Tonight was one of those nights! Actually the last week has just been one of those weeks. It all started with Lindsey being sick. Every one's schedule has gotten off and several snow days in a row hasn't helped realign the train that has been derailed at our house! Tonight I was letting the kids stay up to see Daddy who was coming home late due to iced roads. By the time he got home the slap happy gene kicked in and we had kids bouncing off the walls.
I finally convinced Shelby that it was bedtime and she followed me with jello legs and alligator arms. I put on her jammies and set her in my lap for our routine cuddle in the rocking chair. She refused to lay her head on my chest and every time she lifted it up to talk to me I stopped rocking her. Look up, no rocking, rocking....she'd looked up....I'd stop...start....stop....start...stop....it went on and on without a word being spoken. Finally, I started laughing because it was so silly. The only rocking that was really going on was Shelby's head going up and down. I never spoke. but just stopped rocking her (which is her favorite thing at bedtime). She finally decided to rest in my arms after a bit of sweet strong will. She snuggled in and closed her eyes and is now fast asleep for the night.
As I was holding her I thought about what true security and freedom really are. We have a need to know that we are safe and sound before peace can settle into our hearts ushering in much needed rest. Many times the only way we feel secure is by testing the boundaries making sure, for sure, for really-really sure that they will not change.
That is a picture of security. Being able to count on something over and over, knowing that it will not change. When we feel secure we are truly free. Freedom does not exist in a world without boundaries. Freedom exists somewhere between wild abandon and you can't do anything at all. Both ends of that spectrum make you a slave to the world or selfishness. Freedom, truly being free, comes by nestling in the Lord's arms and finding peaceful rest.
"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him." Psalm 62:1
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Measuring a Miracle, One Body Jab at a Time!
How exactly do you measure a miracle? Last December I was the one feeling completely defeated and had lost hope. I had severe back pain, was unable to stand for long periods of time, and couldn't hold Shelby for more than a few minutes. Then on Dec 28th of 2008 I received a miraculous healing. I didn't deserve it. I didn't ask for it. I didn't even believe it at first, but here I am one year later and I am still in awe of what God did for me.
I had a conversation with a friend shortly after the healing and she encouraged me to join a gym and to be responsible for the gift of health God had given me back. So in April I did. It was really difficult at first. I struggled to fit workouts in and make the time to go at all. I started setting myself little goals. I made it through some difficult issues (physical strength, emotional, and 2 miscarriages to name a few). I have been watching the classes from afar, but was intimidated. I tried one and I was able to do it, but didn't really enjoy it. I found my little rut and routine and was quite pleased with myself.
My good friend Kristin started challenging me to do some classes with her. I took to the challenge and today we met for the grand-daddy challenge.....BODY COMBAT! The name just scares you. I watch that class from my cushy elliptical and think "Those people are just plain CRAZY!" Well, today was the day....I joined the CRAZY PEOPLE!!! The first few minutes made me want to scream and I seriously thought about throwing one of those jabs at Kristin and telling her to come find me upstairs later! But, my strong willed nature kicked in and I stuck it out. I was thinking it felt a bit like child labor....once it starts there is no turning back. I have to say by the end of the 1 hour and 7 minutes I actually was enjoying it! It felt very empowering. The instructor was a RIOT. She had us pretend to beat up an invisible man. We punched him in the head, nose, chest, gut, and we would pick him up and drag him to the right or left! That is how I feel the enemy does me sometimes. He punches and jabs at me and tries to drag me around like a little rag doll, but not today!!! Today I finished every kick, every punch, and am living in victory! God healed me. He took a broken mess and has restored me. I know I have to participate and cooperate, but I am no longer the one that is bloody and on the floor! Praise you Lord, I can do ANYTHING through You that strengthens me!
