40 Days of Prayer - Day 21

"Ah Lord GOD!

Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth

by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!

Nothing is too difficult for You."

Jeremiah 32:17

I have forgotten to remember this verse recently.  It has ministered to me so many times.  And is today.  Nothing, absolutely nothing, is too difficult for Him.  It's so easy for me to get so focused on what is going on  here and now, and forget that it's not about me.  It's not my responsibility to care for myself.  It's His.  I don't have to carry the weight of figuring stuff out, just walk in obedience to what He shows.  It's all about Him.  His glory.  His praise.

Today has been better than yesterday.  Last night I got a communication from the ND I have hoped to work with.  It has been confirmed, and we are moving ahead with appointments, etc.  He recommended some things to help balance my electrolytes today, and tomorrow I will undergo nutritional and inflammatory IV support at his office up north.  We hope this is the beginning of real holistic help.  It would be so awesome to see even little bits of progress over the next weeks.

A couple of things over which we would appreciate prayer these next couple of weeks are that we would see God's provision during this time before Dale starts getting paid for his new job and while I can't work as I have been.  And then we are faced with having to remedy our living situation because of the mold.  It's been a problem for a long time, but is most likely a big part of my health issues now, and we need to come up with an alternate living situation.  Not an easy thing to do.  But, I'm hanging on to Jeremiah 32:17.  Nothing is impossible with Him.  Not health.  Not housing.  Not provision.  Nothing.

A big praise today is that Dale got his long-awaited hearing aids, and he can HEAR!!  As I watch him, it's like the first day of glasses when you realize the trees have leaves and the sky has stars.  He's hearing things he didn't realize he was missing.  And he can hear me when I talk quietly.  A wonderful blessing.  So, we are beyond grateful for the help from DVR (Department of Vocational Rehabilitation) which has made this possible.  It enables him to do the driving job so much more comfortably and safely.  Praise God!

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ An enlightening and productive appointment tomorrow, with the IV therapy making some headway in stabilizing me.

~ Provision during these next weeks.

~ A housing solution very soon.

Thank you for praying.  The undergirding is evident.

Half-way through 40 days of Prayer for Debbie MacInnis!

Dear Friends,

We are half-way through our 40 days!  Thank you all so much for your continued prayer.  I'm writing today primarily to say it is still very much needed.  We're in the dark before the dawn here.  Mom likened the way she's feeling to being in the descending funnel of a whirlpool.  She said it used to be a slow thing, like sitting on the upper outer edge which just turns lazily towards the center.  But the longer you're in it the faster you spin and the deeper you go. She's turning fast and going deep now.

The last couple of days have been extremely hard and extremely scary.  She's been having a hard time eating anything, has lost the five pounds she just gained back, has been having heart palpitations again, and been very "foggy" whenever she eats something that disagrees with her.  For those of you who might worry, she IS staying well-hydrated, and her new doctor has her on an electrolyte concoction until he can see her tomorrow and get her on an IV.  We also have a plan in place for going to the ER if need be.

This new doctor is the one she will hopefully have for the duration of this disease.  He's the brother of a friend, a believer, and is willing to work with her instead of run over her.  These are huge criteria for her, and Matt seems to meet them.

For these last 20 days, then, I am asking that we pray for:
*The ability for this doctor to treat the causes of her disease and not simply the symptoms.
*Her body to react well to any treatment.
*That she be able to eat, and gain weight.
*That the mold in their house be able to be dealt with shortly as that seems to be exacerbating her health issues.
*Dad's carpal tunnel to be addressed; it's finally becoming debilitating.

Major praises for these last 20 days are:
*A job for Dad!! After nearly two years of no work he has been hired on as a driver for Catholic Charities, taking patients to and from appointments.
*Hearing aids for Dad!  He's rejoicing in his ears. 
*For the connection with Doctor Matt.
*For the masses of prayers and encouragements that have been heaped on my family from all quarters, many of them unexpected.

Again, thank you one and all for your continued prayers.  She needs them all.  Let's finish strong!

Blessings,
Jessie

40 Days of Prayer - Day 20

You have enclosed me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

Psalm 139:5

I'm hanging on to this verse right now.  Thanks to Jen for blessing me with this.

Today has been extremely hard.  I have cried a lot.  Asked the Lord for something to give.  Spent most of the day on my bed.  My stomach doesn't want to digest much and I'm pretty weak.  We are waiting to hear back from the ND as the one who perhaps can guide us through this situation.  There is no one else I would trust to ask at this point.  Symptom treatment is not the route we feel we should go, rather finding the cause of whatever is going on and then working to restore the problem(s).  But we also feel the need for this to move along quickly.

To those of you who knew about today, thank you for praying, so much.  I am so very, very grateful.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ That we would hear back from the ND soon.

~ Encouragement for me and my family.

~ "Don't give up. Stand firm. Maintain hope."

40 Days of Prayer - Day 19

 "Do not call to mind the former things,

Or ponder things of the past.

Behold, I will do something new,

Now it will spring forth;

Will you not be aware of it?

