Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Saturday, September 21st

Another beautiful morning!  Cooler :-)

I  wasn't feeling well yesterday so I decided to go into the Dr to see if I had strep throat.  The quick test said no...so they are doing the 2 day test...if I hear back from them on Monday, I have it, if I don't hear from them, I don't.  :-) Will wait and see.  I think I will lay low until then...

Today at 4pm we were planning on going to a wedding reception at the Wabasha Country Club.  We probably won't now.  I'm still not feeling the best.  Getting better comes first :-)

So thankful for all I can do... :-)

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Today's Bible Study

The Purpose of Pain

Read | Matthew 16:24-27

“God, if You love me, then why must I endure pain?” This question preoccupies many believers in their darkest hours of need. While pain takes different forms and has different durations, suffering always comes with an objective greater than our comfort, pleasure, or personal goals. If we seek the Lord’s purpose for grief, we will find both His peace and His deep love for us.

Pain instructs. Christ’s sufficiency is more apparent during times of suffering than in the midst of blessing. Discovering God’s faithful provision strengthens our resolve to endure.

Pain purifies. Counterfeit faith cannot withstand hardship’s flames. Like gold in a refiner’s fire, suffering believers experience the burning away of impurities until only things of value remain. Trials bring into focus the truth about the world we live in, the nature of people we meet, and the incomparable worth of our Father.

Pain motivates. Pain drives us to God. How often do we hear testimony from people who discovered Him during their worst trial? In His wisdom, the Lord knows whether we require motivation from blessing or from distress.

Pain opens us to intimacy with God. At the end of our own resources is the Lord’s boundless strength. Running into His arms guarantees us the comfort and energy that is available only through an intimate relationship with the Father.

Living an easy life doesn’t earn rewards. Though our instinct is to sidestep pain, suffering helps us to find intimacy with God and the great purpose He sets for our life.

Another great day!

Mysitis Awareness Global - September 21st

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Friday, September 20th

Another beautiful morning! It's still dark out when I get up. :-). I love the fall weather but I'm not sure I'm ready for what comes after fall, the winter weather :-(

I woke up with pain and a very itchy scalp...wondering if my last hair appointment for my cut and color is taking a toll on me.  Or is it the tappering of the prednisone. ????  My head is itching a lot :-(  This morning I got up to wash it to see it that would help the itching.  I have medication for itching but I'll wait until Paul wakes up to get it.  They are in our bedroom and I don't want to wake him. :-). I also have a sore throat this morning.:-(

Yesterday, I picked Kaylee up from daycare at 11:30am and went over to visit grandmas in Faribault.  We also took a look at a couple of nursing homes/memory care.  I was thinking I should get grandma Gloria in a place where the Dr comes in to see her.  Milestone does not offer that :-(. She continues to have trouble with swelling in her legs and feet and at times open sores. Gloria fights and refuses to go to the Dr :-(  I've been praying for God to help me make the right move.  I saw a couple of good choices when out looking. :-)

I was thinking back to January/February 2011 after returning from Arizona my sister-in-law, Connie, suggested I get tested for valley fever...I wasn't feeling well back then already.  I went in to see the Dr and was tested.  The results were negative for valley fever.  I had a few other tests and still nothing found so I just decided to live with it.  Until our next years trip to Arizona, my brother, Tim and Connie told me to go in to see the dermatologist and see if they can help.  The symptoms were starting to increase.  I made my appointment in Arizona and the Dr took a punch biopsy.  They sent the sample in and the results from my biopsy came back Lupus or Dermatomyositis or both and I have both. :-(

I'm so thankful for all I can do :-)

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Today's Bible Study

Protecting Against Satanic Attack

Read | Matthew 4:1-11

As soldiers in God’s army, we are engaged in spiritual warfare. To hold our ground, we must be arrayed in battle gear every day.

Be sure your feet are shod with the gospel of peace. Roman military boots had metal cleats to help soldiers stand firm in battle. Similarly, our spiritual “shoes” provide the solid footing of assurance—the certainty that we have peace with God and are safe in Him (John 10:28).

Carry the shield of faith. The most powerful asset we have as believers is our faith. It helps us to resist the Enemy’s temptations by thinking, I know I have this need, but I trust in God. So I’ll wait for the Lord to provide for it in His way and in His time. We are well protected behind the shield of faith.

