Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
They are Leaving, What Do I Do Now?
Happy Monday! This week’s devo is “They are Leaving, What Do I Do Now?” written by Sharon Monzo! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today.
May you ever find God’s love blooming through all you do today and all week😊.
They are Leaving, What Do I Do Now? – Sharon Monzo
You know, you hear it all the time… cherish these moments they go by fast! How true this statement is becoming right now. My husband and I have 3 daughters our oldest is 18 and heading off to college…and in 2 years our middle child will be doing the same…time is going by so fast right now… with all the ups and downs life is throwing at me with losing both my parents, one to a stroke and the other to cancer…. None of my siblings living near me enough to have a real relationship with and now my children are growing up and leaving too….wow! How alone I feel at times, how confused I feel, how undeniably, indecisive and uncontrollable my life has become!…. I go through all of these emotions on top of trying to be the mother, wife, friend, and willing servant for everybody! (I’m not complaining; I do it with a joyful heart!) I don’t know what my future holds but I do know who holds it, and I put All my trust in Him! Without the assurance of my salvation and the comfort and protection of my Lord and Saviour, I truly don’t know where I would be or how I could make it through all of this. I know that many of you that are reading this are probably already saved or at least I pray so, but if your not, there is no better time to do it, in fact your running out of time!! For those of you who are in a similar situation, maybe you are feeling alone? Maybe your children are heading off to college too… can I just say, take comfort in the Lord and trust Him! He is opening new chapters in your life…just go with it!!! While praying about what the Lord would want me to share with you, He put this on my heart!
But Then God Reminds Me!
To my daughter who is leaving to start her new chapter in life.
Parts of me want to scream and say No! You can’t leave me, but then God reminds me she has a whole life that she needs to live. I think, what if something happens to her, but then God reminds me, nothing happens without his approval, and He loves her more than I do. I think what if people are mean to her, but then God reminds me, they WILL be mean to her! There will be people all throughout her life that will be mean to her, They were mean to the nicest person to walk this earth! (Jesus) but He will comfort her and get her through it all. I think, but I will miss her, but then God reminds me, she was never mine to keep! I think, did I prepare her enough, but then God reminds me, you’ve done all that you can, it’s between Me and her now. I think, then what should i do, but then God reminds me just pray for her and trust Me! So, that’s what I’m doing! When I start to worry or get sad about my daughters all growing up and hitting these new chapters in their lives, I will just stay focused on the Lord and remember all the things God reminds me of!
Proverbs 3:5-6
Romans 8:28
https://www.sappsolutely.com/devotions/they-are-leaving-what-do-i-do-now-sharon-monzo
Lightning Strikes Journal Entries – 29-31 August 2019
August 29
7:30a- having trouble waking up today. Took a benadryl last night due to severe congestion. Also took pain rx & migraine rx. I guess it made for sleepy combo. Able to breath this morning. Severly stiff and in much pain this morning but at least migraine has eased. Still have slight headache.
Listened to wholetones music for almost an hour trying to calm overactive stinging nerves. Helped.
Lots to do today to get prepared for Joe’s birthday party after church tonight. What would take normally couple hours will take me all day. I’m learning to think outside box in order to get things accomplished.
1:00p- Eclaire cake made and in fridge. Sloppy Joe’s in crockpot. Jordon cut up the broccoli and cauliflower for me. Much appreciated. Broccoli Cauliflower Salad made and in fridge. I feel like I’m forgetting something.
I’m really sleepy. Slight headache. Pain level is a about a 4 but I did take pain rx around 9am.
1:40p- decided to wash some of dishes I dirtied. Only got part way before back was hurting too much to stand any longer.
