Tag Archives: lymes

Reflection and Progression

February 28, 2015 A Labour of Love 2 Comments

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Sitting in a chair facing my friend, who sits reclined back comfortably in her recliner we discuss our new book and what a wonderful author John Bunyan is. His incredible allegory of the walk of a Christian in Pilgrims Progress. We usually meet once a week at her home (she is completely home bound and unable to do anything for herself anymore) and read a chapter or two of a book. This week, we began a new book and because we both were enjoying it so much, decided to throw in a second day. Our visits over the last 6 months have been pretty much the same, we visit first, her husband sweetly confirms she is comfortable and as he exits to his “man cave” office, she and I share a little more of our week and I begin to read.

As we began our new book, we were thrown a curve ball. I began reading and when I finished page 16, I began reading what I thought was page 17 only to realize that the story didn’t make any sense at all. I looked up to see that the page after 16 was actually page 23. Now, keep in mind that I cannot read on my own without having to read one page several times due to my Lymes and my friend cannot read at all and depending upon the day may have issues with processing information due to her corticobasil degeneration. That being said, you can just imagine my dismay to find that in a neatly hardbound book there were no pages ripped out and yet pages 17-22 were missing. We both sat there laughing not quite sure what to do. We quickly realized that our time together that day may be cut short by a error in the binding of the book.

Upon further investigation, I found the rest of the pages… 10 pages further into the book. So, as if it isn’t funny enough that we are reading Pilgrims Progress together, both of us having cognitive issues and both of us being more tired in the afternoon, I now was challenged with reading from right to left rather than left to right and my friend had to endure me stopping at critical parts of the story just to find my place. Honestly, I kept thinking it would have made for a great home video recording.

Well, as it is with my memory these days, I completely forgot this when I went over to read to her the second day. So of course, I began reading where I left off and of course ended up reading some of what we had already read earlier in the week amongst the new pages of the story. Once again, we had to laugh and I had to regroup and figure out where my next pages were. Were they 10 pages forward or 2 pages back.

Having Lyme makes life so interesting! Seriously, I can relate to the frustration that was felt in the movie Still Alice… I am physically so much better than last year that I am not complaining at all. Last year at this time I could not walk up a flight of steps without nearly passing out and I could not do anything for myself except maybe a shower, and that was not daily as I just didn’t have the energy for it. I was in constant pain, my exhaustion was unexplainable and my energy level was at best good for only about an hour. By mid afternoon my brain was so foggy that I could not process information, I was unable to drive as I forgot where I was going and when I drove I completely blanked out and couldn’t remember I had driven at all. To go anywhere that needed walking I had to use a wheelchair.

After 10 months I had serious doubts I’d recover from this illness. You can imagine my my excitement when I found the doctor and protocol I had been looking for since being first diagnosed. So in early May, my Integrative doctor agreed to let me try the protocol of the other doctor I found and by June I was going to the Highland games with the family and the wheelchair stayed in the garage. I’m not saying it didn’t need to be brought out from time to time, but overall I was seeing improvements. By July I was able to make an 8 hour drive to our cottage alone with my daughter and by September I was driving to CA with the kids. The pain subsided within that first month and slowly my energy level began to increase. The brain fog has also improved, unless of course I am extremely tired and have not slept well. Learning my limitations, keeping track of my symptoms and making adjustments with my meds has been such a help. Having two doctors who look beyond, listen to me with all ears and keep an open mind to the research I also do has been a blessing.

Your likely wondering why I went from reading Pilgrims Progress to my health. Well, as we read on Thursday, I couldn’t help but to think about the characters in the story, what they stood for and how even though the book was first published in 1678, the allegory is so powerful for us today. No wonder it is the second most widely published book in world to this day, second only to the Bible. Although I enjoyed the book a few years ago when the kids and I read it together and studied it, I think after the last year I am enjoying it even more.

On Thursday we read about Christian meeting the Interpreter and what he finds in the Palace prior to going any further on his journey. Within the Palace there are a number of rooms. One of the rooms was rather small and introduced were two children, Passion and Patience. The characteristics of the two were such:

Passion was seen as being discontent; wanting of all things now, and at that moment Patience was quiet; willing to wait for that which is yet to come

In the story, the Interpreter explains: “These two lads are Figures; Passion of the men of this World, and Patience of the men of That which is to come: For as here thou seest, Passion will have all now, this year; that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world: they must have all their good things now, they cannot stay till next year, that is, until the next World, for their portion of good. That proverb, A Bird in the Hand is worth two in the Bush, is of more authority with them, than are all the Divine testimonies of the Good of the World to come. But as thou sawest, that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags; so will it be with all such men at the End of this world.

