Finding Grace #411

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Hut Blizzard photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week with a bit of stress. Mostly, I was tired and work was busy. Nothing new and it was “all good” overall. 🙂 

Work was busy all day, every day. It’s a good problem to have, though we spoke up to see if there are some changes we can make. We came up with a new solution, and I think it will still be busy, but hopefully a little more manageable.

The weather was chilly but not too crazy! El Nino is making our North Dakota weather warmer than usual with less snow. I love winter, but with even the little bit of shoveling I have done, my back, shoulders, and arms being sore. I try to use ergonomic shovels and techniques, but I am grateful for a little reprieve! 🙂

Lydia had a routine well-child appointment. She is doing well with all her water and salt, but she still feels not-so-great sometimes. Prayerfully, I thought a cardiology appointment would be our next step, and her doctor agreed to put in a consult. I expect that Lydia is “fine” (besides POTS), but it would be good to see if there are any other tools available to us and to verify that nothing else is going on. Prayers are appreciated. In other news, she will be taller than me soon… my guess is she will match me by spring!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Finding Grace #360

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Winter Tree photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week started off a little rough but ended really well. On Sunday, I took a two-hour nap, which should have been my first clue! But, perhaps God was infusing me with His strength while I rested.

Early in the week, I had to make many decisions on top of normal daily tasks and was overwhelmed with everything.  But, it helped me to take it one day at a time.

Lydia had another appointment this week, and it went well. Dave had partial hearing loss from birth and needed hearing aids. Lydia has had ringing in her ears for as long as she can remember, so we met with the audiologist for a hearing test. She noticed the same issue as last year; Lydia’s hearing is fine, except for one frequency, likely related to the tinnitus. Because nothing has changed, we don’t have to come back for two years. Interestingly, we discussed last week’s appointment and the audiologist said it could be related. It felt good to finally get some answers, and Lydia is making progress with her salt and water intake. Perhaps the tinnitus will also lessen over time.

The weather got super chilly again this week, but I don’t mind! We had some more wind and snow, and I even got a chance to use my snowblower a couple of times! I am glad to have it; it was a good purchase last year! Thanks, Lord, for taking such good care of me!

I heard from a friend last night who just finished reading my book. She said she never finishes books, yet she couldn’t put mine down. That was nice to hear, of course, and she was encouraged to lean into those hard times we all face. Even more, as soon as she shut the book, she was made aware of a similar medical crisis. She told her husband, “Let’s go. We need to be the body of Christ!” That’s awesome to hear of the impact it had on her! 🙂

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Finding Grace #359

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Mountain Snow photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was an awesome week. It felt like God came through for us in big and small ways!

On both Sunday and Monday, we met with friends and did some art projects. On Monday, my dear friend helped me take down the Christmas tree. For the last few years, I could not get it all apart. My friend and I were finally able to pull it into its three pieces for storage. I was so thankful!

We were off due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, so we used the time to get Lydia’s glasses updated. She kept her frames but needed new lenses. I had shopped around, and found a good deal with same-day service. It felt good to save some money and cross it off my to-do list.

Because of the holiday, it was a short work week. It was made even shorter because Lydia had two appointments. On Tuesday, her orthodontics appointment went well, and we will wait on a second round of braces (to see if she needs them). On Thursday, we had some good news, too. With her permission to share, Lydia has been having frequent, yet unpredictable episodes of dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and so on for many years. Apparently, she needs a lot more water and sodium than the average person. At least that’s what we are going to try for now, though it will likely be long-term. She is already feeling better with no symptoms for the last two days. I’m grateful for answers, and I’m praising God that this is a manageable medical condition!!

The weather gave us some sunny days and some overcast days, but minimal wind. Still below zero but enjoyable! 

Today, we did our usual Saturday tasks, and I listened to a webinar while cooking soup and baking sweet potatoes. I also cleared two shelves in the pantry and reorganized them before taking an official inventory. This helped me group like items together and even carried over to a couple of the kitchen cabinets, too. It feels really good to see everything I have all at once. Then, I don’t accidentally buy something when I already have it in storage!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Sweet Relief

This week, I had a simple medical test/procedure. It was fairly straightforward and, as such, almost not worth mentioning. But, I wanted to share a little of my experience in case it benefits someone else… 

In short, I have had mild gut issues over many years. I had similar issues as a kid, in college, and before/after Dave died from colon cancer. I don’t know if my symptoms are related to internalizing stress or my Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, an autoimmune disease I have had for twenty-five years.

