Potpourri

So do you guys remember that stuff that your mom had in a bowl that smelled like a perfume counter? Yep, that was potpourri. This title has nothing to do with that smelly stuff. It's just gonna be a bunch of stuff that isn't related at all...a little update of the "this and that's" of my life in a bowl.

Today was supposed to be my appointment at this clinic. Due to a family emergency, the doctor had to cancel. They couldn't reschedule until the middle of February, and that won't work for my schedule. God has definitely closed the door to that clinic and I'm not sure what He has around the corner. I believe that since I'm going to be moving, He has some plans for me that will be closer to Creston.

My next bit of potpourri is about Creston. I'm headed back there on Thursday with my parents to do some house hunting. This is both exciting and scary at the same time. I'm excited because I'll possibly be buying my first house. I'm scared because I'll possibly be buying my first house. I'm sure every one of you is familiar with these feelings. I'm very thankful my parents can go with me.

Thanks so much for your prayers and kind words. I know that God has great things in store for the future. Just as He put the perfect job along my path, I know He'll guide me to the perfect house in the right time. I'm so thankful for such a mighty and caring God.

Health Update

I know many of you are wondering how I'm doing. I know this because I'm sure all my readers are wonderful individuals that are concerned about others. (How's that for buttering you up?) I've been able to get lots of rest during my time off and I've been relatively healthy. There was one two-week period where I was down. But I'm very thankful that it didn't last as long as it normally would.

I am going to be heading to a different doctor the end of this month. I'm getting ready to dive back into the working world and I want to be healthy and ready to give 100%. My dad did some research online and found this clinic. I'm praying they can give me some tools toward better health and that I see some results.

Thanks for your prayers and I'll keep you posted about the new clinic.

The Flu Stinks

This is how I feel.

Yep, I have the real flu...maybe even H1N1. I started feeling yucky on Wednesday and just chalked it up to getting my flu shot the day before. I talked to Anna yesterday and when I told her I was wearing three sweatshirts, two pairs of socks, sitting under a blanket in front of a heater, she said she was taking me to the doctor. I didn't think we had an urgent care clinic and told her so. Well, she wasn't swayed by that and made some phone calls. In the mean time, I called the 24 hour nurse provided by my insurance who told me to go to ER. Well, there you have it. I had to go. Anna's homework found out we do have urgent care, so we were on our way.

The doctor didn't do the tests to find out for sure if I have it. She said that given I have asthma, she'd treat me anyway since I had been exposed. So I may have it and I may not. Bottom line, it's rotten. I'm now very sympathetic to those that have the real deal. It's nasty stuff.

I'm under strict orders not to be around anyone till after Tuesday, so that means I'll have a very happy Birthday all by myself. That also means all my work will be piling up. God knows and it was no surprise I came down with this now. Maybe He wants me to sleep. :)

Well I hope none of you get this. I hope you are all very healthy.

Start Spreadin' the News

Some of you that already know may be wondering why I haven't shared my latest news here yet. So I guess it's time to spread the news. This is difficult news, yet exciting at the same time. After much prayer and searching of God's heart, I've decided that it's time to leave IRBC. There are several factors that come into play. It's getting more difficult to keep up with the pace of camp life. I also want to be more involved in local church ministry, which is my love and passion.

I have loved my time at IRBC. Not only have I had a chance to minister, but being in the ministry here has changed my life. I will miss it more than I can put into words.

So now come all the questions...What are you going to do? Where will you live? Will you move to Illinois to be by family? Will you stay in the area? Those are very good questions...I'm glad you asked them. I have no idea. None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. But I know that I serve a God Who goes before me and knows all the steps He has planned for me.

I plan to be done at the camp on December 1. And right now, I'd like to take a month off to get my feet under me a bit and get a clear head. I'll probably start looking to answer all those probing questions after New Year's. Thanks for your continued prayers and support.

Heath Update: I went to Mayo Clinic again on Friday. I'm starting to get some answers, but it may continue to be a long process. He wants to establish a pattern with my immune numbers before heading into any kind of treatment. No recent bouts with bronchitis or sinus stuff, so I'm thankful.

