More to This Life

Its amazing how your perspectives can change. Where I once was worried about what I weighed, what I wore, what others thought of me...I don't want to step on any toes, so you fill in the blank. Those things are so petty now...first world problems, as a devotional I read the other day called them. 

Now I am concerned with navigating the wheelchair or walker well enough to stay alone with my son, the tremors stopping enough to be able to crawl, I'm trying acupuncture, essential oils, yoga..Im very different than the Lisa 9 months ago. 

I have a new appreciation for life. I don't have time for all the petty stuff...there are bigger fish to fry. The things that once would have gotten me frazzled...not so much.  There is more to this life. 

A Bible Verse and a Devotional

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:18

And an excerpt from Girlfriends In God...   "Some people tend to believe that peace is simply the absence of problems, valleys and trials. Not so! Peace is a calm confidence that the Lord of the mountains is still on the throne - no matter how deep the valley may be. Peace recognizes Jesus walking on the water as He calms the crashing waves and stills the howling winds in your life. Trials become opportunities to trust God when peace reigns in a heart. That kind of peace can only be found in God."

Eyes and Glory

Well...there is still double vision...but it's better...so I really can't complain. This devotion seemed very fitting. From Girlfriends in God...

"The Israelites were saved, and Pharaoh’s army was destroyed - all under the watchful eyes of the LORD. God wanted to be glorified through a seemingly impossible situation. He wants to be glorified through the difficult situations that you face, too. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31) When we stand with Christ, we stand with power. What Red Sea are you facing? Nothing is impossible with God. When you set aside your doubts and call on the name of the LORD, you can face the waters of your circumstances with a strong confidence, knowing that God is able and willing to do great things in and through you. Continue to follow the pillars of cloud and of fire of God's leading. You have a chance to bring God the glory of which He is so deserving!"

More Eye Surgery

I'm actually quite excited. I have eye surgery again this Friday.  Please pray that this procedure completely corrects the double vision and gets me back in contacts!! 

To Bring Him Glory

I've been thinking,...parenting is hard. Parenting a child adopted as a toddler is even harder. Parenting a child adopted as a toddler while being in a wheelchair, limited use of my right side and everything shaky is harder still. I say that not to throw myself a pity party, I say it because even in the midst of that I can still be joyful.

How? Because God created each of us with a different plan. We've been talking in SS about Job. How he was allowed to go through trials to bring God glory. We were each created not for our own comfort, but to simply bring Him glory. He has different plans for each of us, but the same purpose, to bring Him glory.

That brings me peace because I know I am just where He wants me.

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Sovereign Over Us by Aaron Keyes

A reader sent this song to me...

Sovereign Over Us by Aaron  Keyes

There is strength within the sorrow, 

There is beauty in our tears 

You meet us in our mourning, 

With a love that casts out fear 

You are working in our waiting, 

Sanctifying us 

When beyond our understanding, 

You're teaching us to trust 

CHORUS 

Your plans are still to prosper, 

You have not forgotten us 

You're with us in the fire and the flood 

Faithful forever, 

Perfect in love 

You are sovereign over us 

You are wisdom unimagined, 

Who could understand your ways 

Reigning high above the heavens, 

Reaching down in endless grace 

You're the Lifter of the lowly, 

Compassionate and kind 

You surround and You uphold me, 

Your promises are my delight 

Even what the enemy means for evil 

You turn it for our good, 

You turn it for our good and for your glory 

Even in the valley You are faithful 

You're working for our good, 

You're working for our good and for your glory

Update...

I have started (within the last couple of months) to have terrible muscle spasms on my right side, especially in my arm. Over the course of many months I have tried four medications, many of which have pretty serious side effects, with no luck. Muscle spasms/tremors remain.

We went to see a new neurologist today, just for another opinion (because the other neurologist basically said we were out of options) and, while being shocked at my medical records, at least gave us some hope in a new medication.

Please join me in prayer that this new medication will work and that there won't be any side effects!! I am so sick of shaking...it effects my balance, coordination...I punch people all the time :) ...I'm just so tired of it (to put it mildly). Thanks ahead of time for the prayers!!

And again, just because I can...

"Even If"

I write this not to say that I won't heal...who knows what the future holds...but even in the midst of the suffering I will still worship Him for who He is.

"Even If" by Kutless

Sometimes all we have to hold on to
Is what we know is true of who You are
So when the heartache hits like a hurricane
That could never change who You are
And we trust in who You are

Even if the healing doesn't come
And life falls apart
And dreams are still undone
You are God You are good
Forever faithful One
Even if the healing
Even if the healing doesn't come

Lord we know your ways are not our ways
So we set our faith in who You are
Even though You reign high above us
You tenderly love us
We know Your heart
And we rest in who You are

You're still the Great and Mighty One
We trust You always
You're working all things for our good
We'll sing your praise

You are God and we will bless You
As the Good and Faithful One
You are God and we will bless You
Even if the healing doesn't come
Even if the healing doesn't come

My "First" Mother's Day

Mother's Day...bittersweet...

While it is my first with my child in my arms, it really isn't my first. Last year we had already accepted a referral and were almost on our way to meet our son and the year before that I was pregnant. This year, my baby is in my arms, but that doesn't take away the pain.

I ache for those women that aren't yet mothers but desire to be. I ache for those women that have lost babies. I ache for those women that have lost mothers, grandmothers, etc. I ache for those women who have placed their children for adoption. I ache for those women that don't have good relationships with their mothers. I ache for the children that don't have mother to celebrate with.

Please remember that it is not a joyous day for everyone. Please be careful with your comments. You never know what people may be experiencing.

Eye Surgery Update

Delayed update...eye surgery went well. I still have double vision, but it's much better (the images used to be diagonal and now they are vertical and much closer together). Side note: The doctor even came and prayed with us before surgery. Very impressive, and what a blessing! Therapy at the new place is going well. I finally start OT tomorrow, so now I will be back to doing all three disciplines each week (physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy). On a happy note, we just booked the condo for Elijah's first trip to the beach in July. We bought him the cutest swimsuit tonight! That's all for now, it's bedtime.