I wanted to share with you about a webcast coming out.  On September 6th at 8:00 Est time there will be a webcast called "Say Yes to God".  It will be with author Lysa Terkeurst and Ann Voskamp.  Ann Voskamp is the author of One Thousand Gifts.  I've only read snippets of the book.  I'm on a waiting list at the library.  It looks like a really good, though provoking book.  Sign up at www.lysaterkeurst.com.

Ever Feel Discouraged?

My doctor put me on a gluten free diet a month ago hoping it would ease some of my fibromyalgia symptoms.  So far not only have I not felt better, I feel worse!  She wants me to stay on it for another two months.   She did say it could make me feel worse at first.  I'm thinking though that after a month I should at least not be feeling worse.  Most of the people I've read about or talked to didn't have this problem when going on a gluten free diet.

I'm trying to have a positive attitude, but it's hard to stay away from your favorite foods when you are not seeing results.  I'm thinking maybe there is gluten in my meds that I'm not aware of.  I'm not sure.  I'm going to hang in there and pray for God to help me get through another two months.   Is anyone else on a gluten free diet and not seen results quickly?  I'd love to hear from you.

JOY IN THE SMALL THINGS

I got the chance to volunteer at a nursing home yesterday with my kids.  Something I hadn't done since I was a teenager myself.  My small group at church has been putting together service projects that we can do with our children.  I think it's a great idea.  It's always bothered me that I am not always able to volunteer in the ways I would like.

We helped them play bingo. Something so simple, but turned into something so meaningful.  I was so moved by the way my kids helped out.  They were not thrilled about going, but I gave them no choice.  They do not have any experience being around the elderly.  I knew they were a little nervous.  I told them just to smile, talk in a loud voice and look into their eyes.  A lady asked my son to wheel her back to her room.  It made me so happy to see them in this new environment.  It also gave me a chance not to think of my aches and pains as much.  I hope we get to do it again.

Changes Are Coming

I can't believe another year of school is right around the corner.  My kids start September 7th.  The summer always speeds by way to fast.  I think it's because I never want it to end.  There are no homework deadlines, no early morning wake up calls, no tight schedules.  My daughter will be going into tenth grade.  Where does the time go?  My son will be entering seventh grade and will be in a new building.  He is feeling uneasy about the whole thing. 


I am in the process of looking for a new part time job.  I'm feeling uneasy about that.  Will I find the right thing?  Will the hours work for me?  Will I have enough stamina?  I am looking for a preschool job.  That is what I'm good at.  I'm also trying to grow my tutoring business.  What I'd like to do eventually is only do the tutoring and be able to make my own schedule.  That would be wonderful.  I'm also getting back to blogging.  I have another blog that can be found at www.fruitfulhome.blogspot.com.  It is about making money from home and saving money.  I don't know where it will take me.  I don't always like living with the unknown.  There are so many of them.  Actually our whole life is an unknown to some degree.  Only God know where certain things will take us.  we just have to trust Him and go along for the ride!  What are some changes you see coming up for the new school year?

Dealing With Frustrations in the Midst of Blessings

I just spent the past week at my mom's house in Michigan.  The kids came with me.  I had been wanting to do that for a long time, but always had to wait until my husband was able to come with us.  It is hard for me to drive that long.  It bothered me that my mom usually had to make the drive to our house in order to visit with us.  Megabus has been a real blessing.  It gives me a little bit of freedom.  I do not like having to rely on other people. 

We had a wonderful time there.  My mother was so thrilled that we were able to come.  We took the kids swimming at a local recreation center.  It was an incredible pool, with a huge water slide, three whirl pools and rafts that you could float on.  It was fun for the kids, and relaxing for me.  We also went to the art museum, huge outlet mall, and the Henry Ford Museum. 

I wasn't feeling that great the week I was there.  I did make sure to pace myself and rest when we got home.  I'm not sure why I'm feeling worse than normal.  I've been feeling light headed and overly tired than usual.  My doctor did say there was a chance the gluten free diet I'm on may make me feel worse at first.  I'm not convinced yet that that is the problem.  There are so many things I want to do, but just can't always keep up.  I wonder if there will ever come a time when that does not frustrate me.  How do you deal with frustrations from chronic illness?

I'm getting to ready to visit my mom in Michigan.  My two kids and I are actually riding the Megabus.  You can get tickets as low as $1 a person depending on how far in advance you book your trip.  I decided to take the bus because it's hard for me to drive long distances.  It's also a lot less money. 

I was a little concerned about the trip because I was just recently diagnosed with Factor V Leiden.  It just means I'm more susceptible to blog clots.  I knew I wouldn't be able to get up and walk around.   I'll be on the bus for almost six hours.  The doctor said I have to give myself an injection of a low dose of blood thinner on the day I leave and the day I get back.  At least I won't be worried about sitting for so long now.  I'm hoping I feel better  when I get to my mom's.  I've been in a lot more pain this week and feeling real tired.  I did get to go to my chiropractor yesterday and had a massage.  I always feel better after a massage.  I just wish it would last longer than a day.  I know I am one of the lucky ones that can afford a massage.  My husband actually got me a year's membership for Christmas.  What are some of the ways you make yourself feel temporarily better when dealing with your chronic illness?