On a lighter note...It snowed!!!! I could hardly believe my eyes yesterday when I saw it. Not only did it just snow, but it snowed all day!!!! Here's a picture to prove it.

Health Update

Just wanted to give a quick update and thank everyone for their prayers and emails. I heard back from Mayo Clinic yesterday and all my tests have come back fine. My numbers are a bit low, but the test have not shown why and it's not significant enough for them to treat. On one hand, that is good news. On the other hand it's a bit discouraging to still not have any answers.

I'm praying that God will direct my steps from here. I don't know what those next steps are, but I have a mighty God that knows all. Thanks for your continued prayers. God has helped me stay relatively healthy this summer. I haven't been hit with the big guns until just this week, so I'm thankful. Well, it's off to bed for me to try to kill off these germs.

Mayo Update

Thanks so much to all of you for your prayers. Friday was my first visit to Mayo Clinic. It went very well. My doctor spent a considerable amount of time with me asking questions. Though I don't have any answers yet, it is great to know that we are on the road to discovering the problem. He did lots of tests and my return appointment is this coming Thursday. It sounds like the tests he did are going to lead to which tests to do next. He made is sound as if I'll have several more visits of testing before we get to the bottom of the cause. Thanks so much for your continued prayers and I'll keep you posted of any new developments.

My parents took a week of vacation to go to my appointment with me and they will also go to my next one. It was such a blessing to have them with me. I think they are amazing.

God continues to give me the strength I need to keep up with the busy camp season. Such an amazing God that we have!

Off to Mayo Clinic

I heard from my doctor's office today and my immune blood tests came back very low. My doctor is sending me to a specialist at Mayo Clinic. This is an answer to prayer that I finally have a direction to head. I'm thankful for a good doctor that did the necessary tests to find this problem. I don't have any information yet, but I'm thankful that there is some progress. I don't have an appointment yet. A couple ways that you can continue to pray:

1. I'm hoping to get an appointment in May before the busy summer starts. If I can't get in till later, then God knows all about that. I just would really like some solutions before the long hours start.

2. I'm hoping that I don't catch anything between now and then.

3. Praise that God is good!

Thanks so much for all of your prayers.

Update

Well, I've been absent once again. One of the reasons I haven't been posting is that I have tried to keep this blog a "complain-free zone." I don't like to air my struggles for the world to see. My motivation in writing this post is not to complain though. It is to seek prayer from friends and to try to encourage anyone else that is struggling as well.

I've been struggling with my health for several years with asthma/bronchitis and sinus issues. This past year has been much worse. It seems pretty constant and to be honest I'm very worn out and tired. (Also one of the reasons for my lack of posting.) I've been to my doctor many times and even to some specialists.

This week I was quite disappointed with a visit to a specialist. The tests he did came back fine, so I asked him what the next step was. He said it was a good question and he didn't know. That wasn't what I wanted to hear. In fact, it was quite discouraging. I'm going to head back to my doctor this week and see what the next steps may be.

I have several prayer requests concerning this issue:

1. That I will be guided to the right doctor with the right answers
2. That I will get answers before my busy summer begins
3. That I will have the strength I need to accomplish the tasks before me
4. That I will rest on God's promises
5. That I will find my rest/peace/encouragement in Him

I have learned much through this struggle. God's Word is so powerful and has been my encouragement during this time. Just this morning I read Psalm 103:11 "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him."

I've been very tempted to start playing the "Why Game." (It's not a fun game...I don't recommend it.) But I am learning so much about God's sovereignty through the book I'm reading (Trusting God by Jerry Bridges) and through this trial. Romans 11:33-36 "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen."

God does not owe me an explanation. And I don't want a God that does. He is powerful and sovereign. His knowledge is much more vast than mine. I just need to trust in His ability to see the big picture. I need to trust in His steadfast love. I need to trust in the grace He gives to get me through. I need to trust...Trust is hard, but not impossible.

So thanks for your prayers.