Not as Hole-y as I Used to Be

I haven't updated you on my health lately because it has been difficult to know where to start. Many times I've started to write an update only to sit and stare at the screen. Today I am willing myself to get it done, so I better just jump in and skip anymore intro fluff. 

Many of you know that the cardiologist found a PFO (a hole) in my heart that allowed a clot to sneak through and cause the stroke. Skipping over a bunch of details, last Monday (February 25th) I had a procedure done to close the hole.

The procedure usually takes two to three hours, but it only took the doctor 40 minutes to plug the hole. He and his team used a catheter through my femoral vein to reach my heart. He told Chad the catheter went straight to the hole and he didn't have to search for it. We attribute this to all of the prayers being spoken on my behalf. Thank you!

This short animated video will give you an idea of what the doctor did to my heart. 

So now I have a titanium and nickel "device" in my heart that plugs the hole. God made our bodies so extraordinary that my heart will basically incorporate the piece of metal and heal around it. Strange. Can I feel it? Why, yes. Yes, I can. But, I actually can't. I just think I can because I'm weird/hyper-sensitive like that. Each time I "feel" it, I tell myself over and over, "You're fine. You can't feel it. You're just a freak." 

Recovering from this procedure is no stress or strain and rest for a couple of weeks. The doctors said I can return to normal activity in 14 days. So, next Monday I'm going to go out and run stadiums and sprints. Anyone want to join me? 

Just kidding. I'm so not doing that.

Actually, one of the most interesting parts of this health journey I'm on is to continue to learn to listen to my body and balance what each doctor tells me. The cardiologist is only speaking his suggestions for my activity level based on my heart. The neurologist is only speaking his suggestions for my activity level based on my brain. Neither doctor considers other parts of my body that may need rest and/or healing, so it's up to me (and Chad) to combine each doctor's wisdom to decipher what is best for me and our family. 

Even though my heart is on the mend, my brain still has some reconnections to make. The neurologist told me to expect about two years. I've got six months down, just a few more to go. Chad has been more free with me lately in relating ways he sees differences in how I interact with the world. He is so careful in what he shares with me because he knows I can't help the differences. He doesn't want to burden me with things I can't change. I'm grateful for his protection. My stubborn pride often wants to demand the information, but my respect and trust of him allows me to choose to simply believe that it is not the burden for me to bare at this time. Thank you for your continued patience as my brain takes its sweet old time fixing itself. I'm continuing to learn, trust, wait, pray... 

My family and I have been so supported by you in this process. Prayer, gifts, meals, and money are a few of the ways you have supported us. My love for my community continues to grow because of the love you've shown us. Thank you for loving us! We love you, too!

John 13:34-35 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. 

Juxtaposition of Motion: Maximizing your Momentum Through Meditation :: A Guest Post

Oh, hey. Remember me? I used to blog here. But then I had this health issue creep up, mess with my brain, and then my heart. It has caused me to put aside things like blogging, but I often think about it. In the next couple of days I will post the story of this week's ordeal. Thanks to all of you who have prayed for my family and me. We love and appreciate you all! However, today is March 1st which means it is time for you faithful scripture memorizers to post your verses, and I've got a treat for you.

Jamie and I have been friends for 16 years. We met after I had graduated college. Through time together in East Asia, Jamie's unbelievable connection with Esther, and a common love for Jesus our friendship grew very quickly. In my mind, she has been part of my family for 16 years, loving us, serving us, talking deeply with us, laughing with us, causing us to laugh. She is a true life-long friend. I'm excited to share her with you through this guest post. She is so wise, deeply loves God and seeks Him through His word as part of her daily routine. 

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Unbelief.  

It’s something we all battle at various seasons of life.  Believing God is hard.  Do we trust Him to provide, to do, to be all that we need?  What about the things we long for?  Our deepest desires?  

While believing Him is hard, not believing Him is harder AND it’s life-stealing, dishonoring, and sinful.  Unbelief causes us to fret, to manipulate, to worry, and to rely only on the seen.  And, friends, what we see is so very limited. 

A few years ago, I was in a season of unbelief.  Moving from Asia to California to start grad school was overwhelming but the biggest worry I had was finances.  My tuition bill was more than my income level and I could not see how I would have enough financing to survive.  I was panicked and even contemplated quitting just two months into the program.  I was stuck in unbelief.  At my breaking point, I distinctly remember telling God, “This is yours....I can not see how this is going to happen, but I’m choosing to believe You will provide all I need.”  

