So Much To Be Thankful For! (And a few other updates)

Lately I have found myself looking at my friends' Facebook pages and Instagram and Twitter accounts and thinking to myself, "Wow, I wish I had a life as easy as theirs," or "It must be nice to have a life like that." Only recently have I realized how destructive and unproductive this thought process is.

I know that what God has given me to deal with is not what is considered "fair." I realize this - and it sucks. I get that. But I've also been blessed with SO much:

• A family who loves me and who I know beyond a shadow of a doubt supports me through everything I'm going through
• An awesome, God-given husband who works hard and desires to take care of me
• An ADORABLE niece and nephew who brighten my days every time I see a picture of them
• The ability not to work and we can be okay financially so I can take care of myself
• All my basic needs are taken care of (food, water, shelter, clothing...And for all my fellow Brian Regan fans, I wish I happened upon an "Essentials Kit," but alas... I have not.) 
• Friends who I know love me and are praying for me
• Eric and I are attending a church that has already been so supportive and has fed us spiritually
• Great health other than the illnesses I'm experiencing
• The ability to be active in spite of my illnesses
• The ability to take online classes and FINALLY finish my Bachelor's Degree
• The opportunity to visit Mayo Clinic and receive the best care possible
• The ability to move down to Colorado in the near future to be closer to my family

I have been blessed with so much, but my sinful self likes to forget that. I think one positive thing to come out of everything I'm dealing with is that I will (prayerfully) be MUCH less apt to take for granted the blessings that God has given me. As I'm writing this, I am physically feeling SO good. I was in some pain the past couple of days (eating too many Fiber One bars, I think... my system does NOT like me for that), but I've gotten back into my regimen of taking Fish Oil and Iron along with my other medication, and I feel awesome.

Also, for anyone who doesn't know (which I think most don't), I recently decided to go on a gluten-free diet. However, I talked with my doctor on Friday (great man, wears awesome bowties), and he didn't seem to be too concerned with that. He told me it's not necessary, but if it makes me feel better, then that's great! He also discussed that it may not be the gluten itself that causes me to feel cruddy, but the extra carbohydrates that the body can't process. The body already can't process all the carbs it takes in (especially if someone is on a high-carb diet, which I definitely used to be), so the unprocessed carbs go to the colon, and the colon secretes these and processes them in its own way. With someone who already has a compromised colon, this isn't good. So while I no longer need to be gluten-free and now have a little more freedom in what I eat, I will still be gluten(or carb)-low (and we'll just forget that the three Sonic breakfast burritos in three consecutive days last week ever happened). :) 

Anyway, thanks to all who read this! You all are so special to me. Love you! <3

Photography!

For those of you who don't know, I recently took up an interest in photography. Eric bought me a DSLR (Nikon 3000) for Christmas, so I've been having a lot of fun getting used to the camera and learning how to use it. I really think I could get seriously into photography! Honestly, today was one of the most relaxing, most satisfying days I've had in a long time. It felt wonderful to be documenting God's creation that way.

I'm also really excited  because I contacted the woman who did our wedding photography and asked her about a possible apprenticeship, and she said that she would love to talk to me when Eric and I make it out to CO! I'm so thrilled - I can definitely see myself doing something with my photography. And if nothing else, I've finally found a hobby that I really, really enjoy!

Anyway, here are a few pictures for those of you who didn't see them on Facebook. Enjoy! :)

Hum-Drum.

I've been trying to figure out what to post on here for a while to update all my friends and family, but I honestly don't really have much. I was supposed to have an Endoscopic Ultrasound in the near future, but my doctor thought it would be better if the Mayo Clinic does that themselves. I don't go to Mayo until May 22nd, so for now I'm just in the middle of a waiting period.

I've been doing pretty well for the most part. Things at home are starting to get a tad boring, but I'm trying to stay active and busy so I keep doing okay, especially emotionally. Yesterday was a bad day as far as feeling depressed goes, but I guess that comes with the territory. I'll have my ups and downs, but what matters is how I face them and how I handle being in them.

I've been able to spend time with a lot of people which has been wonderful. I went back to Caribou the other day to meet with one of my customers, and it was such a blessing. I talked with her for about two hours, but I also saw a few other regulars walk in and was so happy to see them. They all gave me hugs and seemed genuinely happy to see me as well, which was such a huge boost. They're all so great. :) No wonder I stayed at that job for so long.

Anyhoo... not much else is going on, I guess! Thanks again everyone for all your prayers. It's going to get harder in the waiting period because I may get fooled into thinking that I'm doing okay when in reality the status of my health hasn't changed. Part of me would rather get everything done with without any waiting period, but I know that's not possible.. Which sucks. So for now... I'll be waiting. So in this waiting period I really, really would appreciate any prayers as far as patience and a good attitude are concerned. It's hard to have a good attitude and not be angry with God and other people sometimes.

Thanks, friends. :) I guess that's all I have for today - I'll update again when something more exciting (and hopefully good) is happening. Love you all! <3