Drought - Analogy

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One of the blessings of these past years of drought is that farmers were able to enlarge their ponds to hold water and prepare for future trouble. There is a spiritual analogy in that.

Talking to a Brick Wall - Analogy

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If I was to repeatedly talk to my father or my husband without getting a reply, I would feel like I was talking to a brick wall. Yet how many times have I poured out my heart to the Lord and not expected an answer. God is good. Better than any of the human counterparts who, in a blurry way, represent Him to us on Earth. We need to expect that He listens and that He will answer with compassion and tenderness.

Meditate on God

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I love learning about health and nutrition, but when a book starts talking about healing hypothyroidism by picturing blue and meditating on the universe I put it down and grab my Bible. I will meditate on The Authority (for salvation, godliness, and yes, diet and healing).

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellent, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. PHIL 4:8 ESV

Moms, You are World Changers

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Moms, you are changing the world. Your primary ministry is to love and serve your family. There are days it feels like this season will never end, but the truth is by God's Timeline it is only a breath, only a moment. God wants you to push on and persevere, He will uphold you and give you strength. Your children will rise up and call you blessed if you make it a priority to love them and bless them. You have the potential to change the world!

A Morning Prayer

A morning prayer, copied from facebook, date shown.

Lord, give me the strength to do the jobs you have for me. Give me the grace to require of myself only that which You require. Let me judge my life through Your eyes only - not my own, not my friends, not media - Yours. Help me to find pleasure in the journey as You have promised (Ps 16:11), as I abide in You, in Your presence. Help me to bear much fruit as I draw life, strength, and healing waters from Your viney arms of love which are holding me and sustaining me. Help me to continue to stand upon the promises that I find in Your Word. Thank you that I can do all things through Your Son, Jesus, who is my strength and my song.

Paul Went Back to Work

Today was Paul's first day back on the preload at UPS since his herniated discs were diagnosed. He has finished his course of physical therapy to satisfy the doctor who then released him to go back to work. Paul is SO happy to be back at work. Even though we won't actually see a paycheck until Friday of next week, he feels like the bread winner again. He is singing in the kitchen right now! Such a difference from last week! Oh - and he may be delivering the air packages often again, which is wonderful!

We humans are made to work. Paul works outside of the home, so being without that work made him a little despondent for a time. Similarly, my work is in the home. And, when I cannot do my work I am more than a little discouraged. And, I have been really "sick" lately with my overall health. I am not sick to my stomach, I don't have the flu. What I have is a few debilitating chronic issues that get me down from time to time.

My hypothyroid condition has been really awful lately. I think that I mentioned that I switched to from synthetic thyroid medicine to desiccated thyroid called Naturethroid. While my doctor and I have great hopes for this medicine change-  it came with a warning. The doc told me in no uncertain terms that the first month I would feel really terrible. I had hoped that he would be wrong. I had hoped that I could defeat the norm through prayer, but he was right. My strength, energy, and vitality plummeted when I switched. It has been slowly improving as I keep raising my Naturethroid dose to try to find the optimum amount. But, in the meantime, I feel awful.

I am not able to do much school. I get tired and irritable too quickly. I nap a lot. I am not "depressed," but I am discouraged that my abilities are so limited at this time. I know that it is temporary. I think that better health will come soon.

Meanwhile, I keep thinking that we should have moved South years ago. Every year we talk about moving for my health, and every year we put it off. Here it is mid-March and I am coming out of the winter fog again. We are still searching for the root causes of my autoimmune issues, my chronic vitamin d deficiency, etc., but in the mean time I wish I could be somewhere soaking in sunshine year round. It sure couldn't hurt, right?

So, long story short - Paul is much, much better! With his last evaluation at the Physical Therapist his strength had improved 165% from his first visit. But, I am worse. I am so, so sick of this up and down based on the weather and the seasons.

Learning Contentment

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Sometimes the Lord will give you newer and better material blessings (new house, new job, pay raise, new car, electronic toys, etc.). But He always wants you to learn to be content with where you are and what you have.

"...For I have learned in whatever situation to be content..." Phil 4:11

Continue the Blessings

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This might sound a bit self-serving, but it really isn't my intent: I was just thinking - everyone helps out new moms with meals and such, but it would be a great blessing to any mother to have a meal anytime.
Furthermore, we all give cards to a new bride and groom, but how about writing a note of encouragement during the first few rough years.

Men of Integrity

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One thing I know about a man of integrity- he is not nearly as concerned with how things look on the outside as compared to what is going on in your heart.

Update on Paul's back

Paul had an epidural steroid injection (ESI) last week. He has greater mobility and less pain now. He hopes to even go back to work soon.

Time will tell, but we are trying to be optimistic.