SEEDS OF LOVE & TRUTH
I don't plan on dying any time soon, but I would want the eulogy at my funeral, if there were to be one, to be filled with questions, to be filled with a challenge to live zealously, to love and search for the truth!
Growing Up in Colorado
I am so thankful for the many years that I spent living in Colorado! It is a beautiful state, but I'm not afraid to admit that it has problems just like any place where people live.... I grew up on a farm on the high plains where I could see the whole front Rocky Mountain range! Sunrises and sunsets are amazing! The stars are a comfort and a testimony of God's amazing power! While I am completely aware that freezing cold winters and hot summers are needed, my favorite by far was the fall. The colors and the scents won me over! The creatures weren't and aren't my favorite, but I definitely wouldn't want them to go missing, uh, totally....
One of my earliest memories is planting fall bulbs with my mom on our farm. I have many memories of exploring the natural world with my three brothers, through a few fences, down in a gulley, throwing some gourds, etc. I came to appreciate it even more as an adult living in the house I grew up in, taking care of the land I called my own. The smells, the open spaces, my family within fairly close distance. I was and am blessed!
The Car Accident
When I was 16 I was the passenger in my older brother's car as he drove us to school the last Monday of my sophomore year of high school. We never made it and life completely changed. A car accident, several broken and cracked bones, brain damage, nerve damage, collapsed lungs, and many wounds put me in the hospital for a month. I was in an induced comma for three of those days and don't have memories for more than half of my stay. I had to learn to walk again, learn to write with my non-dominate hand, and spend two more months in out-patient therapy hoping that I would recover completely. It wasn't to be, but still I'm thankful that I had such an opportunity to begin growing into the woman I am today. Seeds were planted that would have the privilege of sprouting and blooming years later.
The long road to New Orleans....
When you are faced with your own death, a lot of questions come up.... What would've happened to me had I died? Honestly, I don't really know. Yet, that's okay because those questions led to answers that only God could give. I had went to church all my life, but going to church is NOT the same as the LORD God giving you a new life. I had many questions.... He did give me some answers at church, but others took longer and an adventure in Bible college. While there I gained the resources I needed to answer some of the questions through Bible study.... Yet, the most important thing that happened at Bible college was that I told God I would do what he wanted and go where he lead as long as He provided the means to get there.
He took me home for about 7 years before telling me that New Orleans was the place that he wanted me. That was not in my agenda to say the least. After a very real struggle and coming face to face with my weaknesses, I made the choice to keep my word to him. He said New Orleans.... I'm so grateful that I agreed to his plan and not my own! It's been ten years since I first flew in on a plane. Many things have happened, including having doubts and struggles that I never wanted or expected. Still, I plan on letting him lead!
With the random symptoms I did not consider a major problem. Yet, when heat exhaustion, dizziness, balance issues, and even muscle weakness plagued me throughout last year's hot New Orleans summer and into the cooler fall and winter I knew that something was off. It was hard to get doctor appointments scheduled and when I finally did, blood work was taken and returned normal. I switched to a holistic doctor and she ordered an MRI focused on my brain. The MRI brought to light my diagnosis. A visit to a neurologist explained the need for more MRIs and a visit to a neurosurgeon. A little more time and I'll know what comes next, but as I wait I know that the LORD is the one I'm trusting in. He's the one that I sing to, the one that hears my pleas and my doubts. He is my rock, my hiding place!
Diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Type 1 in August of 2025
Batismos da Igreja UNITED
MY SAVIOR
Growing up in a church didn't prepare me for what my life has brought me. It didn't answer all of my questions. But, it did introduce me to the one who has them! He saved me from myself! He has been with me like no one else could be. He held me when I was at my lowest. He comforted me when I was hurting. He lead me the way that was for the best, even when what I saw didn't look so great. Thank you, Jesus!