Celiac Disease is in the news again! Check out this link!
http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/celiac-disease-advantages-gluten-free-diet
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Time goes by
Warning: this is a bit long!
It's been awhile, a little over a month to be exact, since I have posted. Ironically, I think about posting often. I think of things that I want to write about, things that I need to talk about but I still struggle with allowing others read about them.
The last couple of months have not been easy for me in many ways. I have a new group of girls in youth group, the freshman. I am again reminded of the awkward time in my life as I seek to find myself and understand the changes within myself and the world around me. I am learning to listen to the Holy Spirit's leading in what and how to minster not only to my small group but also to the other girls as well. God has taught me many lessons on love, ministry, letting go of my desire for control and to focus on the most important things first (which may mean that my floor is not scrubbed every week, haha!) I am learning to sit and listen to God and not always be in a rush and wanting to check off the hundred things on my never ending to-do list!
Work has been really busy as there have been many changes going on there. I am thankful for the job. I am also thankful for the opportunities to learn more about health and nutrition and be challenged in what I do each day. Although the hours are still long and exhausting, starting January they will be split up a bit, so hopefully I will be more energetic with time to "recover" in between the long days!
I am still adjusting to the major life change of being gluten free and all that it requires and entails, which is not easy. I think that this "grieving" period began during or right after my missions trip to South America in July. Coming home with the realization that my desire to "do" missions, particularly overseas seemed to be falling through my fingers. I was seemingly feeling this for a variety of reasons, two in particular. Being gluten free in a third world country is more difficult than I ever thought it would be and I feel that I will never get my medical bills paid off. Baby step forward, giant leap back would be a phrase that feels appropriate for my life.
I say that I am "grieving" over being gluten free not because I want to feel sorry for myself or want others to feel bad for myself. I say it because I am still discovering how it has deeply affected my life and will always affect my life.
The panic that I experienced a few weeks ago after signing up to be a chaperon to a weekend youth event before I remembered what a hard time I had last year finding meals or a place to make a meal(ended up using the trunk of my car as a cooler-good thing that it was freezing out that weekend and that the hotel had a microwave!) I panicked over having to do the same again. I panicked over the fear of the weather not being cold enough to keep my food in the car, or that the hotel situation would not allow for easy access to a microwave(they are often used nonstop during this youth event) or that I would take up to much room in the van/hotel room with my food and cooler. I panicked over being a inconvenience to the group as a whole during meal time. I panicked about others feeling bad or awkward around me as they ate the "normal" food and I was not. I panicked at the thought of eating granola bars and bananas the whole weekend. I panicked about having to somehow coordinate a whole weekend of meals that would be easy, convenient and healthy that could also be quick and only needed a microwave to cook/warm up. For a moment I thought about recanting my commitment of ministering to the teens. Was I up for this food challenge once again? And, I am not even going to begin on my panic over the opportunity to go on a retreat this winter (of which I would love to go to and feel that I need to go on for a time of refreshing and renewal, but again.... the panic and stress of the whole situation)
When I returned from South America I emphatically thought to myself that I did not know if I could ever do the gluten free and ministry/travel thing again. While this thought was emphasized by exhaustion, the underlying feeling was the same as today.
I am exhausted from this whole gluten free thing. I am tired of having to explain it, plan ahead, work around it, miss out on amazing meals cooked with love and care, I am tired of the expense that it requires despite my daily attempts to cut the costs of food expense (there is no way around the cost of eating healthy when one does not have a garden).
The challenge of being gluten free has hit every aspect of my life. Friends, I am attempting to not complain, but simply express my thoughts here. I love food (pretty obvious!) and I LOVE cooking and eating with others. I enjoy eating out, maybe not as much as I used to, but I love the invitation to eat out even more than the food. I am a home-body by nature, I believe, but I have found myself become a recluse lately because of the challenges that I face in social settings. To borrow that term "I just want to be normal", I just want to be normal. But, even as I write this, I know that I am normal. I am the person God created me to be. I have this challenge to used of God. I do not want this thorn to affect my life as much as it has. I am frustrated and disappointed that it does affect my life as it does. Anyone gluten free reading this have any suggestions?
