They Said It Would Never Happen

Yesterday I saw my naturopath for the results from my thyroid panel. Overall, everything is looking good. She put me on new thyroid medicine instead of Nature-Throid, and I am to continue the Iodoral (I had it wrong before and said iodine-this also contains potassium). My TPO antibody was checked again, and is now in the normal range under 35; 28. That means no. auto immune. disease. =) One health problem down! This is a huge deal, and again, more confirmation. I am feeling really good about the progress being made. The endocrinologist told me this would never happen, and it did, thanks to God. I am so grateful. 

In other good news, in just a couple weeks, I'll be going to a conference called Healing Strong. Here's something from their website:

"The HealingStrong Conference and Retreat is designed to provide vital information and support to those who are facing cancer or other life threatening diagnoses and are seeking wisdom about holistic and alternative treatment options. Through general sessions, dynamic practitioners, authors and nutritionists will share foundational principles that support healing. In small group sessions, participants will learn and interact with others who have been successful in their own journey from sickness to health.

This conference is 100% driven by volunteers, from the kitchen angels who will be working with the retreat center to prepare healthy, delicious meals to the dozens of volunteers who are working behind the scenes.

Our goal is for each participant to be empowered to discover purposeful healing through intentional living." - healingstrong.com

I am very excited about learning and getting to share what I've learned. Feeling so blessed. So, so blessed. Thankful to Jesus. Just ignore me, marinatin' in His goodness, for I am surely drowning in it by now.

Fun In The Rain

We have not been without rain this summer, that is for sure. Though, I hate to complain because I know our Creator knows what He's doing. ;-) Just over 2 weeks ago, we got so much rain that it caused damaged to our road and since then part of our road has been closed. Just this afternoon it opened up again, and within an hour of that, more rain came pouring down! Ironic, but again, no complaints. After the thunder and lightening had subsided, the kids asked to go play in the pool of water that had taken up residence in our front yard. I could've said no, who wants to deal with that mess?! But ya know what, it was bath night any way, and you only get to be a kid once. Sure, guys, go play in the rain! And so they did. =)

My new prayer

Psalm 25

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you 
will ever be put to shame,
but they will be put to shame
who are treacherous without excuse.

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.
Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and 
love,
for they are from of old.
Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

Good and upright is the LORD; 
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his 
covenant.
For the sake of your name, O LORD, 
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for 
him.
He will spend his days in prosperity,
and his descendants will inherit the land.
The LORD confides in those who fear him;
he makes his covenant known to them.
My eyes are ever on the LORD,
for only he will release my feet from the snare.

Turn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
The troubles of my heart have multiplied;
free me from my anguish.
Look upon my affliction and my distress
and take away all my sins.
See how my enemies have increased
and how fiercely they hate me!
Guard my life and rescue me;
let me not be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect
me,
because my hope is in you.

Amen.

One of Those Nights

It was one of those days where the kids were restless, not getting along. OK kids, lets get back to basics. No TV, no distractions (except me and my camera), lets get outside, lets play with one another, lets enjoy the beauty of the earth around us, lets appreciate and find the good in one another. Lets laugh. Lets love.

Encouragement

"Having faith doesn't mean I have all the answers. It means trusting God especially in the midst of uncertainty."

"You've never gone too far that God can't redeem you, restore you, forgive you, and give you a second (or third, or fourth, or fifth...!) chance. Fight the enemy's lies with that truth tonight, my sweet friends!"

"I have discovered a few things that help me when God seems silent, and I pray they are encouraging to you tonight…

- Press in to God when you want to pull away.
- Praise God out loud when you want to get lost in complaints.
- Put yourself in the company of truth by spending time with those who will speak life into you."

"Being uncertain and scared and riddled with doubt some days isn't a sign of bad things to come. It's actually quite the opposite. After all, if great things weren't on the horizon, I don't think the enemy would be so bent on attacking us."

"Real faith isn’t a hopeful wish. Real faith is making the decision that no matter the outcome, we’ll choose to see it as God’s perfect answer.

Through the good. Through the not-so-good. And even through the down right awful- we will trust God. Now this doesn’t mean we won’t cry and express hurt. But it does mean we’ve decided it’s better to have lived trying to take leaps of faith with God, than to walk away from Him."

All quotes from Lysa TerKeurst that I find encouraging.