1:30p- really tired feel crash oncoming laying down a piece
7:44p- rt hip throbbing, rt jaw aches
Headache
11:50p- low back & rt hip throbbing, lft hand and wrist numb & tingling, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness and tingling, headache worse, tired, upper back hurting, center of chest hurting, can feel my heart beating, muscles randomly twitching thru body
August 30
6a- woke with headache, eyes watery, toes tingly,
1;00p- PT with neuro students. Had me walk 6 minutes up and back. Determined that as I get tired from exercises my right side gets more wobbly. About half way thru my legs started feeling like lead. Toes tingly after walking.
Clothes line exercise showed issues with my shoulders. Wish I could remember the verbage they used.
They did several other tests to check my eyes motor control. Eyes show I’m still having trouble with vertigo.
Update: yday session went well. They definitely tested my limits (in a good way) and discovered new information along the way. i.e. – I was struck on left side of brain and right side of body is affected. Convergence insufficiency in eyes.
*I guess that would explain why it’s been difficult to read since the lightning strike.
Some of the students admitted they were intrigued about lightning survivors and said they went home after last session and looked up information about lightning survivors.
At the end of session, several had questions about what I deal with now versus prior to strike. I was able to tell them about the lightning strike and electric shock survivor Facebook group that has been helpful. I was even able to share some of the struggles I’ve dealt with regarding finding Dr’s willing to help and some of the things that have been beneficial along the way.
Some were even intrigued at the lack of medical help for long term recovery.
They were very appreciative of my willingness to participate. They even gave me a “Thank You” card.
I am thankful they were interested in learning and for their professor’s willingness to help me. God worked in mighty way & allowed seeds to be planted.
11:00p- wore out from today’s events.
Center of back left side aching with stabbing pain. Having troubl3 holding phone in hands – keep dropping. At least my headache is gone. Bloody nose.
August 31
7:30a- I’m in much pain. Whole body hurts. Tailbone feels bruised from sitting on bleachers. Shoulders and arms ache. Hands nd arms were numb uopn waking. Low back throbbing. Rt hip aches. Hands swollen and throbbing. Lowr lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness. Rt ear hurts. Neck hurts. I don’t want to get up. Left ear ringing. Bloody nose.
9:00a- started taking bulletin board down to change it out for 9/11 & Hometown Heroes Appreciation Sunday. Had to ask for help to finish taking it down. My arms started stinging & rt arm cramping.
10:00a- so sleepy today. Joe had me drive car once we got to street to knock doors. Guys able to lead a lady to Christ.
12:30p- Mom, Dezirae, & I work on sprucing up front of church. I was able to rake a wheelbarrow full of pine needles for flower beds before pain was too much to bare. After resting a bit, Joe told me he needed to take me home bc I was going to overdo it.
Dezirae found my biology books! They somehow got put in clothing closet area? Weird?
3:00p- need to lay down feel like I’m going to pass out. Guys working on hunting stuff keep moving bed little. Make me feel like I’m tossed on stormy sea. Decided to move to Dezirae’s bed.
4:30p- still feel tired but need to cook dinner & do bulletin for tomorrow. Really need to start on it earlier in week. Gotta try to get my brain in gear.
11:30p- finished bulletin about 10:30. Got dizzy when going to restroom. Sore all over. Neck hurts. Hairline itches like crazy like allergic reaction to something. Hair touching skin bothersome. Lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with numbness more than usual, lft hand went numb, lower back throbbing, center of chest tender with mild icy feeling, upper shoulders and back achy with pins & needles sensation, pins & needles sensation in legs below knees, lower back/butt bruised and painful to touch, bruise on left upper arm (think I fell into dresser but not 100% certain), cramping in middle back region, neck hurts, periodic ringing in ears today, middle toe on left foot throbbing like it was bit, periodic coughing like I’m choking on fluids, tongue still looks odd
Didn’t drink enough water today. I’m very thirsty.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries – 27-28 August 2019
August 27
6:30- whole body aches
8:00- headache oncoming, rt hip & low back aches, face hurts
12:15p- just folded load of clothes from yday. My arms especially rt arm started cramping pushed thru until load was folded. Rt arm burning cramping, out of breath and exhausted. Time to rest til cramping subsides.
