Role Call for July

[calliope]

Hi everyone

In one of the support groups that I attend, they have begun to use a 'role call' at the beginning of each month. This gives each member the chance to just bring us up to date with what is going on. We include a brief introduction about who we are,what we suffer, what we wish to achieve this month, and finally, what prayer request you may wish for the upcoming month.

Does anyone wish to join me? This is really a great way for the new members to meet each of us and get a chance to really know all of us.

Cali

[Jan Lyn Lewis]

Hi Cali, nice idea! I'll start by saying that I've had some answer to prayer in that while I am still suffering the effects of my sjogren's, my bloodwork is better this month. It's been a year since I've been further diagnosed now with this and I'm beginning to accept it better and get used to wearing hydration glasses and keeping up with all it takes to care for myself. This month I need to rest in every sense of the word. I've been pushing hard physically and realize I need to slow myself down. I want to rest in God's love and work on more of experiencing his love by being in his presence. It is my prayer to focus more on simplicity which to me is more of an outward expression of an inward reality without the legalism I once was tripped up in, if that makes sense. I'd also like to spend time with my family more as well. My prayer request for the upcoming month would be that I'd focus on what God desires for me and gain some clearness in that- if it is God's timing- in the way of membership to a faith body, our homeschooling and other family decisions.
Thank you so much!
Love,
Jan Lyn......eagerly awaiting others updates :)

[Kimberly Walker (& Donald)]

HI Cali! I think this is a GREAT IDEA! Today is Sunday and I just peaked in here to finish up some "HAVE TO'S", but hubby is calling as this is OUR weekend ~ so I promise to come back! PROMISE! I hope others will join us. Just keep going at it each month and I imagine it will catch on!!

[Kimberly Walker (& Donald)]

Well, after Donald was home for 4 1/2 months after a lay off, Praise God!! he got back to work about 8 weeks ago. He says he's settling into his new office (thank you for praying) and he is focused on the long road ahead as a full time Bible student on his way to Seminary. Woohoo!! And I am celebrating the "quiet life" again. Donald and I get along wonderfully and really enjoyed our long vacation together - but, I have to admit my routine got all out of kilter and after 7 years of being home alone 5 days a week, his being around 24/7 was an adjustment. After about 2 months all the hip-hip hurray of us being able to wake up each morning late and staying up too late at night to watch a movie or play on the computer we both began to get bored and we both were ready when the call back to his job came. And what timing as the LW OPEN HOUSE and 1 Year Anniversary and well I guess you all know all the goings on around here that have happened since. There is something to be said for becoming content with the mundane things of life! I never thought I would feel that way - but I am indeed content.

Although, this year has been a welcome blessing with NO BIG SUPRISES such as all those we experienced last year - it has been a difficult one for me physically. MRI shows that the instability in my back is worsening. I am having new symptoms that after seeing my PM Doc last week and explaining some of it to him, he feels like it is something "systemic" and has referred me to my personal physician for more lab work. It has been a few years since the more routine tests of Lupus etc. have been run, but he also wants what he calls a Zoster Panel done. Since the fall last year where I injured my foot I just have never been able to get back to the physical health I was experiencing before the injury. I am doing all I know I can do - it is up to the Lord. I will worship Him no matter how much suffering I am asked to endure. I know beyond a shadow of doubt this isn't punishment God is wielding - but tremendous LOVE. I know HE KNOWS what the deepest desire of my heart is. He placed it there. So, although not always "giggly happy" ~ I really am experiencing JOY and contentment at a level I have not known thus far in my life.

We learned we are going to be grandparents again. Mark called last week. Isabella is just 3 months old and doing great. Trevor is 6 years old. Now a new little one. Each announcement has been such a mixed blessing as EVERY BABY is a precious gift from God. Yet, all three of by grand children have been born out of wedlock to parents who are still kids themselves. Difficult.

Pray for transportation help to get to the added Doctors visits. Donald hasn't "earned" enough vacation time to simply take off and he will being using one vacation day a month to take me to my monthly PM doctor appt. So, transportation and then wisdom for my doctors is the need. Oh! And a new baby.

[calliope]

Here's my role call for July. I am a 42 year old mother of 5 who lives in Ontario, Canada. I am now retired on a disability pension and have been housebound for about 8 months now. I suffer from a number of illnesses including arachnoiditis,FM,psoriatic arthritis,spinal stenosis,extruded disks etc. and can no longer sit or stand for any length of time. I often joke with my husband that our Father needed me to shut up and listen so badly that he kept throwing things at me until I finally broke, and of course, now run to Him.

