Wow. I haven't blogged since December of 2008. Oh dear. I knew it had been some time, but I did not realize it had been that long. Good thing nobody reads my blog. LOL
I have returned to blogging with a specific purpose in mind. I'm going to TRY to track my weight loss efforts. I have always struggled with my weight. Even when I was insanely active, I was overweight. Now that I'm a mom and a teacher, well, let's just say I have a spare tire or two. Yikes.
The big 3-0 is approaching this October. I'm not quite sure what that means in all practicality. I know it's just a number and that it's just another year, but it does make you think. It makes you reflect on who you are and where you are in life, not to forget where you want to be. I'm really, really lucky. I have met a lot of my goals: (1) I teach at a junior college, which was one of my career goals, (2) I have a fantastic husband, and (3) I have an amazing 2 yo son. I'm just plain lucky.
With that said, there are SO many things I want to do. I want to grow and change, evolve really. I want to be debt-free. I want to finish my Masters. I want another baby. Sigh. I feel like I'm running out of time. Stupid stigma attached to the big 3-0.
Well, the purpose of blogging again (ostensibly) is to track my weight loss efforts. Folks, this is day 6, and I have to tell you it's NOT going well at all. I have made better food choices than I have in a year. I've also exercised some. I purchased a workout dvd starring Bob the Biggest Loser Trainer. I couldn't move for 2 days! I am incredibly out of shape. Sad. Very sad.
I need to set the scene here. I just went off birth control a month ago. Why is this significant? Birth control is my regulator, it lets me function like everyone else. I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian Syndrome--most common form of infertility in the world). It generally means my hormones are messed up, and it is most commonly treated with birth control pills. But, you can't conceive a baby on birth control (or not very likely).
Everytime I go off the pill, I gain 10 lbs. True to form, I've gained 10 lbs. I feel sick about it. I'm waaaaayyy too big to start with. I definitely don't need another 10 lbs hanging on these hips. It's really difficult for me to lose weight. It never works like the equation "they" say it is. You know the equation: fewer calories consumed + exercise = weight loss. Yeah right. No problem. It's all that simple. That equation works (or else nobody would every lose weight), but it doesn't always work for me. I don't know what's going on with my body.
Aunt Flo is getting ready to visit and I'm hoping that's why I haven't lost any weight. I hope I lose some weight this next week or my motivation is going to start sagging. We'll see how it goes.
Ok, I've got to log off and go see Bob. Dang Bob.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Monday, December 1, 2008
Shaking with Anger over Medical Incompetence
Evan had another minor reaction today and it was fairly clear that it was due to eating rice. I called the doctor's office and they called back later today and told me to take Evan to the lab for bloodwork again.
The last food allergy panel had failed to test for a rice allergy so this time the doctor was going to specifically list each food he wanted tested.I arrived at the Diagnostic Labs of OK on Yale and 68th street at 3:45 p.m.
It was a HORRIBLE experience! I am sooooo angry right now that I'm still shaking and it's been over 3 hours! When I checked in, the two lab associates were talking to a woman about her lovely coat. They talked about coupons, and shopping, and Christmas presents. After a good while (about 15-20 minutes), they got to me. I went into the senior associate's office while she filled out Evan's paperwork. At this point, it was 4:28 p.m. Anyway, she complained over and over and over again that this was too much work to get done before 5 p.m.
She didn't understand why the doctor had listed each test separately.After much complaining, she finally started entering it into the computer. She couldn't do it. First, she couldn't figure out why the doctor had written the tests on a script pad. OMG! She made a copy of it and gave it to me to take the pharmacy!!! It only had the test written on it---NOT a prescription. I tried to explain that he probably just wrote on it b/c it was handy but she failed to comprehend what I was saying.
She also could not figure out the dr's fax number even though they had faxed the request over. I had to get up, walk over to her desk, and show her that the fax number was at the top of the page! It gets sooo much worse.
The doctor had requested 17 tests. Yes, I know that's a lot, but Evan has been really sick and we need to find out what is causing it. She made me call the doctor's office and get the ICD 9 code to process the billing or else she refused to do the bloodwork. I called and got the code immediately.
