Do You Remember?

I don't have a particular fondness for Michael Jackson or Farrah Fawcett, but talk of their deaths has been the focus of just about every news clip I've seen today. If you were a fan of either of these celebrities, chances are you'll always remember exactly where you were today when you heard the news of their passing.

I remember when Elvis Presley died. I was home watching tv with my mom and dad who were huge fans and both cried. (Yes, it's true...they really cried). I remember where I was when the space shuttle exploded. I was at JCPenney's after a college class. I remember where I was when 9-11 began to unfold. I was walking through my bedroom after taking Ellen to school and caught it on ABC.

Do you remember when you first heard about Jesus? Do you remember the first time you realized how much he loved you? Do you remember when you felt as though you would simply burst with passion for him? Do you remember when you walked into the water on the day you were baptized?

I remember it like it was yesterday. Just thinking about it leaves me breathless and my eyes well up with tears. If you haven't thought about it for years, take a moment and think back to that day when you let down the walls around your heart. Remember how it felt to trust so completely? Remember that child-like faith and reckless abandon? Do you remember?

I remember and I never want to forget.

With hope,
Kristen

When it's time to change, then it's time to change!

Remember the Brady Bunch episode where the Brady kids are in the recording studio singing "When it's time to change, then it's time to change. Don't fight the tide, come along for the ride. Can't you see? When it's time to change you've got to rearrange who you are into what you're gonna be. Sha na na na na na...."

Well, life has certainly changed. Whew! Hold on a minute while I catch my breath! Life doesn't stay the same for long these days, does it? I thought I'd just share some of the changes in my life in the recent months with you...

The first drastic change I experienced wasn't quite as light-hearted as the Brady Bunch episode...It was heartbreaking for me. My family and I left the church we loved dearly and began the painful, dreaded search for a new church home. We had been part of this church for many years and our children never knew anyplace else. Many tears were shed in this decision, but looking back now I know it was the right decision for all of us. Difficult, but right for everyone involved including the loved ones we left behind.

In addition to leaving our family, I was also leaving my job. A job that I was passionate about for countless reasons. This was a huge financial blow to my little family and one we are still recovering from.

Shortly after leaving my job, my three kids and I were in a terrible car accident. All four of us walked away by the grace of God, but I was very slow to recover and still deal with a few issues. Thankfully though my kids were all okay after a couple months of physical therapy.

I started a new job (shortly after the accident) which I'm enjoying. I'm the Quality Control Manager for a rental management company here in our coastal city. I handle vacation rentals of all kinds and am learning way more than my little brain can handle. Great co-workers and one amazing boss and I still get off in time to pick up my kids from school (most days!)! Who could ask for more?

We have found a new church home and are starting to let our guard down. I've been a spectator for awhile now while I've healed and restored my mind and heart. Still not quite ready to get in the game, but creeping ever closer to the scrimmage line.

Through all of this my CIDP has flared more than you can imagine. No feeling in my back, weakness in my neck, tremendous joint pain. My body's had such a hard time getting used to working and for awhile there I didn't think I was going to be physically able to do it. At night I'm so tired I could just cry, but I seem to be less and less tired at the end of the day as time goes on. This gives me hope that my body will eventually adjust. For now, I just keep rolling along! Still having monthly IVIG infusions and praying for a cure.

And you? I know I'm not the only one who's life has changed lately. What's going on in your little corner of the world? I'd love to hear about it. And Robin, thanks for the gentle nudge, my sweet friend!
Remember, when it's time to change...you've got to rearrange who you are into what you're gonna be!

With hope,
Kristen

Shampoo and Caviar

Running errands for condo owners awhile ago, I was in an area of town I'm not quite familiar with. Anytime I'm in a new area I find myself reading every imaginable sign until I'm on overload! You might think I'm crazy, but it's exhausting to go to a new city just because of all the new signs! You think I'm kidding, but it's true. I don't wanna miss a thing!



Trying to take in all the signage in this unfamiliar part of town, there was one that caught my eye. It read "Shampoo and Caviar". Interesting concept, isn't it? Bringing the finest to the simplest. Bringing the extraordinary to the ordinary. Shampoo is definitely not extravagant, but caviar certainly is.



I thought of how it's the same with me (and you!) and Jesus. I'm nothing more than a simple, ordinary shampoo. Jesus on the other hand is the finest, most extraordinary caviar. No one would've put the two of us together or even imagined the caviar would want to be associated with the shampoo. No one would've assumed that we even belong in the same sentence, much less on the same sign.



Thank you Jesus for being this shampoo's caviar.

Who Knew Things Could Change So Fast?

Hi Friends!

Who knew life could change so fast? Ha! My world has changed drastically since my last post and I can't wait to tell you all about it...some good, some bad. Such is life!

I'll be back in a few days to fill you in on all the details.

With hope,
Kristen

Welcome to the party!

Thanks for stopping by for the Ultimate Blog Party! Grab a cup of coffee and chat for awhile! I'm Kristen and I write about living with chronic illness and REFRESHING HOPE. Thanks for coming!

With HOPE,
Kristen

After the Diagnosis

On Tuesday (tomorrow) on Oprah, Dr. Oz will report on what happens "After the Diagnosis" with special guest, Montel Williams. I don't normally recommend anything on tv unless I've watched it first, but this looks very promising. Check out the link below and see if it's something you might find interesting. I'm thankful they're interviewing someone who's closer to my age than what I usually see when chronic illness is discussed. Hopefully, this will be honest and not sensationalized. Transparency would be refreshing to see on tv!



http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow-20090305-montel-williams



With HOPE,
Kristen

Surprise!

When I was first diagnosed with CIDP, the future was incredibly scary and uncertain. I couldn't count on much...other than change. Changes in medication, treatment, changes in my ability, strength, changes in everything. One thing I wasn't expecting though were the surprises. If you live with chronic illness, you know the surprises I'm referring to.

I was surprised to find that others didn't see me as the same woman anymore. I was now the one who couldn't have lunch at the drop of a hat or the mom who couldn't make a sandwich for her three year old. I was no longer the same woman in the eyes of others. Surprise!

I soon found out who would surprise me as well. Who was it that loved me just for being ME and who loved me for the person I used to be? Family would be my biggest surprise. The strength my mom showed was unimaginable, but the ignorance of others I loved dearly was devastating. Their reaction to me still hurts to this very day. Surprise!

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all came out of nowhere. The biggest surprise was hope, refreshing hope. Even when faced with a rare disease I was filled with an inexplicable hope. Even when family and friends reacted in fear and ignorance, I was filled with hope. Hope for a cure, hope for remission, hope for relief from pain, hope I would again feel my hands and feet, hope for something bigger and more meaningful than just my simple existence, hope for eternity in heaven.

I pray right now you are living a life filled with refreshing hope. A hope that washes over you like a fresh rain. A hope that quenches a thirst deep within you. A hope that comes only from a relationship with Jesus.

Refreshing hope...what a beautiful surprise!