Newly Diagnosed, Now What? Week 3 Grieve

It's week 3 in my series Newly Diagnosed, Now What? And today I am discussing grieving your diagnosis.



If you can't see this video click here

To watch the 1st 2 videos in the series:
Week 1: Do your homework
Week 2: Get Support

He is Mighty to Save!

* I wrote this post last week. This week I'm on vacation in LA so needless to say I'm feeling a little better:)

No need to beat around the bush, I'll just say it, it's been a very rough week. Our mild winter gave way to frigid temperatures & when the temperature plummeted 40 degrees last week I descended into the pit of chronic pain. From Friday night to Monday morning I didn't leave the couch except to go to the bathroom. My neck and back pain was so intense I literally felt nauseous from the pain. I spent all weekend alternating between different heating pads. By Sunday night my pain became manageable enough to leave the couch. All week I have struggled through work and spent every night on the couch often in tears. I don't mean for this post to sound like I'm complaining. I'm just trying to paint for you a picture of what it's like to live with chronic pain especially in the winter. There is no pain that compares to my "winter pain". It feels like I went to the roof of my 2 story house, jumped off and landed on my back. I hated to admit it but I felt my pain slowly sucking the joy right out me. As much as strive to keep a proper perspective on my pain and live a life that rejoices in Jesus regardless of how I feel, it was just one of those weeks where I could see how truly imperfect I am. How much I need Him for everyday, every minute.

In the midst of this pain filled week I got a surprise in the mail. Someone anonymously sent me some money and a Bible verse. It was truly so sweet of that person and an incredible blessing to me but even more than the generous gift of money, it has been the verse they wrote that I can't get out of my head. I'd heard it before and even memorized it years ago but this time it felt like this verse was written just to me.

"The LORD your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you;
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17

As I have laid down night after night in pain staring at the ceiling because it hurt my neck too much to turn to watch TV, I am reminded of that verse.

The Lord my God is with me-even in this pit of pain

He is mighty to save- even from this situation that at times feels hopeless

He takes great delight in me-the Lord loves me and just because He is allowing this pain doesn't mean He wants me to suffer.

He will quiet me with His love-quiet all my fears, anxieties & the chaos of this pain.

He will rejoice over you with singing- The Lord rejoices over little old me. Oh how this truth delights my heart!

Are you in the midst of a struggle this week? Do you need the reminder that Jesus is with you and He is mighty to save? I sure needed that reminder and I'm so thankful to my mystery friend for being obedient to God and blessing me this week.

And the joy of joys is this week I am in sunny LA enjoying the sun, almost no pain and time spent with dear friends.

Though sorrows may last for the night, the joy DOES come in the morning!

Newly Diagnosed, Now What? Week 2: Get Support

It's week 2 in my video series Newly Diagnosed, Now What? This week I'm talking about the importance of getting support following a diagnosis of a chronic condition. If you missed week 1 where I discuss the importance of doing your homework check that out here.



If you can't see this video click here

Links mentioned:
My Biggest Challenge

Cabin Fever

If you are a mom or a nanny like me and you live somewhere cold you know what this time of year brings-cabin fever! The excitement of Christmas is over and it's at least 4 months until a nice Spring day. So what do you? Around here we take advantage of as many indoor play places as we can. Our favorite is at our local mall.

When we're stuck at home the kids like to take apart old objects

Play games like this Alphabet Alley Go Fish game and have dance parties in the basement



We color and paint pictures

Another favorite is taking a bath or shower- ok I know this sounds crazy but the kids love it! They gather all their toys and go play in the water and hey maybe get a little clean in the process:)

So what do you do to occupy kids during these long winter months? I need as many ideas as I can get!

Too Sensitive

I have a very vivid memory from childhood of being about 5 years old watching the movie, "An American Tail" with my sister. It got to that moment in the story when Fievel the Mouse and his family are separated from each other and he and his sister, each on the other side of the world, look up at the same moon in the sky and sing "Somewhere Out There". I started crying. My mom came in from the other room to see what was wrong with me and I was too embarrassed to admit I was crying over a cartoon.

I remember other times in my childhood when I'd see people that looked lonely, sick or poor and it would make me cry. And every time I'd make up a reason why I was sad. Even though I had the most understanding parents I was embarrassed for them or anyone to know how sensitive I was. Too sensitive.

