Isn't that fun to say? Hashimoto. Come on, say it out loud, fun, isn't it? I mean, it's great to get diagnosed with something that is actually fun to say. Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Tons of fun.
I finally found a doctor that I like! Never mind that I was there for THREE HOURS. But, he is into holistic medicine and it makes me happy! He actually believes in propolous for the immune system! Go figure. God made things that can help us feel better? No way! I like God made cures for things. Even my new medication isn't synthetic. Yay! Oh and for more giggles, his first name is Vladamir (like Dracula) and I saw him on Halloween, and they took blood. hahaha.
Basically after I had Knox, my immune system went crazy and as my doctor said, "Your immune system woke up and it was like it got a machine gun and went Boom! Boom! Boom! and it shot your thyroid." Even the way it happened is amusing. This explains why my allergies have been something awful this past year. My immune system is just trying to hold it all together. I'm surprise that I didn't get really sick this year. I think all I've had was a cold or two. Yay for washing hands and eating healthy. So basically it will slowly deteriorate throughout my life. Oh well. It could be worse. Well, potentially it could be. Type One Diabetes and Celiac Disease are related to Hashimotos so hopefully I don't get either one. I haven't figured out which causes which others so maybe I don't have to worry. That's a question I'll need to ask next time I spend the afternoon at the doc's office. But seeing as I can pretty much understand his English despite his Russian/Ukrainian accent, he's into holistic medicine, and he actually TALKED to me, I'm a very happy Hashimoto Thyroiditis individual. It doesn't take much to make me happy these days!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Rebellion and Redemption
This is the chapter theme for chapter one of Isaiah. Reviewing the background of Isaiah would help before proceeding.
In chapter one, God is upset with Israel because they do not understand God. They are revolting against him and he's not too happy with it. The Israelites are offering sacrifices to God like he commanded them to do, but they are not doing it because they want to. For them it's just another ritual. God says that he is weary of bearing the festivals and feasts. The offerings are worthless and the incense that they are burning is an abomination to him. He is thoroughly frustrated with his people. He even says to them in v 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hid My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. You hands are covered with blood."
We can be much like the Israelites. We go to church because we're "supposed to", we may do our quiet time because "everyone else is doing it" and we do many other things that we may just do them because that is what a "good" Christian does. God doesn't want your puppet responses, he wants to you want to worship Him. He wants you to want to read about Him. Does God listen to the prayers of the insincere? We talked about this in Bible study. Some people thought that God hears the prayers of everyone, but perhaps ignores the insincere ones. I don't know the answer. We can read that here God ignores the prayers of the Israelites, but we live in a time after the coming of the Messiah which makes a difference in how some things now work. The bottom line is that God wants sincere hearts when living our faith and our lives.
Even though he is completely upset with his people he still offers forgiveness to them. V 18 "Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as son; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
No matter how badly we mess up, God always is there to forgive us and cleanse us. No sin is too great for him to forgive us from. The New Testament tells us many times over that if we believe that we have everlasting life from our belief in Jesus, then we do. Our outcome is determined by ones faith. If we look at what influences us, what/who we turn to in trouble, what/who we turn to in joy, it can show us where our faith lies. God doesn't want you on the fence. He wants you all for him. Jesus came and is kind of like the great divide - either you believe in Him or you don't. There isn't a grey area like we love to have on issues. It is pretty clear cut with God. Either you believe and have everlasting life, or you don't. We all get a chance to believe. More on that in a few more chapters.
Hold on to your hats though, things get worse before they get better. The Israelites are not always the smartest people (hmm.. like us!) and we're going to see how God deals with them and their rebellion and their breaking of the everlasting covenant.
In chapter one, God is upset with Israel because they do not understand God. They are revolting against him and he's not too happy with it. The Israelites are offering sacrifices to God like he commanded them to do, but they are not doing it because they want to. For them it's just another ritual. God says that he is weary of bearing the festivals and feasts. The offerings are worthless and the incense that they are burning is an abomination to him. He is thoroughly frustrated with his people. He even says to them in v 15 "So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hid My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. You hands are covered with blood."
We can be much like the Israelites. We go to church because we're "supposed to", we may do our quiet time because "everyone else is doing it" and we do many other things that we may just do them because that is what a "good" Christian does. God doesn't want your puppet responses, he wants to you want to worship Him. He wants you to want to read about Him. Does God listen to the prayers of the insincere? We talked about this in Bible study. Some people thought that God hears the prayers of everyone, but perhaps ignores the insincere ones. I don't know the answer. We can read that here God ignores the prayers of the Israelites, but we live in a time after the coming of the Messiah which makes a difference in how some things now work. The bottom line is that God wants sincere hearts when living our faith and our lives.
Even though he is completely upset with his people he still offers forgiveness to them. V 18 "Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, 'Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as son; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool."
