Category Archives: Bible

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 3, Memories

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I wrote the following as a comment to this post back in February.

“I really appreciate your thoughts, Emily. I think a lot about a diabetes diagnosis (February) this time of year. My son’s to be specific, 8 years ago next Friday. He was 18 months old and I was 6 months pregnant with baby #5.
His diagnosis was not as traumatic as yours sounds, his blood sugar was “only” 350 when he was tested at the pediatrician’s office after I noticed his increasing thirst and diaper wetting.
He spent two nights in the hospital and began taking four insulin injections per day.
I truly did not appreciate a nurses’s prophetic words that it would not be so bad because he wouldn’t remember life before diabetes. She was right, but I remember it and mourn for those simpler days.
I am a blessed mama and though I would drop diabetes in a heartbeat if I could, I have never felt angry at God, as I do know that he has a plan for my kind-hearted, beautiful-blue-eyed boy. He has diabetes, he is not a diabetic. We don’t let us define us, though it has definitely refined us.
Thank you again for sharing.”

I thought I would add to that, and I probably will someday, to tell the full story, but I can’t think about diabetes any more today, except of course in real life. 🙂

I am editing this post on Thursday…
Yesterday, I had included Emily’s reply, but kept thinking about it and didn’t have a peace about posting it. It wasn’t a private reply, but I didn’t have permission to post it here. It is on the post I linked to at the beginning. I know that was a long and rambly explanation. That pretty much sums up what’s going on inside my brain 😉

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Playing at The Discovery Center on February 15, 2005, a week before diagnosis.

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Playing at home, also before diagnosis.
He wore these slippers during his two-day hospital stay, along with the baby blue hospital gown that came to his ankles. (I couldn’t even imagine taking any pictures then–those hospital images are burned into my brain. Maybe John would have liked to see them though.)

Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)
God Is Our Fortress

“God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 2, John’s Dream Diabetes Device

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The prompt I am using today is one of the wild card options, as the choice for today was to create a diabetes petition. I thought the wild card prompt sounded much more interesting, especially since I have enlisted John to help. I thought that would be the most fitting and fair, since he is the one being poked and prodded. Plus, he is an amazing jr. engineer, following in his daddy’s footsteps. 🙂

“Back by popular demand, let’s revisit this prompt from last year! Tell us what your fantasy diabetes device would be? Think of your dream blood glucose checker, delivery system for insulin or other meds, magic carb counter, etc etc etc. The sky is the limit – what would you love to see?”

Take it away John:

The Testeroni 5000

The Testeroni 5000 is a glove that has a tester on one of the fingers. You can’t even feel the test when it tests you!
You have a little tiny thing that beeps whenever you are low and whenever you are high. It gives you insulin when you are high and it tells you to eat something whenever you are low. You never have to take it off. It isn’t hot whenever you wear it, it is very comfortable.

Dictated by John, age 9, diagnosed 2/05 at 18 months.

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John testing prototypes of The Testeroni 5000

Psalm 121:8 (ESV)
The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

Diabetes Blog Week: Day 1, Seeing Our Real Life

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I like to write and have been enjoying having a blog. While spending way too much time contemplating blog names, I tried different combinations including sugar and gluten, diabetes and celiac. I just couldn’t envision only writing about auto-immune diseases, though they are a huge drain on my brain. That said, I am going to spend this week writing about diabetes. Hopefully my posts will be a bit more organized than last time.

The prompt for today is:

“Often our health care team only sees us for about 15 minutes several times a year, and they might not have a sense of what our lives are really like. Today, let’s pretend our medical team is reading our blogs. What do you wish they could see about your and/or your loved one’s daily life with diabetes? On the other hand, what do you hope they don’t see?”

I think our doctor and nurse practitioner have a pretty good sense of what our daily life is like, as far as diabetes is concerned. We try to eat well, we count carbs, John has an acceptable A1C.
We are blessed to be able to homeschool, so we don’t have the school issues to deal with. That is one stressor off my shoulders. (Well, to keep it real, homeschooling in and of itself is a stressor in many ways, but I’ll save that for a different post.)

The second question is harder. Or more embarrassing.

While I have been able to do what needs to be done and focus in on carb counting, mostly whole food meals and the like, it has come at an expense.
I don’t know anyone who can do it “all,” I certainly can’t. So, since I have the diabetes thing to do, there are many times my brain and therefore body is just too wiped to keep the house in the condition that I would like for it to be. It has taken me a long time to figure that out. At least that’s my excuse. I have spent a lot of time feeling badly about myself because my house doesn’t look like a magazine or what I imagine my friends’ houses look like.

This is what I hope they don’t see:

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Our living room and my writing nook, with children waiting for me to read aloud, laundry to be put away and lots of books, magazines and assorted paperwork for me so sort.

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One more, for good measure.

Of course it doesn’t look like this when I invite people over. I can kick it into high gear when I have to. I also have children who love to socialize, so they are pretty willing to help out when we are having people over. It’s the daily routines that I struggle with. I’m attempting to figure out solutions, I do know I need structure.

