1) They are fighters. They battle on many fronts; sometimes they are all alone in the battle, but they keep at it!
2) Even though many others misunderstand them- they still seek to understand others!
3) They are clever. They do much researching, scheduling, keeping meds straight, treatments on time... even with brain fog!
4) They are creative. They have to learn to do things a little differently than others- as no two Lyme Fighters are exactly the same. They have to be creative in how to eat, move, lie down, take the medicine, do treatments, keep in community with others...their creativity is central to all they do!
5) They are strong. These are people who were at one time 'mover-shaker' people- active and smart. Though illness has robbed them in so many ways- their internal fortitude muscles are getting a work out. Some days just getting out of bed for a meal is an amazing feat of strength!
6) They are advocates! They don't want anyone else to go through what they are going through- they are active in getting the word out, to warn others, to educate others.
7) They are good at networking! Lyme Fighters have learned how to reach out to each other and to share information that makes a difference for them, and will make a difference for others. Many are 'shut-ins', but regularly give 'shout-outs' to whomever they can, using many different media/communication tools.
8) They share! With the networking, they are eager to help another person whenever they find a piece of helpful information or resource.
9) They have learned that 'Being' trumps 'Doing' when life is boiled down. Used to being people of action- and then learning to live within limits, one learns more about their person hood, their self-differentiation, their purpose, their value; even when living life 'small', Lyme Fighters live it 'big'!
10) They are there for each other. Lyme Fighters know better than anyone else what another Lyme Fighter is going through- they know what encouragement is needed, and speak/show it to another Lyme Fighter generously. They may not have much to offer materially, but they give what matters most- they give of themselves.
I'd love it if you'd leave a post with more reasons of why Lyme Fighters are Fantastic!
Blessings-
Ephesians 3
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom [l]every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the [m]saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations [n]forever and ever. Amen.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Saturday, November 9, 2013
Cynthia's Sweet & Salty Crunchy Munch
In our area, today is Deer Hunting Opener! It is almost a holiday. There are many traditions to Deer Opener: travel, special traditional/necessary clothing (like blaze orange everything), vehicles, equipment, housing (hunting shacks), cook outs, and of course- special treats!
Seeing my family with all their special treats was somehow extra tough this year- So, I baked up my own snack today, as I haven't made it for awhile.
Perhaps you'd like to try it as well for over these 'munchy holidays'.
Now, I'm not a great recipe writer- and I bake, and cook, mainly operating under my grandmother's tutelage mantra, "Just add enough til your stomach shakes!" approach. So, I am going to show you the recipe in pictures... maybe instead of a recipe- you can think of it as a snack guideline!
Start with a jelly-roll pan, with low sides, like this (note, I do not have fancy kitchenware for this recipe):
(You may also notice, I didn't clean up my kitchen before you came.)
Pre-heat your oven to 375F
Into the pan, spread about a single layer of Rice Chex:
You may even want to sprinkle the cereal with some salt- I used popcorn salt- you may want to use sea salt.... Salt it to taste
Seeing my family with all their special treats was somehow extra tough this year- So, I baked up my own snack today, as I haven't made it for awhile.
Perhaps you'd like to try it as well for over these 'munchy holidays'.
Now, I'm not a great recipe writer- and I bake, and cook, mainly operating under my grandmother's tutelage mantra, "Just add enough til your stomach shakes!" approach. So, I am going to show you the recipe in pictures... maybe instead of a recipe- you can think of it as a snack guideline!
Start with a jelly-roll pan, with low sides, like this (note, I do not have fancy kitchenware for this recipe):
Pre-heat your oven to 375F
Into the pan, spread about a single layer of Rice Chex:
To this, add Organic Coconut Oil- I dolloped about 5 TBSP across the top of the cereal-
Now place the pan into the oven for about 3 minutes to liquefy the coconut oil (yes- I'm in a chilly climate, so the oil needs to heat up).
Once the three minutes are up, and the coconut oil is melted, take the pan out of the oven. Using a spatula, mix the cereal and oil until the cereal is evenly coated. (You may add more oil if you'd like- there may be a little oil on the bottom of the pan, but it shouldn't be pooling on the bottom.)
