Sunday, March 20, 2016

What a Difference a Day Can Make!

                                                              
                                 
I am beyond excited this afternoon !!! Almost giddy really !!!! I just have to praise my Jesus!!!! I walked from the chase to the bathroom today with out my walker !!!!! Yep that's right ! With out my walker,My God Is Good!!!!!! Now grant it is only like 12 steps but, it's 12 steps more than I have been able to take! Please continue to pray, I still get very out of breathe when I move around. It's like I am suffocating. My heart rate goes crazy and sets off chest pain. It's worth the effort though! I know Jesus helped me so I could see what I Know He is doing in me ! 
Thank you so much for all who prayed for me to rest better last night ! I slept thru the night until 9 am with out waking up at all ! That's a new record ! I normally am wake every 3 hrs . God heard your prayers and I felt them ! Thank you so much for lifting me up!
    I missed church agin this morning ... That's hard for me ... However I enjoyed time alone with Him in His word and prayer time! I then spent some quite time coloring in my inspirational coloring book.... I love to focus on Gods word in many different ways! One of my dear friends and I have been communicating thru letters for awhile now! I love it it's such a lost art... I truly enjoy receiving and writing in return. She shared with me a few letters back drawing a picture with a scripture verse each day. The fifteen minutes spent reflecting and drawing helps to engrave the image in your mind so when you see it again it reminds you of Gods Word ! I instantly fell in love with it ! I haven't felt up to it lately so my coloring book was a way to still have that extra time with the Lord! I adore time with my heavenly Dad.... Not to mention how relaxing coloring can be !!! I think I may frame some of the pictures when I get better and hang them up ! I love having Gods Word displayed in my home!!!
Tomorrow is a big day for us we will visit the Ear Nose and Throat Dr about the loss of my voice. I think of all the things we have delt with this one is the hardest for my family... I know God has plan and this too shall pass ... I promise to share the news when we get home tomorrow evening... Hope all of you have enjoyed this Lords Day ! Thanks for stopping by ... Praying for my sweet friend out there too !

                                        


Saturday, March 19, 2016

Waiting .....

                                                                              
                                  
I know I am healed I am just waiting for my change .... These words I have echoed through my heart and mind for days now! Faith is believing in what we can not see! I trust my Jesus, He has no limitations! 
Last night was one of the worst nights I have had since I came home... Waking up at 3am with death gripping chest pains gasping for air is scary enough with out it lasting till late morning. All of that is from pericarditis. I was so excited I had been trying to back off my pain medication ... Yet I am thankful for it because even though I have had to go back up to the ordinal dose God created it so I don't have to suffer! For that I am most thankful! So today has been about positive thoughts and resting.... That is totally okay.... The sunshine outside maybe hidden but the Son in my heart shines bright enough to keep my heart light and happy.... My sweet daughters take shifts helping their Daddy out so he could return to work! I am so blessed with such amazing girls! My youngest Christian is my nurse today! She is so kind and amazing .... She goes far and beyond her teenage years....She is so compassionate and loving... She makes sure my every need is met and more.... 
We are a homeschool family and I am very proud of that. I see all the years of teaching them to be kind compassionate towards others needs through years shine very bright in all they do and all they encounter. It's makes my heart so blessed for the years investing in them at home... Time goes by way to quickly... The years of memories being made are worth every sacrifice to make it happen. 
So today I will enjoy the memories made sharing favorite classic movies with my sweet girl.... Maybe try to squeeze in some writing in between naps lol.... After not sleeping last night I am finding it very hard to stay awake today! However my sweet hubby would say that's an answered prayer.... Because before he left for work this morning he laid beside me on the chase, wrapped his arms around me and prayed for me .... Part of his prayer was rest... So I will be thankful for God answered prayers.... I hope your enjoying your Saturday with your families making memories to last a lifetime. Even in the smallest ways ! Thanks for stopping by and your prayers! I will close today with this promise from a Gods word! 
 - And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. James 5:15

Friday, March 18, 2016

Realities

    
                                                                              
