Life Continues to Go Forward

Hello, and welcome to another blog.  Pease forgive me for not writing more since my last post.  I have taken a break from blogging.  I did not take a break because I was discouraged.  I needed to sit back and allow God to direct me where I needed to concentrate, and writing a blog was not something I could do for a little while.  I am back for a while now.

Dialysis Update

When it comes to dialysis, I have my ups and downs when it comes to anxiety and panic, but those days are becoming less problematic for me.  I have a routine now, and unless it changes, I have gotten used to when, where, and how I come and go there now.  I see the same patients come and go, know patients by name and face now, and the questions I have come less some days and more on others, and those questions depend on the situation at hand.  Since the catheter replacement was done on April 24, 2019, I have had the catheter placement done once on August 28, 2019, because the first one was having problems.  The second one has been doing great and running more smoothly.  Just last week, I found a sitting position most comfortable after the catheter was being positional, and now I want to sit in this one position all the time.  God is very good to me.

I have been dealing with some very good dialysis days lately, and I need to thank God for those good days.  The doctors, nurses, and technicians know how to do their jobs with effort behind it.  I do have to admit that this week has been one of those weeks of heart to heart talks with certain workers at dialysis, this week has been emotionally rough for me.  I felt I was being attacked in some way but there were some misunderstandings this week that was of no fault of mine.  If anything happened in my behalf, I will own up to my part in what I did wrong.  Life moves on.

I have struggled with my weight in the past month and now it being the winter season, I need to be more conscientious about my fluid intake as well as what I eat and how much.  I am in the 195 — 200 pound range right now and need to be 180 pound range to be on the list.  I dislike winter even though I love the beauty of the snow falling and landing in trees.  Winter has come a little early this year.  Cold weather has been found in Wisconsin.  May God guide me in the right direction as far as my weight is concerned.

One Slight Change

Life has not changed that much with dialysis added to the regime of the “work week” I have.  It has been a while since I last wrote a blog and now I have the chance to do that again.  The change I am referring to is the type of word processor I use.  I no longer use Microsoft Office.  I use Pages as my word processor.  It comes free with iOS operating systems on Mac/Apple computer, iPhone, and iPad.  I use Mac/Apple laptop as well as an iPhone.  I have done away with Microsoft Office subscriptions.  I am getting used to Pages.  The format is different from Microsoft Office but it is powerful enough for me.  Being an Apple user is a choice and a change I have decided to keep.

A Moment of My Time

It is Tuesday, September 17, 2019.  I have been busy working/writing on another blog by writing in longhand because I am doing some research and taking time by making sure I have my thoughts in order and facts correct.  It is like writing a paper for a class in a proper paper format.  I WANT it to be done correctly.  I began writing the blog on September 14, 2019.  I am taking a moment of my time to say something about being busy working on another blog because it has been a while since I have posted something about God and the love He. has for everyone.  I now have Grammarly to help me with the sentences, wording, and I also use Citation Machine online for writing in proper paper format.  There are two proper ways to write a paper that I know of.  Those proper ways are APA and MLA.  I am glad Microsoft Word has APA paper format built into the program.  I have to for now and I will be back soon.

Update - Morning

Hello, good morning, and welcome to another wonderful day/blog.  I do not have a lot of time this morning to write a long blog because I have personal cares from 7 AM to 9 AM, and around 8:30 AM I have dialysis treatment for 3 ½ hours this morning and afternoon.   I know I have not written in a blog for a month, and I do not have an excuse. I did have a rough month in August when it came to dialysis treatment, and I had my catheter replaced because the first one stopped working correctly.  A week before I had the procedure to have the catheter replaced, I could only dialyze an hour each dialysis day before the machine beeped so many times because the arterial/venous lines would become problematic.  I have learned that my blood is thick while my blood clotted the graft that was placed in July 2019 a week after it was placed in the right arm.  I have been put on Warfarin, and now my nephrologist, nurses at the dialysis center, and dialysis technicians are making sure that my INR/PROTIME numbers during blood tests each week on Thursdays is looked into to administer the proper dose of Warfarin each week is working properly.  I have been told that I have been put on the drug for six months but that can change as time moves forward.

