I want to get the packages in my van mailed to my family before Christmas. I need to spend time in the Word. I want to reflect on Advent every night with our boys. I need to communicate His story through the way I live my life. I want to make it to the practices…
Category Archives: chronic illness
Gratitude in Hard Places
Living with chronic illness has taught me many things. Utter, complete dependence on God. {Psalm 70:5} The finite nature of our life. {James 4:14} How our bodies are designed to need true Sabbath rest. {Isaiah 58:13-14} That everyone has a thorn in their flesh, mine happens to be dressed up as lupus. {II Corinthians 12:7}…
{day 8} Rest
Life is wearing me out. Plain and simple. Good things. Bad things. Happy things. Sad things. All things sapping me of energy {physical, emotional and spiritual}. This sets up the perfect storm for a cluttered heart. Sometimes, our hearts need rest, just like our bodies. Sometimes you need a day in your pajamas, with your…
Falling into place
Crisp, cool air. Leaves on the trees hint brilliance and the stroke of the Artist’s hand. Flavors and aromas, cinnamon and pumpkin, entice my soul. Fall is my favorite time of year. There is something about the air, the scenery, the smell and taste of autumn that propels me forward from the dog days of…
A letter to a dying friend
Dear Sara: Your blog was one of the first I happened upon when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008. Posts like this one helped me climb out of my own pity party and realize that illness was best handled by focusing on the living. You gave me that gift with your words, words…
10 Things I’ve learned about living with invisible illness
I have been living with invisible illness {diagnosed} since 2008. Chronic pain, fatigue and bizarre symptoms are part of my everyday life. Statistics tell us that 1 out of every 2 Americans lives with a chronic illness {diabetes, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc.} I know I am not alone. So, why do I…
Miscellaneous Melissa
Remember when I said I wouldn’t fall behind on posting for Toni’s 30 day challenge? Ahem…yeah. So, anyway here I am playing catch up again {days 15-22}. Bear with me, mmmk? Day 15: Show your dream home If this question had been posed three years ago, my dream would have materialized quite differently. However, since…
Being sick is not fun but I choose joy
I am a positive person. I believe that everything in life happens for a reason and that I can do all things through Him who gives me strength {Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:13}. But, I have to admit there are days and times that being chronically ill brings me down, way down. It probably doesn’t help…
A true gift
It is just a box you check on your driver’s license. I have never given it much thought, until this week. Monday, I received a gift from a woman I will never know. Part of her knee was grafted into mine so that I will be able to walk again without brace, cane or walker….
Taking it easy
I am here. my knee surgery went as planned on Monday morning and my ruptured ACL was replaced by a cadaver ACL {that we are referring to as Bobbi} and my torn meniscus was repaired as well. The pain was beyond what I expected, however it is getting better {a teeny tiny bit} each day….
