Dealing With Loss...

Here is another draft from 2019. I find it is still relevant, as several friends have been dealing with loss in recent months. There are also times when grief over the loss of a parent, other family member, or dear friend is triggered once again, even when it was years ago. The pain resurfaces and we feel it all over again. At those times, these same suggestions would be helpful to remember.

Originally Written: July 15, 2019 3:05 PM 

I wrote this in a comment to an acquaintance, who recently lost her father, in answer to her question, "What do you do to take care of yourself, to emotionally heal, during your roughest times?"

"I don't really have anything new to add to all these great suggestions. During loss, I kept pushing myself through the necessary tasks of life. I believe that was helpful, but it was also very important to have moments of allowing the grief to flow out of me through tears and time to get lost in the memories. I wrote about my feelings, I searched through photos and videos, I donated to charities in remembrance, I gave myself permission to take time to sit quietly and just let the feelings wash through me.

My belief is our loved ones are very present with us for a time, if we allow ourselves to connect. Even if a person doesn't believe in spirit connection, there is much to be said for the power of memory. Close your eyes and feel the memory of their smile, hugs, voice, the very essence of who they were to you. One of my favorite suggestions, in the earlier comments, is creating a special memory place in your Secret Garden. A corner for your dad, a place to sit and remember. Fill it with the joyful memories. Fill it with color. Let the tears release your pain, until they become tears of joy and laughter."

My Thought for Today...

Life sometimes gets rough. We're left wondering why, and we are often left without answers. Once in a while the answers are right there waiting to be found.

In the midst of suffering, a new revelation may appear; in the midst of pain, healing may be happening; in the midst of loss, hope can be found. Loving the word "midst" today! I'm looking for JOY, because if you seek it, you will find it in the most surprising places!

Wishing each of you a large measure of JOY today!

© 16Jan2016 ajj

Day 20 - Beginnings, Baby Gabriel

On August 28 of last year, Baby Gabriel arrived.  While still inside his mother, doctors discovered a challenge.  Gabe was diagnosed with HLHS, Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a severe congenital heart defect.  An additional challenge of Downs Syndrome was verified after his birth.

I don't want to go into all the details of little Gabe's life so far, but I'd love for you to meet his mom, Julia, at her blog.  It's called The Four Of Us.  I'd also love for you to meet his dad, Nick, at Gabriel's Hope.  They are two incredible people.  Gabriel is their second child.  He has a big brother, Judah.  Every day, Nick and Julia pour their love out over their two little guys.  They pray with them and over them.  They continue to have faith and hope as they walk this journey together.  It's a road that might seem impossible to some, but one they welcome, because it is the road they get to travel with their boys. 

If you have means to help financially, there are two donation links on my sidebar.  One is a fundraiser with items for sale.  The other is for direct donation.  Even more important, if you are a praying person, pray for this family.  Pray for God's hand of healing over this little one... little Gabriel. 

New Start to the New Year...

Well, I'm continuing to clean and purge.  I started going through all my boxes of Christmas decorations (and there are a lot) before, during, and now after the holidays.  I never realized just how much stuff I owned!  Shocking!  I hauled three huge boxes to the Idaho Youth Ranch, and have the ARC coming next week for more!  I've also set aside some things for St. Vincents.  I decided to spread around the donations since I have so much to pass on.

I have had an amazing start to this New Year.  I decided to participate in my church's annual "Daniel Fast".  I am on a modified version, but have given up Pepsi, pastries, most sugars other than fruit, butter (that's a hard one for me), chips, snack crackers... on and on!  I'm doing lean proteins, lots of vegetables, fruit, tea, and limited whole grains.  Also, I'm spending time each day reading along with the scriptures the Pastor selected for us.  It started with the fast, but we intend to continue reading our study Bibles, completing them by the end of the year.

The most important part of this experience was to set aside time to nurture my spirit.  I spend more prayer time, as well as the reading.  This isn't said as a "pat me on the back" because I'm being so devout.  It's just where I am right now.  I had been neglecting some areas of my spiritual life, so it was time for me to step up and make some changes.

