While all of Women of Faith was amazing, I was really inspired by Ann Voscamp and her speech. She has written a book called 1000 Gifts and I was equally inspired by that. In fact, I was so inspired that I feel like this should be shared with everyone I know. This blog is one attempt to do that. I will also be speaking at two churches on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and sharing with more people. What better time of year to share about counting your blessings and that Thanksgiving is not just a holiday; it is a way of life.
Not everyone who heard Ann speak was quite as inspired as I was. It took me reading part way through the book before I realized why. I think God taught me through the accident to "give thanks IN everything" not FOR everything, but IN everything. So, this concept of giving thanks every day is one I have been practicing for the past few years. I did not do it everyday and did not write down my blessings, however. Ann's book really spoke to me because it put into words what I have been living and experiencing for myself. Since I didn't do it daily, I can speak from experience that when you make it a point to give thanks, peace and joy fills your heart. When it is full of thanksgiving, there is no room for negative feelings like fear and doubt. It is not easy to do, but it really does work that way. When I have experienced moments of "being down" over the past few years, I realized I have not been daily giving thanks. This book put into words what God has been trying to teach me.
Perhaps the part that most stood out to me was the reference to the Last Supper. Luke 22:19 reads "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'" Could this mean we were commanded to not only eat the bread, but also give thanks? How could I have missed that all my life? Giving thanks is so important to do DAILY not just one day or one month per year.
It is also important not just to give thanks when things are good. We shouldn't just count our blessings when blessings are easy to find. We need to practice looking for blessings when the world would say things are so terrible there are no blessings to be found. There are always blessings to be found. We just have to practice looking for them and giving thanks. Jesus gave thanks at the Last Supper just before His arrest and crucifixion knowing what was coming. If He can give thanks at that time, we can give thanks in our darkest days. Remember it is give thanks IN everything not FOR everything. It is possible and it is what we are supposed to do.
"Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle."--Ann Voscamp
I have been blessed by so many miracles, I definitely have so much to be thankful for. It is important to be thankful for things even in the midst of struggles, but then also remember to be thankful when the miracle comes.
Do you remember to give thanks IN everything?
When have you experienced "Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle"/
What do you do when blessings are hard to find?
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for today:
58. My daughter being recognized for her writing skills
59 The creativity and bonding making lunches has created
60. Willingness to try new foods
61. Apologetics for kids
62. Library card catalog online
63. Black Raspberry Vanilla Body Wash
64. When a child is declared "normal" during IEP testing
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Human Acclaim vs. Divine Approval
"If we, as the continuing company of Jesus, have achieved an easy accommodation with our society and culture, how did we manage to pull off what Jesus and his community of followers failed to accomplish? How has it come to pass that after twenty centuries of rejection, we assume that human acclaim is tantamount to divine approval?" --Eugene H. Peterson
How do we remain true to Christ's teachings without alienating those around us?
How do we show others the Way without making them angry or chasing them away?
How do I keep from being pulled down into society when trying to help pull others up to Christ?
Why do we assume eventually if we live Christian lives that those around us will naturally approve of us?
Why do we expect less challenge and difficulty than Christ?
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thankful for today:
53. Back to the Basics
54. LeadHer
55. Resealable Boy Scout popcorn bags
56. Holiday treat recipes (and finding the stuff to make it happen)
57. Knowing where my keys are
How do we remain true to Christ's teachings without alienating those around us?
How do we show others the Way without making them angry or chasing them away?
How do I keep from being pulled down into society when trying to help pull others up to Christ?
Why do we assume eventually if we live Christian lives that those around us will naturally approve of us?
Why do we expect less challenge and difficulty than Christ?
