I was able to kick February off in the ministry yesterday. I have a fifteen hour goal for the month that will be balanced between in person and zoom ministry. It was enjoyable getting started in person with my sister Leah ❣️
After some errands, we went back to her place for some association and 🍕. She was expecting a few guests and it was a nice time for all.
Getting to my meeting today rounded things out to what I feel was a fulfilling weekend❤️
Can’t believe it’s been an entire week since spending the weekend with my sister Lori. It was enriching as always. She arranged everything for my comfort and enjoyment. I ended up spending time with both of my sisters which was an added bonus.
Sadly, one of the agenda items last Friday was to sign onto the memorial of a friend on zoom. Fast forward to this Friday, with us learning that a very dear family friend died last night.
You really don’t know from moment to moment what in your life will change or how. It’s important to let our loved ones know that we love them. Tomorrow isn’t promised.💜
Today was a day where I was able to accomplish all the things I set out to do.
In anticipation of this, after showering, I fully bandaged and clothed myself, whereas I typically wear a self altered Tarzan/Jane dress around the house so that my wounds can get air.
I also plan to shave my head after I get back up from resting. I thanked Jehovah multiple times for fortifying me and allowing me to do what I needed. I feel accomplished and thankful.🙏🏾💖
Met with my sister and her congregation for their meeting for service with the visiting speaker… Went into the ministry for a little afterwards.
While out I received a call from the office of a dermatologist I’d seen in the past to schedule an appointment regarding Cosentyx. She’s the HS dermatologist specialist for the Philadelphia region. I’ll be seeing one of her associates on February 14th. This follows a very frustrating back and forth with another dermatologist that failed to provide the financial assistance agency/pharmacy with the completed paperwork to execute the script.
I made the prayerful decision to see someone else after getting nowhere for many weeks. Prayerfully things will go well. I’m not a pessimist, but have learned to just stay tuned for what happens next. There’s always a hiccup of some sort in this life.
I arrived home this afternoon and fixed myself a turkey burger and baked sweet potato, as well as a turkey meatloaf for my h household. Thankfully I don’t feel exhausted, but I’m quite glad to be relaxing and to have nothing scheduled to do tomorrow. I feel accomplished for the day💓
It’s really awesome when you have a getaway that proves to be all you hoped and prayed it would be. A few days by the ocean with my sisters and friends was truly needed.
We talked, ate, played games and simply took advantage of some time away from the day to day. My focus was to use that time to do exactly what I wanted to do. I hung out and went out, but I also rested when needed. Sometimes we allow ourselves to be pressured to do what everyone else is doing…NOPE, I wanted everyone to walk away having done exactly what their heart desired on their vacation! This made for a great getaway! I didn’t want it to end, but will simply look forward to the next time🥰
I made plans with someone in my new congregation, early this week to do in person service and lunch. Since that time, I was debating whether or not I would do today’s Sunday mtg in person or on zoom.
After an enjoyable and fulfilling day yesterday and thankfully not feeling worn out, I decided to prepare to be in person. Meanwhile, I also put an instacart order in so that I could make some white chicken chili… something that I had a taste for, and figured could stretch a few days. I chose the 11-1 timeframe for delivery, thinking that it would likely arrive in time for me to receive it and make it to my mtg on time.
….so there’s the backdrop and here’s how things turned out.
First, my night wasn’t at all restful. I tossed and turned for a good part of the night/early morning …. Hot/cold, adjusting and readjusting the pillows I sleep propped up on etc.🙄 I awakened feeling that I may take the zoom route, but yet and still, had a desire to go in person still with me.
I got up and proceeded with my customary prep, just in case I decided to go. It looked as if my grocery order would come in time for me to do so. In the midst of watching my tracking, I see that my order was reassigned and would now be coming at the time I would need to be leaving. My sister Leah text me around this time to check my status. I told her I’d likely be staying home due to the instacart hiccup.
While laying here calculating how much time I’d have to get fully dressed if my delivery were to come in time… The tracking app all of a sudden changed to an ETA of 6 MINUTES! My mtg starts at 1 and it was only six minutes after 12…. At this moment I felt like Jehovah was saying, “I want you to go.”😮
I quickly got up to finish dressing, brought my groceries in and made my way to the hall. IT WAS GREAT BEING THERE!!! The discourse and association were very enjoyable.
I arrived home and started on my dish right away before the motivation and energy slipped away. It turned out well.