She could not figure out the CPT codes for processing so she called the associate branch that helps them with codes. Neither the woman on the other line nor "VAL" could figure out the code for the corn allergy test.
This is what gets my goat...I'm so livid I could spit or punch or scream... She told the person on the other end, "It's ok if you can't find it, we just won't run it." OMG!!! You do not---NOT---randomly choose what to test and what not to test. YOu have to follow the doctor's orders!!!I obviously called her on it.
She got mad at me and shook her finger in my direction and made a sour face. When she got off the phone we had a "discussion." I told her she had to run the test and she had no right to change the doctor's orders. Her response was "Well, you already ran the test last week so we should't have to run it again." I'm blown away by her stupidity. She finally agreed to look for the code and she found it from last week's panel. It was under Maize/Corn. She could not pronounce Maize so she spelled it to me and asked me what it was. When I told her, she shook her head as though she didn't believe me and said, "I've never heard that word in my 50 years."
They took 4 vials of blood from my baby. If had not been so late we would have left and now I wish I had. She was TERRIBLE. She didn't even give me a receipt!!! I will be writing, calling, e-mailing her boss and the corporate office.
If no action is taken, I will be writing more letters, making more phone calls, and enlisting the help of every friend I have to make sure that this does not happen again. This could have been your kiddo. What if Evan's allergic to corn and they didn't run the panel???? What other tests has she failed to run b/c she couldn't figure out the code or b/c it was close to 5 p.m.? What would you do? If I am unable to make progress, will someone help me write letters and make phone calls? I am serious about this. I have to make an impact here. Her behavior is totally unacceptable and unprofessional. I will keep you updated. Thank you for letting me share.
The last food allergy panel had failed to test for a rice allergy so this time the doctor was going to specifically list each food he wanted tested.I arrived at the Diagnostic Labs of OK on Yale and 68th street at 3:45 p.m.
It was a HORRIBLE experience! I am sooooo angry right now that I'm still shaking and it's been over 3 hours! When I checked in, the two lab associates were talking to a woman about her lovely coat. They talked about coupons, and shopping, and Christmas presents. After a good while (about 15-20 minutes), they got to me. I went into the senior associate's office while she filled out Evan's paperwork. At this point, it was 4:28 p.m. Anyway, she complained over and over and over again that this was too much work to get done before 5 p.m.
She didn't understand why the doctor had listed each test separately.After much complaining, she finally started entering it into the computer. She couldn't do it. First, she couldn't figure out why the doctor had written the tests on a script pad. OMG! She made a copy of it and gave it to me to take the pharmacy!!! It only had the test written on it---NOT a prescription. I tried to explain that he probably just wrote on it b/c it was handy but she failed to comprehend what I was saying.
She also could not figure out the dr's fax number even though they had faxed the request over. I had to get up, walk over to her desk, and show her that the fax number was at the top of the page! It gets sooo much worse.
The doctor had requested 17 tests. Yes, I know that's a lot, but Evan has been really sick and we need to find out what is causing it. She made me call the doctor's office and get the ICD 9 code to process the billing or else she refused to do the bloodwork. I called and got the code immediately.
She could not figure out the CPT codes for processing so she called the associate branch that helps them with codes. Neither the woman on the other line nor "VAL" could figure out the code for the corn allergy test.
This is what gets my goat...I'm so livid I could spit or punch or scream... She told the person on the other end, "It's ok if you can't find it, we just won't run it." OMG!!! You do not---NOT---randomly choose what to test and what not to test. YOu have to follow the doctor's orders!!!I obviously called her on it.
She got mad at me and shook her finger in my direction and made a sour face. When she got off the phone we had a "discussion." I told her she had to run the test and she had no right to change the doctor's orders. Her response was "Well, you already ran the test last week so we should't have to run it again." I'm blown away by her stupidity. She finally agreed to look for the code and she found it from last week's panel. It was under Maize/Corn. She could not pronounce Maize so she spelled it to me and asked me what it was. When I told her, she shook her head as though she didn't believe me and said, "I've never heard that word in my 50 years."