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thankful for today:
53. Back to the Basics
54. LeadHer
55. Resealable Boy Scout popcorn bags
56. Holiday treat recipes (and finding the stuff to make it happen)
57. Knowing where my keys are
Monday, November 12, 2012
The Pain Arrives
Read the beginning of the story at: http://angel-memoriesforgotten.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-beginning-of-slower-pace-of-life.html--PART 1
http://angel-memoriesforgotten.blogspot.com/2012/11/training-with-broken-leg.html--PART 2
Now it is Monday morning and the pain has arrived. I am managing it with over-the-counter meds and ice and elevation. I am able to function through my days, but I am worn out faster and my emotions are more on edge. I still say I would rather deal with this than side effects from prescription pain meds. The good news is Azure and I are fast learners and really bonded well at this point. So, my trainer is comfortable letting me go home a little early to see my own doctor. So, I make an appointment for Thursday and am relieved that I will be getting medical care from someone I trust and who knows my history. My accident and drop foot and lack of sensation in that leg complicate matters. I am not comfortable just having any doctor treat me without knowledge of my history.
I am plugging though this; getting through the training; hopefully learning all I need to know: icing and elevating my leg; resting whenever possible; and looking forward to heading home Wednesday after lunch. It is HOT, HOT, HOT and where we are headed is the hottest spot in the nation. Unfortunately, my van is without air conditioning. So that fact added to the thought that I could have one extra afternoon of training, pushes our departure back until Thursday am--bright and early. This news breaks me. No longer can I act strong knowing I'll be home soon. Our departure has only been moved a few hours, but I'm not sure I can manage to be strong one minute more. So, I have a mental break down and cry my eyes out. Thanks to the trainers for putting up with my emotional mess and being strong when I just can't one minute more.
Of course I do make it one minute more. I make it until we leave bright and early Thursday morning. And, I sit in the middle seat in the van so I can elevate my leg all the way home. I make it to my doctor and she takes one look at my x-rays and immediately calls Hays Orthopedic. I get to see the same doctor I saw last year for my broken foot. I hope this doesn't become a summer trend. It seriously messes up my water chair time and water aerobics. But, I'm glad I get to see her because she takes my history into consideration and I don't get a plaster cast. With my lack of sensation and history of pressure sores on that foot, I need to be able to removed the cast and look at my skin daily. We don't want to create a new problem that will take even longer to heal. So, I just get a boot with the understanding that I will wear my foot plate on my chair and put no weight EVER on my leg until it is healed. Sounds like a summer of one-legged transferring for me. Good thing my arms are strong. :)
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Have you ever reached the point you don't think you can be strong for one more minute?
What did you do?
Do you trust all medical professionals the same or do you need to see YOUR doctor?
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for today:
41. Clear sky
42. Beautiful sunrise
43. Great choices of where to worship God
44. People willing to help me realize a dream
45. Watching my dog jump high enough to be as tall as my husband
46. Freedom of speech
47. Friends and family who love me no matter how differing our viewpoints
48. Pinterest
49. How God puts people together
50. People willing to help me work through my struggles.
51. Puppy dog eyes
52. Trusting dog that comes straight to my side
http://angel-memoriesforgotten.blogspot.com/2012/11/training-with-broken-leg.html--PART 2
Now it is Monday morning and the pain has arrived. I am managing it with over-the-counter meds and ice and elevation. I am able to function through my days, but I am worn out faster and my emotions are more on edge. I still say I would rather deal with this than side effects from prescription pain meds. The good news is Azure and I are fast learners and really bonded well at this point. So, my trainer is comfortable letting me go home a little early to see my own doctor. So, I make an appointment for Thursday and am relieved that I will be getting medical care from someone I trust and who knows my history. My accident and drop foot and lack of sensation in that leg complicate matters. I am not comfortable just having any doctor treat me without knowledge of my history.