            Despite how dialysis has been going since the new catheter has been placed, I do have to admit that allowing God to direct me on how my life goes each day still continues without too much conflicts of the mind these days.  I am going with the flow as time passes.  I am getting better at letting life play whatever the day brings. I did get very frustrated in August because of dialysis treatment being problematic for a few days, but the doctors and nurses told me that dialysis catheters are tricky pieces of machinery at times.  I won’t argue about that.  I pray and thank God for a very good dialysis day each day.  I also have to say that I have been frustrated for another reason as well, but that will have to wait for another blog.  I have to get ready for my day in a few minutes.  I promise to be back when I get home from dialysis.  Goodbye for now and do have a good morning.

Loving God Loving Each Other -Gaither Vocal Band.avi

Trusting God's Word

Please forgive me for getting off the mark in any of this blog.  Thank you.

Please use the Bible version you prefer.  I personally use NIV, NKJV, NKV, NLT,  ESV, and NRSV as my go to Bibles on my phone or computer.  I read NKJV while at church, and NIV while reading at dialysis. Some Bible verses are easy to read in one version over another, and it is okay to compare and see the different wording.

2 Tim 3:16, Ps 9:10, Isaiah 26.3, and Ps 37:4-6

Dear Friends & Readers,

Hello!  Another weekend has come, and Friday evening has rolled on in.  Sundown will be at 8:38 PM this evening, and I have dialysis in the morning for 3 ½ hours.  My week at this end has been very good, and I have looked forward to this weekend coming for the past few days.  I do have to admit that looking forward to Friday and Saturday the past few weeks, since May 7, I have been back from the hospital May 6, 2019.  I was disappointed and anxious.  Now, this week for the first time, I am happy to see Friday and Saturday come. When I began doing some reading of devotions, begin courses at Our Daily Bread, and saw my boyfriend and his mom after I got back from dialysis Saturday afternoon, I have realized that I needed to trust God a lot more than I have in my past.

Today I read Brenda Walsh Ministry Devotion of the Dayand it is titled “Trust God’s saying to me and I am titling my blog “Trusting God’s Word”.  Okay, here it goes…

Trusting God’s Word

The Bible is the very place we can go to learn on how to trust God.  In trusting God, we go to God through prayer, read the Bible passages that show us God can be and is trusting and a trustworthy being.  He is the One who created the heavens and the earth, the animals, and our first couple Adam and Eve who later became our first parents.  The Bible can take us to times of struggle, tribulation, joyous and great times, and show us what we need to do to trust God in every aspect of our lives.  Yes, the Bible has 66 books and the chapters can be quite long in some books, but God’s Word are stories written by people in the days before and after Christ, and today all the verses are read during sermons at church by pastors, church members, and those who share their testimonies through music and song.  Think of Psalms.  They are poems and songs in today’s world that were written by those who got to know God and Jesus before and after Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross because people wanted to have him killed so they did not have to hear him preach anymore.  Just like today, there were evil people before, during, and after Christ died on that cross.  Genesis, from the old testament through to Revelation, from the new testament tell a story about people.  Now, we can read about those people, and wonder who we pattern after spiritually. I have to figure who I pattern after yet.  Until then, I have to trust God and continue reading the Bible.

            The Bible is a great place to learn how to deal with stress, anxiety, panic, disappointment and so on.  Also, when we make a decision in our lives and want direction, we pray about it and wait for God’s answer.  Now, waiting can be awhile and that is where we need to learn to trust God as he shows us the way to go.  It is hard.  I know that for a fact because I am one person who can be persistent and impatient at times – maybe most of the time if I am not feeling up to par emotionally and physically, and definitely not feeling very good with a cold, fever, or an UTI.  Believe me. When anxiety and panic play their cards, I am on a rampage on what is causing my anxiety and panicking because I do not understand why, or I want it done right now.  I do have to admit that my ability to pray to God for help then is not focused.  I lose my focus on what I should be doing instead on what is causing my anxiety.

            Ever since May 7, 2019, I have been dealing with a struggle in my life.  No, it is not trusting God. It was dealing with my mixed emotions about not being able to attend church.  Today is the first weekend my emotions have not raged negatively.  I am happy that Friday has arrived.  I got out of my stubborn streak and let it go.  Now I look forward to the weekends coming.  I have found a way to be with God at home daily.  My struggle there is over.  I have allowed God to take over by sharing with Him my feelings, thoughts, and moments – whatever they may be.  I have learned to trust God.