God not only provided abundantly for my needs but through His provision he healed me of some unbelief.  He showed me that He can, He will, and He wants to provide for me and He restored momentum in my relationship with Him.  I haven’t battled unbelief about finances since then.  

I recently started a PhD program in Virginia.  Again, I had to move from Asia, leaving friendships behind.  And, once again, I find myself in a season of unbelief.  This time, however, my unbelief lies deeper than material worries.  At the core, deep within, I don’t believe or trust God to answer the longings of my heart.  I just don’t.  

My first semester in “PhD school” (as my mom calls it) didn’t leave time for reflection (or much of anything for that matter).  As a result, any thoughts I had about this current season of challenges were pushed to the side to deal with later.  Again, I was stuck.  It wasn’t until I had some downtime over the long winter break that I was able to outwardly articulate just some of what was going on in my heart.  I was very honest with God and told Him that I didn’t trust Him with certain areas of my life. 

God answered my honesty with His own:

“And he did not do many mighty works there,
because of their unbelief.” 
Matthew 13:58 (ESV)

After reading this verse, there was a pause (a halting, jolting, “Jamie, I’m talking to you” pause) in my spirit.  And I’ve been meditating on that verse since.  

Meditation and memorization are two parts of the same discipline.  Quickly memorizing a verse for the sole purpose of being able to quote it leads to a head full of knowledge but a heart unchanged by His Word.  Meditating on His Word unlocks Truth that will seep into your heart and (hopefully) spillover into your life.  I love the juxtaposition of motion evident in the practice of meditation.  In order to gain momentum, we have to pause, to wait, to be still.  God restores our momentum, not us.  Though He does expect us to be actively involved in the restoration process.    

My mind has this verse memorized.  My mouth can quote it.  But, by meditating on it, I’m hoping that my life will soon reflect it (well, in this case, the opposite of it).  I don’t want God to ever say to me that He intentionally did not do mighty works in my life because I didn’t believe Him.  During this season, I am also asking for His forgiveness for not believing Him.  I am asking Him to surprise me.  And I am waiting for Him to restore me. 


Is there a verse that you have memorized that you need to meditate on?  Does your life reflect the Truth you are memorizing?  Why are you memorizing verses.....to what end?  What areas of your life does God want to heal through your active meditation?  Will you let God maximize your life’s momentum through His Word?

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I hope you will take time to answer the questions Jamie posed. Many of you know Jeremiah 17:7-8 is what I have been meditating on since September. God has used it in my life through this season to teach me that He is my Sure Foundation.

I'm still working on Isaiah 40:11 for March. Hopefully, I will get it down! 

Isaiah 40:11 

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 

Sack Cloth, Locusts, and Memory Packs

Do you have anyone in your life that whenever you talk to them scripture just rolls out of their mouth in a beautiful, natural way?

There are a couple of people that come to my mind when I think about this, but one is on my mind a lot today. Just this week I was able to talk with my friend, David Englehart, about what has been going on in my life. Every single time I talk to him he speaks of the glory of God and quotes scripture that applies perfectly to our conversation. It isn't contrived or pious, but natural and edifying. He has spent so much time with Jesus, and the Spirit just spills out of him.

David and his wife, April, invested heavily in me through college. Through discipleship, babysitting, great meals, and laying on their couch when I had mono I spent many hours with them. There was formal discipleship/investment, but they also poured into me through their lives. I'm so grateful even now.

Through the investment, David challenged me personally with scripture memory. He never quizzed me on my verses, but he would tell me he was proud of me often which was music to my ears. I would always see him with his big fat thick memory pack and hear him quote scripture in his messages. But, it was never an isolated discipline, but part of a whole love for the Bible that characterized his life.

Sometimes I feel like people view me as a raving lunatic in the desert with my sack cloth, locusts, and scripture memory pack. "Memorize scripture! Memorize scripture!"

It is true that I believe and have experiential knowledge that God uses the Bible to change our lives. However, I want to set the record straight on how I believe we should be taking in God's word.

Scripture memory is only one slice of the inspired, holy, Bible pie. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then knowing and living the Bible is the most basic element of faith. There is no excuse of not having time, not wanting to read it, getting bored with it.

Please hear me say as believers we should be active in hearing God's word read and taught through the local church. Being connected to people who are hearing God's word together is transformative. The Bible speaks often about how the early church met together. Hear God's word consistently.

