I miss studying it. I would feel so inspired after struggling to read and understand the Hebrew. It is a really spiritual experience to read the Bible in its original languages. The beauty of it really encourages me in my faith.
I am looking for someone/somewhere to read Hebrew with here in Atlanta...
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Blood work results...
Almost two months ago now I found out that I have a thyroid issue, hypothyroidism. I have been consistently gaining weight, have been suffering from fatigue and a myriad of other smaller issues.
I went to see the doctor for a routine physical and the blood results came back that I have hypothyroidism.
Now I have to take a little pill in the morning for the rest of my life.
I am still learning about this medical issue and have read material about it, but I am still finding some of it to be confusing. Research contradicts itself with other research (what to eat, what helps hypothyroidism, etc).
I have been exercising and eating healthy yet I am still gaining weight. This past weekend I came to the realization that I have to buy bigger jeans.
It's all a bit depressing, but I am doing what I am supposed to do. I exercise, take my medicine, and eat well. What else can I do?
I go to see the doctor every three weeks to have my blood tested. This is all a process.
When I feel miserable I have to be reminded to be thankful for my overall good health, that it could be worse, and that I have a caring, supportive husband.
As with everything I ask the LORD to teach me in all of this. Recently he has been teaching my about my vanity--it's all meaningless.
Thank you, LORD for humbling me and teaching me. But why does society place such a value on appearance? I have been sensitive to this topic lately and am growing spiritually as a result.
I went to see the doctor for a routine physical and the blood results came back that I have hypothyroidism.
Now I have to take a little pill in the morning for the rest of my life.
I am still learning about this medical issue and have read material about it, but I am still finding some of it to be confusing. Research contradicts itself with other research (what to eat, what helps hypothyroidism, etc).
I have been exercising and eating healthy yet I am still gaining weight. This past weekend I came to the realization that I have to buy bigger jeans.
It's all a bit depressing, but I am doing what I am supposed to do. I exercise, take my medicine, and eat well. What else can I do?
I go to see the doctor every three weeks to have my blood tested. This is all a process.
When I feel miserable I have to be reminded to be thankful for my overall good health, that it could be worse, and that I have a caring, supportive husband.
As with everything I ask the LORD to teach me in all of this. Recently he has been teaching my about my vanity--it's all meaningless.
Thank you, LORD for humbling me and teaching me. But why does society place such a value on appearance? I have been sensitive to this topic lately and am growing spiritually as a result.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Homeless update
This is for all two of my fans who read this.
I have diligently been working with those who I need to work with to take care of my homeless friend. I have gathered a lot of information about his situation.
He suffers from schizophrenia. I was inaccurate about how long he's been on the streets--38 years--not the 30 like I originally gathered.
His designated payee collects his disability and has been since he was put on the street back in June. He was at a personal care home and they kicked him out.
I called several places and visited several agencies downtown to see what can be done. The problem is that there is not enough resources for homeless people in the city. I understand that some people have the capacity to not be homeless and are on the streets as a result of their own doing, but not everyone.
So who looks after them? Who takes care of them?
No one. And worse yet, no one cares.
John is one person. He is in a shelter and will be transitioning (hopefully) over to a longer term program within the same facility but this is only because I am quite familiar with the agency.
What about everyone else?
Someone told me today that my "save-the-world-itis" will eventually wear off, after all, I am still young.
I want to care. How can we as a society, as Christians, be so dull to the pain that is around us?
At any rate, John is safely inside tonight as the rain continues to pour out of the sky. Thank you, LORD for what you are teaching me in all of this.
I have diligently been working with those who I need to work with to take care of my homeless friend. I have gathered a lot of information about his situation.
He suffers from schizophrenia. I was inaccurate about how long he's been on the streets--38 years--not the 30 like I originally gathered.
His designated payee collects his disability and has been since he was put on the street back in June. He was at a personal care home and they kicked him out.
I called several places and visited several agencies downtown to see what can be done. The problem is that there is not enough resources for homeless people in the city. I understand that some people have the capacity to not be homeless and are on the streets as a result of their own doing, but not everyone.
So who looks after them? Who takes care of them?
No one. And worse yet, no one cares.
John is one person. He is in a shelter and will be transitioning (hopefully) over to a longer term program within the same facility but this is only because I am quite familiar with the agency.
What about everyone else?
Someone told me today that my "save-the-world-itis" will eventually wear off, after all, I am still young.
