Blessed and Seizure Free

New Years 2014

Yesterday marked a very special milestone.  My DS2, who many of you have prayed over and followed his story, hit the 2 year Seizure free mark.  I can't tell you how far in the future that seemed at one point.  There was so much fear that we would not see it...but yesterday was the day!

DS2 has really gone through a lot in the last two years, especially since we chose to go a somewhat non-traditional treatment route by going on the Modified Atkins Diet (version of the Ketogenic Diet.)  It is hard to be a kid on a very restrictive diet.  There are so many events that are food focused, particularly high carb food focused!  I am so proud of him and how well he has handled it all.  We have just weaned off the diet and so far, so good.

As Micheal in A Sound of Music, A Salute to the Tony Awards, The Center Players, NC

One really cool thing that came out of the last couple of years is my sweet boy discovered he had quite a talent for the stage.  It has been such a great experience for him as he has had to make adjustments in his life. He found an escape from much worry and stress through performing. I am so proud of him.

Temps & Tops, Salute to the Tony Awards, The Center Players, Elizabeth City, NC

As Sebastian in The Mermaid, Impact Children's Theatre, Florence, SC

I feel so blessed!

If you are not familiar with my DS2's story and you want to know more, catch up HERE.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

~Psalm 136:1

Another Year Dawning...

As we are once again, in a new location (albeit one much closer to family & friends and somewhere we have lived before), we have been visiting churches and looking for a church home.  The Sunday after Christmas we visited a church we were members of 20 years ago.  I am not sure that will end up being our church home again but the sermon resonated with me as the New Year dawned.  The Pastor spoke about how sometimes things have to be shaken up and how sometimes we need a new perspective…a God view. That really caught my attention because I know that sometimes I get so locked into my perspective I can’t even imagine there is another…much less a God one.  The last few months my perspective has been shaken up and for a time I was so blinded by my pain and MY perspective I couldn’t even begin to see God…but then one day I felt a faint sense of peace.  You know the kind, a “…peace of God, which surpasses all understanding…"(Philippians 4:7)  It was the gentle hand of a loving God awakening my hearts cry for Him.  It was the comforting arm of a God that will be there to love me through the pain.  It was the awakening of a hunger that only He can satisfy. 

Another Year Dawning

Another Year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee.

Another year of progress, another year of praise,

Another year of proving Your presence all the days.

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace,

Another year of gladness in the shining of Your face;

Another year of leaning upon Your faithfulness;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love,

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning, dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in Heaven, another  year for Thee.

~Francis Havergal

 

2014

Not my image, credited to Julie Tillery from Facebook

Personally, the last 2 years have been very hard. I was glad to see 2012 come to an end because we had been through so much with my DS2's illness, which changed my (our) world.  I had high hopes for 2013...hopes don't always bring results.  2013 has probably been my worst year thus far, and by now I have had a few to compare it to.

2013 saw me, for a time, have a crisis of faith which haunts me. I literally looked at my life, the devastation and destruction in it, and  I witnessed the person I thought was the strongest Christian I knew walk away from his faith, so in anger I said, "If this is what being on God's team brings, I don't want to play anymore!"   I was selfish and wanted to take MY toys and go home.  It was wrong, I sinned - there is NO excuse. I walked blindly through life for a while, without His light.  I know He was still there watching over me, but I was stumbling, falling and crawling on skinned knees without him. But like a child, I have come seeking the direction and hand of my Father and feeling His forgiveness.  The difference is, I feel like a baby now...having to learn to walk, talk and do most everything.  I am a baby in Christ right now, learning to pray, to seek His Word, to try to stay within his Will in Everything.  The above image is not my own, I saw it on Facebook and it spoke to me about the coming year....2014.  I am going to trust Him and His plan...knowing it is wonderful, knowing He thinks I am beautiful when others don't, knowing He loves me when others don't, knowing He cares what happens when others don't.  I am seeking His in 2014.

I know there will be pain in 2014 and in all honesty, I am struggling mightily with temptation as I enter this new year.  I am struggling against myself a great deal and fear is a constant battle.  But, I am determined to keep trying, to keep seeking my Savior. 

May you experience blessings and joy in 2014.

2013 Coming to a blessed end!

I have finally found some direction and plan on coming back to Southern Somedays and I hope you will join me on my journey to grow my faith and learn more about what God has planned for me.  2013 brought the darkest season of my life, but I am determined not to let "anyone dull my sparkle!"  God has been faithful when I have been faithless.

If you have read Southern Somedays for any time you will see much more of my faith on display because the only reasoning I can understand for my recent season of life is that God is trying to teach me and maybe, just maybe, I am meant to share that with others in pain. 

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 115:1

Good Bye!

Dear Faithful Readers,

I must no longer put off the decision to stop blogging.  It has been a good run (7 years, I think) and I have met some wonderful souls through blogland which I am so grateful for.  I hope that you all know how much joy your comments and emails meant to me through the years as I muddled my way through blogging.  Wishing only the best for you....

Settling in...

The month of July has flown by!!!  I have been busy unpacking (still not finished) and doing all the stuff you do when trying to settle in a new house and town. 

As much as I was apprehensive about our move to Edenton, NC, it has been really nice.  I am stunned daily by how beautiful it is here and quiet...and peaceful.  Yes, I do miss the convenience of things being "right down the street" but I can see how people fall in love with this little town.  I am looking forward to finally getting unpacked and settling in a rocking chair on my front porch with a glass of iced tea and a good book!

Though there are lots of "to dos" on my list we have still managed to explore the local movie theater (which is on main street, downtown, and only has 2 screens but you can still write a check there!) We have also gone to several college summer league baseball games, eaten at some really good restaurants and spent time on the water. DH and I also managed one impromptu date night with a picnic on the bay.  My youngest has been learning to sail and I think he is pretty hooked.  My oldest son can usually be found at the golf course and both boys seem to be meeting and making friends which is an answer to lots of prayer! 

So, all in all our move is working out well.  I can't tell you how nice it is to have my DH with us full time and to have time to do things together as a family again! 

This is a view from our date night picnic.

DS2 heading out for sailing lessons.

Grape Salad with a twist!

I know everyone has their own Grape Salad recipe but a few weeks ago I found this one and had to give it a try as it replaces the pecans with crumbled Heath candy bars!  It is so yummy and we can pretend it is healthy because it has fruit in it...right?

Grape Salad Heath Bar Style
1 bunch seedless green grapes
1 bunch seedless red grapes
1 jar marshmallow fluff
1 block (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 Heath Bars (crumbled)

Wash and dry the grapes, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl mix marshmallow fluff and cream cheese (I spray my hand-mixer blades with no stick spray before this to make clean up easier.)  Add in 1/2 the crumbled Heath Bars and stir well.  Add in grapes and stir gently to coat.  Top with crumbled Heath Bars.  Enjoy!