We should also be reading the Bible. Just read it like a good book. To be honest there is so much of it I do not understand. I'm currently reading Joshua and there are concepts that are blowing my mind. But, I keep reading, four to five chapters at a time.

Studying the bible is where you put meat to the bones of your understanding of scripture. Right now have chosen to connect what I hear on Sundays to what I personally study, 1 Peter. I'm reading, taking notes, looking up information through online commentaries, referencing what I learn on Sunday through Chad's teaching....real life study. There are so many good tools to use in this process. Feel free to ask if you need guidance.

Then comes memorizing scripture. Without the other three elements, memorizing is just child's play. Erin wrote about her study through memorizing Isaiah 61. Yes! She read, studied, memorized, and meditated.

Finally, meditating on God's word takes what has been revealed to you deep into your soul. On March first, my good friend, Jamie, will be sharing with us her experience in meditating on scripture.

Do you see the five aspects of taking in the bible? They all go together. This is what David taught me all those years ago. He values scripture so much in his life and God has used it to make him more like Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 says, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." In many ways I still am following the example of David in my life. As he shared a perfect verse for me this week, my heart swelled and I was reminded that I want to be like that, scripture pouring out of me, lifting others up, giving glory to Jesus.

I realize this may seem incredibly time consuming and overwhelming, but think of it like cross training in exercise. A person may swim, lift weights, run, hike, and bike, but not all of it happens on the same day. When I was working out at my strongest, I would incorporate a couple of different types of exercises a day a few times a week. I sought to be well-rounded and well-trained in my body. I, also, desire to seek to be well-rounded and well-trained in my soul. All five aspects of taking in scripture won't happen in the same day, but I work to make each aspect a consistent part of my life.

The whole process of taking in God's word has changed my life, not one discipline. Let me be the raving lunatic in the desert with my sack cloth, locusts, and worn bible. "Hear, read, study, memorize, mediate...to the glory of God!" 

Psalm 119:33-34

Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees 

then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep your law 

and obey it with all my heart. 

Direct me in the path of your commands 

for there I find delight. 

Turn my heart toward your statutes 

and not toward selfish gain. 

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; 

preserve my life according to your word. 

Fulfill your promise to your servant, 

so that you may be feared. 

Take away the disgrace I dread 

for your laws are good. 

How I long for your precepts! 

Preserve my life in your righteousness.

What is the most challenging aspect of taking in scripture to you? In what area are you the strongest? Whose example in your life do you want to follow concerning their love for the bible? Would you be willing to become of raving lunatic in the desert with me concerning scripture?

Silencing the Chaos :: A Guest Post

Having guest posters for Moxie Memorizers is a spectacular idea, if I do say so myself! And this gem that you are about to read, proves it. 

My friend, Erin, is a light to those around her. She exudes joy, tenderness, and grace. The humility with which she carries herself draws people to her. The words God gives her to encourage others often shocks me. The Spirit of God has heavily gifted her to be able to encourage individuals, and I have seen Him use this gift in her life to encourage our church body. 

I had the privilege of hearing Erin quote a whole chapter of scripture at a dear friend's wedding. Instantly, I knew I should ask her to share her journey with us. Please read and take in every word.  

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Whenever I see the women around me quoting the Bible verbatim, I’m like, “I want that.” I admire the power Angel displays in her reciting of Scripture, and each time I memorize a new verse, I feel that power deep in my soul.  I feel a change and a growth. And then God uses it, and I’m like, “Hello! Amazing!”

So, back in September, I met with my dear friend Kelly (then Thompson, now Jones). We usually laugh together and celebrate what God is doing in our lives, but on this particular day, my eyes were filled with tears. My plans for a relationship had failed. I was filled with loss, regret, and doubt of myself as a woman and follower of Christ. I felt broken, unsure how to go on. She listened intently, encouraged, and supported me. Then she asked me to stand up in front of everyone at her wedding and read Isaiah 61.

I felt a spark ignite. “What an honor! Of course I’ll do it!” 

Almost immediately the doubts set in. What? Me? There is absolutely no way. But I kept quiet, said goodbye, and my mind churned over this new challenge. 

As the weeks went on, the doubts persisted, and my anxiety kicked in. It’s so long…what if I’m crying? What if I have an anxiety attack right before and can’t do it? What if I can’t breathe? What if…

To silence the chaos, I decided to start memorizing and see if that helped. Suddenly, I felt a rush of power. 