They took 4 vials of blood from my baby. If had not been so late we would have left and now I wish I had. She was TERRIBLE. She didn't even give me a receipt!!! I will be writing, calling, e-mailing her boss and the corporate office.
If no action is taken, I will be writing more letters, making more phone calls, and enlisting the help of every friend I have to make sure that this does not happen again. This could have been your kiddo. What if Evan's allergic to corn and they didn't run the panel???? What other tests has she failed to run b/c she couldn't figure out the code or b/c it was close to 5 p.m.? What would you do? If I am unable to make progress, will someone help me write letters and make phone calls? I am serious about this. I have to make an impact here. Her behavior is totally unacceptable and unprofessional. I will keep you updated. Thank you for letting me share.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
My Poor Lil' Boy
Well my friends, my dear, sweet little boy is still sick. He's been sick for a month now. He started with teething woes back in the last week of October. He caught a virus, in part, because his immune system was low due to teething. The virus caused a high fever. After we thought we'd finished the virus, he got bronchitis. They prescribed amoxicillin for the bronchitis to help fight the infection in his lungs and help him breathe. On day 7 of a 10 day dose, Evan had a terrible allergic reaction to the amoxicillin. We were, of course, out of state. We had to go to St. Johns in Springfield, MO. They were not very helpful. They told us he was having a "classic" allergic reaction to amoxicillin and gave us a dose of benedryl. That's seriously all the did.
Evan was so swollen that his forehead overlapped his eyebrows! His hands and feet were swollen to 2 or 3 times their normal size. He was covered everywhere from head to toe with raised, red, ugly spots. On November 17, we went to a new pediatrician and he gave us a dose of steriods. By November 24 (1 week later), Evan's rash was nearly gone; however, on November 25th the rash was back in full force! This was an indicator that Evan either had a new allergic reaction or there was something else going on. We've tried several medicines to fight the swelling and pain and itching. Yesterday Evan was hysterical with itching...it was terrible.... I called the nurse line at the ped and left a message (I was nearly hysterical myself and I'm sure they could tell I was crying). Anyway, they were wonderful. The nurse called back in 10 minutes and the doctor called back to speak with me personally within another 10 minutes. They called in some new meds and they seem to help some. At least Evan can sleep a little now. He had been unable to sleep much because of the discomfort. He had large, dark bags under his eyes...so sad.
They've drawn blood a couple times. He does not have a virus right now. He does not have a food allergy. If he's still sick on Monday, the doctor is going to get him an appointment with a specialist. They may have to do a skin biopsy. I can't stomach the thought.
Dr. Raley thinks that this may be stemming from the virus Evan had at the beginning of November. He's seen it once before.
I'm trying everything to relieve some of Evan's discomfort, and sometimes it helps. I've used 1/2 a tub of vaseline in the last 10 days. The hives dry out his skin to the point it cracks if I don't keep it lathered in vaseline. I lather him up 2-4 times a day.
If you pray, please pray for my lil' Evan. If you don't pray, please give it a try. :-) I feel so helpless.
Evan was so swollen that his forehead overlapped his eyebrows! His hands and feet were swollen to 2 or 3 times their normal size. He was covered everywhere from head to toe with raised, red, ugly spots. On November 17, we went to a new pediatrician and he gave us a dose of steriods. By November 24 (1 week later), Evan's rash was nearly gone; however, on November 25th the rash was back in full force! This was an indicator that Evan either had a new allergic reaction or there was something else going on. We've tried several medicines to fight the swelling and pain and itching. Yesterday Evan was hysterical with itching...it was terrible.... I called the nurse line at the ped and left a message (I was nearly hysterical myself and I'm sure they could tell I was crying). Anyway, they were wonderful. The nurse called back in 10 minutes and the doctor called back to speak with me personally within another 10 minutes. They called in some new meds and they seem to help some. At least Evan can sleep a little now. He had been unable to sleep much because of the discomfort. He had large, dark bags under his eyes...so sad.