I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,

Rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18 & 19

 I love this passage.  God has used it many times to encourage me.  The song version by Don Moen got me through some very hard times when we were caring for Dale's dad in the early 2000s.  When things were really rough a few years ago, God used it again to promise a pathway through the forest.  Or desert.  I remembered it again today, and it is encouraging me not to dwell on the past, how things have been (and are) but to look for something new.  He's a God of "new".  His mercies are new every morning.  No sunrise or sunset is ever the same, but always new.  There's new growth every spring.  He gives new songs, new strength.  He made a new covenant, creates a new heart in us and makes us new creatures, then gave us a new commandment.  And in the end, He will make ALL things new.  Here He promises that He will DO something new.  It will spring forth.  And I will be aware of it.  And I will see the roadway in the wilderness accompanied by rivers in the desert.  Very cool. 

Today was better than yesterday, thank the Lord.  I was able to take Boomer to the oral surgeon in Olympia to get his wisdom teeth out.  Not fun, but successful, and he is recovering.  I really wanted to be able to be the one to go with him.  It's a mom thing.  So, I am grateful.

I had the chance to talk with my boss today, and told her that I don't feel I am able to cover the entire 3 weeks, 6 days a week, for her in August, by myself.  She is okay with that, and is looking for someone to work during that time.  I also told her I will do anything I can to share the load, as I am able, with whomever is working, should they need it. So, that is a relief.  A few days ago, the clarity came and I am at peace with it.

There is no other news today.  Just waiting to hear back from the ND regarding the paperwork I sent him yesterday.

Thanks for praying.  I feel the covering.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Wisdom & revelation for the Dr. as he looks at my history and labs, etc. and the clear confirmation, or not, of whether he is the right one.

~ Perseverance through these days.

~ Victory in looking ahead for the new thing He will do.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 18

Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2

"Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."  Isn't that amazing?  Hebrews 11:6 says that without faith, it is impossible to please Him, and then in 12:2 is says that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.   I just can't get away from the fact (not that I want to!) that without Him, I can do nothing.  Can't take a breath, can't live a day, can't please Him.....without Him.  Jesus gives us the faith we need to please Him.  He perfects it, in order to please Him.  And in the midst of adversity, infirmity, hard times -- how better to perfect my faith?  I love that.  "Looking to Jesus......"  I need to do it.  All the time.

Today has been so very hard.  My stomach is in bad shape.  I feel as if I have the flu, or, as mentioned yesterday, in the first trimester of pregnancy (not possible).  And I am just so worn out from it.  Hard to eat.  Weight loss again.  My neck and back have also been painful for the past several days, and I expected that my back would be "out" when Maggie took me to the doctor today, but it wasn't.  That means all the discomfort I'm experiencing has another source.  Which is good to know, on one hand.  Blessedly, my Dr. is a believer, and listens well.  He prayed for me, in true warrior fashion, and it blessed me.  How God watches over His loved ones.

Maggie and I tried to go check out the other doctor on our trip today, but were unsuccessful.  Hopefully I can solve that by phone.

I received the lab results this afternoon from my latest tests, and they reveal the possibility of mild pancreatitis.  It's not conclusive, but a possibility.  I'm trying to understand causes and treatment, etc. but don't know much yet.  Based on what I've read, I'm guessing that stress and the resultant metabolic issues could be part of it.  It seems that so much is bound up in that.

I have sent off the letter and my health chronology, labs, etc. to the ND brother of my friend.  The more I read of him on his website and on his blog, the more I am impressed.  He is a man of God.  Majorly.  It would be such an answer to prayer if it turns out he is the one God confirms.  At this point, I am hoping that I can go see him very soon.  With how things are now, it may be necessary to pursue IV nutrition to get my body back to the place where it can start working on healing.

So, Today's Prayer Requests:

~ It seems to me that it would be good to be able to see the ND very soon, providing he is the one the Lord confirms.

~ Integration of this new information about possible pancreas problems into the big picture.

~ That I can look to Jesus.  Every minute.

~ When I asked Dale recently what I could do for him in the midst of all this, he said, "Don't give up."  That humbled me.  My back doctor was exhorting me to "Stand firm," and put on the armor each day (Ephesians 6).  So, I would ask that you pray that I can do both.  Stand firm and not give up.

~ I talk with my boss probably tomorrow or Wednesday.

Thank you again and again for praying.  I wish there were more words I could use!

40 Days of Prayer - Day 17

Let me dwell in Your tent forever;

Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

Psalm 61:4 

I love the imagery in this verse.  Dwelling with God, taking refuge in the shelter of His wings.

Dwelling.  Refuge.  Shelter.

They are all part of the security of a safe place.  And He is it.  That safe place.  His wings over and around me, protecting me.  Giving me shelter and refuge in a difficult world.  Very cool.

There's not really any news today.  I spent some time getting information ready to send to the ND I talked with yesterday and hope to send it off tomorrow.  We spent the rest of the day with the whole family and some dear friends and their kids around a wonderful meal at Jessie's and Dale's place.  We always love to be there.  I got to hear about Sunday School from my grandson and about the party he went to yesterday, and listen to the joyous play of 5 happy (most of the time!) children.

