These are pictures of my youngest son's foot before surgery and after surgery.   This is what happens when a teenager shows off and lands wrong on his feet.

God is faithful.  No stressing out too bad for mom.   I have just missed many hours of work. John is healing up nicely. and things will get get back to normal in six to eight weeks. 


Debbi

Behcet's Disease Awarness Day May 20, 2010

Behcet's Disease is Named after a Turkish dermatologist who discovered it in the 1930s, it is an autoimmune disorder that results from damage to blood vessels throughout the body. The immune system is suppose to protect the body from disease and infections by killing harmful “foreign” substances such as germs that enter the body.


In an autoimmune reaction, the immune system attacks and harms the body’s own tissues, according to an explanation on the Web site of the American Behcet’s Disease Association, http://www.behcets.com/.  This reaction then triggers inflammation of the blood vessels, which leads to swelling, redness, heat and pain and a lot of time ulcerations (or at least that has been my experience).

Behcet’s has the ability to involve blood vessels of nearly all sizes and types, ranging from small to large arteries, and affects many sites throughout the body any where you have blood vessels you can have Behcet's disease. Behcet's seems to mainly to manifest itself in the eyes, mouth, skin, lungs, joints, brain, genitals and gastrointestinal tract.

The four common symptoms of Behcet’s are mouth sores, genital sores, skin problems and inflammation inside the eye. Involvement of the eye happens in more than half of those with Behcet’s disease and can cause blurred vision, pain and redness. Other symptoms include arthritis, blood clots, and inflammation of the central nervous system and inflammation of the digestive organs.

Behcet's is very rare in the US effecting abut 1 out of a half million people and is more common among those from the "silk road region."  It is so rare that two times I was in the ER I had to explain to the ER doctors what it is. Most doctors heard of this disease but have never seen your know much about it.

I was recently diagnosed with this disease after being misdiagnosed for years with Crohn's Disease. It was easier to get people to listen to my symptoms when they thought I had Crohn's.  I have dwelt with many of the symptoms since my teenage years.

 To combat this disease I am taking Methotrexate (a chemo drug) Imuran (an immune suppressant drug) Propanolol for migraine control along with several others to combat this disease. There is no cure for this disease and treatments are limited to treating the symptoms the patient is having. 
For me Behcet's gives me skin, mouth,  joint, stomach and intestinal & genital ulcers.  So far my eyes and lungs have not been effected by the disease. 

 This disease can be embarrassing and most of the time very painful. As with a lot of other diseases, I can never forget I have this illness. I have to budget my activities and plan things carefully.  I run out of energy quickly and the side effects of the medications make things interesting to say the least.

   I am always very careful about what crowed environments I attend and during Cold and Flu season and I very rarely attend public functions and limited church service attendance because I am afraid of getting sick with what ever illness goes around at any given time,
  I get sick easily which people don't understand.   

I don't deal well with a lot of pain, and tend to get really grumpy and agitated quickly.  I have a short fuse that gets shorter when I am hurting.  God is working on me in this area. I know this isn't going to go away. So I am finding new ways to deal with it. This isn't a fatal disease but it can cause blindness, and strokes.

If you want to learn more about Behcet's disease check out the American Behcet's Disease Association website http://www.behcets.com/ or contact me.  

Thank you for your interest!

Prayerfully Your Sister In Christ

Debbi

Brandie's Blanket Start of skein 4 I think I need more yarn!!!! LOL

Crocheting hasn't come easy for me.  I have tried for years and years to crochet something other than a triangle! I finally got this stitch down.  It amazes me how I can take four skeins of yarn and knot them together to make a particular blanket.  It isn't nearly done yet but when it is, it is going to  be something useful.

 Reminds me of what God is doing with us.  He is taking a raw piece of string and and intertwining it together and knitting or crocheting us into His useful tool.  We aren't nearly done yet he is still working on us as his project so to speak, making sure every stitch is perfect to his exact specs.  Jeremiah 18:1-6 talks about the Potter and the Clay. This is just a different way of looking at this story. 

I hope you take time out of your lives to look and see how God is molding and knitting you together for the better of His Kingdom.  Maybe He is trying to teach you something are you listening? I am now.

Prayerfully Your Sister In Christ

Debbi

Haystack Res!  05/14/10

More Mother's day gift Pictures!

The thought for today

Titus 2:1-8 (KJV)

1But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
3The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
6Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.
7In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

What makes a woman a Wise Titus 2 woman?