Indeed, I mentioned my concerns to my doctor after Dave’s funeral, but then talked myself out of further testing when she offered it. I was really emotional at the time and didn’t want deal with it. I don’t recommend that avoidant approach, however!

Earlier this year, I got my back in better shape and realized my gut could also use some help. I had gotten so used to the discomfort that I just assumed it was normal.

To clarify, my symptoms are somewhat normal… no overt signs of disease. But, some people are just more sensitive than others, and I tend to have gut discomfort when others don’t (even when we eat the same foods). The gut is known as the ‘second brain,’ so when it is not functioning correctly, it can impact quite a lot of other things!

Free photos of Manzana

Well, this year, I again spoke up at my annual physical in May. This time, I requested a referral to gastroenterology. I appreciated that both of the providers listened to my concerns, though I was still a little nervous.

In June, we decided to do some more testing, which occurred this week. The prep was less than glamorous, but the results were “pretty darn good” to quote the doctor running the test! 🙂

Leading up to the test, I kept my focus on Jesus and took on His peace, which is freely given. He is the Source of my life and strength, so it is always wise to trust Him.

On the day of the test, everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. They were so kind and knowledgeable that it put my mind at ease. I was able to relax and go with the flow. It was a much different feeling than when I waited for Dave’s test results all those years ago.

When the doctor introduced herself, she agreed it was good to get tested since autoimmune diseases can often run together. I briefly mentioned my concerns, especially since Dave had zero symptoms at his colon cancer diagnosis. (Mine was a test to rule out a wide variety of potential illnesses!) She was so compassionate, and I was glad I chose her to do the test!

Free photos of Fruit

I still have those mild symptoms – and a follow-up for potential next steps – but ALL my results came back clear! I don’t have celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, an ulcer, micro-colitis, diverticulosis, H Pylori, cancer, or anything else. Whew, I am so relieved!! It is still possible to get a generic diagnosis (like IBS or a food intolerance), but I can’t self-diagnose those things. Thankfully, we ruled out all the major red flags!

My hunch has been that it just will come down to paying more attention to my food choices and how they affect me. I already do this to some degree; as a Registered Dietitian, it’s right up my alley. Fiber and water are key! But, even though I eat well and enjoy most foods, my gut may think differently.  😉

Other good strategies will include ongoing stress management to lower chronic inflammation; continuing my exercise routine, so my gut runs well; and getting adequate sleep to restore my system each night. This is easier said than done, but I am committed to doing the work it takes to feel good consistently.

Professionally, I always tell my patients: “You are your best advocate, and you know your body best.” Today, I am thankful I was brave, despite my earlier fear. I am glad I advocated for myself, and I am grateful for the good results. We only get one body, and we have the privilege of caring for it, as a Temple.

All in all, I wanted to praise God and to share a little— but not too much– with you about my health journey (a.k.a. my Forty-Year Tune-Up)! Also, I want to give a shout-out to the three women doctors and their staff who have helped me.

Thank you for reading and celebrating with me!

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God, You are so gracious and merciful!! Thanks for protecting me and giving me peace of mind. May I continue to make healthy choices that honor You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What part of this post resonated with you? Do you need to advocate for yourself or someone else?

Tasks: Listen to The Healing by Blanca and Dante Bowe. Sing out your praises to God! He is Jehovah-Rapha, the God Who Heals.

Finding Grace #321

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Flower, Petals, Buds, Blossom, Bloom, Spring

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a rainy week full of God’s grace!

I was playing catch-up all week at work; it was just busy! I saw a lot of patients, which is nothing unusual. But, I was crunched for time when it came to charting. I did my best, and I am satisfied with that!

On Monday afternoon, we went to the dentist, and each of us received a good report! Also, we had another chiropractic adjustment on Thursday. The chiropractor is impressed with how well we are doing. That means we can spread out the sessions even further!

I was able to connect with several friends and family via text throughout the week. It was good to encourage them and cheer them on in some of the trials they are facing.

Today, we spent a couple of hours helping a widow clean out her garage. It can be a burden to go through all the ‘stuff’ after someone dies; there are so many decisions to make! I had some friends help me go through things when Dave died, so I was glad to pass on the blessing. It was good for Lydia to use her muscles and serve as well! It was rainy, and we came home wet but happy.

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Tension and Relief

It’s a little funny how pain and discomfort sometimes inspire someone to move when otherwise they would remain complacent.

Case in point: I recently established care with a local chiropractor. It’s not that I haven’t been to see someone before. I just haven’t gone regularly with a plan to improve some of my aches and pains. I tend to go once a year or so when I can’t stand the tension in my back any longer!