                                        
Today has been an okay day .... I have felt very wiped out .... No real game changing activities today, to cause such a change.... I just don't feel good. Don't worry I haven't given up on my goals though! They are important ! I just haven't worked on all of them lol. 
I did start the morning with a very sweet visit with one of my dearest and closest friends and her princess! That's medicine for the heart and soul! It was just nice to have all that energy around me for a few hours! Her lil princess snuggled up on the chase with me and whispered about Disney, princesses, and babies! My favorites !!! She made me smile ! Today was a day of some realities though.... I had to get honest with myself with the limitations I am facing at the moment. It's the week before my youngest 16th Birthday ! Tomorrow I should be hosting a Once Upon A Time Formal Sweet 16 Birthday Ball! The plans are to die for and a dream any princess would love to have.... We had to cancel our initial date and try to reschedule... When we first rescheduled I just new things would have been more progressed than has ... I realized today that we will now have to put her ball off till Summer ....Now she is totally okay with this ... She has told me repeatedly all that matters is that I get better... My Mommy heart is not liking this... Birthdays have always been a grand celebration in our home.... 
It's just a new hurdle for me to wrap around my heart and mind. As I spent sometime in prayer earlier God reminded me all things will come in time.... He makes no mistakes in any delay.... Easter is also around the corner Reserection Sunday and Christmas are my favorite holidays !!! They mean so very much to me! I dawned on me I am not prepared for that either. I am not even sure I will be able to attend church Easter. My pastors wife's heart is having a hard time with that! I need to be there! I'm missing my lil people at church. So today I am reminded to take a deep breathe its temporary. God makes no mistakes . It will be okay in the end! My heart is going to have to allow others help do what I do! Knowing they can do it just as well as I can... 
So today's blog may not be as up beat as the others but, I promised to share my heart and my journey with you... This is where my journey is today.... I am trusting the Lord tomorrow will be better ... For He knows what my heart has need of .... So I will praise Him in the hallway for He is good !!!!
I will close today with this scripture ! It is fitting ... It was from my devotion this morning... Gods timing is perfect! 
 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. 
Matthew 6:34 ESV 

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Something to laugh about ....

                                                                     
                                   
Today has been a eventful one.... It zaps every ounce of energy I have to get dressed for the day! Today required more than just clothes lol! We had our first visit with the lung specialist today, I wish I would have taken a picture of his expression when he heard our story and read the reports! His expression said it all ! Someone messed up... Even though I know that and I have a journey ahead he reaffirmed he thinks I will have a full recovery. My body needs time to heal. I have aspiration Pnumonia with signs of bacterial Pnumonia setting in. I had a history of Astmah as a child, the burn has resurfaced the Astmah. So for now we start more meds. 2 antibiotics a Astmah medicine and a rescue inhaler. He also scheduled a breathing test for mid April and repeated a chest x-ray! He said he hopes by the time he sees me in a few weeks he hopes my breathing will be better ! His major concern is my voice.... I have been whispering for 17 days now.... He is concerned the vocal chords are injured. I see a ENT on Monday.... He said he feels like I may need to have speech therapy.... God makes no mistakes... Sharing a report with one of my closest and dearest friends today made me realize something. I am writing again... Maybe this is Gods way to get me to finish my book? I have lots of time on my hands at the moment... As I reflected on this thought there is no reason I should be so busy I can't make time to write... It's a priority, it is going share Gods love, grace, forgiveness, goodness, and protection! It must remain a priority! So I today I set goal #6 finish my book on my childhood by December! I need not to be ashamed of what God brought me through and from ! Beauty has already came from those ashes.... He's a good good Father! He loves me! Yes my Jesus loves me !!! If your following my journey thank you! Please continue to pray! As we finished up with Drs appointments and test my hubby and I had a lunch date in the parking lot of the mall! He went inside ordered my favorite Chinese Food and we set in the truck and enjoyed each other's company. It hit me and I laughed, my Dr asked me today had it ever occurred to me I should never ever have surgery again. My history shows a long list of reasons of why I shouldn't ! I just laughed.... My Gods got this... He is good .