They've drawn blood a couple times. He does not have a virus right now. He does not have a food allergy. If he's still sick on Monday, the doctor is going to get him an appointment with a specialist. They may have to do a skin biopsy. I can't stomach the thought.
Dr. Raley thinks that this may be stemming from the virus Evan had at the beginning of November. He's seen it once before.
I'm trying everything to relieve some of Evan's discomfort, and sometimes it helps. I've used 1/2 a tub of vaseline in the last 10 days. The hives dry out his skin to the point it cracks if I don't keep it lathered in vaseline. I lather him up 2-4 times a day.
If you pray, please pray for my lil' Evan. If you don't pray, please give it a try. :-) I feel so helpless.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Mommy Considerations
It was a lovely day today. We went to the pumpkin patch and had a wonderful time. We just got home and Evan is jumping in his Johnny Jumper and talking, "Yiiiii, ya, ya, ya" and ect. I'm pleasantly tired and typing on the computer. Mom is out on the back step smoking a cigarette and enjoying the country noises of tree frogs and wind in the trees. Jarred, of course, is at work.
I haven't been feeling well. I'm crrrrrraaaaannnnkkkkyyy and exhausted. I'm stressed out. If you are sensitive abotu "girl talk," I would suggest you skip this paragraph. :-) I really thought I'd get my period this month. I lost a few pounds and ran (although I haven't felt like running for over 2 weeks--gotta remedy that soon). I thought for sure I felt the ovulation pain and I had all the signs of ovulation. I've got nothing. I'm craving milk (my body must be low on calcium) and I'm a grump. I'm fatigued. I know what you're going to say, "You're pregnant." Let me explain. It took over 2 years to get Evan, and he was an absolute miracle. I certainly don't want to get my hopes up again. Nonetheless, I took a pregnancy test today. It was one I had from last year when I found out I was preggo with Evan. There was only 1 stripe in the control window, which means it was negative; however, there was another stripe outside of the results window (two stripes equals preggo). I've never had this happen before and I should have stock in pregnancy test from all those years of trying to conceive. I need to take another one. I had a false negative with Evan. Women with PCOS often have low levels of HCG at the beginning, which is what the test measures to tell if you're pregnant or not. There are other alternatives. It could be allergies (I was sick for over 3 weeks straight.). It could be my body getting used to working again. It could also be that I'm diabetic; this is a great worry to me. I may take my sugar tomorrow morning with my mom's glucose machine and see if it's unnaturally high. I certainly hope it's not.
I have soooo many things I'm worrying about. Why don't I just turn them over to God? I need to just let go, but instead, I'm just dreading this "to do list" that never seems to get done. I'm stressed about money. Good grief, I'm not a very good example of a Christian if I'm worried about every little thing.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for a blessed day among friends and for mother visiting us to help with babysitting and to visit. Thank you Lord that Jarred still has his job even if it is only for the time being. Thank you for the hours I've gotten at Wright substitute teaching. Please Lord help us with our finanaces and give me additional skills in the kitchen so that we may eat well and not be tempted to eat out as much. Thank you Lord for the 4 years Jarred and I have been married and for the incredible son we have. Please dear Lord, watch over Jill and her husband as he searches for new employment. Please take care of Deedra as her due date approaches and many thanks for the reconciliation her and Kyle have had. Bless and watch over their little family. Let me keep my unwanted opinions to myself but offer advice only as it is needed with them (i.e. the bumper issue). Guide and protect Melissa and her family as they go through the foster process. I pray for Amy and her decision that you may guide her and give her the strength to do your will. We also pray for the health of the grandparents, Aunt Jean, and all those in need, Lord. We thank you for the bounty you have given us. I turn over my stresses to you and ask for your forgivness. I have judged when I should not have judged and I have worried when I should not have worried. Again, thank you Lord for all that you have given us.
Amen.
To any readers who stumble upon this post: I have taken to the habit of writing a little prayer. It's my way of holding myself accountable and openly acknowledging my faults, my needs, and my faith. I've never been very good at sharing my faith, and now I feel like I need to reach out more. It is not meant to offend anyone, only to uplift us all and praise the Lord.
