Anemic

I hope everyone had a very blessed Christmas Season! I was able to enjoy the Holidays with my WHOLE family which was SO wonderful! 

A brief update before I go to bed... 

I received my latest blood results and there are several things that have changed since the last time. Most of which is indicative that I'm not doing the best coming off some of the medications... . So prayers for all of that as I will STILL need to continue coming off of at least the prednisone. 

The biggest thing we can see and understand on the results is that I am anemic. This explains a lot of things I have been experiencing this last month. I'm adding Liquid Chlorophyll to my supplement intake to try and help with that... 

Your prayers are appreciated! 

God Provides

During my trip to MD I became overwhelmed and exhausted and didn't realize I needed to take a step back and try and gain some space and restfulness until a freind texted me. She wanted to see if I would go to the eastern shore with her. I had never been and wanted to spend time with this friend anyways so I said yes! I am so glad I did. She said she had other plans for her day, but felt God telling her to come get me instead. I think it was a good day for both of us... but it was FOR SURE exactly what I needed. It had been soo soo long since I just took my camera and captured things around me for the fun of it to just relax. I love how God always knows exactly what I need and then PROVIDES IT! 

So I wanted to share one of the things I do to relax. Plus it's just nice to share how God works and uses people in my life to constantly provide for me. It is such an encouragement for me so I wanted to share. 

Here are some of my favorite images from that day if you wanted to see. 

1 Corinthians 15:28

Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Overdue Report.

I have been very unfaithful in my blogging on my life and health... A friend pointed out that I needed to finish what I started. This friend also mentioned that it makes it easier for people to know how to pray for me... SO! Here is a brief overview of some of the highlights and what I've been able to do and then I will summarize where I am healthwise right now. :-)

^Photo by Katie Bollinger 

I was able to go nonstop throughout the week of Shelby's wedding without any major health concerns. The night of the wedding I did max out my pain levels but it was all under control by the next day. This was a huge step for me as there was a lot of stress and little sleep involved in this... Not something I would have handled well last year with me health. I appreciate everyone's prayers throughout that time. :-) 

I finally got to TRAVEL! It felt so good to pack my gear and get on a plane to see Shelby! I had forgotten just how much I LOVE TO TRAVEL! 

As the weather has turned colder I have loved living on my Highland Hearth Rooibos. 

 Traveling meant a few "cheats" to my diet. I decided to only try and maintain vegetarian during our travel and stay away from corn. above is hummus and veggies I had while meeting a friend at Old Ebbitts Grill in D.C. Below is veggies and rice in a spinach wrap from bountiful baskets that I have grown to LOVE! 

This has been my FAVORITE!!! Toria came up with Blueberry muffins!!!! She has also made me Sweet Potato Muffins. Surprisingly enough I liked those too. They reminded me of french toast. 

^Sunrise on our drive home. 

 After an exhausting but wonderful trip visiting Shelby and the Reid family we began a grueling car ride home. I'm not going to lie the ride home was long and painful and took a lot out of me. I've decided traveling for me really should NOT mean 17+ hours driving in the car in one day. However, God is good and I did survive the trip. 

 ^Sunset the day of our drive. 

^photo by Dan Spratt 

This last weekend I was able to photograph a friends wedding with Victoria helping out as my assistant! It was an amazing day filled with me in constant motion from early in the morning until 5pm where I then drove to Lindsay's house in Springfield.

So that I could be there today to photograph Noel Grace's birth. ^ This photo was taken by my Mom. :-) 

Ok my health... God has been very good. The Benlysta has been improving my energy by leaps and bounds. I haven't had any mouth sores since we started the infusions. However, it has NOT been a miracel cure by any means. I've had some people asking me what I mean by I'm having a "good" day what does that mean to me. A "good" day means my pain levels are at a 5 an ok day means I'm more at the 6 or 7 range. Bad days are 8 or 9. and horrible no good very bad days are a 10. :-) 

Sadly I've escalated to narcotic pain meds to get by on a daily basis. I usually take 2 a day although there are days I take only 1 there are also days I take way more... As long as I'm having a "good" day I don't take pain meds. I try to wait until I really need them. 

More good news. Last week I successfully dropped my prednisone from 10mg to 8mg. This is the medication that I need to slowly get totally off of. I've tried a couple of times and my system has crashed each time. So praying that with the Benlysta we will have better results this time. :-) 

My Methotrexate we successfully lowered from 8 pills a week to 6 pills a week. 

Also my latest blood panels all came back within normal ranges and looked really really good. So we are making definite baby steps in the right direction even if at times it is hard to step back and see the big picture... remember where I've come from and see where I am headed. 