Fast forward to me now, pushing 30 (wow!), and I'm still too sensitive. But now it doesn't bother me or embarrass me...as much. I'm trying to embrace and love the person God has made me to be and after almost 30 years I've learned that:

Sensitivity is a gift from God- Compassion for others is a beautiful thing and truly a gift from God. I don't ever want to be ashamed that I feel too much. But I also realize that with that compassion needs to come action.

I need to be careful what I expose myself to- Knowing that I'm sensitive, particularly to media, I decided many years ago to not watch rated R movies. While I don't like the language in them it was the images that I couldn't handle. Television has been a little more tricky for me. I have always loved a good mystery and found myself often watching true crime shows, and mysteries about missing people, and unsolved crimes. But I began to notice that after watching these shows I would feel depressed and more anxious. So several months ago I decided to give up watching them and honestly I feel much better. Even though I'm not quite there yet, I want my media choices to be able to live up to this verse:

^{Philippians 4: 8-9 "}Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. "

What about you, have you ever felt too sensitive? How do you handle it and what have you learned?

The Good Wife's Guide by Darlene Schacht

This past weekend I had the privilege of reading Darlene Schacht's new ebook, The Good Wife's Guide: Embracing Your Role as a Help Meet
I'm not a wife myself so I wasn't sure how applicable the book would be to my life but boy was I wrong. I loved the book! The first half of the book is motivational tools for life based on biblical principles-everything from goal setting and home organization to marriage and motherhood. And the second half of the book is awesome practical advice on decluttering, organizing your house and establishing a cleaning schedule.

My favorite part of the book was when Darlene discussed the importance of setting your priorities and making sacrifices in order for your first priority to truly come first. In her case she was talking about putting her spouse and children first but these principles can easily be applied to anyone's life. For example in my life living with chronic pain, I know that I have to make my health a priority. This sometimes means sacrificing things I want to do because it won't be beneficial to my health. It also means weighing all my decisions against my top priority. Darlene also talks about how wasting time and being over committed can also take us away from our top priority. This really resonated with me. I'm a huge planner & couldn't live without my to do list but my problem is I tend to schedule more activities than I know I can physically do in a day which only leads to me overworking my body and feeling disappointed when I don't get everything done.

This book has helped me to realize the importance of putting my top priority, my health, first and that means being realistic with my schedule. If you are looking for a book that will motivate you to bring glory to God in every area of your life please get Darlene's book. Whether you are a wife or not there truly is inspiration for everyone.

To get Darlene's book either purchase it here:

Or click over to Darlene's site and try to win a copy-entries must be in before 11:59pm (central time) this Wednesday!

Newly Diagnosed, Now What? Week 1: Do Your Homework

It's week 1 in my new video series Newly Diagnosed, Now What? And today I'm talking about the importance of doing your homework!



Links Mentioned:
Web MD
Mayo Clinic
National Fibromyalgia & Chronic Pain Association
Lupus Foundation of America
Rheumatoid Arthritis
National Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia Association

What is Fibromyalgia?

Do you have fibromyalgia or know someone who does? Have you always wondered what fibromyalgia is? Or maybe you think you might have fibromyalgia?

Check out my newest video where I explain what fibromyalgia is, how you are diagnosed and share my own personal story-it's a little long but hopefully informative!



Links Mentioned:
Mayo Clinic Definition of Fibromyalgia
The Tender Point Test
My post on what having chronic pain feels like
Newly Diagnosed, Now What-Intro video

Are you wasting your life?

Don't waste your life on something that has no eternal significance -Billy Graham

I saw this quote on Twitter a couple weeks ago and haven't been able to stop thinking about it. This is how I want to live my life. But how do we do this when our daily lives are so busy and boggled down with activities that really don't count for eternity? Here are some steps I'm trying to take.

Time- This is a hard one for me because my chronic pain forces me to have a lot of downtime. And yes I spend too much time watching ridiculous TV shows but lately I'm trying to be more mindful of my time. Activities like Bible study and going to church allow me to grow in my walk with the Lord and encourage and bless other believers. Time wasters like Facebook and Twitter can be turned into opportunities to share the gospel, teach the Word and encourage other believers.

