I jogged today. I have been getting back to walking then jogging and today I jogged for over 80 minutes. I probably walked 10 minutes of it, but it felt great. I am so thankful for this amazing blessing and answer to prayer.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind. Isaiah 40:31 msg
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Answers!
This won't be long and drawn out, I have a lot to do today, but answers, whoa daddy are there answers!
- A $200 check from the church of a family member, totally unsolicited. (as mentioned previously, we have had a serious financial strain come up).
- A $190 gas card from a family member, totally unsolicited.
- I found out that I have mono, that is why I am not well. While not a "blessing" it is better than some of the things we tested for, and now we know what to do....rest.
- Our church is going to be providing temporary "emergency" respite for us for a few months. (See number 3.)
- I think we are getting a handle on Ben's sleep.
- We are all studying scripture and praying more.
- Alex has been petrified when discussing his swimming for two weeks, since he was getting sick last time he went and it was traumatic. This morning he it totally cool with swimming today.
Get out of here, you Devil's crew:
at last God has heard my sobs.
My requests have all been granted,
my prayers are answered. Psalm 6:8-9 msg
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
What kind of Dangerous Surrender is this?
It was in fall of 2009 that I read the book "Dangerous Surrender" by Kay Warren.
It is a great book. A life changing book. I really highly recommend it, especially if you have the gumption to follow through. ;-)
It changed me. I became overly enthusiastic to save the world. I already have a bit of a polyanna syndrome, but this was at a whole other level. I was out to kick some tale and take NO names. I was on fire like I never had been before. That was the fall that Ben got sick. After spending most of December going to doctors, emergency departments, and over a week in the hospital, we got the diagnosis of his Acute Lymphoid Leukemia on December 31, 2009.
My mission continued in a different vein. To care for my son to the best of my ability while giving God glory for sustenance. I was told (or understood, whether it was what I was told or not) that the "up front" part of treatment, the first 9 months, was the hardest, then the maintenance phase begins, and you are on cruise control (so to speak), from that point on, and life goes back to a relative normalcy. I counted months, weeks and days to the maintenance phase, and it finally came after a rough 9 months up front. I was set to go, life was starting again, and I had no holds barred.
But normalcy didn't resume, really. Mini obstacle after mini obstacle came up, needing me to navigate over, under or through them, never around.
Then last July after a fabulous week in Colorado at a women's conference, then vacationing with my husband, Ben broke his leg. It was a minor accident, it seemed to trivial to even bring him to the ED. I felt silly showing up there, yet in my gut I knew it was a fracture. Follow up on that fracture revealed that Ben's bones are incredibly frail and weak, from the side effects of treatment and nutrient deficiency. I have a rambunctious 5 year old in the bone structure of a frail 85 year old woman. I set out to fix this problem, only to be told again and again that it is not something that can be fixed until treatment is finished.
Then during the fall, Ben battled campylobacter (a bacterial food poisoning) for 8 weeks and two hospitalizations, with a pneumonia thrown in for variety. Just last week we found out that he has a chronic, antibiotic resistant sinus infection that has infected the bones behind his ears as well.
And did I mention that he has a severe, persistent, drug resistant, insomnia? For two years now?
This clearly is a new normal, and to be honest, I have developed a great resentment. That is where this fast comes in. In my resentment I have railed against God. I have questioned, I have sobbed, I have raged, I have doubted, and finally, in obedience, I have fasted.
Though I have so far to go, God has used this agony to bring me out of total selfishness into his glorious presence.
I still have enormous desires to go out and change the whole world around me. However, at the close of this fast, on this past Sunday at church, there was a message just for me. Just for me!!
I have come full circle. I am where I need to be, doing exactly what I have been commissioned to do. God leading and guiding me.
It is a great book. A life changing book. I really highly recommend it, especially if you have the gumption to follow through. ;-)
It changed me. I became overly enthusiastic to save the world. I already have a bit of a polyanna syndrome, but this was at a whole other level. I was out to kick some tale and take NO names. I was on fire like I never had been before. That was the fall that Ben got sick. After spending most of December going to doctors, emergency departments, and over a week in the hospital, we got the diagnosis of his Acute Lymphoid Leukemia on December 31, 2009.
