When It Rains It Pours...

I hope you enjoy reading the next several posts about our time in PA and NJ as we travelled north to visit family and friends...I am so thankful to have gotten these posts up...concerning the title to this post it has been "pouring" sickness in my life. Nothing so serious, just difficult to feel anywhere near a level of functioning I would hope for--compounded, of course, by being in the third trimester of a pregnancy.

I got sick after JJ did while we were in PA. I was actually angry that the Lord would let it happen. Though not right to be so, it was how I honestly felt. I was so wanting to have a great, "to the full" time at home and instead, I found myself battling sickness.

We have been blessed with a pretty healthy past few months and it's so easy to take that for granted. Thankfully JJ was over his sickness quickly and really didn't have a runny nose or cough at all (I am so glad). Jared got sick but only briefly (I say he has the "Bert constitution" from his mother's family)--I tell you this husband of mine is STRONG when it comes to fighting off sickness and not getting down physically with anything--sickness or lack of sleep. What a rock!

I, however, be it because of the pregnancy or whatever, got WALLOPED with an intense cold. If I used 1 tissue I have used 500 over the past 9 or 10 days! I couldn't sleep a couple of nights at home and started to cough this week. I started on an antibiotic this past Monday and am definitely better. However, I found out yesterday (Tuesday) that I have pink eye which I have never had--I really had to laugh just not even imagining what could come next! Perspective however, reminds me that it is annoying and frustrating but really nothing compared to what so many I know and love have been battling (cancer and the like).

But, you can pray please that I fully recover before we fly to Colorado next Monday. We will be heading to the bi-annual national Campus Crusade Conference in Fort Collins, CO. I have been looking forward to this, but know it will be a taxing 10 days as everything seems to take so much more out of me at this point in the pregnancy.

All in all, I would say that there is a consistent theme of what the Lord has been seeking to teach me amidst this pregnancy. My joy is so easily robbed because of the pressure I put on myself to do "everything" I think "must be done". I have these lists of projects and if I make no progress I consider my day a failure...yes, something is definitely wrong with this thinking, I know. I also have such a hard time knowing my limits--like when I was home, I would have tried to do so much more and see so many more people. In that way, the sickness forced me to focus on what I could possibly do...

Please pray that I will learn more/again/anew how to rest in Jesus. It is the lesson of my life, I think. I know it will only be more important in the days ahead and I truly see how crucial growth in this area is right now for my current peace of mind and ability to love those closest to me.

Do you struggle like I do in this area? Let me know how I can pray for you.