Christian replies: Now I see that Patience has the best Wisdom, and that upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the Glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags.

Interpreter: Nay, you may add another, to wit, the Glory of the next World will never wear out; but these are suddenly gone. Therefore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience, because he had his good things first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion, because he had his best things last; for first must give place to last, because last must have its time to come; but last gives place to nothing; for there is not another to succeed: He therefore that hath his portion first, must needs have a Time to spend it; but he that has his portion last, must have it lastingly: Therefore it is said of Dives, In thy Lifetime thou receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou are tormented.

Christian: Then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

And in conclusion, I want to end with the beginning of what Interpreter has to say next: “You say truth: For the things that are seen are Temporal; but the things that are not seen are Eternal:

I have to admit that last year when I was diagnosed, I wanted my body to heal and for my life to go back as it used to be. I wanted to go back to being the super mom who could get up in the morning, make breakfast, school the kids, drive them around town for their activities, pull weeds out of the garden, help my friends paint their houses, stop for groceries and spend long hours in the kitchen preparing dinners for my family, all in one day. I wanted to be able to plan out events for the homeschool community or prepare classes as I once had in our co-op classes. I wanted to be organized without losing things. I wanted healing at that moment. I tried to be patient, and I even prayed that the Lord use my illness for His good will. Yet internally, my mind wanted desperately to have my life back.

In reading the above exchange between Christian and Interpreter, I was seeing myself as being like that of Passion. Although my heart longs to be more like Patience, I know that my human nature as a sinner is more like that of Passion. As the months drew on and now another year, I am learning more and more the importance of the lessons of Patience. The story has resonated in my mind ever since our reading on Thursday and I know it’s through the Providence of God that He continues to teach this weary being of lessons He needs for me to learn, sanctifying me so that perfection may still yet be seen.

If I had received the blessing of quick healing, would I have followed the leading of my heart to go see my friend who was already home bound? Would I have understood what it was like for those who have no or limited social interaction with others? Would I be reading Pilgrims Progress with a friend who needs to be reminded of the eternal blessings yet to come? Would I have understood that I truly had sisters that took time out of their days to help me cope in my own loneliness?

Honestly, I think not. If God had allowed me to follow my own way, just as Passion, then I am quite certain my short lived illness would have been placed in a box on a shelf where dust would settle only to be forgotten. I would have gone on with my days wanting to be something more and someone more than I am meant to be. I would have likely filled my days with things that have no real meaning other than for self. My friend would still be sitting in her recliner, yet I would have missed the blessings of seeing her smile, her sense of humor with her husband and our wonderful discussions that come out of our readings. I would have missed an opportunity to serve another who was and is desperate for her own healing and for understanding as to why her life has taken the turn it has.

As I continue to read through Pilgrims Progress I look forward to seeing what the Lord once again has to show me. I hope that as you read this post, you too may consider reading along with us. I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Luke 8:15
As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

Menus / Recipes

Swedish Pancake Spin

October 9, 2014 A Labour of Love Leave a comment

Breakfast is such an important meal of the day. It provides the energy boost our body needs after a long evening of rest and repair. It’s too bad that in our home breakfast is usually eaten between 10-12 a.m. By the time I wake up, wait an hour after taking my thyroid medicine, then take an hour and a half to ingest all of my Lyme meds, wait another half hour before consuming anything, it ends up being at least 10. Then if I get creative and decide to make something other than eggs, it can be at least another hour if not more. Fortunately for us, there is enough to do in those hours we are up so that no time is wasted and everyone enjoys waiting for a little something warm and home made.

One breakfast treat that the kids really enjoy and I rarely remember to make, gives me the warm fuzzies as I am reminded of my youth. When I was at college, one of my grandmothers came up to visit me and she saw lingonberries in my pantry. She told me how lingonberries go well with Swedish pancakes and she would show me how to make them. Well, it just so happened that I had the recipe for Swedish pancakes in my cookbook “Where’s Mom Now That I Need Her”. So we both went up to the store and bought the other ingredients and made Swedish Pancakes filled with lingonberries. A warm memory that makes me smile. 🙂

As I pulled out that book this morning, I looked at the recipe and decided to try and make them a bit healthier with the ingredients I had on hand. I must say, it was the first time the kids said they were like a pastry, very soft, sweet and the best I’ve made yet. So, that being said I thought I’d share what I did.

