Recovery is a learning process

Have the flu? What do you do to get better? Drink liquids, lots of rest, take your medicine, stay in bed... why? Why do we do these things? So that we can "recover" and get better.



*chuckling* The question is... do you allow yourself time to recover?


Be honest...

Day 1 of being sick... "ugh, I feel like a truck hit me!!" and you go to the doctor & get meds and then you sleep and sleep and sleep some more- through days 2 and 3.

On day 4 you realize you are feeling better (but really are not 100% yet) and want to do EVERYTHING!! You think "oh, I can go grocery shopping now... I need to do the dishes... the laundry needs washed... ewww the bathroom needs to be torched and built back from scratch (lol)" ... you start to do these things... and realize 1/2 way through the FIRST task... BIG MISTAKE... HUGE... BIG... HUGE!!! Do you know why even starting was a mistake?

YOU ARE IN RECOVERY!!!!! 

Recovery is a learning process... learning what it means to take it easy, to take care of yourself...to (as hard as it is) BE STILL. Why? Because recovery is the key essential to getting well. You've heard people say "They made a full recovery!" Think about it... recovering is a key part that is played into your sickness.

Does your sickness necessarily need to be the flu, stomach virus, sinus infection, surgery, etc... NO! Your "sickness" can be anything you personally need to "recover" from. Examples:: Break-up/ divorce, a friendship relationship, family issues, drinking, smoking, any addiction...

You are trying to get well... there are steps to take... you are in recovery. You are on your way to "making a full recovery".

Im gonna use my illness as an example for you... I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy in June... although my muscles in my face are not 100% YET... we are working on it each and everyday... I AM IN RECOVERY. I also am battling Type 2 Diabetes (because of the medicine I was on, it induced diabetes) The doctors say that there is a chance it will go away... I am hopeful... right now I am on medicine that makes me feel like crap, but I am believing it is working along with my diet and exercise... I AM IN RECOVERY.

Now that was just 2 examples of recovery... what ever your personal recovery story is... know that God has it covered! He is by your side even when you can't see the light at the end of the LONG DARK tunnel- and believe me... sometimes it can seem as if there is noooooo end! But there is an end!!! God has it all planned out- I mean, it's life guys... what would life be without the messy bits?

Trust God and call out to Him happy or sad... He's there for you. Believe that He has your best interest in mind. Believe that he will bring you through whatever it is... because He ultimately will. I mean... His plans are to prosper you and give you a hope and a future!!!! (Jeremiah 29:11)

Like I said... recovery is a learning process- let God mold you and shape you through the recovery-- learn to draw close to Him-- learn to be patient-- learn to calm down and rest-- to be still-- (it's not easy... but TRY...) and when you make that full recovery... you will be stronger, and know that with God you overcame!! And when something comes along that you need to recover from again, you will know from your "last recovery" that it will be okay and that you will make it... it's going to be okay.

May this blog touch your heart and may you know that you will make a full recovery... just you wait and see!!!




Take care of you :)

A hair in a biscuit?

I am so over tired!! Tired of being sick-- it's one thing after another it seems.


Being stressed out and over worked led to Bells Palsy- which led to Prednisone- which led to being on too high of a dose-for too long- which led to weakness, fatigue, swollen neck and face, and very high blood sugar- which led to more medicine & more rest. Okay-- so not to mention... finances and separation from Andy is SOOOO hard!! Can you say OH MY GOODNESS?!!!!

Lord Jesus SAVE ME!!! 

What happened? I thought the hard part was over. Dealing with the Bells Palsy was so difficult- but now... finding out I was on too high of a dose for WAY to long and now bad side effects set in... HOLY COW & how can I not blame myself for checking sooner? 


Well, now... I can sit here and say... I CANNOT keep looking backwards... there is nothing I can do about it... the only thing I can do is KEEP MOVING FORWARD-- & trust God and keep my spirits up. I won't lie and tell you that it is easy because IT IS NOT-- it has been emotional and just down right lousy. It's so hard to keep looking up when it's so easy to look down. I cannot sit here and blame myself- I cannot go in a whirlwind of "If only... or what if I". I CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST-- & stressing about it has NO positive effect on my life. It doesn't bring honor and glory to God when I get anxious and stress out. It DOES please Him for me to hand it all over to Him and let Him takeover the situation.


You know, the devil constantly moves around you like a roaring lion-- he wants to destroy us and everything we believe in and hope for. 1 Peter 5:8 niv: Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Crazy right? But have no fear because Jesus is here! He came and saved you!! He rescued you! Isaiah 41:10 niv: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Encouraging right? Much better than the alternative!! 


Please don't be fooled here... talk to Andy or one of my best friends-- I have had SUCH A not good week... this is a lot for me to sit down- get near to God- and share this with you all. I needed SO much encouragement this week- and then... TA DA!! There goes God showing off again. He brought different people into my days to brighten them up- or a phone call from someone asking how I was & them loving on me- or a sweet smile from a cashier- just the little things that are SO BIG. 


