The Steady One

Posted on September 5, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

After months (about 9) of strange symptoms, our oldest daughter finally agreed to come home and see an ENT for answers. Away at school even staying for at the summer semester, she did not want to take time off. But things have become unbearable. Constant colds and sinus infections, led to continual dizziness and nausea. Urgent care has prescribed so many antibiotics is ridiculous.

The ENT diagnosed with “migraine related vertigo” almost immediately. Painless migraines? Blood pressure meds are used to control the associated chronic dizziness. An MRI was ordered that day and we were told to come back in a month. Poor kid, she can hardly drive or read because of the vertigo. Her eyes actually vibrate, a frightening thing to watch. How was she going to manage college until this got better? How had she managed classes and work last semester? It’s just been one illness after another.

Driving away from her appointment, I called to see if any ophthalmologist might have an opening while she was home. Everyone had a 2 week wait. She thought glasses might help with reading so we decided to try a walk-in optometrist available today. After a fairly quick assessment, he showed great concern and asked if he could run a standard “field test.” 

She failed, all in the center of her vision… like a huge black hole! He explained that that shows blindness over her nose to the center of each eye – usually indicative of a brain tumor! She had NO idea that she could not see, as her brain has been compensating and making up the rest of the lost picture. He wanted us to see a neurologist quickly. We were shocked!

Calling the ENT back with these results, he immediately arranged for her to see the neurologist across the hall from his office. Next we headed for the MRI. Monday we will see what the neurologist says about the scan. So many questions. Yet God is steady -remaining the same: strong, faithful, loving, listening, working for the good of those who love Him.

“Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
My verse for the day and boy did I need it – like a challenge to remember -God is here. 

Use this too…

ForGlorySake! –Anna 

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Stepping Out

Posted on August 21, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

I did something yesterday I’ve never done before. I went to a craft show as vendor. I’m game for something new be it food or adventure and thought this would be fun. Besides it supported a favorite food pantry. I was alone and had no idea what I was doing (procedure, decorum etc..) I brought some of the stuff I create and just showed up. It was a $25 investment to sit at a table and sell (9am-6pm). I was so incredibly nervous about my hodge-podge of crafty things. I’d rather give things away items than sell, I never know what to charge.

The room was large and (gulp) everyone there was professionally organized and totally decked out. My table had no covering, lighting or display boxes stacked. Clearly these women had done this before. I chose 3 categories to set on my table: jewelry sets, personalized house paintings I create to raise money for Hope Unlimited Ministries and my good ‘ol T-Shirt Quilts.  I smiled a lot, but people seemed to walked around me, as in avoidance. Hmmm, this was not going well.

Enough sitting, I got up and decided to meet all the other vendors. Smart, focused ladies, they had pretty amazing businesses running. It was fun to visit and listen to each one’s story. I finally returned to my forlorn table and proceeded to cut out tee shirts, one by one for my next quilt order. At least my time would not be waisted. Then it dawned on me that if shoppers wouldn’t come to me, I would just go to them. I gathered my stack of business cards and proceeded to meet everyone in the room. I kept the focus on my Quilts and was simply overwhelmed by the response!

30 minutes later I had given out every business card I brought and already had 3 orders for the next week. A good drop-off location for my customers is my husband’s law office in town. Some people wanted his card as well. Cards gone, quilt squares cut out, new friends made, I packed up and headed home early. I don’t know if I’ll do that again, but it was an interesting experience. That morning when I asked God to go with me, I read, Walk by faith and not by sight. 2Corinthians 5:7. 

I did walk by faith and He helped me step up.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

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Old Dog, New Tricks

Posted on August 17, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

So… our out-of-state college kid came home this summer and whipped us into shape! He’s been away studying hard, working out and returned all buff and muscular. Enthusiasm  must be contagious because he’s motivating some “older” dogs (I won’t name names) around here to eat healthier and lift weights.

Leave it to the Chemical Engineer to research and lay out the facts. I discovered I didn’t (nor have EVER) eaten enough calories to sustain my basic body functions (BMR) while providing enough to adequately fuel my exercise habits. He explained I was starving. This lack of “macro nutrients” was severely slowing my metabolism. As much as 40%! David’s data was not much better. We are both in “metabolic recovery” phase now.

I also learned that while aerobic exercise (like running) is good, it only elevates the metabolism for 60 minutes, while weight resistant exercises (lifting, pushing, pulling weights) elevates the sluggish metabolism for 48 hours. Go weight-lifting! So, as “macro-nutrients” definitely include carbohydrates… I’m no longer cutting those like I was and I’m on to “clean eating.” See, I told you a new thing would appear.

No white flour, no white sugar, of course. I’m back to our old homeschool days when I ground wheat from berries and made muffins and bread. I use coconut oil and raw cane sugar or honey to sweeten. At the store, I saw Stevia mixed with raw sugar for baking, but haven’t tried that yet. So far so good, with passing the taste test and getting these items into the lunch bags.