Swedish Pancake Spin

3 eggs

3/4 C. Organic whole milk vanilla bean yogurt

1/4 C. purified water

2 TBS Raw Honey

1/2 tsp Sea Salt

2/3 C. Sorghum flour, Sifted

Start with the first 5 ingredients and whisk them together until well blended. Then add the flour by sifting it into the bowl and mix well.

Heat a cast iron skillet with a little butter and once hot, pour very little of the batter into the pan in a circle. If need be, lift the pan with the handle gently allowing some of the batter to spill into a larger circle.

The batter should look like an extremely thin pancake. Flip it when it begins to look dry on the top.

Place onto a plate and fill with lingonberries if you have them or with fresh cut up peaches, nectarines, strawberries or blueberries. Roll them up with the seam at the bottom of the plate. We also like to dust them with an ever so little bit organic powdered sugar just before serving.

Can you say Yum?

memories, Why?

On our way…

May 22, 2014 A Labour of Love 3 Comments

We are on our way….

Here is the Garden Tower –

Here are the bees –

Yes, if you look closely, you will see real bees after I had just shaken them into the hive and if you look even closer I did paint the bee hive with little additional bee friends. 🙂

The hydroponics just arrived today. We will get that going next week…. to be continued…

Celtic Fun, Why?

First of 2014 and Last As A Youth

May 18, 2014 A Labour of Love 12 Comments

The first Highland Games of the year… The last Highland Games of our sons youth!

He began competing on bagpipes exactly 10 years next weekend, and this week he will turn 18. In those 10 years he has worked hard to become a grade 1 piper (next step is professional). This is his first year as a grade 1 soloist and after yesterday it looks as though he’s on his way to great things.

All the years of traveling around, the hours of practicing, the hours of driving, sitting and waiting at his lessons has now affirmed we made the right decisions in helping him achieve his dream.

Before our birthdays my mom used to (and still does) remind us that we would never be that age again and that we had only another hour to be such and such an age. For some reason I thought of that and reminded my son yesterday that this was his last games as a youth. Thinking I was being silly, it didn’t really mean anything to him until he won piper of the day. It was fun seeing his expression when he thought of the fact he finished his career as a piping youth with an achievement he’d only hoped one day to accomplish. (Too bad he had left the games and was not personally handed the award… We received several texts from friends telling him.). Oh well…. There is always next weekend, and about 5 more this year!! Yes, it is possible to do this more than once. 🙂

Our daughter also pulled off a great first games showing by taking two firsts.

I’d say it’s a good start to another year! 🙂

Why?

Garden Tower Project Planted

May 11, 2014 A Labour of Love 9 Comments

This morning my husband and I began discussing the day over his coffee and my meds. As we talked about all of the projects to begin working on, we decided that the two of us would go out early to get what we needed and also pick up some groceries for the weekend.

One of the items on our list of items to pick was worms for the worm composting Garden Tower. I told him about the place I bought them a few years ago and he gladly drove me on my little adventure. We were able to get our groceries and worms all in one shot. While there, we had the opportunity to meet and talk with Will Allen from Urban Farming. We spoke to him for at least 20 minutes while we discussed his ideas for his own Garden Towers. I had noticed there were 4 or 5 of them in the green house and we began talking about farming, animals, bees (which he offered to help me with…. woo hoo) and aquaponics. I had taken a tour of the facility with the kids a few years ago, however, my husband had yet to see it. I walked him through two of the green houses and was able to show him where the tilapia help with the feeding of the plants above. So impressive. So important. Meeting Will was a great adventure and made my day. What a nice man with such a vision for good health and sustainable farming.

Anyway, we came home after our errands, had lunch and went out to plant the Garden Tower. I planted cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel, lettuce, spinach, bok choy, and kale. I also did my starter plants and put them in the house in the “greenhouse”. Now I just have to wait a little longer for the hydroponics to arrive and by then my starters will be ready for planting. The kids also rebuilt the “old” garden so that hopefully the rabbits will not be able to get into it and they made it half the size it once was. This is where we will plant the carrots, beets, radishes, watermelon and the cantaloupe. Hopefully!