If you do work outside the house be at peace where God has you.  God provided  you with the job for a reason and this is where you are suppose to be until the door is opened again so that you can stay home and just be the keeper of the home. 

Are we considered wise woman because we are SAHM's or because we work and keep the house running?  I think experience make us wise. I was a SAHM for many years, I wasn't that good at it and well my support system sucked at that time I wasn't following Gods commands as a Godly woman I was young and foolish wanting it all. Now I long to go back to be a SAHM why because, I now know where I failed and what to do differently.  You see once you start to follow Gods commands and do what He asks of you, we become wiser, and brighter. We learn from the mistakes and move forward not to repeat them,  or at least that is the goal we should have.   But as wise woman we are at peace with where we are! Seeking God's calling as to where we should be.  I can work outside my home and still keep the house going it is called delegation, and chores for everyone.  (OK I hate chores! I admit it I fail and delegate way to much!). 

So be at peace God knows your heart, if your a SAHM wanting to work outside the home go to God he will show you His will and be at peace with that.  If you work outside the home and long to be a SAHM again seek God's will and be at peace with that.   OK I left out one very important factor out of this not only do we have to have God in the equation but we also need out spouses input in this too. 

Communication with our spouse is very very important one about this.  I work because we need my health insurance benefits along with my husbands health insurance benefits.  I talk to my husband about this once in a while which he reminds me of the car payment my medical bills my daughters dance the cell phones extra food on the table some months.  I get the picture I need to work to enjoy what we have now.

So being a wise Titus 2 woman comes from experience, trial and error and a very very strong relationship with God and our spouse.  Not to mention out children can't forget the kids, believe it or not the are benefiting from my working outside the house too.  (Their cell phones car insurance, schooling 32 miles away, dance, and other after school activities not to mention summer church camp, youth group activities, clothes, shoes ect )  Yes God is wiser then I am that's for sure!

So I will continue to strive to be a better Titus 2 woman and grow wiser as the days go by.

Debbi

Pictures of the blanket I am making my daughter. 

These are three stitches into the second skien of yarn! 05/08/10

sunset views after the sheriff's banquet

These sunset photo's were taken 05/08/10  On C street in Madras Oregon Looking west.

My mothers day gift !

I also got a plastic firemen's hat a JeffCO fire Dist#1 Teeshirt, pen and bike safety coloring book from my oldest son!  Pictures of these coming soon.  

Thank you kids! I appreciate you love and gifts!  

MOM

Close your eyes and wish for the one thing

You cannot do without, and when you do,

Near your heart you'll find it, always there,

Treasure that is dear but not so rare,

Held in the mesh that all your dreams flow through.

In truth, no gift more happiness can bring,

And so this day I give my love to you.

author unkown

Prayfully Yours!

Debbi

I have been busy with a project at work. The Chamber of Commerce banquet is coming up and like last year I had been assigned to make table decorations out of things around the store. OK I work at a JD dealership. We carry grease, oil, parts, big tractors and implements. We do have some toys and things like hats and gloves and misc items, funnels, grease guns, nuts, bolts that kind of thing so how am I going to come up with something that has to with 1919-2010??????


Well last year was flower power and I turned gloves into flowers this year I am turning funnels into place decorations they aren't done yet but here is a picture of what I have done so far.   I will take pictures of the finished stuff. 

LOL where do I get these ideas !!!  Anyways like I said above they aren't done I still have work to do but at least I got a start. My boss said they look sort of like aliens I have to agree!  

 

 

Here are some scriptures for you today!

 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27 NIV

"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved." Romans 10:9-10 (NLT)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" John 1:12 (KJV)



I hope you all have a wonderful insightful and creative week ahead!
Prayerfully Yours,
Debbi

23The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalms 23)


16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.      John 3:16-17 (King James Version)

These two passages where recited at today's memorial service for Nick Pickering JR.   Nick just celebrated his 17th birthday on April 16th, on April 17th he was killed in a motor vehicle accident (MVA).  The OSP Chaplin who officiated the service made certain that the attendees knew that Nick had a personal relationship with Jesus. That he had excepted Jesus gift of forgiveness and that all who believe will someday get to see Nick again.

I never got to know Nick, I work with his step dad, and I know who his dad is because he is a customer where I work.  I heard and read of Nicks FFA achievements before his death so I knew of him.  I had no idea that this teenager was a child who excepted Jesus's love and gift, that wasn't ever written about.  Some of his peers new of his personal relationship with Jesus but it isn't something that is broadcasted.  I think it should be.