First Day of School 2013

Zeke 4th grade - Asher kindergarten

Macie says it's too early!!!

By the time we got to the school, Macie was asking to go to school and she was ready - see the book bag? ;)

I really like Asher's teacher. I can tell, it's going to be a good year! =)

My babe is now a kindergarten! Hard to believe!

After running a few errands, Macie and I enjoyed lunch at home (and kiwi), I gave her a "pedicure", read books and nap time!

Zeke didn't want me to walk him to his classroom this year :( I understand, though, he's getting big and all that. He didn't even want me to take one last pic of him before he went to class. But it's cool; at least I got some good ones (more than posted)! ;) Both the boys had an awesome day and they like their teachers and fellow classmates a lot! Very exciting to see what's in store for my boys this year!

CONFIRMATION

Thursday, I received a phone call from my naturopath's office, saying my results were in, and that the doctor wanted to see me Monday (they're closed Fridays). That made me worry because we had discussed that she would just call me with the results and I'd see her when I would come in for my next appointment. So, I spent three whole days worrying, like I know I shouldn't have, nor needed to, but I did it any way. What added to the intensity of the wait was a conversation I had with a specific someone who I adore and look up to almost to a fault. During our talk, I realized how we differ in our medical views - when I thought all along we were on the same page. And then it hit me; really, truly I am alone in this decision to have declined radiation and seek a more holistic route. I had to make sure that I'm not doing this for any other reason other than it's what Perry and I believe is the choice that is right for me. I felt shaken, and I started questioning myself, "Am I really doing what I'm supposed to do? Am I really making a wise choice? Is this what God really wants me to do?" Though still confident in my decision, doubt still ensued. I emotionally vomited on at least three people this weekend. Nerves shot, I just wanted to embrace denial and turn up my country music and dream about being anywhere but here.

This morning as I got the kids ready, they were being extra sweet. Oh God, give me more of these days. I want more days of making my kids breakfast, helping them dress, tie shoes, more sweet conversations, listening to their beautiful voices. I want more. 

I arrived a little late for my appointment and had to wait a little bit before being taken back, which unfortunately gave my mind more time to wander. Thankfully, I had received some encouraging emails, I held on to those, and replayed some words spoken by Chantell the day before. I strongly dislike having to go to these appointments alone, no one's hand to hold, but it makes me hold on to Truth all the more.

My results came back relatively well. Adrenals are on the low side of normal, so I'll be taking Cortisol Control (I've stopped taking my adrenal support since my last visit weeks ago) and DHEA. Now, here comes the good part. My TPO Antibody is now at 41. It used to be way over 300, now it is 41. According to the lab she uses, under 35 and you're good; auto immune disease free! She said something to the extent, "Dare I say you're going into remission." She completely credits the diet and supplement changes to this. What encouragement this is for me! I needed a reminder, some sort of "proof" that this is the right way for me, that these changes are paying off. My endo had told me before I would forever have an auto immune disease and just better hope that I don't develop a second one- they found it unnecessary to even check my TPO Antibody anymore. This gives me so much hope for my healing in the cancer department. God knew I needed this.

As dependent and clingy as I was this morning to God I want to be every day of my life whether what's going on is good, bad, neutral. I want my focus to be so on Him as it was today, every day, for no other reason other than He is my God and my Savior and EVERYTHING to me! 

There's a song that really stands out to me especially in light of my health condition.
"Even if the healing doesn't come, and life falls apart, and dreams are still undone
You are God, You are good, forever faithful One
Even if the healing doesn't come" (Kutless, 'Even If')

That is how I want to be if I have a rough day or get bad news. It is so easy for me to praise Him now because I just received good news. But what if it wasn't good news, what would have my reaction been? I have to ask myself these things. To whom/where am I putting my trust? Who am I clinging to? I want to press into Him, no matter what is going on in my life. 

Today I am thankful for more than just good results from the doctor; thankful for new revelations that are increasing my growth in my relationship with God.

Last Weekend Before School

Last weekend before school starts back...Saturday morning, project at Home Depot, then Carter's birthday party at the lake. Sunday, Asher had Upstreet Konfidential as he is officially graduating from Waumba Land. And lastly, a picture of both my boys, their last Sunday in their 3rd grade/pre-k classes.