwell in Him.  When He knows you are humbly before Him then He will wrap Himself around you.  In that moment, there will be no loneliness.  How incredible it is to KNOW beyond KNOWING that the Father of the Universe is with you and not only with you but within you.

Oh Lord, thank you.  Thank you for your love, your friendship, your correction and that I can always count on you. 

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Do you know Him?

Today is such a beautiful and blessed day!  It is blessed because the Lord Jesus wants you to come to Him today.  If you are not following Him, He wants you.  If you believe you are a Christian, than I ask has your life truly changed? Has it truly been handed over to the Lord.  There are so many who believe He is God for even the demons believe.  But the Bible says many will go to the gates of Heaven hoping to get in and He will say "I never knew you".  Oh how heartbreaking that thought is.  We have been so privileged in the US and I fear that it is keeping from bowing before the one true God.  The God of the Bible. The God that gave His life for you. Yes, I said for you.  He would have given His life for only yours.  I urge you to put your face to the ground and seek the Savior.  If you already know Him as Savior then seek Him as Friend, Father, Living Water, or whatever else you need.  ANY need you have He can fulfill. He wants a true relationship with you today!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Busy Day Today

Boy has it been busy today.  I did pretty good too. Just don't tell anyone I took a nap (LOL).  Any way big news is that I bought jeans!  You have to be female to understand what a wonderful statement that is.  I have gone from a size 8 to a size 4 since being less than well.  That is definitely a silver lining.  Love it, love it, love it!

So great and wonderful things for today!

  1. New Jeans!

  2. Brain Stimulating Work!

  3. Nap!

  4. My next doc appointment was moved up to the 22nd.  Which means hopefully I can get help soon!

  5. Good day with kiddos!

  6. Great date with husband and daughter this evening!

All in all, I call that a great day!  Thank you Father for giving me some great and wonderful things. Okay. . . now I am done. Good Night!


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The Yuckier Side of Life

I remember so clearly thinking I was pretty much invincible.  Young strong and many years of young and strong ahead of me.  A good many years back I dealt with Endometriosis (Stage 4) ending in a complete hysterectomy. Otherwise, I have always enjoyed good health.  About a year ago that began to change. First I was just tired and than it began to hurt to sit (I thought it was a previous little hip injury).  My lower back hurt but it radiated down my legs.  Unfortunately, it has not been short lived. A year later symptoms have progressed and I still don't know the cause.  Here is my current list:

  • Fatigue - It is not uncommon for it to hit a few minutes out of bed.  I often feel like it is stealing my life.

  • Overall pain and soreness. I think this is muscle but not sure. I know that sounds odd but I am too tired to figure it out. LOL

  • Joint stiffness and sometimes pain. This primarily in my hands, feet, legs, hips, and sometimes shoulders.

  • Inflammation everywhere. 

  • Dry mouth and eyes.

  • Strange rash on lower legs that seems to become much more noticeable with heat (ie: sun or warm bath).

Looking at me. . .I don't look sick.  But I definitely am.  It has in many ways halted my life.  I don't sign up for stuff at church or commit to do much of anything for fear I won't be able to do it. I don't call friends because I don't want it to be a call about what is currently ailing me.  I hate being the sick one. It suits me better to serve the sick one and pray for the sick one.  Next time you ever tell someone you will pray but then quickly forget your promise, remember that it may next time be you.  Pour your heart out to our God who answers all our prayers. That person you promised is counting on you.

What to do about it. . . Well, I am getting ready to go see the second Rheumatologist.  So far pretty much all of my blood work has been normal.  Vitamin D was critically low some time back.  I had a spinal MRI that showed arthritis in my lower back.  Now I am pretty much at a loss.  I just wait for someone to notice that little detail that makes them say " a ha"! Just take this and get on with life! LOL!

So all of this yucky stuff is one reason I caved in to doing this blog.  This gives me a chance to share without burdening family or friends.  Perhaps no one will read the blog especially if there are many whine fest days like today but that is okay too. I am not really writing so someone will read. I am writing because I must!

So the first day I told you about my faith and lest you think it means any less due to being sick. . .I must comment on that.  How has being sick changed my view of Christ being in control? NOT AT ALL! At least not in the way you might suspect.  It has definitely changed me.  Things that once got me in tither. . .don't any more.  I see things more clearly in some ways.  The things of this world are passing.  It is but a short time.  (note to self: It is but a short time. HA).  Nothing in this day took God by surprise.  He knew every detail always and forever.  The Bible also says "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom 8.28).  Not that it always comes easy but Christ said. . . "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor 12.9-10)

It just makes me want to burst out in song and that my dear friend. . .you do not want to hear.  Good thing you are reading this and not hearing it. LOL Thank you Father that you are enough for even the worst of days or situations.  I love you so!

Monday, August 8, 2011

A New Venture

I guess the nothing ventured nothing gained idea applies here.  I have been considering for the longest time writing this blog.  I always have found reasons why not.  For example, it will take lots of time. . . but my life is private. . . what would I find to say.  Well, the idea has pressed upon so much lately that I finally caved.  I hope as I write someone will find something useful or interesting.  As I write here are some things you might read: 1) About my Faith.  Jesus is my everything! Nothing else really matters in the end.  Yes, I love my family and no I am not depressed.  I just know beyond knowing that my Savior is Jesus Christ, His word is true, and He is why we exist. 2) Sickness.  Yes, I know that is depressing but maybe it will help others.  Plus I believe that many can relate in one way or another. 3) Crazy little stories.  My dreams are often more vivid (I think) than most.  I forget them in a day or two but have often thought that could be developed into something.  Be ready for the strange! 4) My family.  Yep, they will make it here.  At the same time, what you will not find is names or anything that tells who we are.  I know, holding on to the privacy.  But it is my way, to have freedom in writing this blog. Anyway, I am looking forward to this little journey.