No matter how badly we mess up, God always is there to forgive us and cleanse us. No sin is too great for him to forgive us from. The New Testament tells us many times over that if we believe that we have everlasting life from our belief in Jesus, then we do. Our outcome is determined by ones faith. If we look at what influences us, what/who we turn to in trouble, what/who we turn to in joy, it can show us where our faith lies. God doesn't want you on the fence. He wants you all for him. Jesus came and is kind of like the great divide - either you believe in Him or you don't. There isn't a grey area like we love to have on issues. It is pretty clear cut with God. Either you believe and have everlasting life, or you don't. We all get a chance to believe. More on that in a few more chapters.
Hold on to your hats though, things get worse before they get better. The Israelites are not always the smartest people (hmm.. like us!) and we're going to see how God deals with them and their rebellion and their breaking of the everlasting covenant.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Too Much, Too Little
I haven't abandoned this little project of mine. I have been super busy. Craft fairs, trunk shows in the works, etc. I have a cooking class tomorrow with just one kid :( sigh. I was hoping to make a bit more this weekend than what I will be making.
I need to find time to sit down and write about Isaiah. That book is awesome. Though I dont' recommend just plowing through it. You need to study it. One chapter at a time. Precpt upon precept as they say. lol.
I have to figure out where to begin in all that I want to write about as well. Baby boy has been sick so a lot of my free time has been spent napping with him which makes him sleep for a long time, but limits my freedom. He's so cute. Even when he covers you in boogers.
I need to find time to sit down and write about Isaiah. That book is awesome. Though I dont' recommend just plowing through it. You need to study it. One chapter at a time. Precpt upon precept as they say. lol.
I have to figure out where to begin in all that I want to write about as well. Baby boy has been sick so a lot of my free time has been spent napping with him which makes him sleep for a long time, but limits my freedom. He's so cute. Even when he covers you in boogers.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Silly People
I really don't have time to be doing this with the craft fair less than 48hrs away, but I had to comment on the silly scene I saw tonight. I was just about home when I spotted two middle aged individuals walking their dogs. Not too silly you may say. But hang on. There was one large dog and one tiny dog like a chihuahua. The lady had what at first looked like a baby Bjorn type carrier on but upon closer inspection it was a doggie carrier! I just thought it was silly.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Who Do You Trust?
The economy is quite cruddy lately apparently. I really don't pay much attention to the news. What I do pay attention to is what the Israelites failed to do and I'm trying not to do the same thing. The Israelites looked to man and the works of their own hands. They worshiped idols that they had made. How silly is that? Think about it. They may have taken a stick, carved a neat looking design and face on it and decided it was worship worthy. And then they worshiped it! A stick! Silly, no? But we do the same thing. We "make" things like our houses, our cars, our possessions and then we worship them. Who made those things? Another human being. Even though we may have earned the money to pay for those items, why do we hold them in such esteem? We shouldn't praise man. Isaiah writes that who is man that we should esteem him? His life is in his breath.
In saying this, who should we look to in these times of trouble? The govenment? No way. They are man, and we shouldn't esteem them. Plus the Israelites were constantly looking towards the government to save them and they got captured and lots of not so happy things happened to them. We need to look towards God to sustain us through these hard times. God is the only one who will carry us through without fail. If he cares for the lilies and the birds, shouldn't he care even more for us? We are made in his image. He cares deeply for us and wants to provide for us in only the way that he can. For some, that providing may be just having enough to get by on for others it may be a more prosporous existence. If you look to God to provide the means to take care of your family, he will do so. You may not get enough to buy that new expensive item that you want, but he will provide you with enough to pay the bills, feed your family and keep a roof over your head.
In saying this, who should we look to in these times of trouble? The govenment? No way. They are man, and we shouldn't esteem them. Plus the Israelites were constantly looking towards the government to save them and they got captured and lots of not so happy things happened to them. We need to look towards God to sustain us through these hard times. God is the only one who will carry us through without fail. If he cares for the lilies and the birds, shouldn't he care even more for us? We are made in his image. He cares deeply for us and wants to provide for us in only the way that he can. For some, that providing may be just having enough to get by on for others it may be a more prosporous existence. If you look to God to provide the means to take care of your family, he will do so. You may not get enough to buy that new expensive item that you want, but he will provide you with enough to pay the bills, feed your family and keep a roof over your head.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Longing
I spent some time at Providence today taking photos for the yearbook. I love being attached to that place still. Love seeing my former students grow up, love chatting with *most* of the parents, love seeing old co-workers who were more friends than co-workers. The bad part is that it stirs up a longing. What made it harder today than usual is I was by myself, not chasing after Knox, and I had orchestra afterwards. It was reminiscent of past Thursdays. I would teach all day, go to La Madeline's or Corner Bakery, get dinner, grade papers or read and then walk back over to PCBC where my car was parked to go to orchestra. Tonight I went to Providence, saw people, took pics, parked my car by PCBC, walked to Corner Bakery, got some soup, sat on a bench outside because it was so nice out, ate my dinner, read Dallas Child, and then went to orchestra.
