Prayer Update 5

"To everything there is a season,

and a time to every purpose under heaven...."

Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am hanging onto the truth of this passage right now.  And I'm grateful for His peace and assurance that it IS true.

On Thursday, I tendered my resignation at the Post Office.  It was hard and tearful, but I know it was the right thing to do.  The relief of stress is so very apparent.  Until I made the decision, I didn't realize how much it was affecting me every day.  So much of my energy was focused on trying to be ready to work on Saturdays, and in the past month I have failed to be able to work even one of them.  It was taking a toll on me at a level of which I just wasn't aware.  So, while it's hard, I am glad that the result is very noticeably less stress in the mix.  So, that season of my life is over for now.  If God has another similar position for me in the future, I will rejoice in that, and if not, I will rejoice in whatever He brings my way.

It continues to be wonderful living in our new place.  We are now able to do laundry here and wash everything that smells of mold.  The washer has been going just about non-stop since Thursday.  I'm not sure I've ever been so grateful to do laundry.

There is not much new health-wise at this point.  Still feeling as if I'm on a general upswing being out of the mold and enjoying better digestion, but remaining in the place of neither being able to gain weight nor depend on how my back will be any given day.  I started a new supplement this past week and have had no adverse reactions to this point.  This is one that works at the cellular level in helping with detoxification support and increasing glutathione levels.  Dr. Matt has written a post on his blog about glutathione and you can read it here if you like.  It's amazing to me.  Because of dealing with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), the detox issue is big.  So, we'll see over the next months if this helps.  I'll also be starting another supplement this week which is to help with adrenal support.

Thanks for checking in with me here.  I am humbled and blessed by how many of you are praying for us, and am so, so grateful.  Bless each one of you!

How you can pray:

~ That the relief of stress over job-related things continue to have a positive effect in my overall well-being.

~ Weight gain.

~ That the 2 new supplements will do good things both at the cellular level and for my adrenals.

~ Dale still needs a rig.  :-)

Prayer Update 4

 In everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

1Thessalonians 5:18

And we know that God causes all things

to work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28 

 

Today feels like an update day.  It's been a bit of a hard one and these verses are running through my head tonight.

 

Paul says in everything give thanks, and that God causes all things to work together for good. Everything and all things.  Sounds like kinda the same thing.  In the midst of today's challenges, I'm working on giving thanks in everything, and recognizing that God is so totally in charge and does work all things together for good in my life.  Every day.

Since I last posted, there have been quite a few things that have happened.  First, we moved.  Jessie posted about that when we were in the midst.  We've been in the rental house for going on 3 weeks now.  It has been amazing.  As Jessie indicated, when Maggie and I got back from California, it became apparent that I really couldn't live in the old house anymore.  I had detoxed enough from the mold that the reintroduction of it was really bad.  We got back on Friday, and we moved on Monday.  On that Monday morning, my back went out, and I was literally out flat.  Over a few days, I was able to start moving (my body) again and my family and our wonderful friends did the moving of the household.  We have continued to move things over slowly, cleaning everything as we go.  I am really blessed that the treasured family antiques have weathered the move and have cleaned up beautifully, and we've lost only one piece to the mold.  So, so grateful for that.

As far as my health goes, it's still up and down.  Overall, my digestion is doing better most of the time.  I am still challenged in the fight to gain weight.  No real success there.  My back continues to be the biggest challenge as far as being able to function.  After holding my spinal correction for over 2 months, it has started going out regularly.  Between that and the unknown of possible food induced problems, I am finding it difficult to consistently function on any normal level.

This past week, I had a day and a half that were really good.  Monday I felt as good as I've felt in months, Tuesday morning and early afternoon, I felt great.  In talking with some friends Tuesday morning, I expressed as much and explained that I felt as if I were on a general upswing with being out of the mold, digestion better, and then just feeling good that day.  I finished with saying, "I'm not really ready to camp on it yet, though."  I so want to, but the ups and downs are so regular.  That afternoon I had a downturn and am still fighting it today (Friday).

Today I also found out that I will most likely be losing my job at the Post Office.  This is a really hard one.  I have loved the job and have wanted to keep it in the worst way.  But my inability to be consistent in covering my shifts has gone on as long as it can, and, understandably, my boss needs to find someone who can do the job.  This is a two-sided coin for me.  Hard to lose the job on one hand, but the stress of never knowing if I will be in okay shape to work on Saturdays, or any other days she needs me, has been taking its toll on me.  I am coming to the conclusion that this is God's way of removing that stress, which is a relieving thing for me.  Therefore, I am beginning to be able to really say, "Thank You for this.  I know You are working all things for good in my life.  And You will continue to provide for us."  :-)

 

On another front, Dale is enjoying his job with Catholic Community Services.  It continues to be a good fit for him and we're really grateful for that.