I haven't been feeling well. I'm crrrrrraaaaannnnkkkkyyy and exhausted. I'm stressed out. If you are sensitive abotu "girl talk," I would suggest you skip this paragraph. :-) I really thought I'd get my period this month. I lost a few pounds and ran (although I haven't felt like running for over 2 weeks--gotta remedy that soon). I thought for sure I felt the ovulation pain and I had all the signs of ovulation. I've got nothing. I'm craving milk (my body must be low on calcium) and I'm a grump. I'm fatigued. I know what you're going to say, "You're pregnant." Let me explain. It took over 2 years to get Evan, and he was an absolute miracle. I certainly don't want to get my hopes up again. Nonetheless, I took a pregnancy test today. It was one I had from last year when I found out I was preggo with Evan. There was only 1 stripe in the control window, which means it was negative; however, there was another stripe outside of the results window (two stripes equals preggo). I've never had this happen before and I should have stock in pregnancy test from all those years of trying to conceive. I need to take another one. I had a false negative with Evan. Women with PCOS often have low levels of HCG at the beginning, which is what the test measures to tell if you're pregnant or not. There are other alternatives. It could be allergies (I was sick for over 3 weeks straight.). It could be my body getting used to working again. It could also be that I'm diabetic; this is a great worry to me. I may take my sugar tomorrow morning with my mom's glucose machine and see if it's unnaturally high. I certainly hope it's not.
I have soooo many things I'm worrying about. Why don't I just turn them over to God? I need to just let go, but instead, I'm just dreading this "to do list" that never seems to get done. I'm stressed about money. Good grief, I'm not a very good example of a Christian if I'm worried about every little thing.
Dear Lord,
Thank you for a blessed day among friends and for mother visiting us to help with babysitting and to visit. Thank you Lord that Jarred still has his job even if it is only for the time being. Thank you for the hours I've gotten at Wright substitute teaching. Please Lord help us with our finanaces and give me additional skills in the kitchen so that we may eat well and not be tempted to eat out as much. Thank you Lord for the 4 years Jarred and I have been married and for the incredible son we have. Please dear Lord, watch over Jill and her husband as he searches for new employment. Please take care of Deedra as her due date approaches and many thanks for the reconciliation her and Kyle have had. Bless and watch over their little family. Let me keep my unwanted opinions to myself but offer advice only as it is needed with them (i.e. the bumper issue). Guide and protect Melissa and her family as they go through the foster process. I pray for Amy and her decision that you may guide her and give her the strength to do your will. We also pray for the health of the grandparents, Aunt Jean, and all those in need, Lord. We thank you for the bounty you have given us. I turn over my stresses to you and ask for your forgivness. I have judged when I should not have judged and I have worried when I should not have worried. Again, thank you Lord for all that you have given us.
Amen.
To any readers who stumble upon this post: I have taken to the habit of writing a little prayer. It's my way of holding myself accountable and openly acknowledging my faults, my needs, and my faith. I've never been very good at sharing my faith, and now I feel like I need to reach out more. It is not meant to offend anyone, only to uplift us all and praise the Lord.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Media as Gate Keepers: Their Lack of Management Skills
In our highly electronic age, the media acts as a gate keeper to the information that we are allowed access. It pushes some topics on us, rather forcibly, and fails to cover others. What drives their decisions as to what makes headlines and what makes trash bins? Ratings. The more people who watch, read, or subscribe, the better off they are. This is absolute crap. There is no fair and accurate reporting anymore. Zippo!
They interrupted radio and television programming today to tell us that the stockmarket dipped...wait for it...wait...to 2004 lows!!!! They're calling this recession the next GREAT DEPRESSION. Yes, folks, this is not a great time for investments, for liquidity, or even for hedge funds. Yes, we have a legitimate fear about our future, but stop playing it up. Sometimes, if you focus on something too much, you overhype it. Sometimes, a sprained ankle is just a sprained ankle, not a break.
