Hope for the Weary Mom - Chapter 9

9. When the World Presses In

I am not going to go very in depth on this chapter, since deep hurt and loss have not hit my life yet. I have had people close to me die, but I have not had anyone in my immediate family pass. I give my sincere condolences to those have.

During the hardest of times please remember that God does walk away from us we walk away from God, but all we have to do is turn around and He will be there waiting.

Her are some tips for preparing for and getting through when the world presses in on you.

1. Build your foundation now 

-Build your life on the rock and on the word of God. 

-Don't wait for tomorrow to give your life to God, build an intimate relationship with God.

-Build, Build, Build

-Find a church and surround yourself with people that have a strong relationship with God. 

-Find time everyday to pray and read the word

-Say "Yes" to God, commit to obey His word.

2. Try hard not to walk through life alone

-Meet your neighbors

-Join one of the groups at your church

-Stay close to your family

-Invest in relationships with others outside your household

3. Keep talking to God

-Tell God how you feel

-God is big enough to handle all our feelings, so let him have it all

4. Refuse to let go of hope

"There is life beyond the tragedy It's hard to see that or accept it when you're tight in the middle." - Tracey Hope for the Weary Mom

Tomorrow is the last chapter of this study so make sure to check in tomorrow for that and info on what I'm reading next.

MS Update

Well its been a week since I started Copaxone. I was so scared of the idea of injecting myself before I started I was sure that I was going to break down that first time, but I didn't. I have yet to break down about any of it...do you think I am in DENIAL?

The injections are going perfectly, no problems yet. It really doesn't hurt as much as you would think, the needle is so small and its all over in a few seconds. It will take time for it to help, and I know that there are sure to be bumpy roads ahead, since MS is one of the most unpredictable diseases...there are no road maps.

For those of you reading this that have MS and take Copaxone what were/are your side effects? I have been feeling sleepless, a little more tired than normal, and some nausea (but it could be nerves and the stresses of trying to buy a house, which prepare yourself you will be hearing alot more about in the weeks to come.)

It's strange to reach out to complete strangers and I now have something in common with because I have MS.

"Friendship is born at that moment 

when one person says to another

 'What! You too?' I thought I was the only one."

 ~ C.S. Lewis

A Whirlwind

The past 2 weeks have been a whirlwind of medical information, trying to purchase a house, feeling like crap / being in pain, kids getting into trouble and kids getting sick. Today I am nearing my wits end...I am exhausted and just don't feel good. And I don't want to deal with house offers, missing meds, and my youngest' nasty cough.

I really want to climb in the bath and then crawl into bed and stay there for the next few days. But there is no possible way that I can do that, the bath ok maybe. But I'm a mom and a wife I have things to get done and my family to take care of, I can't just check out. Today I'm just praying for my daughter to feel better and not have her third double ear infection in two months, and for my oldest who is making really bad choices and getting into trouble to have a new beginning. It's funny how when I feel like throwing in the towel my prayers are always for others to get better or be better. Maybe I need to turn my prayer attention to myself...

God -

Please hold my hand and keep me in your comforting arms. Help through feeling bad and through the pain. Speak to my heart on buying a house. Help me to stay strong in body and spirit through dealing with RRMS. Thank you for keeping my family safe and for the many blessing we receive. Without your love and guidance we would be wondering in the dark.

Please help Shay away from the friends that are leading her astray. Help her make good choices and be the bright happy kid she should be. Please give her a crossroads and guide her down a path where she wont have regrets and heartache. Remind her of your love and that her family loves her, we only want great things for her.

Amen

MS Update

I feel really bad about not posting on a regular basis and not having a current devotion / study going. But with Dr. appointments and trying to do all the research I can on MS and medications, I just haven't had the time to sit with my bible and then with my blog.

I went to the Dr. on Tuesday and went with a long list of questions. My doctor was great he answered each question and explained everything. I have Relapsing and Remitting MS (RRMS) this is the best to have compared to Progressive MS. The thing that worries me the most is my doctor said that I have a well established case, meaning I have alot of lesions (also called plaques) which are areas of scare tissue. I have them from my brain down my spinal column to the T10 - T11 area (mid back).

"Treatment needs to be started NOW." thats what my doctor said. He is worried that if I don't start treatment it would be detrimental. And starting now will slow the disease and my symptoms....balance issues, memory / brain fog, tingling and burning from the waist down, itching, etc.