In part, I haven’t wanted to take time off work during the day. Plus, some practitioners require their patients to come more often than I wanted. (To make healthy habits stick, I’m all about convenience!)

Health is not something I take for granted, but often I defer self-care because of so many other things calling for my attention. I’m trying to be better about that!

Back, Pain, Shoulder, Injury, Sun, Burn, Posture

So, a few weeks ago, I received a flyer in the mail about a husband-and-wife team opening their practice a few minutes away. I had never seen a woman chiropractor before, and I was also intrigued because they are basically one street over from where we live (check). Still, I didn’t think I was in that. much. pain. 

Really, I have grown used to my neck hurting for about twenty years! In college, I carried so many heavy books back and forth to campus. Even back then, when Dave and I were dating, I couldn’t turn my head past a certain point to look at him when we were traveling in his truck. I was often stressed and felt too busy to get checked out.

And, if you have read my book, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward, you will know that we were involved in a fender-bender (hit from behind) when Dave was sick. As a caregiver for him and Lydia, I didn’t take any time to get checked out after my skull had slammed my headrest. It took about two weeks to feel like me again (still tense, but less pain).

Thankfully, I have been working to regain my health and sense of wellbeing for the last few years. Yoga, stretching, massages, and stress management have helped over time, in addition to getting new bedding and pillows, and several other random gadgets all promising relief. But, those don’t help mechanical issues if your back is out of alignment!

Yoga, Beach, Health, Edgewoman, Pose, Landscape

So, I finally called to schedule an appointment. And, happily, they offered evening appointments on certain nights (check). I was eager to go and see what could be done.

Last Monday, I went to my appointment, and I was surprised at how understanding ‘my’ chiropractor is. She has young children, so she knows the stresses moms face. She listened to my story, concerns, and burdens as a single mom and homeowner. She knew what I meant when I mentioned pain from shoveling snow and carrying out household duties, for example.

She was easy to talk with (check) and explained her philosophy of not over-treating (check). She adjusted my hips, lower back, mid/upper back, and neck. All four areas were out of whack. Then, she gave me exercises to stay in alignment (very cool… check).

Immediately, I noticed improved mobility in my hips and less pain in my neck and shoulders. I was able to move in ways I had completely forgotten about, such as doing push-ups without feeling awkward! I also had only a minor headache for a few hours one day, instead of a string of them. I had no idea that was possible. Thank You, Jesus!

Yoga, Asana, Sports, Meditation, Exercise, Relaxation

I went back a week later, and two of the four places still needed help, but my hips and neck were more stable. There has been a little pain, but it is manageable. I think my body has been out of whack for so long, it is getting used to a new normal (the original intent!).

I have one more planned appointment, and then we will see how it goes. I am hopeful I can maintain this level and only go when I really need it. Though, I understand now that regular care is better than once-a-year care! Either way, I am glad to now have someone on board to call when I have a flare-up. 

Of course, chiropractic care cannot fix every source of pain. It takes time to see progress for chronic problems. But, I am grateful for one more tool to use. This whole experience has improved my quality of life! I am even sitting straighter and walking with more fluid motion!

Interestingly, God tends to teach us through physical pain and painful circumstances. I am (still) learning it’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to admit weakness. In those moments, God draws us close and gives us His strength. He is my healer, and I’m grateful I don’t have to fight my way through life. Instead, I can relax knowing He’s got my back and will help me through the tension!

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God, thanks for the gift of health! You are my healer, Lord, and I appreciate the tools you provide. Help me take good care of myself so I can do all the things You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you pursue health and wellness? Food and nutrition, yoga, meditation, chiropractic care, or something else?

Tasks: Pray about the next steps on your health journey. Health and wellness do not have to be gimmicky but should be practical and sustainable. Keep an open mind, but be sure to look for conflicts of interest, too.

Finding Grace #310

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Winter, Mountain, Snow, Landscape, Trees, Countryside

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was a bunch of wild cards! It was quite busy and full of the unexpected. Even when I was fully prepared for certain events, they still didn’t turn out just as I planned. Thankfully, God was with me and helped me get through it all.

This week, I covered outpatient services when my other coworkers were out of the office for various reasons. At times it was one patient after another and it stretched me professionally. It wasn’t all bad, just a little stressful.

I also picked up a couple of patients who had new feeding tubes. I had plenty of time to prepare before they came for their supplies and education. But what I didn’t expect is that they came on the same day at nearly the same time when no one else was available to help! At one point, I met the patient out in the transport vehicle that had picked him up… he was too weak and tired to come into the building. Thankfully, it worked out and all’s well that ends well!