            Do you want a personal relationship with God? I do.  I want to abide His wishes and I know now that He has a plan for me. At one time I wondered if He understood what I was going through when I was really sick in 1987 and needed a kidney transplant.  I was only seventeen years old and a teenager who did not understand God’s plan for me then. In order for me to continue to trust in God, I need to continue reading the Bible, read devotions, hear stories and testimonies of other people, to know that I am not alone in the world going through something so traumatic, scary, necessary, and needed.   I want that relationship with God.  It is that important to me.

            In2 Tim 3:16the Bible is saying that God’s Word can be trusted in the way of giving inspiration to us through God as doctrine, for reproofing, for correction, and instruct us in how to be righteous like Abraham, Noah, Moses, and of course, our friend Jesus who is in heaven right now preparing a place for us.  In Ps 9:10the verse is those who know Jesus will not be forsaken when they put their trust in him. Isn’t that an awesome verse?  I think so and I love this verse.  It is one of my favorites today and always. When we put our trust in God, we will have peace when we keep Him on our minds at all times.  That is what Isaiah 26:3 states in my understanding of the verse.  In Ps 37:4-6, I have found this verse a little difficult to understand immediately.  From what I understand, we are to delight in the Lord everyday of our lives and he then will give us the desires of our hearts as commit ourselves to him he will allow our desires to come to our lives.   He is the light and he will show that we are going in the right direction towards righteousness.

            God wants us to have a relationship with him, to trust Him, and to believe in Him.  It is so important to Him to have followers and believers.  Yes, Satan will want his followers and believers, too, but Satan is not going to have me following him.  I am here to follow God.  I may have been through a lot in the past 48 years to get to where I am today, so I am not going to throw away what God has done for me now.  I have reached the point in my life now to understand that I am here for a reason.  I was not the perfect daughter, granddaughter, or whatever relation I am other family members, but I can say that I am loved by many and God Himself.  He has put me in the perfect place where I need to be, and I have to trust Him fully.  We all need to trust Him fully although many have turned away from Him, do not know Him or care to, do not believe He really exists, or have just not understood.  I pray for everyone.

Sincerely,

Kristi

Remembering Beth Chapman

Anything shared, such as Wikipediais a site I use often to look at celebrity information.  If any of the information shared from that site is incorrect, please let me know and I will apologize for misinforming.  Years ago when Wikipedia came out, I was told by college faculty never to use it in papers, so I never did.

Remembering Beth Chapman

Dear Friends & Readers,

            My heart goes out to Duane “Dog” Chapman and his family, friends, and fans of his shows “Dog the Bounty Hunter, “Dog & Beth: On the Hunt”, “Dog & Beth:  The Fight of Their Lives, and the newest show coming up “Dog’s Most Wanted”.  His wife Beth, born October 29, 1967 and passed away from throat cancer that was put in remission, but then returned into her lungs on June 26, 2019, Wikipedia states.  I, a fan of “Dog the Bounty Hunter”, after watching the first episode of the second season, feel for everyone.  When I read in “Dog’s” tweet that Beth was in a medically induced coma because of her breathing and he has asked his fans to pray for his wife, my heart ached to read the post, but prayed.  That post has been on my mind ever since I read it on Monday, and then Tuesday, read another tweet from “Dog”, a little after 5 PM Hawaiian time, my heart ached yet knowing that Beth was no longer suffering and dealing with cancer anymore. Knowing that Beth is not dealing with anymore discomfort from her cancer, I am happy in that way.

            Watching “Dog the Bounty Hunter” was where I learned about how Duane “Dog” Chapman became the man he is now, and when he married Beth in 2006, the wedding was on his show, and the family let the fans see it on TV! I felt honored to be there as a watcher on my side of the TV screen.  I enjoyed the wedding very much even though “Dog” had lost a daughter during that time.  I have appreciated “Dog’s” honesty to the criminals who skipped out on their bail bonds as he captures them to take them back to jail.  Knowing about his life, a man who has been in prison himself, has made me understand that some people can turn their life around from very bad situations.  Upon reading information Duane "Dog" Chapman, I did not know that he was married four different times with Beth being his latest/last wife and a father of 12 kids.  My heart goes out to the entire family and I am glad they have one another.