4:30p- put clothes away. Remembered I needed to shred chicken for dinner. By time I get chicken shredded my back throbbing and shoulders burning. Need to lay flat to rest back a while.
6:00p- muscles twitching in lower lft leg outside
7:45p- stomach cramping and hurting
8:30p- lower back really throbbing. Heating pad applying.
10:15p- doesn’t seem as if heat is helping…hard to think strait hurting this bad. Sipping chammomile tea.
August 28
5:00a- stomach and back cramping/throbbing most of night. Fell asleep doing breathing exercises. Tossed and turned most of night trying to get remotely comfortable.
6:00a- cramping has eased some. I hurt horribly from head to toes. Feel like I was beat up. Hurts to move. Sinuses congested severly. Trouble breathing.
8:00a- headache, feet tingly lft more than right, lower lft leg just above ankle tourniquit tighten feeling, hands swollen and achy, eyes watery, center of chest aches
Going to see if hot shower will help.
2:00p- PT study went well. There were 10 advanced neuro physical therapy students in the class today. Their assignment was to do an inital evaluation to determine what was wrong and different injuries. It was quite interesting and challenging at times.
I brought my usual paperwork that I bring to new apts but gave at end of class. They were amazed but very thankful that I chose to participate.
They even challenged me…asked me what my goal was in all of this. I wasn’t sure how to answer. Told them to be able to do more physically bc I’m not able to do half of what I used to and to be able to encourage others to get the help they need.
They will meet with professor (my physical therapist) tomorrow to discuss they’re prognosis and come up with action plan.
Friday they will finish up testing they weren’t able to complete today and discuss action plan with me. I will ve able to give my input as well.
11:50p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Migraine included. Rx taken. Hope to sleep some tonight.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries – 25-26 August 2019
August 25
2am- awake
5am- awake
7:00a- alarm goes off. I’m in much pain especially my lower back. First thoughts why does it have to hurt so bad?!
8:48a- still in lots of pain. Had to get daughter to help curl back of hair as my arms already cramping. Just want to lay down til pain goes away. On positive side, migraine has eased some though still have a headache.
11:30- Reni made my day. She decided to sit with me during church. She paitently waited until I was done playing piano then scooted to snuggle next to me once I sat down. Decided to take pic and noticed our toes were painted same color.
Decided to make list of items that I see need to be done around church so 1. I can feel like I’m getting something done, be focuzed on what needs done, and 2. I can delegate help when people ask to help.
A lot of times when when people ask how I’m doing I really don’t know how to answer. I’m always in pain sometimes more than other times. It’s hard for me to know where I’m at compared to where I’ve been because of my memory until I refer to my notes. When people ask how they can help I’d not sure how to answer. Sometimes I don’t know how to help myself because I’m uncertain on what exactly is going on. To be frankly honest, I’m finding to relearn how to do lots of things. Some is due to the fact that I’m limited in physical function. The muscles on my rt side have become weak and cramp easily at the simplest chore. I’m having to learn how to go about daily chores in differents. It’s almost like learning how to be left handed instead of right handed. Yet even then I face challenges bc if I do too much I cause severe muscle and cartlidge inflammation in my chest which is very painful and puts me down for days sometimes weeks.
Planning meals has been quite difficult. I have trouble making decisions. I’m unsure if the family is going to like it. I don’t even remember if I like it half the time. My taste buds have changed. My husband is having to relearn me bc things I used to like I don’t like anymore. I don’t even remember what my favorite meal was prior to strike.
I remember that I like strawberries and still do. I loathed the color yellow. Now I like sunflowers but I still dislike yellow – go figure?
Basically, I’m learning to rediscover myself all over again. It’s frightening and exciting and overwhelming at times all in one package.
