May Overall

Today is May 31, 2011. I started this month with a May For Me with ideas of what I wanted to accomplish and books to read. I didn't get as far as I would have liked but this month has had some great times and times to learn.We had weather, my birthday, appointments and school ending. I did get my hair cut from really long to short and a wonderful dinner with my family at Cracker Barrel for my birthday.

Short haircut!

Me and my hubby

I did read:
"Misplacing God (and finding Him again)" by Joanne Heim from "The Simple Wife"
I really enjoyed this book and want to read again to continue to challenge myself with keeping God first in everything I do. Our busy lives can really misplace God. Joanne includes great scripture references.

Written a few years ago, Joanne shares with us her struggles with making God a priority in her life. Not only does she share, she challenges readers to "find a purpose, place, practice, prayer, perseverance, and passion for the One who makes our lives complete."

(I was not ask to promote this book or any other.  Please forgive me if not writing much as my memory is not the greatest hence the read, re-read.)

I have started to read:
"Radical" by David Platt 
And wow! He sure makes me think long and hard about life and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I'll have to get back with you all as I just started reading.

Therapy, for the most part, has been great and working on getting my balance along with using my hand more. I have been able to do a few steps on the stairs, one foot on each step, and will continue each time to work on that process. Today I stood more on my right leg, to place pressure and work at moving my left foot in the process. This also helps the brain by doing more than one thing at a time. I also was lifting a bar, 6 lbs, to stretch my right arm and in the process decreasing the extra tone (tightened muscles). Having my family with me has been a blast.

As far as cleaning up the two areas of living room I wanted straightened, most of it was done but still have a few more papers to deal with and will be done. We went through a few boxes and packed up some of my daughter's toys.

Her dentist appointments went super and she did not have any issues, Praise the Lord! My blood work came back and my cholesterol is good, triglycerides were good, no issues with thyroid or B vitamin levels. However, need to work on my blood sugar, while it is not high while fasting (90) the average (3 or 6 month) was 140ish so over the next 6 months need to work on diet. Too much carbs :(

One thought that has stuck with me, Had God not allowed my stroke I would not have learned the lessons I have. Praise God! Tomorrow I will share more about this journey.

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Revelation Song

If you have not read the book of Revelation please read it.

"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it;
for the time is near."

Revelation 1:1-3



"Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within.
And they do not rest day or night, saying:
      “ Holy, holy, holy,
      Lord God Almighty,
      Who was and is and is to come!”

Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:
        “You are worthy, O Lord,
      To receive glory and honor and power;
      For You created all things,
      And by Your will they exist and were created.”"
Revelation 4:6-11



"Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying:

      “ You are worthy to take the scroll,
      And to open its seals;
      For You were slain,
      And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
      Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
       And have made us kings and priests to our God;
      And we shall reign on the earth.”

Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,  saying with a loud voice:

      “ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
      To receive power and riches and wisdom,
      And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:

      “ Blessing and honor and glory and power
      Be to Him who sits on the throne,
      And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever."
Revelation 5:8-14

May you have a blessed weekend!
Praising God!
Visit Amy's blog here and join with us!

Thankfulness, Teeth and Tornadoes

Today is Wednesday, May 25, 2011... almost done with the month of May, wow! So today I'm thankful for another day to share the Lord's glory and more opportunities with my family and friends. For the storms, needed rain but that they weren't as bad as they could have been, they were bad enough. Thankful for God's strength and a place for refuge.

"God is our refuge and strength,
         A very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1

Thankful that my Cardiologist visit was good, EKG was good and strong, waiting for blood tests to come back, whether good or not so great. For the last year have seen my Dr. every 3 months but now it's every 6 months, yay! Kiddo's last dentist visit is tomorrow and then she will have a good mouth again. Thankful she is following directions and doing so well. Thankful that we were able to get our medical needs met.

