Household Archives - Rest Ministries - Chronic Illness and Pain Support

The Financial Turmoil We Face When Ill

April 27, 2013 By admin 8 Comments

WITH ILLNESS OFTEN COMES FINANCIAL TURMOIL! How do you cope with not knowing how you may pay those bills or even pay for the next medication? This #devotional writer shares how this is where FAITH truly comes in!

With illness often comes financial struggles. Karlton shares how he has coped with this burden. "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:12-13) There are probably very few people with chronic illnesses and disabilities who are not severely impacted by financial losses due to their condition. As the primary breadwinner in our home, when I was knocked flat by illness, we went through terrible financial hardship because of my health. It can feel like a cold slap in the face to be hit by financial losses … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Devotionals, Save $, What's New?

How to Bring a Meal to A Friend Who is Chronically Ill

November 26, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

When was the last time you decided to bring a meal to a friend who is hurting? By Lisa Copen Every person and family is unique, so there is not a perfect list of what everyone should or should not do when delivering a meal. The tips below however, are things to consider when you are giving the gift of food. I know someone who is chronically ill and I'd like to volunteer to bring a meal for her family. Where do I start? While some people will be glad if you bring a meal, others may be embarrassed to accept it. I remember as a newly married woman, I was struggling a great deal with my rheumatoid arthritis. A woman from my Bible study brought me a big container of chili and said, "I made this for my family today and ended up with way too … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Caregiving, Cooking, What's New? Tagged With: bring a meal, Jodi Picoult

Get Creative with Some Craft Therapy!

November 11, 2012 By admin 8 Comments

Do you like to get creative? Despite our pain and illness, if you have a creative streak, find someway to feed it. WEGO Health asks what is your favorite thing to do that is not health-related but likely improves your life?" Day #11. I chose to talk about doing some crafts or simple decor. Craft therapy. This is what crafting is to me--a form of therapy. As a child my bedroom door was decorated every month (and yes, my parents would try to hide the scotch tape because I went through it too fast!) In college, I made ornaments, dried flower arrangements and other crafts to sell to make money for Christmas gifts. I cross-stitched my way through the summer I was a nanny in Scarsdale. How weird to go to New York and find "the thing" everyone … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Hobbies-Crafts, What's New?

What Does A Patient’s Dream Medical Office Look Like?

November 7, 2012 By admin 9 Comments

Have you ever walked into a medical office and thought, if I see one more waterfall or People magazine I am going to scream? WEGO Health asks for their daily writing challenge “if you could, how would you redesign a medical office?" Day #7. Lisa Copen The medical office. The exam room. The hospital. Oh, how we would like to get our decorator's ideas out at some of those places where we spend so much time. I asked some of you what your dream medical office would look like and some of your answers were the exact opposite of one another. For example, some of you liked the water fountains found in many offices, others of you said you hated those. Maybe you have heard too much water trickling right before painful procedures and its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Doctor, Founder's Blog, Medical Professional, Organizing, This is Me, What's New?

How to Organize Your Kitchen So Things Stop Falling On Your Feet

October 22, 2012 By admin 4 Comments

Many of my bruises occur because of dropping things on my feet and last week I opened the freezer to have half a frozen chicken fall on my toe. I literally still have a purple toe, eight days later. However, I have been taking steps in the last year to declutter, organize, and basically simplify life. I thought over the next few months I would share some of these things I have done to try to make life more organized--which means I spend less time looking for things, cleaning things, putting things away and so much more. About 5 months into my journey of decluttering I found Pinterest.com and it has helped me stay motivated when I grow frustrated with how to organize the messes. You can find them here: Lisa's Pinterest Page | Rest … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Cooking, Organizing, What's New?

How to Help a Friend Who Is Ill With Household Chores

September 12, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

There are many ways to learn how to help a friend. If you--or someone who is willing to help--can assist around the house, it's a great gift. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:14-15) When people wonder how to help a friend who is coping with illness, they usually think of bringing a meal, watching a child a for couple of hours, or running an errand. One of the less likely things to consider is doing a household chore or two. It can be an awkward situation, as you don't want an ill friend to think "Gee, she must think my house is a disaster if she is volunteering to dust! How embarrassing!" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cooking, Devotionals, What's New?

Bring a Meal and Make is Special With Free Printable Labels

May 7, 2012 By admin 21 Comments

When one is chronically ill, and a friend wishes to help her, the first thing that comes to mind is to bring a meal. In fact, since the most popular gift to bring is a meal, I wrote the book, Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend to get people to think beyond food. Sometimes all we can think of is to bring a meal! Why is that? Well, a meal is a gift of comfort. And even though we --who are chronically ill--may be physically able to cook, it takes a burden off of us so that we can use the energy we would have spent cooking doing something else. I have discovered that many people who cook for the chronically ill and offer to bring a meal to them, are actually ill themselves. Though it is easy to understand new … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Beyond Casseroles, Caregiver, Cooking, Free Printables, Friend Has Illness, Invisible Illnesses, Ministry - Personal, Need to Know, Support Group Leader, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic, Chronic Illness, Conditions and Diseases, deacons, free labels for meals, Health, meal delivery, meals for family, meals for recovery, organize meals, organize meals for sick friend, printables, Rest Ministries, take a meal

What Do You Want Your Faith-Legacy To Be? Donna Has an Idea with Scrapbooking!

