Myositis Awareness Day - Monday Sept. 21

Dear Friends & Family,

I am writing with a prayerful heart in hopes of raising awareness of this very rare muscle disease. There are 3 types of Myositis. Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), Dermatomyositis (DM) and the 3rd type of Myositis called Polymyositis (PM). They are thought to be autoimmune diseases that cause the body to attack and destroy it's own muscles. In the TMA's (The Myositis Association)terminology, " These diseases cause swelling and loss of muscle. They are also called idiopathic inflammatory myopathies. “Idiopathic” means the causes are unknown." and as there is no known cause, there is no known cure.

Nine months ago a very close friend of mine was diagnosed with IBM. It was only after 16 months of countless tests and doctors appointments, because this disease is so rare and not yet understood, that this diagnosis came about. Over the past 6 months I have and continue to see the progression of this disease as it attacks and destroys his muscles. At the same time I continue to see Augie and Leslie walk in faith and trust that Jesus is with him every step of the way. I have seen their God given wisdom and faith at work. I know that it has been and will continue to be through their own prayers and prayers of others, that they are able to walk this difficult path and still have peace and joy.

While I don't usually make requests on my blog, I have a simple request today. I am asking for your prayers. God will do the rest. Would you simply pray to see if God would have you support this cause in some way? If you ask Him He will show you.
For more information about Myositis please visit. http://www.myositis.org/

Remember, prayer is simple, but powerful.
May a special outpouring of the Love and Peace of Jesus Christ be with all those with this disease and their families this day.
In Christs Love,
Jennifer

Some of you have been asking...

Some of you have been asking, what's new? Why haven't you written? Some of you have simply asked how I was doing and said you miss my writing. Thank you, I appreciate that.

So first, there is always something new, just not always something to be written about on an internet blog. Second, I could give you lots of "excuses" for not writing (some of them would even be true) but the real tuth is that even though I love to write, sometimes I just don't feel like it.

There are times too when I am doing a lot of writing, about what's going on, lessons I am learning , and things God is showing me. These have found a home in my journal. Some to be shared later, others not. I have learned that some things are not for public writing, even though I get a great lesson out of what is going on either in my life or those around me, some of the lessons are not for immediate sharing, usually because it is not finished. If the lesson hasn't taken root in my heart, how can I share it? As we say in AA, "I need to give it away to keep it, but I can't give what I don't have."

That all being said, here (in a general way) is what I've been up to over the last few months.

The remainder of 2008 I spent enjoying 3 day work weeks which gave me more time with God and others. My time with God included searching with-in and allowing Him to "grow me up" some more into the person that He and I want me to be. And that simply put, is to be more Christ like in all areas of my life, especially in relationships with others. My time with God also included bike rides and walks with the dogs and some more water skiing till about October. I took part in Beth Moores 12 week Bible study on Daniel at a local church. This was the first Beth moore study I've done in a group and I'd recomend it to anyone wanting insight on the life of Daniel and how to stand firm in the midst of opposition along with revelation of some prophecies Daniel spoke about that have come to pass and some that are yet to come. The study was well worth the time.

In November I made a trip back to Ohio. It was a week of celebrations and opportunities to just love on family. I went back for my moms uncle's 90th birthday, my brothers birthday and Thanksgiving. While there we, my moms sisters and their familys, realized it had been 11 years since we had all been together. Leave it to the love and inspiration that our 90 year old great uncle has and continues to give to bring a family together for a reunion. Way to go Uncle Alden!! & Thanks for always being there for us. We had a great time!!! A few days later I was able to spend with my 'older' brother for his birthday and then we and his partner fixed thanksgiving dinner for the rest of the family still in wintry Ohio.

After that it was nice to return to somewhat warmer weather here at home to finish out 2008.

I was able to take some extra time off work around Christmas and spent a nice quite day with friends.

In January I went back to 5 days a week at work and now am on 6 days a week. I am blessed, I love what I do. Currently I'm doing audit work and corporate returns and loving almost every minute of it. This is my second season back in public practice and with the same company. There is no doubt in my mind that I am doing what God gifted me to do. How many people are blessed to say they love what they do for a living? I know I am one of the few and wish everyone could say the same.

For now with a grateful heart and a prayerful heart I say .. that's it for now. May 2009 bring you peace and an appreciation for the truly important and fulfilling things in life, the love & fellowship with God, family and friends.

May God bless each of you.