God allows me to recognize changes in my body. My new normal is not the same for others with CADASIL. Accepting the changes and staying flexible when recognizing them.
What does it mean staying flexible? Going with the changes just like accepting an early winter when Fall temperatures become 50 degrees during the day and stating “It’s warm today” really means 50 degrees is warmer than 30’s and 40’s. It’s only been five years since I left California, and not feeling some natives to Colorado. Winter during the day is still cold and crisp. Stating it’s warm is not an understatement, to me it really is warm.
Being uniquely created, individuals we are each different based on our Creator, God Almighty. That’s my opinion. Do you believe you have a Creator? Well as a believer in Jesus Christ.
Today I have a cold. My friend Mary suggested gargling with salt water. Let me tell you it. I did this trick because the cold is was gone almost immediately. Very nice no need to spend money on cold medicine. How long did I do this? Just a couple of times in the morning before brushing my teeth and having breakfast.
Does our body change as we age? In my opinion it does. Once upon a time I can have oatmeal in the morning to help with regularities. Well in my case so did bananas during my younger years. Not anymore and I’m 56 years old. Now I make it a point to always have aloe vera juice to have with my favorite ran-mango juice, or I’ll vary it up a bit by having coco nut water.
The great plains of Colorado life at higher elevation is quite unique.
Daily hydration becomes normal. Aging and taking one day at a time has become the mindset. God’s promises are yes and amen but tomorrow’s not promised. What do I know. God let me go swimming today and I noticed my left leg doesn’t synchronize with the right leg as I swim the breast stroke. The back stroke the same. My arms need a lot of work.
At least my friend was well enough to go to the pool this morning. We lasted an hour in the pool. So if and when we go back Friday we know how long we lasted. I miss swimming underwater with my eyes open. Ya, I’m near sighted but I like to open my eyes when I swim under water. I can at least see the blue line at the bottom of the pool. The brain has to relearn how to swim. I haven’t gone swimming since 2014. That’s ten years ago! I didn’t realize how long it’s been. So I guess I need to give myself a break. Oh ya, brain fatigue took two years before I could stay awake at church for the service and attend prayer meetings, and socialize with friends at church. So staying alert to go swimming is a blessing. I really shouldn’t expec
God gives me His grace daily. He gave me life today. Thank you Jesus for the life I breath and the progress I’m making.
It’s poetic, tears in a bottle. The bible book of Psalm has lots of poetry. To think God would collect my tears. What makes me cry? Life in general would bring me to tears. Reflections on my life. At this age, 56, I miss activities with my. Thankful to God for giving me a husband to make wonderful memories of riding our bikes in La Habra, California. As a couple we never took walks at the beach, but I did enjoy the beach with my sisters or my friends. As a young adult I owned a boogie board and road the waves on my tummy. Skinny Maria enjoyed God’s peace at Redondo Beach, and Laguna Beach
Living in peace
My husband doesn’t join me on my walks. He has stated that he would rather stay in doors on his drums or stationary bike. I look forward to a grocery outing and going walk when he decides to join me.
Trials in life bring me to tears. How others struggle and have their limits. In general my heart breaks between for my friends. My aging body will bring me to tears and those who don’t know God the Creator. For those of you who don’t know God the Father who sent His Son to die on the cross to redeem us have a relationship with God.
Attending church in person on Sunday mornings is important to me because assembling together with fellow believers are encouraged in the scriptures.
Going to my Father’s house and worship Him for the breath of life He has given me for the day. Spiritual health is just as important as exercise such as swimming and walking. God created you with a soul. Yes each man and woman have a soul to keep nourished, refreshed.
Jesus is the Son of God, the Holy Spirit, is also known as the Holy Ghost. The Father, the Creator of the universe are three in one. Believe and receive this Truth.
John 1:13-15New Living Translation
13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
The sunflower turns in the direction of the sun. How fun is that to watch a plant, just like a sun dial move. That’s the fun I have in watching the sunflowers grow from seed. It’s exciting to see them bloom. Currently I see green buds! God gets excited when a new believer learns and grows in faith.
The Son of God sent His Son to die on the cross for our Salvation. Wait to watch how the seed grows. Only fertile soil helps the seed grow and mature.
