A Pep in My Step and A Smile on My Face Because God is Good ALL the Time

"A Pep in My Step and A Smile on My Face Because God is Good ALL the Time!!" This has been my motto the past few weeks as school has come to a close for the semester. I am allowing myself to take a quick study break and catch up on a little bit of blogging. These past few weeks have been super busy, but the good news is that I only have ONE final to go!!!

One thing that I have really had to remind myself of recently is that I have been truly blessed with the opportunity to go to school. It can be so easy to focus on how difficult it is or how much work there is to do, but I have really tried to focus on the fact that The Lord has me in this place right now and wants to use me. He has me here in Mobile, at school at The University of South Alabama for a reason and if I am focusing my efforts on complaining about school all the time I am not being grateful for the blessing I have been given and more importantly I am not showing Christ in my attitude and looking for opportunities to show His love to others. He has given me this opportunity and blessing to attend school, now I need to be grateful and have joy. Having joy this week has made finals a bit more bearable, because not only do I have the joy of the Lord, but I also know that He will give me the strength to carry through. His promises carry me through each and everyday because He has given me a new life!  I have been given some pretty amazing sisters in Christ and we have encouraged each other in having a positive attitude about school the past few weeks. The Lord knew we each needed each other during our college years and beyond. I am so thankful for these sisters in Christ and sweet friends! 

"The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace." Psalms 29:11

To Catch Up a Bit...
The weekend before Easter I took a short girls trip to the beach for a very much needed getaway. I had been sick with the sinus crud the week leading up to our planned getaway and was unable to get my infusion. I was a little disappointed, but my friends always know how to encourage me! We left Friday evening and stayed until Saturday night. It was back to the homework grind on Sunday after church. Jessica, Frankie, Kaley, Jordan and I enjoyed tons of laughter, Phase 10, lots of eating, and a beautiful day on the beach. We soaked up the sun, fell asleep on the beach, went for a boat ride, and did a whole lot of catching up!

That Friday I volunteered with NSCS at Covenant's Field Day. It was a blast and I even got to see my cousin. 

I went in bright and early on Monday morning to receive my infusion. Sweet Jessica and Frankie met me at the hospital to pray with me and encourage me as I got my medicine. Unfortunately the infusion was delayed until Tuesday. I was now a week late on my infusion, but the Lord carried me through and provided the strength for me to push on. I know that no matter what happens, He is in control and I trust that His plans for me are so much greater than my own. Although I felt run down, I was excited about Easter weekend in Enterprise with my sweet friends. 

Jessica invited Frankie and I both to go home with her for Easter weekend since our families are both so far away. We headed up on Friday and attended Good Friday service at Jessica's home church. Saturday we slept in, shopped, and prepared some food for Easter meal the next day. I really enjoyed Easter sunday at Jessica's home church: Open Door Baptist in Enterprise. It was a beautiful Easter Sunday and very relaxing. The Easter bunny even came to visit us. You are never too old for the Easter bunny. :) It was time to get back down to business Sunday evening with homework and studying. We left very early Monday morning, but are so thankful for the extra time we got to stay in Enterprise and for the Wilson's being so willing to open their home to us and take wonderful care of us. 

That next week was super busy as I had a final exam, paper due, and officer transitions to head up. I made it through and all went well. I had to study, study, study last weekend as I had two finals, a presentation, and two papers this past week. I now only have one final exam to go for the semester. This past week was very very busy, but I daily reminded myself to do everything with a joyful heart. I remember bits and pieces of the craziness but now that it is the weekend I have taken a bit of a break for today. I cleaned (a little bit of OCD kicking in) and then watched some of my favorite kiddos. Can I please say that I babysit for the most amazing and wonderful families ever! The Lord has once again truly blessed me. This afternoon we played outside, got a snack from target, played outside some more, ventured to Cici's Pizza and Hobby Lobby, played in the hot tub, and watched a movie together. I enjoyed lots of laughter and giggles, goofing off, and sweet snuggles from these kids. I am so thankful for them and the blessing they truly are to me. They are constantly making me laugh from their silliness or smile from their sweetness. While I am home I will miss these three kids greatly. 

A nice study break at Ladies Night Out at Dauphin Way

A snap I sent the night ("early morning") I was almost done with my final project in a class

The "finals Fairy" came to visit and brought some treats to help give us a push to the end. 

This photo isn't the best, but I think it gives you a glimpse into the fun that we have. I love all three of them: Jackson, Tyler, and Abby Kate. Their family is a tremendous blessing to me. 