So, what am I saying here? Let me break it down...

• Even though things seem tough now... keep moving forward- God is carrying you.
• When you feel like you are down to nothing, list out loud things you are thankful for... 

• Im thankful that my bells palsy is clearing up, thankful I am weening off the nasty medicine, thankful that I have Daisy to lift my spirits up, thankful for the love my husband shows me even when he is far away, thankful the swelling is going down- slowly but it is, thankful for no nasty side effects of the new medicine- even when some people have them, I'm not in Jesus name, thankful for friends that lift me up when I can't seem to lift myself. 

• In Galatians 6:9, Paul simply encourages us to keep on keeping on! Don't be a quitter! Don't have that old "give up" spirit. God's looking for people who will find the courage to rise above all the negative and pursue the positive. (From Joyce Meyer devotions)
• When your mind is full of positive things, it helps to make you have a more positive day.

Hang in there like a hair in a biscuit- whatever you bake in the oven- whether its a cake, muffin, cupcake, biscuit-- get a hair caught up in it-- it is not coming out peoples!! So just like that hair is holding on for dear life- baked in that batter- you hang in there!! Don't let go-- God isn't.


Take care of you :)

A Restoration testimony...

Jeremiah 33:3 says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ 

For the past month or so, I've had that song "Restoration" by David Brymer in my head. Here's the link to the YouTube video~ http://youtu.be/7LcyQOLVS_U 


I've really been through a lot this past month... physically, mentally, spiritually... just A LOT. For those of you that don't know-- let me share a little bit of how incredible God is. 


I was overworked, tired, grumpy, not happy with life-- however, I truly believe that I was living a "stained glass masquerade" -- making believe that everything was okay and that "I had it" myself. Well, while working and planning and juggling family issues... (Andy and I are stuck together like glue/velcro and he is now working as a truck driver that's gone all week and only home on weekends) so that is stressful right there alone-- apart from EVERYTHING else like money and life in general... AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Here's a timeline of my restoration testimony...

SUNDAY:I got sick. I was diagnosed on Sunday, June 3, 2012 with Bells Palsy on the left side of my face. Bells Palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of your face. Damage to the facial nerve that controls muscles on one side of the face causes that side of your face to droop . The nerve damage may also affect your sense of taste and how you make tears and saliva. This condition comes on suddenly, often overnight, and usually gets better on its own within a few weeks. Symptoms are Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of your face that causes it to droop. This is the main symptom. It may make it hard for you to close your eye on that side of your face, Drooling, Eye problems, such as excessive tearing or a dry eye, Loss of ability to taste, Pain in or behind your ear, Numbness in the affected side of your face, Increased sensitivity to sound... etc. (This is something I have experienced about 10 years ago- right after Andy and I got married. I had a really bad inner ear infection- that was the determined cause. It was a MUCH worse case than this one was) Not to mention emotionally draining!!!! I have had to quit EVERYTHING in it's tracks!! I had to leave my summer leadership position (less money) and give up what " I " wanted to do... haha "what I wanted to do..." So... instead of pooping out on God and giving up... I PRESSED in... I pressed in harder... I was determined to be near to God even though life was horrible (in my eyes). On a more personal note... Andy and I had just used all the money we had in the checking account to pay the rent- we had nothing... I called up a place in Gainesville (@ 5:00pm on a Sunday no less) and they agreed to see me WITHOUT PAYMENT... ummm can we say GOD?! So, my brother in law met up with me at the doctor so I wouldn't have to go alone. :) Not only did was he there with me- but paid for my medicine that I needed too. (What a blessing) That was the evening before I was suppose to start my summer leadership position (that I had to leave- all that planning- all that long hours-- and I couldn't execute-- that was frustrating) Thinking that the long day was finally over... I mean dealing with all THIS... and going to the dr, and driving home... ALONE... andy out on the road... you would think that the day was done right? NO WAY. I got home, took meds, laid down finally fell asleep only to be woken up around 2am with bright & loud lightening hail storm! (For any of you who know me AT ALL... this is a HUGE deal. I HATE BAD WEATHER-- and I was alone with Daisy) Hail POUNDING on the window-- the window sounding like it was going to crash into the bedroom... I RAN into the bathroom holding daisy crying out to God to save us!! Right there I cried out to Jesus and was praying. I yelled at the devil and told him to flee in Jesus name and I was so scared! We actually sat in the bathtub and I called Andy and told him what was going on. I told him that I though there was a tornado happening... he was able to look at the weather bc my phone wasn't loading due to the weather. He said we were safe- "that the worse was over". A sweet comfort to my soul. Holy Cow right?! WHATELSE I thought?! I was D O N E with the STUPID DEVIL ATTACKS!!


MONDAY: My sister reminded me that going to see an acupuncturist helped the nerves and my body a while back-- so looking online I found a place called Flourish Acupuncture in Gainesville. I called and the lady agreed to see me without payment up front!! She started my treatment next day!! I immediately experienced a difference!! Started taking better care of myself and started taking herbs and vitamins.


