I Love Surprises!

LOOK what came in the mail yesterday!!

I have been wanting to read this book so bad!  My mom and I had been talking about it because we both read the first one.  Well, this is the surprise I got in the mail yesterday.  I love surprises, but it is very hard to surprise me.  This one was successful!  Now I just have to find the time between clinicals and careplans to read it.  Somehow I don't think I'll let that stop me.:)  My mom is the greatest in the world!

I know it's 90 degrees outside but I am so excited about the season!

Happy Fall and Happy Friday!!

Giving It Up Anyway

OK, so I wasn't going to talk about this on here because we were turning it over to God and I didn't want to dwell on negative things.  However, my thought is that this is going to be a life-long challenge... and what is a blog about our lives if I don't talk about what's going on in our lives?  I'm going to make a long story short.  3 weeks ago today, Chris was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis.  The is a chronic, autoimmune disorder involving the GI tract.  He's been struggling with it without knowing what it was for about 6 months.  (In case you're wondering, he's totally OK with me writing this)  Anyway, we found out 3 weeks ago, the doctor gave him meds to take, and told him to come back in 3 weeks.  Uh, what?  More info please!  So the last 3 weeks we have researched, talked to people, and just tried to figure out what the heck we were up against.  Meanwhile Chris has pretty bad reactions to 2 medications and has to be put on steroids.  This has been a long 3 weeks!  The steroids made him feel MUCH better but can't be used long-term.  We went back to the doctor today to find out that the doctor is 90% sure that this is UC but is wanting to do MORE tests to rule out the other 10.  It is disappointing that the 2 meds he had reactions to are in the family of the best medications for maintenance of "remission"-the time periods where the symptoms will be minimal.  The doc told us about a different drug that can be "infused" every two months.  We have no idea about cost/effects of this drug.  The doctor didn't start him on anything today because he wants to see if the symptoms are held off right now because of the steroid treatment. 

I have been pretty impressed with Chris through this whole thing.  He has been very laid-back and I can tell he is working on his trust in God to take care of him.  We've both been through our share of emotions, don't get me wrong!  Today was a little tough for us both.  I guess we both wanted some real answers and the truth is, there are none to be had right at this moment. 

We're doing pretty well.  On Monday, Chris got some GREAT news about a job prospect.  We are continuing on and making the most of it!  I can't think of a time in our marriage when we've been closer.  I hurt for him, though, when he hurts and I would take it away in a second if I could.  We have been reminded that God is in control and are doing our best to have FAITH!  All I know is that we are in His hands and, really, where else would you rather be?

 P.S.  So this ended up being a not-so-short story.  Sorry bout that!:)

Impatience.

I'm dying to read this book:

Francine Rivers is definitely one of my very favorite authors.  The first book of hers that I read was Redeeming Love.  After that one, I could not read the rest of her books fast enough. I mean, these books are treasures!  Once I start one I can't put it down!  Fortunately for me, I started reading them after she had written quite a few.  That meant that I had a treasure store of books to choose from.  Currently I have read them all and have to wait for each new book to come out.  The last book that I read was Her Mother's Hope, a story about a woman who immigrated from Europe to America during the early 20th century.  It was wonderful, heartening, and well, the first part of a two-book series.  After reading it I had to wait several months for the second to come out.  Torture.  THEN-the second book Her Daughter's Dream (pictured above) came out September 14th.  Just happened to be at one of my busiest times in school and during a time when I had no business spending $20+ dollars on a new book.  Needless to say, I'm kind of excited to get to a point where I can read this one.  (Amazon maybe?)
Anyway, I have rambled.  If you have read Francine Rivers, what is your favorite??  Which one would you recommend to someone who hasn't read one?

 These are the books I currently own, minus one which is MIA (loaned to a friend). 

Happy Monday!

38-14, Colts.  My Dad would be happy.:)

I Know You're There

I LOVE the song "I Know You're There" by Casting Crowns.  Whenever I hear it I feel peace and hope and strength.  My favorite part of the song goes like this:

I know you're there.  I know you see me.  You're the air I breathe, you are the ground beneath me.  I know you're there.  I know you hear me.  I can find you anywhere.

The ground beneath me??  Wow, when I think about that and realize that it is true, I gain a little piece of perspective knowing that, even if I fall, I fall on Him.  When I think about the times in my life where I feel that He is closest and that I could find Him in the air I breathe, it would have to be the times where I am standing at the edge of the ocean or looking up at millions of stars from the top of a mountain or gazing down on a valley or even feeling the cool Fall wind on my face.  This is one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen, this sunset in Cullen, Scotland.  The photo doesn't do it justice.  I can definitely find God in scenes like this:

Where have you found Him?