Sometimes I feel like a new child discovering all the different things in the world for the first time again. Sometimes I get frustrated because I know in my brain I should know things already (how to cook, how to clean, balance checkbook, name of objects, etc.), but for some odd reason I just can’t remember it. Sometimes my mind is just blank and I have no clue what I’m suppose to be doing.
I’ve been trying out avenues of meal plans to simplify that part of taking care of the home. Right now I’m working on planning a six week rotating schedule. Having a meal schedule not only helps me know what I plan to have for that day but also what items I need to have on hand for that week.
10:09p- severe cramping under rt rib!!!!
Pic insert x2
August 26
6:00a- pain in back pulsating like bad toothache. Lights bothersome. I hurt all over. Sinuses congested. Eyes watery. Weird dreams.
9:30a- chilling in livingroom Jordon asks me about how long my apt would be. Oh, no! I totally forgot about it lost track time. I’m going to be late!!! Ugh!
11:06- PT tested gait walking. I have improved speed by .7 millimeters per second. I don’t recall all she said but that’s a good bit of increase since starting PT in end of May. Thank you, Lord!!! Something about it decreases chances of falls and improvement of well being. She’s adjusting pt exercises to help with coordination skills bc they’re quite lacking presently.
Muscles in lower back aches and tingly.
12:20p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Just tried to move bed out from wall so can put headboard at head of bed. Had to ask Jordon for help. Don’t have right kind of rails to attach head and foot boards. Looks good though. Wish I could remember what she said about the gate speed thing.
1:09p- center of chest rt side hurting, low back throbbing, hands ache
10:40p- lower back & rt hip throbbing, stinging needle pain in lft thigh, lower left leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, chest aches, upper back & shoulders ache and hurt to move much, headache, hands swollen and achy. Skin extra sensitive to touch – hair on lft arm couldn’t see it but sure could feel it about drove me crazy until I could get it off me. Random muscle spams in legs.
Just remembered to order MSM. If only I could get relief from pain once in a while.
Where Do I Belong by Susie Montgomery
Happy October!!! I can’t believe Fall is here already. I love this time of year!
This week’s devo is “Where Do I Belong” written by Susie Montgomery! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us, and the troubles she had in the past with feeling like she just didn’t fit in as a Pastor’s Wife! I love this devo!
I hope that you have the best week ever!!!
Where Do I Belong – Susie Montgomery
For the last 21 years I have been married to a pastor. Through those years I have felt like I just don’t belong to the “pastor’s wives group”. I don’t perceive myself to be calm, sweet, or full of wisdom like I picture a pastor’s wife to be. Actually, I think I’m more energetic, opinionated and full of laughter. I know, not qualities that you expect from a pastor’s wife. I struggled with a feeling of belonging causing me to act and be someone who I am not. I suppressed my feeling of light-heartedness and tried not to laugh. “Be serious” I would tell myself. “People don’t want a silly pastor’s wife.”
Those years were sad for me. I didn’t laugh and have fun like the person I was created to be. Instead, I looked stern and tried to always have something important to say. I wore business-like clothes to church and volunteered as much as I could to not connect with people on a personal level. If they knew who I really was they wouldn’t like me, or worse, they would look for another pastor or church.
Through the years our great God has shepherded me to understand who He is and have an abiding love for His Word. I’d like to give you a little glimpse into that growing process and finding a true sense of belonging.
Belonging, defined by Brene’ Brown, is “Being part of something bigger than yourself. Because this yearning is so primal we often try to acquire it by fitting in and seeking approval, which are not only hollow substitutes for belonging, byt often barriers to it.”
Our focus will be on Belonging to God and His family. But first, I have a bit of an “ugly Duckling” story. When I was in high school I overheard a boy named, get this, Balarama Warner- they called him Balls, call me the ugliest girl in school. Of course, I was devastated, but also thought “that was probably true”. Years passed, I went away to school, and came home for the summers to work. Guess who came to the store I was working at? Yep! Balls. He would flirt with me from time to time, until one day he finally asked me out. I relished this moment! I said, “You don’t remember me do you?” When I told him who I was, he had the audacity to say, “so, does this mean you won’t go out with me?” HA! That was a defining moment in my life. The boy, who called me ugly, was now wishing he hadn’t.