I want to care. How can we as a society, as Christians, be so dull to the pain that is around us?
At any rate, John is safely inside tonight as the rain continues to pour out of the sky. Thank you, LORD for what you are teaching me in all of this.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Mike completes the OBX marathon!
My husband and I spent a lot of time in the car on Saturday to make it all the way out to the Outerbanks of North Carolina to see my brother Michael run his fifth marathon.
His running all began a few years ago when I asked him to sign up for the Broad Street 10 mile run in Philadelphia (where we lived at the time) with me. He did. It was a struggle for a weight lifter, but he did it. And then a half marathon. And then a marathon, and then another marathon, etc.
This was the fourth one he ran this year. He is absolutely crazy.
He saw people fall over and collapse around him and kept going (it was surprisingly hot yesterday). We saw one guy hop, literally, across the finish line as he had a bad sprain in his right ankle. We saw a lot of mother-daughter, father-son teams running together. We saw two young ladies screaming in pain as they held hands and sprinted across the finish line. It was inspiring.
Mike thought he had something in his shoe early in the race so he pulled over to take of his shoe only to put it back on and stop again about a mile later because whatever was in there must have been in his sock and not his shoe.
A mile after that he was in the med tent because there wasn't a little rock in his shoe, it was his foot--a bone out of whack--no skin there to cover it. He had his foot wrapped and then went on the finish the race in less than five hours.
Not bad for a 40 year old.
We were waiting at the finish line and I got to run next to him for the last stretch of the race. It was so exciting to see him come running down the street right before the finish line. I was so excited I jumped into the street and started screaming, "Mike! Mike!" and he looked at me and gave me a big smile. All this after running 26 miles, most of that with an injured foot.
I love my brother. I am so proud of him.
His response about the marathon: "running is a humbling activity"
His running all began a few years ago when I asked him to sign up for the Broad Street 10 mile run in Philadelphia (where we lived at the time) with me. He did. It was a struggle for a weight lifter, but he did it. And then a half marathon. And then a marathon, and then another marathon, etc.
This was the fourth one he ran this year. He is absolutely crazy.
He saw people fall over and collapse around him and kept going (it was surprisingly hot yesterday). We saw one guy hop, literally, across the finish line as he had a bad sprain in his right ankle. We saw a lot of mother-daughter, father-son teams running together. We saw two young ladies screaming in pain as they held hands and sprinted across the finish line. It was inspiring.
Mike thought he had something in his shoe early in the race so he pulled over to take of his shoe only to put it back on and stop again about a mile later because whatever was in there must have been in his sock and not his shoe.
A mile after that he was in the med tent because there wasn't a little rock in his shoe, it was his foot--a bone out of whack--no skin there to cover it. He had his foot wrapped and then went on the finish the race in less than five hours.
Not bad for a 40 year old.
We were waiting at the finish line and I got to run next to him for the last stretch of the race. It was so exciting to see him come running down the street right before the finish line. I was so excited I jumped into the street and started screaming, "Mike! Mike!" and he looked at me and gave me a big smile. All this after running 26 miles, most of that with an injured foot.
I love my brother. I am so proud of him.
His response about the marathon: "running is a humbling activity"
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Homelessness...a character trait of Atlanta
I have an issue with homelessness in Atlanta. Every large city has its homeless population, especially New York City where I lived before coming to Atlanta.
What really is bothering me about the homeless in Atlanta is that I feel like I can't do anything about it. I see the guys living under the bridges, I see John in the bus stop, I see the little tent city under the big tree next to my gym, and I see the lady living on the bench and what can I do about it?
My husband and I have befriended John, the gentle soul who lives in the bus stop closest to our home. We have taken him clothes, blankets, food, etc and have spent considerable time talking to him. He has had a hard life.
I have made a few phone calls, have spoken with a few people about getting John a place to stay. I have spoken to John about it and have told him that when he's ready we will gladly take him to wherever he needs to go, etc...(we don't want to force him).
He doesn't have a drug addiction issue and he isn't a vet. He's mentally ill.
So what can be done for him?
He's been homeless for practically 30 years. The day he graduated high school his parents drove him from his small Georgia town and dropped him off on the street in Atlanta. He's been homeless ever since. John has lived in and out of every shelter and transitional place in Atlanta and yet nothing has really "worked."
My husband called me a few days ago on his way to school to let me know that John wasn't in the bus stop and that all of his stuff was gone.
