So many blessings – I’m doing the “happy dance”!

 

First, an update on my weight loss journey:

On Friday, March 29^th I had a 5 ½ hour medical evaluation at the Geisinger Medical Center Bariatric Program.  Together with the medical evaluation, Jim and I are also participating in a research study on how bariatric surgery affects family members.   I am also participating in a research program regarding genetics and liver/metabolic diseases.  So many tests, procedures, surveys etc….   Jim and I had to fast for 12 hours then we had to drink “special” water then continue not to eat or drink for 5 more hours!  Yes people – that is 17 hours!!  Needless to say we were extremely tired and a bit weak.  But we did it! 

Now here is a prayer request:  If I lose another 10 lbs by April 19^th I should be right on schedule to have surgery in June! 

I had been on a stand still for about 6 weeks in regards to my weight loss so the dietitian suggested I substitute a protein drink for 2 meals.  Oh, thank you!  The scale is finally moving once again!  So breakfast and lunch are protein drinks and then a healthy meal for dinner (mostly a protein and salad). 

Now for some awesome and exciting answer to prayers! 

Jehovah-Jireh - God has provided:

1)      Prayer Request: I had mentioned on facebook that our living room floors have needed to be replaced ever since we moved into our mobile home.  The company we purchased the mobile home said they would fix the floors when spring came around; well two years later and the floor is still not fixed and worse than before.  I mean floors caving in and having to cover the floors with thick plywood so we don’t fall through!  The company will not do the work – partly our fault we did not have it put in writing before we purchased the home.

Answer:  A group of men from our church will fix and replace our floor!  They will also fix and secure our ramp coming into our home and hopefully connect an outside faucet so we can water our outdoor plants.  For 2 years we have had to fill up jugs from the bathtub and go in and out of the house to water our plants. 

2)      Prayer Request:  Our 1995 car gave up the ghost. 

Answer:  Through generous donations the Lord has provided Jim and I a 2002 Mercury Villager Minivan (under 73,000 miles).  

So praise the Lord for his gracious blessings!

JEHOVAH RAPHA - The Lord our Healer

1) Jim - Surgery hopefully 3rd or 4th week of April: pray it WILL help him and not get worse.  Surgeon said that if Jim does not have the surgery that he will be in a wheelchair in 3 to 4 years - if he has the surgery he has a 50 % chance of being worse.  So it's either 100% of getting worse or 50 % - So Jim will have the surgery.   He will wear a back brace for quite a while after surgery and have physical therapy too.  Will NEVER be able to take stairs again.  A few steps but no more stairs.   Life for Jim has changed completely since last year.  Pray for Jim as he continues to learn to ask for assistance as well as learn to live with his various challenges. 

2) Me -  My psychiatric evaluation for surgery is today, Wed, April 3rd.  Then on April 19th I meet again with nutritionist. I am to be 10 lbs down by then to get the green light for surgery.  Then in May I meet with the surgeon (which they-Geisinger Hospital will give me the most experienced surgeon). Surgery hopefully scheduled for June.  May 3rd I have 3 more appts too.   All appointments are and tests are for the surgery.

Our God is good... all the time.  We are humbled and blessed by His marvelous grace, mercy and love each day.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”   Psalm 28:7

Weigh-In-Wednesday – I’m Singing the Blues

 

I have been a little “down”; “blah”, “blue”….  I don’t know if it is because the sun has not come out in days, or that I have been stuck in the house for over 10 days straight; either way I have been “singing the blues” this week.  I continue to study God’s Word and pray each day; I take my medications and my vitamins; I’ve maintained the amount of calories I am to eat each day (minus Monday when I went over by 200 calories). Yet I’m still singing the “blues”.  Have you had any days or weeks like that too? 

I can hear the Lord right now, “Michele, you are making progress – be patient, stay strong, don’t lose heart – I am with you always – We are in this together – one step at time – steady on – you are winning the battle of the bulge one day at a time – one pound at a time.”   Again, the Lord reminds me of this week’s memory verse:  “Lord, you have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart.”  Psalm 10:17.  Yes, Lord, you are preparing my heart for this lifelong battle. 

Once again I hear the Lord as He reminds me of today’s Scripture Study:  “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1,2. 

The Lord has been preparing my heart; I am in His boot camp right now as He gives me the tools I need for the life-long battle that is before me.  There is more than physical weight that has been holding me back in the race; day by day my Lord is helping me to lay aside every weight – every sin that so easily besets me.  He is also instructing me with a word He has been teaching me for years – patience!  I am to run this race – fight this battle with patience .  One day at a time – one pound at a time – all the while looking to my precious Lord and Savior – the author and finisher of my faith; the author and finisher of my battle of the bulge. 

Dear gracious Heavenly Father, I thank you for your Word –Sometimes it cuts me like a two edged sword, but I know that you are just trying to teach me – prepare me for this lifelong battle.  I know that as I continue to lose every weight and every sin that besets me, I am closer to the finish line.  I thank you heavenly Father for the 20 lbs I have lost so far.  I know I have to work hard and be patient as I continue my battle.  It won’t be long before I can walk again without great pain and without a wheelchair.  In the meantime, may I remember that You are preparing my heart - my mind – my body for what is ahead of me.  In Jesus precious name, Amen.