I finally got what everyone else has been carrying around for weeks, and it stinks! My head is stuffy & I have a runny nose & my eyes are burning. BUT . . . I have no fever or GI distress, so that's a good thing.
I am, however, thankful that I have a fully functional immune system, which appears to be working. Pray that this will be short-lived, as my sister & her family are coming home from vacation and I don't want them to get my little germies!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Ever Notice?
As soon as you start praising God for all He's done, along comes Mr. devil trying to steal your joy. No sooner did I thank the Lord for answering specific prayers then along comes another "crisis". Nothing is ever in-between with us; it's all out warfare or straight up peace.
One thing I've learned in my short time as a believer (and this is what got my attention in the beginning) is that God can handle it all, whereas I can't handle a simple task on my own. Whatever I try to do on my own - no matter how grandiose my plan or how well-executed it is, somehow it will not turn out as I expected.
God puts us through challenges in life to strengthen our character and to give us knowledge to help others at a later time. So what do I do? I'm not going to get depressed & start worrying about it. I pass along the vital info for others to agree with me in prayer, turn it over to God (asking him to help me deal with the situation gracefully), thank Him for his kindness towards me, and wait for His reply.
One thing I've learned in my short time as a believer (and this is what got my attention in the beginning) is that God can handle it all, whereas I can't handle a simple task on my own. Whatever I try to do on my own - no matter how grandiose my plan or how well-executed it is, somehow it will not turn out as I expected.
God puts us through challenges in life to strengthen our character and to give us knowledge to help others at a later time. So what do I do? I'm not going to get depressed & start worrying about it. I pass along the vital info for others to agree with me in prayer, turn it over to God (asking him to help me deal with the situation gracefully), thank Him for his kindness towards me, and wait for His reply.
Kelly Got a Job!
My daughter Kelly landed a job yesterday afternoon. Kelly is my miracle child, and she's been quite the test of the strength of my faith in the past few years. Let me explain just a little:
Kelly was born with a rare neuromuscular disease. She was born with what was called "floppy infant syndrome," a generic term for lack of muscle/muscle control. The consulting physician told her father & I that she would not live, due to a highly elevated level of muscle protein in her bloodstream. At the time, I was not a believer, but I agreed to let others pray for her, and decided that I would enjoy whatever time I had with her. The MDA has been a tremendous help to us over the years, although we have never gotten a definitive diagnosis. Today, she is an active 24 year old young woman who uses her wheelchair to get around when there is a lot of walking to do. One cannot tell that there is anything "wrong" with her just by looking at her.
Kelly is very intelligent, is easy to get along with, and loves people. Other than her limited mobility, she's pretty much "normal". (That being said, think of "normal"in terms of rebellion as well.) However, she has a lazy streak that I believe she has cultivated over the past few years to almost an art form. She has been on SSDI since she was 2 years old, and as an adult, has maintained that "income" so as to have the freedom to do whatever she likes whenever she likes. She has only held one full-time job, and that was short-lived.
The fact that Kelly has decided to work is a major milestone. She has been living with friends in Colorado for almost a year, and was planning a vacation to Florida to visit with family and friends. Her cousin is having a baby, and Kelly hasn't seen her father, brother or sister in some time. The decision to take this position instead of a vacation is a mature decision, and I'm proud of her. She made this choice on her own, without prompting from her parents or friends (whom she usually call upon for advice/support in such matters).
YAY, Kelly! And thank you, God!
Kelly was born with a rare neuromuscular disease. She was born with what was called "floppy infant syndrome," a generic term for lack of muscle/muscle control. The consulting physician told her father & I that she would not live, due to a highly elevated level of muscle protein in her bloodstream. At the time, I was not a believer, but I agreed to let others pray for her, and decided that I would enjoy whatever time I had with her. The MDA has been a tremendous help to us over the years, although we have never gotten a definitive diagnosis. Today, she is an active 24 year old young woman who uses her wheelchair to get around when there is a lot of walking to do. One cannot tell that there is anything "wrong" with her just by looking at her.