Despite the last several paragraphs of raw openness that is difficult for me to express I am still humbled my the knowledge that there are so many other more life threatening conditions, that people are daily fighting for their lives, that cannot enjoy the taste of food and must rely on machine and tubes to feed them. I am well aware of how blessed I am to be where I am today, that God brought the right doctors(and job!) into my life to give me the answers that I and my parents sought for so many years.I am thankful that despite my discouragement and frustration with my disease, God has opened up doors for me to encourage others with the same frustrations.
I know that as time goes by I will (hopefully) become more confident in traveling, larger events and social situations. In this new round of learning to be gluten free I am branching out and trying new recipes, accepting the difference in taste and texture and finding new foods that are healthy that I probably would not have tried otherwise. I am thankful for the friends and family who have accepted this change in my life, who have been supportive and understanding of this new journey I am on, for those who send me links to resources, recipes or articles of interest, I am encouraged and grateful to those who become my advocate in explaining to others my situation in new social settings(sometimes I do not have the energy or desire to do so myself) and to those who are not offended when I cannot eat what they have lovingly made for everyone. It means so much to me when you slip me a magazine article of recipes or make sure there is even one item on the menu which is "safe" for me. I appreciate when I do go out with you when you ask where I can eat.
Thank you, Lord for the people you have put in my path to encourage me and those that I can encourage. Please give me wisdom in how to navigate this new chapter in my life and how I can still best serve you in this and through this.
Okay, if you are still reading this, you are a marathon blog reader, congrats! I promise that my future posts will be more interesting and not as long (I guess this was a vent session, haha!) :)
Until next time!
It's been awhile, a little over a month to be exact, since I have posted. Ironically, I think about posting often. I think of things that I want to write about, things that I need to talk about but I still struggle with allowing others read about them.
The last couple of months have not been easy for me in many ways. I have a new group of girls in youth group, the freshman. I am again reminded of the awkward time in my life as I seek to find myself and understand the changes within myself and the world around me. I am learning to listen to the Holy Spirit's leading in what and how to minster not only to my small group but also to the other girls as well. God has taught me many lessons on love, ministry, letting go of my desire for control and to focus on the most important things first (which may mean that my floor is not scrubbed every week, haha!) I am learning to sit and listen to God and not always be in a rush and wanting to check off the hundred things on my never ending to-do list!
Work has been really busy as there have been many changes going on there. I am thankful for the job. I am also thankful for the opportunities to learn more about health and nutrition and be challenged in what I do each day. Although the hours are still long and exhausting, starting January they will be split up a bit, so hopefully I will be more energetic with time to "recover" in between the long days!
I am still adjusting to the major life change of being gluten free and all that it requires and entails, which is not easy. I think that this "grieving" period began during or right after my missions trip to South America in July. Coming home with the realization that my desire to "do" missions, particularly overseas seemed to be falling through my fingers. I was seemingly feeling this for a variety of reasons, two in particular. Being gluten free in a third world country is more difficult than I ever thought it would be and I feel that I will never get my medical bills paid off. Baby step forward, giant leap back would be a phrase that feels appropriate for my life.
I say that I am "grieving" over being gluten free not because I want to feel sorry for myself or want others to feel bad for myself. I say it because I am still discovering how it has deeply affected my life and will always affect my life.
The panic that I experienced a few weeks ago after signing up to be a chaperon to a weekend youth event before I remembered what a hard time I had last year finding meals or a place to make a meal(ended up using the trunk of my car as a cooler-good thing that it was freezing out that weekend and that the hotel had a microwave!) I panicked over having to do the same again. I panicked over the fear of the weather not being cold enough to keep my food in the car, or that the hotel situation would not allow for easy access to a microwave(they are often used nonstop during this youth event) or that I would take up to much room in the van/hotel room with my food and cooler. I panicked over being a inconvenience to the group as a whole during meal time. I panicked about others feeling bad or awkward around me as they ate the "normal" food and I was not. I panicked at the thought of eating granola bars and bananas the whole weekend. I panicked about having to somehow coordinate a whole weekend of meals that would be easy, convenient and healthy that could also be quick and only needed a microwave to cook/warm up. For a moment I thought about recanting my commitment of ministering to the teens. Was I up for this food challenge once again? And, I am not even going to begin on my panic over the opportunity to go on a retreat this winter (of which I would love to go to and feel that I need to go on for a time of refreshing and renewal, but again.... the panic and stress of the whole situation)
When I returned from South America I emphatically thought to myself that I did not know if I could ever do the gluten free and ministry/travel thing again. While this thought was emphasized by exhaustion, the underlying feeling was the same as today.