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31King James Version (KJV)

                     

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Setting Goals

                                     
Good Morning! Have the most beautiful view of the sunshine from my chase this morning !!!! I love to gaze upon Gods creation. Spring is surely in full swing here. I can see the new buds on the trees and the daffodils and dandelions springing up! It reminds that with God everything is renewed! Today is day 15 after my surgery.... I have not made major improvement and it's okay ! Because Gods Already got this! I do however have a lil exciting news !!!! I was able to stand with complete weight on me knee this morning! The first time since December !!! So praise the Lord it's healing ! I know it's gonna be as good as new soon! I have decided this morning to set some small term goals. For some goals are intimidating. For many reasons, what if I can't reach them, or I set them to high. So I have done promised myself that they must realistic and it's okay if it takes longer. Because God will bring it all full circle in His timing. So I would like to share my first 5 goals with you ! 
1- spend the first part of my morning with Jesus as I tried to keep priority ! 
2- continue our homeschool year even though I will have to change many things ! That's okay though that's one of the many joys of being a homeschool family. I make it work for us.
3- when the dr says it's okay make a goal in the apartment to walk to each day. With or with out my walker. So I can strengthen my legs and lungs. I know this will be very short distance at first. However I know I must start somewhere! So I can move back into my house lol
4- share my journey I want others to see what my Jesus can do !
5- Do something daily that makes me smile
I know these may seem like no big deal, but I promise each of these are a huge deal right this moment! 

In my devotion time this I was reminded of this verse:

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.2 Corinthians 13:11King James Version (KJV)

I love it ! Reminds His love and peace covers all!!! Praying each of you have an amazing day!

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Trying to Understand ......