After talking about 8 different medications we decided that we would start with the medication that has the longest / best track record and has the least amount of side effects (this can differ greatly from patient to patient) Copaxone. It has to be injected 3 times a week and it is a pre-loaded pen similar to an Epipen. I wont start the injects for about 2 weeks, they have to be mailed to me and then a nurse has to come out and show me how to inject.

The thing I am worried about the most is the possible side effects, fatigue, nausea, body aches, and weight gain. I am a stay at home mom to a VERY active 3.5 year old daughter and with my limitations from my back injury (an impingement and herniation in my low back) I need to be at my best all the time. I need to go to the gym and do what I can do to stay in shape (ha in shape, well going to the gym and doing my limited workout so that I can try to keep losing weight and trying to get in shape). I don't want to be sick and stuck in bed, having to rely on my family and friends to take care of my kids and my house, etc.

I guess I have to take my husbands advise to stop worrying, we will deal with it as it comes. I have to remember to give it to God, stop trying to handle it all alone for He is the one who controls the situation. I pray each day that He will continue to hold my hand and keep me in his loving arms through this whole thing. God would not have put where I am if there was not a purpose!

Today is the Day

Today is the day that I meet with my Neurologist to discuss and finalize the start of my MS (multiple sclerosis) treatment. I have to be 100% honest I am struggling today. My husband keeps telling me not to stress that we will deal with it as it comes, one day at a time. But I'm scared of what treatment might bring, sickness, fatigue, and the inability to be me...a mom, a wife, a sister, a friend and in-charge of my household.

I am so emotional and stressed. I found this website / webpage and it reminded me that sitting in worry is not what I should be doing right now, there is someone that I should be turning to for comfort, God.

http://godsgracefulness.com

The moment I feel afraid or overwhelmed, I reach for His hand. I go directly to Him and pray.  It wasn’t always this easy. I used to just sit and worry. I would worry so much that I’d forget to pray and read the Word.

Many times we get overwhelmed with life and forget how big our God is!  God is always there to comfort us and reminding us we need to seek Him at all times in the good and bad.

Four things I’d like for us to keep in mind when feeling afraid, faithless, or overwhelmed:

1. God will comfort us: Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promisegives me life.  -Psalm 119:51

2. God wants us to rejoice in Hope and in His promises: Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. -Romans 12:12

3. Remain in His peace: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33

4. Keep the faith and fight the good fight: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. -2Tim. 4:7

Sorry for My Absence

Hey yall, I am sorry I have been absence the last couple days. I just found out that I have MS (Multiple Sclerosis). So I have been a little overwhelmed with learning all about the disease and all the treatment plans. I can honestly say that God has been holding my hand all along the way. I normally would have been a complete mess, but from the minute I left the doctors office I prayed for his comfort and strength and I am managing.

I would love it if there are any of you reading that have MS could comment and let me know your story. 

For more information on MS check out http://www.nationalmssociety.org/ and their blog @ http://www.msconnection.org/Blog

My Prayer for Today

Yesterday and today my stress and anxiety levels have been through the roof. I feel so out of control, but I hate talking about it..so I try to bury it.

With all the normal stresses of life, being a mother, a wife, a women, having health issues, plus financial stressers, it all becomes sooo much. Sometimes I feel like I a carrying a bag of bricks on my chest and I just need a clean fresh breath. So that's what I turn to God for, He is my fresh breath!

If from reading my blog you haven't guessed my favorite place is anywhere near the ocean and my favorite colors come from its waters. I use these images for strength sometimes. I imagine the sound of the waves and the feel of the wind and mist.

On these days I also crank the MC Contemporary Christian station on my TV, Michelle Tumes "Christ of Hope" is playing right now.

"May He bring you hope

Hope you have never, never known

May the Christ of hope

Embrace you evermore"

Frustrated Wednesday

If you have read my background posts (check them out in January's archived posts) then you know that I have been struggling with back pain for along time and over the past three years it has been a daily struggle. Today I woke up and its a bad day, my pain level is high, but I have to still have to get Cloe (3 1/2) up and to preschool. I have to push through and keep on that happy face for those around me. The rest of my day will be spent stretching and on the ice pack. My prayer today is that the pain will level off and I will not take out my frustrations on others.