 

That's the nutshell version of the past weeks.

Things about which we'd appreciate prayer:

~ Continued progress with finding treatments that will promote healing in my body, especially my back and in gaining weight.

~ We really need another vehicle.  Nothing has presented yet that will work for us.

~ Peace regarding the probable termination of my job.

Thank you for praying for us.  Over and over, I hear of people I don't even know who have been lifting us up.  What blessing.  Thank you, again and again.

An update from Jessie

The continuing saga of the MacInnis family needs a brief update and a lot of prayer.  Thank you all so much for sticking with us through this.

Last week Mom and Maggie were in California for some necessary tying up of Mom's father's estate, and that week of being out of their moldy house made it pretty clear how much the mold is effecting Mom's health.  Through a kind act of God they have found a rental in Chehalis, and they are moving starting today.  This has been a game of hurry up and wait, but now it's time to jump and timing seems to be critical.  Already we've been thrown a curve because Mom woke up this morning with a back worse than it's been in 14 years.  She tried to get in the shower and almost passed out and almost threw up.  The last time it did this was while we were packing to move from California to Missouri.

Which makes me think it is the Enemy trying to run an instant replay.  We covet your prayers through these very stressful days, for clarity and relief from pain for Mom, and peace and relief from stress for the rest of us.  I've never been through a time like these last few weeks.

 

There is a lot more that I'll be posting in the next couple of days, but for now, prayer is the key.  Also, if anyone were interested in providing a dinner for Maggie, Dad and Boomer they would be most grateful.  Taking time out of the work to cook between two incomplete kitchens is a challenge.  Please direct any calls or questions to me.

 

Bless you all,

 

Jessie

Prayer Update 3

"Nevertheless, I am always with you."

Psalm 73:23

“Nevertheless,” -- “nevertheless, since I belong to Christ I am continually with God!”  By this is meant continually upon his mind, He is always thinking of me for my good. Continually before His eye;—the eye of the Lord never sleeps, but is perpetually watching over my welfare. Continually in His hand, so that none shall be able to pluck me thence. Continually on His heart, worn there as a memorial......You always think of me, O God. The heart of Your love continually yearn towards me. You are always making providence work for my good. You have set me as a signet upon Your arm; Your love is strong as death, many waters cannot quench it; neither can the floods drown it. Surprising grace!" C.H. Spurgeon

This is part of my devotional reading from yesterday morning.  And it really ministered to me.  I am learning about His love for me, trying to appropriate what I know in my head and experience it in my heart.  It is amazing to me to see what He is doing in our lives in this challenging time.  Much blessing.

Maggie and I are safely home and it is always so good to get back after a trip and relish time with our family.  Our time in California was very good.  So many blessings, some of which I wrote about last time.

We are poised to start our move to the rental on Monday.  It will be a process over the coming weeks, but we are trying to get set up as much as we can in this next week so we can stay there.  It proved helpful to my overall well-being to be out of our house for the past week, so we are working on getting moved as quickly as we can.  We would really appreciate prayer for that process to go well and smoothly.

Thank you again for your prayers for all of us.  We so greatly appreciate you!

Prayer Requests:

~ Moving process to go smoothly and quickly.

~ Dale still needs a vehicle.

Prayer Update 2

 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly

beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us,
to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus

to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20 & 21

I've read these verses so many times, and have realized their truth on a number of occasions, but yesterday they were made even more real to me than in the past.

Maggie and I are in California to handle some final things regarding my dad and his death in February.  Years ago he had asked that, when the time came, my brother and I scatter his ashes, together with those of our mom, in a couple of special places.  Through a series of events that have been difficult, I thought his ashes had already been scattered, precluding the opportunity to carry out what he had indicated he wanted done.  When we got here, I discovered that this was not the case and that his ashes had been entrusted to me after all.  Through another series of events, I had brought my mom's ashes with us on this trip.  My brother and I had planned to spend the day together up in the mountains in one of the places Dad had wanted their ashes scattered, so we were able to honor his wishes and, in a blessing beyond what I could ask or think, gain some closure over his death.  There is no way I could have orchestrated all that.  I am beyond grateful.