Tomorrow I will be checking out the other alternative-medicine doctor and hope to gain an understanding of what he does and how he might be able to help, especially with allergy and sensitivity ID.

I'm really struggling with my stomach, and the foggy thinking that accompanies it. The last couple of days have been hard.  It's kinda like first-trimester pregnancy nausea.  No rhyme or reason that I can identify.  I'm just having to wait it out until something can be determined.  Grace.  It's what I need.  :-)

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Good communication with both of these new doctors, and it would be awesome if there could be some rapid progress in feeling better.  I feel as if the downward spiral has started again and I'm pretty worn out.

~ Talking with my boss this week about work schedule for the summer.

~ A solution to the mold problem in our home.

Thank you for praying.  So much.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 16

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while,

if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold

which is perishable, even though tested by fire,

may be found to result in praise and glory and honor

at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

1Peter 1:6&7

Not long ago, a dear friend gave me a CD entitled "Come Weary Saints."  It has been a real blessing to me these days.  The lyrics I've shared below have really stayed with me and remind me of the above verses.

Every Day

Joel Sczebel & Todd Twining

In Your grace You know where I walk

You know when I fall

You know all my ways

In Your love I know You allow

What I cannot grasp

To bring You praise

Thank You for the trials

For the fire, for the pain

Thank You for the strength

Knowing You have ordained

Every day

Your great power is shown when I'm weak

You help me to see

Your love in this place

Perfect peace is filling my mind

And drawing my heart

To praise You again

In my uncertainty, Your Word is all I need

To know You're with me every day

I am back to really difficult days.  My stomach is revolting at just about anything I eat.  No rhyme or reason that I can find.  My back is not good.  Trouble sleeping last night with heart palps, etc.  This song is a blessing to me in the midst.  I wish I could find a link to a performed version of it so you could listen to it, too.  I'm grateful for the gift of music.

I made it through my work shift today, praise God.  I had asked Him for a light day, and He granted it.  And then I was able to go hear our band at the Strawberry Festival at Boistfort Valley Farm in Curtis.  Lovely day.  Good music.  Fun people.

I was also able to talk with the ND brother of my friend.  I came away feeling that this could work.  He is a believer, firstly.   He listens well, seems to share a similar approach to the styles of diagnosis and treatment that I prefer.  He asked good questions and pegged some things during this initial conversation.  I will be sending him all my written health history, description of current issues, labs, med and supplement listings, etc., which he will look over and then let me know what he thinks.  I am beyond grateful for his time.

I will be calling the other recommended new doctor this coming week to try to get a better handle on what he actually does.  One of the hard things I am dealing with is the difficulty with allergy testing.  I have had food allergies since I was 18 months old, and I suspect there are more that are unknown to me which could be critical to my getting well.  Without going into detail, it's often hard, for a number of reasons, to peg allergies.  My hope is that this other alternative doctor and his methods may be able to assist in this area, where blood testing can be inconclusive.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Perseverance in trials and the reaffirmation that this is all about Him, not all about me.  His praise, His glory.

~ Continued direction about these new doctor possibilities.

~ I will be talking with my boss this week about the work schedule in July and August.  I am coming to peace with what I believe the Lord is telling me.  I am asking for continued confirmation.  I will share about it after I've talked with her.

Thank you again for praying.

Here is a little taste of the Strawberry Festival!

The Band!

Reuben, Astrid, Maggie, Boomer, Jessie, Amanda, Dale

The Sound Booth and Sound Man

and his wife and brother-in-law

also known as my daughter and son.  :-)

And Marcy and Bethany.

Astrid

Amanda

I love these people!

40 Days of Prayer - Day 15

Where there is no guidance the people fall,

But in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 11:14 

Dale brought up this verse from Proverbs recently and I was thinking about it again today.  In contrast to what it is saying, sometimes an abundance of counselors has been confusing to me, so.......I want to try to figure this out.  Of course guidance is what I look for everyday, and without it I fall (lose the battle, perhaps).  "But, in abundance of counselors there is victory."  Not losing the battle.  So, if wisdom says that abundant counselors are good, I need to hear that.

Today I had a couple of things happen that kinda lean in this direction.  My friend let me know that her brother (ND) is willing to talk with me about my health issues on the phone.  Tomorrow, during his vacation.  Amazingly.  So we will be doing that sometime late tomorrow.  And then a dear friend called because she wanted to share some stuff with me about her own health experiences, and to recommend a doctor that has helped her.  He happens to be one who was recommended to me back in April by someone else as well, and whose office is very near my back doctor in Graham.  (These two new doctors focus on different methods and aspects of  diagnosis and treatment.)  As my friend and I talked, this verse occurred to me again, and it took root.  I was reminded of something my PCP said last month, something like "there isn't just one way to deal with health concerns."  And, "it's not necessarily black and white."  As I've gone to the various doctors over the past months, at each stop I've come away with another bit of knowledge regarding possible issues.  The big picture has had puzzle pieces added bit by bit, and it may be that these two new options will also add color and life to the picture.  And I can't help but think that these contacts are in answer to the prayer that you all have lifted on our behalf.  So, we will check them out and see if the Lord continues to lead in those directions, or not.

