Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Life, Health, New Jeans

Hello friends!

I've been missing in action on my blog lately and wanted to give you guys an update.

I'm still waiting on God's direction on where to go next. In the mean time, I'm hanging out with my sweet family and working at the pizza shop. :)

All is well for me aside from some freak health issues. About two weeks ago I woke up with a sore left ankle. I thought it was residual from the sprain I attained in Guatemala getting in the boat. (See previous blog for the story!) The next day I woke up with the other ankle hurting as well. They were hurting so badly I couldn't walk when I first woke up some mornings. About a week later, my knees started hurting and developing weird lumps, and my left wrist and right elbow started hurting along with a few joints in my toes. My right knee is starting to swell, and both of my ankles are also swollen to the point that wearing shoes hurts.

I have the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis which runs in my family, but I haven't been diagnosed. People keep bringing up my being out of the country - thinking my weird illness was triggered by something overseas. Who knows! It's a definite possibility.

I have an appointment on May 11th in Nevada at a holistic doctor to try to figure out what's going on and how I can fix it. Until then I'm taking some natural medicine to hopefully keep it from getting worse. Prayers would be appreciated as I navigate this new weird stuff going on in my body.

I have been weirdly at peace through this. It's a mystery, but I'm going through it with God. And as cheesy as that sounds written out, it's absolutely true. I talk with him about it often, and there is very little anxiety about it.

Waiting a couple of weeks to see a doctor was a little discouraging because I don't want any permanent joint damage or deformity, but God put me at ease about even that.

I'm telling you, life really isn't scary when Jesus is your husband. He tells me where to go and what to do, and if I'm about to make a wrong move, He shuts it down before I get into trouble. He walks with me through the good and the bad times. He listens to me and responds in such sweet, intimate ways. He comforts me before I even know what exactly I'm upset about. And He confirms all the time that He is in the middle of my life, my future, my medical issues. I can't say enough how grateful I am for my Jesus.

(He even provided me with jeans the other day when I decided I needed a new pair. For 50¢ at a garage sale. The only clothing there in my size happened to be a pair of practically new Buckle jeans. No joke!!)

I hope you all are doing well!! Comment or message me on Facebook with all your life updates and specific things that I can pray for! I would LOVE to do it!!

Happy Storm Season/Almost Summer/Practically May!!!!! Love y'all!!

Love, Alyssa

Friday, April 8, 2016

Change of Plans!

Hey everyone! Many of you have contacted me in the past few days wishing me luck on my Colorado adventure, which is so sweet!! However, things got switched up on me.

A week before the school was scheduled to start (and a day after I sent out letters to my supporters telling them about my move to CO. GREAT timing! Ha.) I got a call from the Colorado Springs YWAM saying that the FCM course had to be cancelled due to lack of students. They tried to transfer me to another base, but everything seemed to be working against me.

It obviously wasn't the right timing and/or location this time around.

So I'm home still! Maybe for awhile! God apparently has other plans for me, and while I'm disappointed I can't go and a little confused as to what God may be up to, I know that He has a track record for blowing my mind with his plans. I'm waiting and praying to see where He sends me next. If you wouldn't mind throwing in a few prayers for me in that regard, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you all for your continued support!

LOVE, Alyssa :)