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Wednesday, 25 November 2009

  • Currently
    Phil Wickham
    By Phil Wickham
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    3rd Annual Week of Thankful (Day 6)

    Of all the thankful posts I write, this annual post is my very favorite. I love to contemplate and focus all my gratitude on names of God that He’s shown Himself to be to me in the last year. So today....

    I’m thankful that He IS…

    …Faithful
    …Provider
    …Protector
    …Friend
    …Forgiver
    …Generous
    …Safe
    …Good
    …Friend
    …My Righteousness
    …Guide
    …Strong Tower
    …Wisdom
    …Merciful
    …Giver of Life
    …The Great Romancer
    …Creator
    …Healer
    …The Great Physician
    …In control of all things
    …Truth
    …Encourager
    …Gentle
    …Hope
    …the One who wants me
    …My Covering
    …Supplier of all my needs
    …Extravagant
    …Perfect in Timing
    …Mighty Savior
    …Beautiful
    …Warrior
    …the One who KNOWS me
    …Passionate
    …Rescuer
    …Never going to leave
    …Worthy
    …Author of all stories
    …with me
    …Pursuer
    …Everything I need
    …more than I could ever imagine….ever.


    ...Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! ...
    ~2 Corinthians 9:15~

Tuesday, 24 November 2009

  • Currently
    The Resistance
    By Muse
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    3rd Annual Week of Thankful (Day 5)

    It's been pretty cool to get my "guest blogs" for Thankful week. I love writing my thankful blogs, but I LOVE it when other people share their thankfuls with me. You saw my dear friend Kim's blog just the other day. I cannot tell you how privileged it made me to share with you her story. Today, I get to share with you another thankful story that I've been privileged to pray alongside of for the last year. It's our very own AimeeAnne.

    I met Aimee a little over two years ago, when she was driving to Richmond and we plotted a book shopping, food eatin' kinda meetin'. She and Lauren were the first two xanga peeps I got to meet, and it was an amazingly fun and cool experience. It became a sort of annual thing, because this last March, She came back and met with Brooke & I for a similar day of fun. After this, Aimee decided to stop blogging indefinitely (a sad day for those of us who care about her!) but today I get the extreme privilege of sharing a brief return of hers to xanga-dom and a story of her own gratitude this year.


    When Detours Become Destinations

     

    This last year of my life was not one I thought I'd be thankful for. Ever. At the start of it I was unhealthy, unhappy, and uninspired. I had very little energy, and I spent all of it muddling through the work day, hoping that the next day would be better.

     

    But it never was. How could someone be this tired? All the time? How had I gone from a former "workaholic" to someone who wished to stay in bed all day?

     

    In March, depressed and fed up, I quit blogging on Xanga (something I never thought I'd do). It seemed everything gave me stress or anxiety anyway, so what did it matter? I knew something had to be done. I was floundering, and I had a strong sense that if I didn't change my life, my life was going to be over.

     

    I made some dietary changes and eased into a regular exercise routine, but was deflated when my efforts over the course of several months produced no weight loss whatsoever. How could that be normal? Coupled with the constant tiredness, I just knew that something was very wrong.

     

    By July, I could hardly function. Things just kept getting worse. I was still going to work, but that was it. I had bouts with coma-like fatigue that truly freaked me out. Mentally I would come awake, but could not make my body get up. 

     

    Honestly, I feared that I was dying of some unknown disease. I was so tired, though, that part of me didn't even care. At least I would be guaranteed plenty of sleep in the grave.

     

    In September, I started seeing a different natural health doctor, and finally got my answer: adrenal fatigue syndrome. In essence, my adrenal glands had crashed. I was thrilled, because at least I wasn't actually dying and now had something to blame for all this exhaustion! Also, because my body had been worn down for so long, my immune system was in crisis. I went on an intensely restricted diet (basically specially cooked meats and limited varieties of vegetables) and took massive amounts of vitamin supplements for various different issues.

     

    Once I built up enough energy, I started a daily exercise program again. I got on a regimented schedule and stuck to it, seven days a week. And I spent plenty of time journaling, praying, and contemplating...trying to work through anything that gave me additional stress (which was pretty much everything - adrenal glands regulate stress by producing cortisol, and mine weren't really doing that).

     

    It's been nearly three years since this problem began, nine months since I recognized that this problem really wasn't going away, and three months since I began purposeful treatment. I am not entirely there yet, but I am drastically improved. I still struggle with fatigue, and still get more easily stressed than any normal human being should. But I am so much better than I was.

     

    I'm still not entirely sure how it started, or ultimately, how it will be cured - but I am immensely grateful for the path that I have walked. Looking back, I might have wished that this never would have happened. For a 2009 do-over. I might have wished for a little more adventure than simply struggling to stay awake.

     

    But instead, I embrace the year that was given me. I am grateful for my improving health and will never again take it for granted. And I thank the Lord that He is faithful when all looks hopeless.