I am exhausted from this whole gluten free thing. I am tired of having to explain it, plan ahead, work around it, miss out on amazing meals cooked with love and care, I am tired of the expense that it requires despite my daily attempts to cut the costs of food expense (there is no way around the cost of eating healthy when one does not have a garden).
The challenge of being gluten free has hit every aspect of my life. Friends, I am attempting to not complain, but simply express my thoughts here. I love food (pretty obvious!) and I LOVE cooking and eating with others. I enjoy eating out, maybe not as much as I used to, but I love the invitation to eat out even more than the food. I am a home-body by nature, I believe, but I have found myself become a recluse lately because of the challenges that I face in social settings. To borrow that term "I just want to be normal", I just want to be normal. But, even as I write this, I know that I am normal. I am the person God created me to be. I have this challenge to used of God. I do not want this thorn to affect my life as much as it has. I am frustrated and disappointed that it does affect my life as it does. Anyone gluten free reading this have any suggestions?
Despite the last several paragraphs of raw openness that is difficult for me to express I am still humbled my the knowledge that there are so many other more life threatening conditions, that people are daily fighting for their lives, that cannot enjoy the taste of food and must rely on machine and tubes to feed them. I am well aware of how blessed I am to be where I am today, that God brought the right doctors(and job!) into my life to give me the answers that I and my parents sought for so many years.I am thankful that despite my discouragement and frustration with my disease, God has opened up doors for me to encourage others with the same frustrations.
I know that as time goes by I will (hopefully) become more confident in traveling, larger events and social situations. In this new round of learning to be gluten free I am branching out and trying new recipes, accepting the difference in taste and texture and finding new foods that are healthy that I probably would not have tried otherwise. I am thankful for the friends and family who have accepted this change in my life, who have been supportive and understanding of this new journey I am on, for those who send me links to resources, recipes or articles of interest, I am encouraged and grateful to those who become my advocate in explaining to others my situation in new social settings(sometimes I do not have the energy or desire to do so myself) and to those who are not offended when I cannot eat what they have lovingly made for everyone. It means so much to me when you slip me a magazine article of recipes or make sure there is even one item on the menu which is "safe" for me. I appreciate when I do go out with you when you ask where I can eat.
Thank you, Lord for the people you have put in my path to encourage me and those that I can encourage. Please give me wisdom in how to navigate this new chapter in my life and how I can still best serve you in this and through this.
Okay, if you are still reading this, you are a marathon blog reader, congrats! I promise that my future posts will be more interesting and not as long (I guess this was a vent session, haha!) :)
Until next time!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekend, a balm for the soul
This weekend I was able to go visit my sister, her husband and two girls. It was so wonderful to see them and the fact that Suzannah is just over a week old and still has that newborn look was just an added incentive! She is so cute, tiny and precious, another reminder of God's amazing gift of life! What a blessing it was to cuddle with my two year-old niece, read books and play all the things two year-olds like to play!
I also had the chance to spend time with my sister, talking, baking, cooking and taking a walk. It's so nice to be able to do that. Gone are the days of our teen years and the fighting that we used to do! While there I made a yummy apple crisp recipe (gluten free, of course!) that turned out really great and was able to chat with my brother-in-law about life, church etc.
Speaking of church. I attended church with my sister and her family and since I have done that many times and have been to gathering with them I know many people that worship with them so it was great to see everyone there. Every couple of months their church does something really unique. They have a family emphasis day where they have the families fill out a prayer card and then at the end of the service they have a time of prayer where each person/family is given the opportunity to meet with a elder and his wife and be prayed over(using the information given on the card), the cards are kept by the pastor and prayed over many times throughout the year. It was so encouraging to see the family of believers pray for one another. It was also a sweet time of worship. I think I will have to give this idea to my pastors. What an amazing thing it would be to see all of the (many) families in my church being specifically prayed for in coporate worship. The pastor had a good message of being part of the family of God, which was a timely reminder for me to not try and do it all on my own, who I am apart of and why and how that came to be. It was also a good challenge to me of what I am doing within the family and how I can make the fmaily grow (i.e. witnessing).
