Walking Through Faith in Hard Times
November 29-30, 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 29
5:30 didn’t sleep well. I’m exhausted. In much pain, Tylenol didn’t help. Very hot like I’m breaking a fever. Headache.
Song: ♫Middle of My Storm ♫
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1 -4; Psalm 130:5-7
Bro Mike from HOPE just texted me to let me know he was praying for me
8:00 My Mom called to ask for help. I agreed. It gives me time to spend with her and gets me out of house for little while.
I’m not feeling lonely or anything like that. It helps break up the monotony. It would take me a lifetime to clean up the house at my current pace and capabilities.
Washed two loads clothes. One load folded and put away. One still in dryer. Balanced checkbook and paid what bills I can. Made doctor appointments. Called surgeon to get results of testing from last week. Tried to encouraged other people. Plan meals.
Marybeth calls to check on me and chat a while. Evelyn texts praise from her recent doctor appointments.
3:00 decided to make chocolate chip cookies. Put in fridge to chill.
Dezirae wants to make Grinch cookies for the Senior’s cookie sale after Christmas program on Friday. Need to go to store to get ingredients. Bank run. Pick up present at Kohl’s. Shop at Wm. Glad dinner is in crockpot. I’m exhausted.
Joe likes the cookies. Yay! Able to donate some of the slushies for the Senior’s raising money towards their trip. Yay!
Looking for ideas to help with comforts post-surgery.
http://survivingbeautifully.com/comfort-after-breast-surgery/
Write an update post for Facebook. Included my Amazon link and tips on how to help cancer patients.
Thankful for…
- Unexpected encouraging text from Bro Mike
- Marybeth’s phone call
- Spending time with my Mom
- Able to make chocolate chip cookies by myself, used mixer for blending ingredients and a cookie scoop.
- Joe likes the cookies. My taste buds are still off.
Symptoms:
Exhausted. Slight headache. Whole body stinging and throbbing. Neuropathy in hands and arms strong. Low back throbbing. Lft hip throbbing periodically.
Lower left leg tourniquet tightening feeling with tingling and stinging. Feet tingling and throbbing. Rt eyelid twitching periodically. Legs throbbing. Muscles tight. Shoulders keep wanting to pop out of place which is very painful.
November 30
4:00 woke at 1:30 and again at 3:30. Used restroom. In much pain. Nerves are stinging and muscles are aching deeply. I’m so tired.
Song: ♫ Middle of My Storm; God of the Mountain; & I’ll Fly Away ♫
I feel like I have much to do to get ready before surgery especially since I’ll be out of commission for a while afterwards. Lord, please calm my mind and spirit.
Shared my concerns and anxiety about surgery with Joe.
Scripture: Psalm 119:165 & Joshua 1:9 run through my mind.
Offered to get up with Joe. I’m not sleeping anyways. Currently under a severe weather warning and tornado watch. Sheets in wash. I’m to sleep on clean sheets tonight and wash with special soap in preparation for surgery tomorrow.
Joe scared me. Lightning struck and Joe came in front door. He forgot his phone and came back for change of clothes as it’s storming out there right now.
Hurried up to take trash out to can before rain let loose. Printed out info for research for the devotional and scripture journaling calendar for December. Turned off and unplugged computer.
5:25 Joe called to make sure I was off the computer. Dugh! He also told me not to drive in severe weather. Storm seems to be moving fast – wait till it passes. Lord, please keep Joe safe today.
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5-8; 2 Peter 3:10-11; Romans 5:2-5
7:30 cannot push myself anymore. Laying down with wholetones music to take a nap. Slept about an hour.
Had to do a little bit of shopping to get final items for surgery tomorrow. Invited my Mom and sister along. I don’t like sports bras. They are very uncomfortable. Ugh.
3:30 had to take 2nd nap. I’m exhausted and wore out. Playing wholetones music.
8:00p Parents called to pray with me. They will join Joe in waiting room tomorrow.
Headache. Whole body throbbing. Shoulders hurting. Exhausted.
I’m really struggling with being nervous about this surgery. I wanted to have the devotional and scripture journaling plan written and posted today but that didn’t happen. Horrible taste in my mouth. Shower taken with the special soap. Almost lost my balance in the shower was able to catch myself on the wall with my shoulder. Had odd reaction on arm again while at store. It itches like crazy. Finally applied my face rub to help ease the itching. It helped. Started itching again after using special soap. Applied the face rub again.
Thankful for 1. Essential oils. 2. Found few items I needed to help after surgery. 3. Spent some time with my mom and sister. 4. Jordon came home to show his support
Playing wholetones music to fall asleep to