That story turned out ok, but those years I spent in high school thinking and believing I didn’t belong were painful. I hid in the bathroom stalls during lunch so that I wouldn’t have those hurtful experiences again. It is hard to see the creation, which God called “very good”, being good to that high school girl. In Genesis 3:8-24 we understand that the original sin of Adam and Eve brought a curse of God’s good creation.
Sin Causes: us to hide ourselves, separation from loved ones, pain, and death. When we sin, we hide. We’re so afraid that there may be something about me that, if people found out about it, I wouldn’t be worthy of connection. It is much easier to just hide. We hide behind pretending to be smart. We hide behind being busy. We hide behind trying to be super sweet. We hide!
Adam’s offence, in Genesis 3, leads to judgment, which leads to condemnation. We are ashamed! Christ’s act of righteousness brought a free gift, which leads to justification of life. Grace is God’s gift to undeserving sinners because of Christ’s act of righteousness.
While studying about belonging I came across several articles and talks by Brene’ Brown. She said this, “The people who have a strong sense of love and belonging are the people who believe they are worthy of love and belonging.” This sounds good. Right? Do you see where this conflicts with Scripture? My friends, We ARE unworthy! There is nothing good in us. God is completely justified in condemning us to an eternity in Hell.
Romans 8:1 can help us form a more scriptural approach to belonging. “There is therefore now on condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” Could we rephrase the previous quote by Brown to say this, The people who have a strong sense of belonging, are the people who realize the price that was paid for them to belong! Christ’s act of righteousness brings true belonging. True belonging is being fully known and fully loved! There is only One who fully knows us, and we can be so thankful today that He also fully loves us! He demonstrated that love for us on the cross! His act of righteousness brought the free gift of a justified life.
No more do we live in condemnation! No more do we need to search for belonging! Those who are in Christ belong! Now that I belong to Christ, I bring the sense of belonging with me everywhere I go! No more hiding in bathroom stalls, no more hiding behind a fake me! I belong, and I want everyone else to have this same “belonging”. In 1942 Clayton Ellsworthwrote these words “ Now I belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me. Not for the years of time alone, but for eternity”! Let us go bring others to God and His family!
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 22-24 August 2019
August 22
5:00a- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Neck throbbing. Lower back throbbing. Sinuses congested. Blowing nose much. At least my chest pain has eased some. Used pain roller last night before I fell asleep. Hard to sleep when in so much pain. Strange dreams. Eyes watering. Stomach hurts.
Song on mind…♫Lord, I lift Your name on high Lord, I love to sing Your praises I’m so glad You’re in my life I’m so glad You came to save us You came from Heaven to earth to show the way From the earth to the cross my debt to pay From the cross to the grave From the grave to the sky Lord, I lift Your name on high Lord, I lift Your name on high.♫
8:20a- finally fell back to sleep. Overslept. Hurt worse.
10:47a- left foot and ankle numb and tingling
5:00p- cut my lft middle finger pretty good cutting the sausage to sauté. Ouch!
7:00p- center of chest stabbing pain. Chest hurts. Trying to play piano not using hurt finger isn’t easy. It hurts!
10:30p- jawline aches, upper lft shoulder stinging needle pain, lower lft leg numbish, achy, and tingly, neck hurts, rt ear aches, sinus congestion, headache, itchy skin, center of chest stinging, sharp, pain, legs throbbing, rt side aching, headache
https://health-boundaries.com/vitamin-b12-and-fingernails/amp/t
August 23
4:15p- getting closer to putting things together for the Appreciation Sunday. Dropped off fliers at the Fire Dpt & Police Dpt.
Couple of restaurants are donating to help. One not exactly what we were wanting but we can make it work. Stopped at store for tp & shells. Hit my head getting out of car. Made my headache worse.