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted…”

Bind up the brokenhearted! Like me! 

“To proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”

Freedom. Release. No more darkness. No more sin. No more shame. No more confusion.

I was determined to memorize the whole thing. I didn’t think it was possible to actually recite it at the wedding. My nerves, the pressure... But memorizing it was helping me deal with my emotional turmoil, so I continued. I brought index cards with me while I went hiking (which I love to do). Hiking and memorizing is like surrounding yourself with God. It’s amazing. I’d reach an overlook and spread out my hands.

“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God! To comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion. To bestow on them a crown of BEAUTY instead of ashes, the oil of JOY instead of mourning, and a garment of PRAISE instead of a spirit of despair!”

No more sorrow! No more tears! A crown of beauty!

But as the weeks went on, the doubts festered. So many lies ran around in my head. Some of them told me I was inadequate, others told me that reading the Scripture was bad…At one point I even told Kelly she needed a backup plan. But God knows my heart, and every time those doubts crept in, so did Isaiah 61. 

“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”

God does the work. I can glorify Him just like a tree, my leaves clapping and my soul rejoicing. He will make Himself known in my life. He will use me to display His splendor. What an honor!

I wish I could go through every twist and turn of the story and the significance of each line of Isaiah 61. But God used amazing people, experiences, and many ups and downs to lead me to Kelly’s beautiful wedding on December 28^th where I stood, knees shaking, heart pounding, praying my breath wouldn’t give out. As a harp gently played and the gorgeous trees around us clapped their hands, I read the Scripture…for a few verses until I just had to look up and speak it as the Truth that was now so hidden in my heart.

“Instead of your shame, you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace, you will REJOICE in your inheritance. And so, you will inherit a double portion in your land, and EVERLASTING JOY will be yours.” 

It isn’t about me. It’s about Jesus! Yes, I have a screwed up past. Yes, I have made mistakes and make more every day. But more importantly, I am God’s child, a believer in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who came to free the captives, release prisoners from darkness, and avenge evil by dying on the cross. HE ROSE FROM THE GRAVE TO DEFEAT DEATH. He is freedom! 

How grateful I am that He works beyond my doubts, insecurities, greed, envy, pride, and everything else that goes on my crazy heart and mind. He uses my imperfections to show His perfection. And as Tori eloquently described in her testimony on Women’s Retreat, He is a God who wastes nothing. He wastes nothing. We can give Him everything, because He will make Himself known through it. Our struggles, our darkness, our memories; He uses all of it, no matter how horrible it seems.

“Your descendents will be known among the nations and your offspring among the peoples. All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

What a promise. 

“I delight greatly in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God, for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of His righteousness…”

God gives His children a new wardrobe. No more rags from Satan. Robes of righteousness.

“As a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Like Kelly shone so radiantly at her wedding, decked out in her bling (I love bling), we are meant to shine brightly for our Savior. No hiding under bushels. I’m gonna let it shine!

I deeply encourage memorizing a chapter that speaks to you. It’s intimidating, but it will change your life. If I can do it, you can do it!

“For as the soil makes the sprout come up, and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.” 

Amen!

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I second that amen, Erin! Thank you so, so much for sharing. 

As I've shared before, memorizing scripture for me is much more difficult than it was. Please know this difficulty is not causing me to curl up and quit. I'm still working hard on it. I won't give up. 

I'm still working on Colossians 2:6-7. I can tell you exactly what it is about, but I struggle with quoting it. My plan is to keep working on it, but I'm going to add another one to work on.

Isaiah 40:11 

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. 

Friends, post what you are memorizing and please share a little comment love for Erin. Let's encourage our friend who so often encourages us! 

Cultivating Consistency

One of my favorite things to hear is what great kids I have. And I do. I know it. Sometimes I want to say thanks for noticing because Chad and I have prayed and worked very, very hard to cultivate the little humans God entrusted to us into big humans that are great. But that would be awkward, so I usually just blush a little, grin and look to the side, and respond with a quiet "thank you."

Kyle and Carah were excited to line up tallest to shortest because they passed Esther this year. 

Parenting tweens and teens is certainly different than raising up the little ones. To be honest, I haven't found books that are beneficial for this stage of my journey. I read just about any parenting book I could get my hands on when they were little. I knew nothing about kids. Nothing. The What to Expect series saved me when Esther came to into our family. If a mom or dad I respected recommended or even mentioned a book on parenting, I read it. I was ignorant and desperate. If you are still in the camp that believes parenting comes naturally, I respectfully disagree. Sure, it may be natural to want to feed, clothe, and love them, but parenting runs much deeper.