Place the pan back in the oven for about 5 minutes
Take it out and again use the spatula to mix the cereal/salt- Then put the pan back in the oven for another 5 minutes- OR- until the cereal is just browning to your liking~ (no, your Lyme eyes are not acting up- it is out of focus, but I couldn't get a pic right on the 5 minute mark that wasn't blurred!)
Taste it to see if you need more salt~ if it is to your liking- turn off the oven, and let the cereal cool in the pan. Once it has cooled- place the snack in an airtight container to retain it's Crunchy-Munchiness!
Now, I'm thinking- this could be all the more decadent if I had a bar of Lily's Dark Chocolate to melt and drizzle over it after it cooled.... Hhhhmmm, maybe for New Year's?
James 1:7
Blessings!
Friday, November 8, 2013
Pumpkin Pie
A quick post- as my Lyme Battle Buddy Vickie wondered about a pumpkin pie recipe-
Here is the one I played with last year- you can adjust to your own needs-
(like no sugar for me - I'll use Stevia, and coconut mild instead of evap milk...)
I will include the crust- although it is off limits for me- it sure sounds good. I made it without the crust last year- just oiled the pie plate- and it was good :)
Basically- play with this: Cynthia's Pumpkin Pie
3/4 Stevia (one that portion ratio to sugar in a recipe is 1:1),
1 tsp grnd cinnamon,
1/2tsp salt,
1/2tsp ginger,
1/4 tsp clove,
2 large eggs,
1c pumpkin,
1c evap milk (or use coconut milk)-
pour into a 9inch pan,
bake at 425 degrees in over for 15 minutes and then lower temp to 350 and back another 40-50 minutes... or til done
(Yes, this is a very basic recipe!)
If you want an expanded, different recipe for pumpkin pie and all sorts of other goodies- checkout this site: http://www.affairsofliving.com/imported-20100106014405/2009/10/30/gluten-free-sugar-free-vegan-pumpkin-pie-recipe-with-crunchy.html
Use their search engine for all sorts of good recipes to play with.... As Lyme Fighters know- 'one size/recipe does not fit all'~
Have a blessed November! Don't forget to thank a Veteran on the 11th! And remember- you too can have some special foods to look foward to at Thanksgiving-- start now to look at recipes and plan for your own new favorites!
Blessings-
Here is the one I played with last year- you can adjust to your own needs-
(like no sugar for me - I'll use Stevia, and coconut mild instead of evap milk...)
I will include the crust- although it is off limits for me- it sure sounds good. I made it without the crust last year- just oiled the pie plate- and it was good :)
Basically- play with this: Cynthia's Pumpkin Pie
3/4 Stevia (one that portion ratio to sugar in a recipe is 1:1),
1 tsp grnd cinnamon,
1/2tsp salt,
1/2tsp ginger,
1/4 tsp clove,
2 large eggs,
1c pumpkin,
1c evap milk (or use coconut milk)-
pour into a 9inch pan,
bake at 425 degrees in over for 15 minutes and then lower temp to 350 and back another 40-50 minutes... or til done
(Yes, this is a very basic recipe!)
If you want an expanded, different recipe for pumpkin pie and all sorts of other goodies- checkout this site: http://www.affairsofliving.com/imported-20100106014405/2009/10/30/gluten-free-sugar-free-vegan-pumpkin-pie-recipe-with-crunchy.html
Use their search engine for all sorts of good recipes to play with.... As Lyme Fighters know- 'one size/recipe does not fit all'~
Have a blessed November! Don't forget to thank a Veteran on the 11th! And remember- you too can have some special foods to look foward to at Thanksgiving-- start now to look at recipes and plan for your own new favorites!
Blessings-
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
New Every Morning
Today's Bible reading, at least one portion, was in the book of Lamentations.
Lamentations. A word that many of us Lyme Fighters may not be familiar with, but certainly have personally done- lament. The free dictionary online gives these definitions: la·ment (l
-m
nt
)
The selection today was out of Lamentations 3, verses 22-26, a fairly familiar passage. I was reading it in the NIV this morning.
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
“Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Blessings~
Lamentations. A word that many of us Lyme Fighters may not be familiar with, but certainly have personally done- lament. The free dictionary online gives these definitions: la·ment (l
-mnt)
v.la·ment·ed, la·ment·ing, la·ments
v.tr.
