If all mondays started like this I think I could learn to adore them. Pecan sticky buns, a big mug of coffee, PJs and nothing on the calendar until this afternoon when Brooke comes over for another massage. Plus I plan to take a nap on the couch. Maybe we will watch a movie today.
This is Spring Break for the kids and our big goal is to wake up each day without a plan.
I have been discharged from home therapy and my parents are camping in Moab. So I will be taking a bit of a therapy break except for perhaps a few exercises here and there that don't hurt too badly and a walk or two around the neighborhood or the mall.
Last week I went grocery shopping for the first time. I can push the cart...sort of...with my right hand and follow behind it while Toben loads the cart. If my left hand would cooperate it would be much easier. In the meantime we have found something that works well enough and that doesn't require me to ride around in the dorky motorized cart.
We may go to the Denver Art Museum to see the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit. It is supposed to be fabulous. Maybe we'll go to the Wildlife Experience or to the movies. You just never can tell.
Spring is starting to arrive. So I'll be sitting on the deck on warm afternoons watching my lilacs start to leaf out and cheering on the tulips and daffodils as they make their entrance.
Prayer Requests:
1. For many months it has felt like God has been very quiet but in the past week or so I feel like I am hearing from him again. I would like to get some of what I am hearing down on paper this week. I want to get back into a good morning quiet time routine. I miss my early morning time with God and I know I will get to feeling more like myself when that gets put back in place.
2. The girls finished this quarter well in school. All A's with a few B's sprinkled in. After Spring Break begins the long slog to Summer vacation. Please pray for stamina for all of us but especially for Audrey and Emma.
3. Praise! I am sleeping better. The changes my doctor made in my meds seems to be working and I am sleeping most of the night and even slept in until 8:00 the other morning. Feels like a miracle as big as parting the Red Sea.
Joanne
I have been pretty quiet, comment wise, but keep up on your progress...you are amazing, and don't forget it. Will be praying that you will be able to reestablish your quiet time soon and get those meditations on paper. You have been given this incredible challenge for a reason and I know that you will glorify God!
Posted by: Lisa | March 26, 2012 at 08:22 AM
This post makes me very happy! Enjoy your break and relax with your family. So happy you are sleeping better, I know it can make a world of difference. Also feeling like God is near and talking to you is huge. Love you!
Posted by: Sandy Chapin | March 26, 2012 at 08:44 AM
Isn't spring break wonderful? I'm glad to hear you might be ready to "get some things on paper." Writing is my best therapy. Bless you!
Posted by: Gwen | March 26, 2012 at 08:49 AM
I have also been quiet with my comments lately....but praying for you always. The Lord puts you on my heart daily....and I am thankful to read your post.
Looking forward to hearing from you more as you have your quiet time with God and share what He wants you to reveal to others. You are courageous and remain someone I look up to for so many reasons. I hope someday our paths will cross on earth:)
I will be checking in again soon.
Praying
Jen Medeiros (bloggy friend from Redlands)
Posted by: Jennifer | March 26, 2012 at 08:52 AM
WONDERFUL to hear you are sleeping better - I pray it continues. Glad to hear that you made it to the grocery store! Good for you - another normalcy - type thing. Hope your week with the girls is just amazing, restful, full of smiles, with little delights each day. Hug - j
Posted by: Jan Maniatis | March 26, 2012 at 09:00 AM
SO glad you are sleeping! whenever I am awake at night, which happens in fits and spurts but always goes away, I pray for you that you will be sleeping instead of me. Your week sounds like it will be awesome!
Posted by: Jill Donnelly | March 26, 2012 at 09:01 AM
This post makes my heart sing. I know things are still so, so hard, but THANK YOU for sharing your rays of hope. I love you, friend, and I'm praying this week is full of love and laughs and God and NORMAL. My girls are on Spring Break too--so wish we lived a couple thousand miles closer! Love you!!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | March 26, 2012 at 09:04 AM
So happy to read a post from you! Here's to a wonderful spring break (love the plan not to have a plan:) and continued progress in every way. Blessings.
Posted by: Amy | March 26, 2012 at 10:49 AM
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts...so excited that you guys have a peaceful, restful, warm weather filled week ahead!!!
I too, have been struggling with God's quietness the last couple years as my family has gone through some really yucky things. This song has brought me some comfort the last couple weeks...wanted to share it with you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn5-2nZR9AA
HUGE (gentle) HUGS Joanne...I truly hope to have the opportunity to chat with you someday soon...
Cheryl Veenstra
Posted by: Cheryl Veenstra | March 26, 2012 at 01:12 PM
so thankful for the good reports...shopping...sleeping better...your girls...praying for a wonderful....restful...energizing spring break:) blessings to you all~
Posted by: r.elliott | March 26, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Joanne, you are sounding wonderful - and as if life is creeping back towards a -normal- for you.
