A message of strength

So many of our friends are going through some tough times right now, and I came across something in my daily reading that I know will bless others... and for those who do believe in God and Christ I hope this feeds your soul.

Psalm 3

O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands
drawn up against me on every side.

Arise, O LORD!
Deliver me, O my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.

From the LORD comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.

Update

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends ALL understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

It's been a difficult and strange time since I posted last... our church family suffered the loss of a child and it's caused an awakening of sorts. A terrible accident at the family's home late Friday night resulted in the death of their 3-yr-old daughter Jolie. The family has 9 children and they are all obviously very grief striken. Her memorial was tonight and I couldn't bring myself to attend, and instead I remained in prayer at home. And, in light of the killings last week at VTech, it leaves people asking "why" and often "why would God let this happen"? A memorial blog has been set up for little Jolie and to support her family, here's the link: http://wheelerfl.blogspot.com/

Clearly, I don't have answers. But what I do have is today... to love harder, laugh louder, and let thoughts not go unsaid or un-acted. And it made me really value what I have and appreciate the perspective God provides in times like this.

Health update: improvements daily, really. I need to get another therapy appointment in this week but the numbness is only in my right hand now, and it's barely noticeable.

Financials: We had an up and a down in our finances this week... Tim got his annual promotion which is SUCH a blessing and we're on our way to more stability BUT literally the same day we were rejoicing we get a notice our mortgage is going up almost $500 a month!!!!! Gotta love property taxes, right? It's so sick just thinking of how we'll manage that budget buster! But God always provides, and as the scripture verse says above, no sense in worrying.

Goals: Tim's almost done with school - just another week or so, please please pray for him and the tests he needs to pass! And my design website is somehow not working, when it was working last night - go figure! I've been posting a lot of samples so you can get to it another way : http://decemberfirstdesigns.blogspot.com and you can see some of the things I've been up to. If something I created for you is up there and you'd like it removed simply email me.

It's up and running!!!

Finally... my "design" site is up! I've decided to run a simple blog to showcase a gallery of current and previous products, as well as a place to hold prototype designs. If something I created for you or your occasion is posted and you'd like it removed please notify me via email.

Visit my site at http://www.decemberfirstdesigns.com

Why I love my job

Oh gosh, they need me!!! This is an honest-to-God listing that an office wanted to run in the newspaper. Not only is "bigmacdaddy" questionable... but a typo on "imcome" makes it an all-around loser.

Anyone interested in seeing the property??? HA!

Quick health update

Thanks to everyone who is reading my updates -- I know it's impersonal but it makes sure I keep all of those I care about up-to-date on what's going on with us.

Basically, I had an unproductive appointment with the substitute neurologist since my regular doc's office didnt sent over his notes and the actual films from my MRIs. So, all he had to go on was my radiology reports - and he came to the same consensus the first neuro did -- right now I do NOT have MS clinically speaking. All that means is the lesions on the brain they expect to see along with symptoms are not present in enough concentration to be considered MS. But, this could all change if he sees the films and see lesions in 2 areas of the brain in "space and time" meaning they exist in different areas at the same time - also at the time I'm experiencing symptoms.

Overall I dont feel like I got any answers - but I do have a peace about whatever is going on because God created me and whatever image that ends up being is going to have to be ok with me. I'm not letting it affect my attitude too much since all that does is bring me down more, and I'm not letting the wonder of what's going on plan my life for me in terms of activity levels, planning for the future, etc.

That's the news from here!

A photo update

I know people just really want to see pics anyways, so here's a little of what's been happening lately (random order)...

Tim and Cooper enjoying a relaxing evening on the couch... did I mention dogs aren't allowed on the furniture?


Guest room re-do. Since the piano wouldnt fit in the guest room I had to go back to the drawing board and also figure out how to accommodate 2 extra ottomans and a trunk. I think it pulled together nicely. Come visit soon!


And finally, the piano. It ended up in our Florida room where we get tons of natural light so protecting the wood will be key. Overall it's not a terrible solution. And since it's out in the open it might actually get some play - now, to have it tuned and repaired. Several keys are sticking and it's too frustrating to play!

I named my first child

My good friend and decorator Marla and her husband have adopted a new baby, and it all happened so fast that they didn't have a name picked so I tossed out a name and whadayaknow, it stuck!

So, introducing .... Caleb Nathaniel. I think I'm pretty good at this naming thing. This one was free, but I told them I will charge for any more! :)

Today was his first day home, he was born a week ago. Aunt Heather went to visit them tonight - he is so adorable and seems like a natural fit into their family. They have another adopted son, Christopher, who is almost 2 who they have also had since birth.

Welcome home Caleb!!!