            In my heart, knowing a celebrity only by watching them on TV, will continue to pray and be a fan.  Maybe someday I will meant “Dog” and his family.  The only celebrity I met in my lifetime was Robin Yount who was a Milwaukee Brewers team player when he visited the Janesville Mall when I was not yet a teenager but a pre-teen.  I was able to get Robin Yount’s autograph and have lost it ever since.  Yes, I’ve wanted to meet Beth Chapman.  I will have to wait until I get to heaven to her now to meet her.  Will I meet “Dog” Chapman?  Most likely no, but it is a wish of mine for a few years now.

            Prayers for the all who loved, known, and appreciated the family of Beth Chapman are going up as we speak.

Sincerely,

Kristi

God's Goal For Us - A Race to the Finish Line

Dear Friends & Readers,

How was your weekend?  My weekend went by fast.  The only time it seemed to run slow was Saturday when I was being dialyzed on the machine for the desired 3 ½ hours because one of my catheter lines was not pulling very well.  I got through treatment but had to have my head turned to the left through the entire treatment.  Luckily no kinks in the neck came during and after, and the following day.  I was given a drug called Cath Flow in the line that was not pulling very well after treatment, got “burrito” (gauze)wrapped around the catheter and left for my dialysis weekend (Sunday and Monday while Sabbath weekend begins Friday at sundown to Saturday sundown).  After I had gotten home, I got a surprise call from my boyfriend telling me he and his mom were on their way to have Bible study and having study together as well as learning about what the sermon was all about, but I did not hear from her until Saturday afternoon when she got here with my sweetheart.  It was an awesome two hours that ended my Saturday afternoon with great pleasure with family. On Sunday I watched TJ Hooker on Decades as the show was on this weekend.  I was in bed by 7:30 PM and asleep by 8 PM, and awake to begin my day today at 6:15 AM where I did my best at taking time for God, but that had to wait until 10 AM this morning and once again right now before 5 PM because my cat Bing Crosby had to have “mommy” time with me and give some loving as I was loving him.  Right now, while writing this blog, he is laying at my feet on my bed for a little bit. Once again, how was your weekend?

While I took the time this morning to read a couple of devotions at Our Daily Breadand Brenda Walsh Ministry, my mind came to the decision on what I am going to talk about today.  First I would like to share the devotions I have read:  Brenda Walsh’s Devotionaland Our Daily Bread Devotion.  Our Daily Bread talks about how to enjoy playing basketball as a coach learned that the team did not win games in the past while Brenda Walsh’s devotion talks about running the race.  Two very good devotions that talk about two different things so I am going to talk about each one the best I can with the notes I have taken and what I have learned and thought about through time of reflection.  Let’s begin with Our Daily Bread Devotional.

Daily Bread Devotion

“Playing With Joy”

Acts 20:24talks about how we are to complete a task that Jesus has given us.  That task is to study your Bibles, reflect on what you are reading, give your testimony, and pass on the good news about God to others.  This is what Paul said to the elders that were his last words. The coach was not worried about the basketball team winning or losing.  He just wanted his team to play basketball with joy in their hearts. The idea of having great joy in what you enjoy doing can show others as well as yourselves that competition is more fun that way.  Okay, I get it!  What have I been doing the past few days?  I have been writing a blog on devotions and Bible lessons and sharing what I have learned through words.  I enjoy doing this very much.  I am passing my testimonies through my blogs to others who will find my blog, read it, and find it in themselves what they come from what I have shared.  I am “playing with joy  y” sharing God’s Word.

As I continue to take time for God,  I find myself less grouchy, discouraged, stressed, and unhealthy. Who doesn’t get grouchy, discouraged, stressed, and deals with issues with their health?  I’ve had a kidney transplant 31 ½ years ago and now I am doing dialysis three times a week for 3 ½ hour sittings.  It takes away my morning to do other things that could be done but I have learned to fit it into my schedule.  It was not easy at first.  Now, since May 7, 2019, I have incorporated it into my schedule, and have found time with God in the morning and evening of each day without fail even though what fails around me is learned to be what it is.  If I begin to become anxious, I am still learning to control it with understanding that it is not me or it is something I have no control of.  Like when one of catheter lines was not pulling very well and I needed some Cath Flow after treatment.  Catheters get clogged.  I did not get stressed or worry.  I was being taken care of by good people who knew how to do their job Saturday afternoon. I had to look to the left for the entire session.  Doing dialysis right now is something that has to be done because my transplanted kidney is not functioning properly.  The race that I am running right now is one race I will not stop running for as long as I can.  Please take the time to read Our Daily Bread Devotionto see what you can glean from your experiences, reflect, and pray for God’s guidance as time moves ahead for your future “play for joy” moments.  God bless.  I continue to pray for a good race.  Now, let’s talk about Brenda Walsh’s Devotion.

