Mama and Daddy

Lisa Freeman

December 26, 2018 · 

Happy 59th Anniversary. I’m going to tell you a story that I’ve heard all my life. How daddy stole mama on Christmas Day. I may get some facts wrong but this is how I remember it going. I love this story. Mama and Daddy, met when she went to the beach with a friend and her family to visit the friends boyfriend ( he may have already been a fiancée, I can’t remember that detail) He was in the navy stationed at Jacksonville Florida. That’s where mama met daddy. Daddy was also in the Navy stationed at Jacksonville Florida. I think the story goes he and the other guy( can’t remember his name)drove from Jacksonville Florida to North Carolina every weekend end after that. I guess you could say love at first site. Mama’s mama and daddy were not very happy about mama seeing daddy if I remember correctly. So they really didn’t announce to anyone that they were seeing each other. On Christmas Day 1959, Mama was supposed to go to a wedding with the family but she played sick. And that’s when daddy stole her. As they drove to Alabama. They had planned to get married before they arrived at my Nanny and Grandaddy’s house. That part didn’t exactly workout as planned. (I can’t remember why, might be because it was Christmas Day and nothing was open, only a guess) I have heard in the telling of this great adventure that daddy stopped at every state line and mama walked across because mama was 16 and daddy was 19. And he could have gotten in big trouble for carrying a minor over state lines... lol... when they showed up at my Grandparents house(daddy’s parents, Wallace and Estelle Smith, who knew they were coming). But thought the would already be married. When Nanny found out they weren’t married yet she sat up in mama’s room all night and I think I’ve heard that Granddaddy said “Estelle you’ve got the get them married “ lol... so off the Trenton Georgia they went on December 26, 1959. Since mama was 16 she had to have a parent sign for her and Nanny (daddy’s mama) signed for her to get married (sometimes I wonder at the legality of that) but it was recorded at the courthouse so it was legal and binding. And that was the beginning of mama and daddy’s 59 years of wedded bliss.... lol ... not that there weren’t many bumps in their Road. Daddy was in the navy and I was born in Jacksonville Florida on the naval base. Mama was admitted to the hospital a month before I was born because of Preeclampsia( super high blood pressure). Where she couldn’t get out of bed for that month. That couldn’t have been easy on a newly married couple away from all there family. But it was just one little bump in their Road. God has truly blessed them, they have always held to God’s hand no matter the trial. Laura, John and I are truly blessed to have be born to them. They weren’t perfect and neither are we. But I know if there anything We ever need my mama will move heaven and earth to see that I get it. And their 9 grandchildren are so blessed especially the older ones, with camping trips and day trips, and much time spent with them. That helped them become the adults they are today. I say daddy did a pretty good job when he stole mama from North Carolina. The story I’ve told is as I remember it being told to me. The some facts may be wrong but the main fact is correct. James and Evelyn Smith are celebrating their 59th wedding anniversary today. And no matter how it started it has had God’s hand on it from the beginning. So forgive me if I’ve gotten some of the facts wrong(I really don’t think I have). But I think it’s a beautiful story. I’ve heard it all my life. It’s part of my story. Love you Mama and Daddy Happy Anniversary.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:33
There are three things that amaze me—no, four things that I don’t understand: how an eagle glides through the sky, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman. Proverbs 30:18-19
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:9
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Genesis 1:27-28
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Mark 10:9
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine. Song of Solomon 2:16
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. Song of Solomon 8:7
I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4

Be Still

Lisa Freeman

November 14, 2018 · 

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

How hard is it to glory in my infirmities. When loading the dishwasher makes me short of breath. Putting clean sheets on the bed seems an impossible task. Can’t dust, my asthma doesn’t like it at all. I’m going to be tied down every 3 weeks with the IG, (a good thing so far). Fixing to have to nebulize twice a day because the Myasthenia Gravis is preventing me from getting my medication in my lungs where it needs to be. (Wooohooo) Oh and depression is such an evil thing. I’m wanting it to be January and all the holidays over. If I could hide under my bed until January that would be great. Now we get to the BUT. But Paul told the Corinthian’s that God had told him, his Grace is SUFFICIENT FOR EVER NEED, HIS STRENGTH IS MADE IN WEAKNESS. I should be shouting. I should be talking to God to see in my weakness what he wants of me. I should be talking with him he will lift me up. He will lift you up.
Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Sometimes even when our bodies are still are minds are going in a hundred different directions. We are concentrating on our infirmities, we are not thinking of God. It’s me me me me, that’s our main thought. We should be talking to God so he can help us GLORY IN OUR INFIRMITIES, we all have them, horrible pain, Debilitating diseases, Major Depression. But God will see us through, not just sometimes but ALWAYS. Isn’t that wonderful. When I’m weak he is strong. That deserves a Praise God and a Hallelujah. This old life is hard and full of trials but God will never leave us. That’s a Hallelujah. Love y’all. Be still and see what God has for you. You will be surly Blessed.

