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Healing Words

August 22, 2011 By 6 Comments
carefree

Deanna Nichols "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." -Proverbs 12:18 Yesterday I had a great conversation with a health and fitness coach with whom I recently started working. Not only did she give me some great ideas to work toward my personal goals, but I also found myself leaving the conversation with a lot more hope than I've felt in a long time. It's interesting I should be so hopeful because I'm really having a tough time physically right now. And we also spent a fair amount of time discussing my past history of chronic illness, a topic that usually drains me and makes me sad. Instead, she was able to focus on the accomplishments I've made in the past two years toward a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Joy, Reflection, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Finding Calmness in the Lack of Chaos

August 4, 2011 By 5 Comments
roses2

I can't seem to find my voice. I usually have so much to say, thoughts that must get down on paper. But I cannot think in complete sentences. Nothing seems worth saying. A ten-day trip rejuvenated me. . . and exhausted me. I want to cocoon into my own world for a few days. Oddly, I can. My son is at day camp. I have nothing I must do. My husband works late. No need for dinners. Mac and cheese. Peanut butter. Popcorn. I know. Not the best meals. But sometimes every mother just says, "Why not? What harm will it do to have popcorn for dinner?" My email program is broken. I am running a "restore feature." It's been running two days. I can't go through the normal routine of "back to work." It's seems foreign to not have … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Reflection, This is Me, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

RM Founder Shares How Her Health Advocate Passion Stems from Rheumatoid Arthritis Onset

June 21, 2011 By 1 Comment
smile-balloon

I recently posted this blog but somehow the video code was eaten up! I've added the video I spoke of below, and if you cannot see it you can view it here, "Illness Advocate's Passion Stems From Onset of Rheumatoid Arthritis." Last fall a popular health activist organization had a video contest asking us to share our journey about being a health advocate. I didn't win, but taking the time to share about my story of how I went from a stirring for illness ministry to where Rest Ministries is today was a winning experience! Here I share about how I originally thought I would work for a non profit organization, but after my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 24, I began my own "health promotion activities," by starting Rest … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Founder's Blog, Reflection, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cherish And Records Your Life’s Memories This Summer

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Denton Harris I spent yesterday at the hospital bedside of a very close friend who had a stroke that left him completely blind. We spent hours reminiscing about our many years together, and I learned a lesson which I am passing on to you. My friend had just celebrated his 85th birthday. He was in the D-day invasion in World War II, wounded and later taken prisoner by the Germans. He has a wonderful wife and family. As he lay there, staring sightlessly at the ceiling, he said, "So many things I'd planned that I'll never get done." Tears flowed as he talked (I had a few also but he couldn't see them). "I can never see my children and grandchildren and all the things they are doing. I can't watch them become adults." "I have a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Hobbies, Person w/ Illness, Reflection, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Testimony: Why Do Churches Need HopeKeepers Small Group Ministries?

May 27, 2011 By 1 Comment
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In coming months I will be sharing more of your testimonies about your involvement in small groups, the Sunroom, on Facebook, daily devotionals--wherever Rest Ministries has touched your life. Print, audio, or videos are all welcome if you're interested in sharing. Lisa From a woman we will call Samantha, who has been a part of a HopeKeepers in Southern California that has met for over 10 years. I was a young Christian woman, just starting my career, newly in love, and full of hopes for the future. Then, one day, chronic pain entered my life and set up a long-term stay. Now, over 20 years later, I live in constant severe pain. Do I have many moments of questioning, tears and frustration? If I said I didn't, I'd be giving false … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church Leader, Need to Know, Reflection, Share Your Story, Support Group Leader, Testimonies, What's New? Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What Adventures Has Your Illness Brought To You? (Other Than Familiarity With Medical Stuff!)

March 30, 2011 By Leave a Comment
dream-girl-flower

Bridget Gazlay recently started writing a monthly column for her community newspaper and she is able and eager to share it with us too. So often we only see the losses that can accompany our diagnosis of a disease, but just as Bridget shares, you never know the possibilities God has in store for you, even within the illness itself. Lisa By Bridget Gazlay According to Gallup's daily poll of 1500 Americans, 54% felt our economic outlook is getting worse (February 2, 2011). There is no doubt about it; these days are hard. And being that I am a young single person it's even tougher - especially since I am also chronically ill. My life has many ups and many downs, but my life is never dull, that's for sure. I am also an Administrative … [Read more...]

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