Voice of Truth

Others may not always understand the journey I am on.  They will not choose to follow the same path I do.  Friends and family may not be supportive or encouraging.   I have a deeper calling on my life from God that I must follow.  Following the leading of the inner spirit He has placed in me means doing what feels right, even if it doesn’t look or sound right to others.  I will not be concerned about what everyone else thinks; rather I will keep living and speaking truth.


Each day has struggles, temptations and disappointments.  However, if I choose to live in God’s presence I will also live a life that is protected, directed and blessed.  This path will not always be easy but it will be rewarded.  I will choose to live my life blessed and grateful.  There are hidden treasures of blessing in each day if I look for them; some days I have to dig deep to find them.  The biggest obstacle to living a blessed life is often me.  If I get out of my own way and relinquish control everything works out much better.  I have discovered that seeking Him first, listening more and waiting patiently are essential to living blessed.  Gratitude is an attitude of the heart and soul. 

"Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”  – Psalm 86:11

God's Healing Touch

This summer I journeyed to Indiana to visit an Amish man whom God has given the gift of healing.  His name is Solomon Wickey.  He uses iridology (examining the iris of the eye), applied kinesiology and prayer to determine what is wrong with a person and if it is God’s will healing can occur.  I first heard about Solomon when my friend in Ohio went to see him last year and was healed from both dysautonomia and lupus.

In July I had my first visit to see Solomon.  He is an elderly, Amish man.  Simple, humble, and I found out he is funny.  When it was my time to see him I sat in a chair facing him while he asked what was troubling me.  I had a horrible headache the morning I went to see Solomon. I told him I had a brain lesion and that my autonomic nervous system did not function properly – that my brain did not send the correct signals to my body to function the way it should.  I told him about my tremors, pain, and erratic heart rate. He looked at me, smiled and said “well, we know that cannot be because you are a blonde”.  Ha ha ha!  I almost started laughing hysterically – the Amish man was telling a blond joke!  I smiled, lightly laughed and said nope.  He asked me to remove my glasses so he could examine my eyes.  He then had me hold my right arm out and laid his hand on it, lightly pushing it down.  He closed his eyes for a brief period of time, quietly speaking in prayer. Next he picked up a bottle of some type of herb, again softly praying. He asked me if I had metal in my mouth.  What an odd question, I thought.  I told him I had a couple old silver fillings. He told me some of my health  problems are from mercury poisoning. Mercury poisoning! I have amalgam dental fillings.  This type of filling is silver and mercury.  Solomon told me they needed to be removed, that the mercury is leaking into my body & they are slowly poisoning me. He said once they are removed I also needed to detox any traces of mercury from my body.  He suggested a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin for three weeks to “draw” the metal.  The mercury would bind to it and pass safely from my body.  This revelation did not surprise me; my neurologist/autonomic specialist at Froedtert/Medical College of WI had suspected and tested for various types of metal poisonings but the lab tests he had conducted came back "in normal range" so it was not pursued; well, in people with a chronic, genetic illness any levels of elevated metal in the body can be dangerous, toxic and will continue to kill cells. I was told if I don't rid my body of the metal I will continue to get sicker.  I had a massive headache before my appointment, when I left it was completely gone and I felt peaceful.

This was now a matter of trust and obedience and God would know this.  It was no coincidence that the one and only thing I would be asked to do would be something difficult for me.  I hate going to the dentist.  I had to decide if I would ignore the healing message God gave Solomon for me or I could be obedient and trust to have healing in my life.  The week after my appointment with Solomon Wickey I made an appointment with the dentist to have my amalgam fillings safely removed; I then did the three weeks of mercury detoxification.

The night I saw Solomon I slept through the night for the first time in many, many years and have continued sleeping through the night since.  My muscle tremors have stopped and my cognitive function has improved.  I completed a 5k walk at the end of July with no side effects.  Last year I participated in the same event and needed to go to the emergency room after for IV fluids because it took such a toll on my autonomic system.

I made a second trip to see Solomon in August.  I wanted to ask him about the headaches and unequal pupil dilation I experience.  At this appointment he again examined my eyes - he could see significant healing.  Solomon laid hands on my forehead and said my brain lesion was gone.  He then had me hold my right arm out, laid his hand on it, lightly pushing it down & prayed.  Next he laid hands on my neck and told me he had “released” my thyroid.  I asked him if I needed to do anything else or take any herbs or supplements.  He said no.  I thanked him…He replied, “thank God”.  I smiled at him and told him I thank God each day.  Solomon smiled back.

In the weeks since my second visit to see Solomon I have had no more headaches or visual disturbances.  I am continuing to sleep well at night.  I have no pain or muscle tremors.  My heart rate and blood pressure have been stable. 

 

The type of dysautonomia I have is genetic; if God allows me to live more “symptom free” it is a blessing.  If He chooses to allow some “thorn” to remain to keep me humble & under His wing that is also a blessing.  Either way, I am grateful, loved and His chosen.

