Is there life out there?

Forever

2008-09-22T12:24:00.000-07:00

Okay - so it has been forever. I don't think anyone ever reads this anyway - but it is very theraputic to write! My life has been so crazy lately. I have been sick - which is rough - especially with a 2 1/2 year old at home. Also, I started working again part-time in a real office - not from home like I every other day, so I have been really busy. I know the stress has egged on my Crohn's flareup, but such is life. I mean what am I supposed to do? If I take all the meds, I can't function normally & the side effects are just as bad as being sick most of the time. So, I am trying to eat better & exercise - I remember feeling better when I was on weight watchers a few years ago. I have been thinking about trying that again. I think the low residue diet was better for me. Everyone is different. That is what makes this so frusterating - and one think I have learned is that even if something works for me this week, it may not next week. The important thing is to make lifestyle changes. I know certain things that always make me sick - and I also know that if I eat, I am going to have to go to the bathroom soon - so I eat less when I'm out than when I'm at home. . .

I am going to start selling Creative Memories scrapbook stuff - it is a hobby of mine, and I think it will be fun. I need something I can really enjoy - to take a break & escape from the humdrum of life - and I hope this is it.

I have to go & work now - thanks for the therapy session!

Moving

2008-08-08T14:18:00.001-07:00

Have I mentioned how much I hate moving? It takes forever to get things "livable" after shoving them all into boxes - not to mention the boxes that come from storage - the stuff you haven't seen for months! We have moved, had 2 weeks worth of company, I have been sick, and I have been trying to get some more work to do from home - so I don't have to put my 2 year old in day care -- it has been absolutely crazy around here. All of the boxes are empty - and most of the curtains are in. I hope to start hanging pictures tonight or tomorrow, and I hope by Monday the house is at least 90% finished!

My Crohn's disease has been acting up - probably from the stress. . . and with no Questran, well, you can imagine the trips to the bathroom! I am just thankful for great family and friends who laugh at my sarcastic sense of humor and keep hanging around me anyway!

I am currently trying to revamp my recipe collection - I love fried stuff, but am trying to eat "healthy". We haven't eaten out for dinner since we moved, which is great - but I am sick of cleaning the kitchen! I hope we are going out tonight - or else we are having cereal!

God is so faithful. He continually reminds me of His beauty. Every time I look out my windows, I praise Him for moving us into this great home where my son has room to run!

Another Day

2008-07-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Today has been rough. . .some days are. I always try not to get depressed when I have a bad day. I know everyone has good and bad times -- but it is hard to "find the silver lining". I had surgery about a year ago & sometimes I wonder if it was worth it. Some days it feels like nothing has changed. I just keep praying that God will show me what He is doing with me - what His plan is for my life. I believe there is a reason for everything. Sometimes it just takes us a lifetime to figure out what that reason is!

Keepin' On

2008-07-01T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day. . . it is interesting how God gives us one of those just when we don't think we can hadle any more bad days! I talked to one of my dearest friends today. She is a great inspiration in my life. . . she is always positive - something I am not! She is truly a woman of extraordinary faith - which is what I am trying to achieve. We all need those great sources of inspiration and hope in our lives. It is important to remember that we all have bad times, but there is good in those too. I hope that those of you facing the daunting of a chronic illness have someone in your own lives that helps you to see the "silver lining." Keep praying -- and keep fighting! Don't lose hope - all is lost without it.

I'm Back

2008-06-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry it has been so long. The last few weeks have been really crazy. I have been sick, we have been out of town, and my sister had a baby! Life gets so crazy sometimes. It is so overwhelming. I have been listening to a Desperation Band CD. One of the songs says "All of your [God's] promises won't let go of me!" I am praying that over my life everyday. We have been seeking God's direction and plan for our lives. We are currently in a season of change and want to make the right move when the time comes. . . it is interesting how God sends us songs, sermons, comments, and people who speak into our lives just when we need it! I am also still reading the Faithful Women book - I am in the middle of Lilias Trotter's life - it too demonstrates faith in times of change. . .

Sarah Edwards

2008-05-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

We have been on vacation. . . it was great - hard to get back to reality! It is always nice to get away and clear my head. Sometimes I get so bogged down with life that I feel I can't make any decision correctly. I love getting away for a few days. When we come back to town, I always see things in a different light.

I am reading this book - Faithful Women and their Extraordinary God. It is great. I read the first part - about Sarah Edwards (Jonathan Edward's wife). She was a remarkable woman. She raised 11 children, which is just amazing in itself. She also "walked with God". I feel like I get so trapped in my everyday movements that I forget that God is there with me. It was great to read about a woman who moved through her mundane everyday tasks remembering that God was beside her every step of the way. She was a great inspiration to her husband and to others who came through her home, many of which went on to minister to some great leaders - and writers. I hope I can be an inspiration to someone in my life - letting Christ work through us is, after all, all that matters.

Starting Out

2008-05-21T08:14:00.001-07:00

Today is the first day of a new chapter in my life. For the past 13 years, I have lived fighting & trying to forget that I have a chronic disease -- Crohn's. I am tired of fighting & have prayed for answers. . . This blog is a place to vent, to talk to others who are going through tough times, and a place for us to inspire and calm each other. . . It is hard to remember that you are not alone when everyone around you is healthy. Each day can be a horrible struggle, both physically and mentally. I hope that some of you out there really gain some faith and understanding through Christ of why you are going through what you are -- I know I have, and, as a result, my physicall illness is getting better. Please feel free to post any thoughts or feelings you have - and thanks for listening to mine!