After church we went to my bro-in-laws parents place for lunch and to watch the Packer game and then I headed home (with a detour to Stabucks and Target-but thats besides the point!) for Health care ministry.
To be honest, I didn't want to go tonight despite the message I heard tonight. I knew that once I got there I would be glad I went, it was just getting there that would be a push. I was tired(hence the stop at Starbucks) and wanted to rest in peace and quiet but I am glad I did not follow my selfish desires. As always HealthCare ministry with the teens is fun, challenging and encouraging. You may be wondering why this type of minsitry would be fun and encouraging since challenging is often the word used to describe it. Well, let me tell you, it is trully encouraging to see a group of teens set aside one Sunday a month, to set aside their schoolwork, plans or tv shows to minister to people who are often forgotten or unwanted in a society which is generally selfish and concerned only of the present rewards of life.
As we walk the halls, conversing with a generation forgotten and inviting them to church service we all learn so much. Many of the people there just want someone to listen to them and their many stories or to simply hold their hand. We take them to the meeting room, find them a place to sit or park their chair, give them a song book and start with prayer, reading scripture and singing songs. Oh, what a joy it is to see teens interacting with the residents. It makes me miss my grandparents, whom I was very close to, but also mindful of what part of the body of believers I can be and who they are in the body of believers. After the service we take each resident back to their rooms and say good-bye to them. Each night we know may be the last for one of these residents. We can only hope and pray that they took the Gospel message that they heard tonight to heart.
After Healthcare service we have the traditional trip to McDonald's. Not my personal choice in cuisine nor is it health or Celiac friendly but that is not the point! The point is fellowship and talking about the night of ministry we just had! I returned from a busy night to be a model patient for my sister to practice on. It was fun and she did a great job!
So, there you go, a recap of an eventful weekend in my life! It was a much needed balm for my soul to spend time with family, be reminded of the family of Christ and ministry as one in the family... May you experiance the family of believers in such a way that it renews, restores and encourages you.
I also had the chance to spend time with my sister, talking, baking, cooking and taking a walk. It's so nice to be able to do that. Gone are the days of our teen years and the fighting that we used to do! While there I made a yummy apple crisp recipe (gluten free, of course!) that turned out really great and was able to chat with my brother-in-law about life, church etc.
Speaking of church. I attended church with my sister and her family and since I have done that many times and have been to gathering with them I know many people that worship with them so it was great to see everyone there. Every couple of months their church does something really unique. They have a family emphasis day where they have the families fill out a prayer card and then at the end of the service they have a time of prayer where each person/family is given the opportunity to meet with a elder and his wife and be prayed over(using the information given on the card), the cards are kept by the pastor and prayed over many times throughout the year. It was so encouraging to see the family of believers pray for one another. It was also a sweet time of worship. I think I will have to give this idea to my pastors. What an amazing thing it would be to see all of the (many) families in my church being specifically prayed for in coporate worship. The pastor had a good message of being part of the family of God, which was a timely reminder for me to not try and do it all on my own, who I am apart of and why and how that came to be. It was also a good challenge to me of what I am doing within the family and how I can make the fmaily grow (i.e. witnessing).
After church we went to my bro-in-laws parents place for lunch and to watch the Packer game and then I headed home (with a detour to Stabucks and Target-but thats besides the point!) for Health care ministry.
To be honest, I didn't want to go tonight despite the message I heard tonight. I knew that once I got there I would be glad I went, it was just getting there that would be a push. I was tired(hence the stop at Starbucks) and wanted to rest in peace and quiet but I am glad I did not follow my selfish desires. As always HealthCare ministry with the teens is fun, challenging and encouraging. You may be wondering why this type of minsitry would be fun and encouraging since challenging is often the word used to describe it. Well, let me tell you, it is trully encouraging to see a group of teens set aside one Sunday a month, to set aside their schoolwork, plans or tv shows to minister to people who are often forgotten or unwanted in a society which is generally selfish and concerned only of the present rewards of life.
