Monday, August 28, 2006

Must-Reads!

Nothing I have going on or have to say can top these amazing God Moment stories I have come across the past few days. Get the Kleenex ready and be prepared for some major goosebumps!

Now GO! And be blessed by these incredible stories!!

Monday, August 14, 2006

Ode to G-Nelly

***WARNING! WARNING!
Sappy post ahead!!!***


In my life I have been blessed with many friends. My oldest friend, Tiffani, for instance, has been one of my best friends since the 7th grade. We still talk often and giggle over the phone just like we were still in middle school. She was there for most of my life's tragedies and turmoil. *I miss you, Tiff!

My husband says he can always tell who I'm talking to on the phone because I have a special "voice" for all of my friends and some of my family. (Please tell me I'm not the only one who does that!)

My best friend, GiNelle, is no exception. We are two peas in a pod, The Troublesome Twosome, kindred spirits, sisters by choice - you name it.

We met over 10 years ago when we worked at the same restaurant waiting tables and we've been inseparable since. Her family treats me like part of the family and mine does the same with her. In fact, I can go as far as saying my family treats her much nicer than they treat me when we're all together. But I'm not bitter. :o)

We have made road trips together that put Thelma and Louise to shame. Seriously. Every outing ended up being some outlandish story. Every outing...even trips to the store. We have been through horrible boyfriends, crappy jobs, getting married, and starting families.

GiNelle and I are life-long friends that will still be giggling and acting juvenile when we're wrinkly and old (NOT grey - that's why God created hair color, Y'all!). I am so thankful for all of the memories we have made over the years and I can't wait to make more over the years to come.

I just wanted to exploit my blog space for a little ode to my dear, sweet friend and tell her how much I love her and how much she means to me. Thanks for enduring the sappy post. I promise I'll be back to my snarky, sarcastic self in the next go-round. ;o)

Love you, Girl!

*How adorable is she?! Pregnant with boy #3! YIPES!

Friday, August 11, 2006

Health Update

Several people through both the blogging world and real world have graciously reminded me that I'm a huge slacker and I haven't given y'all any updates on my health issues in quite some time. As embarrassing as it feels, I have lots of news that should have been shouted at the top of my lungs for weeks now, but I've dropped the ball because I let summer activities and day-to-day busyness take precedence over my blogging in the past few months.

So here I am to bring you all up to speed and poor out my very humble THANKS for all of your prayers. I am so truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing, faithful friends and I could NOT have made it through this without each of you.

On April 18th I was out running errands with our youngest son, Kale, and had to be rushed to the hospital with what we later found to be Complex Partial Seizures (a form of Epilepsy). Through several medications, a new Neurologist, another week-long stay at a different hospital for observation, and many, many debilitating seizures to follow, I began to pray some very bold prayers. Every time I picked up my bible, every time I sought wise counsel, I was being led to specific scriptures that gave me no choice but to KNOW that God was telling me something (something that many people may think crazy and foolish, but, frankly, I don't care how foolish they think I am. I know when God is telling me something and who am I to ignore it?). He was telling me "I've got it under control, Chica. Lay off the mind-numbing stupid pills and let me handle it." So I did. I started praying to Him thanking Him in advance for healing me and believing it like it had already been done.

These are the scriptures I have been meditating on and praying over:

Jonah 2:2-10 In this passage, he is in the belly of a whale, y'all (or in my case, in the middle of dealing with a life-altering illness) , yet he is thanking God for saving him from it. Thanking him as if it has already been done. And, well, you already know the outcome.

Matthew 21:21-22 21Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (emphasis mine) Hey, when Jesus says "I tell you the truth." and "If you believe, you will receive it" then you can just consider me a straight up believer, Baby!

1 Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. (emphasis mine)

May 28th was my last seizure. On June 5th I went to my last doctors appointment. He prescribed me a third try at medication but I never even filled it. I had a burning in the pit of my stomach that told me I was not to fill that prescription. I have been off of medication since that doctors visit. And since then I have not suffered from ANY MORE SEIZURES! Did you read that? No medicine and no seizures my friends! For 10 weeks and counting!!!! And I feel perfect!

So for all of my fabulous friends who committed to praying for me, who took the time out of their busy lives to visit me in the hospital, bring me cool presents, make meals, take care of my kids, tote me around, and just flat out be there for me, I'm sending you a big, huge smacker! MMMMMMMWAH! Your prayers have been felt and, more importantly, they have been ANSWERED!!!

So spread the news: God is GREAT and it is only through Him that this has been done.