I know Jehovah allowed this day to go exactly as it should have. I remained prayerful about what I should do, and he worked it out. I must say and highlight the icing on the cake for this day were the very encouraging words from my sister Lydia. “Thanks for allowing Jehovah to help you be used as a hero to us and many others.”
I don’t consider myself to be a hero, but those words of encouragement definitely gave me extra wind to fly to and through another day. A seeming comedy of errors turned into a good day….. I’m thankful🙏🏾
Met a friend for lunch in center city, shared in my ministry online, had people come do cleaning in the house, did my online shopping for household groceries, caught up on zoom with my out-of-town sister, went in person to my mtg today and fixed a pot of soup after…….
In between what’s stated, is the receiving of package deliveries, room tidying etc. Even though I’m noticeably more tired than usual, I appreciate Jehovah giving me the strength to keep living instead of simply existing.
As for stand out moments, it was really something to go to what was once my favorite restaurant (Maggiano’s) after sooooooo many years since I’d been there. It was honestly a weekly lunch spot during my working days. Those that knew me always suggested and even treated me there for countless lunches.😊 My family and I would even go there on a whim. Those were days of my zipping all around center city. The below pictures however, are the Loni of today, standing on her old stomping grounds,(waiting for her Uber)anticipating getting back home…lol
And fun fact of the day, well not really fun, but a fact nonetheless 😆 before today, I hadn’t made soup since early on during the pandemic. Back then I was making it quite a bit. Today’s soup was a chicken/turkey vegetable soup. It turned out pretty well.
So what’s next on the agenda? Me bidding you all a good night on this lay-low-Monday eve.💕🙏🏾😴
I believe that strong friendships/relationships depend much on growing/evolving with the other person. Being reasonably intuned and in touch with the goings-ons, changes and developments in the other person’s life, largely impact how effective we are in showing up and being available in the ways that matter to them.
It’s understandable that we all have various responsibilities, challenges and obligations.. that’s life. That being said, when it comes to the relationships that really matter, I believe that effort to be and remain connected isn’t optional.
These musings came to mind when someone expressed to me that they felt a disconnect between us and didn’t know why. I was able to think of many reasons, but it wasn’t the time to speak on it. 😉
HS, as indicated on the title page of my blog, has turned me into an altered version of a me that I never knew. 27 is a relatively young age to have your life hijacked by chronic disease, particularly one like HS that has turned my entire life upside down. I remain close to those that have in one way or another been connected and aware of who I am now. I also to the best of my ability, work to make sure that I don’t allow this ugly, life impacting disease to be an excuse for not being present and available for the important people in my life. Prayerfully I can remain consistent in this regard.🙏🏾
Today was nice. My Lori and I went to the hall where my little brother was giving the talk. It was great seeing them as well as our aunt, uncle and other friends.
We went for lunch at one of our old diners we used to frequent, and then came home. Being able to get up, get out and go was a WIN… I’m thankful.
I also appreciate my nephew that saw to me looking right before leaving out the door.😚 I’ve shaved my head, and he saw where some patches of hair needed to be removed. I protested not wanting to make my sister wait since she was picking me up, but I’m thankful for him looking out.💗
It’s mentally beneficial going in person to the meetings and in the ministry when I can. Obviously I’ll need to utilize zoom as well, however I’m going to keep it going for as long as I can. To that point, I came up to my room after getting back home today, and pulled out several items – boots, bags, stocking tights and clothing that I can wear the upcoming weekend in service and to the hall. This is a HUUUUGE help in getting me out the door, so it’s never too early to prepare.👍🏾 That’s my other big accomplishment of the day.🙏🏾❤️👏🏾
I’m so happy to have made it to the beach with my sisters! I’ve been wanting to smell, hear and see the ocean for some months and I finally made it!🌊
I was thrilled that my sisters and I were able to spend the past few days at the shore. We rented a place and hung out together.🥰 Having that uninterrupted bonding time with them was great!
The weather was warm and dry, which was an answer to my prayers.🙏🏾 Yesterday was the warmest day, so we decided to go to the beach in the afternoon. I honestly thought about skipping the beach and just lounging, we were all probably in need of just an additional few days to do nothing, but we pushed through and went.
This body makes it hard to get going, but I felt like I told HS “NO”, and followed through with my plan. I’m thankful for the support, assistance and love of my sisters. They made this getaway what it was. I’m blessed to have them❣️
Hidradenitis Suppurativa 