I can't wait to head home soon and see my family, but for now I am off to study and conquer one last final. 

"Rejoice always!
17 Pray constantly.
18 Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The Lord's Perfect Plan

Two years ago on April 6, 2012 I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I vaguely remember waking up from anesthesia and the doctor leaning over trying to explain that I had Crohn's Disease and I would be placed on steroids immediately. He wanted to see me in the office just a few weeks later to discuss the long term of living with Crohn's. I was so relieved to hear I had Crohn's Disease. That may seem kind of crazy, but when you have been sick for so long, you welcome the answers, no matter what they may be. The biggest fear I had came from the words: "there is no cure, but remission is possible."

Now, two years later, I am getting closer and closer to remission and thrilled. I would love to say that it has been an easy road and smooth sailing, but there have been some bumps in the road. When I was first diagnosed with Crohn's I knew that it was part of the Lord's plan and He would use it for His honor and glory, but I was unsure how. I still do not know exactly how and in all the ways He is using and going to use my Crohn's, but I can say that I am thankful for this blessing in disguise.

The first year with Crohn's was the hardest by far. I struggled to understand why I had such a disease and adjust to life. Crohn's is not a disease that can easily fixed, but requires a lifestyle change. As a nineteen year old, it was hard to accept changing what I was used to. There were no hard facts when it came to diet changes, flare triggers, medication regimens, and treatments plans or options. Crohn's is unpredictable and affects each person differently, this was part of my frustration. I wanted someone to tell me what to eat and not eat; as well as, what medications to take that would make me feel better.  All I was told is that certain foods could cause a flare, stress added to the severity, and we would begin with trying several different medications out.

Mardi Gras 2012, just a few months before being diagnosed 

I made a trip to Washington DC to visit some friends just one month before I was diagnosed.

This picture was taken the day after I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and after several very long months of being very sick. 

I really don't like a lot of these pictures, because I had almost every side effect possible from the steroids I was placed on to help me. My mom's wedding was just three weeks before my surgery and I was and had been on a very high dose of steroids. I was extremely swollen and had a bad "moon face." Although I do not like to see picture from during that time, I know that it is all part of having Crohn's and where the Lord had me in my life. It amazes me to see how far He has brought me.  He has given me the strength to push through on even the toughest days and an amazing support system to encourage me along the way. 

Reception dinner with the cousins

One month off of steroids, but still very swollen. 

One year later from the picture above... I saw these two pictures compared for the first time yesterday and I could not believe it. Crohn's Disease will not stop me!

Christmas 2013

Jan 2013: Dinner with friends for the first time in a long time

April 2013: One year from being diagnosed with Crohn's 

 April 2013: One year from being diagnosed with Crohn's 

Summer 2013: One year from surgery 

These pictures are from this past summer where I felt like I was able to have a summer again. I worked at Daycamp, traveled to Houston, visited friends, and enjoyed beach vacation with my family. This is when I began to really adjust to my life with Crohn's disease. I was doing things that I did before Crohn's Disease. I was regaining the life I had back. 

School 2013-2014

School this year has been crazy busy with taking 19 hours in the fall and taking a lighter semester this Spring with only 12 hours. I have been able to get back into the "school" routine and do things with friends. The first school year after I was diagnosed was hard because I was sick quite often and was unable to do many things with my friends because I felt so yucky. This year I have relied on the Lord's strength daily and allowed Him to carry my through those days when I felt weak. I have enjoyed "school" this year much more than I did last year! :)

I may not be in remission quite yet and I know that I will live with Crohn's Disease, but I'm adjusting and have a new normal. Two years ago I would never have imagined that I would be at the point I am today. To my doctor's I may not be a "healthy" patient that is a normal 21 year old, but I don't let that stop me! I may have more doctors appointments, outpatient procedures, medications to take, and "sick" days that most college students my age, but I'm thankful that the Lord has carried me through. He has used Crohn's to teach me many things. I have learned that no matter what, His plan is perfect and mine does not matter. I have learned to completely relying on God, for everything, even the little things that seem like they may not matter. I still have days where I do not feel good and days where I have to get Remicade infusions, but even on those days that are rough I know the Lord is in control and HE IS GOOD! My joy is found in the Lord and nothing else. It is my hope in God that allows me  to smile through my infusions or continue through my day when I feel physically weak. Two years ago today, my life changed and now I have a new normal! God is good all the time and all the time God is good!

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