My stepdaughter just got married last weekend. I am worried about her choice of a husband and hope that you will pray with me that he can be changed and see the truth. My husband worries too, but even loving advice could not deter her.
My other prayer need is the same as I have asked for so long; please hold me up in prayer, asking for Him to provide me the grace, patience and perserverance to hold on until my private disability carrier lives up to its obligations. I pray daily that the ordeal of fighting for my benefits will be over soon and that our family will be able to plan, budget and rely on the most important of my income benefits. These corporations are pure greed: certainly He will topple them in the end.

I can't wait to read everyone else's stories!

With love,
Cali

Cali

[Patti G.]

Hi Cali,
Thanks for getting this roll call started. It's a great idea and I hope to see lots and lots of posts. My son and twin daughters are home from college for the next two months and my husband is recovering from shoulder surgery. He has a long road ahead of physical therapy but is making some progress. I am dizzy and tired as usual with my Meniere's disease but my sciatica and migraines are not bothering me today so I'm thankful for that. I am praying for all the members here for their health and for their families. I am looking forward to hearing from all of you soon.
Blessings,
Patti

[LINDA SLOAN]

Hi Cali - what a good idea this is - and a great way to get a little deeper into our lives and prayers for one another. I say that and yet I don't find it easy to talk about my needs.

I have rested A LOT over the past 3 weeks in order to be in peak condition for my sister's wedding - we had an awesome family day and my energy was HIGH! I know this is probably because I rested and did not stress myself out with guilt over it...trouble is I just CANNOT adjust to my new lifestyle without the guilt.

My family continue to be a major concern for me.... I love them all dearly and they are the most generous, caring, sacrificing, loving people ever. They're lives have been such examples to me.
None of them are Christians YET - and my parents are now both in their seventies
Older sister Debbie shows no interest in the things of God
Barbara and Harry (who just got married) have a very real awareness of God and we have had some good discussions with them in the past.
I continue to pray that they will ALL come to know the Lord.
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to share.
Linda x

[Patti Thompson]

Hi Friends,

Thanks Cali for introducing Roll Call. Although this is a part of the other groups I've been in just as Lori has, I've never officially done one! LOL So, here goes!

I'm Patti, 52 (barely), married for almost 33 years, the mother of 3 wonderful children ~ 26, 18 & 6 and Grand Ma Ma to 2 year old Jaelyn.
I had to retire from the profession I loved so dearly, teaching after 26 years due to a painful condition called Adhesive Arachnoiditis which is caused by spinal surgeries and Epidural Steroid Injections or other trauma to the spine. I also have cervical spine problems, arthritis, autoimmune connective tissue diseases, Cyclical Neutropenia and some other strange health issues. Pain is the name of the game and I was bedridden until almost a year ago when the Lord answered my prayers. My life totally changed (for the better) and my pain is now manageable. I thank God for everyday I am able to get out of bed and be a part of my family's life.

In 2004, I had surgery to repair my right rotator cuff (shoulder). My left one has been causing me a lot of pain lately & once you've felt the pain of a torn rotator cuff, you always know what that feels like. I'm pretty sure that's what is going on in my left shoulder and the last thing I want right now is surgery! I have an appointment first thing Monday morning to have a steroid injection in my shoulder (I HOPE). Please pray that the injection will buy me some time and surgery can at least wait until school starts. We are leaving for my Mom's in MS on Friday 7/10) and will be gone until July 28th. Victoria and I are flying and Gary and Collin are driving down (1600 miles). His mom is not doing well mentally. Alzheimer's is really bad, his sister is not caring for her and we may have to make the decision to place her somewhere for her own safety. She does not want to go so it won't be easy. She cannot remember what she said or did 5 minutes ago. We are praying a physician will help make that decision. She will not come to WY and live with us. It will be a very stressful trip for all of us but especially stressful for Gary. Please pray for wisdom for Gary in this situation and that the best placement for his mother will be found.

Patti T.

[Miriam]

Hey Cali, this is a really neat way to get to know where everyone is in their lives and help us to pray for one another. I am Miriam, I am 42 and married for almost 22 years. We have a 20 year old son going to college who is currently home for the summer working. I have limb girdle muscular dystrophy and I am in a power wheelchair all the time, except when in bed. I quit working last October and I am receiving disability. Quitting work was a tough decision, but it is one of the best I have made in my life. I feel so much better without the added stress and wear on my body and mind. I have been dealing with kidney stones this summer and I have another appointment this week with the doctor. I pray that there is nothing more that needs to be done. I am enjoying sitting outside and reading to pass the summer time. My prayers are for daily strength and encouragement to live in God's love. Miriam