May 1, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

Scrapbooking Your Faith By Debbi Farmer One of my favorite hobbies is scrapbooking. I have so many memories that I want to keepsake for others to enjoy down the years. I am often looking for new resources to add to my scrapbooking technique. Perhaps that is why I found this book and web-site to be so fascinating and wanted to share it with you. Scrapbook Your Christian Faith: The Beginners Guide to Scrapbooking Your Spiritual Legacy by Donna Riner Weber is just one of those many treasures that you have to share with all of your friends. I recently interviewed Donna Riner Weber about her book and website and discovered for myself how to scrapbook my Christian faith. What is Donna's story? One crisp, cool Friday afternoon in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Hobbies-Crafts, Joy, Loneliness, Ministry - Personal, Profiles, Reflection, Statistics, What's New? Tagged With: chronic illness. scrapbooker, faith-based scrapbooking, faithbook, keepsake, memories, purpose in illness, scrapbook legacy, Scrapbook Your Christian Faith: The Beginners Guide to Scrapbooking Your Spiritual Legacy, scrapbooking christian faith, Scrapbooking Your Faith: Layouts That Celebrate Your Spiritual Beliefs

Share Your Pinterest Account to Connect with Others!

April 30, 2012 By admin Leave a Comment

Pin this image to makes sure to spread the word so we can find one another over at Pinterest. Want to join Pinterest, but need an invitation? Just drop us a note here and we will send you one! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hobbies-Crafts, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic Illness, craft ideas, craft therpy, diy, Pinterest, tutorial, what is pinterest?

How to Save Money – My Quick Tips

March 30, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

HOW TO SAVE MONEY: These are a few ideas that are easy and helpful for both online shopping or even small businesses. (Personally, I have gotten backk hundreds of dollars from Ebates over the years!)

Wondering how to save money but without getting so overwhelmed by coupons and codes you are losing your mind? Here are a few ideas (ebates is especially easy) By Lisa Copen Illness is expensive! Have you noticed? Those doctor bills, medications, rehabs, equipment. . . even when you have insurance it can quickly add up to the thousands of dollars. There are a variety of steps you can put into practice when shopping on the Internet and locally. Oftentimes we get so busy buying the item we need we simply forget one of the steps and we miss out on additional savings. Here are some of the ways I have been saving extra money recently. Feel free to print this out and sit it beside your desktop to refer to before type in that credit card … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles, Articles - Read, Links, Save $, What's New? Tagged With: Chronic Illness, coupons, Disability, ebates, finances, groupon, money saving tips, rebates, save money, savings

Cute Frame With Dry Erase Marker Can Encourage You (Or Your Child!)

March 20, 2012 By admin 1 Comment

My son, 9, doesn't like compliments. He says, "yeah, yeah, whatever," and yet he still needs to know I do notice them. Lately, his attitude and actions have left my husband and I throwing up our arms in desperation wondering what to try next to get through to this growing strong-willed blessing. Here is one thing I am trying: positive reinforcement! I bought a little 4x6 frame at the thrift store and painted it aqua blue to match our coastal cottage bathroom. Then I found a clipart-style beach background and some sunglasses clipart that I added to the right bottom corner. I put the words, "YOU ARE A COOL KID" on it in a fun font at the top and printed it out and framed it with the glass. Did know dry erase markers write easily on … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Founder's Blog, Hobbies-Crafts, Parent of Ill or Disabled Child, Parenting, What's New? Tagged With: Do it yourself, Home, Marker pen, Paper, Picture frame, Pinterest, Walmart, Whiteboard

Clever Idea! Make a Pill Box Out of a Crafty Bead Box

March 7, 2012 By admin 2 Comments

Are your medications and vitamins overwhelming you? I have 4 pillbox holders that I fill up 2 weeks at a time for morning and evening. But all the other bottles have been disorganized. And as much as I try to stay up on getting refills, some are last minute or I even miss a day. None of them seem to run out at the same time. We have a "drug drawer" in the kitchen with a lock. But as the rest of the family has added vitamins and medication over the years, my medications have suddenly become mixed in with everyone elses. So every time I spent 5 minutes going through 15 bottles looking for a particular one I think, "There has got to be a better way!" And. . . There is! Check this out! Can you guess what it is? It is a bead … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Articles - Read, Founder's Blog, Hobbies-Crafts, Organizing, Overwhelmed, Videos, What's New? Tagged With: Christian, Chronic Illness, chronic illness tips, guide to organizing your medicine, how to organize your medication, make a pill box out of bead holder organizer, medication, Medicine, organize, pill box, pillbox, prescriptions, Rest Ministries