I must mention what a blessing my nephew is! After taking it easy as I do on Mondays, I began readying myself to get my dinner. The reality is that I didn’t feel like moving.😏
I literally stood up to put my slippers on, when my nephew Devon called out to me and asked if I wanted anything! 😱I immediately thanked Jehovah! More than any other time, that couldn’t have been more timely.. I’m soooooo grateful 🥰 He’s a blessing❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
Luke 13:24a – Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door
When my alarm sounded at 8:30 this morning, I briefly considered if I could snooze for fifteen more minutes and still make it to my meeting on time…OF COURSE I ALREADY KNEW THE ANSWER..lol. As he always does, Jehovah gave me the strength to get up and get myself ready to sign onto my meeting. It was enjoyable.
Wheres I knew I wanted to share in the ministry afterwards with my brothers and sisters, my thought was that I’d stay for about a half hour. That half hour turned into an hour and a half!! I had such an enriching and refreshing interchange. It was great!
I just had my lunch, and now I’m enjoying the Wawa ice my sister Leah thoughtfully got for me 🥰. I’m very content. All the effort proved worthwhile as it always does when pushing ahead to give Jehovah our best ❣️ My mom says that if we only did what we felt like, then we’d do nothing. I want to keep this in mind and keep pushing… vigorously working to get through the narrow door to everlasting life 🌅
Washing ones hair, changing the bed linens or doing laundry may seem like small typical task to most, but for me, I derive a great sense of accomplishment when I complete any one of these task…so I’m feeling pretty good after washing my hair this evening ☺️.
The tracts formed under my skin by HS, coupled with the scar tissue has limited my range of motion a great deal in my left arm. It is now tightening the skin in my abdomen, so stretching is a challenge. This being said, I manage to make full use of my right arm and hand, using it alone to complete many task. No, I may not get things done as quickly as others, but I get it done, AND THAT’S WHAT MATTERS! I’ve learned to function as I need to for Loni, not the expediency of others.
Psalm 41:3 says, “Jehovah will sustain him on his sickbed; During his sickness you will completely change his bed.” This scripture has great meaning to me now, as I reflect on the energy required to literally change my bed and do similar tasks. Jehovah truly understands the challenges of his imperfect servants. He lovingly supplies me the strength needed to keep going, as well as the invaluable support of my family. I’m thankful🥰
I thought it would be nice to watch a movie with my family Sunday to spend some time. Though the movie was subpar, being together with them was a treat ❣️
The fun of criticizing the poor acting and directing, just about made up for what it lacked😅 Really though, it’s most important having those moments to remind me of how blessed I am to have so many quality people surrounding me. I thank Jehovah for my family. For wherever we disagree or even annoy each other at times, our love is real… That’s a beautiful thing🥰
Plate of love
Without the benefit of a backstory, you wouldn’t know why this plate of snacks means so much. Well, here’s why…..
It has recently come to my attention that my anemia has worsened and the effects of that have begun to manifest. This being the case, it’s problematic for me to go extended times without eating.
This is significant because HS and it’s maintenance causes me to move slowly and sometimes just drag. The result is that I’ll sometimes delay eating so that I can bathe, bandage and dress so as to be punctual for my online meetings and ministry.
With this knowledge, my beautiful oldest sister, Leah, took the time and energy to prepare and bring me this nutritious snack yesterday morning to ensure that I was properly fueled… Yes, I was appreciative and touched! I’m so blessed to have her in my life 💞🥰😘
I don’t ever remember caring much about daylight savings time, but now, I absolutely hate the late rising of the sun and its early setting..Hate it!
I guess with age I’ve come to appreciate how much the sun does for our physical and mental well being, especially in these crazy times. And unlike with it’s counterpart, the moon, I’m oddly able to sleep much better during the day.
Oh well, about three more hours till daylight. I’ll try to doze off till then 😴
I looked at the drainage I had this evening from my HS spots on my abdomen and initially thought, “Wow, thirteen years is a long time of this.” Also, “do I have it in me to keep going with this until Jehovah sees fit to eradicate all sickness?” (Rev: 21:3,4)”How much more physical morphing/decreased range of motion can I have and still function?” Again, these were my initial thoughts/feelings.
I then had the thought, “Loni, yes, it’s been thirteen years of this ordeal, a challenge indeed! However, how is it that you’re still here? Because Jehovah has sustained you, and he’ll continue to do so.” (Phillipians 4:13) This is the mode of thinking I want to work to maintain. It’s a daily exercise, but I have to keep working at it.
Every day is and will be different, but one moment and day at a time is more than enough to manage.
This past Saturday was a good day for me. I rested longer than usual, and then spent the afternoon with my sisters, Lori and Leah.🥰 Two of the most beautiful, quality people I know, and I’m just fortunate to have them both as sisters.
Some simple take out, store browsing, many inside jokes and good conversation was the recipe for an enjoyable, soul enriching time! How I love them so!!
I really want to make sure that we have at least one day of bonding a month. Life gets busy, and time goes quickly, but for me, this is an essential part of my life. Truly can’t wait till we’re together again ❣️❣️
It was two years in June since I last visited my sister’s in GA, a trip I’d make at least twice a year before covid.😏 I genuinely miss those laid back quality visits with my family.
Like everyone else, we’ve tried to adjust to this new normal. Though many of us are fatigued with video conferencing, it does in fact prove to be a blessing. It’s important to maintain bonds and connections despite these pandemic challenges. When people really matter to you, it’s just what you do!
Connecting with my sister’s today, stood out as a reminder of how fortunate I am to have such great people in my life! Simply catching up is enriching when you have friendships built on solid foundations. No bells and whistles needed. I’m thankful🥰🤗😘
‘You’re feeling yucky and gross, but that’s not who you are”
My therapist expressed these words to me today, and I really appreciated them. I was visited by my period a few days ago, and that on top of the constant draining I already experience due to HS can be overwhelming. There’s literally always something coming out of me, and it gets to be a lot to manage when I have my cycle to add to the unpleasantness.🙄
Besides it not feeling pleasant, seeing it day after day presents a struggle to remain emotionally on track. It’s truly a reality that can’t be understood if not personally experienced. A friend and former coworker once told me that as much as he loved and cared about me, the reality is that he’ll never feel what I have to feel. I found his candidness very refreshing. His words were profoundly true.
I was able to express my feelings and frustrations during my session. That’s was helpful and again gave me this great takeaway that I hope to really make apart of me one day…..
An HS warrior’s fight never ends💪🏽👊🏽
Hidradenitis Suppurativa 