Stopped at Dr office to pick up bp rx. Dr signed me up for patient assistance program. If it weren’t for that I wouldn’t be able to afford it. (Even with GoodRx coupon it would cost me $200+ monthly. Choke! Choke!)
Thank the Lord for His provisions.
Laying down to rest a piece. I’m wore out from running errands.
9:27p- rt side cramping off an on most of afyernoon. Now back and shoulders cramping. Exhausted. Neck throbbing. Headache. Lights bothersome. Rt ear hurts. Hands swollen and achy. Lower left leg numbish and aches. Center of chest stabbing pain. Applying pain roller & heating pad.
August 24
6:30a- woke to stinging throbbing pain in lower back.
7:00a- stinging needle pain in upper back and shoulders, headache. Think I may need migraine rx.
10:30a- chest center pain not letting loose, headache makes me wanta cry. Migraine rx taken not helping. Severely congested. Laying down in darken nursery room. Wearing sunglasses indoors. Wish I had a heating pad at church.
Stubbornness mingled in pain sometimes is not good combination. Probably should’ve stayed home. Gonna try to pray for those going out.
What am I suppose to learn in this? How can I overcome?
Ringing in my head. Burning chilling pain (almost as if I applied icy hot) my chest. Gas in my belly. Gurgling sounds in my esophagus. Lower back & rt hip throbbing. Shoulders & neck hurt.
Going to try to play music to drown the ringing noise.
Fell asleep. Woken by phone call x3. Joe picking up lunch.
12:30p- felt little better after eating. Sharpened pencils to put in pews. Pencils donated. Thank you, Lord. Put some supplies away.
1:05p- hurting more. Time to lay down a while to rest.
8:22p- thanks to Dezirae’s help able to get bulletin done early enough to enjoy time with family. Feels nice on Saturday night. Emotional all over today.
11:53p- headache, rt eye hurrs, eyes sensitive to lights, indigestion, sinus congestion, whole body aches, face hurts, stomach hurts, cycle showed, drinking red raspberry leaf tea, exhausted, lower back throbbing, lower lft leg and foot tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, rt ear hurts, eyes watery
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries – 19-21 August 2019
August 19
11:15a- hiccups already in day one of homeschool. Desktop CD/DVD player not reading any discs whatsoever. Ugh! Follow all kinds of online instructions to no avail.
In middle of this my Mom pestering me about books I need to mail for my sister. She decides to help by coming over to take them to post office bc I can’t buy media mail postage online. Misplaced a textbook and can’t remember where I put it. Jordon trying to jog my memory by asking questions. Refuses to let me lift anything heavy. I know this is true but my stubborness wants to say No I can do it.
Stress doesn’t suit me. Middle of chest now is hurting and has icy burning sensation.
5:16p- Mom dropped off a store bought lasagna to help for dinner. Made homemade bread but the yeast never rose
11:18p- whole body hurts, hands swollen and achy, low back throbbing, center of chest throbbing, upper back stinging, stuffy nose, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling,
August 20
9:00p- busy day. Food pantry a big blessing. School. Still can’t find textbook I misplaced and don’t remember where I put it. Headboard and footboard given and delivered to us. Answer to prayer. Feel like sinus infection oncoming. Short of breath easily. Lethargic. Severly congested. Blowing nose much. Sneezing much. Homemade Chicken noodle soup. Harvested Greek oregano. Went to store to get rx filled and few groceries. Former student now a store manager there. So happy for him.
Inflammation still much in center of chest. Limited activities. Cut son’s hair…in doing so my rt arm cramped up. Had to rest little bit before finishing up even then rt arm burning.
Stiff body upon rising. Sinuses amuck. Face hurts. Ears ringing periodically. Chest hurts. Lethargic. Exhausted. Hands swollen and achy. Rt ear hurts. Rt hip aches. Low back aches. Upper back stinging. Neck hurts. Limited turning range.
