Perspective

I have to say this has been one doosey of a week for me-not the worst by any means but a doosey.  I know we all have those kinds of weeks at times, and you're just ready for it to be over, right?  Monday I went to 3 doctors for a jaw/ear ache.  After seeing the first dentist she referred me to her partner because she thought I probably needed a root canal.  WOW...what a great way to start off a Monday morning, ya know?  So, 3 hours later I came back to the same office/different dentist.  After tapping around on my tooth and doing the famous "cold" test he wasn't quite sure if a root canal was the answer....whew!  I was happy, but a little confused on how this pain was going to be eliminated.  Since my ear was hurting he recommended that I go to my family doctor to make sure I didn't just have an ear infection the was radiating down through my jaw.  Well, since we've moved to this fair state I've had TEN, yes, TEN ear infections.  I wasn't going to be surprised if that was my diagnosis.  Long story short...I'm being treated very aggressively for allergies and another ear infection.  Now, after 5 days of treatment, I'm better but not 100%.   So, I'm think' root canal is in my near future...lovely.

So, if you know anything about me you know I've been on a roller coaster of HRT since May.  The last few weeks it's about to eat my lunch.  Literally, my brain is in such a fog.  I can't think straight. I can't remember things. I can't seem to handle the smallest things.  I can't sleep at night; therefore, I'm exhausted during the day.  My hubby and my girls are getting the brunt of a not-so-put-together wife/mommy self!  So, I call my new doctor expressing my frustration and was told to come in for more blood work on Thursday.  I was excited to get in so quickly, but I got pulled over on the way up there....grrrr!  I have NEVER been pulled over- not one single ticket in my life- none, nada, nothing, never!  Needless to say since my nerves have been shot anyway and this officer's siren in my rear view mirror did not make me a happy camper!

So one last thing to spill the beans on before I get to my resolution and a better perspective.  I've had to really work on the "being patient thing" with Audrey An and her schooling.  Bless her heart, she's really doing amazingly well given that she's only been with us for just over a year.  But given MY inability to cope with some fairly minor infractions as of late, I'm about to pull my hair out at times!  I sometimes forget how difficult learning a new written language must be for her!  I've recently been asked, "What has been the hardest transition for you and your family?"  David and I would whole heartedly agree that even though AA has picked up the oral language so beautifully and so quickly the hardest part for her (and for us teaching it to her) has been learning the written language and matching it up with the phonics of it all.  I'm sure AA sometimes looks up at me thinks, "C'mon, mom.  Help me out a bit.  I've only known english the past 16 months.  Gimme a break!" 

Okay...enough of the ranting.  Last night I had the privilege of hosting a table for a Pregnancy Care Center 25th Anniversary in our community.  I was so glad I went (yes, I have to admit after the week I have had I didn't have the best attitude about even going).  What a blessing is was!  God lifted my spirits through many testimonies that were given.  It was a gentle reminder for me to not dwell on the temporary things that can get you down, but to set your eyes on things above.  Philippians 4:8-9 states "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."  So, while at the dinner last night I had to make a choice to be grateful for life. Grateful for physical life.  Grateful for eternal life.  Grateful for both of my children's lives.  Grateful for my husband's life.  Grateful for Audrey An's birth mother who chose to give her life.  Be grateful for my "light and momentary afflictions" (although they really are NOTHING). Grateful for the founder's of the Pregnancy Care Center who have impacted thousands (literally over 19,000) in the past 25 years.

I know the circumstances God places in one's life are the very things that God uses to conform our character to His.  So, may we not waste them but pursue God in the great days and in the "doosey" days.  "This IS the day the Lord has made; let us REJOICE and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24