New believers are just like seeds. They grow because the soil was fertile enough for the seed to grow. Watering the sunflower seeds daily has helped be a better gardener. If I miss one day the leaves which were once green and thriving become yellow or start to brown. Once I water life returns. Sunflowers planted from seed need daily watering. No kidding. I’ll stick with Colorado natives then I don’t have to water my garden daily, only because they are drought tolerant.
The Parable of the Sower describes the word of God being like a seed [Matthew 13]. In my childhood there was a Godly community to witness to me that God is a loving. The message as a child was that the Son of God, Jesus, loves children, were all positive memories.
Amazing how God ministered to me before I believed in His Son, Jesus Christ. Looking back at my youth I can reflect on a loving God protecting me from my earthly father’s perversion. God put fear in my father’s heart to prevent him from harming me through dreams. Nightmares kept my father away from me. God can do anything. Testifying how God protected me during my childhood and youth. Amazing to reflect and testify about the God of the universe loving me so much that he allows me to write about such memories.
CADASIL doesn’t seem too miserable at this moment. CADASIL is described as a brain disease that causes stroke like symptoms. Losing the ability to communicate, speech, expressing by communicating, and mobility, are amongst cognitive ability which may be lost.
Typing about the God of the universe and what He is capable of doing in humanity. Standing by faith and walking in this faith can be considered a miracle. This blog testifies about Him. If you want to believe in this God. Today is the day of Salvation.
Repeat after me:
God I’m sorry for not believing. Forgive me of my sins, addiction (drugs, alcohol, abusive relationships, etc.) Help me believe in Your Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross for me)
Tell someone you accepted Jesus as you Savior and that your going to be baptized. An outward action to resemble the inward change in your heart.
John 3:16New Living Translation
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[a] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
As children playing at the beach by jumping waves as they come. Jumping into the wave before it knocks you down. Going into the wave and riding it to shore was also fun if you had a boogie board. Summer time was spend in the water during my childhood. Once it was time to pack up and go home. It was a great memory to look back at.
Aging and spending time at the pool is not the same. Swimming underwater and holding my breath is an exercise itself. Yet, its attainable. Practice makes perfect.
Taking the initiative and having a conversation with God changed my life. The stroke was right brain hemisphere which effects the left side for mobility. Asking him to help me work for wages was my plea. If you don’t work you have no income. No food or shelter. The roof over my head still requires income. Finance companies require a two income household.
Lord willing, God will continue to give us mercy and grace through these finance companies for our mortgage to be modified. It’s been one year for my disability to be approved but now we are waiting for my husband to obtain disability.
Living in peace
Trusting my Savior in ALL these circumstances helps me stay patient through the waiting. It’s not easy but its possible. I have learned my Savior heals my left side and allows me to walk and swim. Nothing similar to the past when I was younger but good enough to float and back stroke. Short under water swimming but still possible!
Easter is all about His resurrection. The tomb is empty because Jesus Christ the Son of God is now with the Father in heaven seated in His Kingdom.
Matthew 6:33New King James Version
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Hope has a name. That name is Jesus Christ the Son of God. The Creator of the Universe who created you with a plan and purpose. His Son died on the cross to be the gap between humanity and God. The gap which allows us to have a relationship with our Creator. Living waters is another spiritual description of the Creator. He is the living water for mankind to never thirst again.
Christianity can be refreshed daily by reading the Word of God. Once a week attendance is not enough.
John 7:38New Living Translation
38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’”
It’s his basic instructions before leaving life on earth(B.I.B.L.E). Simple, no catch do you want to know some simple basics? The bible book of Proverbs provides God’s wisdom. The bible book of Psalms are songs written by various authors King David is amongst them. His songs praising God Almighty and describing how God delivered the nation of Israel from their enemies. Historically God has a consistent record of being faithful to His people. He keeps His promise, salvation is through the Son of God, Jesus, also known as the Messiah. The gap between humanity and God.
While I’m on earth the diagnosis is called CADASIL which consists of having stroke like symptoms. Anatomy states the blood vessels to the brain collapse and cause stroke like symptoms. The songs of my life are about His power to heal me and keep skills or talents as proof of the healing.