Kelly is very intelligent, is easy to get along with, and loves people. Other than her limited mobility, she's pretty much "normal". (That being said, think of "normal"in terms of rebellion as well.) However, she has a lazy streak that I believe she has cultivated over the past few years to almost an art form. She has been on SSDI since she was 2 years old, and as an adult, has maintained that "income" so as to have the freedom to do whatever she likes whenever she likes. She has only held one full-time job, and that was short-lived.
The fact that Kelly has decided to work is a major milestone. She has been living with friends in Colorado for almost a year, and was planning a vacation to Florida to visit with family and friends. Her cousin is having a baby, and Kelly hasn't seen her father, brother or sister in some time. The decision to take this position instead of a vacation is a mature decision, and I'm proud of her. She made this choice on her own, without prompting from her parents or friends (whom she usually call upon for advice/support in such matters).
YAY, Kelly! And thank you, God!
Insomnia
I'm not quite sure why, but I'm having trouble sleeping. The past few nights I have tossed & turned like I haven't done in years. The alarm is on, I've had no caffeine, I'm not eating late (we go to bed about 9 p.m. these days), and I'm not exercising before bed. The room is cool & comfortable & there are no distractions. I also don't nap during the day, unless I'm ill.
I've never had trouble getting to sleep before; I just had trouble staying asleep. When I started drinking MonaVie last March, I started sleeping well again. I'm not sure if it's because I've cut back on my juice or if it's the stress of the move, or if it's because I may be catching AC's cold (which could be due to not enough MonaVie!). Whatever the case, I don't like it!
After a night spent looking at the clock for what seemed like every 15 minutes or so, I finally got out of bed & went to the living room at 4:30. I sat in the comfy chair & started praying. Usually when I do this, I'll wind up nodding off. Well, that didn't happen today. So after praying for everyone I could think of, I got my shower, fixed my tea, and started my daily devotions earlier than usual. So far I'm not really sleepy, but I'm sure as soon as the sun peeks its head over the horizon I'll be ready for a short nap.
I've never had trouble getting to sleep before; I just had trouble staying asleep. When I started drinking MonaVie last March, I started sleeping well again. I'm not sure if it's because I've cut back on my juice or if it's the stress of the move, or if it's because I may be catching AC's cold (which could be due to not enough MonaVie!). Whatever the case, I don't like it!
After a night spent looking at the clock for what seemed like every 15 minutes or so, I finally got out of bed & went to the living room at 4:30. I sat in the comfy chair & started praying. Usually when I do this, I'll wind up nodding off. Well, that didn't happen today. So after praying for everyone I could think of, I got my shower, fixed my tea, and started my daily devotions earlier than usual. So far I'm not really sleepy, but I'm sure as soon as the sun peeks its head over the horizon I'll be ready for a short nap.
This is old
My Utmost for His Highest, May 5
"Never sympathize with a soul who finds it difficult to get to God, God is not to blame" - Oswald Chambers
I saw myself in this phrase this morning. As one who came to the Lord later in life (age 38), I was quite familiar with the excuses for not making the decision to follow Christ. As a new Christian, I often did sympathize with my lost friends and loved ones, making excuses for their doubt and unwillingness to change. Over time, I have agonized over these lost souls, crying for hours on end and feeling a burden so heavy on my heart it seems that sorrow has become a part of my daily existence. As I mature daily in my faith, I am learning that all I can do is go where the Holy Spirit leads me, present the truth of the Gospel, and turn those to whom I have shared with over to God. I will continue to pray for them and continue my witness through testimony and by example, but it is not my job to agonize over the state of their souls. I am merely an emissary of Jesus Christ, his disciple, carrying out his command to continue the work he started.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Good Night
After all I went through in setting this up, I have no energy left to write. So I'll just say, "Good night & sweet dreams."
Until morning . . .
~B~
Until morning . . .
~B~
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