To make matters worse, this is an election year. It behooves the Presidential candidates to make out the economy to be worse than it actually is b/c it gives their ideas credence, as though their new policies will erase all poverty and fortify all markets. In the meantime, our world is responding to the fear projected from the tvs, from the radios, from the websites, and from the politicians. Groceries have went up, again. Gas is thankfully lower, but for how long? Some people are pulling their money out of banks. Fear is rampant. And this is after the "masterful" bailout plan that Congress passed; their legacy legislation as they called it.
Sigh. I used to be such a political junkie. Yes, I was a liberal. I wanted to save the world; yet, I had no power, few skills, and absolutely no money. Today, I'm a bit more conservative. I'm definitely into less gov't unless we absolutely need it. I don't affiliate myself with a party. I'm not advocating one side over the other; however, I am advocating that we become fiscally responsible as a people and as a nation. We need a gov't wide audit. That's right, I said the A word. We're spending money in stupid ways...wasting cash...creating more debt. Before you cut necessary programs, get rid of beauracratic rigamarole. Before we become any more socialist, please take stock of what we have and what it means.
I have been very concerned watching the news lately, as most of us have been. I was concerned when China announced they would no longer lend us money and then called for a worldwide currency. International markets are also taking a hit right now b/c we're all so interconnected. Does Revelation ring in anyone else's ears? It's always seemed so far off to me, but this is bringing it home to me. I'm not crazy or wild. I'm not going to go drink poisoned koolaid or go hole-up in some cave. I'm just concerned. If the end times are near, I'm unprepared. If they will take away our Bibles, I do not know enough scripture.
This is my venting board and I reserve the right to correct, add, or simply change my mind at anytime. :-) It is my perrogative. LOL
They interrupted radio and television programming today to tell us that the stockmarket dipped...wait for it...wait...to 2004 lows!!!! They're calling this recession the next GREAT DEPRESSION. Yes, folks, this is not a great time for investments, for liquidity, or even for hedge funds. Yes, we have a legitimate fear about our future, but stop playing it up. Sometimes, if you focus on something too much, you overhype it. Sometimes, a sprained ankle is just a sprained ankle, not a break.
To make matters worse, this is an election year. It behooves the Presidential candidates to make out the economy to be worse than it actually is b/c it gives their ideas credence, as though their new policies will erase all poverty and fortify all markets. In the meantime, our world is responding to the fear projected from the tvs, from the radios, from the websites, and from the politicians. Groceries have went up, again. Gas is thankfully lower, but for how long? Some people are pulling their money out of banks. Fear is rampant. And this is after the "masterful" bailout plan that Congress passed; their legacy legislation as they called it.
Sigh. I used to be such a political junkie. Yes, I was a liberal. I wanted to save the world; yet, I had no power, few skills, and absolutely no money. Today, I'm a bit more conservative. I'm definitely into less gov't unless we absolutely need it. I don't affiliate myself with a party. I'm not advocating one side over the other; however, I am advocating that we become fiscally responsible as a people and as a nation. We need a gov't wide audit. That's right, I said the A word. We're spending money in stupid ways...wasting cash...creating more debt. Before you cut necessary programs, get rid of beauracratic rigamarole. Before we become any more socialist, please take stock of what we have and what it means.
I have been very concerned watching the news lately, as most of us have been. I was concerned when China announced they would no longer lend us money and then called for a worldwide currency. International markets are also taking a hit right now b/c we're all so interconnected. Does Revelation ring in anyone else's ears? It's always seemed so far off to me, but this is bringing it home to me. I'm not crazy or wild. I'm not going to go drink poisoned koolaid or go hole-up in some cave. I'm just concerned. If the end times are near, I'm unprepared. If they will take away our Bibles, I do not know enough scripture.
This is my venting board and I reserve the right to correct, add, or simply change my mind at anytime. :-) It is my perrogative. LOL
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Pondering Today's Sermon
Time is of the essence so this will be short, but I want to get a few thoughts down on "paper" before they leave my mind.