People who do not believe in God & healing may not understand this.  This is a faith journey.  It is God doing what God does.

God has given this gentle, humble Amish man the gift to heal...what a perfect way for God to work.  To choose a man that will use the gift freely for only God’s glory and purposes.  Solomon charges no money to heal.  He uses the gift God gave him to serve and honor God.

Sometimes we cannot find the words to describe what happens when the hand of God reaches down and touches our life...we just need to let our heart & soul be overflowing with gratitude.

I am blessed beyond measure.

 http://www.amazon.com/Solomons-Touch-life-Solomon-Wickey/dp/1420850083 

When I Am Weak, I Am Strong

I just read a dysautonomia blog entry that contained some of the most depressing and hopeless thoughts I have read. This person cannot seem to find meaning for the life journey she is on since her diagnosis; while I do not relish a life with chronic illness I have found life-changing purpose since my diagnosis. In fact I have even greater clarity on the purpose and meaning of life since I was diagnosed.

It is all about perspective. I can choose to remain optimistic in difficult times, knowing that out of struggle comes victory. It has been the difficult times, the dark days that I have been driven to my knees in prayer because I had no place else to turn. It has been in crying out to God that my tears have been collected in heaven and the mighty hands of God have carried me. Faith, hope and trust are the only way to have this perspective. The alternative is to be pessimistic, angry, and bitter. This will only make a person weary and tear a person apart, slowly and painfully. It is a choice.  

In my weakness I am strong. In my suffering I become less dependent on myself and more dependent on God to direct my life. My temporary suffering will achieve an eternal glory for me. I gain empathy, compassion and love for others. If a person has no faith or belief their perspective becomes narrow, self-motivating and short-term. It is hard to be grateful and loving if one is angry, bitter and full of self-pity.

Again, I say it is about perspective.

…he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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 Corinthians 12:9-10

When I Am Weak, I Am Strong...no crap in that!

Choose to Be A Blessing

Physical symptoms have nothing to do with abilities. This morning I woke up to a variety of symptoms that I could allow to alter the course of my day. My brain is foggy, my tummy is tossing & turning and every muscle in my body is screaming..but my mind and spirit, they will prevail. I have the free will to choose how this day will go in spite of how I physically feel. I can decide to turn the negatives into something positive today...to be a blessing to someone else.

A few kind words written or spoken to another person, a smile, a photograph or a package or card mailed...all may brighten the day of another person. A silent prayer offered up, a song that is sung as worship...being kind...all reasons to be joyful and full of gratitude.

I have had some people tell me that I am "too positive" or "overly optimistic"; that I have a false sense of reality about my illness. I don't have any illusions about dysautonomia. Not one. I know exactly what I have. I heard the doctors' diagnosis and prognosis loud and clear. However, I will not let dysautonomia define who or what I am. I refuse to give up and become a "victim”, a person who does not try to beat the odds. Instead I choose to push the limits and live my life to the fullest. I also serve a God who is mighty. I believe in miracles.

Ironing...With Joy

I could take my husband’s shirts to a laundry to be pressed but I don’t.  Instead I choose to do them at home because while I am ironing each one I pray for him.  As I carefully iron the back of the shirt I pray for my husband to continue to be the strong man of God that he is.  I use those moments to express my gratitude for the love and faithfulness he has shown me all the years we have been together.  I thank God for placing him in my life.  I carefully iron around each button using tender care not to burn them, thinking about all the precious moments we have shared together.  I press the pocket on the front of the shirt fondly think of how I can feel his heart beat when he hugs me.  As I iron the sleeves I am thankful for all the nights the arms that fill them have held me and comforted me in my pain, lifted me up when I have fallen and hugged me in my joyful moments.  As I iron the collar I remember the many times I have hung onto his neck when I am weak, when I am sick and when I just need to feel connected to someone.  I suppose I could save some time by taking his shirts to the drycleaners…but I know they will not pray for him and love him like I do.  Thank You, God for blessing me.

Summer Gratitude Journal

Living with dysautonomia is often an everyday struggle for me. Typically it is difficult to get even the basic necessities of life accomplished. If I can manage to get a shower, dressed, feed my birds and a few household chores completed I feel pleased with myself. Yet, every day, I am blessed in many, many ways. I have decided to start a “gratitude journal” for the summer. Every day I will find something to be thankful for. Even on my worst days God extends me grace, mercy, love and blessings…I just need to recognize them. “Officially” summer began on June 21st so I had a little catching up to do. I will post something each day that I am grateful for…or incorporate it into my topic.

June 21st
The first "official" day of summer. It is cold, damp, raining but I am extremely blessed as I sit here snuggled up with Paul and a cup of tea.

June 22nd
Enjoyed ourdoor dining on the patio at Zuppa's with Paul for dinner. The storm clouds were passing all around us but never over us...just as we finished and got back in the car to drive home the torrential rain came pouring down; perfect timing, God.

June 23rd
Fresh coffee, my cockatiel that shares Cheerios, it stopped raining long enough for me to take a short walk.