It's Your Time

What's on your mind...
National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). National Women’s Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. With the theme “It’s Your Time,” the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. Important steps include:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week
• Eating a nutritious diet
• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

It's your time, don't forget to take care of YOU!

But Who's Complaining.

What's on your mind...

I watched her grow up and to think of what she has experienced in the past year is beyond amazing.Tracy may God continue to bless your recovery! Here is Tracy's testimony of faith, courage, and determination: 

What a difference a year makes…….. A year ago this morning, I woke up in Parkview Hospital with little to no use of my right side and limited use of my left side.  I remember thinking “but I haven’t done all that I want to do…Why me? Why now?”  Fast forward one year, "ok" maybe slow forward.  I don’t do much of anything fast anymore.  But, a lot has changed since that Sunday morning.  
After 7 months of intense physical, occupational, & speech therapy and a few additional months of “regular” therapy, I had regained most of the strength on the left side but was oriented to fact that the right side would have permanent deficit.  That means that there are times when I still drag my right leg and occasionally drop things out of my right hand.  I still have some stuttering issues when nervous or feeling rushed.  And, the short-term memory is a goner.  I still don’t sleep much for fear of not waking up.  I have some trouble with my fine-motor skills and sometime need assistance with small buttons & belts.  So, of course, there are still days where I cry for what appears to be “no reason at all”, but really it’s just me adjusting to my “new normal”.  And believe me it’s a lot easier said than done.
But, praise God….I have been given the chance to adjust to a “new normal”.  You see, having a stroke while not quite driving within the speed limit on a busy interstate is not something most people walk away from.  Ok, I didn’t exactly walk; I was rolled gracefully a short distance down I-69 from my car to the waiting ambulance that had blocked traffic along with a huge fire truck.  You can imagine how embarrassed I was.  I mean really “me”, on a hospital stretcher, in the middle of I-69.  Well, enough of that, lets get back to the good stuff.  I am still here.  I have been able to take a few short work trips alone.  I can drive myself to Kalamazoo & Lansing, MI.  I only got lost once.  But trusty Onstar helped a sister out and no one was the wiser.  And, this past week I was able to go Indianapolis by myself.  This is a huge feat as my mom (you know the Warden) and others in the family still do not let me drive alone very often.  I have not had any falls in recent months.  I have had some close calls in the shower but the little “shower angels” caught me.  Because one more fall and think they were going to put me in the “home”.  My blood pressure continues to have a mind of its own, but I am taking everything in stride.  You would think a total of 9 pills a day would do the trick.  So, I remain somewhere around 140/90’s.  And right now, I feel fine.  Oh, did I mention that I am still here.  
In closing, I want to say “thanks” to my entire medical team(s) at both Parkview and Lutheran.  I am not sure how I will ever be able to repay my mom “the Warden” who still stands over my bed “to just watch me” when I do sleep.  Or, when I am awake the entire night and she pretends to be sleep but hears my every move.  My dad who would just come and sit and look at me for a while and then say “well baby daddy gonna go, but I’ll see you tomorrow”.  To my ACS family “thank you sooooooo much”.  Sue for putting up with a roommate that doesn’t’ sleep and NEIN for allowing me to me.  To all who prayed, sent cards, flowers, or called…..”thank you”.  To be honest, I didn’t think I would live to see Christmas 2009, I purchased most of my gifts during my therapy outings and told mom to make sure the “kids” knew that I loved them….fear makes you think crazy things.  I see the doctor again next week and I’ll send a brief update.  Twelve months and still counting…..not all good days, but who's complaining.  
See you all soon......
Tracy

Yolanda Adams asks, why are we wimping out?

What's on your mind...

While visiting Cincinnati a few weeks ago, Yolanda Adams reminded us that we truly have the victory.
She not only sang her song, she ministered to the crowd.  She sees Christians sitting on the side lines wimping out just like everybody else.  Whatever the economy, God is still God!  In fact we know that God can really be God when we need Him most.  That's when He can get out undivided attention, when there is no one else to call on or when things have spiraled completely out of control.  Even when it doesn't look like it, taste like it or feel like it, we have the victory in Jesus.  Don't forget to call on Him and expect Him to show up.

The words of Yolanda Adams, just in case someone needed to hear this today.
I've got, got the victory / I've got the sweet sweet victory in Jesus. / Yes I do / He's our mighty conquer.
In him I will trust all my battles he'll fight./ I've got, got the victory / I've got the sweet sweet victory in Jesus. / For me He died but He rose on the third day. / Thats why I have true victory everyday.