So that’s the update on the health front. School started here and I’m back at work. It helps when we are all on the same page. I love it when everyone gets on board. I pray for God to use us daily and that we will all stay strong and healthy to be useful in whatever He calls us to do! May this help others looking for a few new tricks.

I’ll keep you posted…

ForGlorySake! – Anna

Figs from our tree…
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Wonderful Season of Life

Posted on August 1, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Raising adult children is so… different. Different from when they were little- that’s for sure. They are not the little children that once needed me to tell them what to do. With our kids being 14-25 now, they have thoughts, plans, hopes and dreams that belong to them alone.

I love hearing what’s been going on in their minds; all the opinions being formed. At times I cringe -at other times I melt. They’re learning to evaluate for themselves. They keep and toss, they are becoming their own unique people.

Not everything, as you know has gone according to plan… actually, very little. Our kids  have differed from us on likes and dislikes: music, dress, schedules and hot topics like religion and politics. But that’s ok. David and I have always wanted a relationship with God to be their personal choice and not just something they inherited.

It’s scary to let kids go off and become. It’s also difficult sometimes to watch them experiment and test ideas. It can be hard to listen with mutual respect to “opinions of the month.” We have had some great discussions that at times ended with agreeing only that we love each other and that loving others should be our number one goal.

My favorite thing is that they call me out on my stuff. They’re watching, weighing, deciding… and it helps me be honest. We as parents are pushed to say why we hold a view and sometimes we’ve to re-evaluate. I love these kids more for seeing another side of an issue. They stretch me. I admire their hearts.

If you’re surrounded by little ones, you need to know life wiIl open up Big and wonderfully through the lives of your children. It’s an amazing adventure I wouldn’t trade for anything. It will challenge all of your diplomatic skills, but it is a wonderful blessing.

ForGlorySake! -Anna

some of the kids we love, some are missing
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Eyes to See

Posted on July 12, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

My precious pig-tailed girl filled a bucket with shells. It seemed that her little hands picked up everything she saw. At 6, I knew she meant to take each piece back home to Atlanta…. adding to the growing pile accumulating at our beach rental. 

Running to me holding up one more broken fragment of a shell, I gently suggested, “How about you only keep the pretty ones.” She turned her surprised green eyes upward and said, “This is pretty, Momma… you just can’t see it.” Oh children have this way of speaking such truth!

From the mouths of children and nursing babies You have ordained praise on account of  Your adversaries, so that You might put an end to the vindictive enemy. Psalm 8:2

As I swam in the ocean with this very same child, nearly grown now, I was reminded again how quickly I have been to pass by and not notice beauty. God’s beauty. Whether in a person, or a day, or even an experience.

Sometimes I need help to see all the priceless moments. Life is a gift, not something to get through, but something to unwrap. Monday’s that feel like drudgery,  unexpected interruptions, mundane chores. All of these offer potential beauty if I will accept them as gifts from God… if  only I’ll look for His blessing.

God give me Your eyes to see all the pretty shells ❤️

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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Renewal

Posted on June 24, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

I’m about to relish the last day of our annual trip… just me and my sweetheart. ❤️❤️❤️ Every year we try to get away without the children for a little honeymoon. What started about 10 years ago as a weekend, has grown by weeks. I can’t tell you how much it does for us!

Our only “rules” are that we pray daily to have fun and laugh and love. Work is put on hold, but we still have time for keeping up with kids, clearing out email as needed, reading and sometimes watching a movie. Together is the theme; remembering to notice what makes the other one smile is a goal. 

It takes practice -being friends and staying married. For us, uninterrupted time together has been key. Whenever we have asked God to help us get away He has. Whenever we have asked Him for help to draw closer and have fun – He has. Even during long days in the hospital, when David couldn’t take a break because of surgeries God answered our prayers with some small joy and a deeper love. 

Our Father is for marriage! He’s a big ‘ol Romantic and a bigger sucker for a happy ending than I am (if it’s ok to call Him that). I love Him to pieces for it! I couldn’t imagine trying marriage without His divine assistance. God is serious about first love.

“But you walked away from your first love—why? What’s going on with you, anyway? Do you have any idea how far you’ve fallen? … “Turn back! Recover your dear early love. No time to waste….” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2:4 ‭The Message

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Going for 28 more years…
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Winning the Faith Battle

Posted on June 9, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

What does it mean – God is faithful? …That everything workout like I pray? …That He cares even if these circumstances don’t change? …That He’s listening even if we don’t receive what we think we need?  That He loves me even when I suffer?

Faith to believe is a lifetime affair. It’s a battle of the whits won moment by moment. Can I trust God? Will He prove faithful to me? Can He still do all that the Bible says He can do? These are great faith questions -all having the answer, YES.

Then why doesn’t He just do it – today – for me? I’ve Certainly asked these things more than once. Slowly, slowly I have come to the realization that it’s just not all about me. It has taken time to see for myself,  that there is always a BIGGER plan and I’m only a piece of a small puzzle. 

When my prayers haven’t been answered the way I prayed, I needed large doses of scripture reading, crying out my woes to God and usually relying on some other‘s faith to encourage me. Keep holding on through the darkness.

