In Health and In Sickness...

I have been very silent on this blog for weeks because I was afflicted with a strange illness that we still don't really know it's source or even what it was. I had a fever for one day then two days later my ankles, wrists, knees and elbows began swelling painfully. They remained swollen for the next 6 weeks, and had doctors puzzled as to what this was. Some thought it was strep in my joints and there was concern of rheumatic fever, and astonishment because that is a rare find in this country anymore. A rheumatologist decided I do not have rheumatic fever and so, into week 10 of being sick (but so much better now!), I am happy to not be swollen or in pain, but I still am dealing with a deep exhaustion I cannot put into words.

I decided to write this as a thanksgiving post because thru all the changing scenes of life, God has been my provider and protector. He supplies every need.

My husband Lamar, and I just passed our 20th wedding anniversary last week. God has led us safely through rough roads and smooth and I am delighted to be more in love with my husband now than at any time of our love life. God has done amazing things in our hearts through the years as we sought to honor Him with our lives. This article sums up what our hearts have been in making our marriage one that brings glory to His name and tho we've struggled thru imperfection, God has sustained us and caused a beautiful thing to happen in our marriage.

Lamar was a real trooper through my illness this winter. I received tender loving care from him at every turn.

He held my hand the first time I swallowed the antibiotic that I wept over needing to take. To anyone who knows me, you know what a big deal that would have been as I've worked hard at keeping those kinds of things out of our life the past 20 years.


He faithfully drove me to the ER and sat in an uncomfortable chair for 8 hours of the night without one word of complaint.

He patiently paid the doctor bills and trusted God that we would have the money provided to cover the costs. We saw some amazing things happen through that as well, including the pharmacy deducting a huge amount from the prescriptions filled.

He gave me extra hugs and spent time just holding my  hand through those weary days and slept alone for 12 nights straight as I propped myself on the arm of the couch to sleep.

He took over my 'organizing of people' job one weekend when our house filled with beautiful youth, even tho that is not his field and he gladly gives it to me when I am well.

And last week he took me out for a one night honeymoon to celebrate 20 years, making sure the restaurant of choice had food for me since I made a personal choice to eat vegan for this year.

And then it was my turn to care for him when, on our little getaway, we made a stop by the Dr. for his blood pressure reading to determine if he will pass his DOT requirement. No one likes to have these things enter life, especially when we've worked hard to keep this one out of the picture but family heart history has caught up to him and adjustments need to be made. And it's my turn to love him in sickness.

on our 20th anniversary. And yes, I am well aware that we look like tired people
who are in the heat of the journey...

Whatever happens to us in life, whether it is satan angrily sending
stuff our way like he did to Job,
or whether it is consequences of life choices that catch up to us
that God merciful lightens even tho He could make them worse,
we know one thing:
God does not allow anything to come our way
 without His permission.

We are His.
He is ours.

We have committed to living our lives
for the praise of His name
by His power,
redeemed by the blood
of the Lamb.

We are committed to living and loving
each other
through health and in sickness,
prosperity and adversity
for life.

So my darling,
here's to living and loving
the next 20 years...
as God tarries!

(we were celebrated and sent off royally by our children,

and I wonder...how in the world did we get to this place

in life so fast????!!!!)