I am plugging though this; getting through the training; hopefully learning all I need to know: icing and elevating my leg; resting whenever possible; and looking forward to heading home Wednesday after lunch. It is HOT, HOT, HOT and where we are headed is the hottest spot in the nation. Unfortunately, my van is without air conditioning. So that fact added to the thought that I could have one extra afternoon of training, pushes our departure back until Thursday am--bright and early. This news breaks me. No longer can I act strong knowing I'll be home soon. Our departure has only been moved a few hours, but I'm not sure I can manage to be strong one minute more. So, I have a mental break down and cry my eyes out. Thanks to the trainers for putting up with my emotional mess and being strong when I just can't one minute more.
Of course I do make it one minute more. I make it until we leave bright and early Thursday morning. And, I sit in the middle seat in the van so I can elevate my leg all the way home. I make it to my doctor and she takes one look at my x-rays and immediately calls Hays Orthopedic. I get to see the same doctor I saw last year for my broken foot. I hope this doesn't become a summer trend. It seriously messes up my water chair time and water aerobics. But, I'm glad I get to see her because she takes my history into consideration and I don't get a plaster cast. With my lack of sensation and history of pressure sores on that foot, I need to be able to removed the cast and look at my skin daily. We don't want to create a new problem that will take even longer to heal. So, I just get a boot with the understanding that I will wear my foot plate on my chair and put no weight EVER on my leg until it is healed. Sounds like a summer of one-legged transferring for me. Good thing my arms are strong. :)
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
Have you ever reached the point you don't think you can be strong for one more minute?
What did you do?
Do you trust all medical professionals the same or do you need to see YOUR doctor?
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for today:
41. Clear sky
42. Beautiful sunrise
43. Great choices of where to worship God
44. People willing to help me realize a dream
45. Watching my dog jump high enough to be as tall as my husband
46. Freedom of speech
47. Friends and family who love me no matter how differing our viewpoints
48. Pinterest
49. How God puts people together
50. People willing to help me work through my struggles.
51. Puppy dog eyes
52. Trusting dog that comes straight to my side
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Happy Veterans Day
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for the Day:
38. A warm home with steady walls to keep out the blustering wind
39. Technology that allows for instant connection with friends
40. That my dog happily comes when called
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Training with a Broken Leg
 |
| My first splint from the emergency room |
See the beginning of the story at http://angel-memoriesforgotten.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-beginning-of-slower-pace-of-life.html
It is now 8:30am and I am leaving the hospital. I am still in no pain and ready to begin my day. Unfortunately, my plan to go to church can no longer happen. I am so sad. :( I ask that we still go to Manhattan and the mall. No one can believe I'm doing what I am with 6 breaks in my leg. I have called my family and filled them in on this bump in the road. They want to come and take care of me. I tell them I'm in good hands and on my way to Manhattan anyway. Besides, I intend to stay right where I am. How can I continue functioning? Well, it helps that my feeling in that leg is blunted. I have no feeling in the bottom of my foot or in my toes. Unfortunately, I do have some feeling in the part of my leg that is broken. But, I have no pain at this moment. That's what adrenaline will do for you. It allows you to continue working even with an injury. The pain won't show up until later.
We had a great time in Manhattan and a great day of testing at the mall. Azure did amazing as always and even loved meeting kids and other people. He is a kid magnet. The only sadness and tears arrived when I realized my summer plans of water aerobics and using my water chair were over. There would be no swimming for me.I managed to do great through training, supper, and waiting for my PCA to return for the night. I took some Aleve and slept in the hospital bed with my foot elevated. The pain didn't hit until the middle of the night. But, I was determined to manage it with over-the-counter meds and not put any prescription pain meds in my body. Good thing I had Aleve with me and the trainers could help out with Tylenol as needed.
That moment in time cemented my bond with Azure. He has not wanted me out of his sight since then. Leash or not, you will find him right beside me. I'm not sure how he plans to keep that from happening again, but that seems to be his plan. :) It would help if he would brace for me, but we're still working on that.