Self expression, talking or typing on this blog. Friendships, correspondence, the ability to respond. A good old fashion letter with a stamp going across the states. The anatomy is the uniqueness of my skills and talents. We each have a uniqueness about our story, songs or testimonies.
Don’t take the breath of life for granted. We have eternal life once we accept the Son of God. No one can remove eternal life. A divine ticket to eternal life is not something to be purchased online or a reservation. The bible books in the new testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John which record Jesus life on earth. His message is reconciliation, forgiveness and loving your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:36-40New Living Translation
36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’[a]38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
On earth the National Institute of Health does the research on various diseases(NIH). Live this life to testify what God has been able to do while you live with a unique anatomy, your life on earth. Keep moving forward with skills/talents.
The God of the Universe holds my tomorrows. I believe in His Son, Jesus Christ the Son of God, who created me with this rare brain disease. God of the Universe, God of my Salvation. I trust Him with loss of speech or loss of mobility. Loss of cognition to process thoughts or express them.
Tomorrow I will embrace my abilities. No need to mourn my passed healthy abilities. Today is the day to rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice and glorify Him with what I can do today.
Trust in Him today!
Tomorrow is not promised.
Accept Jesus Christ the Son of A living God. The God of the universe is also Creator. He created each one of us with a plan and purpose. He created me with a rare brain disease which includes stroke like symptoms.
The world Olympics are every four years. The race of life is daily. The athletes prepare to compete in the trials they are from (USA/state) to represent their country. Olympic trials are held in various states for different events.
On the other hand humanity deals with a daily race which is every day. Life starts by waking up eyes open, lungs working. Breath. Life with our health issues. Some of us deal with cancer treatment, or diabetes. Others of us deal with neurological issues and various parts of our anatomy which have unique issues. Each of us just need to run our race the best way we can. We can prepare and train by maintaining our bodies with daily vitamins and minerals. The gamble is yours by maintaining your nutrition and all that entails your training or preparations as an individual sees fit.
BIBLE BOOK Proverbs 16:33[NLT]
We may throw the dice,[a] but the Lord determines how they fall.
God created us with a unique anatomy. My anatomy struggles neurologically with a disease named CADASIL.
God created this disease but He has used the NIH to do research on brain diseases. Federal funding exists for now to help scientist develop treatments to alleviate patients and future generations living with this disease. Stroke life symptoms till Jesus takes me home. I will live out His plan and purpose for my life. Testify to others that my God has allowed me to maintain me cognitive ability and speech to testify about His daily miracles in my life. The ability to walk and talk with cognitive ability is my daily miracle. Don’t take the breath of life for granted. He provides lungs to breath, and to wake up with functional lungs is my daily miracle which I don’t take for granted. Today my lungs, they work and I will rejoice in the Lord, my Creator! Vision I don’t take for granted, the ability to open my eyes with the ability to see where I walk. Walk and talk to testify about it all. Remember don’t take life for granted. Today is the day of Salvation! Accept Jesus as Savior and accept eternal life. It’s not just about your physical anatomy. It’s you soul!
Matthew 5:13-16 New Living Translation
Teaching about Salt and Light
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Walking by faith doesn’t come easy. It just doesn’t. There are days when I ask myself “Today will be different, right?” How about waking up with a determination that the day will be different! Can you wake up to a different mindset? Can you wake up and start the day with a surrendered heart? Today I will serve the Lord no matter what happens. God, I don’t know how but I know that He will help me as I go through chaos.
Health issues, finances and so much may overwhelm you, but your not alone through all of it. Did you know that? God is present through ALL of it. Oh, ya and God is in control of all of it. He is the God of the universe. He’s not blind to your day. He created us to be His dependents. Children of God, you believe in His Son Jesus Christ you are a child of God. He doesn’t change His mind. We change our mind through circumstances. It’s difficult to forgive, yet we are forgiven. How easily we forget that once we confess our sins and ask Christ to forgive us. We need to do the same. Forgive others because we are forgiven. Our humanity holds grudges. Forgiveness doesn’t happen overnight when our heart breaks from being hurt. Co-workers, family, and friends. Salvation changes that. Once Christ dwells in our hearts we stride to become more like Him. We represent Him to people who don’t know Him. We testify about Him because tell others of our new heritage. We have royalty status, sons and daughters of a King. Ambassadors, for Christ Jesus. Representatives of His Kingdom. Crazy isn’t it?
