Update

Just a little update for those following my health.

I've been experiencing a new issue or symptoms for about 2 weeks now. About a week in I called a doctor here and made an appointment. They did testing and said they would call me back. Knowing the day they would call me back was a Friday and I didn't want to worry about this all weekend, I called mid afternoon for an update. I was told I'd get a call back. So later that day some doctor who is not my doctor calls me. He explains basically it could be this, that or anything, and to call back Monday if I'm still having symptoms because we may need to do surgery. Umm?

Also concerning was the fact that we were supposed to take a little get away and use a gift certificate at a hotel that next week, 2 hours away. Should I travel? Should I not? Is this serious? Is this not? Who knows. I prayed. We prayed. Others prayed.

Well Monday roles around and I'm still having symptoms. I really didn't know what to do. Call this same doctor's office where they appear to be clueless with what's going on with me or try to find another doctor for a second opinion? I came to the conclusion that I would call 2 other doctors to try to get in. That was my plan. Well, I called the first one and even though they mention my insurance on the message as you are waiting for someone to talk to, they tell me no they no longer take that insurance for new patients. Who knew you could decide who you can and can't accept the same insurance from. Not fair in my book. So on to calling the next doctor. Well this next one's receptionist seemed very nice. She put me on hold and talked to the doctor about my concerns. She comes back and says he can't see me if there is any chance of it being an emergency (which one of the possibilities of it would be). So we ended that call with the agreement that I'll call back for an appointment if I find out it's not that.

So now what? Still no answers. Still no 2nd opinion. I call my original doctor's office and let them know what's going on. No call back.

Today I got a call from the doctor, the actual doctor not a different one or a nurse. He talked to me for probably a good 10-15 minutes and explained everything. But explaining everything is really just that- everything. There is still no answer, every possibility still exists from no big deal to super serious. Which one is it? I guess only time will tell now.

A new agreement. We will take this little trip we have planned, pray we can enjoy it, and on Monday if I'm still having symptoms I will call back yet again for another appointment. Though at that point I may start looking for yet another different doctor to help me out here.

I know I'm no textbook patient, but geeze. I feel like a walking science experiment over here. I do not not not want to be thrown back into the medical system. It's a mess. It's a disaster. I've been treated like a number and not an individual. I've been through it all before and I don't want to go through it again. But what on earth are you supposed to do when you have these ongoing symptoms without answers? Look up, that's what you're supposed to do. Look up.

Please join me in praying for God to guide me through this, to bring me healing and to give us a safe, enjoyable relaxing time away ready to come back and continue to serve Him. Thank you!

…8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But He said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.… 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Pastor Appreciation Month

October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Honestly, I never knew or thought of this until I first started dating a pastor. But now that I am married to him, of course I want to recognize him, and all the pastors out there. I never knew all the behind the scenes work a church has. I fell into the thinking many probably do, that a pastor prepares a sermon during the week and shows up Sunday to preach it, with a few other things here and there. Boy, was I wrong, and it's only now that I can see that. Especially in a small church, when the pastor is the only one who works there and the only secretary is the wife's assistance, a pastor sure does do a lot.

To all the pastors who do it all and then some, who-
<3 study God's Word daily in preparation
<3 read, research and collaborate for sermons
<3 write, rewrite and rewrite again their sermons
<3 deliver sermons on Sundays and sometimes Wednesdays, Saturdays, any day
<3 create slides, media or visuals to go along with the sermons
<3 run their own slides, media or visuals during a sermon
<3 Sunday School preparation and teaching
<3 Communion meditations
<3 Communion preparation
<3 schedule and lead meetings
<3 innitiate, build and lead teams and committees
<3 visit people at home and in the hospital
<3 answer calls at any hour of any day even while on vacation
<3 answer the door at home at any hour of any day
<3 funeral planning and funerals
<3 marriage prep and weddings
<3 choosing and leading Bible Studies
<3 creating, printing and folding bulletins
<3 Children's bulletins
<3 building and maintaining a church website
<3 building and setting up a backdrop
<3 song choices, media for worship, running it during the service
<3 recruiting and overseeing guest worship leaders
<3 starting up, recruiting and overseeing Children's Ministry volunteers
<3 outreach event planning, preparation, advertising and day of attendance
<3 church member events
<3 renovation planning and collaboration
<3 cleaning, organizing and set up to make sure everything is presentable at it's best
<3 arriving before everyone arrives at each church service
<3 leaving after everyone has left each church service
<3 ministerial association meetings
<3 prayer meetings
<3 showing up to lead prayer whenever called upon
<3 leadership conferences, conventions or travel
and so so much more depending on the church, type of ministry, etc.
and then go home to be a husband, father, family member and friend, doing work around the house and for others that never ends.

Make sure to take the time this month to recognize your pastor. It's a ministry, it's a calling, but it's sometimes a lot of behind the scenes, long hours, sweat and tears that goes into it. Pray God's blessings over your pastor's life and that of his family's as well.

To my husband, my father-in-law and all the pastors out there who have chosen to answer that call, to minister to the body of Christ and be and hands and feet of Jesus, to be a godly example of what we all should be... Thank you and Happy Pastor Appreciation Month!