     

    This year has been a gift. It certainly has been wrought with countless frustrations, tears, fears, and dead ends. But. For there always is a but when it comes to "bad situations" placed in the hands of the One who knows all: I have become more of the person I have longed to be.

     

    If it weren't for this fatigue, I wouldn't have met a part of myself that needed to develop. (Mainly, the part that realized one's health was far more important than Chinese food, high-fructose corn syrup, and being a couch-o-potamus.)

     

    I started out the year wishing to get this "health detour" over with so I could resume normal life. But as it turns out, the detour is the destination I was seeking all along. A new normal.

     

    And let me tell you, normal feels good.


    In my own grand tradition, now I get to take a minute to add some things about Aimee that I'm thankful for!
    • She is witty. Seriously, witty. I can't tell you how many times she's made me guffaw in the confines of my own quiet space. It's good to have a friend of such wit.
    • She loves her friends and family fiercely, loyally and passionately. It's a beautiful thing to behold and even have the rare privilege of experiencing.
    • She may not understand God's will or plan in her life, but she submits with humility and grace, something I feel often lacking in. I love her heart to seek God even when she's feeling angry, hurt and sad.
    • She LOVES to read, bookstories and other nerdy excursions that absolutely make me not feel alone in the nerd-kingdom of bookland.
    • She is, I'm convinced, a writer in the making. I'm quite sure that someday, you'll find a book on a shelf by our dear friend and enjoy it.
    • She manages to share her heart, friendship and life over miles and email. I can't tell you how that blesses me. I know that at any moment I could txt her and say "when can I come visit?" and she'd help me plan said trip....Maybe I should...hmm...lol! :D
    Aimee, I'm so glad to know you. Thank you for sharing your heart with us!



Monday, 23 November 2009

  • Currently
    Heroes: Season 2
    By Jack Coleman, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Masi Oka, James Kyson Lee, Milo Ventimiglia
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    3rd Annual Week of Thankful (Day 4)

    This one's a day late, but it's here:

    100 Everyday Things to be Thankful for:

    1.       Black Gel Pens

    2.       Bookmarks

    3.       Hulu

    4.       Debit Cards

    5.       2% Organic Milk

    6.       Lavender Scented Detergent

    7.       Hair ties.

    8.       Slip-on shoes.

    9.       Gunmetal Nail Polish

    10.   Coffee Makers.

    11.   Speed Limits.

    12.   iTunes

    13.   Hair Straightener

    14.   Toothpaste

    15.   Fuzzy socks

    16.   Light bulbs

    17.   Stairs

    18.   Paper clips.

    19.   Travel Mugs for Coffee

    20.   Sharpie Markers

    21.   Chairs

    22.   Keys

    23.   Jewelry

    24.   ESPN Monday Morning Blitz

    25.   Cell Phones

    26.   Scented Candles

    27.   Sporks

    28.   Windows

    29.   Power cords

    30.   Gum

    31.   Hoodies

    32.   Sunsets & Sunrises

    33.   Text Messages

    34.   The cool side of the pillow

    35.   A brand new roll of toilet paper

    36.   Pajamas

    37.   Braids

    38.   Patios

    39.   The sexy blue non latex, non powder gloves @ work

    40.   The @ sign

    41.   Email

    42.   Digital cameras

    43.   Crayons

    44.   Trash bags

    45.   Bookshelves

    46.   Wine

    47.   Baseball hats

    48.   Black tee shirts

    49.   Cologne

    50.   Spatulas

    51.   Remote Controls

    52.   Coupons

    53.   Fabric Softener

    54.   Picture Frames

    55.   Pretty Wine glasses

    56.   Piggy banks

    57.   Pizza & Dr. Pepper

    58.   Laundry Hampers

    59.   Laptop computers

    60.   Frilly things

    61.   The color pink.

    62.   Tires

    63.   Paved roads

    64.   Coffee

    65.   Mascara

    66.   Throw Pillows

    67.   Mirrors

    68.   Photographs

    69.   Scarves

    70.   Seasonal Decorations

    71.   Deodorant (don’t tell me you’re not thankful for that)

    72.   Classical Music

    73.   Smiles

    74.   Journals

    75.   Tennis Shoes

    76.   Post it Notes

    77.   Hairspray

    78.   Pillows

    79.   Salad forks & small spoons

    80.   Babies

    81.   Sidewalks

    82.   Flowers

    83.   Coffee Shops

    84.   Holding hands

    85.   Prayer

    86.   Umbrellas

    87.   Blue Jeans

    88.   Trash cans

    89.   The alphabet

    90.   Teddy bears

    91.   Lamps

    92.   Orange Juice

    93.   Electrical outlets

    94.   Locks

    95.   Showers

    96.   Fabric Softener

    97.   Can openers

    98.   Scissors

    99.   Hugs

    100.                        ……



Saturday, 21 November 2009

  • Currently
    Return to Me
    By David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, William Bronder, Dick Cusack, James Belushi
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    3rd Annual Week of Thankful (Day 3)

    On Day Three There's much to be thankful for but I'm going to say this:
    I went with a friend to the Blue Ridge Parkway to watch the sunset. As I sat in full view of the fiery sunset, watching the Blue Ridge Mountains radiate all their glory...Dusk settled over us and I had my iphone/ipod playing worship music. What was so glorious a moment was punctuated with lyrics declaring God's glory. I heard a lyric on one song saying "I have called you mine" - one of those great songs that reminds me that God holds me and loves me so much to call me his own. There I sat looking out as the sun was gone, and the moon was glowing and the stars were starting to appear that I heard God say "I made all of this...and YOU are mine - my beloved."