I was able to talk with two nurses today.  One reported that the gall bladder test was negative, so that is now ruled out.  The other answered a question I had about the reliability of the biopsy test for celiac.  I have heard a number of different opinions.  She had done some talking with the doctor, and she indicated that even if I haven't eaten gluten for a year, the biopsy would still be able to determine, on a cellular level I guess, whether the disease is present.  That doesn't mean that I don't have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or wheat, but that wouldn't be as severe as celiac is.  So, two good things have been learned today. 

A praise today is that Dale started training at his new job and he feels it is a "good fit" which is something we have been praying for for a long time.  I am so stoked for him!  He is still looking for a car, if anyone knows of a cheap beater anywhere. Small pickup would be awesome, but anything small would be good.  :-)

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ I work my half-day shift tomorrow, and I am looking for His sufficiency in that.

~ This conversation with the ND tomorrow to determine if we feel it would be a good fit to work together on my health issues.

~ The possibility of a similar conversation with the other Dr. in Graham.

Thank you for praying.  I pray that God will richly bless each of you for your faithfulness on our behalf.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 14

"The house [Of the LORD], while it was being built,

was built of stone prepared at the quarry,

and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any iron tool

heard in the house while it was being built."

1 Kings 6:7

The past two days, my reading in Spurgeon has been good.  And revelatory of things I need to remember.  That verse from 1 Kings talks about the stone used to build the house of the Lord, and the fact that it was prepared at the quarry.  All the squaring, planing and chipping had already been done before it came to the temple.  It was brought "perfectly ready" and simply put into place, its perfect function already established and determined.

The same goes for the temple Jesus is building.  Of us.  He is making us ready here.  All the squaring, planing and chipping is readying us for our perfect fit in heaven.  

"There will be no sanctifying us there, no squaring us with affliction, no planing us with suffering.  No, we must be made fit here, and when He has done it, we shall be ferried by a loving hand across the stream of death, and brought to the heavenly Jerusalem, to abide as eternal pillars in the temple of the Lord." C.H. Spurgeon

Such a good reminder for me.  All of this stuff I go through here is getting me ready for my place in heaven, conforming me to the image of Jesus.  It is worth it.  Hard as it is sometimes.

Today has been a little better than yesterday.  My stomach is still throwing a fit, but the rest is not as intense, for which I am really grateful.

Dale and I spent some time talking this morning about the difficulties of yesterday regarding the doctor stuff, and both of us feel that it would be good to pursue someone else who is more suited to who I am and the kind of doctoring I need.  Neither of us feel that it was a mistake to have started with the first ND.  Much good has come out of it and we have a more firm starting place than we did two months ago.

I talked with a friend this morning whose brother is an ND in northern Washington.  It sounds as if, through her description of him and my perusal of his websites, that he would be a good one with whom to have a consultation to determine if we would make a compatible team to tackle my health issues.  That may happen as early as next week.  We would appreciate your continued prayer about that.

Nothing yet on the gall bladder test.  The Dr. was out of the office today, so I'll hear tomorrow afternoon, probably.

Thank you, again, for praying.  It may sound redundant, day after day, but we mean it.  :-)  Every day.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Still the same thing about finding a good fit in a doctor, local or otherwise.

~ All that squaring, planing and chipping having the result the Lord intends in my life.

~ A car for Dale.  Soon.  Cheap.  He starts orientation stuff tomorrow for his new job.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 13

Help, Lord.

Psalm 12:1

God, my God, I cry out. Your beloved needs You now.

Bebo Norman, Jason Ingram
 

Today has been a hard day.  I have felt pretty terrible since morning.  My ability to deal with ANY stress is non-existent.  In trying to talk with the nurse of my "good doctor," I came away trembling from what felt like a lack of understanding on her part and a negative initial reaction on the part of the doctor to what I consider an informed approach that I would like to take in dealing with the adrenal/thyroid issues.  I'm struggling with a near-hopeless feeling that this conundrum will ever be solved of finding a doctor who is accessible, able to listen, respects my desire to understand and be involved in the figuring out of my issues and not adverse to me taking a very active part in formulating a treatment plan.  And the nausea and heart palps just deck me.  It all makes everything so very difficult to handle.  And the ups and downs, thinking I'm doing better, heading in an upward direction, and then crashing again, is hard.

Bebo Norman's song, "I Will Lift My Eyes" is on my mind.  As is Amy Grant's "Better Than a Hallelujah"

We pour out our miseries, God just hears a melody.

Beautiful the mess we are,

The honest cries of breaking hearts

Are better than a hallelujah sometimes.

Sarah Hart, Chapin Hartford

I'm pretty fragile right now.  And these songs minister to me in the midst.

I have formulated a letter, which is in the process of revision, that I will be sending to my "good doctor" tomorrow to try to help get us both on the same page, and perhaps we can work from there.  Perhaps not, too, and I just want to hear what God wants here.  I am willing to pursue wherever He directs.

