Thanksgiving

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 
- Romans 15:13

My mother-in-law has been an amazing help to myself and my family for the past 6 months. She graciously comes and stays with us for several weeks at a time in order to help me get the rest I need to heal quicker. I can't begin to sing her praises and thank God for selflessness. A couple of weeks ago she went back home to do some needed work at her house and to give my husband and I some time alone while my parents took the kids to Disney. As life's twists and turns would have it, this past Thursday night she fell and broke her hip. This was extremely distressing news as she was in incredible pain and we live so far away we aren't able to be with her.

I am unable to drive long distances, I had been sick for 2 days prior, and my husband couldn't take off work. So, immediately my mom offered to drop her plans and take me to be with my mother-in-law and help me find her a recovery center. I was really worried about finding her a good recovery home that didn't make her feel like she was in a nursing home per se'. My sister and my friend loving loving arranged to take care of my kids until my husband was off work. I can't begin to tell you how thankful I was for family and friends that were willing to help out!

On the way to the hospital we stopped and ate dinner. Now, just so you know, eating out is a mess for people with Celiac!! Luckily a lot of places now have allergy lists for their food, but somehow I misread something or my food got cross-contaminated and I immediately got sick. Ugh!!! My mom had never seen this happen and she was stunned what an affect gluten can have on a person.

Mom and I arrived at the hospital that evening. My mother-in-law was in so much pain and could hardly move. We were able to pray with her and visit for awhile before we left for the night. Yet another friend graciously housed us for the night and fixed us breakfast in the morning. That night the trip and the gluten had really taken a tole on my body, so I had to go straight to bed.

The next day was a whirl wind visiting my mother-in-law and trying to find her the best place to stay. Let me just express to you how good God is!!! My mom just happened to think to call a friend that was familiar with several of the care centers around town, because her friend visits people who are sick. We called her and she immediately narrowed our list of 12 places down to 2. On top of that, when we went to see the place the admissions director just happened to be there (it was a Saturday, her day off). She took the time to take us around and explain how things worked. She was so very helpful and we felt like God had just made one of my primary goals of coming super easy. To top that off one of my mom's really good friends had gone through recovery at this place and also sang its praises.

When we got back to the hospital my mother-in-law was so relieved to hear we had found a good place and was nearly looking forward to going to the care center. Such a blessing, because as you can imagine no one wants to have to go to a "nursing home" and no one wants to put their loved one in a "nursing home." We were able to leave with my mother-in-law in good spirits and assurance that God was taking care of her.

Since then…this week has been really difficult. I realized that I am no where near able to travel that far right now. My body has been hurting and my symptoms have been worse. Luckily I have friends who helped me get my kids to school and take care of them for me. I have gotten some much needed rest and started to get my stamina back.

This week couldn't have made me more thankful for the joy and peace that comes with trusting in God. He feels me with hope, even when circumstances don't look hopeful. He gives me the strength to face every moment of every day; something very challenging when living with Lyme. He places people in our path to guide, help, and support when we need it most. This Thanksgiving I am most thankful the good and gracious God I serve.

Grumbles & Gratitude

I haven't written for sometime and there are always mixed reasons when I don't write. Usually, it is because I am trying to spend all of my healthy moments with my family and then when I don't feel good, I just don't feel like writing.

The past couple of weeks I have been struggling to look at the sunshine through the rain. My health has been doing so so so much better. However, what seems to be happening when I feel better is that I expect myself to do more, meanwhile forgetting that I am not 100%. Then I get super frustrated when I realize I am not 100% and that pacing myself and patience are still vital to full recovery. Stay with me while I go on a grumbling rant for a moment…
I am tired of needing help. I am tired of not being able to clean my own house. I am tired of depending on others to help me. I am tired of doctors appointments and drinking nasty things to help heal my body. I am tired of having to say "no" to 4 possible job positions in the past several months, because I am not at a place in life where I can work yet. I am tired of being negative and snippy and losing my temper because I can't seem to express to people what is going on with my emotions. Sometimes appearing well is almost worse than appearing sick, because it is almost impossible for people to understand or know that I am not 100%. And quite frankly, I don't want for anyone to know I am not well yet.

I really believe it can be helpful to express grumbles, but to stay focused on them is not in any way shape or form beneficial. So let me share with you just a few things that I am so thankful for…
I am thankful I serve a living God! I am thankful for salvation and the hope of eternal life with a God who loves us even in our darkest hours! I am thankful for the peace that comes from the Holy Spirit! I am thankful for strength from the word of God! I am thankful for an amazing husband who is so patient and loving regardless of his own stresses in life! I am thankful for 3 healthy and happy kiddos! I am thankful for family and friends who are willing to give up their own time and schedules to help out my family! I am thankful good doctors who have not given up on my recovery! I am thankful for a home and food to eat! I am thankful that my heater and air conditioner work! I am thankful I have been able to go on dates, attend church, and even the Irish Dancers Xmas Concert without getting super sick!!

These blessings far outweigh anything that I could ever begin to grumble about, and I didn't even begin to write the half of them. Yes, life is full of disappointment and hardships and sickness. We live in a broken world. But friends, JOY comes in the morning. Thanks be to God.

Psalm 138

Thanksgiving and Praise

Of David AND now of Kelly Myers And hopefully You too!

1 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
2 I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
    for you have exalted your name and your word
    above everything.[a]
3 On the day I called, you answered me,
    you increased my strength of soul.[b]

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise you, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth.
5 They shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
6 For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly;
    but the haughty he perceives from far away.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies;
you stretch out your hand,
    and your right hand delivers me.
8 The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.