Whirlwind of Emotions

Well, to say the least, this week has been a whirlwind of emotions. While we were at the family reunion, Mike's legs began to swell uncontrollably. By Monday, he was finally convinced he needed to see the doctor on Tuesday morning when we got home. First, it was diagnosed as an infection, and then when the antibiotic didn't work, we ended up in the Emergency Room on Thursday afternoon. After 5 expensive hours of being there, Mike had been tested for numerous conditions including diabetes, lupus, and blood clots, but was finally diagnosed as having had an acute flare up of his rhematoid arthritis (he has had this since he was 10) along with something called cutaneous vasculitis. By Friday, his ankles were looking much better. Today, they are smaller than they have been in months. Unfortunately, the steroids make him feel like a truck ran over him, so he is still not back to his regular self. Not to mention he is preaching tomorrow in Cottonwood, TX so he has been frantically preparing the sermon, class, and songs he has effectively put off till the last minute. So needless to say, this week's emotion have involved worry, stress, and eventually relief. Our small group has been wonderful through the whole process. They have truly been community and family, coming to pray over Mike at lunch on Thursday, bring us or taking us out for meals all week, and praying incessantly for us. However, I guess I just didn't realize how much of a toll this ordeal was taking on me. The stress caught up with me today and I probably was not the a very fun person to live with this morning as I had to get laundry done, the house cleaned, and countless other tasks that I have been neglected since before we left town. Even after a bike ride, I still felt like a bottle of emotions that were not completely released. Sometimes, it amazes me how Satan can take ahold of us and make us miserable with ourselves and short with those around us. I could tell this was happening, this made me more frustrated but I had a difficult time releasing this burden. Thankfully, after much prayer, I truly believe that God released me from this bondage. After some quiet time, I was finally able to release much of the stress and enjoy the rest of our Saturday together.

This afternoon Mike and I went to a 50th wedding anniversary reception for a lady at the counseling center where I am doing an internship. The neatest thing was that Doreen's mother surprised her and came to celebrate this day. Doreen is 68 and her mother is 94 and had told Doreen that she wasn't up to coming. Doreen was sad, but understood. However, today she told me that as they were coming to the party, she told her husband the only thing that would make this day more perfect was if her mother could be there. Lo and behold, her mother surprised her and came. I don't hear of parent's being around to celebrate their children's 50th anniversary often so it was a great blessing for Doreen.

Saturday has turned out to be a pretty good day. We just finished a homemade pizza a family from our small group brought us and it was delicious. (thanks Pybus family!) Hopefully, the night will end without any more surprises and tomorrow will be a glorious day to worship with family.

Blessings!