LATER ON THAT WEEK: I attended a church retreat weekend about three years ago called Georgia Mountains Tres Dias. It's a 3 day spiritual walk with God held on a beautiful mountain top in Dahlonega, GA. (www.gmtd.org) So, once you attend a weekend... you can go back and serve and be a blessing to others! (& God called me to go back and serve!!! and this was something I was called to do from way back in like February-- & I had been preparing for it) So, if the stupid devil thought for one minute that THIS bells palsy and weakness was gonna keep me from serving... he had another thing coming to him!! We were all believing for God's miraculous healing power on this special weekend!! It was really difficult to attend the weekend with my face looking the way it did-- it's funny... no matter what people tell you "oh you are beautiful Michelle" it hits you emotionally different when it happens to you. When it happens you just want to hide away-- be alone-- secluded from the world. But instead of closing myself out... I opened up and out for God and His glory!!! (It was hard...) Man did God show off!!! I felt change all weekend!! By Saturday night... my face looked TOTALLY different!! And Sunday... HOLY COW!!!


THEN TO PRESENT DATE: Still getting better day after day and I can fully wink!!! I go for weekly acupuncture treatments and totally notice a difference. God is so good and He is RESTORING every moment of each day. I've been watching what I'm eating-- mainly I'm staying away from anything smoked, bbq, chicken, caffeine, fried foods, dairy-- so i'm eating lots of salad & veggies--

IT'S STILL BUMPY...

A few days ago- I had a real scare. I decided to give Daisy a bath. I didn't bring my cell phone in the bathroom (which is weird) for some reason-- anyways... I was done with her bath and decided that I was now soaked-- so I might as well take a shower too. As I was about done, I noticed my nose was bleeding. I pinched it thinking "oh it will stop in a minute no big deal" WELL... um 5 minutes later it hadn't stopped yet. I got out of the shower, grabbed a washcloth and held it to my nose. Still not stopping... I kinda started to freak out. With the water running still I sat down in the shower with Daisy still sitting pretty on the side of the tub- she could tell i was in trouble- I just kept talking to her calmly and told her "Daisy don't worry God is helping mommy" and I prayed for help. Within MOMENTS... my nose stopped bleeding. Now... there is SOMETHING THERE!!!! 


Again on this past Friday... I was waiting for Andy to come home from being at work all week and I was so excited!! I went out and got stuff to make dinner for him! I made Meatball Sammy Casserole-- it was good- I tasted it as I was cooking :) Anyhow, he called and said he was gonna be really later than he thought, so I went ahead and fixed me a plate to sit down and eat. I had everything ready, sat down to a movie with Daisy-- and on my right side of my face-- my jaw locked!! I was in tears! ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK-- I rubbed it and massaged it and nothing was working. I read online that jaws can be locked for days!! (Whenever mine locks it doesn't usually last that long- but is extremely painful when it pops) So, I thought I'd hop in the shower- maybe the heat would loosen it up-- I continued to pray and ask God to save me from this!! I got out of the shower and it seemed looser-- I put on some Britt Nicole and jumped on the gazelle for a few minutes and as I was walking i felt something loosen up- i rubbed my mouth and BAM!! UNLOCKED in JESUS NAME!!! NO PAIN!!!!!!!!! (I still have a nasty bruise on my cheek from it though but NO PAIN when it popped) Now... there is SOMETHING THERE!!!! 

YOU TELL ME THERE IS NO GOD-- NO JESUS??!!! HE IS AWESOME AND THERE IS POWER IN THE BLOOD!!! OH THE BLOOD OF JESUS WASHES OVER ME! 

I keep believing in Him and His glorious healing power. It's not all over YET-- but He is constantly holding me and uplifting me and healing me. I'm still on Prednizone (which definitely has it's side effects... HoT flashes, sleepless nights, increase water weight and appetite... etc) but it is worth it... Prednizone is causing the inflammation to go down and help. ~Even though the hOt FlAsHeS are HOLY COW H O T !!  ~~It's like cooking from the inside out!!! LOL 


GOD BRINGS RESTORATION-- HE BRINGS RESTORATION TO MY SOUL!! 


I've learned to relax, take it easy, take REAL deep breaths, don't stress over the little things in life. When I start freaking out or getting bound up... I confront it... & if I don't see it happening Andy does, he kinda "grabs ahold" of me :)  I give God things I can't ultimately control-- (& I am a control person...lol) I try to think positive... be calm. When something seems like a junky situation... I BREATHE and ask God for help.  


God is so amazing and awesome and He provides each and every day!! Be sure to thank Him-- It also says in Jeremiah 33:10: “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good, his love endures forever.” "...For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before, ’ says the Lord."   


You know something though... I've learned SO much. God has really showed me so many things. 


Thanks for reading and letting me share some of my testimony with ya'll. I hope you are blessed by this and if you know someone suffering from Bells Palsy... please share this with them-- trust me they need encouragement.

My Picture Timeline:

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Take care of you :)