I’m not sure how I’ve had the energy… well… I have an idea but I’m not sharing until I see if it’s short lived or if I may have found something that is working. I’ll know soon enough!

Happy Mothers Day to all those who are moms.

Why?

Why I smile…

October 21, 2013 A Labour of Love 4 Comments

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5

Singing praises to the Lord for all our blessings!

The week was long, another spiral downward and an exhausting one at that. My body feels frail, and at times feels as though I am someone’s doll that they are pulling in different directions. In the worst of the pain I envision the little boy in Toy Story and the torture the toys endured at his hands. I am however, not someone’s doll, I am a daughter to an almighty glorious Father who loves me unconditionally and has not and will not disappoint. I have faith that all I am enduring will have a purpose, as does every trial in life. As I await for the discomfort to go away and for healing to progress so that I can get through a day without knowing I’m sick, I make efforts to smile at the blessings each day brings.

I smile that my husband is walking beside me on this journey… as he played Mr. Chef this weekend, pounding out the meat for dinner and picking the last of the green beans out of the garden. I smile as he tells me to rest and assures me he loves me and wants me by his side at night, even when I am rolling around in pain and waking up to the alarm that is set every few hours for the consumption of the meds I couldn’t get in during the day.

I smile at my daughter who graciously accepts cash… as I pay her to give me the Raindrop Technique message with essential oils once a week. I smile even more when she has to pull off the head rest and wonders why it’s moist. I told her it was because she was doing such a great job I fell asleep like the cat and drooled. She didn’t think it was funny, but I sure did. I also smile at her reaction to the toilet seat mark on my face after an hour of lying there.

I smile at my son who thinks he’s too young to have a mom wearing spectacles… as he tried many times to push them back up my nose during the church service because I was embarrassing him. I smile that he didn’t care I couldn’t read my bible with my contacts in. After all, if I don’t wear the contacts, I cannot see the pulpit, if I wear the contacts to see the pulpit, I cannot read the bible. The contacts with the spectacles work nicely. I smile in knowing he will one day be there.

I smile at the little kids in church that are being taught to behave… and you have those of us who think they are so darn cute, so we make faces at them so they begin to laugh and squirm. I smile when I look at the pastor giving his sermon watching us and the kids… Gosh he’s good, he can keep a straight face.

I smile at the cats who cannot decide who their favorite is… one minute mom’s lap is the place to be and the next minute it’s Sydney’s back when she is laying down. It was even funnier when the cat started kneading her buttocks in order to get comfy.

I smile at the fact that the only auction item that didn’t get one bid was the ballroom dancing lessons… making me think of my husband and my dad before our wedding and how I begged them both for lessons. Of course they declined and on the day of the grand event, both looked at me on the dance floor of Henry Fords Ballroom with an 18 piece big band playing, and said “Well, I guess we should have taken those lessons.” 20 years later I still smile.

I smile each week as we count down… to Disney once again and seeing my brother and his family. The thought of the cousins laughing together makes me smile even wider.

I smile at the picture of a friend who we miss… a friend who showed us how to endure the toughest of times with a heart filled with compassion. A friend who was in pain most of the time, yet always wanted to know what was going on in others lives. A man of grace and a true willing servant that trusted the Lords will. Little did he know that he would be an inspiration to the rest of us who had yet to face physical pain or challenges in this world that try to bring us down.

Oh the joy that can be felt even in times of misery. It takes looking for those moments that can make you smile and grateful for the blessings of what you have.

Thank you Lord on this day for helping me to see beyond myself and showing me the joy that is all around.

Menus / Recipes

Healthy Eating starts in the Home

October 13, 2013 A Labour of Love Leave a comment

Genesis 1:29
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

People ask me quite often how long have I been eating healthy and organic. I tell them it’s been a 20 year journey. Honestly, it began just after my husband and I were married. I read a book that helped me to see beyond what I thought I knew about food. To add to that book, my cousins soon to be husband had a heart transplant and his doctor told him to only eat real butter, real sausage, real foods. If you cannot pronounce it, stay away from it. I remember thinking how different that was from what I was buying and from what I had known about food. I mean, isn’t low fat supposed to be good for you? Shouldn’t vegetable oils be good for cooking? What do you mean real sausage and real meats? What about all the fat?