I am thankful that I was where I was when I broke my leg. The trainers were excellent about making sure my leg was elevated with ice on it whenever I could. There was a hospital bed in my room, so I could sleep with it elevated. When the pain arrived, they were always ready with Tylenol. And, they put up with my emotions and Traumatic Brain Injury moments. Thanks for being there for me.
I found myself in my room that night googling if it is possible to break a bone in the same place twice. I thought if it wasn't, I might be safe and never break my leg again since I manged to do it so thoroughly this time. Well, the sad news is I found out it is possible. :( Difficult, but possible. I was hoping I could say I would never have to go through this again.
TO BE CONTINUED . . .
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for the day.
35. LeadHer training so well thought out and orgainzed
36. Opportunities to share what God is teaching me
37. Creativity
Friday, November 9, 2012
Courageous Obedience
My devotion today came out of Acts 21:1-16. It stirred up some amazing feelings in my heart and left met with some questions I'm hoping all of you can help me with. The part that jumped out at me initially was Acts 21:13 "Why all this hysteria? Why do you insist on making a scene and making it even harder for me You're looking at this backward. The issue in Jerusalem is not what they do to me, whether arrest or murder, but what the Master Jesus does through my obedience. Can't you see that?" (Message) OR "Please, you're breaking my heart. I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm fully prepared to be bound, and more--to die for the name of Jesus, the King" (The Voice) This is Paul speaking and my gut reaction was to want this kind of obedience, to follow the Lord no matter the consequences, and to do it without fear for myself. This is basically what the footnotes in both Bibles talk about too. The thought is that we should focus on what God wants us to do and not be influenced by peer pressure.
Then I reread Acts 21:4; "The Spirit moved them to tell Paul not to go on to Jerusalem'" (The Voice) and "Their message to Paul, from insight given by the Spirit, was 'Don't go to Jerusalem.'" (Message). So how do we determine when we should follow what we believe to be what the Lord wants us to do and when to we listen to those around us who have heard from the Spirit. How do we know what is right and what God wants us to do?
I would really love your thoughts on this today.
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for today:
28. Finding my sister's book on Amazon
29. Freedom of speech
30. Seeking God's wisdom in finding an appropriate youth group for our daughter before she gets there
31. Children feeling comfortable to share challenges with parents and accept help
32. Adults at school that help the kiddos with challenges they face
33. A pastor willing to help us struggle through life's challenges and find solutions
34. My daughter finding clothes in my closet to wear for special events
Then I reread Acts 21:4; "The Spirit moved them to tell Paul not to go on to Jerusalem'" (The Voice) and "Their message to Paul, from insight given by the Spirit, was 'Don't go to Jerusalem.'" (Message). So how do we determine when we should follow what we believe to be what the Lord wants us to do and when to we listen to those around us who have heard from the Spirit. How do we know what is right and what God wants us to do?
I would really love your thoughts on this today.
If you like reading my posts, please consider following me. It's an easy way to know when I've posted something new
Thanksgiving for today:
28. Finding my sister's book on Amazon
29. Freedom of speech
30. Seeking God's wisdom in finding an appropriate youth group for our daughter before she gets there
31. Children feeling comfortable to share challenges with parents and accept help
32. Adults at school that help the kiddos with challenges they face
33. A pastor willing to help us struggle through life's challenges and find solutions
34. My daughter finding clothes in my closet to wear for special events
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Seeds of faith
"Seeds of faith are always within us; sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and encourage their growth."
--Susan L. Taylor
Thankfulness for the day;
22. The peace that comes from crossing things off a list and meal planning in advance
23. DVR
24. Weather mild enough for "walking"
25. A power chair that allows me to "walk" around town
26. NuStep machine at the Wellness Center
27. 20 seconds of courage
--Susan L. Taylor
Thankfulness for the day;
22. The peace that comes from crossing things off a list and meal planning in advance
23. DVR
24. Weather mild enough for "walking"
25. A power chair that allows me to "walk" around town
26. NuStep machine at the Wellness Center
27. 20 seconds of courage
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