Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Just Another Day

"It is for freedom that Christ set us free. 
Stand firm, therefore, and never again be burdened
by a yoke of bondage (slavery)."
Galatians 5:1


I have this verse printed on paper in large letters and taped up around the house.  It is a reminder of the freedom that is ours because of Jesus.  We feel such joy at seeing this promise come to fruition in our lives!  It is a promise we can stand on as we walk in the Spirit.

On Sunday morning Joel and I got up, had breakfast, dressed, and headed to a small tourist town 15 miles away from our home.  We parked and walked about 1 1/2 blocks to the city park for an outdoor church service.  Sitting at a picnic table we worshiped with the praise band and listened to a sermon while  breezes blew and rain threatened.   After services we walked downtown to Cabin Coffee.  It was crowded with morning coffee lovers, but we managed to order a cinnamon latte for Joel and a "Just Fruit" smoothie for myself.  Joel splurged on a big cinnamon roll with icing and we sat at a table enjoying the atmosphere and our goodies. We then walked another block back to the van before driving home. 

For most people this would be just another day.  For us it was a delightful adventure filled with blessings we could not have imagined 18 months ago.  I told Joel the past few weeks I feel like I am waking up from a deep sleep.  I still feel like a refugee from a foreign land as I learn to navigate being out in the world after years of isolation.

Lets start with getting up, and ready for morning church.  This summer I am going to church again after 9 years of Joel heading out the door alone while I stayed behind,  trapped in bondage by Lyme.
Going to church outside?  In the wind?  Granny Warrior, alias me,  has a tick phobia, but I have been attempting to walk in the grass and enjoy nature again.  For years I never set foot on grass.  Wind?  When you are fighting with all over neuropathy, being out in the wind can make you feel like pins are sticking you all over you body...even your scalp.  And once activated it does not like to go away.  In the past it kept me awake many nights and in constant prayer.  Lyme damage.  Like other symptoms, I have started speaking against this nerve pain and demanding it go in the name of Jesus......it has rebelled lately, but I am still not letting it control me.  It is leaving.

ONLY GOD!

Lately I have been walking a mile every day.  Just 15 months ago I could walk only 3 minutes.  I am not kidding.  And just 5 weeks ago, before being prayed over at the healing service,  I could walk 10 minutes.  Now, I am walking 30.  This is amazing.

ONLY GOD!

Then lets look at all of the chemical fragrances that comes from people who use shampoos, deodorants, body washes, hair spray and the like.  I needed to avoid it at all costs...or pay the consequences with 5 days of nauseating headaches and sinus issues along with brain fog and the like.  Now I go into stores for the first time in years and am able to handle fragrances, new clothing, cleaning smells, etc. with little or no reaction.

ONLY GOD!

Eventually that will cover gasoline and wood smoke, too, although I never plan to go back to using toxic chemicals in my home.  Why would we?

Joel and I both were gluten, sugar, and dairy intolerant from the Lyme causing our immune systems to overreact.  Yet Joel ate a delicious cinnamon roll of which I had a bite, and had a latte to wash it down.  He can eat anything he wants but regular ice cream do to the chemicals in that.  I will soon be following suite....

ONLY GOD!

Joel and I both have such a deep sense of gratitude for the healing that has and is taking place, and the freedom Jesus died for.  We can hardly wait for our next adventure....and healing.

 I expect we will never take it all completely for granted, but we look forward to the day when such events are "just another day" in the lives of the Dahlens,

Just..  Another.  Day.


6 comments:

Fliterary said...

Oh Renee, I am rejoicing in this wonderful news!! Praising, praising, praising God and His blessings!

So grateful for His healing and so grateful for you!!

Happy hugs and bunches of new day blessings!

Gayle said...

Wow, I am rejoicing and giving thanks! You have really been through a lot, I didn't realize it was THIS bad.

Anita Johnson said...

I'm sitting here smiling as I read this. So glad to see this, thanking God for your progress! Yes, may there be many more days like this one!

Suzanne said...

Hi Renee, I am so happy to hear of the progress that you and Joel have made. It gives me so much hope for healing from lyme/cfs/Fm. I'm glad you decided to keep blogging. I have enjoyed reading your progress through the years.

I just started my blog again this week. It is hard to keep up with when you don't feel well. I try to keep it on a positive note since no one wants to hear a lot of complaining. It's not good for me anyway. I focus on the blessings that have come from dealing with the illness. Check out my blog if you want to. It is www.steps2serenity.blogspot.com

I wish you and Joel continued improvements. Also I just got Andrew Womack's "God wants you well" and can't wait to watch it. I was lucky enough to see him earlier this year when he came to town.

Kim said...

Renee! What a cool post! I saw all the fun pictures on your Facebook page of adventures. This is an incredible praise report. I'm memorizing Galatians 5:1 right now (though it's one that's been easy to memorize, because it's so exciting) and my church has been studying it for 8 weeks. So cool to be walking next to you on this path of freedom. Only God as you say!

Pamela said...

So amazing Renee! Only God is so faithful! I'm seeing in my own life, too! Thanks for sharing :)