10:27p- trying to wait for oldest son to get home. My skin itches & muscles cramping. Lymph nodes on lft side neck swollen. Difficulty swallowing. Feels like meds got stuck in chest. Miss my little night light. Have to remember to grab it. Teeth hurt rt side. Nerve endings starting to feel like they’re on fire. Headache worsening.
August 21
5:30a- woke to terrible pain in lower back. Whole body achy and stiff. Head hurts but not as bad as last night.
Thinking I may need to add zinc to my routine. Looking for multivitamin that will have most of vitamins I take so I can reduce amount of pills taken at one time. https://livenaturallymagazine.com/timing-is-everything/
10:00a- Co-op mtg today. Kids sign up for electives. I’m teaching ASL for 8th-12th grades.
3:00p- wore out trying to figure out where I put that textbook. Daughter’s been doing the lifting. Whole body aches. Upper body tensing. Neck hurts.
9:00p- Costocondritis trying to rear it’s ugly head. Heating pad & ibuprofen. Lower back throbbing. Headache. Whole body achy and stiff. Sinuses congested. Trouble swallowing. No PT exercises tonight…maybe just breathing.
10:00p- whole body hurting. Hands swollen, achy, numbish, tingling pins and needles thru body, feet hurt, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling, shoulders stiff and burning, sharp pain shooting down lft side of torso, skin itchy, stomach hurts. Hey, hey, hey, at least my pain is letting me know I’m alive.
11:02p- becoming more clutsy. Just spilt my water on my night stand. Tripped over my feet getting up from dinner almost fell. Caught myself.
Fall in Love with Jesus
Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Are you wary about meeting new people or making new friends? I know that I am.
Due to past experiences, I am very cautious about making new friends. I tend to be very guarded at times because of the unknown and not wanting to get hurt.
Thankfully, there is One who always has our best interest at heart. He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Sadly, we tend to keep Him at arm’s length only calling on Him when we think we need His help. Or we call on Him when we have an urgent need.
It’s hard to love someone you don’t know. In order to Fall in Love with Jesus, we must truly get to know Him.
Getting to know someone takes time and perseverance. Keep a positive outlook and enjoy getting to know Him by spending time studying His Word.
Lightning Strikes – Journal Entries 16-18 August 2019
August 16
2am- jerked awake. Almost fell out of bed too close to edge.Pain increaseth. Ugh! Took pain rx.
4am- woken by stinging needle pain. Tried to look up how to reduce it so I could get back to sleep but couldnt focus eyes well enough to read. Drank glass of water. Deep breathing. Few PT exercises.
5am- alarm went off. Thought I hit snooze.
5:19a- Joe tells me it’s time to get up. Ugh! Need to take Jordon to work. Stepped wrong getting out of bed and sprained my left foot.
6:19a- home again. Stinging needle pain in upper torso and arms and hands. Laying back down hope to get little more sleep. Rt hip aches. Neck hurts.
11:27a- Joe calls says son forgot the check to get his twic card for his job. No happy camper. Day thrown off. Have to drive on interstate during busy time into area I’m not familiar with. Not suppose to finish sentence with preposition but unable to think how to reword sentence momentarily.
Mom calls to ask about coming over to help with upcoming event. Tell her I’m not home. Asks me to call when I get home.
Accident on exit I get off backing up traffic. Orange juice I drank at breakfast is not agreeing with me. Feel knot in stomach and not feeling too good.
Joe tried to tell me directions but it’s not registering. Put address in gps but it tells me to turn wrong way off exit. Have to turn around. Almost rear ended three times. Nerves are a muck. Trying to ease nerves by music on radio but songs not helping. Finally make it.
12:30p- finally make it home. My nerves are tingling all over. Need to sit and rest to ease nerves. Feeling exhausted like I’m going to crash.
Eat lunch – turkey & cheese rollup.
