Another Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and it has been a time of rejoicing for my family. The last time I updated you I had leg pain they believed were stress fractures, and a useless right hand. I had an MRI and it came back that my bones are healthy. No stress fractures! That means no wheelchair! How thankful and excited we were and are for that news!
So what is it? The guess is lyme build-up attacking certain parts of my legs. So I get to start physical therapy to help break up that build-up. I haven't started yet but I am excited, my prayer all along was that I would be able to start physical therapy in Spring 2013, I thought I was as far aways as I could be from starting it. Yet again I see how the Lord knows so much more than me or any of my doctors.
I read this verse the other day,
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." ~Isaiah 55:8-9
This verse reminded yet again of how much God is in control, especially when things are going far different than I had imagined. I see and understand so little, but God sees and understands all things. How thankful I am for His guidance, even if I drag my feet at times. A fun fact: I can already walk farther and have much less leg pain than before and I can wear normal shoes! I am no longer limited to cushioned shoes :)
The week before Christmas I went in for jaw surgery, I had an infection from a wisdom tooth surgery in High School. It was spur of the moment, but not at the same time. We found the infection the same time I got a positive lyme test, so we decided to wait till I was a bit stronger to do the surgery. So we decided it was now or never, not really but if it wasn't this Christmas it wouldn't be for another year. So we went ahead with it, and how thankful I am that we did!
Every tooth we have is associated with different aspects of our body, (Use this link to see the tooth site chart) I had surgery on site C17 which happens to correlate with the ulnar nerve, the nerve that has gone bad in my hands. Since surgery I have begun writing with my right hand, with very minimal pain, and I have been wearing my brace far less. I firmly believe the infection was having an impact on my ulnar nerve. How thankful I am to be able to use my right hand again! The pain is not all gone but it is far, far better than before. My ring finger is even getting a bit more mobile, I can almost lay my hand flat on a table now! Before my ring finger would stick and not straighten very far. Another reason our family was rejoicing this Christmas season.
One update that is not joy filled news is that Dr P. is giving up Iowa territory, he is no longer able to afford the court costs. His court session is in early February and to my limited knowledge he will be begin full time in Illinois shortly after. Please be praying for him as this time has been and will continue to be difficult for him.
We just ended the season of rejoicing in Christ's birth and I would like to share a verse with you...
"He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, and He lifted them and carried them all the days of old." ~Isaiah 63:8b-9
Do you ever feel lonely? Do you ever feel that people do not understand? Or that life is too hard? I beg you to look elsewhere for life. Christmas is a time of celebrating the birth of Christ. Do you understand that He came to this world knowing that He would be rejected, ignored, beaten, and killed. He came to earth because His love for us is far greater than anything He knew He would suffer. He desired a way that we may have a relationship with Him, and the only answer to that was Himself, He became the sacrifice to bridge the gap between this world and Himself.
One thing the Lord has revealed to me this Christmas season is that my whole life, this whole world is pointless if we do not know Christ. He alone is the only thing worth knowing. I pray you too will come to this understanding and choose to rely upon the one who loves you so dearly that He died, simply that you may know Him and be with Him for eternity. It is my prayer that we do not get stuck in the small details or trial of life but always keep our eyes on Christ, the only one who will never disappoint. May we always rejoice in this truth.
Prayer Requests:
*That I would continue to improve and get stronger every day, that I would be healthy enough to student teach in the fall
*For Dr. P, peace during this time and wisdom to know what to do next
*That all of us would realize the impact of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection on a daily basis, and seek an intimate, and personal relationship with Him
