Pray for Jami

Looking for some prayer warriors! 

My friend, Jami, has started a new series of medical treatments. This will be a long process and I'd like to get a team of people committed to praying for her. 

If you'd like to join me, please comment on the day(s) that you will pray for her. You can pick one a month (like on the 19th), or you can pick a day of the week (Wed), or pick several times (daily, 2x a week, etc). I'd like you to be specific. 

Please pray for the following:

JAMI—

1. Jami's spirit. Dealing with any chronic condition can be discouraging. When you don't feel well, the spirit needs extra support. Let’s be praying that Jami will be encouraged during the treatments. #GoJoy

2. Jami's treatments. That her body would accept the "army" that will help her heal. #GoArmy 

3. This prayer is a big one, almost seems impossible. BUT GOD! God has resources and means to provide. Let’s ask God to supply each and every need. (And if you want to donate, please do! The link is below.) #GoMoney

4. This prayer is all-encompassing. In Tune means that everything is working in harmony. That includes all aspects of life. Living with a chronic illness not only impacts the individual but the family and friends. Let’s pray that not only will Jami be “in tune”, but that God will bring peace and harmony to all those around her. #GoInTune

JAMI–

Joy

Army

Money

InTune 

Let’s go TEAM!

Here is the donation link: https://www.plumfund.com/medical-fund/help-jami-take-a-bite-out-of-lyme

Change the Worry into Happy

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 8. Here is what I learned.

The birds in the ·sky [heavens],  the fish in the sea, and everything that ·lives under water [passes/travels on the paths of the sea. Psalm 8:8 (EXB)

I’ve learned much from Max, my parakeet, over the past 10 years. As much as I want to control him, he does things that I cannot control. He seems to understand some of what I say, “bedtime”, for example. When I say that, he walks over to me and gives me a kiss and looks down the hallway... he is ready to go into his night cage to go to sleep. But does he really understand what I say, or is it that he knows the routine of the night? 

When I watch Max, I’m amazed at how he knows how to clean his feathers. I didn’t teach him that. God instilled that knowledge into birds when he created them. I love Max’s coloring, bright yellow head and green feathers. I can’t change the coloring of his feathers, again God designed Max that way. 

When I think of the birds of the sky, I’m reminded of this verse:

“Look at the birds. They don’t plant, harvest, or gather the harvest into barns. Yet, your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? “Can any of you add a single hour to your life by worrying? Matthew 6:26, 27 (GW)

I have an appointment with my Pain Management Dr today. We are going to discuss the next step in trying to reduce the new pain caused by the surgery in April. To be honest, I’m a bit worried about what we might need to try. I really don’t want another procedure that can cause more irritation to the nerves.

But worrying about what MIGHT happen, doesn’t help in anyway. God has a plan and a purpose. He’s proven again and again, that He will put me exactly where He wants me to accomplish His will and purpose. 

Since God cares for the birds—I KNOW He’ll care for me. And as a reminder of God’s care, I’m taking Max with me to my Doctor’s appointment today. My Doctor likes Max and I know that she’ll enjoy seeing him again. 

To create a positive day, I need to change the worry into, as Max would say, “happy”, by trusting that God cares and really does know best. 

Update: Max enjoyed visiting with my Dr., and my Dr really enjoyed Max’s visit! And God once again showed His care and guidance. My Dr. has decided to delay any invasive treatments and opted to try some noninvasive treatments first. Thankful that God helped me change my worry into happy!

New Direction!

In Oct 2000, I injured my back. Since that day, I've undergone 8 back surgeries, many procedures, and taken more medications than I can count. This year, I felt that my body had reached a toxic level and I wanted to see what I could do to lower my medication dosage. So, in June I started weaning off my morphine and Tylenol 4 so that I could undergo Lidocaine Fusion treatments. On July 20, I had the first of what was to be 5 or 6 treatments.
The weekend following that first treatment, I caught a stomach bug. That caused the next Lidocaine treatment to be canceled.

I have always believed

that NOTHING happens by chance.

God allows each and everything

to happen to accomplish His plan.

As I was trying to recover from the stomach bug.... God directed me to do some research. The more I read and studied, the more I believed that this was the direction I should go.... but what would my doctors think? On Monday, I discussed it with my Chiropractor. He is fully on board and thinks it's a great idea. On Tuesday, I discussed it with my Pain Management Doctor and she is very excited and even recommend a book to help me.

What is this NEW DIRECTION? I'm going to eat only organic and natural foods. No processed,  no chemicals, no dyes, etc. The more I researched the more I learned many of the chemicals found in our processed foods can create pain.
This will take some time, and it may not work. However, it can't hurt me! Yes, my pain level is high. However, the past few weeks as my body has been detoxing, I've noticed some changes.... and VERY good changes. My headache is still there, but less intense. The pain in my side which I've dealt with for over 4 years, has decreased and at times is totally gone. If these changes can happen in just a few days... what COULD happen over weeks, months, years of eating only Organic and Natural foods? I have NO idea. But, after much prayer, and seeking the advice of my doctors, I am going to see what happens when I change my diet. If my pain level becomes unbearable, my chiropractor has an all natural supplement to aid in reducing inflammation.

As I said, I believe everything happens for a reason. And by me getting the stomach bug, it has allowed me to start detoxing. So this is the perfect time to try this new direction and see what happens. If after a while, I find that my pain level is still too high, than I'll reschedule the Lidocaine Fusion treatments and take it from there.

I could have been very frustrated and disappointed with getting sick and having to postpone the treatments.

However, since I was working

on creating a positive attitude, 

instead of being upset,

I decided to see the good in the situation!

And by doing so, I now have a new direction to try. I'm excited to see what God has planned as I move forward! I'll continue to keep you all posted!!

Create a Positive day!!!