The Chaplin today at the memorial read an essay another teenage boy wrote just a few short months before he died in a MVA.  This boy wrote about meeting Jesus in a special card catalog room. This boy had a dream about a special room filled with a card catalog from floor to ceiling. He opened the drawers and read on the cards various things about his short life.  He grew embarrassed by how much time he spent watching TV and how little time he spent telling folks about Jesus.  He was mortified by the drawer that contained his lustful thoughts, his lies and his wrong doings.  He was so mortified that he tried to destroy that card file but he couldn't. The were as strong as steel.  They wouldn't burn or tare. Everyone of his cards had his name on the bottom written in his hand writing he didn't want folks to see his shame, he didn't want people to know who had lusted after he was ashamed.  Jesus walked in an started pulling every card out of the catalog and sign he started signing them. The teenager in the story was horrified begged Jesus not to read them or sign them he was ashamed and sorry for the thoughts, lies and dishonest actions he done in his life. He asked Jesus to forgive him. Jesus continued to write his name on the cards, working quietly and quickly.   The boy picked up a card and saw the bright read signature of Jesus's written in Jesus's blood and then the stuff written on the cards disappeared.  Just Jesus's signature in blood remained over the boy's hand writing. In an instant this boy went from being ashamed and fearful of Jesus's judgement to humbled and repentant. Jesus finished in a very short time and said to the boy "It is finished."  Jesus had taken the boys sins and wiped them away with his blood. He had forgiven this boy.  They left that room together hand in hand because the boy had asked for Jesus's forgiveness. The door to that room remained open because this boy still had work to do but left with a better insight into his life. He left that room a changed person knowing he was forgiven.

Wow, now that was a powerful essay.  I paraphrased it according to my memory and I didn't do it justice but it is a powerful story.  This teenage boy understood and got what it was all about to be truly forgiven in Jesus.

Folks, do  you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Have you confessed to Him that your a sinner and want to be free from the sins of your past?  Have asked the Lord for a relationship with Him??

You see going to church, dressing the right way, reading your bible, and being a good person isn't going to get you into heaven. Being baptized into a certain church isn't going to get you into heaven.   You have to accept Jesus's gift of forgiveness and asked Him to have a relationship with you.  You have to be broken like this boy, like I have been and want Jesus in your life.  You don't have to be "perfect" or change your ways before you accept His gift.  You just have to accept His gift.  It is easy, you just pray

Father I am a sinner, I am broken and I accept Jesus's blood on the cross so that I may have eternal life.  Come into my life Jesus and wash away my sins.  AMEN!

It is that easy, and that simple, have you made that choice?  If you made that choice have you told someone, anyone?  Are you spreading God's word either by mouth or actions?  Have you truly accepted God's gift and growing a real relationship with Jesus or did you just say the words and called it good?  

Growing the relationship is just as important as accepting His gift. His peace and understanding and knowing Him will get you through the tough times like losing a son or daughter to soon. Knowing who Jesus is and having a relationship with Him will bring about many good times through the bad. Just read my stories on my life and see where I was without Him even though I accepted Him at a young age to where I am at now. Tell folks about His love and share Him with those who may not know. 

 I know that in this blog I wrote that I argue with God a lot.  And I do, I am not proud of that, God asks us asks me to change and do things that are out of our/my comfort zone.  He asks us/me to do these things to better ourselves and to be a better witness to His kingdom. I don't always go along with these things right away and I have conversations with God telling Him my plans.   God wants what is best for us even if we are uncomfortable with what He is asking of us. He listens to our/my fears and concerns and He provides the doors, the means, and the comfort we/I need to complete, do and accomplish all the stuff He asks us to do. 

Don't be afraid to begin a relationship with God because he might ask you to do something your not comfortable with. Don't be afraid to begin a relationship with God because it isn't cool with your friends or family.  This is eternity we are talking about folks.  I can't wait to get to Heaven and meet Nick and get to know him even better.  I can't wait to see the joy on his parents face when they get to see their son again!

Life is short, we don't know when God is going to call us home.  Are you ready to meet your maker.  Are you ready to stand before God and be judged? 

If you have questions, or need to talk or share things feel free to sent me a comment or email

TaxiMom1999@yahoo.com

Prayerfully Yours

Debbi

The pictures on this page where copied and pasted from Google Image search.