Parents, don't make excuses. Read. I know you are tired. Read anyway. Not every word of every book will be beneficial, but you can glean important concepts. I know you are busy. I know you are the expert on your littles. Read, sift through information, discuss with parents older than you whom you respect, discuss with your peers who are in the same stage as you. Educate yourselves on the ins and outs of discipleship, health, development, and nurturing of children. Did I mention that I think you should read books on parenting? Please consider my plea.

If I had to choose one concept I gleaned out of almost every book I read it would be consistency. If you asked me what I thought the key to our parenting has been so far, I would tell you consistency.

Do you know what problems come up with working to parenting with consistency? It's tiring! You have to pay attention! It takes works! It takes much stamina!

Consistency in parenting breeds trust. Trust gives birth to security, and security develops children who respect and listen to their parents. Children who respect and listen to their parents grow into adults who respect and listen to God and critically think about the world around them.

If you tell your child that you will play with them "in a little while," don't forget. Play with them.

If you say you are on the same team as the other parent, then don't undermine what the other parent has spoken. If you disagree with what has been spoken, discuss it privately.

If you want your child to sit in a time out for three minutes quietly and respectfully, then make it happen, even if it takes you an hour. There are no easy outs in consistency.

If you say you will cuddle after bath time, cuddle even if it's late and you are exhausted.

If you tell them "no," let it be so. Your yes means yes. Your no means no. They should not manipulate you and you should not manipulate them.

If you say they can pick out whatever they want to wear, let them wear it even if their outfit includes plaid, clashing shades of yellow, and a cape. Don't project your insecurities of what others may think on their unique opportunities to display themselves to the world.

If you tell them they will face a consequence if you count to three, then by all means count to three without any half numbers, but the moment you say three, scoop them up and deliver the consequence. They learn quickly whether or not you mean business. Develop the very best "I mean business" look you can manage. Practice in the mirror.

If they obey you, then praise them. Consistently.

If you say you will read three books, then read all three. Of course, read more if you have time, but follow through on what they heard you say with your words.

If you make a mistake, then apologize with specific words about your offense and how you plan to make things rights. Speak to their value in your life and your desire to love, nurture, and care for them. Consistency in admitting your mistakes will usher you into authentic communication possibly for the entirety of your relationship with them.

The if/then examples of consistency in parenting could go on and on. The point is it takes work. As parents we must pay attention to what we tell our children. We must realize this work starts as soon as they are born, not at age one, two, five, or twelve. We are building the foundational blocks of trust in our kids from the beginning. However, if consistency hasn't marked your parenting and your child is already one, two, five, or twelve, it isn't too late. Your work may take more determination, but be determined to do the very best you can for your child.

Chad's and my parenting desire/hope is to have mutual adult relationships with each of our kids. At this stage (the teen-age years that many told us would be the worst years of our lives and they were dead wrong) we are beginning to see the dividends of consistency in our family. I'm praying God will continue to give us insight into parenting our pre-teen and teenage kids with continued consistency, humility, and deep dependance on Him.

What about you? In what areas are you most consistent in your parenting? Do know where you need to grow in this area? Is there an example of consistency in your family you could share with us? Let us know your thoughts.

Like a Tree :: An Update

A few months ago Chad asked me to write up some thoughts highlighting what I've learned so far in this health journey. I re-read it this morning and it encouraged me to press into Jesus and renew focus. January has been a rough month. I thought I had geared myself up to make it all the way to the 31st, but Sunday I fell short. It was a rough day realizing I still needed to be strong enough to make it another week, but felt completely empty with no reserves. 

Sometimes when I face difficulties I read back through my journals or even this blog to remind myself of all that God has done in my life. He is faithful. Even though my heart is prone to wander, He never ever wanders. I may forget, but His memory is perfect. 

This is what I wrote for Chad to read during one of his Sunday messages. I hope it encourages you as it encouraged me. 

