Tuesday, May 14, 2013

I think it is happening...

I think it is happening. Real improvement. I don't know if anyone outside my immediate family would notice but some changes are starting to happen. It isn't so hard to get out of bed in the morning. (I took the kids to school yesterday morning for the first time since January!) I am not in pain every night. It is still very easy for me to over do it. The other day I tried a few small, short social engagements and then felt like I had a horrible flu again for the next 4 days. So, I'm kind of finding a new balance. But, my day is starting to including some things it hasn't in a long time.

At the same time Bible verses are popping up all over the place about patience. I know I am supposed to take this slow and not rush it. It is so easy to want to jump back into moving full speed ahead. I have my monthly blood draw in 2 weeks so hopefully the numbers will match up with how I feel!

Monday, May 6, 2013

Letter to Prayer Warriors

Here is a copy of an email Jim sent out last night to friends and family who have offered to pray for us.

FROM JIM:
Thank you for coming to our aid! It was just over a month ago we sent out our plea for your prayers. Our circumstances haven't changed much since then, but we certainly have. The dark, wet blanket that seemed to cover our family steadily lifted as the month progressed. We are peaceful, hopeful, thankful. I'm still tired...but it is a normal tired given the circumstances.

The biggest challenge we face is Shannon's health. I'll let her speak to that below, but I ask that you would continue to pray for her healing as you have energy to do so.

Thank you for loving us and caring for us so well.

Love,

Jim

FROM SHANNON:
Thank you so much for praying, fasting and supporting us throughout the month of April. We have an encouraging report. While I have not been instantaneously healed, I do believe my health has started to improve over the past two weeks. Specifically, I have been able to go longer in the morning being out of bed without getting so tired. Some afternoons I have energy to play with the kids for an hour. These are huge improvements! Yet the muscle/joint pain and migraines still plague me and evenings are the hardest, often keeping me from interacting with my family. My doctor says all these symptoms are completely consistent with the virus and that we're on track despite how long it is taking.

It was not too many months ago that I remember telling a friend I couldn't imagine what life would look like if I was healthy. Interestingly, starting last week I've had nightly dreams (that I believe are from God) of different scenarios of me doing all the things I used to do when I was healthy--from playing with the kids to riding bikes to hosting parties. When I lay down to nap in the afternoon the same thing happens only I am awake. It is like a movie plays with all these great scenes of me being active. And I'm not trying--it just flows out of me. Quite surreal!

On Friday Grant got in the car after school and showed me a picture he drew that day. He said it was of me lifting weights "because I know you are getting better mom!" This is a radical change in his attitude. It wasn't long ago that he asked Jim--"Does mom even know how to ride a bike?"

I truly believe I have turned a corner. Thank you, God. And thank you friends and family for praying. Please keep praying! I hope to send you another update soon--after a family bike ride!

Love,

Shannon