Wear the helmet of salvation. The mind is Satan’s battlefield; it needs to be conscientiously and effectively guarded. In a spiritual battle, our assurance that we are saved will help repel the Enemy’s lies, which might cause us to question God or to think contrary to Scripture. With such certainty, our minds are able to remain steady.

Carry the sword of the Spirit. God’s Word is both an offensive and defensive weapon. It makes inroads for the gospel (Heb. 4:12) and also protects us. As Jesus proved in His desert temptation, the Devil cannot stand against it.

The spiritual battle raging around us is real and fierce (Eph. 6:12). We are not in the reserves, simply waiting to be called up. We are in the war. Soldier of God, are you fully dressed for battle?

Lord God thank you for giving me everything I need to go out and do your will.  Continue to bless me with your armor and Peace.  Amen

Another great day!

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Thursday, September 19th

Another beautiful morning! You can tell the seasons are changing...it's getting darker earlier in the evening and staying darker later in the morning.  I like the cooler fall weather also :-)

Yesterday, was a busy day.  I took my car back down to the dealer in Winona for additional work.  I had new tires and brake pads put on my vehicle last week and after te replacement my vehicle had a grinding noise.  :-(
Then when I put my driver side window down to put the sun protection in my window, the window would not go back up. :-(
The car also stopped twice when trying to start it...it completely shut down. :-( They thought the anti theft control shut the car down because the key I was using is broken...it's the key the dealer gave me when I bought the vehicle. 
So thankful I purchased the auto repair insurance  :-)

While waiting for my vehicle I had my hair cut and colored at the Winona mall.   I'm very pleased with the results. :-)

Before heading back home from Winona I picked up my medication from Walmart.

As I was driving home on 61 I passed by the cemetery where Fred Dorman, friend, was buried.  I was thinking back to when he was alive and how Fred and mom enjoyed each other's company.  Mom has Alzheimer's but continues to remember the good times she had with Fred. :-)

At 4:30pm Paul and I met my sister, Brenda and her husband, Curt in Rochester.  Paul and Curt went out to Fleet Farm while Brenda and I got our nails done. We met back together for dinner at Whisky Creek.  :-)

Last night I wasn't feeling very well...not sure why...very sore.
This morning I'm stil extremely sore and my scalp is very itchy :-)

I continue to appreciate all I am able to do. :-)
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Today's Bible Study

How to Survive a Satanic Attack

Read | Ephesians 6:12-13

When we hear the word war, we think of physical combat with armored vehicles, soldiers in uniform, and deadly weapons. Yet there is a spiritual war going on around us that is just as dangerous—one we often ignore or fail to understand. We have a powerful opponent working against us. In fact, the Lord calls him “the god of this age” (2 Cor. 4:4) because he is the source of evil and wickedness in our world. To overcome Satan’s attacks, we must first recognize that he is a real adversary. Then we need to hold our ground against him. To stand firm, we have to dress for battle.

Wear the belt of truth. Because of who our Enemy is—namely, the Father of Lies—we must wear a belt of God’s truth to counter his deceit. It is imperative that we make a commitment every day to hold to the Lord’s plan, obediently following Him, whatever the cost. Just as a belt secures clothing in place, our lives are to be encircled and held together by the truth of God’s Word.

Put on the breastplate of righteousness. Much like a protective covering, obedience guards us from harm. Since the Devil prowls around seeking to deceive and destroy (1 Peter 5:8), we are to “suit up” daily in the armor that comes from choosing God’s way in our conduct and conversation. When we are protected in this way, Satan’s arrows of lust, doubt, or fear will not penetrate.

Today, safeguard yourself by spending time absorbing God’s truths (the belt) and then applying them through obedient action (the breastplate).

Another great day!

Today's Christian Woman Devotion

A ministry of Today's Christian Woman

from the New Living Translation
"Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct."

Galatians 6:4–5

encouragement for today

Too many people live in the bondage to fear of what others think of them. Paul gives the right attitude here: Focus on your own actions, doing what's right and not worrying about or comparing yourself to other people. Focusing on what others think or what they want us to do takes us away from responsibility for our own conduct. Find out what you should do, do that well, and forget about what other people think. Paul wanted the Galatians to be free, and this is a key part of freedom.