Yesterday started out as a good day. Good weather, a little windy, good Dr. visit and dealing with walking around the parking garage, to the different floors of the hospital and back to the windy parking garage. I had energy and did not stop except to sit in the waiting rooms and ride elevators. That is a first since my stroke. Yay I'm happy to know that I am improving with my breathing and walking. Another thankful! We did cancel my therapist appointment due to Dr. appointment and we did not know about the weather. Hubby took me out to lunch at Applebee's and was yummy chicken and rice. Then we went home and had a short nap. But I'm glad we cancelled my appointment as my daughter's school let out early and at the same time the first storm flared up. We decided to go to our friend's apartment but as time ticked on we realized that if the tornadoes came this way we would be in trouble. Hubby and I decided it was best to leave. We found our local television station on the AM station and listened while we road. Watching maps and tracking where storms were, from west and so we headed south. Then a storm from south so east we went and glad we did. Between the maps, listening to radio and calling my dad in Florida, we escaped to a McDonald's about 100 miles from home. We watched and waited, two storms went around us and then we had a feeling it was time to head back. Whew dodged two more storms on the way back. Did I freak out, nope! Did my emotions flare, nope! All at home was okay but there are those who were less fortunate.

Yes I'm thankful but I'm praying and ask you to do the same, for those who have lost their family and friends, their homes and necessity items and dealing with the emotions that come with storms. Please pray for a mother and two sons, who are in critical need and her 3 year old son who is still missing after a tornado came through their neighborhood in Piedmont, OK. Pray today for those having storms to deal with and that everyone stays safe. Thank you and God bless!

"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us,
         But to Your name give glory,
         Because of Your mercy,
         Because of Your truth."

Psalm 115:1

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Just As I Am

I Surrender All

Just As I Am

Both of these songs have special meaning to me and I wanted to share them today. May they speak volumes to you as they did for me 29 years ago and still today. Will you surrender today and come?

"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Matthew 24:36-44

May you have a blessed weekend!
Praising God!
Visit Amy's blog here and join with us!

2nd week of May

The television is playing a cartoon song and Hubby is doing something on the computer. Kiddo is watching but more into her handheld game. I'm just sitting here reading online the various blogs and Facebook updates. I get up to go to the other room and here comes the questions. "What do you need?" "Where are you going?" (This place is small, where might I go?) I know I'm disabled but I can at least do a few things. Sometimes I need to get to where I'm going, and quick, or the laundry room will need a visit. So I leave the room and here comes "the party". (think I talked about this in previous notes) I'm trying to enjoy company because yes, never know when it is the last but sometimes I need me time, a breather but I'm never alone.

I've realized that I have a hard time telling my family that I want to do some things, like read, exercise and just spend time thinking and spending time with the Lord. I'm trying to state what I need/want. This week has had some challenges but also really good times.

We spent Monday tending to our daughter and her dentist appointment. (two more to go) I'm amazed at how fast she jumps back, ready to eat and play. We have to remind her to rest, take it easy, have some yogurt or something soft. So hard when we need to take a break and slow down. I used to be a go go go girl or thought I was but now I can't remember. Kiddo is still very active, she's nine, who wouldn't be? At least she tried to sit and rest.

Then comes the challenges, "Trust Me" He says. Therapy time on Tuesday was difficult. We get there and my therapist wants to do some testing, to see how I am doing. The first tests were great. I passed. But.. oops I'm not doing what I need to do at home. Supposedly there was a goal about walking around the apartment complex without stopping. (Not sure who set that goal) I think I might had mentioned when I started this session, a few weeks ago, that I have tried to walk around the building in front of ours without stopping but at 5 minutes I'm almost out of breath and all my muscles are tight. I stop for about a minute and keep going. I would like to walk better. SO.. I'm told we are going for a walk, was handed a single prong cane, (only used one a few times and not long so still unsure of myself) and headed out the door. Hmmm.. how am I to process all this newness. New cane, new place, new ramps/hills, loud noises on road, people around, eeek... I tell you this place is not even at all. About 1/4 the way, I'm stressed, my muscles are tensing up and I'm trying to focus. Therapist is talking so I'm trying to respond but having a hard time. I don't remember what all was said, just too upset, wind tried twice to blow me down and I was crying, tears filled up my eyes, I kept walking. "Jesus...Jesus" was running through my head while my mouth was saying my frustrations. I did it.. 10 minutes of painful walking, frustration but I did it from gym and back, all around the building. We stopped for the day. Both therapists said no way to continue, no use when I'm upset. Took a few days to process what happened. Anything new and my anxiety level kicks in so I'm trying. I have too many excuses why I don't go out and walk 10 minutes. My comfort zone is one, our apartment. I don't like steps right now and to go anywhere I have to deal with 14 of them outside our door. Takes a good bit of effort and time which people seem to forget because they are go go go. 10 minutes=a lot more but it's only until I get better at walking and dealing with stairs. Now if I could tell my family we are going outside.