1. To express grief for or about; mourn: lament a death.
2. To regret deeply; deplore: He lamented his thoughtless acts.
n.
1. A feeling or an expression of grief; a lamentation.
2. A song or poem expressing deep grief or mourning
Can you relate? I certainly can-
The selection today was out of Lamentations 3, verses 22-26, a fairly familiar passage. I was reading it in the NIV this morning.
22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.
The very first part, verse 22 caught me today. because of the LORD's Great love we are not consumed, fo his compassions never fail. In previous verses, the lament is made that many afflictions have come, even at God's own hand/allowance- and yet here is hope- that we will not be consumed because of His great love.
Do you feel as if the afflictions and challenges you are facing are consuming you? Here is the Word for you today- His compassion will not fail you; you are greatly loved. You may not feel that at the moment- but it is true nonetheless- and that is what greets you today:
- in fact, they are new every morning, He is faithful to us; His portion is ours today; we wait on him; we hope in him; we seek him; it is good.
Today holds glory-treasures. Perhaps some of the treasures for you today are such things as hope, a new morning, new mercies, His love, His compassion...perhaps His expression of these things will come in mortal presence, an act of kindness, a gift of nature~ The important thing is to live expectantly (which is hope) for His revealing Himself to you today.
“Earth's crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Blessings~
Friday, October 25, 2013
Supplies
Things are coming along here. My dad is slowly improving- thank you for your prayers! He is still living at our home, regaining his strength.
About every day there is either an RN (Registered Nurse), OT (Occupational Therapy), or PT (Physical Therapy) person here to work with him. Many of the OT and PT aspects are applicable to Lyme recovery- and I am challenged to be more disciplined again with my own PT exercises.
I'd been going to PT, but life happens and I've not been able to get back to it. Meanwhile- I am doing his exercises along with him, and it is nice to have someone to do them with.
Here is a picture I took on my way out to the mailbox yesterday- what do you see there? What is your first thought of this fall scene? Does it represent to you an ending, or a beginning?
Today, in my daily Bible reading schedule, 1 Timothy chapter 6 was read. Verses 17-19 jumped out to me~
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Many of us fighting Lyme are greatly depleted financially- adding to our angst. Whatever our financial state pre-Lyme Fight, we know well what Paul is saying- it is easy to fix our hope on riches, but they are uncertain, and it can frankly be frightening to see the money go out so quickly, and in such large amounts- and us left helpless to do anything about it.
Paul urges us to put our hope in God- who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Even on bad days- if we look around with God's perspective, with His help- we can find something to enjoy. The more we seek Him, and ask Him to show us- the more we see how indeed He has not only supplied us with things to enjoy- but He has richly done so.
I am seeing more and more things to enjoy- perhaps not all things yet. But, my level of expectation has increased: What is He doing in this moment? Where is He in this? Who does He want me to get to know- to reach out to in this situation?
For instance- at first glance, it may appear that the people that come to our home to tend to my dad is all about his improving health (which is important)- but perhaps the LORD has other assignments in meeting these people- if not for now, maybe down the road; maybe there will be an opportunity to share His love with them, encourage them... Looking for whatever riches my King has hidden for me to find- and enjoy together with Him.
Paul gives us some directions in the quest of these Heavenly Riches to enjoy: do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share. These, he says- will then store up a good foundation for us in the future (immediate and eternal)- SO THAT- we may take hold of that which is life, INDEED!
Oh but we crave life. We spend so many days in languish, bringing a glimmer of life into our day makes a gigantic difference!
Today, may you see opportunities to continue building upon the good foundation- and take hold of life. Enjoy- Ask the LORD to show you at least one thing today in which you can do good; ask Him to show you how you can be generous (He is very creative; even if you feel you don't have anything to offer- He will show you something you can offer!)...
Doing these things, with thanksgiving- you will have something to enjoy today, and to delight in with the King of Kings~
Blessings!
About every day there is either an RN (Registered Nurse), OT (Occupational Therapy), or PT (Physical Therapy) person here to work with him. Many of the OT and PT aspects are applicable to Lyme recovery- and I am challenged to be more disciplined again with my own PT exercises.
I'd been going to PT, but life happens and I've not been able to get back to it. Meanwhile- I am doing his exercises along with him, and it is nice to have someone to do them with.