[Verse 1]
Truly I've been through the storm and rain. / I know every thing about heartache and pain. / But God carried me through it all without His protection I'll surely fall. / Ive been broke without a dime to my name. / But all my bills got paid because I called on Jesus name. / You can't tell me that God isnt real 'cause I've got the victory and that why im still here.

[Verse 2]
I'm not worried about material things I dont have. / I'm just blessed cause I sure that my savior's there. / Because I know that my blessing is on the way / I can't see it right now but I stand by faith. / I've fought many, many battles in His name. / I've held up the blood-stained banner and proclaimed. / That Jesus is the truth and the light. / Believe me when I say he will make it alright.

Oh yeah I got the victory yeah / I got the victory yeah yeah yeah / And if you got the victory sing along with me / Yeah I got the victory yeah I got the victory / Yeah yeah yeah / Sing it with me I've got the victory

Yes We Can!!

What's on your mind...

"Change is never easy, but it's always possible", announced President Obama as he applauded the passing of the Health Care Reform Bill.  Who would have thought that a bill offering health care for all Americans would have received such opposition. Let's see, the bill offers insurance coverage regardless of pre-existing illness, tax credits that allow small businesses to provide health insurance for their employees, preventative care coverage, etc. and the problem is??

We could discuss why so much opposition to a bill that will have an historical positive impact on the overall well-being of a nation,  but the greatest protest is the cost of such a bill and I don't think we need to spend much time debating cost.  Aren't we spending billions(possibly trillions) on a questionable war(with less resistance), gave millions to bail out banks in response to corrupt behavior and let's not mention Halliburton.  Are we really protesting the Cost?  Is anyone talking about the current expense of emergency room visits, and the long term chronic care bill for preventable illnesses left untreated?  Enough on that topic.  There is a lesson in the passing of this bill. 

Change is never easy, but always possible.  What a reminder that whatever the task,  no matter how big the dream, or monstrous the adversaries...  with relentless effort, unwavering determination, and mustard seed size faith,  Yes You Can!!

Somethings Got To Give

What's on your mind...

Sometimes we push ourselves to be Super Women, and on occasion it may be necessary to complete a project or get through a tough week. There's nothing wrong with taking pride in being able to get things done.  But come on ladies, if we find ourselves wearing the BIG S on our chest as an accessory every day, somethings got to give.  Being overly stressed, pushed to the brink on-the-regular can have a long lasting negative impact on our well being.  It can cause our health to suffer, I think we can even operate in this mode for so long  that it becomes a normal way of life for us, and that can't be good. We can even get to a place where we are spinning our wheels, and accomplishing very little. 


We have to give ourselves permission to have down time,  relax and rejuvenate.  Not only will our bodies thank us in return, actually, I find that I am more productive when I allow myself time to unwind.  Getting things done doesn't have to be running a-mile-a-minute, in may be more of a balancing act.  Give yourself a time-out.

... He rested on the seventh day from all the work that He had done. Genesis 2:2

Its 10:00, Do You Know Where Your Children Are?

What's on your mind...

At 10:00 am on any given Sunday most of our kids are not in Sunday School.   Remember when going to Sunday School was not an option?   Our parents and grandparents made sure we went to Sunday School. Now, the decision is left up to the... kids.  It's like asking a kid, do you want candy for dinner or broccoli? Do you want to go to Sunday School or stay up late on a Saturday night and sleep in Sunday morning?

Last Sunday the students in the Teen Sunday School class discussed, being used by God and showing compassion toward others.  Where else do you find teenagers sharing their thoughts on this topic. "Getting good grades is a way of being used by God, because it shows other students they can do it too".  "Singing in the choir is a way that God can use you to bless someone else".  These are a couple of  things our young people had to say.  I don 't know about you, but this is a conversation that I would sign my kids up for any day.  Even if it's on a Sunday Morning at 10:00, especially when you consider the alternatives.

Annual Radio One Book Fair

What's on your mind...

Had a wonderful time at the Annual Radio One Book Fair last weekend. I am thankful that although it was rescheduled due to the weather, it was still well attended. Also, the group of people attending the workshop in the afternoon were wonderful, I enjoyed hearing their stories, sharing my book and my publishing experiences. If you love books, are a writer or interested in writing, put this event on your calendar for next year!!