Good things: Great therapy on Friday but only Physical Therapy as other therapist was out. My husband and I spent time talking about what needs to happen (good but could be better). Saturday was my birthday (another post on that great adventure) and good family time. I spent a good time studying Psalm 119. Seeking Him!

My obstacle course for Friday

My surprise cake Yummy!

Have a great week! God bless you!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Jesus Saves

May you have a blessed weekend!
Praising God!
Visit Amy's blog here and join with us!

First week of May

I hope you all had a great week this first week of May. Between our daughter's dentist appointment, my therapy sessions and school/work, was semi busy. When my family is at home I tend to do all I can with them, from playing games, watching movies and doing things around the house. It's hard sometimes to say "I'm going to read" or whatever I want to do. My family follows me around our apartment no matter what but because they don't like to leave my side. This might be too much information but I want to share. We have bathroom "parties" or did for a long time because of my stroke, there is usually one family member with me. *laughs* I finally asked them to give me a few moments. This practice was ok at first when I really needed help, guess it stuck.
So a few things:

Kiddo had a dentist appointment, both last Monday and today.  She was such a trooper!! Much better than I ever was and she did not complain at all about anything. We came across this dentist through our insurance program. I'm so thankful that she is close and she does great work with Krista. We all like going there!

Twice this week I had therapy and each day brings more challenges. I have two therapists, my main ones, but occasionally I have someone new. New people = New exercises but same concept. Occupational therapy for me has been lots of stretching my right arm and hand including back. I have started to work on some finger exercises, like moving the basketball around me. We also did arm pulley, not sure proper name but what I call it.

In physical therapy, we worked on my right leg balance and stretching muscles. My heel got a good stretching which has helped to bring some feeling awareness to that area of my foot. We used the wall/door and then on Thursday we used a two inch high board that gave me enough stretch that felt really good. I placed my right foot on a slope like almost stepping up but using the step as a prop. Then my left foot on the other side of the board going down. Hard to explain but felt great. We also did lots of squats that by end of session my core muscles were screaming at me. We used different size balls for me to pick up and place on some tubing. We had an issue with my heel of right foot wanting to come off floor, mostly because my muscles are so tight but I kept going and trying. Mentally and physically challenging, so glad! I am called the warrior around the gym. *chuckles* Only with God's strength!

We ended this week with Mother's Day. We didn't do anything much but I was surprised a lot and then became emotional. My daughter gave me a bag she colored a hill with a tree, lovely green, brown and blue sky. She also made me a card that had a note inside of love and missing me while at school. Inside she gave me a butterfly that she made in art, beads and a clothes pin. Made me think of a song that my grandmother and great aunt would dedicate to me on my birthday (May 14). I had to share it. I also got flowers, another card and chocolate turtles.

If I Were a Butterly

There is so much more to say about this week and the month is just getting started. God is working! He is so good, mighty and is love. Praises and thankfulness to the Lord for all He does and will do for us.

Now to start a new week with therapy tomorrow but for now some lunch and reading this afternoon.

God bless you and keep you!

Then Sings My Soul Saturday - Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Great is Thy Faithfulness performed by Chris Rice



Praising God!
Visit Amy's post here or join with us!