My mission continued in a different vein. To care for my son to the best of my ability while giving God glory for sustenance. I was told (or understood, whether it was what I was told or not) that the "up front" part of treatment, the first 9 months, was the hardest, then the maintenance phase begins, and you are on cruise control (so to speak), from that point on, and life goes back to a relative normalcy. I counted months, weeks and days to the maintenance phase, and it finally came after a rough 9 months up front. I was set to go, life was starting again, and I had no holds barred.
But normalcy didn't resume, really. Mini obstacle after mini obstacle came up, needing me to navigate over, under or through them, never around.
Then last July after a fabulous week in Colorado at a women's conference, then vacationing with my husband, Ben broke his leg. It was a minor accident, it seemed to trivial to even bring him to the ED. I felt silly showing up there, yet in my gut I knew it was a fracture. Follow up on that fracture revealed that Ben's bones are incredibly frail and weak, from the side effects of treatment and nutrient deficiency. I have a rambunctious 5 year old in the bone structure of a frail 85 year old woman. I set out to fix this problem, only to be told again and again that it is not something that can be fixed until treatment is finished.
Then during the fall, Ben battled campylobacter (a bacterial food poisoning) for 8 weeks and two hospitalizations, with a pneumonia thrown in for variety. Just last week we found out that he has a chronic, antibiotic resistant sinus infection that has infected the bones behind his ears as well.
And did I mention that he has a severe, persistent, drug resistant, insomnia? For two years now?
This clearly is a new normal, and to be honest, I have developed a great resentment. That is where this fast comes in. In my resentment I have railed against God. I have questioned, I have sobbed, I have raged, I have doubted, and finally, in obedience, I have fasted.
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
In the end, I always realize how closely he is carrying me and how truly lost I would be without him. Without the devastating losses, I would be a lost person. The heartache has formed my heart.Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. Psalm 42
Though I have so far to go, God has used this agony to bring me out of total selfishness into his glorious presence.
I still have enormous desires to go out and change the whole world around me. However, at the close of this fast, on this past Sunday at church, there was a message just for me. Just for me!!
Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21My mission is where I am. I don't have to be sent far and wide. I don't have to impact communities, cities or nations. My mission is here. I have been commissioned, sent, if you will, to this very place that I already am.
I have come full circle. I am where I need to be, doing exactly what I have been commissioned to do. God leading and guiding me.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Peace, Joy, and Hope
Thursday evening I was doing one of the Bible Studies in my Women of Faith Study Bible. The title is Peace, Joy, and Hope. It seemed suitable under the circumstances. As I was rounding out the study, with my mind more than halfway toward sleep, I read the last paragraph. I read: "Lay all your hurts and worries before him. Ask him to help you accept your circumstances...". EXCUSE ME?! Why on earth should I have to accept cancer, and sinus infections and Hirschsprung's Disease, and no sleep, and....the whole dang thing. I DON'T WANT TO ACCEPT IT, I WANT IT TO GO AWAY!!!!
But it is not going away. While I believe in praying boldly, and looking for answers with eagerness, I also know that this all won't just disappear like it was never there.
So I tried. I tried to pray for acceptance, for contentment in these circumstances. I couldn't.
Then I tried to pray for a heart that would be able to pray for acceptance of these circumstances. I kind of almost did a little bit.
I remember, there was a time, a long time, that I was content in these circumstances. I was able to accept all this and be good, really good with God. What has changed? God hasn't changed, He is still good, He is still truth, He is still LOVE. I have changed. At some point I decided this is too hard and that I should be exempt. That I had endured enough. That my son had endured too much in nearly 6 years, and that real goodness should come. I forgot that I have the power to bring the goodness by accepting our circumstances, and living in the peace, joy and hope that are here to be found. Right here, in the midst of cancer, Hirschsprung's, exhaustion, infections, and much more.
I still don't want to accept this. I want this curse lifted. I want relief from this, and I will continue to pray for that in earnest.
But it is not going away. While I believe in praying boldly, and looking for answers with eagerness, I also know that this all won't just disappear like it was never there.
So I tried. I tried to pray for acceptance, for contentment in these circumstances. I couldn't.