This morning as I was driving to work I looked over and noticed that John was back. I also noticed that his entire had nearly was wrapped in gauze.
I went over to talk to him and he told me he was beat up by...the COPS!!!!! It took a while for him to talk about it as he was really shaken up about it. They wanted him off the street but he didn't know where to go and this was the result. Even the hospital put him back on the street. A similar thing happened to him in July only he was locked up for five days and then put back on the street.
Where is justice in all of this?
I have had enough! I took John this afternoon to an emergency shelter that I have a connection with (after spoiling him at Wendy's) and am now on the quest to find something long term for him.
But John is one person. What about everyone else?
Homelessness in Atlanta really has me frustrated right now.
What would Jesus do in all of this? I thought about this the other day after I met with some people about what can be done (before John went missing) and felt that Jesus would invite John into his home, feed him a nice meal, and allow him to clean himself up. Obviously this isn't the safest thing to do, but would Jesus do it? Should we do it?
I called my husband and talked to him about inviting John over for dinner that night. That was the day he disappeared.
LORD, help me to LOVE John and to represent you well and LORD, please watch over all the people on the streets in this city tonight. Keep them safe.
What really is bothering me about the homeless in Atlanta is that I feel like I can't do anything about it. I see the guys living under the bridges, I see John in the bus stop, I see the little tent city under the big tree next to my gym, and I see the lady living on the bench and what can I do about it?
My husband and I have befriended John, the gentle soul who lives in the bus stop closest to our home. We have taken him clothes, blankets, food, etc and have spent considerable time talking to him. He has had a hard life.
I have made a few phone calls, have spoken with a few people about getting John a place to stay. I have spoken to John about it and have told him that when he's ready we will gladly take him to wherever he needs to go, etc...(we don't want to force him).
He doesn't have a drug addiction issue and he isn't a vet. He's mentally ill.
So what can be done for him?
He's been homeless for practically 30 years. The day he graduated high school his parents drove him from his small Georgia town and dropped him off on the street in Atlanta. He's been homeless ever since. John has lived in and out of every shelter and transitional place in Atlanta and yet nothing has really "worked."
My husband called me a few days ago on his way to school to let me know that John wasn't in the bus stop and that all of his stuff was gone.
This morning as I was driving to work I looked over and noticed that John was back. I also noticed that his entire had nearly was wrapped in gauze.
I went over to talk to him and he told me he was beat up by...the COPS!!!!! It took a while for him to talk about it as he was really shaken up about it. They wanted him off the street but he didn't know where to go and this was the result. Even the hospital put him back on the street. A similar thing happened to him in July only he was locked up for five days and then put back on the street.
Where is justice in all of this?
I have had enough! I took John this afternoon to an emergency shelter that I have a connection with (after spoiling him at Wendy's) and am now on the quest to find something long term for him.
But John is one person. What about everyone else?
Homelessness in Atlanta really has me frustrated right now.
What would Jesus do in all of this? I thought about this the other day after I met with some people about what can be done (before John went missing) and felt that Jesus would invite John into his home, feed him a nice meal, and allow him to clean himself up. Obviously this isn't the safest thing to do, but would Jesus do it? Should we do it?
I called my husband and talked to him about inviting John over for dinner that night. That was the day he disappeared.
LORD, help me to LOVE John and to represent you well and LORD, please watch over all the people on the streets in this city tonight. Keep them safe.
"I want new friends, not old mirrors"
Above is a quote I read recently that really spoke to me. I am adjusting to life in a new city and am attempting to make friends out of my current "church only" social circle. I am also trying to "come up" with a hobby and think it would be great if my hobby included new friends who were not from my workplace/church/clique. I have made one friend, Tina, so far. I am working on it. I'm also a workaholic so if I have a hobby and friends who aren't associated with work...
This quote really made me think about who Jesus' friends were. He wasn't friends with those who were on his level theologically or intellectually, but was the friends of publicans, sinners, and fishermen. If we are to follow the example of Christ then we, too, should be friends with those who are different from us.
LORD, help me to follow your example and to love all people and to befriend those who have no friends--like John who is living in the bus stop.
This quote really made me think about who Jesus' friends were. He wasn't friends with those who were on his level theologically or intellectually, but was the friends of publicans, sinners, and fishermen. If we are to follow the example of Christ then we, too, should be friends with those who are different from us.
LORD, help me to follow your example and to love all people and to befriend those who have no friends--like John who is living in the bus stop.
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