It truly is a GOOD FRIDAY

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people, and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. -- Hebrews 9:28

I've spent the better part of this week feeling in a funk. And that's not right. Sure, life is tossing some weird things our way and the situation of my health is a stressful one BUT look at all the good we have and what we can be thankful for. By Thursday I had decided to get up and get out of my funk. It's not right that I feel sorry for myself. And it's one thing to say "God's in control. I trust Him," and it's another thing entirely to REALLY believe that and live like you do.

What kind of true believer in Christ can wallow in self pity? What kind of witness is that to the world? A terrible one, that's what kind! So, I've chosen to truly trust God and the ability only He has to heal, to excite, to make new, to mend, and to bless.

I can now say with 100% honesty that I trust my God to execute His will over all aspects of my life. My health is something that He created, and who am I to question why things happen or why He may have created me like this?

On this Good Friday I hope all of you review what you're thankful for, and what you truly trust. Can you say today that 100% you know everything is happening in your life for a reason (good and bad), for a greater good and that you have trust in a God that wants only the best for you?

Update
I have appointments next week with a neurologist to see if anything has changed from last year when I was tested for MS. My physical therapists seem utterly convinced that's what I have - but there is a reason they are therapists and not neurologists so I prefer to get as many opinions as I can. I am improving with the therapy I'm getting -- and I know attitude has as much to do with real physical health as any treatment so, as I said above, I'm choosing to be happy and choosing to be ok with stuff whatever may come. No, I'm not doing research online b/c there are too many mistruths online and anyone could become a hypochondriac that way! So, if you're a praying type please pray that I get good answers next week -- but if they cant be the answers I want to hear just pray I get firm answers at all b/c limbo is not a good place to reside right now :)

Tim is working most of the weekend with his paramedic clinicals... hard to believe he's really almost done. What a long year it's been! I will be so proud when he's finished. He still has the highest average in the class!

I'm really digging this new artist -- you should check him out sometime : www.jimmyneedham.com

We're having a small group over for a family-style Easter dinner. I've ordered a Honeybaked Ham (yes, I'm cheating!) and I asked each couple to make the side dish they are used to having at their family meals... should be interesting considering the nationalities of our friends who will be joining us.

Also, our church will open it's Community Life Center - which has been 3 yrs in the making- a building constructed completely debt free! For more on the center visit the church's site: www.fbcnet.com

Have a blessed Easter weekend!

Weekend update, and prayer request

Hi all. Good news... there is no longer a piano in my foyer... instead it's at its final resting place in my lounge which may quickly become a music room. Tim can jam in there and we have plenty of room for the rest of his praise band if that ever gets off the ground.

The weather was gorgeous this weekend but sadly there was too much to do to really get out and enjoy it. Tim had a clinical Saturday (almost done with medic school!!!) I think we're both ready for him to be done. Thankfully it's been only a year but that's a lot of time away from each other 2-3 times a week and the stress he's under as he approaches the end is really getting to both of us. He'll be the first to admit he's not easy to live with when he's stressed. Add to it he's starting a new group today -- he's transferred away from the EVIL supervisor and we're praying this is the move he needs to get his career back on track with actually making a difference in the world. He will mark his 5-year anniversary with his job next week. Can't believe it's been 5 years!!!

Here's my prayer request: my health again is in question. The numbness is back in my right arm from shoulder to finger tips, in most of my left hand, my rib cage and my left foot. I can't explain it and honestly I'm not thrilled with the answers I'm getting from my physical therapists and my chiropractor. If it was totally car accident stuff then they'd know how to fix it, at least that's my attitude about it all, but of course the longer we dig into the cause the more scary things come up, like the MS diagnosis... last year I was scared to death only to find out I dont have it... but now that the symptoms are back they are wondering if I do... so I dont really know what's going to happen -- I can't get in to see my neurologist because he's on an extended case in Michigan, so I'm a bit upset about it all. Prayer works -- clearly there is nothing I can do. All the advice I've had has included: stay out of prolonged exposure to hot water, eliminate stress (as if!), and forget that MS is a possibility because it takes time off your life that you could be enjoying life. Clearly if that's actually what's happening here I'm going to have a different life than I imagined.

I believe in God's soverieignty... and I trust Him completely. He's the divine healer and He determines my life's path. Even my friends who aren't believers have called and said they are praying... I hope they are. And I hope God uses me to teach them God is real. If I'm healed of all my problems then there can't be any other explanation ;)

So, Tim is responding well to the advice of my doctors and he's taking me out tonight to help rid me of my stress and I will do my best to relax, exercise, eat well, rest, and maybe I might have to stop some of my projects (I moved furniture in the guest room twice this weekend, took a table over to a friend's house, thought about regrouting my tile floors...) but everyone who knows me know I HATE asking for help. But I dont hate asking for prayers... so don't worry about me, just pray for me ;)