Posted by: karen | March 26, 2012 at 01:57 PM
So excited to see a post from you on my reader!
Thankful you're hearing His voice again,that is priceless.
Deborah
Posted by: D | March 26, 2012 at 03:30 PM
praying and praising with you, joanne! love love a new post from you!
Posted by: katie | March 26, 2012 at 05:17 PM
Joanne, so good to read that you are getting more rest. Sleep is the most restorative thing, other than loads of physical therapy, we can do to help ourselves heal.
We will continue our prayers for all four of you.
Posted by: Michelle From Australia | March 26, 2012 at 05:59 PM
It's so wonderful to hear you are ready to put your thoughts on paper again. Praise God for breaking through this season of silence.
Praising God for answering praying for sleep too.
Had to giggle at the idea of you pushing that shopping cart. I just tried for the first time today and it wasn't a pretty picture, but now I have some very specific ideas of how to pray!
Posted by: Jenni Saake "InfertilityMom" | March 26, 2012 at 09:07 PM
How absolutely wonderful! It is so nice to hear that you are feeling so much better. I heard that when we are taking tests, the teacher is silent. How inspiring to hear you are hearing His voice. May He continue to bless you with rest and healing. Love to YOU!
Posted by: lisa | March 26, 2012 at 09:26 PM
My wife's aunt suffered a massive stroke in her early 40's and lived 35 more years. Though she was never able to return to her career as a physical therapist, and despite suffering significant paralysis as a result of the stroke, she lived a full, rich and amazing life. She never lost her sense of humor and she continued to have a meaningful impact on the lives of so many around.
While you've already been an inspiration to many over the past year, I can see limitless possibilities ahead for you. You have MUCH to say and to write after all you've been through. And there's a world waiting to hear your story; the good, the bad and the difficult. We can all be "encouragers" when life is easy, but it takes someone extraordinary to continuing encouraging others even when they're suffering.
"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed" 2 Cor. 4:8-10
Each time you post I see a bit more "Life" in your words and I continue rejoicing- knowing that the day is coming when you'll be a voice of hope for so many.
Posted by: Steve Lambert | March 27, 2012 at 08:31 AM
I am so glad to hear about the sleeping! I hope and pray that good sleep continues. Enjoy your spring break. :)
Posted by: Deborah | March 27, 2012 at 09:07 AM
It is lovely to hear your voice! I am glad things are going better and hope your family's spring break is deeply wonderful!
Posted by: betsy | March 27, 2012 at 09:40 AM
I am so thankful and delighted that there is improvement! Will be praying for you and your beautiful family Joanna.
Posted by: Amanda | March 27, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Joanne,
Your message is so encouraging it brings tears to my eyes.
Praying for you all,
Linda in Seattle
Posted by: Linda Hughes | March 27, 2012 at 10:18 AM
Joanne, I am so glad to hear you are sleeping better! I rejoice with you! How I'd love to tag along with you to the Denver Art Museum. I love you, my friend. Continued prayers.
Posted by: Lora Osburn | March 27, 2012 at 11:24 AM
I anxiously await you posts and was so happy to see your message. You and your amazing family are truly an inspiration. I hope you enjoy spring break with your girls.
Posted by: A Facebook User | March 27, 2012 at 01:46 PM
So very thankful that you are sleeping well. That is HUGE :) I don't believe that I have ever commented before, but I have been following you and lifting up prayers for a long time. While your physical healing has not been complete, your healing has been a miracle. I am so thankful for all that you can do. God bless you and keep you...
Posted by: Marian | March 28, 2012 at 10:00 AM
Hi Joanne,
I am glad to hear you are sleeping better and hearing God again!! Praise Him!
I pray for you and your family often and will continue to lift you up into the love of Jesus.
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Posted by: Child of God | March 28, 2012 at 01:45 PM
I too have been quiet for quite awhile, but I was so moved by your post that I had to write. I am so happy and thankful for the blessings you are receiving. Spring is so full of hope and renewal. I will continue to lift you up in prayer.
Posted by: Amy J. | March 28, 2012 at 10:26 PM
I'm so excited that I might be reading your thoughts and ideas soon. I will keep your requests in my prayers.
Posted by: Missy | March 29, 2012 at 05:47 PM
My heart absolutely smiled at this post!
Posted by: Kristi Walker | March 31, 2012 at 11:21 AM
Bless Your Lovely heart xx How precious to read your Blog xx Your an amazing family xx
We LOVE YOU's
xxxxx
Posted by: Ruthy:o) | April 01, 2012 at 08:40 AM
Praise God for miracles! Love that you were able to sleep in!
Posted by: Denise | April 03, 2012 at 06:42 AM
Hey darling J. Can't tell you how happy it makes me to hear from you and to behold again a miracle. I love you, my friend.
Lisa
Posted by: Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife | April 04, 2012 at 03:01 PM