She Reads Truth - Prayer in the Bible will be available tomorrow. Sorry for the delay and I hope that you follow along tomorrow because Day 11 is a good one. Please send up a little prayer for me that my pain is alleviated!

I hope your day is filled with blessing small and large and you remember to give thanks!

She Reads Trust - This is the Bible Day #4

She Reads Truth - This is The Bible Day #4

Day #4 Scripture: Psalm 119:57-80, Genesis 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Isaiah 55:10-11

During the 1st day in Genesis - "God said." What God said was, it was true and it was fact. His plan for even that 1st day was made and when he spoke it was done. Its the same for the promises he has made with us, they are true. 

You made me, created me, gave me your love and your grace and I in return should follow your commandments - Your Truth. "I delight in your instructions." Psalm 119:70

1 Corinthians 1:18-31 "Those called by God to Salvation...Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. Christ made us right with God, he made us pure and holy and he freed us from sin."

From my Journal / My Thoughts:

I think has been one of my favorites parts of this series so far. I really felt a connection to my life in each passage I read. 

I wonder about my life, where its going, and what my purpose is. I turn to your word God for guidance and wisdom. You have done so many things for me and my family and I trust and pray I will continue to be blessed. 

My daughter has been sick with a high fever since yesterday and I tried to finish this last night, but was so tired. So this morning I read Isaiah 55:10-11 and this is what I wrote in my journal.

Gods word and belief in us is like the snow that waters the earth in turn growing the grain for the farmer. God send His word out into the hearts of the people of the world and it prospers where he send it. I think its the same with us, we are the seed that God sends out - he knows that we will prosper where He sends us. We are where we are suppose to be doing what we are suppose to do. This is so reassuring - I am where I am suppose to be doing what God has planned for me. 

Random Thoughts Today

I am full of random thoughts today.

We had a great vacation, but Cloe, my husband and I came back sick (I will share more from our vacation in my next post). I am finally feeling normal today, but Cloe once again has that horrible cough from just a few weeks ago. When I am stuck in the house for 3 or more days with a sick little I find myself catching up on movies, yesterday while Cloe slept in my arms I watched The Impossible. What a movie!!!! I felt such fear, sadness, and inspiration. I wish that God would send me daily reminders to be thankful, to cherish each moment, and to remember that God has protected my family from tragedy.

That is my goal this year to remember that it could all be gone in the blink of an eye, to breath and release all those moments I cannot control, and to be thankful and happy!

Prayers For Healing In A Time Of Sickness

My little Cloe bug has been super sick since Saturday. She has had a fever and a truly awful cough. The cough has made her throw up and break the blood vessels in her cheeks. I took her to the doctor today and she has a double ear infection, so we got antibiotics and were told to give her Delsum for the cough. I hate it when my kids are sick, especially when they are little, I feel so helpless. I'm sitting here writing this and all I can hear is my little one coughing and coughing...

If you have any tips for dealing with the sick little one (3 years old) please send me a message or leave a comment. And we would appreciate all your prayers for healing.

“Dear Heavenly Father, I entrust this dear child toYou as he/she suffers from what seems to be a (sickness name). Lord, I know (child’s name) is uncomfortable as he/she tries to rest. I also know that rest is so important to get beyond this minor sickness and to avoid progression to something more serious. Please give him/her the rest that they need. Lord, I lift (child’s name) up to You and know that \You will perform Your perfect will for his/her recovery. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen”

Lord God,

You are the Great Physician.

My child is sick and needs your healing touch.

Lord, you are the healer of weaknesses, colds, flu, fevers, viruses, chronic conditions, tumors, cancer and other diseases, and you are the healer of my child.

As I ask you to heal my child, I will declare by faith that my child IS receiving your abundant healing power right now and that my child's health IS steadily improving.

I declare that I will not look at what my eyes see, but I will look at what my faith sees.

I will feed my faith concerning the healing power that is bringing health to my child.

I will stand strong behind your biblical words:

"By his stripes, we are healed." *

Thank you, Lord, for bringing your awesome healing power into my child's body.

Lord, I will praise you for healing my child.

In Jesus' name I pray,

Amen

Copyright © 2012 Beth McLendon of Inspirational-Prayers.com