I love staying at home, don't get me wrong, but part of me will long for teaching again. Sometimes I wish I could do both. That I could teach and stay home at the same time. Don't ask me how that would work! I was supposed to coach volleyball this fall for Covenant. I was so looking foward to it because it was going to pacify that longing for teaching that I've had to put on the shelf. It fell through at the last moment. I'm hoping maybe basketball will be an option instead now. Keeping my fingers crossed about that one. I know that I can teach Knox, and I do, but when you're used to teaching deep concepts about chemisty and physics, building a block tower doesn't always have the same appeal.
I know that in my current state teaching would wear me out completely anyhow, so it is good that I'm at home since my thyroid hates me and makes me feel some days like it's never going to be good again. I know it'll get better, but there are periods in my day where I feel pretty cruddy.
Oh well. Such is life. Maybe that is why I stay so busy so that I don't have to pay attention to the part of me that misses teaching science to all those children. Some day. But the thing is, some day won't be the same. Even if I got my old position back, the co-workers would be different. My old students would be gone. It would be different. Then maybe I'd not like it and be unhappy and long for the days of staying at home.
It seems in life we're always longing for something or missing something. It's hard sometimes to be content with what you have and be satisfied with your current lot in life.
I am happy with life, just sometimes I miss things that aren't possible anymore.
I love staying at home, don't get me wrong, but part of me will long for teaching again. Sometimes I wish I could do both. That I could teach and stay home at the same time. Don't ask me how that would work! I was supposed to coach volleyball this fall for Covenant. I was so looking foward to it because it was going to pacify that longing for teaching that I've had to put on the shelf. It fell through at the last moment. I'm hoping maybe basketball will be an option instead now. Keeping my fingers crossed about that one. I know that I can teach Knox, and I do, but when you're used to teaching deep concepts about chemisty and physics, building a block tower doesn't always have the same appeal.
I know that in my current state teaching would wear me out completely anyhow, so it is good that I'm at home since my thyroid hates me and makes me feel some days like it's never going to be good again. I know it'll get better, but there are periods in my day where I feel pretty cruddy.
Oh well. Such is life. Maybe that is why I stay so busy so that I don't have to pay attention to the part of me that misses teaching science to all those children. Some day. But the thing is, some day won't be the same. Even if I got my old position back, the co-workers would be different. My old students would be gone. It would be different. Then maybe I'd not like it and be unhappy and long for the days of staying at home.
It seems in life we're always longing for something or missing something. It's hard sometimes to be content with what you have and be satisfied with your current lot in life.
I am happy with life, just sometimes I miss things that aren't possible anymore.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Do You Fear God or Man?
I have been a participant in a Precept Bible Study on Isaiah. If you ever get a chance to do one, DO IT. Studying the Bible intensly has made me learn so much about God. I thought I knew a decent amount, but I didn't! I still don't, but I'm learning.
The main idea that I'm getting out of my study is that we must fear God, not man. Why? Well here's one favorite verse to tell you why to not fear man- "Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?" Isa. 2:22
Before I launch into a blog series about Isaiah, I'm going to give some background. I was a bit confused when I started, so I imagine other people may be as well.
Israel consisted of 12 tribes. They spilt into two kingdoms. The S. Kingdom contained the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. The N. Kingdom the other ten. Some members of the N. tribes decided to stay behind because the S. Kingdome contained Jerusalem (where the temple was).
The N. Kingdom is called Israel and Ephraim
The S. Kingdom is typically called Judah in Isaiah
Isaiah is speaking from 739BC until 681BC. In 722BC Judah gets captured by Assyria, but it isn't complete for 180yrs.
There were four kings during Isaiah's time: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah
Got that?
Quick summary - Judah has turned its back on God and he isn't too happy with them. However, because God is who he is, he is always willing to forgive if they would just turn towards him. Sound familiar?
Isaiah is a scary book because you can see so many parallels to today! I think that is enough for today. Don't want to overload anyone.
The main idea that I'm getting out of my study is that we must fear God, not man. Why? Well here's one favorite verse to tell you why to not fear man- "Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?" Isa. 2:22
Before I launch into a blog series about Isaiah, I'm going to give some background. I was a bit confused when I started, so I imagine other people may be as well.
Israel consisted of 12 tribes. They spilt into two kingdoms. The S. Kingdom contained the tribes of Benjamin and Judah. The N. Kingdom the other ten. Some members of the N. tribes decided to stay behind because the S. Kingdome contained Jerusalem (where the temple was).
The N. Kingdom is called Israel and Ephraim
The S. Kingdom is typically called Judah in Isaiah
Isaiah is speaking from 739BC until 681BC. In 722BC Judah gets captured by Assyria, but it isn't complete for 180yrs.
There were four kings during Isaiah's time: Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah
Got that?
Quick summary - Judah has turned its back on God and he isn't too happy with them. However, because God is who he is, he is always willing to forgive if they would just turn towards him. Sound familiar?
Isaiah is a scary book because you can see so many parallels to today! I think that is enough for today. Don't want to overload anyone.
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