I'm not going to lie it has been really hard. I've had some really bad days... or weeks depending on when we are talking about. I just have to keep my focus planted firmly in knowing that I am God's and He is keeping me in the palm of His hand. As long as I am focused on His plan for me and accepting what He has and not necessarily focused on my dreams, hopes, and plans... then I do pretty well. It can be very hard at times, but I truly do want to live every moment to bring Him glory and this is the path He has me on for now. 

Thank you!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I have been overwhelmed by how many people are praying for me. I can't tell you how many texts I received the day a shot the wedding to simply let me know that I had a multitude of prayer support wrapped around me on that day. It was overwhelming to me to have people care enough to not only pray but to let me know I was covered in prayer. I felt so treasured, loved, and blessed. I know that it was because of everyones faithfulness to pray for me that I made it through that day so well. God is always good and I have always had exactly what I need to shoot weddings. I love being able to photograph weddings and I truly love the fact that I have to rely on God to get through them. This way He gets all the credit at the end of he day. :-) 

Prayer support

Everyone is always graciously asking me how they can better pray for me so here are some of the things I am facing right now. 

I'm going to continue to slowly lower my prednisone. Prayer that the decrease will not have adverse side affects. That I would be successful in coming off of it. 

My next Benlysta infusion is Dec. 10th so prayer that those would continue to go well and have the positive results we have been seeing. 

With the holidays upon us food becomes harder and harder... Would love prayer for wisdom on what would be okay to eat and what I should stand firm in avoiding.

Pain management. I would love to not need the pain meds at all... However, I would like to focus on simply needing less for now. I would love your prayers in this area.  

Ok, I think that's all I have for now! Thank you again for all of your prayers! 

Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord.

Pain Management

Thank you for all the prayers. As most of you are aware I started Benlysta IV infusions this week. I did not seem to have any major side effects from that so that was good. We won't be able to tell if they are working for a couple of months. 

*Images is not mine*

However, my pain meds stopped working this week which resulted in my being in a great deal of pain to the point I was very shaky and sick to my stomach. The Dr. prescribed new meds that I wasn't really thrilled with, but was hoping for some pain relief at this point. This first day on them they still did not help at all. Although I am happy to report that after a few doses I can for sure say that the pain meds are helping manage the pain. I'm still in pain but it isn't anywhere near the levels I was at earlier this week. However, I'm really not happy to have to be relying on them at all... It is a huge praise though that something started working since I will be shooting a wedding this weekend. :-) 

1 Peter 5:10-11

New King James Version (NKJV)

10 But may[a] the God of all grace, who called us[b] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Self Control...

So I must confess... I still have a GREAT LOVE for sugar and it upset my self control GREATLY!

Mom got me these AMAZING vegan cookies at Whole Foods. It was a delightful treat and I didn't have any problems from eating them. HOWEVER, a week later I decided to get some more and lets just say I ate a *cough* few too many for my body to handle. Yes, I can CONFIRM that sugar does INDEED make me hurt when I lose my self control.... ;-) 

This has become one of my most favorite snacks. I love hummus with fresh veggies and some fruit. My favorite fruits are still oranges, grapes, and WATERMELON! In fact I must confess I sat down and ate half a watermelon the other day... At least it wasn't a TEXAS sized watermelon. ;-)  

 I know that oil is not on my list of things to eat.... but sometimes little treats are so very nice. Joanna made me these yummy French fries from potatoes we had in the pantry and I enjoyed them immensely! 

Ah and here is my big splurge. This was how I  celebrated my one year marker of eating on my diet. Those of you that know me... know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE pizza. I found a place that serves vegetarian dairy free pizza. It was SOOOO good. (If you know me REALLY well... then you KNOW I picked the tomatoes OFF!) ;-) 

Okidoki... Now for an update on me since that is really what you are interested in... My Dr. had recommended a new medication that would need to be administered monthly via IV infusion. She had been wanting us to consider it for a while, but we were really hoping to just get off all the meds... not add a new one. However, my health simply has not recovered to its fullest since April I am still taking pain meds on top of everything else daily. We are really needing to get off the prednisone due to my bones... So the prayer is that with the infusions we will be able to pull the prednisone and the methotrexate back. My infusions needed to be approved by the insurance company. At first they declined saying they needed more info on me. Today I heard back that after sending them more of my files they approved the infusions and so I will be looking to schedule 4 visits within the next three months. I am a little apprehensive of this new plan so I would covet everyones prayer support.

 I'm sorry I haven't done a better job of keeping everyone informed here on the blog... I've been using all my energy to keep up with my photography that God has been blessing me with lately and helping Shelby with Wedding plans!   