Talent- What do you enjoy doing in your spare time? What has the Lord given you a talent for? Is it writing, speaking, cooking, decorating, or maybe organizing? How can use you that talent to count for eternity? Pray and ask God to show you! That's the whole reason I started this blog as an opportunity to use what I enjoy (writing & sharing with others) to give glory to God.

Treasure-Finances have always been tricky for me. It's hard trying to support myself when I can't work full time, but God is faithful to provide for me and whenever I have a little extra money I am thankful to be able to give it away to bless others. I made a decision a couple years that whenever I have that small amount of money I want to use it only to give to organizations that share the gospel. That's just my own personal conviction. But in whatever you do how can you find a way to use the money the Lord has given you and make that count for eternity? And it doesn't take very much even if all you have is spare change, the Lord can multiply it and use it mightily.

I've realized that in all areas of my life I need a paradigm shift to think about every aspect of my life through the lens of eternity.

What steps do you take to make your life count for eternity?

Faithful Bloggers Podcast

Last month I was interviewed for the Faithful Bloggers podcast. Check out that interview here!


Links mentioned in the interview:
My twitter page
My facebook page
Granola Mom 4 God
Time Warp Wife
Women Living Well
Rachel Wojo
Just Jules
My 3 Joys
Mandy Young.com
Roo Online Magazine

Newly Diagnosed, Now What? Intro

Have you been newly diagnosed with a chronic condition (Fibromyalgia, Ra, Lupus, Lyme disease etc.)? Or maybe you think you might have one? Or do you know someone living with chronic pain?

Check out my new video series!



Links Mentioned:
My first Vlog


Linking to:

My Biggest Challenge

One would think that having a chronic pain condition since childhood would be my biggest challenge but the truth is it's become so much a part of who I am that I don't even remember what it felt like to be pain free. The real biggest challenge for me is working and supporting myself financially. Because of the intense pain & fatigue I experience everyday I really only have 4 to 5 good hours a day to accomplish tasks. Because of this I have never been able to work full time. And I can't explain to you how monumentally difficult it is for me to get through a work day-even when it is only part-time. But when you are single and the only one to pay your bills, you have to do what you have to do. If it wasn't for the incredible generosity of my mother who lets me live with her for very affordable rent I don't know where I would be.

And while I continue to struggle through each work day all the while wondering how I will pay ever increasing expenses when I'm already working more than I should be, I feel a strange peace. God is with me in this challenge and through this challenge He's taught me so much.

I've learned to resist sin, specifically jealousy-I love being on twitter and reading my favorite blogs but the tendency is there for me to compare my life to others. When I read about a person with pain like me who doesn't have the extra burden of working too, I get a twinge of jealousy. When I read about perfectly healthy people and their seemingly perfect lives, I get a twinge of jealousy. But I believe that is good because it's brought me to the foot of the cross for forgiveness, for change. Which leads me to my next lesson.

I've learned to be content with what I have- I have a wonderful family, amazing friends, a beautiful, safe home to live in, opportunities and blessings that most people in the world would die for-when I focus on these blessings, the struggles and challenges become less of a big deal.

And lastly I've learned to rely on the strength of God in my weakness- I have to pray constantly to get through just 1 work day-I pray that I stay awake and alert, that my morning nausea/vertigo won't last all day, that my neck and back pain will stay manageable, and that I will remain happy & joyful despite the pain-literally these prayers are said countless times every day. At the cool thing is everyday I get to see God answer them and infuse me with His strength to get through the work day. Like Paul my heart says,

'But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

What is the biggest challenge in your life right now? What is God teaching you through it?


Linking to:

Best Books for the New Year!

The New Year is a time for reflection, hopes, prayers, resolutions, and changes. So if have some extra Christmas money to spend here is a collection of what I think are the best books for the New Year.

My Top Picks for Christian Parenting (has helped me immensely as a nanny too!)







Are you one of the millions of people who want to lose weight and get healthy this year? Why not do it from a biblical perspective!



Is saving money and spending it wisely important to you? Are you wanting to become debt free? Check out these books!





Do you struggle with worry and anxiety? Overcome it this New Year!



Have a heart for the least of these? Don't miss this book!



My new favorite! I got this book for my birthday & can't put it down.



And lastly random books I enjoyed this year!







What are your must read books for the New Year?

Happy New Year-My Very First Vlog!

Happy New Year friends! Here's my message for you:)