I will get back to homeschooling posts soon...

I promise.

I know most of you read this blog for homeschooling ideas and encouragement and lately it has been a place of prayer requests and updates. But the "prayer of the upright is His delight" (Prov 15:8), and Psalm 65 calls God "thou who hearest prayer!" I know many, if not all of my readers, are people of prayer. Your emails and sweet words of encouragement have demonstrated how you consider it a privilege to serve the true and living God who not only allows us to come to Him in prayer but delights in it. I appreciate your prayers and concern, especially because many of us do not know one another in person, yet you have shown much compassion. Thank you.


My mother has made it through all of her tests and procedures without needing stints. At first it was believed she had a 50% blockage, but upon further examination, doctors found there was no blockage at all! Praise the Lord!


I would ask you to continue to pray for wisdom and continued healing as she still experiences shortness of breath and chest pain. This could be due to the effects of post-polio; however, we do not want to lump all of her health problems into this category and overlook something correctable.


Thank you also for prayers for my strength and healing. I made it through the EMG just fine. No mad scientists or electric chairs! Just a nice, Christian, pro-homeschooling man with little needles that barely hurt and electrical stimuli that did not hurt as much as the pain I feel during a "flare up" of my "condition".

A conclusive diagnosis has not been made. No spine probs. No neurological probs. My vitamin D levels were very low, and I am taking a mega dose each week. My pain has subsided; however, I do not think the source of the pain has been found. This problem has always waxed and waned, so for now, I am content to live with my mysterious "thorn in the flesh" with the prayer that I would remain humble and that God would be glorified in my weakness. My new blog will be about my efforts to improve my physical condition through prayer, exercise, and diet. I will launch it soon, Lord willing.


Again, thank you for your continued prayers and for sticking with me during this difficult season. By God's grace, we are returning to our regular routine a little more each day, and I anticipate more school-related posts in the near future.


With love in Christ,

Dawn

An Update

I wanted to share an update on my condition for those who are praying for me.

Two weeks ago, an MRI was taken of my spine. I received the results yesterday. My spine is healthy. My doctor was shocked by this. He was certain there was a bulging disc; all the symptoms pointed to it. I would like to claim healing; however, the pain is still present.

So he ordered another round of tests, most of which were completed yesterday. I am scheduled to undergo an EMG on Friday, the 19th, to determine if I have neurological problems.

Please ask the Lord to reveal the root of my pain and grant the doctors involved much wisdom. I have experienced this pain off and on for 18 years and I have seen about a dozen doctors and undergone a number of tests before, including 3 MRI's, all to no avail. The EMG is a new step. Though I am concerned about what exactly "neurological problems" might mean, I am thankful to have a doctor who is not giving up on this.

I trust the Lord and know that He knows exactly what is wrong with me. My faith is in Him to reveal these things to us, to heal me with or without modern medicine, and to grant me the grace needed to live for His glory whatever the outcome.

Please pray for my physical strength, particularly during the EMG. I am not exactly thrilled with the idea of being stuck with needles and exposed to electrical stimuli. If you read Olive Plants regularly, you know about my active imagination. I am having to bring some over-the-top thoughts captive (think mad scientist with an electric chair) and trust the Lord to be my help during a somewhat painful test.

Thank you for your continued prayers and kind emails and comments.

May God be glorified by my weakness.
Dawn