In the beginning I was overwhelmed with fear and questions. Before we knew it was a stroke, my mind would run away with so many what ifs. While we were waiting for the initial diagnosis, God continuously brought 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 to my heart. Be joyful always, pray continuously, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. I would consider myself a fairly thankful person, but suddenly I was challenged with being thankful in a scary life circumstance in which I had no idea of the outcome. My heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness for Chad and my kids, but God was challenging me with more. Could I be thankful that He was taking me through such a trial? As He has so perfectly planned, being deeply thankful that He was giving me this opportunity to more fully trust Him was the one of the main ways He brought peace to my heart through the anxiety. On many occasions since August 16th when the stroke occurred, I have spoken out loud to God, "Thank you for this opportunity to trust you more fully." This isn't a casual "Oh, thank you for this day" type prayer. This is deep in my heart, through prayer, tears, and often fear, "Thank you, thank you, thank you for your faithfulness, for your provision, for your steadfast love, that your eyes are ever upon me, that you are trustworthy, that the outcome of this does not change who you are, that you desire to mold me and shape me to be more like Christ."

I've questioned myself so many times over the last three months (now five) wondering where I am rooted. In my marriage? In being a mom? In ministering to women? In physical and emotional strength? All of these wonderful things in my life are so good…they are the beautiful marbles in the glass jar of my life, but I sometimes wonder if I'm just coasting on a big fat head full of just puffed up knowledge. Over the last three months Jeremiah 17:7-8 has become a passage that I continuously pray in my heart, out loud, in my dreams, when I can't focus on conversations, when I am afraid, when I'm sitting in doctors offices, when I am too tired to engage, when I wonder what my new normal will be. “Blessed is the man {or woman} whose trust is in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worry in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  I so want my confidence to be in Jesus! I don't want to trust in what is seen because it is only temporary. God has deepened my trust in Him in a way that my words can't convey. He is growing me to be rooted, built up, and established in Him...like a tree. 

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His mercies truly are new to me every morning. I pray I continue to grow my my ability and understanding of accepting and resting in His sweet mercies. 

A quick update on my health: I was referred to a specialist in Phoenix. Chad and I are both very pleased with him. He spent about 45 minutes discussing and reviewing everything with us. He is fairly certain the stroke-causing problem originated with a hole in my heart. When Chad shared this news on Sunday with our church, I heard audible winces. Don't worry. It isn't a huge gaping whole (some may argue otherwise), but a tiny spot that you could make with your pen. I will have two tests on January 29th to confirm or reject the doctors suspicions.

The other relief I received from the doctor was his validation of my symptoms. I've struggled much over the last five months wondering if I was crazy, making symptoms up, being a baby. He confirmed that what happened to me was significant, difficult, and real. He said my brain will take one to two years to heal and that the healing process is very active in the first six months, that I'm still in the middle of the fastest healing and most noticeable symptoms. I felt relieved and validated. 

My family and I continue to appreciate your support and prayers. The journey is a strange one to be facing as a young-ish woman. I always thought strokes were for old people! I still sometimes pause to wonder why in the world I had a stroke. But, I do know that it did happen, I trust God, and we choose to move forward with Him. Thank you for walking this journey with us! 

Moxie Memorizers for a New Year

Moxie Memorizers will change a bit for this year. I will only be posting on the first of each month. And, in fact, as much as I can manage it, it won't be my words you will be reading. My plan/hope is to have a different person each month this year share different aspects of memorizing scripture. This is a great plan because each of us should be actively involved in challenging and sharpening one another. Maybe my words will inspire you sometimes. Maybe your words will be used to inspire everyone other times. I like it.

If you are new to reading my blog (or waiting to read a post on my blog because I haven't been an active writer lately), please read this post about how we as a community memorize God's word together. This is a smaller version of what our friends at Living Proof are doing. Each month on the first, come and leave a comment with one or two verses you are memorizing for that month. This creates accountability and encouragement to persevere in this foundational spiritual discipline.

If you have any questions about this process, please email me.

For those of you that live in Tucson, on Sunday evening, January 27th after Second Mile's gathering we will meet for a salad and sandwiches potluck dinner. We will share some of our favorite verses from 2012 with each other. I will give another mini-lesson on my own memorizing system. And, of course, I'll give a pep talk about why this discipline is so important in our lives. If you are completely sold out on this process, this get together is for you. If you are uncertain about memorizing, this get together is for you. If you would simply like more information, this get together is for you.

Men, you are invited to attend, also! This is good for our whole body, not just half of it.

Please comment with what you are memorizing for January. If you are not on Facebook, leave an rsvp for the Jan 27th event, as well.

I will be working on Colossians 3:15.

Colossians 3:15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 

I'm looking forward to taking God's word into my heart in 2013. Are you? I can't wait to see what you're memorizing!