Home Again, Home Again, Giggity-Gig

For the life of a creature is in the blood. Lev 17:11

I am home from the hospital.

Thank you dears for all your prayers and notes. I feel much better and  went to church yesterday (photo is from yesterday with my sweet puppies).

Last weekend (Aug 21-23),  I went to Children’s  Camp with our church but it was a bit too much for my body. I  lost a lot of blood from a GI bleed.

I returned home from camp on Sunday and was admitted to the hospital on Monday morning to the Critical Care unit.

I’ve been through this several times. When my body loses too much blood my heart starts doing strange things (Bigeminy, Trigeminy, arrhythmias, etc–My hematologist calls in my  heart attack zone) and I end up in a the Critical Care so they can monitor my heart (I have a history  left main artery problems). I get blood transfusion until my my levels allow my heart to beat normally.

I received two units of blood on Tuesday and two more on Friday. I’m full up and ready to go. I feel great now.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23

Home Sweet Home

There is no place like home!  Between camp and hospital I was gone over a week. It is great to be home with my children and hubby and sleeping in my own bed. I missed our animals, daily routine and Twitter

This hospital stay was a wake up call for me. My doctor told me not to go on the camping trip becasue it would be too much for me (anemia with heart conditions are dangerous).  I justified the trip. I told my hubby the doctor probably pictured hiking up steep mountains and sleeping on the ground in tents—our camp was in air conditioned cabins–surely not too much for me.

The doctor was right and t is time for me to get out of denial– My heart has limitations I have to accept.

Trails Strengthen Us

Romans 8:28 says all things God works for the good of those who love Him. God uses  trials or sufferings to bring us closer to Him, and to  develop faith and strength of character.

I wish I could tell you that I had full trust in God in the hospital. But my body and spirit were weak.  The cardiologist said if I needed surgery they would need to open my chest again. I was afraid. I was worried. I thought of my youngest children and recuperation time. I had a good 20 minute breakdown wallowing in my flesh.

Once I had a few units of blood and a pep talk from my hubby, I could go to my Father in prayer I was able to say “Thy will be done.”

When our bodies are weak, our spirits struggle. This is when we need fellowship and prayers.

If you know someone whose health is failing get by their side and and encourage them. Your friends and family need you to help fight spiritual battles!

Once I got out of my flesh I remembered God is in control. He is sovereign even in physical trials. Through it all, His love is transforming me, perfecting me, completing me. God is able, he will supply. I can seek Him and trust Him to provide everything.

Save these verses for the next time you or a friend needs encouragement:

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Co 12:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.1 Pe 5:10

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. 2 Co 4:7-10

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Josh 1:9

Back to the Grindstone

I have a kizillion emails to answer,  need to finish my homeschool schedule and catch up on Ancient History Adam to Messiah revision. Thank you again for your prayers. Thank you Peggy for keep HOW afloat. Thank you Kathleen for posting my health updates.

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 106:1