Merry Christmas

Our lives and homes are truly blessed when warmed by the Saviour's love and rest.

It is my prayer that you and your loved ones will be surrounded in the warmth of Jesus' love this Christmas.

A Christmas Blessing

This Nativity was given to me last Christmas

Luke 2:11-14 states ~ [An angel of the Lord said,] “‘Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’"

Remembering you this Christmas and praying your celebration brings a heart full of joy as you remember God's amazing love shown through His Son, Jesus. May all who read my blog have a Joyous Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Updates to my other posts

Snow has hit us again, this is out my bedroom window. Last night starting about 11pm to 8am this morning we received 10" of snow. It isn't suppose to stop until 3pm this afternoon.

We get a break in snow 1 day and it will start all over again. They are saying before all is said and done in the next few days we will be hit with 3 different storms. So glad I don't have to shovel - my prayers go out to those who do for safety.

Okay other updates:

Nikolas has finally gone home. He is the 1 year who they thought wasn't going to make it - the Lord heard our prayers, he left the hospital and is now with his family at home. Thank you Lord.

Mason is still at home - doing okay had an appointment with the transplant team about another lung transplant. Now we pray for directions for the doctors and Mason.

On Wednesday I had my heart catheterization. It has been determined that with the exception of the the flap being open my heart is perfect - no clogged arteries, no enlargements so basically my heart is normal.

I was suppose to be awake for this so I could exercise, however when it came to the time to lift the dumb bells I was sleeping so the nurse had to move my arms. With them moving my arms my pressures did go up which suggests moderate to severe exercise induced pulmonary hypertension. What would the pressures be if I did the exercise by myself?

It makes me wonder how accurate is the pressure test was, when I wasn't doing the work. I called the heart dr to ask that question, waiting for an answer.

I still have an enlarged pulmonary artery - my pressures are coming from my lungs. So now I'm suppose to go back to my Pulmonary specialist to run one more test - to determine what is wrong with the inside of my lungs.

Latest update on housing: God will have to make a way, housing told me they would pay only $21.00 of the $185.00 increase. That makes my rent go up $164.00 a month. So now I will wait on the Lord - currently there isn't any 1 bedroom appts available under the WHEDA program. Was told by housing yesterday people just don't move out because the rents are so good. I have to say I can't blame them I don't want to move either.

Thanks for reading - may the Lord bless each and everyone of you, Deb.

Needing God's Direction

Matthew 6:33-34 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

As the above scriptures state we are to Seek God first - not worry about tomorrow - and He knows the plans He has for me. (My Paraphrase)

This is where I live, in these apartments. Been here 4yrs, I love being here it is like - I'm a princess in a castle. It is as gorgeous in the inside as it is outside. I would love to remain living here. When I moved here the Lord showed me a picture of the building the very one you see here. I went for my tour - and signed the papers the next day. I moved in 2 weeks later.

Today I lay in His hands the proposed rent increase. I am asking for God's direction for this matter. Myself and 7 others were given notice today that as of the end of our leases (mine is Aug. 31, 2009) we will have to give notice to move by July 1, or pay an additional 180.00 a month increase in rent. Since all 8 of us receive help through low income housing I'm asking for prayers that the housing dept. be accepting of the increase and allow us to stay without costing us the entire 180.00 a month. If we have to pay the full increase plus our current rent all 8 of us will most likely have to move. We were presented with other options so that is why the need for prayer - Will you please help me pray for God's direction in my life? Thank you very much for praying with me. I will update on this matter as soon as I know more.

I can't worry about where I am to live or how will I pay for it - the Lord provides for us. All we are to do is bring it to Jesus and lay it at His feet. And that is what I am doing.

Thank you, Deb

Sunshine through the Clouds.

Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

I started writing my this yesterday but was too tired to finish it - so I am finishing it today. I realized that there is NOT a day that goes by and His Grace is always there no matter what.

I finally went to church to work on the attendance folders, was all set up working on the computer, (a computer I use when no one is at the spot). Then the person who works at the church for pay, came in asking for her computer suggesting I can you work somewhere else. I just looked at her and said "sure I don't mind moving". I was told I could work there by the office manager - telling me no one uses that computer on Saturdays.

You are probably wondering why I am even talking about this - simple, God's Grace came over me. To move for me meant taking all my stuff - folders, supplies, coat and much more. For me as many know simple tasks are hard and difficult, it is just a struggle just to do the work, so to move was an issue for me - But it was if God was prompting me to move and let her work there. So I went to another computer in one of the Pastor's office to do my work. (I have permission to work there, if he isn't in on that day). The thing that hit me was I could have said many things - but I didn't - I just moved. Aren't we suppose to do things without complaining?

As it turned out I got all my work done up until Jan 09'. Had I been in the front office there would have been to many interruptions and my work would have been delayed - people were coming and going all morning. It pays to do what is right.