Our sermon today revolved around Evangelizing Christ's message into the world in a way that is inviting and compassionate, not off-putting and overly righteous. It revolved around the idea of tears for the lost. We should care so much about our fellow brothers and sisters that we literally cry for their salvation. Our own salvation must first be in order. The pastor referred to Romans 9:1-3.
I read the rest of the chapter while he was talking. (this may not be something I should admit.) Anyway, I came across a few scriptures that are particularly pertinent for my life right now and I'd like to share them.
Romans 9:17 (This is the primary verse)
For the scripture says to Pharoah, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
Romans 9:20-24
But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, "why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory--including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
My little family has had several crises over the past year and we have endured through prayer and God's MERCY on us. Yesterday another crises loomed before us, one that seemed so shattering that it took our breath away. Yet, the Lord did make us to have a spirit of fear. We should not give in to the anxiety and worry that naturally rises from crisis. He has made us for a purpose and while he has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, we may be subjected to hardships in this life. He has designed us to bring Him glory and to proclaim His name. Whether we are ordinary or extraordinary, we are hear to serve.
Dear Lord,
I come to you in prayer asking for your forgivness. Please forgive me and my husband for our worry. Grant us your mercy and your wisdom. Guide our actions and our thoughts. Make us strong in your word. Grow us so that we may be of use to you. Should Jarred lose his job, Lord, provide for us. Should Jarred keep his job, Lord, guide us. Thank you heavenly Father for your grace and your continued Mercy. We are thankful for our health and our home and our family. Numerous are your blessings and we are thankful.
In Christ's name.
Amen
Our sermon today revolved around Evangelizing Christ's message into the world in a way that is inviting and compassionate, not off-putting and overly righteous. It revolved around the idea of tears for the lost. We should care so much about our fellow brothers and sisters that we literally cry for their salvation. Our own salvation must first be in order. The pastor referred to Romans 9:1-3.
I read the rest of the chapter while he was talking. (this may not be something I should admit.) Anyway, I came across a few scriptures that are particularly pertinent for my life right now and I'd like to share them.
Romans 9:17 (This is the primary verse)
For the scripture says to Pharoah, "I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."
Romans 9:20-24
But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, "why have you made me like this?" Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory--including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
My little family has had several crises over the past year and we have endured through prayer and God's MERCY on us. Yesterday another crises loomed before us, one that seemed so shattering that it took our breath away. Yet, the Lord did make us to have a spirit of fear. We should not give in to the anxiety and worry that naturally rises from crisis. He has made us for a purpose and while he has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, we may be subjected to hardships in this life. He has designed us to bring Him glory and to proclaim His name. Whether we are ordinary or extraordinary, we are hear to serve.
Dear Lord,
I come to you in prayer asking for your forgivness. Please forgive me and my husband for our worry. Grant us your mercy and your wisdom. Guide our actions and our thoughts. Make us strong in your word. Grow us so that we may be of use to you. Should Jarred lose his job, Lord, provide for us. Should Jarred keep his job, Lord, guide us. Thank you heavenly Father for your grace and your continued Mercy. We are thankful for our health and our home and our family. Numerous are your blessings and we are thankful.
In Christ's name.
Amen
Saturday, October 4, 2008
A little prayer
Dear Lord,
Please watch over us Lord in our time of need. Please help us survive this newest storm. Thank you for watching over us in previous months and seeing to our needs. Please grant us the courage and strength to survive another crisis.
Thank you for our health and for baby Evan. I give this latest worry over to you. Please give me the strength to be a good wife and not to worry so. Please give Jarred and his staff the ability to meet the new guidelines and keep their jobs. Guide us to know what to do.
Thank you Lord.
Amen
Please watch over us Lord in our time of need. Please help us survive this newest storm. Thank you for watching over us in previous months and seeing to our needs. Please grant us the courage and strength to survive another crisis.
Thank you for our health and for baby Evan. I give this latest worry over to you. Please give me the strength to be a good wife and not to worry so. Please give Jarred and his staff the ability to meet the new guidelines and keep their jobs. Guide us to know what to do.
Thank you Lord.
Amen
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