When we were starting our family, I read about MSG not being good for you so I checked every label and avoided it when I was pregnant. I learned about High Fructose Corn Syrup when our son was very young, so we avoided it and only let him have soda on special occasion (although now, it’s completely avoided). By the time our daughter was born, I was learning about organic foods and was already buying it when I could. When our son was 5 he was tested for allergies and we found out he was allergic to tomatoes, wheat and dairy. So, once again I read all I could and changed what the pantry held. When we moved to our current home, in a completely new state, I learned about raw foods, Kombucha, beet kvass, fermenting, soaked and dried nuts, and my all time favorite book Nourishing Traditions and the Weston Price Foundation.

More recently, with my Lymes diagnosis, 3 of the 4 of us testing positive for Celiac, and food intolerance testing, 3 of us needed to again rethink how our bodies handled the food choices we made. We now eat nearly 100% organic and most of our meals are cooked in our kitchen. We belong to several food co-ops for discounts and eat raw as much as possible. This summer we had two gardens and also our CSA vegetable share.

I have learned over the past 3 years that from August through early October life will be spent canning all that the harvest produced. Canning Chili sauces, Salsa Verde, Pasta Sauce, Victory Sauce, beans, Ketchup, jams & jellies, fruits, and fermenting pickles, kimchi, sauerkraut, carrots, corn relish and oh so much more. Another great process to keep some of the fruits is to dehydrate them. Great snacks for the family on road trips or when your walking through Disney. 🙂

There is nothing like opening the cupboard or fridge and seeing it filled with the harvest that you spent the summer caring for with tenderness and eagerness. This year, my mom, my daughter and one of my dear friends were a tremendous help since I was getting sick half way through the summer. Canning and preparing the harvest for winter is not easy. It’s literally a labour of love.

The journey has been long, yet well worth it. People ask me why we eat the way we do when we still get sick or in my case, I still have Lymes. I tell them that I feel this journey has been a blessing. It’s been one that has taught our children more than a conventional health class, and is continuing to teach skills that will carry them through adulthood for the benefit of their own families one day. By growing your own vegetables, canning your own harvest, and preparing and utilizing what you have for future meals saves money as well. We don’t spend as much over the winter months when we have all we need in the cupboards.

Along with my blogging of Why? I look forward to sharing some of our favorite menus, recipes, and healthy household alternatives that have been learned through many years of studying and research. I tell everyone that it’s not something you can just do in a day, it’s a process. Just like a new Christian and his/her sanctification, it will not happen over night.

When you think about it, what could be better than God’s naturally grown foods!

Why?

Why “not” antibiotics?

October 2, 2013 A Labour of Love 1 Comment

(Picture taken from Berkley.edu)

In the last few months I’ve been asked many questions regarding my recent Lymes diagnosis. How do I know I have Lymes? How am I feeling? What do I need? How long will it last? What is the prognosis? And the most asked question prize goes to two questions which are tied together, “Are you on antibiotics” and “why not”?

Well, let’s begin with the fact that I know I have Lymes as my Lymes titer came back positive and further testing from IGENIX tested positive for the little bugger you see at the top of the screen. This is called a Lymes spirochete. It’s the famous Lymes bacteria. The picture alone makes my skin crawl and actually creeps me out more than a diagnosis of cancer or a tumor. To know that the little buggers are inside of me reeking havoc on my body is a bit unnerving.

How did I know to be tested for it? I have a great medical professional that I work with for overall health that heard my complaints and decided to run a titer test. My symptoms were easily recognizable to all who know me and know my busy lifestyle. One day I hit a wall and just didn’t feel good. I was flu achy, was so tired I could hardly stay awake, I had absolutely zero energy and I felt like I was dragging my foot. After two weeks of feeling miserable, I called my healthcare professional and she immediate recommended blood work. It came back about two weeks later positive and we began an herbal treatment until we got back my IGENIX test 3 weeks later.

Now on the to the big question… Why not antibiotics? Well, I believe that antibiotics help when there is no other option and when your life is in danger of being compromised. Isn’t Lymes a life changer? Yes it is, however, with Lymes there is no guarantee that you can kill off the spirochetes. In fact, in my personal research and longing for information I have found that studies have shown that most people diagnosed with Lymes have long lasting symptoms later on in their lifetime even if they’ve been told they were cured. You see, the spirochetes actually go into your organs, tissues and muscles and hide out when they are attacked. They can wait until the environment is right and they come out and proliferate until you once again are sick. Another issue, again from the research I have done, is that study after study shows long term antibiotic usage and antibiotics in our food sources all contribute to an antibiotic resistant outcome. Due to Lymes being so difficult to treat and cure, long term antibiotic use is recommended, creating a perfect environment for co-infections, which is attributed to chronic Lymes and further damage to the body. The spirochetes hide and the gut flora is damaged therefore allowing for the host to contract other infections that can be even more serious than the Lymes itself.