I had the gall bladder ultrasound this morning and will hear tomorrow, probably, if there is a problem or whether it has been ruled out.  The labs taken yesterday will be in next week sometime.

Thanks for praying with us through the ups and downs.  We appreciate you more than perhaps you know.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Perseverance in handling infirmity when I feel like giving up.

~ Patience with the process.  I want changes yesterday, you know?

~ That this won't consume me.  It is so hard to get outside of infirmity.

~ Knowing and feeling God's presence in the midst. "Your beloved needs You now."

~ This letter and a doctor I can work with, locally or otherwise.  Locally would be so amazing, but maybe it isn't to be.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 12

But seeing the wind, he became frightened,

and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him,

and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:30-31

I read something today that made me think of how often the word immediately is used in the Gospels in reference to Jesus.  Either what He did, or what people (or things) did in response to Him.  With Peter's elemental cry of "Lord, save me!" Jesus responds immediately, reaches out and takes hold of him, and he is saved.  The woman with a flow of blood for 12 years touches the hem of His garment, and immediately she is healed, and knows it.  When Jesus calls the fishermen, they immediately leave their nets and follow Him.

Thinking on these stories made me realize something profound.  To me, anyway.  He is always immediate.  Right here.  Right now.  Always.  No matter my need, or my situation, He is ready to respond immediately.  How often I don't act like He is.  Ouch.  So.......I need to work on that.  :-)

Today I had a bunch of blood drawn to see where I am on a number of fronts.  And also picked up lab results to add to my growing pile, which is providing much needed information for determining how we proceed from here.  I continue to be blessed by the kindness of the Lord in equipping me with knowledge.  It empowers, in a good way, at this point in our quest.

Tomorrow morning I have the gall bladder ultrasound procedure.  I'm praying for accurate results there.

So, Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Accurate results from gall bladder test, and also from blood draws today.

~ Continued prayer for clarity regarding work in August.  I need to be able to let this go if that's what is needed.  And that's more of a struggle than I'd like it to be.

~ A car for Dale to get to and from work.  Cheap.  :-)

Thank you again and again for praying with us.  You are, each one, precious to us.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 11

"For, lo, I will command,
and I will sift the house of Israel
among all nations,

like grain is shaken in a sieve,
yet not a grain shall fall upon the earth."

Amos 9:9

'Every sifting comes by divine command and permission.  Satan must ask leave before he can lay a finger upon Job.  No, more, in some sense our siftings are directly the work of heaven, for the text says, "I will sift the house of Israel." Satan, like a drudge, may hold the sieve, hoping to destroy the grain; but the overruling hand of the Master is accomplishing the purity of the grain by the very process which the enemy intended to be destructive.  Precious, but much sifted grain of the Lord's floor, be comforted by the blessed fact that the Lord directs both flail and sieve to His own glory, and to your eternal profit.'  Spurgeon

So, this sifting thing is good. :-)

Today I had a few quiet hours to myself during which I did a lot of online reading.  I found another amazing website that provided a lot of help for me in further determining the presence of adrenal/thyroid issues.  And it's written in the way I think, so I was able to assimilate a ton of information in a short time.  I am very, very grateful.

It had such an impact on me that I thought it might be a good thing to link to this site (and others)  and to a couple of books that could be helpful to anyone who might be interested in seeing if unexplained health problems in their own lives could have a root cause in these hormone issues. I've created a page that links to these sites and books here.  And I'll add to it as I find more.

So, the report is that my weight is holding, my stomach is still quiet, I am eating well and the heart palps and dizziness are gone.

I am now gathering symptom information to give a more complete picture of my metabolic energy condition (thyroid, adrenal, estrogen & progesterone hormones) which will help with determining treatment.  The more complete my records of symptoms over time, the better chance there is of proper order of treatment and the minimizing of negative reactions.The order of treatment for adrenals and thyroid is critical, and apparently that is why I had such a wretched reaction to the initial thyroid meds. So, it's going to take some time, but I am encouraged.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Continued revelation of truth regarding my actual condition(s).

~Still hoping for a local doctor.

~ I need to be able to give a definitive answer by June 30th as to whether I will be able to work 3 weeks in August.  So I need clarity on that.

Thank you for praying!!!!

40 Days of Prayer - Day 10

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people.

The LORD your God is in your midst

A victorious warrior.

He will take great delight in you,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing. 

Psalm 149:4, Zephaniah 3:17

Something I have struggled to take to my heart is God's delight in me.  Being His beloved.  Realizing He rejoices over me. And takes pleasure in me.  His Word says He does.  But my heart is slow to understand it.  Feel it.  Part of that comes from my earthly, human experiences.  I keep asking Him to help me appropriate these truths.  But somehow I just can't seem to believe it.  Which is sinful on my part.  Not believe my God?  Not a good thing.

During this time of trial and infirmity, He has done much to reveal these things to me.  The love of my family, the care of my friends, the outpouring of prayer from all of you, leading and direction on too many occasions to count, words of encouragement from writers long gone to glory, tried and come forth as gold.  And provision in so many amazing and sweet ways.  I need to learn to take these things to the bank, as the saying goes.  Recognize them for what they are.  His expression of love for me, delight in me, His voice singing over me with rejoicing.  Isn't that an amazing picture?  Him rejoicing over me with singing?  Over you?  I kind of think of it as a lullaby, like we sang over our children when they were tiny.  Love poured forth in song.  Wow.