Life isn’t all about diabetes (or celiac), though it feels that way sometimes.

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Twas the Night Before Mother’s Day

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No, I’m not really going to write this poetry style, it’s too late for that. I did begin this post 30 minutes before Mother’s Day though and Kyle is the only one stirring in the house. 🙂

For Mother’s Day, (that artificial, fake, made up day that can make you feel good and sad, even at the same time) I am going to attempt to give my children the gift of an somewhat organized mother. Not a Mary Poppins-type over night, because again, she was fake and she wasn’t a mother.
But, better.
Because they deserve it. Because it would glorify God. Because it would bless my husband. Because it would be a good witness to my poor neighbors who showed up, one at the front door and one at the back this week. I decided I needed a good dose of humility and invited them in. Yikes! Those poor shell-shocked people. They deserve better.
Rambling, I am, but that’s o.k.

So, in honor or Mother’s Day, which officially begins in 22 minutes, here is my top list of priorities (not exactly, but mostly, in order) for the rest of May:
1) Pray without ceasing.
2) Continue with my Bible Gateway reading plan and enjoy it, not just read to check it off the app.
3) Finish the last week of the Good Morning Girls Bible Study of Luke.
4) Participate in the Christ in the Chaos book club on Preschoolers and Peace. (Yes, I know, such an appropriate title for this post.)Trust me, it’s a good one so far.
5) Preschool and LOTS of play time with Paul.
6) Reading time with Isaac. Only 15 days until his birthday- I know he can be reading better by then. Help him with a woodworking project. Use the cool red paint from last year’s birthday.
7) Writing with John and chatting and origami. Maybe Legos too.
8) More talks with Rachel about growing up. Crafty times and
9) Listening to Luke. Getting to know that boy better. Enjoying him.
10) Talking with Adam. Figuring out a plan for the rest of this year and next.
11) Making my relationship with Kyle a priority and really mean it.
12) Be a good neighbor–invite someone over for dinner.
13) Be a good church friend– ditto.
14) Help the children budget their mission money and write letters to our World Vision children.
15) Write a note–thank you, encouragement, birthday, etc. every day.
16) Pick a paint color and paint my room.
17) Remove wallpaper and paint upstairs bathroom.
18) Donate or pitch two books every day.
19) Donate or pitch two articles of clothing each day.
20) Clear out and scrub the laundry room.
21) Write something every day.
22) Blog at least three times a week.
23) Exercise daily.
24) Spend 15 minutes each day organizing the school room.
25) Simple, organized meal plan. That would bless my man!
26) Love, love, love my family.
27) Finish my dad’s birthday project from last year. As in June. His 70th. Lame daughter.
28) Think of a super-de-duper birthday project for my mom’s birthday. This June. Very soon.
29) Get up earlier in the morning. My goal is 6 a.m. daily. Not telling what it has been lately.
30) Go to bed by 10 each night. So, it might be 12:15 a.m. while I am editing this.

I’ll try to add links to a few of the above on Monday. For my droves of readers 😉

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My wonderful mother, being a wonderful grandmother…aka making play dough with Paul.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV)
16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Five Minute Friday: Comfort

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When sleep escaped me at 2 a.m, I read the prompt for FMF, thinking I could write when I woke up for real. I drew a blank. When my phone quacked at 5 a.m., still blank. While listening to my children read the Bible tonight, waiting for my turn, it came to me.

Comfort

Today, I had the privilege to spend the day with a friend from church. My friend is several decades older than I, and is experiencing much confusion and short-term memory issues.
We, my daughter and I, were there to try to provide some stability and comfort for her, but she instead was the one to give me comfort.
She shared many wise words, despite repeatedly asking my name, what we were doing for the day, when her family would back, etc.
Over and over she exclaimed how sweet Jesus was and how good God is. She asked if I was grateful for my family and if I told them. She asked if I got on my knees and thanked God for them. She prayed for our breakfast and lunch, she told stories of her church friends from the past and she told us she was grateful that we were there.
She reminded me in such an impactful way how important faith is. Just trusting in Jesus. That is comfort.
End

Proverbs 16:31 (ESV)
“Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.”

Five Minute Friday

Five Minute Friday: Brave

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Linking up for another Five Minute Friday post.

Five Minute Friday: Brave

Brave isn’t an adjective that I would immediately choose to describe myself. In many situations, instead of doing the brave thing, saying brave words, I have chosen to escape, to flee the situation.

Homeschooling is so difficult at times, stretching me out of my selfish desires for quiet, peace, “me” time, yet is is one of the most brave things I have done.

Thinking this morning about brave, it came to me that probably the main reason we homeschool is to instill in our children all the reasons they can be brave:
Love God.
Follow Jesus.
Never be afraid to do what is right.
Love Others.
Serve God and others.

This is just a few from the top of my head, but the list could go on. and on. My six are learning to believe what is right and true. The world does not and will not agree and they need to be prepared for that.

Stop.

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My brave loves last month at Maramec Springs.