2:00p- Joe comes home tells me I need to call my Mom. I forgot to call.
I text her to let her know I need a nap and I’ll call her in a bit.
4:00p- knew I was exhausted but wow
5:00p- making cookies for friend who showed kindness recently as a thank you.
Making dinner. Not able to stand too long at a time without my back pitching a fit.
10:45p- stomach still upset. Hurting all over. Feels as if I may loose my cookies. Ugh!
Oh, man I forgot to pkg up cookies for shipping. Not sure if I’ll have time in am but I’ll try. Church activity tomorrow.
I wish I could have a day to rest from everything. I’m so tired. Headache.
11:15p- holy cow! A cricket is loud when it decides to perch on your night stand and sing. Scared me!
August 17
5:00a- woke to lower back and rt hip throbbing, stinging burning pain in upper back, rt wrist and elbow throbbing like I sprained them.
12:27p- got to share my praise about getting physical therapy with Pastor Dean Miller. He said it was amazing all the obstacles I’ve overcome already. He thanked me for sharing. Looking forward to hearing him speak in little bit.
1:15p- nerves stinging in arms, hands, and upper back. Took pain rx. Trouble with balance today. Seem to be more dizzy.
10:59- stomach and back cramping, lft lymph node on side of neck swollen, congested stuffy nose, lower lft leg tourniquit tighten feeling with some numbness, back aches, rt hip throbbing
August 18
6am- tired. Crashed when I went to bed last night. Congested and stuffy. Face itches. Bad taste in mouth. Thirsty. Feet hurt. Low back aches. Rt hip aches. Ears hurt.
7a- had to use lint roller on blouse. Just doing that cause upper rt arm to cramp and shooting pain in whole arm. Have to rest it a little bit so I can get ready for church. Used pain roll on.
Dizzy.
9:40a- neck popped. Neck hurts. Feeling weird inside my brain. Not sure how to explain. Brain kind of swimming. Dizzy more.
Tripped over my feet and almost fell. Ugh!
10:26a- chilling burning sensation in middle of back of head down to center middle of neck and back. Eyes feel very heavy trouble keeping awake. Sleepy all of sudden. Don’t feel right.
1:30p- as I was preparing lunch, had to sit and close my eyes bc I couldn’t go anymore. Having friend for lunch but struggling to be hospitable bc trouble keeping eyes open. Serving lunch it started to rain a little. I wonder if that has anything to do with this disabling feeling oversweeping me.
Crashing oncoming to overcome.
4:00 Joe came to wake me. Scared me in process as I opened my eyes just as he was coming in room. Wasn’t expecting movement and it startled me. He giggled bc he did exact opposite of what he was trying not to do. Still very tired. Feel drained. Lft arm completely numb when I woke.
Head hurts, neck hurts. Rt hip & lower back throbbing. Stuffy nose.
5:30p- slight bloody nose.
6:00p- two kids sat with me during church. Gave them color sheets and crayons with which to color. One of girls decided to add to her page. She leans over and asks me what color I was. I chuckled and asked what color do you think I am? She says she didnt know. The other girl whispers, “silly shes tan!” I chuckled even more and said I’ll take that. Kids crack me up with sillezt things sometimes.
11:35p- I’m exhausted and hurting all over. Not mentally prepared for school to start tomorrow.
Mentioned to a lady that school starts tomorrow. Her response was “So your vacation is over.” I’m hoping she didn’t mean it the way it came out but let’s back this train up. What vacation? I’m never on vacation. We’re raising three children. Homeschooling two teens. Wife. Mother. Pastor’s wife. Lightning strike survivor with complex issues of recovery. Revitalizing a church. Where in there do I have time to be on vacation??? Let alone the money to even afford one??
Lord, please help first day of school to go smoothly. Thank you.
Freezing. Socks on feet to warm up. Exhausted and hurting all over. Took 1/2 muscle relaxer and pain rx. Need my sleep for tomorrow.
