It was quite an honor. I grew up in a small town, Creswell, OR, from the time I was 1 year old until I left for college. My parents still live in the same house & attend the same church, Creswell First Presbyterian Church. My mom is a deacon, & they kindly asked me to come & do a presentation in the morning from 9 AM until noon about how to better serve those who live with chronic illness. Then, they invited the community to come & hear me speak from 130 until 3 PM, in the sanctuary. The last time I stood on the stage at this church was when I was 15 years old & accepted Christ into my life. I wrote about my pastor, Norm Few, in my book Mosaic Moment, Devotionals for the Chronically Ill. (You can read the actual devotional about Norm … [Read more...]
Celebrate You or Someone You Care About
The Bible tells us, "She is more precious than rubies" (Proverbs 3:15) but if you cannot afford rubies to celebrate you maybe a cute little certificate on your wall would do for now? Certificate Street has dozens of free certificates that you can easily edit & print out. This also makes a great way to reward a child of a special accomplishment or maybe just a reminder of how much God loves them! Make yourself a certificate that reminds you that you are precious in His sight. Or if you have a sense of humor make up one that says you are a professional at living with chronic illness. Want to make someone on your medical team smile? Make up a certificate for "best listener" for your favorite nurse. Maybe you could surprise your spouse by … [Read more...]
Need a Giggle? Take a Walk Down TV Memory Lane
Ever feel sad when you're happy? Oscar does! Oscar the Grouch that is! Who better to make you laugh then Big Bird or Grover? Take a minute to watch the same old clips you loved as a kid at the Sesame Street web site (for the Oscar one above search "oscar" "sad." We're partial to the Martians & the Telephone video. Yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep yep. And if that doesn't do it for you, check out the weekly podcasts. The "word on the street" this week ANGRY with Oscar the Grouch hosting. … [Read more...]
Pretty is As Pretty Does – Even With Pill Boxes
We all carry them, whether it's jeweled or an old mint tin, & they are never that much fun. Here are some great pill boxes that will make you smile whenever you have to dig a pill out. Smiles through medication? Now that's worth cheering about! See "Forgetting the Pill" to add some sparkle to your life! … [Read more...]
Fun Little Facts to Amaze Your Friends
(Well, okay... at least your kids) Think you have more than enough information on how your body works from all your doctors appointments & watching Grey's Anatomy? Well, did you know that women blink twice as many times as men do? Or how about the fact that you use 200 muscles to take one step? (No wonder our feet hurt!) Have ya had a c&y bar lately? One human hair can support 3.5 ounces --which is about the weight of two full size c&y bars. Hop on over to this web site to find more of these 100 Weird Facts About the Human Body. … [Read more...]
Would You Wear Pajama Jeans?
There is a new product out called PajamaJeans. The New York Daily News has an article about it & made a video as well where a reporter goes out onto the street & asks people "Would you wear these?" The average person says yes, that only in a certain environment, such as during a long plane ride. However, for those of us who live with chronic illness who may not leave the house during your typical day --& yet may also want to actually get out of our PJs, this may be a product that you are interested in. It is an interesting concept, however, there are a few drawbacks: They are only available online or by phone, which can make it hard to be able to feel the actual fabric which is one of the main selling points, as well as … [Read more...]
A Nice Surprise – I Found an II Week Button!
Last week I stood at the counter of my rheumatologist to pay & happened to see this small button sitting there on the counter. "Do you know what this means?" I asked the receptionist, Frank, picking it up. "No," He said. "I think someone accidentally left it here." "This," I said pick it up to show him, "means 'my illness is invisible but my hope shines through.'" I turned to my husb& who was with me that day. "Look! It's one of my Invisible Illness Week buttons." I turned back to Frank & said "I actually designed this. How cool is that?" Frank asked again "Now what does it mean?" "The initials st& for 'My Illness is Invisible But My Hope Shines Through.'" I explained. "See, you wear it on your coat or something & then when … [Read more...]
Ever Feel Like You are Herding Cats?
When this commercial played during a "Best Super Bowl Commercials" TV show Lisa laughed out loud & replayed it a few times for her family. Now you too can enjoy this moment thanks to YouTube. Whether you have cats, dogs, children, or gr&children, we're sure you've had moments where it felt like you were herding cats! See below or click here to play. httpv://www.youtube.com/v/Pk7yqlTMvp8&hl=en … [Read more...]
What Was Life Like in 1902?
We may not be all that happy with our current circumstances, but let's take a look back at 1902. 90% of U.S. physicians had no college education; Instead, they attended medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press & by the government as subst&ard. 14% of the homes had a bathtub Average life expectancy was 47 The five leading causes of death in the US were: Pneumonia & influenza Tuberculosis Diarrhea Heart disease Stroke Most women only washed their hair once a month—with borax or egg yolks Crossword puzzles, canned beer, & iced tea hadn't been invented yet. Only 14 percent of the homes in the US had a bathtub. Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone. A three-minute call from Denver to New York … [Read more...]
Christmas Lights to “Amazing Grace”
If you didn't get a chance to get out & see Christmas lights this year, no worries. Here is an amazing Christmas light "show" to the tune of Amazing Grace. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTbpuQzMnxA" target="_blank"> … [Read more...]
Looking Forward to a Silent Night…
While trying to figure out how it's 3:35PM & I just now got out of my pajamas & through the shower, I reflected back on my day & saw a pattern. I couldn't help but hear the 12 days of Christmas song! 5 kinds of entertainment for my little shepherd boy 4 loads of laundry 3 blogs posted 2 quiche made (1 burnt) 1 in gingerbread house makeover (previously collapsed) all while (still) wearing this (cumbersome) splint! ...& we even got skype working so we can watch the rest of the family open gets 1000 miles away! Now, 30 minutes "resting" in my "work out splint" & then get ready for church - whew! … [Read more...]
Celebrate Jesus’s Birthday at our Christmas Party in Sunroom Today
We are having a holiday party this afternoon, 12/23, in the Sunroom. I am opening up the chatroom feature all day today so if you’d like to talk with friends “live” just scroll down to the bottom of the page at www.restministriessunroom.com . You can also see the enlarged window (which is easier to see) at http://restministriessunroom.ning.com/chat Join us for our virtual party to celebrate the Lord’s birth, play some fun games & more from 4-6 pacific time, 6-8 eastern time. See a time zone converter her at www.timezoneconverter.com A Sunroom member, Sue Ellen, will be facilitating activities. (Thank you, Sue Ellen!) I am going to do my best to get there on time (I have physical therapy appointment) & will be typing w/ 1 … [Read more...]