And, in the same vein, yesterday we also committed to a rental home in the Chehalis area which is available to us for a number of months.  It is a very good situation for us and we are so very, very grateful.  We'll be starting the moving process very soon.  Thank you for praying with us about this.  What an amazing "nothing-is-too-difficult-for-Me" God we serve.  Praise Him!

Prayer Update 1

This is the message we have heard from Him

and announce to you,

that God is Light,

and in Him there is no darkness at all.

1John 1:5 

I just wanted to give a quick update and ask for prayer for a couple of things.

The past few days have been pretty difficult with my back and weight loss again.  I had a reaction to something on Tuesday and wasn't able to eat very well for a couple of days.  I'm doing better now, but have some ground to regain.  It seems that my back is at least partly related to my stomach, so it's been one of those weeks.  I went to my back doctor today and I was "out" for the first time in 10 weeks, which is some sort of record for me.  I'm recovering from the adjustment.  So, I would appreciate prayer for the ability to eat well and gain back the weight I lost this past week.

Maggie and I are taking a trip to California starting on Sunday to deliver a car to my brother.  I am looking forward to the trip, even though it'll be tiring.  I'm hoping that being away from the mold issues will be helpful for these days.  We would appreciate prayer for safety going and coming, and for blessing and ministry as we see several dear friends, my brother and my only girl cousin who I haven't seen in many, many years.  I'm so looking forward to seeing her.  I will also be spending some time with an old friend who is involved in Theophostic healing ministry.  Very cool.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ Ability to eat and gain weight, again  :-)

~ Safety on our trip to California

~ Blessed time with friends and family

Thank you!

40 Days of Prayer - Day 40

Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised,

And His greatness is unsearchable.

Psalm 145:3

Wow.  We are at the end of the 40 Days of Prayer, and what comes to mind is this verse.  Great is the LORD!

Once again, I want to go through and highlight His wonderful answers over these past weeks to bring us encouragement and to remind us of His greatness.  All of these have been answered in the affirmative.  Amazing, isn't it?  Our prayers move God on behalf of His loved ones.

So.....going back to the beginning and progressing through today........

~That we'd be able to investigate the gall bladder possibility quickly and effectively.

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

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

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

~ Perseverance in adversity and infirmity.  

~ 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.

~ That the gall bladder test will be definitive (test was negative).

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

~ 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.

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

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

~ 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.

~ 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. 

~ 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.

~ Praise, praise, praise for this amazing answer! (Dr. Matt)

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

~That the tests would reveal nothing wrong with the baby. (After Daniel's and Sarah's accident)

~ Continued perseverance through the ups and downs of unpredictable days.

~ Continued light to be shone on my endocrine issues, as well as the best treatments and order in which they should be administered.

~ Continued prayer for provision this month before Dale starts getting full paychecks, which will be at the end of the month.

~ Smooth transition with this new med. 

~ Work issues for me are still stressful.  I need to be able to leave all that with the Lord and not dwell on what I can't do and how I can't help right now.  These are lessons in recognizing that I am not sufficient.  He is.

~ I desire continued clarity on treatment options (supplements, meds, etc.), as in what is of most importance and where to put the money we have, and in what order.

~ Continued figuring out of meds and supplements that will work for me in building up my intestinal and endocrine health.

~ Rejoicing in trials and not getting discouraged on difficult days.

~ Jessie's health concerns (from a previous post)

~ Perseverance

~ Effective doctor's appointment on Monday, with clear communication on my part.

~ Clarity in presenting questions to my doctor tomorrow, and helpful & definitive answers.

~ Safety on the crazy I-5 corridor and that we can get there on time.  Last time it was a zoo.

 

I am so grateful for the prayers of all of you through these weeks.  We have truly seen the hand of God orchestrating these amazing answers.  When I think of where we started, walking in the dark as to what my issues are, the discouragement, the seeming hopelessness of dealing with the medical community in a meaningful way, and now realize where we are with a doctor beyond any imaginings, it is just amazing.  The road is still long.  But there is renewed hope and strength in the power of His might, for nothing is too difficult for Him.  Nothing.

I will continue to update the blog through the weeks ahead.  Probably not everyday, but when significant things happen, or needs arise, I will post entries and prayer requests.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your faithful prayers for us.  We are grateful beyond words.

Today's Prayer Requests:

~ A housing solution that is perfect in God's eyes.

~ A vehicle for Dale.

~ Continued clarity on treatment for me and positive responses by my body to the ones being implemented, and particularly....

~ Weight gain by focusing on gut health and protein supplementation.  The doctor is targeting 105 as a goal for now. (That's about 13 pounds.)

Bless you, each one.