It's been awhile since I blogged .... Life seems to keep me at a very face pace most days.... Leaving little time for blog post .... I have missed it! I have found myself with more time than I know what do with at the moment. 
On December 26,2015 I fell at the end of our driveway. I was trying to help my sweet hubby out, by pulling the trash can to the end of the drive way ! I hit a mud puddle and went flying ! I promise if someone seen they got the laugh of their life! I sprang my ankle and I really thought I had only sprang my knee. When almost a month went by and my ankle got better and my knee was worse. It lead to a series of doctors appointments. We would learn I had scuffed the cartilage on the outer part of the bone and knee cap causing rivets .... Also kinda cause a lil jagged edge to my meniscus. It would require a 20 minute arthroscopy to correct a few weeks to recover and I could return to a normal life with out crutches ! Ohh how I could not wait to ditch the crutches ! Even with all of that life was still constantly busy... As a pastors family comes with lots of demands and lots of trials of everyday life.... I was ready to not have to depend on my whole family to help me out with all they all ready had on their own plates ! I am one of those people who love to help others ! In the same token I struggle with asking for help ! 
It's crazy how things can change in the blink of an eye! The things we struggle with become what we need most ! 
On March 1,2016 I checked into out patient surgery for a knee repair. When I woke up from recovery my whole world had been turned upside down! During surgery I aspirated stomach acid into my left lung ! Causing chemical burns to my lung and my esophagus, I also suffered an injury to my heart causing pericarditis fluid on my heart. I haven't had a voice since I woke up beyond a whisper. I spent 7 days in the hospital! My small knee injury repair just turned into a nightmare. I will be the first to tell you My God Makes NO MISTAKES!!!! He will will give beauty for the ashes! So that's why I want to share this journey with you ! I do not want self pity or anyone to feel sorry for me ! My whole life as I knew it is changed at the moment ! I know it's temporary! But nothing is the same ! I am currently staying in our apartment that is attached to our home! I sleep setting straight up on a chase because my breathing is severely affected and I constantly feel like I am suffocating, I walk with the assistance of a walker and can only go a very short distance. Before my I am gasping for air, the fluid on my heart causes extreme chest pain, I need assistance having a shower, I have to set in a chair and it takes every ounce of strength I have ! My family has taken on all the things in our home I normally take care of ! We have had such an out pouring of love for my family through this !!! Our church has helped with meals, they have visited,called texted and made sure we have been taken care of. Not to mention our own family and friends who have been there !!!! One of the hardest things for me to hand off is my ministry work with the the kids ! I know it's okay thought because they are in very capable hands !!! Like I said my world I know it has changed entirely.... 
Now my list of things to get done for my family and church are scheduled Drs appointments. Keeping up with medicines. Waiting patiently for my change to come !
So I would like to keep a blog of Gods goodness through all of this ! I want others to know that even when we don't understand , God has a plan !!!! 
Today I want to share how this will forever change the way I see my husband !!!! As every marriage we have our fights! We are normal... These past few months had been a lil bumpy for us... But we were okay.... As a wife we all have to admit we take our husbands and our marriages for granted at times ! We are all guilty! Jody is an amazing man of God ! I am beyond proud to be his wife! I have already seen God use this to strengthen our marriage beyond words! Petty things that we think are so important are no longer that important! Like a spotless house, everything in order in life and ministry, the things that aren't even important enough to list. When tragedy happens all of that no longer is important. Instead the man who never left your bedside,still hasn't by the way ! He slept in the recliner at the hospital and sleeps on the couch beside the chase every night to make sure he can hear me if I need him ! He helps me bathe, dress, waits on my every need. Never once has he complained! Even when I can see he is so tired he can hardly go, he never complains! He's my king ladies !!! I have seen the love of Jesus through this man in so many ways ! He prays with me encourages me !!! Reminds me that no matter what it's okay Gods got this! I am reminded every time I look at him our love is so much more than what you can see. It does not matter if everything is falling apart around me Gods love and Jody's love makes what seem impossible possible !!!! I am so blessed to call this man mine ! I will close today's blog with a few lyrics from a song my sweet hubby shared with me before he had to return to work today.... I could tell it was a struggle for him to decide on what was best for him to do ! My sweet girls are looking after their Mom while he has to be gone ! However before he left he shared this song he heard last night while listening to TD Jakes... After we listened to it together and silent tears fell.... He joined me on the chase and wrapped his arms around me and prayed with me! These words are my testimony !!!! I will praise God in the hallway till I see it come to pass then I will shout it for all to hear! "Yes I am healed by the WORD of GOD! It's already done! I'm just waiting for my change to 
come!" 
God created Jody and I for each other !!! He made no mistake! Be sure to let your hubby know you love and appreciate him 💕
So if you think about it lift my family up in prayer ! Gods got this! 
     

Friday, August 14, 2015

When God seems quiet ....



 I have pondered a thought for several days now , about when God seems quite when we are praying .... 
      I have been praying earnestly about something dear to me for sometime now. I recently had a conversation with a very dear friend about her preparing for our up coming ladies meeting ! She told me she had prayed and prayed but the Lord has not shown her what she needed yet .... I responeded to her with this , sometimes God needs us to take our hands off of it and let Him handle it on His time .... We prayed and I encouraged her, also reminded her that God has something awesome for her .... It was two days later I received a text and she shares God has woken her up with one of the most amazing lessons for her to teach in her heart !!!! She reminded me that often the Teacher is quite during a test .... Because He wants to see what you will do .... 
I shouted my living room down !!! 
Wow I had truly been here before .... Praying for an answer and God was quite! My ohh my .... Did He show up when He seen my obedience to follow Him even into the unknown ! 
I did some cleaning out today .... Cleaned some closets up .... Turned a closet into a sewing area .... After I stood back and looked at the transformation .... It sent shivers up my spine when I felt my Dad whisper in my heart ! Just imagine the transformation I see in you when I look at you .... I knew then my prayers weren't going unheard or unanswered . He's teaching me something ..... I know He has my answer .... So I will praise Him in the Hallway !!! While I wait for His answer !!!!! 
Thanks for stopping by ! 
💖 Shellie