dashing through the snow...

Whew. The day set aside for the world to celebrate Christ's birth is less than 25 hours away. I feel like every day should be a celebration of what God has done for us-how He has saved us. It is nice that there is a special day although I am saddened by the commercialization of the day and how the world attempts to profit from anything and everything.

Sunday Gene preached on 'Why Celebrate?' It was wonderful to hear again that God created us for worship. We are supposed to be full of joy. I often am self conscious about my loud laughter... and the fact that I laugh very often.  I never thought about how we as Christians turn ordinary things into the sacred.  I have thought to myself that there is more in common between Christians and non-Christians than most Christians would like to admit (though I never understood why because we are all human).  The joy we experience from knowing God rather than the circumstances we face.  To know that He is only working for our good, to bless us, that He has saved us & given us eternal life!-this is what sets us apart.  

We can rejoice even in the suffering.  We can rejoice even when we're far away from everything we know.  We rejoice even though the world around us is fighting us at every turn, even when we are constantly attacked by the enemy's lies.  Although our bodies are falling apart, our spirits are captive of the Holy Spirit.  What grand news!

I am 'fighting for joy' in every day life as John Piper says.  I cannot do it on my own.  I need You.  Thank You for giving me everything.  For blessing my life.  Thank You for saving me.  I am so grateful, I cannot express in words what You mean to me.

- run for life

like sand through your fingers

How quickly money goes even when you're trying to be frugal. My physical therapist told me to buy new running shoes since I already have over 350 miles on both of my old pairs that I got in April and the bottoms are worn out oddly from my messed up muscles. He wants me to re-train myself to run and strengthen my right leg so it will match my left. I just dropped $120 on two new pairs of supernovas. I'm hoping that the switch from responses will help a little bit. I've been told supernovas have more control than response. If not, then I will switch back after these shoes are done (apparently it only takes 6 months or so for me to wear two pairs out at a time). At this rate, I'll be spending tons of money on shoes.

I registered for my class in the winter. I chose the only 3 credit option since I'm still paying 100% out of pocket for grad school. Another $1500 towards school. Maybe one day I'll get ahead in my spending. Right now with school I'm still trying to play catch up. I need to fill out the applications and paperwork to submit so that I can get reimbursed for my classes when I am eligible to get reimbursement (after I've been with Aramark for 6 months).  Good thing I'm not too concerned about 'storing earthly treasures up' huh?

I met with Steve today about membership. I asked my questions and went over my application with him. The answers were what I was expecting so it wasn't a big surprise.

God is amazing. I am astounded as I look back on this past year, but I will save all of my thoughts for my end of the year post. I put my trust in You. I follow Your footsteps and You guide my path. I often fail Lord, but You are there to pick me up and lead me on. Thank You.

- run for life

physically ill..again

This weekend was rough.  I am a food lover and I was only able to keep down 6 crackers and a yogurt drink on Saturday (the yogurt was really hard to hold, apparently dairy isn't so great for you when you're nauseated).  Saturday I did my homework, went to work, and then to the CG Christmas party.  It would have been much more enjoyable if I could have eaten.  I knew I shouldn't have gone.  Honestly, part of me wanted to be a kid again and have a 'mom' to tell me what to take and what to eat when I'm sick.  Weird, I know.  I haven't had that for over 7 years now.

I woke up Sunday with a pounding headache, still feeling fatigued, queasy and overall quite ill.  I fell back asleep, drank about a 1/2 cup of chicken noodle soup Kelly brought up for me, ate some crackers, and got up to go to work.  I didn't even try to eat again until after I was done.  I ate a bag of Ruffles (with ridges of course).  Luckily that stayed down and I got home and went to sleep.

This morning I felt a little better but I woke up with a start at 9AM.  My alarm had been set for earlier... I guess I just slept straight through it.  I was lucky that my outpatient wasn't scheduled until 10AM so I got there just as they did (9:35AM).  I still have a headache but today I was able to eat some spaghetti O's and ice cream after work.  I had a little broth at work, but nothing else.  I worked straight through lunch so I wouldn't have to stay as late (and I felt nauseous anyway).

I'm praying (and taking more cold medicine) that I will get better soon.  It feels like someone is squeezing my head right now and punching me in the lungs.  It was really hard to breathe the last two nights.  I had to use my inhaler it was so hard to breathe (good thing I have health insurance and got one!).  I hope my body feels better soon.  It's hard to concentrate or get anything done when you are preoccupied with not vomiting the contents of your stomach (even if it's only HCl and other gastric juices).

Through all the physical aliments, it's important as my friend Dave wrote to me "sickness cannot break your spirit because your joy in the Lord cannot be broken!  You will rejoice even in sickness!"  Kelly reminded me of 2 Cor 1 "We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even our life.  Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.  On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers."  At least that's what I got from it... ha ha.  I'm still congested and groggy/sick.  I think that's what she was reading from, but I'm not quite sure.

Just because our physical bodies are ill-our spiritual lives do not need to be!  Our minds can be as sharp as ever and our sword ready to attack our enemies.  They can use the illnesses and pain to poke at your weaknesses and try to undermine the truth.  Continue fighting the good fight, focus on Him, and press on friends.

- run for life