Merry Christmas 2010

Dearest Friends & Family,

I pray you all have a blessed Christmas filled with the joy of Jesus Christ.  Spend time with your family & friends and cherish every moment.  Christmas is not about Santa or gifts under a tree, but about the love God gave us when He sent His One and Only Son humbled as a baby through a virgin birth 2000+ years ago.  If you are in a poor situation and feel you have nothing or have every dime in the world, you can have the greatest gift ever by asking Jesus in to your heart.  

God bless you all and much love,

Sydni

Seizures

It's been a rough couple of days.  

Friday night we were at my parents' house and I was helping my Mom clean up after dinner.  I was transferring the left over salad into a smaller bowl and that is the last thing I remember.  According to my Mom and hubby I fell backwards and then onto the floor.  Apparently I had 2 grand mal seizures on the hardwood floor.  Fortunately, they knew what to do since my sister Jen has epilepsy.

After they got me out of the kitchen and into the family room I decided to sleep on the floor with a pillow and blanket.  I was already terribly dizzy, so I figured the floor was my best option since I couldn't fall.  I ended up having another grand mal seizure, but thankfully was already on the floor and had my head on a pillow.  I have no idea how long any of the three lasted.  I'm sore... I feel like someone beat me up, but I'm fine.


Yesterday was a day of rest.  I spent the entire day relaxing and mostly sleeping.  I even fell asleep in conversations.  Last night before bed I had a mild seizure, but it was so far from the types of seizures I had on Friday that it almost doesn't count.


Today will be another day of rest.  This evening we are planning to go to the Christmas program at my old church; my Dad is in the show.


You may think I'm crazy, but I truly believe that God is using the Lyme's Disease to His glory.  I don't believe that Christ gave me this disease.  That isn't how He works, but He can work through bad situations and I honestly believe that is what He is doing.  God is helping me to realize that I need to slow down.  Instead of continuing to say "yes" to doing everything, I really need to take care of me first.  So, I believe He is preparing me for 2011 as my year of rest.  What all that consists of is beyond me, but I am trusting in Him.  


Have a wonderful week and remember to keep Jesus in every second of it!


God bless & love,
Sydni

The Process Continues... Jesus Comes Closer

THE BATTLE GROWS EVER HARDER, MY JESUS COMES EVER CLOSER!

The past couple of weeks have grown ever harder to handle as seizures have been added to my list of side effects in my War against the Lyme.  I question and cry and even plead for God to just lift this chronic disease from me.  I know He can, but I also know that He has a reason not to.  Physically, I can't drop to my knees in prayer, but overall Jesus humbles me and brings me with Him to His Father's throne.  He hears my every word and knows my every thought.  He feels my every joy and my every pain.  This comforts me.  I know I'm never alone.

The last few nights I have cried myself to sleep because the pain wracks my body both physically and emotionally.  I'm tired, yet I know I've only just begun the journey.  I have mountains to climb and valleys to crawl, canyons to leap over and oceans to swim.... hard as it sounds, Jesus will go with me and even carry me when I can't take another step.  What a blessing!

So, how do I know Jesus is drawing ever closer?  BECAUSE, I am drawing ever closer to Him!  As I face these difficult days, I find myself in prayer more often.  Not only do I speak to God, but I listen for that still small voice.  Sometimes He answers and sometimes He is silent.  NO, I have never audibly heard His voice, but I feel it upon my heart.  My prayer is to be released from this disease and His answer hasn't been yes or no, but wait.  God also reminds me that I am not waiting alone, but He has given me His One and Only Son, Jesus Christ to wait right there with me.  Sure there are moments where I find myself feeling totally alone and calling out "Jesus where are you," only to hear "I'm here my child."


I guess what I'm really trying to tell all of you is that yes, I am still struggling with the Lyme's Disease.  The process of side effects, antibiotics, and doctor's visits continue, BUT through it all I have the ultimate Healer, the Divine Physician, with me.  Thank You God for You and Your Son, Jesus!


