Walking Through Faith in Hard Times
November 13-15, 2022
Walking through Faith in Hard Times is challenging, especially when facing illness, fatigue, and uncertainty. In these journal entries from a few days in November 2022, I share my personal experiences of living out faith in hard times each day, trusting God through physical trials, family responsibilities, and daily life challenges.
November 13
7:20 I’m exhausted and don’t want to get up this morning. Snooze 10 more minutes.
Up I must get. Lunch to prepare and put in crockpots. Get ready for church.
Drank veggie juice. It tastes horrible this morning. Could only get four ounces down. Brew cup of green tea instead.
Playing piano is extra hard this morning. I’m dragging greatly, strange taste in mouth making me nauseous, and I feel like I’m going to pass out.
Joe decides to put me on the spot to give testimony about the good news we received on Friday regarding my cancer. I’m not feeling good and I hate being put on the spot. I hope I don’t pass out on the platform. I managed to get through it giving a shortened version. I was considering slipping out to nursery to lay down. Guess I’m not now.
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:15-16
Feeling is getting worse. I don’t what’s causing it or why. Was going to try to stay up to eat lunch, but I just couldn’t. Fell asleep quickly. Slept until 3:33. Still very tired and unstable. Finally ate lunch around 4:30.
Sat in recliner rest of evening. Ate small dinner about 9:00. Have to stay sitting up for at least half hour so I don’t get sick to my stomach.
Scripture: Luke 23; John 18-19
Thankful for
- Ability to attend church this morning
- Loving husband wanting to take care of me
- A bed to sleep in
- Chandler’s surgery went well and he seems to be recovering well though he has a long road ahead
- A hug from my Mom
November 14
Restless night. Up and down to use restroom a few times. Exhausted and tired. Thirsty. Eyes watery. Back and shoulders hurt.
Song: ♫ I Can Only Imagine ♫
Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18; Isaiah 43:1-2
Worked on writing in Scripture Journaling Calendar. Created and cut out letters for bulletin board; and postcard invites for church on Sunday. Addressed and stamped post card invites and put them in mail.
4:10 face is feeling flushed. Lower left abdomen sharp stabbing pain.
Washed three loads clothes and folded and put away three loads. Have one load in dryer. Took it easy today.
Scripture: Matthew 28; Mark 16
Hope I feel better tomorrow.
Thankful for 1. Dezirae brave enough to drive herself to piano lessons. 2. Mom and Holly came over for us to plan thanksgiving menu 3. Dezirae wants to be involved with Thanksgiving and volunteered to make green bean casserole.
Symptoms: stinging burning pain in arms and hands, down left leg; exhausted; lacking much energy; cranky; horrible taste in mouth; feet tingling; tourniquet tightening feeling in lower left leg; low back hurts
November 15
5:00 woke with bad headache, sinus congestion, whole body aches deeply. Tired. Strange dream. Bad taste in mouth. Stomach aches.
Song: ♫ Precious and few are the moments we two can share ♫
Scripture: Psalm 119:143; Philippians 1:6; Luke 24; John 20-21
Made stop at bank today to inquire about reloadable visa card, make deposit, and check on safety deposit box. Bank manager helped me to start with. Explained why I was inquiring about box. Her initial response to my having cancer was “I’m sorry”. To which I responded, “I’m not. I know that sounds awful, but here’s why”… I was able to give brief testimony about the goodness of God. She then brought me to a lady to give me prices. She is a breast cancer survivor three years out. I was able to share brief testimony with her as well. Bank manager said, “We were meant to meet today. Thank you for your positive outlook. You’ve encouraged me.” I thanked her and told her I was glad I could help.
Think I’ve done a bit much today. Load wood in car to help out a cancer friend.
Meeting got postponed until tomorrow afternoon. Trimmed few branches and put them on burn pile. Posted gas cans for sale. Sold two of them. Folded load of clothes. Washed load of clothes. Changed dryer vent to circulate heat in the house. Took kids to and from school. Thrift store for Dezirae. Found other things needed as well. I’m feeling it now. Took over 5653 steps today. Muscles are feeling like I did a rigorous work out today. Overall, it was a decent day.
Blessings
- Given some food including a turkey, a white pumpkin (thought prayer), almonds (thought prayer)
- Sold two gas cans which gave me enough money to get needed items at thrift store.
- Able to give testimony to couple of ladies at the bank.
- Joe fixed the tire on my van today
- Joe transferred the wood from his car to my van for me
Symptoms
Started day off with pounding headache. Learned my bp was high (137/95). Took 1/4 BP Rx which helped lower it. Neuropathy in hands, arms, and feet. Neck hurts. Left side of neck sore and seems swollen. Sneezing a lot today. Whole body throbbing intensely as if I worked out too hard. Scratched back of left on vines today while trimming some branches. Left heel stringing. Periodic ringing in ears. Slight bloody nose. Apply vitamin E oil.
https://www.thyroidcancer.com/thyroid-goiter
