Chronic Illnesses

Sunday, May 31

As many of you know, both my son and daughter have rheumatoid arthritis. There is not one day that goes by that they are not in pain. The same goes for me with a bad back and now bursitis in my hip. How does one live with the constant pain? One day at a time, hoping that tomorrow will be better.

I suffered for a year and a half with bone-on-bone in my hip before surgery. I cried out to God to relieve me from the excruciating pain. I was never granted a day without pain. What did I do? I just kept trusting God. He carried me through many pain-filled days.

Manual labor is very difficult for Jon. His hands cramp up and it's difficult to use them. However, he goes to work every day he's on the schedule. He also spends a great deal of time in his garden. He did quite a bit this morning in his garden and by afternoon he was walking like a 90-year-old saying, "I think I did too much!" However, he does have the satisfaction of a beautiful garden and the hope of a bountiful harvest:

My heart goes out to everyone who is suffering with chronic illness. I have good friends with Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and others with many different variations of arthritis. Just to name a few. If you know someone like this, please send up prayers for them, so that they would be able to trust God for their healing or help for the days of pain.

I often think of the people Jesus healed when he walked this earth. How exciting to witness, or be the receiver of perfect health. The woman with the 12-year bleeding issue, the paralytic, and all with whatever illness or diseases they had.

" … but the crowds learned about it

and followed him. He welcomed them

and spoke to them about the Kingdom 

of God, and healed those who needed healing."

Luke 9:11 

A Day Outside

Saturday, May 30

Jon was in his garden even before Jessie and I got up this morning. I began outside right after breakfast. Rachel came to be with Jessie so I could go outside and not have to keep checking on Jessie. It's been such a beautiful, cool day. A perfect weather day.

Jon weeded and put down wood shavings around most of his plants. His garden is really doing well and looks so nice.

I cleaned up the fall leaves that never got picked up last year behind our small shed. I spent about 4 hours outside. By the time I finished, I could barely walk. I have bursitis in my right hip again. It's very painful, but I wanted to work outside. I had to take pain medicine and the pain is not as bad as it was this afternoon.

I will have to call the doctor on Monday and get a shot I guess. The last time I had a shot for bursitis,

Jon was with me. While the 10" needle was being inserted, I looked over at Jon and his eyes were wide and his hand over his mouth! Really, Jon! You're a nurse! He said that he'd never seen such a long needle. I felt every inch of it.

Jessie and Rachel made chocolate chip cookies this afternoon. Both girls had a good day.

I wasn't the only person who had to take pain medicine today. Jon's pretty good in the morning with his arthritis, but the more he does and the later in the afternoon, it goes down hill. But, we will reap a great vegetable harvest this fall due to his hard work.

"The Lord God took the man

and put him in the Garden of Eden

to work it and take care of it."

Genesis 2:15

Catching Up

Thursday, May 28
Friday, May 29

Thursday was another full day in this household. Jessie had a "speech" class (she's the only student) in the morning, then I did numerous odds and ends around the house.

Today was just as eventful. I did quite a bit of computer work and washed clothes and even put them all away. Jessie and Jennifer were outside swinging for quite some time. I do have to say that Jess was quite crabby and complained a lot. Especially when I had her vacuum the carpets! In fact, she's still hollering at me to stop typing. Guess the clicking bothers her. Or? Who knows.

Jennifer took a picture of Darla that I've been wanting to get for quite some time. It's Darla social distancing! She loves to sit on the deck, stick her head through the screen and watch the back yard. This time she was watching Jessie swing.

Randie is still in the hospital. She had her CT scan but the TEE is now scheduled for Monday. The doctors don't want her to leave for the weekend and come back, so she's staying the weekend.

I'm glad that God promises to listen to His children  when we pray and that He will answer. Sometimes it seems like I'm talking to space, yet other times I feel His presence. Thank you, Heavenly Father.

"Call to me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty

things, which you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3

A Busy Day

Wednesday, May 27

From start to almost finished, this day has sped by. I met with 3 other ladies this morning from my Wednesday morning Bible Study, which will start again soon. It was so great to see them again and laugh. When we were finished, I picked up Jon and we got a sandwich at Wendy's then went to a friend's house and got some freshly picked asparagus. Picked up our mail then I began working in the garage. I boxed up the kitchen tree, repotted a plant, then cut down all the extra boxes that have been piling up since winter. Dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, sat down for about a half hour then gave Jessie a bath. Then back to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher and put away all the clean dishes in the sink. I'm ready for bed!

Jennifer and Jessie were in the back yard for several hours then they also went to Wendy's drive thru for lunch and  met Brent, Diane and Tom at Frontier Town and ate with the goats. Jess had a good day until I came home then not so much. Crabby. 

I took a picture of the solar tea pot that Diane and Randie gave me for Christmas. I have it on a table on our "lower" patio. I need to go outside when it's dark and see how it lights up. 