And to all my dear family, friends, and readers.... I continue to thank you all for your love, prayers, encouragement and support.  You are all such a wonderful blessing.


God bless & much love,
Sydni
 

Medical Update from Today

I saw my therapist, physician, and chiropractor today.  Whew, it was a wearing day.  

This past week I have been having seizures and I had one fall.  I was supposed to see my chiropractor first and then my doctor, but I really wanted to see Dr. Knight (physician) first.  I didn't know if being adjusted would effect the outcome of my appointment or not.  

Fortunately, it worked out and I got to see Dr. Knight first (thank you Dr. Purtle for your patience).  The Lymes are decreasing in my blood (PRAISE GOD!)  However, Dr. Knight thinks the seizure activity is related to the Lymes.  See, the Lymes and the antibiotic are fighting a battle within my body.  The longer the battle the more the side effects.  We are just keeping a good watch and taking it one moment at a time.

The first round of antibiotics will be completed on Christmas Day.  On Monday, December 27th I will have more blood drawn to test the Lymes level.  I will be off of any antibiotics for 2 weeks.  I will then go back in to see Dr. Knight to receive the results of the blood test and determine further treatment.


Please continue to pray for Jeff and me as we continue this travel.  Also, please keep us both in your prayers as we are both having some medical procedures done on Thursday.  Thanks!


After seeing Dr. Knight, Dr. Purtle got a hold of me :)  I was really out of whack from having the fall and the seizure and my goodness I sounded like popcorn exploding with all the cracking and things being moved back into alignment.  Dr. Purtle surely received a work out by working on me.  Poor thing :(


Again, I really appreciate your love and support.  I never expected experiencing something like this in my life, but it does have it's blessings.  I am becoming much closer to my family (especially Jeff) and friends, but even more importantly I am drawing ever closer to Jesus.  He truly is the Healer.  I have no doubt that He will heal me in His time and according to His will.  That knowledge and knowing He is with me always, every step of the way, carries me through.  Thank You Jesus!


Love you all dearly,
Sydni

 

Merry December means Merry CHRISTmas

Happy December Everyone!  I hope and pray that your families & friends are looking forward to CHRISTmas day!  What's most important to you....receiving gifts or celebrating in the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ?  Sure I remember as a child running to see what Santa brought, but our main focus was always on God sending our Savior Jesus as a little baby through a virgin birth.  His birth led to our future when at the age of 33 He was selected to die, was tortured and beaten, and hung on a Sinner's Cross (though He was free of sin) and died.  His body was in the tomb for 3 days and then He rose from the dead so we may have eternal life.  With his torture on the cross He took all of our sin, so we may be free to live with Him for all eternity.  We must admit that we are a sinner, believe that Jesus can save us through His precious blood, and confess our sins asking Jesus to come into our hearts.  Believe me that moment will change your life.  Then get a Bible and read it, plus find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church.  God bless you!

This past July, I turned 33 years old; the age of Jesus at the end of His personal earthly ministry.  It's hard for me to believe what Jesus' life must have been like at my age.  What an awesome man!  I am so thankful to have Him in my heart!

Well, a Lyme's Update...  I am struggling.  My vision is blurry and my hearing is off (I need people to speak up, but loud noise is painful).  I've been having what we believe to be mild seizures.  Last night I even fell.  I don't know how it happened and Jeff was in the basement so he missed it.  I've been dizzy and fuzzy feeling and prefer to just sleep.  My doctor is aware of all of this.  I am seeing her on Friday unless I hear something earlier.

Today has been very slow at home.  I am really sore from falling and having a mild seizure  yesterday.  I will admit, I am so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life that are encouraging, supportive, and loving, but most importantly those that are praying.  You help to keep me focused on the Healing Hands of God and get me through everyday.  I love you all!

~ Sydni