So, today is one of His gifts in that way.  It was a quiet Sunday, we had a nice dinner for Father's Day, and I got the chance to read a lot.  Not because I had to lie down from feeling lousy, but because I wanted to.  Very nice. And I am still enjoying a quiet stomach, the high powered enzymes seeming to do their job.  What a blessing that is.

This coming week will have several events over which to pray.  Tests, new meds, conversations with at least one nurse or doctor.

Thank you so much for your prayers.  I am blessed.  A lot.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Starting new meds and a smooth transition to that.

~ Gall bladder test on Wednesday.

~ Doctor/Nurse conversation later in the week regarding meds/treatment for adrenals and thyroid.

My blessed family, then and now.  :-)

40 Days of Prayer - Day 9

Praise the LORD!

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 

For His lovingkindness is great toward us,

And the truth of the LORD is everlasting.

Praise the LORD!

I will praise the LORD while I live;

I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Psalm 106:1, 117:2, 146:2

My heart is grateful and I am praising God for His activity in our lives.  Something I've been learning more about, regarding thanking and praising God, is that He is worthy of thanks and praise no matter what things look like down here.  Whether things are going the way I hope they will or not.  Whether something looks like a good gift or not.  He is always good, always giving good gifts, always weaving a tapestry of beauty regardless of what it looks like on this side.

Today there are praises that are answers to prayer, and they happen to look like what we perceive as good gifts.  :-)

~ I was able to work my shift at the Post Office today, and I am grateful.

~ I also stepped on the scale to see that I am up another pound and a half, which makes 93 pounds!  This is huge, and it will be every time there is an inching upward.  Dale said tonight that he wants to have a "100 Pound Party"  when I get there.  :-)

~ And, my stomach has been quiet for days now.  This is also huge.  I believe it can be attributed to the high-quality pancreatic enzymes I'm taking.  It took awhile, but they seem to be doing the job now.  It is a tremendous blessing.

I did not have the opportunity today to talk with the local doctor, but may have another in the next couple of weeks.  We continue to pray for that.  And it may be that it is not the direction the Lord would have us go, so we'll see what He does.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Continued weight gain.

~ Same as yesterday regarding the transition to adrenal support and eventual thyroid meds.

~ That the gall bladder test will be definitive (on Wednesday).

~ That I can work on Monday for my normal half-day shift.

Again, thank you for praying.  What a blessing you are to us!

40 Days of Prayer - Day 8

"I am the vine, you are the branches;

he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit,

for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

"Without Me, you can do nothing." ~ Jesus

We have a wall sign in our dining room that reminds me of this everyday.  There is nothing I can do in my own strength, even when I think I can.  It doesn't change the truth of the matter.  Without Him, I can do nothing.  Nothing.  And it's really comforting that He is that close.  Abiding in Him means that inseparable connection.  Can't really tell where I end and He begins and vice versa.  Very cool.  So, in His strength we continue on.

Just a couple of things today...... I have an appointment next week for a gall bladder evaluation.  It's an ultrasound procedure, non-invasive, simple.  I like that.  :-)  So, we will see if that is a contributor, or rule it out, one way or the other.

Secondly, we've decided to start with adrenal support and the meds will be arriving tomorrow, I think.  There is enough evidence, I believe, to warrant going in that direction.  My ND feels the same.  So, we will see how that goes, with the assumption that we will be adding thyroid when the adrenal situation is leveled out.

On the work front, Dale got word today that he will go through the last of the formalities of the hiring process with Catholic Services next Wednesday and start training on Thursday.  He will start work by the following Tuesday or Wednesday.  Praise God for that!  We are so very, very grateful.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ I am really hoping for a rapid determination of the level of medication that will be most helpful in relieving the stress on my adrenals, and for a lack of "events" in the way my body adapts to the hormonal changes.

~ I am also hoping for a smooth transition when (I assume) thyroid is added to the mix, and then wisdom in choosing the right thyroid meds when the time comes. There are a variety of options out there.

~ There is a possibility that I may have an opportunity to talk with a local doctor tomorrow, in a non-medical setting, about how he feels about alternative adrenal and thyroid treatment.  I seek God's leading on that.

Thank you again and again for praying.  I am aware of His activity, and underneath are His everlasting arms.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 7

Do not trust in princes, in mortal man,
in whom there is no salvation. 

How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

Psalm 146:3&5

This morning when we were texting, Jessie asked me how I was feeling, and I responded, "Feeling really pretty good.  Wow.  How long has it been since I said that?  I'll enjoy it for as long as it lasts."  And it was a good day, all day, made even more delightful by a visit from my dear sister-in-law.  Though I hesitate to call her that.  She's the sister I never had, and I appreciate her so much.

Also this morning, Dale asked me if I know why I'm feeling better at this point, and I had to answer that the only things I can attribute it to are the prayers of the saints and perhaps the relief that comes from the knowledge of what isn't wrong with me.