Brenda Walsh Ministry

“Running the Race”

What races have you run?  When I was a child in elementary school, I remember when we would have track and field day every year up to my middle school days.  We would get prepared for the big day in gym class for days up to the big day.  I never did the hurdles because I could never get over them, but I loved shotput, the long jump, and running.  Running was not easy for me although I could run like the other kids.  I was a little slower in running even though I ran as fast as my legs could go.   I never won a race against other kids, but I was cheered by other students and teachers running alongside me no matter what.  The idea of running a race and finishing was all that mattered.  Kids in grade school were more understanding about kids with disabilities and handicaps, too.  I sure do miss those days because that is when certain things did not matter as much as they did during middle and high school, but where would I be if I stayed a little girl?  I know I would not have grown to know more about God, love Him, and share my testimonies with others as I continue to learn.  Even adulthood is not easy.  I can say that adulthood is manageable with the right plans in place.

Running a race in life has its quirks, downfalls, ups and downs, but the race is not over until it is over.  God wants us to have a steady pace during our journey that is considered a race to the finish line.  He wants us, too, enjoy the sites during our race and have a good rest on our journeys through life.  I know health problems can discourage anyone, but we have to remember that sin is in this world, and we are going to have bumps in the road from time to time, and that does not mean our race is over.  When the race is over, we have reached the finish line as , 2 Tim 4:7,comes across to me with the words from the Bible itself.  I have yet to finish my race and until then, I am going to continue sharing about God’s Word the best I can in the way I can and am doing right now.

Sometimes storms rage and that makes little things seem bigger than they really are.  Remember the saying when you were younger when telling stories. “Don’t make an ant hill seem like a mole hill” is the phrase I have heard growing up.  Sometimes certain things happen in life that may be distressing, and God tells us not to give up.  Do not give up.  God wants us to fight against what entangles us from time to time and continue to run the race to the finish line.  We need to focus on the goals God has given us.  We all have talents and gifts that God has given us, and He has known us from the very beginning of time.  At one time I have wondered what my talents and gifts were, but I do not wonder anymore. I believe I am putting them to use right now.  I have one last thought about Brenda Walsh’s Devotion of the day.

This past week I have started to take time for God for some good reasons.  They are to help me get through one day to the next without anxiety, panic, and depression, see what God has to say through His Word we call the Bible, reflect, and pray to Him daily.  Then when the time came and the Holy Spirit urges me to write my thoughts down to share with others, I have found myself more at peace with everything around me. My habits are changing, my attitude toward others is changing for the better, and my life from the past is opening to understanding that I want my former actions in life be in past and be remembered as mistakes, trials, and errors of my former self.  I cannot change what is in the past, but I can change what is now.  As I move ahead and run the race to the finish line where Jesus is waiting for me with his outstretched arms, he will then give me the prize that I have waited so long to receive.  When that time comes, the race will be over, and I will spend eternal life with Jesus and others who have also ran their races to the end of their days as well. Please do not worry that I am talking about finishing my race right now. God knows when my race will be over, and that is understood as He knows all.  I am not giving up and no one should give up.

As my night closes into a rainy evening, I do have to admit that I have learned a lot about “playing with joy” and “running the race”.  I am not here to scare anyone in believing in God as I am only here to share about Him when the time is right for me to do so.  I love Jesus and I know he loves me and everyone else in this world.  I understand that many do not know Jesus as well as not wanting to know him and both ideas make my heart ache and sometimes, I cry for those who do not know or want God in their lives.  God does exist.  He cannot be seen, but he does exist.  May God direct you in the right direction one day and bring you great joy.  I am only one being telling my testimonies, and I know I am not alone in this world whatsoever.