Here is a picture I took on my way out to the mailbox yesterday- what do you see there? What is your first thought of this fall scene? Does it represent to you an ending, or a beginning?
Today, in my daily Bible reading schedule, 1 Timothy chapter 6 was read. Verses 17-19 jumped out to me~
17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Many of us fighting Lyme are greatly depleted financially- adding to our angst. Whatever our financial state pre-Lyme Fight, we know well what Paul is saying- it is easy to fix our hope on riches, but they are uncertain, and it can frankly be frightening to see the money go out so quickly, and in such large amounts- and us left helpless to do anything about it.
Paul urges us to put our hope in God- who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Even on bad days- if we look around with God's perspective, with His help- we can find something to enjoy. The more we seek Him, and ask Him to show us- the more we see how indeed He has not only supplied us with things to enjoy- but He has richly done so.
I am seeing more and more things to enjoy- perhaps not all things yet. But, my level of expectation has increased: What is He doing in this moment? Where is He in this? Who does He want me to get to know- to reach out to in this situation?
For instance- at first glance, it may appear that the people that come to our home to tend to my dad is all about his improving health (which is important)- but perhaps the LORD has other assignments in meeting these people- if not for now, maybe down the road; maybe there will be an opportunity to share His love with them, encourage them... Looking for whatever riches my King has hidden for me to find- and enjoy together with Him.
Paul gives us some directions in the quest of these Heavenly Riches to enjoy: do good, be rich in good works, be generous and ready to share. These, he says- will then store up a good foundation for us in the future (immediate and eternal)- SO THAT- we may take hold of that which is life, INDEED!
Oh but we crave life. We spend so many days in languish, bringing a glimmer of life into our day makes a gigantic difference!
Today, may you see opportunities to continue building upon the good foundation- and take hold of life. Enjoy- Ask the LORD to show you at least one thing today in which you can do good; ask Him to show you how you can be generous (He is very creative; even if you feel you don't have anything to offer- He will show you something you can offer!)...
Doing these things, with thanksgiving- you will have something to enjoy today, and to delight in with the King of Kings~
Blessings!
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Number Our Days
Yesterday, in the reading-through-the-Bible in a year schedule, the reader read through two familiar Psalms, 90 & 91.
One of the many things I love about the Word is that even the familiar takes on a new tone, new color, new feel, new meaning... depending on life's season~
Out popped Psalm 90:12 " So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Oh, but I have felt my days numbered more acutely than ever in this Lyme Fight. Each day is a precious gift; each day with any extra energy left beyond extistence is a jewel- and to be spent with careful consideration, making it count, making it of worth. This is only achieved by operating in God's economy- and for this, wisdom is indeed needed.
In the MacArthur Bible Commentary, the 'heart of wisdom' notation states, "Wisdom repudiates autonomy and focuses on the Lord's sovereigny and revelation"
Is that my focus today? Wisdom says- focus on the Lord's sovereignty and revelation. Ah, but isnt' this an aspect of the Mystery about which we've talked earlier... With this God-lens, this wisdom- I look beyond myself, beyond circumstances, to see the moments revealed by God, with His illumination upon each scene- making each moment count according to His will~
Oh LORD, indeed, teach me to number my days- that I will get a heart of wisdom- to see in each moment Your Light, Your Presence, Your Sovereingty, Your revelation~
Blessed be the Name of the LORD~
Blessings-
Friday, October 11, 2013
Article published
It was an honor to be invited to use my writing in the EFCA Update.
They chose my writing on compassion- Go to this link- scroll down to article.
http://www.efca-update.org/
Of course- there is other good information on this site too! (smile)
The audiences for this Update are pastors, church leaders, congregants (Evangelical Free Church of America). The hope is to bring them into a renewed/greater appreciation for the afflicted in their congregation, and to promote thoughtful responses to those in need.
Pray the LORD may use it so~
Blessings-
They chose my writing on compassion- Go to this link- scroll down to article.
http://www.efca-update.org/
Of course- there is other good information on this site too! (smile)
The audiences for this Update are pastors, church leaders, congregants (Evangelical Free Church of America). The hope is to bring them into a renewed/greater appreciation for the afflicted in their congregation, and to promote thoughtful responses to those in need.
Pray the LORD may use it so~
Blessings-
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