Praise!

We went to the Dr. Childrens' last week.  Her pediatrician had ordered such an amazing blood panel to be drawn, that the Dr. didn't need to do any further testing. (no more needle pricks BIG PRAISE!)  My little bug was asymptomatic (showing no symptoms), so at this point, the blood tests show a very low ana and a moderately low SSB which can be an indicator for Sjoegren's syndrome.  He was very thorough and spent a lot of time with us going through family history and such.  He didn't want to pigeon hole her into a diagnosis because it may just never develop.  He said that her finger problem could have been triggered by a virus & the symptoms looked similar to some of the symptoms of scarlet fever and may not have anything to do with any kind of auto-immune thing.  We will be going back to him every 6 months for the next two years, during which time, we will be journaling any eye/sweat/stomach/joint problems & calling in for any flare-ups.  She is currently on a regular diet & we will see what happens.  She is doing very well & was super chill all day.  We are all very thankful for all of the prayers over the past couple weeks.  We certainly felt peace covering over us all day.  We really like this doctor very much, and are blessed to have the health care to be able to take care of her.  I'll keep you updated as we go along.  She is back to her happy-go-lucky, baby-loving, quick-witted funny self & we are praising God! :o)

C-O-N-S-I-S-T-E-N-C-Y

 I am doing Beth Moore's "Daniel" study this fall.  The theme the first two weeks is all about obedience and consistency.  Both of which every fiber in my flesh is fighting against.  Satan doesn't have to do one thing to keep me from my Lord and God.  He only has to sit back and watch me battle with myself & feed me with thoughts like "I'm too busy", "I'll get to it later",  "I really need to be more in the Word first".  When Daniel was taken away to Babylon to go into training to be Nebuchadnezzar's service, he "Resolved" or made a commitment to no partake in all of the worldly things of Babylon like food, drink & all of the comforts that were offered and be obedient to the Lord.  I see myself right now not as Daniel, but of the other young men who were taken to Babylon, too much of this world of business & comfort, no consistency no obedience & no resolve.

I know that when I am consistent in doing what the Lord asks of me, that I am a better mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter, and person on the street.  My load is lighter, I am confident in the Lord working through me, I don't rely upon my own strength.  I am so blessed to have obedient friends, who help to give me a push, who keep me accountable to what I know God wants me to do.  May the Lord shine his face upon them today and throughout this week and bless their families abundantly for all they do for me.

 "Keep His promises on your lips, recite it day and night, that you may observe carefully all that is written in it." Joshua 1:8.
 My promises are:
"Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow, the Lord will do amazing things among you"  Joshua 3:5,
"The fruit of my womb will be blessed", Ps 1147:13
"My children will be taught by the Lord and great will be their peace", Is 54:13
"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds" Jer 30:17

Tomorrow, we take my bug to Childrens' for her apt. with the Rheumatologist.  These are my promises that I will keep on my lips, muttering day and night.  These promises have become truth for me as I step out in faith, trusting in God.  I feel that the burden has been lifted and no matter what the doctor may say, I know deep in my spirit not to fear the words that come from their mouth.  "He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord" Ps 112:7.  I also know that she will be just fine.    I pray for my little bug's anxiety that she is experiencing at this time.  She is doing pretty well, but I can tell that she is worried.  Please pray in agreement with me for her because "The Lord knows the plans He has for my bug, plans to prosper her and not to harm her, plans to give her hope and a future." Jer 29:11    I know that the Lord has much in store for her, she has such a giving heart and sweet spirit, especially for little ones.

I continue to lift up my Uncle who is adjusting to new meds and diet, that he hears the Lord speaking to his heart and that he would feel the hope, peace and the promise that only Jesus can bring.  I also praise the Lord for all my little girls that I teach in Sunday school.  They are such a blessing to me and have such beautiful spirits.  A lot of them have big prayer requests and I can't wait to see them next week to see how the Lord has moved in their lives this week.  I lift up all of my friends that the Lord has blessed me with, their burdens are on my heart as we give them over to the foot of the cross and wait on the Lord's timing to open and close doors, bring healing to bodies and spirits, to be our provider in all things and to shepherd us on our paths.  I thank God for placing us where we are, for where we have been and for the plans He has for us in the future. I am thankful for my husband and his strong faith, and my beautiful girls that He has given to us.   I am excited and wait with expectant hope for what He has in store for me. I am a changed person, I am so thankful to look back and see such a stark contrast from where I was, to where I am now.  How much more is He going to do with the rest of my life!!!   I thank you and praise You Lord for who You are, and what You have done and what You are doing.


"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us." (Eph 3:20)
"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Eph4:19)

Today, I resolve to be more like the model Daniel gave of consistency, faith, and living on purpose for my Lord.  To strive to be culturally relevant with out becoming spiritually irrelevant.  To maintain a God-centered world view so the world can view my Amazing God.