    Contemplate that.  I hope it it sinks deep and gives you a great reason to be grateful. Today, I'm thankful for that.




Friday, 20 November 2009

  • Currently
    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack
    By Various Artists
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    3rd Annual Week of Thankful (Day 2)

    Hey Gang, this is the third year I've done seven days of thankful blogs the week of Thanksgiving. Since my life is ridiculously busy, I asked a few friends to compile a thankful blog or two of their own, in their own words, own style, and express some gratitude. :D

    Today, I am publishing my friend Kim's thankful post. She was my prayer partner in Texas for three years. Her story is amazing. I'm thankful for her in many ways. She walked me through some difficult moments in life, and we have journeyed together over the last five years through a lot of ups and downs. The last year in her life has seen some crazy events, and she has allowed me a place of friendship 1200 miles away (she still lives in TX) and we're closer than ever, still sticking close and loving each other over the  miles. :D

    Here's her thankful blog.


    This year I am undoubtedly grateful for the miracle of medicine and how science is helping to heal my mind.

    For those who know me, seeing the changes in my demeanor over the last few years has been difficult. Once vibrant and enthusiastic about my life, I slowly devolved into a person who couldn't cope with the slightest of stressors, let alone, my own complicated life. My husband and children were paying a high price just to co-exist with me, none of us were really living.

    At one point, I began to wonder if my life would stay in this state of turmoil forever, hope was was a distant memory for all of us. I prayed a lot for God to intervene in a big way. I had no idea how He would do that but I knew that I needed Him to.

    In the spring of this year my husband called our counselor the morning after a particularly rough night. He was growing more and more concerned about me and was feeling frustrated that things never seemed to get any better even though we had been in counseling for almost a year. They decided it was time to seek further help.

    Shortly after that phone call I saw a psychiatrist who helped me find the right combination of chemicals to effectively change my life. I mean that in the truest sense. I can't believe how long I lived so out of balance that most days I couldn't see, think, feel or even hear straight. Once the medications settled in my system, it was like a fog had been lifted and suddenly I could breathe again.

    I am so grateful for a God who loves me, doctors who are knowledgeable and who care and a church where I have the freedom to be honest about my journey. I am grateful for second chances with my husband and kids and for the time I still have with them every day. And lately, I have begun to remember the supportive people God has indeed surrounded me with. Sometimes the fog was so heavy I didn't even know they were there, but I do now and for that, I am immensely grateful.


    Now, if I may, I want to share some things about Kim that I'm thankful for:
    • She helped me learn that prayer is an intimate thing and a way to build good relationship without even knowing someone.
    • She introduced me to some good tunes. Mat Kearney anyone? Yes, she told me first.
    • She has been one friend that didn't abandon me when she got married. She's kept on encouraging me in being single, listening when I'm sad, hearing and loving my heart all along. I can't tell you how many times I've cried on the phone about being alone with her and instead of a trite or churchy answer, she says "I am sad for you"...even emailed me and said "I am dressed in sackcloth and putting ashes on my head and crying with you right now" She's my Romans 12:12 friend for sure. Rejoicing and weeping with me during both seasons. :D
    • She has clung to truth in the darkest moments of her life, shown me that the example of marriage is hard and painful and difficult, but still to be honored as God doesn't condone divorce. She's grown and softened, surrendered and let go of herself; She's become an even better woman than she ever was.
    • She was a single mom for 9 years, maybe more, and trusted God in ways and areas that the faint of heart cannot even hope to. She taught me how to trust God for provision in ways that left her and me both speechless. Even after she's been married.
    • She taught me about California Wine. And that, my friends, is a good thing. :D Next time I visit, I want chocolate and wine. :D ha ha!
    • She taught me to be brave in the face of heartbreak....and gave me a couch to cry on when I was torn up emotionally after a traumatic breakup.
    • She taught me about the love language that I find most difficult: "Acts of service"...because it's her love language, I had to learn how to show her love in that way. So washing her dishes, and doing small tasks meant love for her when for me, I didn't grasp that concept. My love language is so different from hers, but I learned, with God's help. 
    • Most of all, I"m thankful for her friendship. Five years later....she's one of my closest friends still. Love her.

Renaissance_Phoenix

  • Visit Renaissance_Phoenix's Xanga Site
    • Name: Amanda
    • Gender: Female
    • Member Since: 9/10/2006
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