Lydia had a remote learning day for school yesterday due to a blizzard. It threw off my work schedule a bit, but I was able to stay a little later and call it even. It turned out to be a blessing after all!

I went to the doctor yesterday for an ingrown toenail and just started a ten-day antibiotic (hopefully avoiding a podiatry consult!). Soaking my foot or the last week hasn’t done the trick, but it’s been a painful two-week ordeal so far. 

Today was another bitterly cold day, so we didn’t mind staying home. I did clear some snow and did some usual Saturday dishes and laundry. Needless to say, with my toe, I am happy to keep my feet up!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Finding Grace #254

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This was a great week, though pretty low key.

At the VA, it felt like a party atmosphere as Veterans were able to receive the COVID vaccine! They had to sit for about fifteen minutes outside my office afterward (to monitor for any negative reactions), and all the Veterans were so happy. They were chatting and laughing with each other as they shared various stories. One man was showing off his “Call to Arms” shirt, highlighting the fact he had to take his other shirt off to get the vaccine.

I met with my students on Friday, so that was fun. We had a good discussion about the new 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as well as the impact obesity can have on various illnesses. It is easy to take our health for granted sometimes!

Today, a dear friend came to visit. We caught up over several hours this afternoon, since March was the last time we have seen each other. We both laughed when we gave each other essentially the same gift (different colors, etc.)! A small journal! 

Tonight, I am meeting with some more friends. It’s been a few months since we have seen each other. So, I am looking forward to that, too!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

On Vision and Clarity

During a routine eye exam this week, I learned a ‘new word’: phoropter. Also called a refractor, it’s the device used to determine one’s prescription. The patient looks through the phoropter lenses while the eye doctor changes the dials, asking, “One or two, three or four?”

I was scheduled to see a new eye doctor, though he was running late. (I was glad to have extra time to read!) When the doctor arrived, I noticed he was paralyzed and sat in a wheelchair. I’m sure he required a little more time to get around. He quickly wheeled into the room, introduced himself, and started my eye exam.

When asked how my eyes and vision were, I explained my seasonal allergies have been ramping up this week. My eyes were a little dry that day, making my contacts uncomfortable and my vision blurry.

I could read all the letters through the phoropter, but it was a little more challenging than usual. Besides the blurriness, there was also a glare from the computer. I had trouble focusing because everything seemed foggy. I was frustrated. Finally, I told the eye doctor, “It’s almost as if these lenses need to be cleaned.”

To my surprise, he immediately wheeled out of the room and came back with cleaning supplies. He couldn’t take the entire contraption apart, but he did wipe off the external lenses. I was touched by his compassion and effort so I could see clearly. I’ve worn glasses and contacts for years, but I’ve never had an eye doctor who listened to my concerns like that!

While he cleaned, we talked about the device, its name, and how it works. Somehow, that led to us talking about our kids, his car accident over a decade ago, cancer, and Dave’s death. We talked about ‘seeing the good’ and having a positive attitude. I was impressed at his ability to keep moving forward, despite his paralysis. What fortitude!

In the end, the doctor said my eyes were healthy. Thankfully, my vision hadn’t changed much, yet he saw a lot of debris on my contacts. I was shocked because I just changed the lenses a few days ago. No wonder my vision was blurry! He made some recommendations like wearing my glasses as needed and using a special cleaning solution.

I went to get my vision checked, and left with a different perspective!

That got me thinking…

While I usually only need to visit the eye doctor yearly, I need to meet with Jesus every day. I wouldn’t forget my glasses or contacts… In the same way, regular contact with Jesus gives me focus. He helps me make sense of my circumstances and surroundings!

God has a special plan and unique vision for each of His children. Yet fear can cloud that vision and limit us from becoming all He intended. Fear blurs the path, causing confusion and uncertainty. Over time, we may even get used to seeing poorly!

But when we call on Jesus, He helps us see through the eyes of faith. We don’t have to wander around blindly; we can move forward with confidence and clarity. As we fix our eyes on Him, doubt and darkness flee. Our vision becomes clear again.

In the light of Jesus, we see God’s love and grace in living color. We then see ourselves and others through His perspective. With compassion, we can overlook weaknesses and find the good in each person.

Yes, Jesus brings healing, renews our vision, and restores our purpose. Praise God!

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Jesus, You are good! Thank You for loving me so much. Be my vision and be my strength. Give me clarity as You guide me on the right path. In Your Name, Amen

Question: Do you wear contacts or glasses to correct your vision? Does anything about this post stand out to you?

Tasks: Read these two Bible passages of Jesus healing the blind: Matthew 20:29-34 and Mark 8:22-26. Write down any observations.