Lymes has recently shown to be difficult to kill off due to it’s usage of manganese rather than iron. Most bacteria utilize iron, and this one does not. It also enjoys Flax and Magnesium. So much for my wonderful flax seed crackers. Ugggg!!!

Again, this has been what I have learned after hours upon hours of reading. So, back to the treatment plan. Well, I have once again changed my diet to no carbs (other than vegetables) and no sugar (other than natural fruits). I have gone back to adding in at least one or two fermented foods in a day. I found that a combination of essential oils gives me relief and I am taking A-L Complex which is a form of microbial components that have shown to break down the spirochetes. I take some of the Boiron products in combination to work with my body in helping with the inflammation going on in my joints and muscles. And I drink plenty of water to flush out the toxins. I have also added in a probiotic (for my gut), Krill oil, Berberine and Axtaxanthin (for my brain), CoQ10 and a Methylating Multi with enzymes to help my overall body and to boost my B’s. You see, apparently my body does not utilize the vitamins or supplements due to a gene link that is missing. Or, according to one doctor, this could also be a symptom of Lymes.

After about a month of this protocol, my energy level dropped again and I was having severe pains throughout my body. I will admit that this did causing me to question my decision, I just wanted immediate relief and I knew that antibiotics would give me that. I added in two more things that have brought me relief from the latest symptoms and once again I am on the upswing. Bentonite clay or Activated Charcoal, both of which I had in the house. Taking them once a day usually in the middle of the night has helped me to rid my body of the dead toxins the herbs are killing off. I also needed an adrenal and liver support so I have a cream that I rub in my skin once a day. I will be on this protocol for many months, yet I am confident that for me, this is the right path.

What is my prognosis? No one knows… however, I am hopeful that my energy level and fatigue will soon subside. I am prayerful that there will not be any long lasting affects or disabilities and that I will be back to myself with few limitations within the next 6 months. I know that God has prepared me with the desire for knowledge, the ability and avenues to find the studies I need to help me battle this disease, and He has prepared my heart to trust His will for my life. Every day is a new day, every day is a new challenge and every day I praise God I woke up to a new day with my family by my side helping to support me in this journey of wellness and healing.

As Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Amen!

Why?

Why a Blog?

September 14, 2013 A Labour of Love 2 Comments

Why start a Blog? During uncertain times it seems there is so much to say.

It’s canning season and I find myself wondering why more women do not spend time canning God’s wonderfully grown vegetables and fruits so they may warm the bellies of their families during those cold winter months. The answer is always clear, there isn’t time. Running from work, to school, to after school activities, meetings, exercise classes, sports games and all the extras society wants us to believe are important. What ever happened to sitting down with family to discuss the day’s trials, watching a good movie or better yet reading a book, picking the fruits of the earth, or teaching a child what it means to be a child. I pray for all women around the world today, that they find a connection with the Lord and that they find the time to hear the birds chirping in their yards, make a chocolate cake for their family, and smell the flowers that their children pick.

Why do I think of such things? Likely because I find myself with much time to do so. As my very active lifestyle has come to a bit of a halt and I must slow down. You see, I was recently diagnosed with Lymes disease. The fatigue is horrible , yet the pain in my joints and muscles is an even greater distraction as it wakes me up even during the night. I feel as though I am dragging my foot even though it plants itself on the ground every time I place it there. As my family and friends are supportive and loving, I still find myself resting while they go on with life and activities I am unable to expend the energy to participate in. I am determined that this will be short term, I take precautions and am following a strict healing protocol. The time resting has helped me delve into books again, catch up on my quilting and try to can the veggies that I worked all summer to grow. This of course is taking 4 days during a week vs. the one it usually takes. One could also add in that I’ve been spending quite a bit of time thinking and praying.

That is why I am blogging. I feel like I finally have the time to share with others things I’ve learned in the last 40+ years of being a daughter, 20 years of marriage, 18 years of motherhood, 6 years of homeschooling and a life long career in observing God’s creations. Perhaps too, I feel it is also healing to write about my thoughts pondered and share with others who possibly have something to say and need an inspiration.