Where I am now

Just last year I made a video to be shown during our worship service at church to let people know about our HopeKeepers group. If you have ever made a video that has to be 30 seconds you know how many takes that can be. As I recited my lines over and over again. "My name is Keri Delphia and I have been on a journey for the past 7 years to be pain free." It really sunk in how long I have been on this Journey. That I really have a chronic illness that causes me pain and has altered my life in so many ways. As I looked back on the road that I have been down and where God has taken me I could truly see why my journey has been for a reason. God has given me a heart to support others who suffer from a chronic illness. Sometimes invisible and sometimes very aparent. Before I became ill I really had no sympothy for those who suffered. I couldn't understand why they couldn't just push through it and live normaly. God has truly lifted me up out of the pits many times and shown me His grace and mercy, which has lead me to understand the fresh start He wanted for me.
As I walk this journey with so many others who are struck by life long illness I know that they understand where I am, and excepts me just the way I am right now in my life. As I write this I think of all my friends in our HopeKeepers group and how no matter what is going on in my life or theirs we are there for eachother lifting eachother up when the other just doesn't seem to know how they will walk through the next hurdle in their journey. I encourage any of you reading this who does not have a support group, especially a HopeKeepers group, to find one through the restministries website or if you are feeling called to lead one take the next step.

Hello! It has been way too long!

I have been idle for way too long. I have had so many problems with my computer as of the last year that I have let my blog go by the way side. I am back in business now and ready to get back to writing.

It has been a very hot summer here in Middle Tennessee. I have spent a lot of time inside as the sun and the heat are a culprit for pain in my life. That used to really bother me and make me sad, but I have learned when and what time of day I can be outside and have left the sadness behind. I look at it like I am saving my skin by not being able to lay in the sun anymore:).

We have two new members in our family now. My father-in-law has moved in with us and his sweet dog Blue. It has been an adjustment but he truly seems to love being with us and have seen him smiling a lot as of late. God is good and will continue to work this for His Glory.

I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings,
Keri

Day 2 of invisible Illness Week

Okay so I missed blogging yesterday so here I am. I have been reading so many peoples blogs and feeling like I have a sense of community. Oh I have lots of friends and am very blessed with a great support of family, but it has been so great to relate with so many who share the same struggles that I do.

When I started on this journey I did not understand why this had to happen to me, why? What had I done that God would allow me to be knocked of my feet and stopped dead in my tracks. As I continued to fight what was happening to me it only got worse. Oh sometimes I would succomb to the fatigue and the pain and stay in bed for a day of so, but not for long. If I pushed harder I would work through whatever was wrong with my body. Each day I became more and more relient on God's Word. Finally I realized that I needed to listen to my body, rest when I need too, take the extra pain medicine when it is neccisary, and be okay even when know one else understands, because He does. It has come to my attention that through all of this my walk with the Lord has just gotten stronger, that I need the constant reminder that the only way I can get through any day is with Him. I am not saying that God made this happen but I am saying that through this He has drawn me closer to Him.

Living with an invisible illness

With invisible illness week right around the corner it has had me thinking what my life is like living with an invisible illness. For me it has been trying to say the least. I like so many others who I have talked to, was a perfectly healthy full of energy lots of stamina, wife, mother and business woman until one day all of that changed. When I say one day it seemed as though 1 day I was fine the next my whole world was changed. Not only did it change my life but it changed my whole families life. The wife and mother they knew who could and would do anything they needed was now too tired, too much pain, or mentally couldn't remember small details that were so important to them. Here we are 6 years later and as I sit here trying to make this make sense with as few words as I can I can say with the utmost certainty that God's Grace, Mercy and Love, has walked our family through this Journey. It has not been easy. Lot's of dr. appt's lots of disappointment in trying to find answers. Trying to learn a new normal in our lives. I think the hardest thing for me was admitting there was something wrong with me and listening to my body. Not worrying about what people were thinking about me. When you look normal on the outside, meaning you show no outward signs of being sick, you know that people have a hard time understanding or having sympathy to your illness. This is something that I know first hand. I was one of those people. That I know is one of the things that God wanted me to learn through my own illness.

My family has learned a new normal. We all understand that it may have to be adjusted day by day, but communication and honesty about how I feel is a huge key it keeping a peace around our house! No matter what God is with me always and with Him I can do all things! Maybe not the way I used to but by His grace I find a new way!

God Bless,

Keri

Fog in my head!

The last few days I have been really struggling with what I like to call a Great Fog in my head. I can't think clearly my face and tongue feel like someone is squeezing them and the pain in my arm is crazy. Yesterday I gave in and went back to sleep. That does help, but not an option today. The harder I fight it the worse it becomes. So frustrating! I want to scream! You know when you have no control over what happens to your body it is a helpless feeling. The worst part is it is invisible to everyone else, but you know the war that is going on inside. I am so thankful that I am not alone on this journey. I have made so many new friends who are in the same place I am. Oh we don't all have the same symptoms and we all handle the things that are happening to us in a slightly different way, but I know that they are there if I need them, and that they are praying for me. There is so much comfort in that!

Bless you my friends!!
Off to dream land to get out of the fog!:)

Keri

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week 2010 // Bloggers Unite

National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week 2010 // Bloggers Unite

Hope

Good morning! It is a beautiful day here in Middle Tennessee. I think Fall is right around the corner.

I was reading some bible verses today about hope. I got to thinking how many times the word hope appears in the bible... a lot! We toss it around when we speak to each other and I know we think about it, but do we really believe in Hope? I like to think I do, and as I read these verses, these promises from God, the God who loves us, I realized how important Hope is in our everyday life.

If you suffer from an illness that tries to steal your hope, please don't give up! These verses are why we have Hope!

Ps:31:24 Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all who hope in the Lord.

Ps. 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices: My flesh will rest in Hope.

Ps. 33:22 Let your unfailing love surround us Lord, for our hope is in you alone.

Ps. 39:7 An so, Lord where do I put may hope? My only hope is in You!!!!


There are so many more, but I hope that these will encourage you. When days are tough hope is what we have!

Blessings my friends!
Keri