Then I tried to pray for a heart that would be able to pray for acceptance of these circumstances. I kind of almost did a little bit.
I remember, there was a time, a long time, that I was content in these circumstances. I was able to accept all this and be good, really good with God. What has changed? God hasn't changed, He is still good, He is still truth, He is still LOVE. I have changed. At some point I decided this is too hard and that I should be exempt. That I had endured enough. That my son had endured too much in nearly 6 years, and that real goodness should come. I forgot that I have the power to bring the goodness by accepting our circumstances, and living in the peace, joy and hope that are here to be found. Right here, in the midst of cancer, Hirschsprung's, exhaustion, infections, and much more.
I still don't want to accept this. I want this curse lifted. I want relief from this, and I will continue to pray for that in earnest.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18God Bless!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Prayer Time
Allow me to make this disclaimer. It is hard to blog with your laptop on top of your dog who is on top of your lap, but I wouldn't boot her for anything, so here goes. Now she is sitting up rocking the recliner, this might not last...
I am entirely uncertain of how to describe our prayer time today. I will start with demographics, attending were my parents, our pastor, my friends Jenn and Becky, and praying from church were two other friends who stayed away because we have a tummy bug here. There were also numerous others who were praying from their offices, homes, cars, etc.
One of the things this prayer time included was transparency. It is hard to let down and show how hard it is to battle cancer (and lot's of other stuff) for 2+ years. I am thankful we were able to be humble enough to show our hurts and trials. We prayed over Ben, for healing, recovery, restoration, wholeness, goodness, and a full and vibrant life. We prayed over his room, for protection. Mike and I were prayed over as well. Hannah has the tummy bug, but she sat on the stairs and listened while we prayed, and shared later that it blessed her as well.
All of this is still in process in my mind, but it has been received in humility and love. I am so thankful for those who are willing and able to stand boldly alongside my family and bring us before the throne of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. I am thankful to God for the answers that I trust are in process, and I am ever so grateful for the perimeter of protection that has been placed around our home and family by the power of prayer. We have resisted the devil, and he has fled.
God bless and Godspeed.
I am entirely uncertain of how to describe our prayer time today. I will start with demographics, attending were my parents, our pastor, my friends Jenn and Becky, and praying from church were two other friends who stayed away because we have a tummy bug here. There were also numerous others who were praying from their offices, homes, cars, etc.
One of the things this prayer time included was transparency. It is hard to let down and show how hard it is to battle cancer (and lot's of other stuff) for 2+ years. I am thankful we were able to be humble enough to show our hurts and trials. We prayed over Ben, for healing, recovery, restoration, wholeness, goodness, and a full and vibrant life. We prayed over his room, for protection. Mike and I were prayed over as well. Hannah has the tummy bug, but she sat on the stairs and listened while we prayed, and shared later that it blessed her as well.
All of this is still in process in my mind, but it has been received in humility and love. I am so thankful for those who are willing and able to stand boldly alongside my family and bring us before the throne of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. I am thankful to God for the answers that I trust are in process, and I am ever so grateful for the perimeter of protection that has been placed around our home and family by the power of prayer. We have resisted the devil, and he has fled.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:7-10
God bless and Godspeed.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Breakthroughs and Let Downs
On a very private level, we have had a major let down. It is financial, and I just don't feel that it is right to share. However, please pray with me about this, for restoration.
Another private level, we have had a breakthrough on a very specific prayer issue, that is personal to me. So there, I'm all secret squirrel today. But please pray some thanksgiving for this breakthough, it is beautiful!
Another thing I am really praying about is me. My need for restoration and victory. It has been several months since I have felt really well. I am going to the doctor about this, so see if something is medically wrong, or if it is just the culmination of exhaustion over years. This feeling poorly and tired all the time has robbed me of one of my great joys, which is running. Running blows when you feel tired and your legs are like cement. I find myself often slowing to a walk without even wanting to, it just happens, over and over and over. I am really hoping to run the 25k in the Riverbank this year, since I ran my first half marathon last fall, and really, really want to run the North Country Trail Run marathon at the end of the summer. My good runs are OK, my bad runs are not runs. I really, really want this for myself. Really. Really.