Winning a right attitude can be an enormous challenge. When chaos strikes, It’s so hard for me to look past the whys (especially if someone I love is in pain). Peace has come little by little…. a surrendering of my will for His. It starts with a day by day choice, all the small stuff. 

I’ve always had to choose – it wasn’t just magic. Seeing in His word, God is sovereign, that He never loses control, nothing throws Him or surprises Him, that He’s never overwhelmed, …only that He knows. He’s always known. He is God and there Is NO OTHER! 

My Creator, my Savior, Jesus, teach me to let go and trust in Your infinite wisdom. And for what You do not change, when I ask…? The help me to win the faith battle.

ForGlorySake! –Anna

Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” ‭‭2Timothy‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭MSG‬‬
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True Beauty

Posted on May 25, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

Believe me when I tell you, I have been as vain as they come. It used to be a daily battle, but have come so far from where I was! My vanity was an obsessive self-centeredness, an “all I can concentrate on is how I look” syndrome… good-bad-or ugly. Image obsessions are funny things however, as you aim for perfection it will always be unattainable … illusive. 

This game, becomes your worst enemy because the silly rules keep changing. With each person you use to compare the stakes get higher. In one area or another, there will always be someone looking better. You may strive and work and think, “maybe now…” only to cross paths with a new and higher goal. Then comes wallowing in self pity.

On the flip side is the ugly truth… the only way to feel better about yourself is to find someone behind you in this made-up race for perfection… to compare to and inwardly gloat. For me, in the severely competitive world of ballet, it became all-encompassing; paralyzingly.

By 14 it was all about fitting a mold. If I could not get the triple piroette or land the coveted dance role… I at least wanted to look the part! I starved my way to a “better me,” and yet inside I raged and seethed with jealousy. Pretty, huh? This lasted long after I left the stage, as old habits die hard.

Thank God, He was willing to kill me over this one. Death to vanity seemed to be the theme of His lessons for years to come as He sent me a man with clearer vision. I am ecstatically joyful to say my mind was renewed in Jesus – just like He promised! I was transformed from self-obsessed to free.

I began to train my mind to turn and RUN… away and to Him when any triggers crept up. For me it was life or death. Something I said regularly was, “There is grace for me, there is grace for her.” And God has supplied the grace needed as I chose not be ruled by jealousy and empty conceit any more.

I have tasted freedom and it’s delicious!

ForGlorySake! –Anna

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.”‭‭ Proverbs‬ ‭31:30‬
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What Are You Eating?

Posted on May 12, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

My grown kids come through the door on whatever break they’re having and wonder “what on earth are you eating now,mom??” I’m always changing and tweaking, finding something new to try in the way of nutrition and diet.

Lately it’s  been low-carb/high protein, no sugar (go stevia). I’ve cut back on any veggies and fruits high in carbs, and am trying a little lean meats and low-carb dairy – always careful to avoid chemicals and hormones. I’m also into weight-lifting (free weights) exercises, as I read around 50 yrs old we lose muscle-mass everyday! 

These changes have quickly brought my weight to where I wanted it to be for our son’s wedding and is also helping me build muscle mass. One supplement I added is a powder  called BCAA (on Amazon). Mixed with water, it has no caffeine, no sugar, no chemicals – just simplified protein. A super pre or post workout drink that aids in muscle recovery. The watermelon flavor is the best.

I’ve been: vegetarian, fat-free, whole foodie, vegan, gluten-free and now low-glycemic-index. Whatever plan I’m currently on – is the one I like best. Next year might bring something new depending on what I feel my body needs. The important thing is I stay aware of general good nutrition, with careful observation of how my body is reacting. Eating food in its most natural form is also important to me. 

Eat something healthy, God says you’re worth it!

ForGlorySake! –Anna 

My friend Alex’s German low-carb bread 🙂
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Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Givers

Posted on May 8, 2016 by For Glory Sake!

“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:38‬ ‭

I love this verse for many reasons. One of them is the guideline my mom brought me up with: “Don’t sell your extra things, Anna, give them away. You can never out-give God.” Her meaning was this, give away instead of sell and watch how God will give back to you as needed. It must be something like the law of gravity, because it’s still working! Bags of clothing continue to go in and out of our house.

Another reason this verse touches me so deeply is in regards to my children. In the giving of my life (personal time, energy, sleep, even my figure) for each of them I have gained so so much more! It has been more than worth the long pregnancies and precarious deliveries, more than worth the years of picking up, cleaning up and continual parenting, more than worth the varicose vein surgery and few (ok, several) extra pounds I carry around today.

 Even in giving and giving to my husband, I have received so much much more. And by having more to give to, there has simply been x6 the blessings!! We are overwhelmed today by all that God has given back. If you are raising little ones and wondering “How can I make it through this?” The answer is in giving. Hang on, more and more and more blessings are coming! God is faithful to His word.

As my mom would say to you, “Darlin, you can never out-give God.”

ForGlorySake! –Anna

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