Speaking of Randie, please pray for her. She's been in the hospital for several days with heart issues. It seems that the heart valve she had replaced 10 years ago is in need of having it replaced again. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, as they figure out the best approach to this procedure. 

I waited patiently for the LORD; 

He turned to me and heard my cry. 

Psalm 40:1

Shopping

Tuesday, May 26

As soon as Rachel came this morning, Jon and I took off for Sam's Club. We've seen the lines outside waiting to get in via FB, but thought we'd at least try it. Jon had me bring a book so I could sit in the van and wait if he had to stand in line. Fortunately there were no lines and very few people inside. It wasn't very cool inside and wearing a mask made it difficult for me to breathe. I was really glad to complete our shopping and go back outside without a mask!

 As we were walking down the isles, I could hear a machine behind us starting and stopping. I assumed it was one of the employees using some type of machine for something. It turns out it was an unmanned floor cleaner!

It took quite a while for me to put everything away that we purchased plus washing clothes. Rachel came this morning while her Mom was taking care of her grandson, then Jane came at 1:00 p.m. Jessie had a great day with both of them playing games and doing paperwork. They even were outside for about 20 minutes before it got too hot.

And, it's hot in the house as our air conditioner doesn't work. Our friend and owner of Johnson Thermol Temp came and thinks it might be a compressor part, OR the compressor! Oh boy. That might be a bit expensive! Thankfully, we have window air conditioners in our upstairs bedrooms so at least we can sleep comfortably. It's just SOOO loud!

Jon and I were watching Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet this afternoon and at one point I noticed that Darla was also watching it!
She's such a strange dog.

Be strong and take heart,

all you who hope in the Lord.

 … Psalm 31:24

Memorial Day

Monday, May 25

Jess and I picked up Rachel this morning and we purchased breakfast at Panera Bread for a one-day-late birthday celebration for Rachel. We took it and ate with the ducks. Again. We're predictable where we eat lately. Breakfast with the ducks. Lunch with the goats. Anyway, we had a nice visit and then took her back home. 

Jess played on her iPad and I prepared a potato salad for our dinner that we ate when Jon got home from work. We also had hot dogs and corn from the cob that I cooked and cut off earlier. A perfect picnic lunch enjoyed in the coolness of the house since it was too hot and humid to eat outside. 

Diane texted earlier in the day to tell us that Randie was in the hospital and would be for several days. She was to have a heart echo today and a heart cath. tomorrow. Please pray for her. Randie has not been well since Christmas. Please pray that the doctor's would be able to find out what is wrong and the proper medication to take. 

Tonight's scripture verses come from the book of Psalms, Chapter 34 verses 1-3: 

I will extol the LORD at all times;

His praise will always be on my lips.

My soul will boast in the LORD;

let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

Glorify the Lord with me;

let us exalt his name together.

Memorial Weekend

Saturday, May 23
Sunday, May 24

Yesterday was a work day. I cleaned the entire downstairs which took all day. Plus I did 4 loads of wash and even put the clothes away. I skinned 10# of chicken leg quarters and baked them for dinner and future meals. I was busy. I did my thing. Jessie did hers.

I didn't blog last night because I was feeling down. Not depressed. I have absolutely NO reason to be depressed. Looking at all the heart ache just in Michigan alone, my life is perfect. I'm not dealing with floods, (or even a wet basement anymore!) wildfires or a virus that has sickened and killed so many. Every once in a while I feel down for no apparent reason and it only last hours to one day. I pray, and find solace in the scriptures and in talking to God.

Today I've felt the same. This is unusual. I wonder if I'm finally feeling the effects of the "stay at home" order that's been in place for 2 months. I've cleaned every drawer and closet that I could find and have cleaned my house so many times myself, that there's not much to do anymore. I've begun organizing my 2013-2014 pictures to put into albums. I've read scores of books. I've played games on my iPad. I've called friends. I've even watched Hallmark Movies and Mysteries and even Christmas movies!

I think I'm lonely for my past social life. Maybe. This may be a reason. I miss my friends. I miss HUGS!

Even though Jon and Jessie are here, there's not much conversation that Jess and I can have because of her limited vocabulary. When Jon gets home he retreats either to his bedroom or the living room. We do talk, some. I enjoy the days that he has off and we do go out for a bit, but even then he's either in his garden or on his iPad in the living room when home. After all, he deserves peace and quiet after his hectic days at work.

I'm being honest here so that in years to come I'll read this and it might help me through another down time. I don't know.

I'm going to try sharing scripture here to not only lift up my soul, but anyone else who is having shut-in problems.

"Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!

I would fly away and be at rest."

Psalm 55: 6

Sorry. I couldn't resist this one to begin with. It made me laugh. I just picked this out of the Psalm, but you might want to read the entire 55th. Psalm. The last line says ...

But as for me, I trust in You.

I do, Lord. I really do.