Camps Galore

It has been awhile since my last update (almost a month).  Before I give an update I would just like to say thank you to the countless people who have been praying for me - I am so grateful for you support and encouragement.  God has been working and I am so blessed!  Sometimes pictures speak volumes more than my words can..... so after my update I will give you a little glimpse of what my last month has looked like. 

My health has improved drastically over the past month.  Things that I wouldn't have been able to do a month ago - such as walk to the park, or carry loaded laundry baskets, I am now able to do without too much adrenaline being released in my body (think tight throat and chest, shortness of breath).  I am able to help lead worship again at church (though singing high is a bit of a struggle still).  I am able to make it through larger periods of time without having to sit down and take a break.  It is a wonderful improvement.

Twenty steps forward, three steps back.  With improvements, also comes the reality checks.  In feeling better I was doing more, being a little (I mean very little) less strict with my sugar intake, and resting less, which in turn caused some set backs.  The anxiety felt as though it was creeping back in... I described it to my Doctor as a Gray cloud (which is much better than the storm cloud that I was feeling before) but noticable enough that I began to get concerned that I was regressing.  I was also having more issues with my adrenals and histamines filling my throat and my chest... I feeling that I will not miss when it is finally gone.  My doctor increased my one supplement and told me no sugar.... like I said I thought I was being good but I cheated a little and boy did it make a noticable difference.  I didn't notice anything with my stomach so I thought I was good, but he told me that I can only do natural sugars and I have to always eat them with a protein or a fat.

I have been very strict this week on my diet which is still a modified AIP diet (Auto Immune Protocol) with a low histamine diet.  Basically veggies and meat with a little fruit and some gluten free and dairy products thrown into the mix every now and then. 

Now about my summer - I am so thankful for God's continuing to heal my body which has allowed me to speak and serve at several camps this summer.  I did have to back out of one camp which made my heart sad but so thankful my husband took me up to visit the Group Workcamp in Scranton PA and also thankful for my friend DKB for stepping in for me and letting me tag along on site visits.  I was even able to see many past campers and that brought my heart great joy!

DKB MCing at Scranton Workcamp

At the end of July I got to do a 12-13 year old camp at CRC.  We looked at Surprising Stories of Jesus.  It was a great week and Ella had a blast hanging out with the cabins. 

Learning about Lazarus

Enjoying my favorite holiday at camp

Sharing what God taught them at camp

Right after that we headed to Smicksburg PA to Little Mahoning Bible Camp where a group from our church served for the week.  This was a family mission trip and we had a great time.  I was grateful to have a kindred spirit in the kitchen there to help with my food - she even made me a wonderful GF/DF cake for my birthday! 

Birthday selfie (or an Us-y as I call them)

My yummy birthday cake

Teaching them how to tye-dye

Enjoying some quality time with Rebecca and Becca - painting the bathroom entrance

Our mission team 

After that we came home for a week to enjoy our town's festival called Dutch Days - I was able to help in a few stands throughout the week, but did have to back out of one due to the intense heat (heat and adrenal fatigue do not mix! Thanks Fred for covering for me) 

Helping make potpie 

And this week I am once again serving at CRC (Christian Retreat Center in East Waterford, PA).  This place is a place that I have grown to love and feels like home.  The cook Mindy has taken my special eating plan as a challenge and creates some amazing dishes to spoil me with.  This week is TIMS (Together in Mission Service) and the theme is Holy Ground.  Join me in praying that God's word would challenge these students and leaders. 

Prayers are appreciated as later this week I will get all my updated blood work results, as well as prepare to head out to my last camp of the summer - our church camp. 

Day 10 & 11 - Elfina's Advent Adventure

These two days were spent in DuBois Pa.  We spent some time at a hotel (thanks to Mandy!) And enjoyed meeting new family as well as time celebrated Christmas with some family members.  Ella had a sleepover at Nana's house and enjoyed Cousin day with Easton.  I didn't get lots of pictures, but here is an Elf picture of the set up - they enjoyed lots of fun activities together. 

Day #10

It’s Cousin Day – Let’s have some fun

We will laugh and sing and even run

Around the house, we’ll make some noise

We eat, hide out and play with toys

I have a few things to add to the joy

So open me up, and together enjoy!

Verse of the Day: Ecclesiastes 4:9

Day 11 - thankfully - the weather did work out as it was predicted because I had to plan everything ahead of time for the whole weekend... and it snowed as planned and Ella loved it!  

Day #11

Good morning Sunshine, Go and look to the sky

Will it be snowing, can you see it with your eyes?

If it is snowing I think you should go out

And throw a few snowballs, and give a big shout

If angels are possible, I would make one I would

Because playing in the snow is something you should

Do when it’s winter, it doesn’t snow much

So enjoy it and remember the meaning is such

Jesus died to help us to know

He washes our sins as white as snow

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 1:18

This was also a great opportunity to talk about the fact that Jesus washes our sins are white as snow!  What a great promise!  

Making Snowmen as we drive home.

Elfina's snow angel 

Snowball fight! 