—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

The Best "Better" - Joni and Friends

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional   

The Best "Better"

"Heal me, O Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."         Jeremiah 17:14
 
My father, forever in faded jeans, red suspenders and plaid shirt, looked so out of place, so uncomfortable when he'd come to the hospital to see me back in those early days of my injury. It warmed my heart when he'd stand by my bedside, white-knuckle the guardrail, smile and whisper with wet eyes, "In every day and in every way, you're getting better and better and better." He'd say it every time he came. His was a constant reassurance that I would not be paralyzed for long; every day, in his eyes, I was getting better and better.
 
My body never shook off the paralysis. The pragmatist would say, "See, your father's words were wishful thinking. You didn't get better, Joni; instead, you got stuck with a wheelchair."
 
That's not the way I choose to look at it. Daddy was right. Every day I did get better. Maybe not on the outside, but on the inside. My soul became settled. My hope became clear. This is the sort of healing described in Isaiah 53:5: "...and by his wounds we are healed." The atonement secured for us healing more dramatic than that which is physical; God is interested in healing the inside of a person. For me, a healed and happy heart is the best "better" for "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
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Think of the last time you said, "Lord, it would be much better if you would only..." Now think again: would it? It's not that God has a different definition for the word "better;" it's just that his idea of better goes deeper. It goes to the heart of the matter.
 
Lord Jesus, heal me from the inside out. Get to the heart of the matter in my life and show me the better way... the best way.

Blessings,
 
Joni and Friends
www.joniandfriends.org

Highs -n- Lows Living with the Disease

Wednesday, September 18th

Another beautiful morning! Last night we got some much needed rain :-) Sound like more rain is on the way. :-)

I've always been very close to my children and respect their individual personalities.
I love being apart of their lives and watching them achieve their goals and starting their families. The best part is watching the grandchildren grow. ,:-)

Like any parent, I have hopes and concerns. I hope they will be happy and healthy.  I hope they have work that they will enjoy, good friends, and loves with whom they can share their lives.  I sometimes wonder if I did enough to prepare them? 
We don't know the twists and turns ahead in our lives but we can encourage and support one another through it all . :-)

It's been around 15 months adjusting to the DM and Lupus.  I have done pretty good learning to cope with the disease symptoms, medication, pain, swelling and the lifestyle changes.  I've been having red on my right ear, both cheeks and both eye lids.  I'm sure it's from going outside without uv makeup on. :-( I continue to get a lot of stares when I'm outside, being completely covered makes me stand out mote. :-( I wear my hats, hats are in now, so they are most likely looking at the gloves and long sleeve shirts in the warm/hot weather. :-).  With Fall and Winter coming I won't stand out as much. :-)

I have been fortunate that the medication has been doing its job and not causing too many side effects. I take my share of supplements. I eat a good anti inflammatory diet, most the time. I do my daily exercises.  The hardest thing is coming to terms with slowing down and taking care of myself.  I've been doing what I'm told and taking it easy.  The Drs will be proud. :-)
I spend a lot more time with my family and friends:-).

I'm so thankful for for what I can do! :-)
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Today's Bible Study

Withstanding Satan’s Attacks

Read | Ephesians 6:10-11

The Enemy’s attacks against our minds are skillful. By watching how we live, he can determine when and where we are defenseless. While he is not omniscient, he knows enough to work against us.

For instance, he directs our attention to something we want, causing us to get so wrapped up in perceived needs that we forget the many wonderful things our Father has already provided. Once we have narrowed our focus to a desire for satisfaction, Satan steps in to meet our craving with what he wants us to have—something that will ultimately draw us away from God.

By observing us, he knows the times and situations when we’re most likely to say yes to temptation. He will do anything in his power to get our minds off the Lord and will distract us even during prayer. In addition, he understands our emotional climate and looks for fatigue, loneliness, and other vulnerabilities that he can exploit. Satan urges us to “want it now” and tries to hide from view any future consequences.

The Enemy works to create doubt in our minds. He wants us to question the truth of the Word, and even to feel unsure about our salvation. Once disbelief sets in, as it did for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:1-6), our minds will start to rethink the interpretation of Scripture in order to justify our conduct.

Though we may be susceptible to his schemes, we’re not helpless against Satan (2 Tim. 1:7). Since our Father protects us, our Savior intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit guides us to truth, “resist the devil and he will flee” (James 4: 7).

Another great day!