Overall the fast has been a good experience. I am on day 17 of 21. Almost there. I believe there have been some answers to prayer, and that others are on the way. I believe that the experience itself has blessed me with the fruit of self-control, and changed my relationship to food. I have learned that I love date honey, and can replace sugar with it in many things. I have learned that when I go without dairy and sugar that my acne clears right up. I sure won't be eating the same, and I was healthy to start!
My relationship to God has changed as well. I am learning to trust and believe in his power in my life in a way that I never have before.
This scripture has become a life theme for me:
God Bless!
Another private level, we have had a breakthrough on a very specific prayer issue, that is personal to me. So there, I'm all secret squirrel today. But please pray some thanksgiving for this breakthough, it is beautiful!
Another thing I am really praying about is me. My need for restoration and victory. It has been several months since I have felt really well. I am going to the doctor about this, so see if something is medically wrong, or if it is just the culmination of exhaustion over years. This feeling poorly and tired all the time has robbed me of one of my great joys, which is running. Running blows when you feel tired and your legs are like cement. I find myself often slowing to a walk without even wanting to, it just happens, over and over and over. I am really hoping to run the 25k in the Riverbank this year, since I ran my first half marathon last fall, and really, really want to run the North Country Trail Run marathon at the end of the summer. My good runs are OK, my bad runs are not runs. I really, really want this for myself. Really. Really.
Overall the fast has been a good experience. I am on day 17 of 21. Almost there. I believe there have been some answers to prayer, and that others are on the way. I believe that the experience itself has blessed me with the fruit of self-control, and changed my relationship to food. I have learned that I love date honey, and can replace sugar with it in many things. I have learned that when I go without dairy and sugar that my acne clears right up. I sure won't be eating the same, and I was healthy to start!
My relationship to God has changed as well. I am learning to trust and believe in his power in my life in a way that I never have before.
This scripture has become a life theme for me:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
God Bless!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
When Hard Pressed, I Cried to the LORD
Man, I love the way that sounds. I had a couple of rough days. Ben has problems that I just don't know how to manage. He has days (weeks) that he likes to hit, kick, pull hair, pinch, etc. It is exhausting as he gets everyone in the house stirred up and upset, and he does not respond to negative or positive reinforcement for it. There is something within him that makes him want to hurt us, and he ENJOYS it, like is delighted by hurting us. ICK.
That brings me to our gathered prayer time that was planned for last Thursday that didn't happen because some of those planning to come and pray were sick. Best all around that they didn't come here, but disappointing for sure. We have rescheduled the prayer time for Thursday the 26th at 10am.
In my personal time in scripture, I have been having a great time. I really enjoy reading God's promises and his faithfulness to fulfill them. I read a couple of devotionals daily, but then spend some time just digging through my concordance looking up passages containing certain words, then read the whole chapter. Last night one of the chapters I read was Psalm 118, here are some of the verses that really hit home.
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
If God be for us, who can stand against us. Indeed. God bless!
That brings me to our gathered prayer time that was planned for last Thursday that didn't happen because some of those planning to come and pray were sick. Best all around that they didn't come here, but disappointing for sure. We have rescheduled the prayer time for Thursday the 26th at 10am.
In my personal time in scripture, I have been having a great time. I really enjoy reading God's promises and his faithfulness to fulfill them. I read a couple of devotionals daily, but then spend some time just digging through my concordance looking up passages containing certain words, then read the whole chapter. Last night one of the chapters I read was Psalm 118, here are some of the verses that really hit home.
5 When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
he brought me into a spacious place.
6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
7 The LORD is with me; he is my helper.
I look in triumph on my enemies.
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
but the LORD helped me.
14 The LORD is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.
15 Shouts of joy and victory
resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!
16 The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;
the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die but live,
and will proclaim what the LORD has done.
18 The LORD has chastened me severely,
but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.
20 This is the gate of the LORD
through which the righteous may enter.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
22 The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
has become the cornerstone;
23 the LORD has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 The LORD has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad.
25 LORD, save us!
LORD, grant us success!
LORD, grant us success!
26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
From the house of the LORD we bless you.
27 The LORD is God,
and he has made his light shine on us.
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21
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