It was a "back doctor day" and Maggie and I drove to Graham to see him.  I have maintained my correction for over 5 weeks now.  That is some kind of record for me during the early stages of treatment.  It means we don't have to go as often and we are holding at making the trip only every two weeks now.  That's awesome.

I'm continuing in my study on the adrenal/thyroid connection and more and more things are pointing to those issues as the potential cause of my health decline.  I am so grateful for the ability to do so much reading in the comfort of my own home.  The testimonials of those who have dealt with these issues are encouraging to me.  They have gone before me on this road, and their experiences give me great hope that there is the possibility of "normal" out there for me, too.

A real praise today is that my weight loss has stalled and I am up by almost a pound and a half.  Seems small, but it's huge to me!  With the broadening of my diet, I hope I will continue to gain steadily.

And another praise is that God has supplied us with the funds to meet our most critical bill at the exact time we needed to make the payment.  And He has also continued to supply funds for uncovered medical costs.  Thank you to those of you who have helped us in this way.  You know who you are.  We are so very, very grateful and humbled by the the generous spirit He has displayed in you.  The passage from Psalm 146 is particularly meaningful in this area.  We are not to trust in man, but in the God of Jacob, who is our salvation.  And He often chooses to use men to accomplish His purposes--when we trust in Him and not man.  Very cool equation, I think. :-)

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Continued weight gain for me.

~ That God would continue to reveal the truth of my health issues and shed light on the paths we are to take in pursuing healing.

Thank you so much for praying.  We are seeing His hand in amazing ways.  He is awesome, and your prayers are a sweet incense to Him.  Isn't that remarkable?  Our prayers being incense to the God of the universe?  I love that He did that.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 6

"Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart;

for consider what great things He has done for you."

1Samuel 12:24

It has been a very good day.  On a number of fronts.

Dale has been hired by Catholic Services, contingent on his references check.  This is huge!  He went today for an interview, not expecting anything more than to be told what the next step would be in the interviewing process.  Truly amazing.  He may start training as early as next week.  Praise Jesus!

I also found out today that I do not have Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance).  Both the labs and the biopsy are negative.  This is also huge.  The less visual and test-result evidence there is of problems in my gut, the more it points to something like the thyroid and adrenal issue.

And, I have felt really pretty well today.  Still having palpitations, but no dizziness to speak of.  I have made progress on the learning front regarding adrenal/thyroid issues, and also in pinpointing symptoms in myself that continue to lean in that direction.

So, the main thing remains to be able to work with a sympathetic local doctor.  And get letters written when I feel I am equipped, information-wise, to do so.

Thank you so much for praying!  We are seeing mountains moving.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Rejoicing in God's hand in Dale's apparent hiring at Catholic Services.

~ Rejoicing in the lab and biopsy results.

~ Continued ability to learn and then to find a local doctor.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 5

 "...seeing that His divine power
has granted to us everything pertaining

to life and godliness,
through the true knowledge of Him who called us

by His own glory and excellence."

2 Peter 1:3

This has been a favorite verse of mine since early homeschooling days when there were times I just didn't feel I could do what I needed to do, be who I needed to be, carry on with the day-to-day stuff that sapped my energy with a houseful of little ones.  It admonished me that I have been given everything - everything - I need to do this life and be godly in it.  And it is only by the true knowledge of Him.

I'm reminded of this again in the midst of these health struggles.  He's given me everything I need to deal with life and godliness -- in Himself.

This morning when I was praying, an idea came to me that I believe I will use to help in communicating with two of my doctors.  Writing letters to them explaining the chronology of recent past events in my health, and expressing my ideas and concerns for treatment based on the information I have been gathering.  It is easier for me to write than talk when I am dealing with this kind of stuff.  I have a tendency to get stressed and leave stuff out or muddle my points when faced with the feeling of having to hurry up and stay within the time frame of a medical appointment.  This way, they would already have my thoughts in front of them and we could just discuss them.

Other than that, there is no new news.  I was able to get out today and go to the Farmer's Market and hear the band play.  That was awesome.  And after a strange conversation with a woman there, I laughed really, really hard.  Laughter is good medicine.  :-)

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Dale's job interview tomorrow morning (Wednesday)

~ Clarity in writing the letters.

~ Continued guidance in what comes next.

Thank you for praying!  I feel the covering.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 4

"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

James 1:17

"Dear Lord, for all the gifts that we never see clearly
or understand much

or appreciate hardly at all, bless You."

Brian Doyle

From my journal regarding the above quote from Brian Doyle ~

Thank You for that.  Another reminder of good gifts.  Everything from Your hand is intended for my benefit.  Nothing is a bad gift.  Nothing.  So please help me to always say "Thank You" -- for everything -- no matter what it looks like, because You only give good gifts and You are incapable of making a mistake with my life.
~ Peace.  Awesome. ~

So, I am thanking the Lord today for the gift of the time I spent talking with a friend about her experiences with adrenal/thyroid issues, and for the reading I've been doing this evening about the same.  The fact that I can learn about this sitting at my dining table is amazing.  What a blessing.  It is enabling me to make progress on what I mentioned yesterday regarding gaining a greater understanding of these issues.  

