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All the beautiful trees that my hubby has so lovingly planted are dropping their leaves. Some trees are gold, some are orange, some are brown and interspersed throughout are still those leaves that are hanging on until the last minute and they are green.  I love this time of year and the beautiful colors and crisp, cool air are one of the majors reason why.

I had my MRI last week.  I was so concerned that I would not be able to do the test because of my intense pain, but I had so many people covering me in prayer, I went through the test with NO pain! It really was a miracle.  When it was time to get up off the table, though, they brought an x-ray tech in there and she was just insistent about doing it her way.  My son came in and we were insistent that we were going to do it my way so I wouldn't get hurt.  I did get up my way, but she was rushing and pushing me the whole time and so I did have pain at that point.  I told her I couldn't like down for any of the x-rays now, so she would either have to do them while I stood or sat or I'd have to come back for the x-rays.  She did them while I stood and sat.  :)  I went home absolutely exhausted and in pain, but at least I had the tests done!

I was fortunate enough to have a doctor appointment for two days later and got the results of my tests.  I found out that I have injured one of my already herniated discs and have a new herniated disc that is bulging on both sides, plus I have a bone spur that is pressing on the nerve.  All this accounts for all the pain! She said I could do the shots but I have such bad side effects, I hesitate to do that and am praying about it.  She said the swelling will go down on it's own but I have to rest, rest, rest.

I also had a foot x-ray for my left foot that has been bothering me for 2 years.  At the time when it first started hurting and was swelling, I had told my then doctor about it.  This doctor couldn't see past my weight and said it was hurting because of that and perhaps some arthritis.  I asked him about it several times and each time, this is what he said. I didn't know much about arthritis so thought the pain and swelling was part of the illness.  I had told other doctors about my foot, but they would just note it and go on.  The doctor who finally decided that something could be wrong, was my new arthritis doctor. He said he wanted to do an x-ray to make sure it wasn't broken or hadn't been broken.  How prophetic! My foot had been broken in two places!  It healed poorly and so now I have severe arthritis in my foot.  I have to say, I'm very angry at that first doctor.  He couldn't see past my weight and allowed me to walk around on a broken foot.  I now walk really strange on that foot.  I used to think it was because of my back (which probably does contribute to it) but my foot will never be right. It is always hurting and swollen.  Always.

Having said all that, I am thankful.  Yes, thankful.  I am thankful that I can still walk, thankful that I can still do the things that I do.  Thankful for this down time because it will allow me to really study the Word of God right now in depth and also do some writing.  How often have I longed for some uninterrupted, guilt-free writing time?  God provided that!  I am thankful for my family who takes such good care of me and loves me despite my infirmities.  I am thankful for my sweet friends at church who love me and try to make sure I'm never out of touch with them or out of the loop.  I am thankful that the Lord has blessed me SO much.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

I was able to go to my Bible study last week.  I was so thankful.  My youngest son drove me and helped me get in.  I am so thankful for the beautiful bag on wheels that my sweet husband bought me from Sam's Club.  It is really gorgeous and since it is on wheels, I can take my books and not worry hurting my back. Another thing to be thankful for! It was so good seeing my dear, sweet Sisters in Christ and I came away from the study blessed more than anyone.  My doctor has told me that I have to be careful about what I do but I asked her about going to the Bible study and she said pick one thing and that's it.  We only have one more Bible study before we go on a two month vacation, so this will work beautifully.  I can get healed and, prayerfully, will be able to return to my Bible study in January healed.

I MUST share about something that blessed me SO much this last week.  I had signed up to be a hostess for our church's Ladies Christmas Brunch.  I have always, always wanted to do this.  I was the first one to sign the sheet!! LOL  Anyway, I got a phone call from the lady that is in charge of it and she had heard I was not doing well.  Long story short, I had to step down from being a hostess.  This broke my heart more than anything that has happened during this painful episode.  I cried and cried over this.  Anyway, my dear friend, heard about this and asked me about it.  When she heard how sad I was, she said, of course, we want you as a hostess.  She worked it all out to where I can be a hostess and I don't have to be at all the meetings.  My son will help me set up my table and decorate it and I can still be a hostess!! Isn't that just amazing?  This church and fellowship has so much grace and love.  I am truly, truly blessed to be a part of this fellowship!!  More than that, I am blessed to have such a wonderful, special friend that cares so much! More than any other friend I've ever had, she makes me feel loved.  How wonderful to have a friend like that!  Another blessing to thank God for!

I am still working on this new announcement regarding my blog.  I thought I would be a lot father along by now, but I am moving rather slow these days.  Do be watching for my announcement!

God bless you - Julie