I have given my healing testimony several times, but here it is again:
When I was 13 years old I was diagnosed with severe, actually one of the worst cases Shriners Children's Hospital in Tampa had ever seen. They even had my parents sign a release for my records and medical pictures to be published in a medical journal. I have an "S" curve, it was 30-40 degrees on the top and 60-68 degrees on the bottom. After a 9 hour surgery, complete with bone grafts from my pelvis and had a 12" stainless steel Harrington Rod fused to my spinal cord my curve was corrected to 20-30 degrees on top and 48 degrees on the bottom. Not the results I was hoping for, but the doctors said to get more of a correction I would have to be 3 inches taller. At least my spinal cord was stabilized and I would not have to worry about it increasing in curvature. I am now 23 years post op and have had no further treatments. I have been able to have 5 children and a very normal life. Starting in my 20's and 30's I started to notice lower back pain creeping up. I would have spasms in my neck and pain that would come and go, sometimes lasting for weeks. After each child was born I noticed I would start to lean forward while walking or standing. I thought I was just tired or lazy. By my 36th birthday I was in excruciating pain. It hurt to stand at the sink and do dishes, it hurt to lie down on my back in bed and I would often wake up with numbness in my arms and legs. I went to my doctor and we decided to start with 3 months of intense message and physical therapy. At the end of 2 months my physical therapist stopped the therapy and told me she was sorry, but I was as good as I was going to get without surgery. I was crushed. I started looking into surgical options and was working on getting into Rush University Hospital for a new treatment for "Flatback Syndrome" that they are known for. Flatback Syndrome happens to people like me with Harrington Rods at about the 20 year mark. They have to go in and remove all the hardware and rebuild your spinal cord with pins and screws. My husband and I decided it was my only hope for a better quality of life. To see pictures of other patients and their before and afters click here: http://www.espine.com/flatback-case.htmThen on December 28th we had a guest pastor preach on healing named Jamie Havens. (Here is the link for that sermon : http://www.woodstockag.org/sermons.php ) He started by telling us about all the healings and miracles that they have seen on crusades. I was listening, but honestly not taking it to seriously. Then he said that he saw a women healed of scoliosis the week before (go forward to 21:30 minutes)...now he had my attention. I instantly started arguing with God. "What do you mean you can heal scoliosis. Not mine, it is beyond repair. Well, wait a minute, I know you can do anything. God do you want to heal me? Is this my moment?" I started to sweat and my heart was racing. I was scared out of my mind. Pastor Jamie asked us to stand up and put our hand on whatever area needed healing (see minute 25:20). So I did, but I was still in unbelief. I was trembling, afraid of the rejection that God may not do it for me. We sat back down and I started checking my body. I instantly noticed that I could feel the entire back of the chair. When I sat in a chair I could only feel the left side, because my spine protruded sticking out on that side. I started shaking, I knew something was different, but I couldn't believe it. I wanted to run out of the church and check my back in the bathroom. I was still not sure if what I thought just happened had really just happened. I waited until the service was over and then I went up to Pastor Jamie and his wife and had individual prayer. By then I was ready and was trusting God for a miracle. I did run out of the church and into the ladies bathroom where I whipped off my sweater and was looking at my back from all different angles. I couldn't tell if I was really healed or not. I walked out to get my coat and 2 of my close friends came running up with tears in their eyes and said, you look awesome. You are not leaning forward at ALL!!!! I played if off and said, "We'll see." I picked up my baby and put her on my hip, something that just the day before I was unable to do, and I knew. God Healed me. I had watched her at my feet crying the day before and I had started crying as well, because I just couldn't hold her and cook dinner at the same time. I made dinner for my family with her between my feet crying mama. Now here I was 24 hours later and I could hold her with no problem and was pain free. I spent the next week staring at myself in mirrors. I had my daughters take pictures of me standing when I wasn't looking to see if they could catch me leaning forward. The last time I did that my daughter handed me the camera and said, "Sorry Mom, but you are straight!" I visited family and friends to check me over and everyone agreed it was a miracle. It has been 6 months and I am still doing great. I do not lean forward anymore. I even had a chest x-ray a few weeks ago and the doctor and radiologist went on and on at how awesome, fantastic, and wonderful I was doing for my condition and years post op. The doctor actually couldn't believe it and kept pushing me to tell him I was in pain, when I am not! I told them the reason for my healing. One believes me, the other does not. Where will you fit in? Will you trust God for your miracle?
I had a conversation with a friend shortly after the healing and she encouraged me to join a gym and to be responsible for the gift of health God had given me back. So in April I did. It was really difficult at first. I struggled to fit workouts in and make the time to go at all. I started setting myself little goals. I made it through some difficult issues (physical strength, emotional, and 2 miscarriages to name a few). I have been watching the classes from afar, but was intimidated. I tried one and I was able to do it, but didn't really enjoy it. I found my little rut and routine and was quite pleased with myself.
My good friend Kristin started challenging me to do some classes with her. I took to the challenge and today we met for the grand-daddy challenge.....BODY COMBAT! The name just scares you. I watch that class from my cushy elliptical and think "Those people are just plain CRAZY!" Well, today was the day....I joined the CRAZY PEOPLE!!! The first few minutes made me want to scream and I seriously thought about throwing one of those jabs at Kristin and telling her to come find me upstairs later! But, my strong willed nature kicked in and I stuck it out. I was thinking it felt a bit like child labor....once it starts there is no turning back. I have to say by the end of the 1 hour and 7 minutes I actually was enjoying it! It felt very empowering. The instructor was a RIOT. She had us pretend to beat up an invisible man. We punched him in the head, nose, chest, gut, and we would pick him up and drag him to the right or left! That is how I feel the enemy does me sometimes. He punches and jabs at me and tries to drag me around like a little rag doll, but not today!!! Today I finished every kick, every punch, and am living in victory! God healed me. He took a broken mess and has restored me. I know I have to participate and cooperate, but I am no longer the one that is bloody and on the floor! Praise you Lord, I can do ANYTHING through You that strengthens me!