It's like when I neglect areas of my home.  When the maintenance isn't done, things may just fall apart.   Life is hard enough when I remember to do my spiritual maintenance.  Why leave myself even more vulnerable?

For those of you following my MS... I am still not on any MS therapies, which makes my neurologist unhappy.  I am not at peace with the options they have given me.  I do believe in praying for healing, which I do.  I also have people who are constantly holding me in prayer.  I believe in praying for wisdom for my doctors and that's where I am right now.  Praying for their wisdom.  Praying for me to know what the next step is.  Praying that I could still have a miracle of healing.  It is all in God's hands, and that is the one thing I trust in completely! 

Blessings!
Nita Jo

CAT Scan Results

Well, they found a small tumor in the parathyroid.  Doctor feels it's benign, but wants me to see an ENT surgeon for evaluation.  We'll be deciding whether to "watch and wait" or "remove"...  I'm already leaning toward removal.  My appointment with the ENT is next Tuesday afternoon, so for those of you who pray... please remember me in your prayers.  For those who don't, just send your good thoughts my way.

I do believe prayer is our most powerful healing tool.  I also believe in the talents and knowledge God has given doctors. 

God alone knows the number of my days, and nothing can interfere with His plans for my life.  Don't get me wrong... I am asking and praying for complete healing... but my heart is at peace, because I know who holds me in the palm of His mighty hand.

Bright note!  My sis arrives tomorrow!  I'm so excited to see her!

Blessings,
Nita Jo

Joy In My Journey

I have been having a few "bad" days with my MS. I had the worst headache I can remember having. It started Friday, and continued to get worse on Saturday and Sunday. I had told one of my very best friends about it.

When she went to church Sunday morning, they asked for all who were suffering with headaches to come forward. Since I was not there, my dear friend went up in my place. The pastor prayed for healing for me and that I would hear a song in my heart. My friend just told me about this an hour ago. The following song by Michael Card has been going through my head since Sunday evening. I've been singing bits of it around the house and when driving my son to driver's ed.

Joy in the Journey
Michael Card

There is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way
There is a wonder and wildness to life
And freedom for those who obey

And all those who seek it shall find it
A pardon for all who believe

Hope for the hopeless

And sight for the blind

To all who've been born of the Spirit
And who share incarnation with Him
Who belong to eternity stranded in time
And weary of struggling with sin

Forget not the hope that's before you
And never stop counting the cost
Remember the hopelessness
When you were lost

Cause there is a joy in the journey
There's a light we can love on the way

There is a wonder and wildness to life

And freedom for those who obey
And freedom for those who obey

I love the music and the lyrics of this song! Oh, and my headache was easing off at noon and was gone by about 2:30 Sunday afternoon. This is what keeps me believing in the power of prayer. I didn't know I had been prayed for, but I know the results. I've been struggling with these terrible headaches off and on for the past three months. They last anywhere from 3 days to a week. They are resistant to pain medication, and they had gotten progressively worse. Saturday the pain was well beyond the "10" in the "rate your pain from 1 to 10, 10 being the worst you have ever had" and I didn't know what else I could do... then somebody prayed.

So, today I put myself on our prayer chain for the other things that are happening in my body. I try very hard not to complain (though I do now and then... being human and all!) so I had not shared everything that's been going on. My left arm went numb a few weeks ago, and this week the numbness spread to the left side of my torso. What's strange is the skin is numb, but there is still muscle and bone pain underneath. My muscle spasms in my legs and back have returned, so I have been forced to use a cane to get around again.

Even with all this, I know I am so much better off than many people around the world. I have a loving family who takes care of me when it's needed, I have excellent insurance and health care, I have a church family that prays for me when I ask, and I have a Heavenly Father that answers prayer... sometimes with a miracle. My head is pain free today, and my heart is grateful that I can always find joy in my journey.