Learning through illness

I have had a great deal of learning in the last two weeks. With all the busy going on and all the desire to get things done, I fell sick two weeks ago today. You'd think that by now I would be well, but I'm not. The symptoms have only been added upon, making it difficult to do much more than to rest and do the minimum required, and I don't mean a load of laundry and dishes. I mean getting a child dressed and then doing their hair after a 15 min. break. 

 It all started with a cough and congestion, two days flat in bed. Feeling like I was on the mend by one week's time, I figured it ran it's course. Amy and Steve had it as well and I had taken Amy in for an ear infection she ended up having in both ears. She woke up today announcing she felt good.

 I see this as a positive thing. Steve had two days where he was weak, so he went to bed early. He never takes time off, so that wasn't so unusual. He has to cough and spit a lot. It's become the norm around here for all of us. The chorus grows in voices each day. It's nice to have someone that has overcome it and left it behind (Amy). I felt good enough on Mon. to think I could go on my regular walk.

 It left me drained, so I took it easy the rest of the day. Tues. I started vomiting and diarrhea together with a migraine (which thankfully my neighbor gave me medicine for that kicked it). As of three days ago, I was down 7 lbs. The symptoms let up a little here and there, making me think it would go away, only to realize I was wrong. It's disappointing and often difficult to get through a day. I decided one day that I was weak due to undernourishment, although I've been able to keep down plenty of water. Standing for 3-5 min. is the max for me, so I started trying to eat more and regularly after a blessing Steve gave me told me I'd know what to eat. Turns out, I do. Problem is, my stomach hurts for at least an hour afterwords and it's everything I can do to make it stay down. 

The reason I'm telling you all of this is that I'm learning to enjoy the little things. I'm learning that when I look into my children's faces when they speak, and enjoy what they have to say, I find true joy. Complete, true, joy is something that isn't experienced all too often in this life. I don't believe we will really know it until we reach the other side, having completed our work here on this earth. But it is found in the quiet moments that are not rushed. Although this has been a challenge, I'm grateful to be reminded that it is the smaller things that bring us true happiness.

 I'm so caught up in the big things so much of the time, that I tend to forget to take time out and just enjoy each and every treasure the Lord has set before me each and every day. 

Hydrangea picking (left to right: Amy, Alyssa, Jalihya)

What a gift.

Dance in the Rain

I never posted about my trip to Portland with my long time friend and former V.T. Companion Marilee Stewart. 

We have been friends for 8 years now and really enjoy each others company. Clear back in May or June of last year (2012), she asked me if I would come with her to Time Out For Women. 

Those of you who know me well, know it is a hard thing for me to leave my family for very long, much less for an over-nighter. This time away, however, proved to be of great value for me and the things I learned from it.

Friday night was spent listening to motivational talks and music from President Oak's daughter, Jenny Baker. She is a superb concert violinist and played so beautifully. The following day was enjoyed with a talk from Sheri Dew, as well as a few other amazing speakers, with music by Hilary Weeks.
The talks were full of so much inspiration, but what touched me the most, was a song Hilary Weeks sang. It was the thing I needed to be reminded of the most. It actually caught me by surprise, the way it made me feel. The tears just came...

It reminded me that we need to just enjoy life. Not to let things get to us so much that we forget to recognize the joy.

Isn't this why they have "Time out for Women"? 

Monday Mornings

Often I'm so wiped out on Sunday evening after waking up at 5:30 or 6 in the morning after a Sat. of working hard in the yard, preparing for church and Sunday dinner by making homemade roll dough, preparing a lesson, getting children ready and peeling potatoes for the pot, going to church and fulfilling those responsibilities then making dinner and serving it, that I go to bed with the kitchen looking like this:

So what do I wake up to? That's right, the kitchen looking just like I left it. There are no magic fairies for me that come and miraculously take it upon themselves to clean up the messes left from the week before. It simply looks just like I left it when I fell into bed.
(The above picture is the morning of July 8th, after coming back from our 4th of July camping and getaway week.)
The wonderful thing is though, when the family wakes up, their magic fairy proves to have made her way having taken two hours to get the kitchen looking like this:

(Now that's more like it. *sigh*)

GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!!