As we walk the halls, conversing with a generation forgotten and inviting them to church service we all learn so much. Many of the people there just want someone to listen to them and their many stories or to simply hold their hand. We take them to the meeting room, find them a place to sit or park their chair, give them a song book and start with prayer, reading scripture and singing songs. Oh, what a joy it is to see teens interacting with the residents. It makes me miss my grandparents, whom I was very close to, but also mindful of what part of the body of believers I can be and who they are in the body of believers. After the service we take each resident back to their rooms and say good-bye to them. Each night we know may be the last for one of these residents. We can only hope and pray that they took the Gospel message that they heard tonight to heart.
After Healthcare service we have the traditional trip to McDonald's. Not my personal choice in cuisine nor is it health or Celiac friendly but that is not the point! The point is fellowship and talking about the night of ministry we just had! I returned from a busy night to be a model patient for my sister to practice on. It was fun and she did a great job!
So, there you go, a recap of an eventful weekend in my life! It was a much needed balm for my soul to spend time with family, be reminded of the family of Christ and ministry as one in the family... May you experiance the family of believers in such a way that it renews, restores and encourages you.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Only One Life-C.T. Studd
Only One Life
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth it all";
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd
This was shared with us at youth group this last Wednesday. It spoke to my heart. So often we take life for granted. We go through each day with the worries of work, schedules, responsibilities and life's challenges but do we stop and think of the one life we do have? I know I am guilty of getting caught up in the throes of life and allowing the stresses to get to me. Am I using my one life to best glorify God by living my life for Him, by sharing the Life we can have in Christ and the One adn only Way to have that eternal life? I am guilty as charged for allowing my one life become less than what it can be.
Recently I have seen various stages of life in a real way when this last Friday my sister had her second baby. A precious little girl who is only just beginning life, her one and only life. God willing she will come to a saving faith at an early age. She must make that choice to make her one life count for what it was meant to be, which is to glorify God in all that she does. On the other side of the spectrum of life, yesterday I attended a benefit for a man my age who is fighting colon cancer. He has one life also. At this point his life is not what he had ever expected or had hoped (at least for the cancer part) but what should our reaction be to this unexpected turn in life be? Glorifying God. I may not have cancer or be raising a child but I must make a choice to glorify God in the life He has given me. Which means glorifying Him, despite the Celiac diagnosis, in the midst of stress, discouragement and loneliness. I will choose to use my One Life to worship Him while I wait for the next chapter in the life He has for me(thus the name of this blog).
May I encourage anc challenge each one of you to life the One Life you have been given to glorify God and at the end may you also say:
Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self or in His will;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, "twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done";
And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth it all";
Only one life,' twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last.
C.T. Studd
This was shared with us at youth group this last Wednesday. It spoke to my heart. So often we take life for granted. We go through each day with the worries of work, schedules, responsibilities and life's challenges but do we stop and think of the one life we do have? I know I am guilty of getting caught up in the throes of life and allowing the stresses to get to me. Am I using my one life to best glorify God by living my life for Him, by sharing the Life we can have in Christ and the One adn only Way to have that eternal life? I am guilty as charged for allowing my one life become less than what it can be.
Recently I have seen various stages of life in a real way when this last Friday my sister had her second baby. A precious little girl who is only just beginning life, her one and only life. God willing she will come to a saving faith at an early age. She must make that choice to make her one life count for what it was meant to be, which is to glorify God in all that she does. On the other side of the spectrum of life, yesterday I attended a benefit for a man my age who is fighting colon cancer. He has one life also. At this point his life is not what he had ever expected or had hoped (at least for the cancer part) but what should our reaction be to this unexpected turn in life be? Glorifying God. I may not have cancer or be raising a child but I must make a choice to glorify God in the life He has given me. Which means glorifying Him, despite the Celiac diagnosis, in the midst of stress, discouragement and loneliness. I will choose to use my One Life to worship Him while I wait for the next chapter in the life He has for me(thus the name of this blog).
May I encourage anc challenge each one of you to life the One Life you have been given to glorify God and at the end may you also say:
'twas worth it all"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)