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Five Minute Friday

(in)RL

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On Saturday morning, I dropped my big boys off at our local homeschool conference, then drove 30 minutes west to a stranger’s house in a smaller town.
There, I met two more strangers (who were long-time friends), who had driven 30 minutes east.

The purpose of the meeting: To get acquainted with each other and view and discuss a webcast that was part of a women’s conference, (in)RL. The conference was hosted by the bloggers of (in)courage, a division of Day Spring.

The brave friend (no longer a stranger), who hosted this meet-up signed up to do so months ago. I, on the other hand, registered three days before the event. I had checked the registration page every time it was mentioned in the blog, but just couldn’t seem to commit.
The problem: sheer fear. I finally clicked the register button because I knew it was now or never (or least next year). And how discouraging would it be to offer to host, only to have your offer rejected.

The morning flew by as we shared our stories. We are all mothers, have all been through trials of different types and all love Jesus. We all agreed that we would like to do this again.
New friends. A new community. Centered around Jesus.

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New friends.
Photo credit: Our hostess’ kind daughter.

The key quote from the conference was:
“When I heard women speak and share stories that were so authentic and pouring from their hearts, immediately I felt my own defenses just melt away.”
– Michele-Lyn, @LifeSurrendered

A quick review of the webcast:
I watched the Friday night part on my own and we watched part of the Saturday session together. Some of it was good, some helpful, some not-so-much, all-in-all, a bit dis-jointed. It just didn’t seem to flow well. The new friends and fellowship were definitely the highlight. You know, I think that was the point.

The key scripture was:

Philippians 2:1-4 NIV

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”

Five Minute Friday: Friend

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Joining in with my Five Minute Friday post at Lisa-Jo’s.

Start.

I had a discussion with a friend at church on Sunday about friends. First, our children’s, then ours. She and I both felt that we had lots of really nice acquaintances, but not a best friend. She said she had always wanted one, but The Lord had not provided one. I agreed. Our conversation was not filled with bitterness, just twinges of sadness mixed with regret. People have moved in and out of our lives through different churches and experiences and while the friendships were nice at the time, none have stuck for a lifetime.
I said that I didn’t feel particularly tied to our city for that reason. I have lived with some minor fear of moving. I really never have, except for the two hours from my home town to this city for college. Kyle moved here from the east coast after he graduated and we’ve been here for 21 plus years. What does God have planned for us?
I feel that the lack of women friends has certainly made me lean on my husband more and he on me. Trying not to do the co-dependent thing, just enjoying life together.
Stop.

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Me and my BFF.

Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Five Minute Friday

After Attending My First Writing Workshop

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So, today was the day. The learn day. The day I took the plunge and called myself a writer. I attended a “Writing To Publish” workshop that was held for the first time at our local homeschool convention, which begins tomorrow.

The workshop, (which I repeatedly referred to as a conference yesterday)–newbie oops 😉 was presented by Carol Barnier.

She has written several books and scores of magazine articles over the past decade plus. I have been reading her submissions to The Heart of the Matter homeschool blog for several years.

I was not planning to attend, because:
* I didn’t feel that I was on a track to publish anything.
*I couldn’t really justify the expense of a workshop when this writing thing is just a hobby.
*The workshop wasn’t covering “exactly what I thought I needed, which is creativity and writing encouragement.

I learned:
* Magazine article writing would be a great way to be published. (With lots of brushing up and practice.)
* My husband felt the expense was justified.
* Had the workshop covered what I really wanted, I would have been totally overwhelmed.

The conference was a great overview of the writing-to-publish process (just as the brochure promised). I had heard of queries, agents, book proposals, but didn’t know what they were and when they were required. Now I do. And I’m tired.

My three biggest take-aways:
* Don’t wait to feel inspired before I write. Just write. Regularly. It will help develop my “voice.”
* The thought-mapping exercise was so helpful. It made me think about myself, my experience, who I am, what I am living and how that can translate into potential writing assignments. (If I am led to go that route, still not sure about that.) Kyle?
* Everyone gets rejection.

Now, on to some organizing, scheduling of all things Heironimus, more writing and lots of prayer.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

Before Attending My First Writing Workshop

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Tomorrow, I will be attending my first writing workshop at the insistence of the Blog Engineer, aka husband Kyle. I’m feeling a bit anxious, as this will be my first conference since my working days way-back-when and I have not written anything for publication since before then. That’s a long time.

The workshop is really a mini-workshop, so that makes me feel better. Only three hours. Surely I can do that?
It will be led by a homeschooling mom who has authored several books and writes for Christian publications as well as a group blog that I have read for several years.

The main reason I hesitated to register (actually I will be doing that in the morning), are that it is geared for writing for publication and that isn’t my goal. Yet. Ever?
I have only written for a local magazine that was retired when the owners retired a few years ago.

Kyle is now making business cards for me to hand out. 🙂 He is sweet and so very encouraging.

This would qualify for the “learn” part of my blog title. Not homeschool learn, but ME learn. Yikes! Going out of my little comfort zone bubble.

More details tomorrow…

Joshua 1:9 (NIV 1984)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”