Well, that is a look into my world. The Lord continues to bless my life in so many ways. God has given me the BEST family and I don't know how I would survive without all their love and support they give me daily! 

Psalm 89:1 

I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations.

1 Year Milestone!

That's right! July 5th was my 1 year milestone! My family and I started juicing on July 5th of 2012 and that started me down the journey of my new limiting nutritional diet that I have been on. It hasn't been easy, but despite the many setbacks I think I would still say it has been worth the changes I have made. 

One of my many joys is that WATERMELON is back in the stores! I have eaten many of them already this year... Including getting up on some morning and deciding I'm going to the store JUST to get myself a watermelon. :-) It's the little things in life! ;-) 

A had a great discovery this week! 

These are amazingly good!!!! I could make myself sick on them... trust me. :-) It was very exciting to find something that tasted kind of like a healthy alternative to candy. :-) 

Also I'm fallen in love with the Peanut butter cookie Larabars... PLUS I found a great recipe to make them myself... Well... Toria makes them for me. ;-) 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine dates, peanut butter, and peanuts in a food processor and puree until mixture starts to stick together. Add a little more water if necessary to help mixture come together.
2. Pick up date mixture and using your hands work to squeeze it together into one big clump. Mash it down on a cutting board or sheet of wax paper to form into one even rectangle shape using the sides of your hands (or a knife) to make the edges straight.
3. Slice into 8 even squares. For best results store in the fridge, although bars can be kept at room temperature.

Yes, I love these a lot and can't wait to experiment with some other variations... Feel free to try them out however if you are not used to eating the way that I do I'm not sure you will get the same enjoyment out of them. 

Ok, I just wanted a quick post to mark my one year! I hope everyone has had a great day! 

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

His plans not our plans

I'm so sorry that I haven't updated this. My life has been incredibly busy, and I wasn't sure what to say about everything that has happened lately. I'm still not sure I have anything wonderful to say, but still thought it was time for an update.

First of all thank you all so much for your prayers and support. If you would like to view my final project through the video course you can go here: https://vimeo.com/64834836 Yes, the frozen shot before you click play is awful... but I hadn't figured out how to save a specific frame as the thumbnail yet! :-) 

As you are all aware, I was unable to go to Thailand due to being admitted to ICU. However the team did an AMAZING job with their goal and the project came out quite well.  

It has been a slow recovery for me. I am just now starting to feel more like myself again. However, I am still on pain pills and I was not really on them before. So that has been a major set back. God is good though. 

People keep asking me how I feel about missing out on a trip that I had prepared for and felt God calling me to. To be honest I was VERY DISAPPOINTED. However, I want to live my life in accord with God's plans and He saw fit to leave me home at the last minute this time for whatever reason. My ultimate goal is to bring Him glory and He decided that His glory would be better served somehow in my remaining at home. So I have to rest in that decision knowing it was out of my hands. 

I was reminded by a friend that David in Psalms has lots of "down days" where he is crying out to God and that it is OK to have those days. It was a great reminder that I don't always have to be cheerful about everything in my life. Although, I do need to accept God's plan for my life, which I do. It was a very freeing realization for me. 

Psalm 126:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

Those who sow in tears

Shall reap in joy.

I love the picture of this Psalm below. It says it all so much better than I ever could! 

Psalm 131

New King James Version (NKJV)

Simple Trust in the Lord

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

Lord, my heart is not haughty,

Nor my eyes lofty.

Neither do I concern myself with great matters,

Nor with things too profound for me. 

Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul,

Like a weaned child with his mother;

Like a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, hope in the Lord

From this time forth and forever.

Where am I at right now? I'm resting in the knowledge of God's love for me, that He knows best, and HE is ultimately in control. My ultimate goal is to bring him glory and to further His kingdom. Therefore, how can I argue with the way He decides is best. He would know far better that I what will further His own kingdom and bring Him glory. 

I would love everyones continued prayers as I continue to face health challenges. No, they are not easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is. Everyone has a plan God has laid out for them and most of us if given the choice would have picked something else... However all we have is to simply take up our crosses and follow Him. Knowing He knows best and will be with us every step of the way. He does not abandon us or leave us to travel the hard road alone. But rather, He is there helping, guiding, and supporting us through every step if we would only look to Him for our strength. 

I think the thought I would leave you with is this. Where is your focus in life. Are you so focused on YOUR plan and earthly things that you have lost sight of God's plans? I pray this is not so. Friend, take the time to evaluate your life and focus and turn them to things of above. For they have far greater value in the long run. 

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.