Monday, August 12, 2013

living intentionally

I'm starting a new blog. It's not working yet....I'm out of it on the techie side right now! But it will be up and running soon. The background I found at shabbyblog is too cute to not wrestle with getting on this site! I think you'll eventually find me at justmelivingintentionally.blogspot.com. But maybe not. I'll let you know, just in case I have a word or two that will lift you up! 

Thursday, April 11, 2013

THE LAND IN BETWEEN...IS THE LAND

It's easy to live in a mode of questing for "EDEN"....perfection as God originally designed. That place with luscious trees, tame yet wild animals, magnificent purpose, peace, and the people I love the most.

It's easy to live with a continual want for more than we have. More of life! More of the people we love, more of the beauty of this world, more meaningful work and purpose! As a Life Coach, I've helped women reach for that more, in a good way. To see where you are and then where you want to go is a perfect set up for goals and aspirations! And a perfect launch into that Land in Between.

God tells us to be content with what we have. He's talking in that Scripture verse about money, contrasting loving Him or $. But still He says to be content....with what we have. Not contentment with our bad attitudes, our harmful habits, our useless talk. But contentment with what we have!

The beauty of this to me is that I have a never ending list of the gifts I've been given! Not stuff, although a little of that is nice. But the beauty around me, the people whom I love and who love me, the sweet companionship of our dogs, the days I can hike and have energy, the community of people in Bend whom we're getting to know and love, the small ways I am getting to serve again at our church, and did I say the beauty around me? I'm looking at a sliver of moon to the right of the Sisters Mountains right now at dusk. It's amazing here, rain or shine. But shine is the best! And the gardening in Central OR classes I've just taken, the yummy new vegan recipes I'm finding (I've had a hard time finding "yum"), the sweet text messages and calls from special friends, the upcoming visits with our grandbabies and kids, a full summer full of friends and family visiting. The list is truly unending.

Paul told us to fix our eyes on Jesus, and to think on what is good, right, lovely, of good repute, of excellence.....what we have! The good stuff, that is.

Everyone has something difficult. Everyone. Hurt or struggle or suffering or...something that doesn't fall into that good category above. Yet we can choose to focus on all that IS good and great and wonderful in our lives. It always trumps the bad, every time, even if we have to focus super hard. 

I've told a few friends that I'm both fighting this rheumatoid autoimmune disease, and at the same time settling into life with it. I'm choosing to find contentment when Eden is far away. It's helpful to know I'm not alone, as 5% of the population has it to one degree or another (3/4 women, and not the osteoarthritis, i.e. old-age arthritis. That's not progressive, although still painful for those who deal with it. See RAwarrior.com for more information if desired). My new GP yesterday told me a big positive is that 15 years ago, I would have had a prognosis of a wheel chair in 5 years. Today, there's more hope, even though this tough infusion med I've been on since November isn't bumping me much above 50% of myself yet. But 50% is way better than the 5% I was at a year ago! Another gratitude!

So the Land in Between where I was and where I want to be.....is right here! And it's life....the place to thrive by God's grace and strength and mercies! 

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

IT'S TIME.....


It's time for a new blog theme! This health issue is so worn out! It's boring and old news focusing on it. So I'm pondering before the Lord what He wants me to spend time writing (and a few of you time reading). I'll get back to you soon.....

Christmas family pictures are on Mike's computer. We had a great time and the babies are so so adorable. I was swept away with Grace's sweet "Oma" callings from her playnpack in my office next to our bedroom. So precious, even at that one 4:30 am calling! We had such a good time.
Until I get the newer ones, this precious daddy-daughter picture from earlier in December will have to suffice for the Burge family! Grace turned 2 last week and Hannah is heading towards 8 months old already. So fun!
Michelle caught this picture after Marisa "opened" her tickle-me-elmo gift from her east coast grandpa! She's a bouncing, scooting cutie-pie for sure!

I continue to feel pretty good. I'm so so grateful! I have my 3rd infusion this Friday and am anticipating good results. My dr. is glad and hoped I'd be where I am at this point, with another 6 months of tweaking the medicine amount and frequency to get me to the best I can be....hopefully remission? I can hope. He says I've got "the real deal," with how aggressive the disease is. I'm grateful to be able to walk and hike again, to use my hands and shoulders and body much more normally, even if I have to have wrist braces on here and there to prevent zinging myself. It's a joy to have people visit and be present (come! Just call!). I'm getting better at this vegan cooking style and it's getting yummier and tastier. I'm on a learning curve and want to take some classes, which I can't find around Bend right now.

So, our Savior continues to be good, whether my prayers are answered my way or not (they weren't), whether things are turning out as I had hoped (not exactly) and whether the timing is mine with this disease (nope again). I love how Greg and I have both changed and grown and learned so much while living with suffering - it's a good yet wicked teacher. So many are or have or will be under it's tutelage. I'm thankful for the hope of an eternity of joy and peace, thankful that Jesus never left me alone, and look forward to God revealing His path for me of service to the suffering and struggling here on this earth.