Meals on Wheels with Elfina - Day 6

Today Elfina was racing around in the critter jeep, towing some bread behind.  The church directory was located next to the car with an arrow to the location of delivery.  Today they would deliver a meal to a woman in our church who has been having some medical issues.  This is what the note said:

Day #6

This car it drives so very fast,

I don’t even have to put on the gas

I was driving around all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even the mouse

The bible tells us that when someone is sick, we should visit

So today would be a great opportunity, you won’t want to miss it

Follow the directions that are posted above,

And please take a meal, that was made for them in love.

Verse of the Day: Matthew 25:36

At first Ella wasn't too excited about her adventure for the day and she wanted to do something els., however I reminded her that her letter the first day said that Advent is a reminder that Christmas is not about you.... it's about Jesus and we are to visit the sick.  Reluctantly she went and had a blast. She loved it like always and they loved having her visit.  

A prayer for my sleeping child

There are few things quite as precious as a sleeping child.... whether it has been a great day filled with learning and obedience, or a day that seemed to be the worst of days filled with tears, whining, and what seemed like constant disobedience.  My heart melts over my sleeping child.  Sometimes I just stare at her, looking at her precious peaceful face.  Sometimes I cry tears of joy because of the amazing gift that God so gracious entrusted to me.  And sometimes I honestly look at my sleeping child and celebrate that the day is done... and tomorrow is a new day (if you know what I mean).

Lately I have been convicted of my need to do a better job at praying more specifically for people and for situations.  I am okay at mentioning names before the Lord, but not so good at being detailed in what I pray for.  That conviction has also rolled over into my need to do a better job praying specifically for my child and my husband.

Our evening routine involves a book or two, an evening prayer, and singing.  After the singing is through I usually kiss my sleeping child and quietly exit the room being careful to not wake the sleeping child.... however lately I have found myself lingering, looking and praying.  As I began to think about how to pray for her, I thought of the old hymn... Take My Life and Let It Be and it prompted me to pray like this....

I lay my hand and her HEAD - Lord, give her wisdom.  Help her grow in her knowledge of you. Help her to make wise decisions that would bring you honor.  Fill her mind with godly things and protect her from lies of the world.  Help her to think before she acts, so that she can be a light for you.

EARS - Lord, help her to listen - as the saying says you give us two ears to hear and one mouth to talk let us listen more than we talk.  Help her to be still and listen to that still small voice.  Help her to hear the cries of the people around her who need loved and cared for.  Help her to listen and obey as we seek to teach her your ways.  Give her ears that are fully tuned to your voice.

EYES - Protect my little girl's eyes... help us to teach her what is good to see and what to turn away from.  Give her eyes filled with compassion for those that she sees to be hurting around her.  Help her to be sensitive to those that she sees that look or act differently - help her to see them just as you see her.

MOUTH - You tell us our tongues are sharper than a two edged sword..... help her tongue to be used to build people up and not tear them down.  Help her to speak truth but in a way that is filled with compassion.  Help her words to be kind and caring.  Help her to use her mouth to tell others of your amazing goodness.  Let her be your mouth piece to a hurting world that needs to know of your love.

HANDS - Let these hands be used to serve you.  Let them be used to build for your kingdom and not be used to hurt others or for selfish things.  Use her hands to help bring joy to the brokenhearted and healing for the sick (she told me she wants to be a doctor, so I guess it is never to early to start praying if that is what she does).

I lay my hand on her BACK - this precious little body Lord is a gift from you.... protect her body from harm.  Keep away anyone that would want to hurt her or take advantage of her.  Lord wrap your arms around her as she sleeps so that she can be comforted to know that she is safe in your arms. Thank you for the gift that she is to me and so many others...thank you for her!

LEGS - You tell us that we are to run a race not of speed but of endurance.... give her legs to run that race and run it well.  Lead her on the path that is the straight and narrow.  Give her patience in the journey but help her to follow the leader of the pack, which is you.

FEET - Lord - these tiny feet will walk many miles over her lifetime... may those steps by following in your footsteps.  Let her be your hands and feet and be like You to other people.  Though it would be so hard to let her go far away, Lord if you call her to serve around the world... help me to be willing to let her go.... and help her to be willing to be obedient.

Lord for this little child, my baby, your gift to us... I pray your hand of protection, and pray that you amazing love would radiate from this child.  Thank you for sharing her with us!  AMEN

Operation Christmas Child

This past Sunday at church we played this video! As usual I was holding back the tears.... to think Christmas time is just around the corner and it is once again time to send off another batch of shoeboxes with Operation Christmas Child. It is amazing to think that a simple shoebox and literally save a child's life.... it won't take away their hunger, it won't bring back their parents that died of AIDS - but what it does do is show the saving love of Jesus Christ to children around the world.

I love this project because everyone can do it! A small child can pack a box as well as an elderly couple, it is a lifetime service opportunity open to all people that want to share Jesus' love with the world around them. If you haven't packed a shoebox - it is not too late - you have until Monday Nov. 22nd to get them to a collection center near you. Check out www.samaritanspurse.org for more information.

Take a moment and watch this video! You may need a tissue or a two but it is well worth your time!