Every time I went to the printer for my paper work people stopped by and said hi - did double takes - and would say oh Debbie it's you, really you? At least 4 people looked at me very oddly and made comments like - "wow, you look great", "your face is glowing", "you must be feeling better", "what have you been up to" we don't see you in church. In those moments God had given me the Grace to handle the comments only saying thank you, and I'm okay. As much as I wanted to tell them what was going on, I didn't - I don't think they would have wanted to take the time to listen, I know they would not have understood or excepted it "because I looked great" there can't be anything wrong with me or as much! The Lord knows what wrong with me - my doctors know - and so do my pastors and their wives - as well as my close friends.

Following work I went to lunch with some very dear friends of mine - we talked for about an hour. It was such a good time - we exchanged Christmas Gifts and had a very blessed time. We try to get together at least one time in 4 months - because I can't get to church often.

Then I went shopping for some much needed food - came home totally wiped out - too much for one day. So I rested, went to bed early and awoke at 8:30am. Today I had to begin my heparin shots (it helps prevent blood clots) which makes me sick - so I had to stay home and writing my blog. I will be on the shots for 2 weeks before and after my heart catheterization on Wednesday.

It is amazing to me that no matter how sick I can be - the light of the Lord shines through the clouds and makes me look great. Thank you Lord. Now to only feel as good as I look a healing needs to take place for many. God's Grace is sufficient for me.

Finally an update from me

John 15:5 and 15:8 [Jesus said,] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’”

Hi here in Waukesha, WI we are supposed to get up to 10" of snow today, I am not going anywhere - tomorrow is questionable, I'm suppose to go to church to do the attendance folders as a volunteer. ~ Not exactly my back yard but it is close ~

A Little Update on me:

The hole (PFO) or flap as the Dr calls it - is wide open 24/7 needs to be repaired (closed) - one hitched my Neurologist has to give "proof" that I had TIA's (mini strokes) this summer not just suggestive of. We are working on that. The Neurologist office called today to tell me they will contact the heart dr. to let him know about the TIA's. My Neurologist is the one who realized I was having them and ran the tests.

The pressures in my heart suggest severe (exercise induced) pulmonary hypertension. Meaning I can't do anything without having severe shortness of breath. My oxygen levels are the opposite of many - my 02 is low then as soon as I do anything it goes up. Just the gagging during the procedure Friday told them I have a problem. Still the ? - is it coming from the heart or the lungs? This is a preliminary answer to the TEE - that I had done on Friday - all the results will be back by next Wednesday.

Wed. the 17th my heart Dr is going to do an exercise right heart cath. to check the pressures in my pulmonary artery which is still enlarged. The Dr. said that test will tell him where the problem is. Then they can start treating me with the right drugs.

Besides having the above problems my hands have been becoming more numb, which causes typing problems. A couple of my friends and I chat via audio or webcam, it helps me not to use my hands or fingers. My neck surgery is scheduled for Feb. 11th at which time they will free up the nerves so my hands will work properly again. In the mean time I will post as I can, I read daily and pray for those in need. Thanks for reading Deb.

Answers to our prayers

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Thank you for all your prayers, God has hear and has been answering:

A quote from Mason himself: Im finally back home. What a experince it was. A brief review of it what happened while i was there was, respiratory failure, kidney failure, internal bleeding, c-diff. I spent 10 days on the vent and about 15 in icu. I think about 21 or 22 days altogether. I Have never been so weak after waking up from the vent. I couldnt even move myself in bed about a 10 days ago and now can stand on my own and walk a few feet. Alot of work to go but making progress. Thank you all for your support. I will post more when im a little more alert. I still get dizzy and tired fast.

Nikolas - Is now in his own room - being carefully watched - but out of ICU. He has a long way to go so we need to keep praying for his healing. Nikolas is on alot of meds that are making him sick to his tummy - he needs to get off those meds. Thank you for you continued prayers and support for Nikolas.

As for me I am praying that the (TEE) test will give the drs. answers they need to help me get to a treatment plan - and healing. Blessings to you all.

Nikolas

Nikolas is a one yr having major problems, many have been praying for- prayers are being answered thank you Jesus.

To view Nikolas's mom's blog - press the label with his name in it. When the site opens it will be in Norwegian - go to http://translate.google.com and have it translated into the language you can understand.

His new pictures tells a thousand words in all languages.

When things go wrong

What is the first thing we think of when some thing is going wrong -

I'm quitting - don't quit - Keep going.

James 1:2-4

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when your encounter various trails,

knowing that the testing of you faith produces endurance.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will. When the road you're trudging seems all uphill. When the funds are low and the debts are high. And you want to smile, but you have to sigh. When care is pressing you down a bit. Rest if you must - but don't you quit.

Success is failure turned inside out. The silver tint of the clouds of doubt. and you never can tell how close you are. It may be near when it seems afar. So, stick to the fight when you're hardest hit. It's when things go wrong that you mustn't quit. Author unknown

As I'm trying right this to you all, stop and take a pause, look out there what to you see? I saw the days past when my 2 children were smaller, they knew something was right, just stopped and smile and said mom so it doesn't look right but look you kept going no matter - you didn't quit. We are to keep going no matter what - for the prize is before us. Don't quit - keep going.