I have given my healing testimony several times, but here it is again:
When I was 13 years old I was diagnosed with severe, actually one of the worst cases Shriners Children's Hospital in Tampa had ever seen. They even had my parents sign a release for my records and medical pictures to be published in a medical journal. I have an "S" curve, it was 30-40 degrees on the top and 60-68 degrees on the bottom. After a 9 hour surgery, complete with bone grafts from my pelvis and had a 12" stainless steel Harrington Rod fused to my spinal cord my curve was corrected to 20-30 degrees on top and 48 degrees on the bottom. Not the results I was hoping for, but the doctors said to get more of a correction I would have to be 3 inches taller. At least my spinal cord was stabilized and I would not have to worry about it increasing in curvature. I am now 23 years post op and have had no further treatments. I have been able to have 5 children and a very normal life. Starting in my 20's and 30's I started to notice lower back pain creeping up. I would have spasms in my neck and pain that would come and go, sometimes lasting for weeks. After each child was born I noticed I would start to lean forward while walking or standing. I thought I was just tired or lazy. By my 36th birthday I was in excruciating pain. It hurt to stand at the sink and do dishes, it hurt to lie down on my back in bed and I would often wake up with numbness in my arms and legs. I went to my doctor and we decided to start with 3 months of intense message and physical therapy. At the end of 2 months my physical therapist stopped the therapy and told me she was sorry, but I was as good as I was going to get without surgery. I was crushed. I started looking into surgical options and was working on getting into Rush University Hospital for a new treatment for "Flatback Syndrome" that they are known for. Flatback Syndrome happens to people like me with Harrington Rods at about the 20 year mark. They have to go in and remove all the hardware and rebuild your spinal cord with pins and screws. My husband and I decided it was my only hope for a better quality of life. To see pictures of other patients and their before and afters click here: http://www.espine.com/flatback-case.htmThen on December 28th we had a guest pastor preach on healing named Jamie Havens. (Here is the link for that sermon : http://www.woodstockag.org/sermons.php ) He started by telling us about all the healings and miracles that they have seen on crusades. I was listening, but honestly not taking it to seriously. Then he said that he saw a women healed of scoliosis the week before (go forward to 21:30 minutes)...now he had my attention. I instantly started arguing with God. "What do you mean you can heal scoliosis. Not mine, it is beyond repair. Well, wait a minute, I know you can do anything. God do you want to heal me? Is this my moment?" I started to sweat and my heart was racing. I was scared out of my mind. Pastor Jamie asked us to stand up and put our hand on whatever area needed healing (see minute 25:20). So I did, but I was still in unbelief. I was trembling, afraid of the rejection that God may not do it for me. We sat back down and I started checking my body. I instantly noticed that I could feel the entire back of the chair. When I sat in a chair I could only feel the left side, because my spine protruded sticking out on that side. I started shaking, I knew something was different, but I couldn't believe it. I wanted to run out of the church and check my back in the bathroom. I was still not sure if what I thought just happened had really just happened. I waited until the service was over and then I went up to Pastor Jamie and his wife and had individual prayer. By then I was ready and was trusting God for a miracle. I did run out of the church and into the ladies bathroom where I whipped off my sweater and was looking at my back from all different angles. I couldn't tell if I was really healed or not. I walked out to get my coat and 2 of my close friends came running up with tears in their eyes and said, you look awesome. You are not leaning forward at ALL!!!! I played if off and said, "We'll see." I picked up my baby and put her on my hip, something that just the day before I was unable to do, and I knew. God Healed me. I had watched her at my feet crying the day before and I had started crying as well, because I just couldn't hold her and cook dinner at the same time. I made dinner for my family with her between my feet crying mama. Now here I was 24 hours later and I could hold her with no problem and was pain free. I spent the next week staring at myself in mirrors. I had my daughters take pictures of me standing when I wasn't looking to see if they could catch me leaning forward. The last time I did that my daughter handed me the camera and said, "Sorry Mom, but you are straight!" I visited family and friends to check me over and everyone agreed it was a miracle. It has been 6 months and I am still doing great. I do not lean forward anymore. I even had a chest x-ray a few weeks ago and the doctor and radiologist went on and on at how awesome, fantastic, and wonderful I was doing for my condition and years post op. The doctor actually couldn't believe it and kept pushing me to tell him I was in pain, when I am not! I told them the reason for my healing. One believes me, the other does not. Where will you fit in? Will you trust God for your miracle?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Chicken a'la King
Mike's favorite dinner....Chicken a'la King!Ingredients:
leftover chicken or turkey, chopped
1 can of cream of chicken soup (family size for us)
3/4 of the soup can full of milk
1 - 12oz. package of frozen mixed vegetables
Warm up the chicken/turkey in an iron skillet, add the soup, milk, and mixed vegetables. When it is warm all the way through you can eat over noodles (or our favorite is to make homemade biscuits and spoon the batter on top).
Homemade biscuits
Mix together:
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups wheat flour
4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cream of tarter
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 cup melted butter
1-1/2 cups milk.
Spoon on top of the Chicken a'la King and bake at 425 for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Nothings better than a one dish meal that makes your hubby happy! Enjoy!
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