Don’t forget that family and friends are on this journey with you! Pray for them if you can’t talk to them. Pray that God will change their heart and mindset Allow them in your day, share the Good News by living out your life. The God who created you for a plan and purpose
Humans need each community. COVID-19 people were fearful of being in community. Some chose isolation out of fear. How about middle ground? Hot or cold, lukewarm is not an option. The choices are being all in or not. Do you say to yourself, “Maybe I’ll change my mind latter when I have to.” Will you wait until your your death bed? Religion? No it’s not religion it’s relationship.
God loves you and His Son Jesus bridged the gap between humanity and God. This blog has me testifying about Him. He is the only way for eternal life. Today is the day for Salvation.
God created me with a rare brain disease. The four main blood vessels to the brain collapse and cause stroke like symptoms. These stroke like symptom which I have experience thus far have been the loss of balance. The nerves in my left leg have caused a loss of feelings. The leg does not feel numbness nor tingling as if the leg went to sleep. The best description for me has been dead weight. The left calf muscles move like a normal leg. Magnesium Potassium Aspartate has been slowly reviving the nerves.
The National Institute of Health has allowed me to be a participant in a nine year research program for CADASIL as a patient. Federal funding has made research possible for scientist to continue to learn what treatments are possible for the CADASIL population. They also encourage patients and non-patients to provide input.
Spiritually my action has been to continue to praise and worship the God of the universe who created me. Salvation for me is key to health not just vitamins and minerals. What happens to me on earth is a temporary state of mind. My message is to share about the Kingdom of God. Does your soul matter? As a Christian I believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God. Jesus Christ is the bridge between humanity and God. Eternal life is a free gift which is only through God the Son. Do you want this free ticket to heaven? The following link is for the movie titled The Case for Christ if your interested click on the free link. Watch it if your a skeptic or just curious.
Priorities, what takes up your day? What is your focus?
Family, finances, career, home, crafts, gardening? The ability to maintain my health by walking daily and eating health, staying hydrated has been my focus lately. The stroke side is my left leg. So far my hands and fingers are able to type so I get to share my story and experiences. Testify about what my Creator has blessed me today with life. Recall the familiar! What He has done in the past He will do again. He is my Creator has given me cognition and mobility today. To God be the glory!
The diagnosis is a rare brain disease which is a vascular disease. It’s the four main blood vessels to the brain which collapse and causing stroke like symptoms. My stroke was right hemisphere which controls my left side(leg & arm, hands). So my left leg nerves will go out of commission throughout my life until God takes me home.
He is my healer! He healed me from my stroke. I will pray and wait on my Jehovah Rapha. He healed me before. He will do it throughout my life. He can do anything. He is the God Almighty. He has an breakable track record in healing and keeping His promises.
The God who created me gave me a network. A Christian community who are knowledgeable in various trades. God has given me a certified nutritionist as a friend. Maintaining a journal of my health changes has proven helpful. Recording the last day i took magnesium. He has given me cognition to be able to reflect and acknowledge Him. Baby aspirin and a vastatin is more than enough. Why add vitamins too? Health food vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein should be enough. Right? For a month I stopped taking magnesium and noticed that my left side felt like dead weight. A leg without feeling. No numbness no tingling just dead weight. No feeling. Wow! The nerves stopped working just like a stroke! Memorable, the left side, the nerves stopped working! One week with taking a higher quality magnesium, my leg has feeling and dragging less. Thank you God for the funds to purchase magnesium.
Why? So God can get the glory as I testify about his miraculous healing. Stay hopeful. Pray with humility and reverence!
Movies about individual who have experienced strokes and brain issues. Helps loved ones to understand what other family members have struggled. Reflection helps. What God has done and is doing behind the scenes.
Do you know my God?
John 3:16 New Living Translation
16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave[g] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