The more I read about adrenal fatigue, the more the shoe fits.  A number of the symptoms associated with this condition are a familiar list to me.  As are those on the hypothyroid list.  It appears the two often go hand-in-hand.  It is possible that these two conditions are the root cause of many of my issues.  Stomach, poor absorption, low B-12 and D levels, etc.  From my perspective, it would be awesome if the answer were as "simple" as that. There remain questions in my mind about how best to treat these conditions, so I'll continue to learn as much as I can so I can intelligently talk with my doctor(s) about it. 

I have an appointment with my PCP on Friday to go over test results, providing they are in by then, and I'll be talking with her about the gall bladder thing then, and possibly the adrenal/thyroid connection.

So, not much has changed with how I'm feeling.  Still dealing with the heart pounding and the dizziness thing.  My stomach is up and down.  Very tired.  Fatigued.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Continued prayer regarding God's leading on how to proceed and the securing of a supportive local doctor.

~ Perseverance in adversity and infirmity.  Peter says that perseverance brings about Godliness, and I'm all for that!  Paul says that it results in hope, and hope does not disappoint.  That is comforting.

Thank you again for praying.  You are awesome.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 3

How great is Your goodness,
which You have stored up for those who fear You,

which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You,
before the sons of men!

Psalm 31:19

Dale and I spent a lot of time talking this morning about where we go from here, what we want to pursue, and how to go about all of it.

There are many people who have made suggestions and expressed concerns, for which we are very grateful.  So much food for thought.  There is enough information coming in that we're having a hard time determining what the best course of action should be.

Before us are two things we feel we need to pursue this week.

1. Gall bladder testing information.

2. A greater understanding of the thyroid/adrenal issue and how best to treat it.

Another consideration is whether we should pursue going to UW Medical Center, if we can get an insurance referral and authorization, for extensive testing on a number of fronts.  Some of it is just timing.  There are several tests that were run this past week for which we just need to wait a week or so to see the results.  Some of those results could give us direction.

And yet another is that we would be able to find a doctor locally who would be willing to oversee all the different aspects of my health, including naturopathic options, someone who is easily accessible, knows me (or is willing to take the time to get to know me) and is willing to listen to our concerns about treatment options.  It is hard going to 4 different doctors without a real "hub," so to speak.

As far as how I'm currently doing, I continue to have bouts of heart palpitations and slight dizziness, but am also pretty functional much of the time.  I've been able to participate in family activities for the past couple of days, which has been awesome.  The bouts are unpredictable, just coming upon me at odd times.  It's kind of like when something happens to really startle you and your stomach jumps and your heart races or thumps for awhile.  Adrenaline rush type stuff.  But it isn't quite the same. It usually lasts for quite awhile.  My stomach remains much the same, though I am adding some different foods into my diet based on the fact that I don't have gastritis or ulcers.  That's pretty nice.  :-)

Thank you so much for praying.  We are very, very grateful, and are aware of the covering right now.  It's awesome.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ That we would be able to discern God's voice in how He wants us to proceed.

~ That God would grant us a local doctor to the specifications listed above.

~ Looking ahead to Wednesday, that Dale's interview with Catholic Services will go well and that he will get the job.  Soon.

40 Days of Prayer - Day 2

"Since I have heard of it, I have not ceased to pray that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of Him, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of Him."

Colossians 1:9-10

Last night when I was googling about adrenal and thyroid treatment, I came across a website that explains the relationship between adrenal fatigue and the part it plays in the ability of the body to use thyroid hormone properly.  Adequate adrenal function enables thyroid to be absorbed into the cells in our bodies.  If there is inadequate adrenal function (adrenal fatigue), the thyroid present in our bodies isn't able to do its job.

Something clicked for me when I read that.  I have been on T3, because my T3 levels are very low.  But I ended up with what could be thyroid overdose symptoms.  Hmmmm.  My adrenal levels are also low.  Could it be that because of adrenal fatigue, the thyroid I've been taking has been unusable, and therefore has been accumulating in my body, resulting in thyroid overdose symptoms?  My doctor has prescribed meds to boost my adrenals.  I'm doing some reading about all that now, too.

The other thing that struck me in my reading on the website, is that one of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue/low thyroid function is poor absorption in the intestines.  Another big "Hmmmmmmmm."  Could my gut issues be caused by the adrenal/thryroid connection?

Some pieces of the picture seem to be falling into place in my mind.  One of the main causes of adrenal fatigue is stress.  Unusual life stress.  Last year I went through the hardest, most stressful period of time in my life.  Bar none. Including Junior High.  No joke.  At the end of that six month period of time, having felt pretty well following the removal of dairy and gluten from my diet, my health just fell apart.  Stomach, back, fatigue. Etc., etc.  Could it be that the major stress was the factor that torched my adrenals/thyroid, and then took its toll on my gut?  It seems like a valid possibility.

Today's Prayer Request:

That God would reveal to us the root cause(s) of the issues I'm dealing with.