Missing Judy So Much

Lisa Freeman

November 1, 2018 · 

I haven’t posted a big post lately I’ve really been to sad to be able to put my feelings in words. But as I went for the millionth time to send Judy a message this morning and remembered she wasn’t on the other end of my phone, I thought I’d share. Some things have been happening with me that I will consider good till it’s not... lol... I’m going to start getting IG every 3 weeks it will start with the first of December treatment. It will be IVIG every 3 weeks over 3 days. I will receive the same amount over a years time just closer together and less at a time. We’re hoping this will help my strength and that the one dose less a week will cut down some on my side effects. We will see. I’m very hopeful. It should really start November 26th but Rodney and I already had a week at the beach planned. And it’s not easy just to change because we keep that sweet baby RJ every other weekend. Starting on Thursday. We’re supposed to have him Sunday the 25th I’m hoping we can work something out so we can leave that day the guy is giving us 2 days free. So if we can’t leave that day we will just loose a free day. So no biggy. I guess lol. Next on my list to talk over with Judy is I have been Diagnosed with Sjorgren Syndrome yes another autoimmune disease. It’s early symptoms are extremely dry mouth and eye. I’ve had these for years. Blamed it on medication. I will wake up some mornings with my tongue stuck to the Roof of my mouth. And it hurts to pull it off the roof....lol. And no it’s doesn’t affect my ability to talk.. lol.. as I know some people wish. Here are some of the symptoms. I actually have a lot of them, one site even says wheezing so now I wonder if my asthma isn’t Asthma but Sjorgren. I see the pulmonologist in a few weeks we will talk about it then. I have a Persistent
dry cough, drive me and pulmonologist crazy.

The two main symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome that you see first are:

Dry eyes. Your eyes might burn, itch or feel gritty — as if there's sand in them. (Check)
Dry mouth. Your mouth might feel like it's full of cotton, making it difficult to swallow or speak. (Check)
Some people with Sjogren's syndrome also have one or more of the following:

Joint pain, swelling and stiffness (Check)
Swollen salivary glands — particularly the set located behind your jaw and in front of your ears (Check) I’ve had 2 MRIs to Check for nodules in my saliva glands, one was with contrast that was really interesting. (Check)
Skin rashes or dry skin (Check on Dry shin)
Vaginal dryness TMI)
Persistent dry cough and wheezing ( Double Check)
Prolonged fatigue (Triple Check)
In Sjogren's syndrome, your immune system first targets the glands that make tears and saliva. But it can also damage other parts of your body, such as:Joints
Thyroid
Kidneys
Liver
Lungs
Skin
Nerves
I see the a Rheumatologist December 10th. This gives me the official Trifecta of Autoimmune Diseases. Because where there is 1 there will be at least 3. I’m officially at 4...lol... can’t even do the Trifecta correct. Myasthenia Gravis, Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s disease, Sjogren’s disease. But in my defense the Hashimoto’s disease is gone because They took my thyroid out. Hashimoto’s goes with the Thyroid Disease, so I don’t count that I have that one anymore. So Trifecta it is. See where I needed to rant to Judy. She would have helped me get a plan. She and Kerry always do that. I think I about drove Kerry Quinn crazy with my worries yesterday try to figure out about my vacation, sorry Kerry( love you). She got what Judy Bowlin always got from me. And when I was talking with Judy I would think Heck what am I complaining about, my stuff was nothing compared to Judy’s. The pain Judy lived in all the time and hardly every complained about, she had stage 4 cancer and sure she would get mad and sad but we could always make each other laugh over the silliest things. So sorry to dump on y’all this morning. I’ll try not to do this again. I was just Missing Judy especially this morning. She was Awesome and I’m so glad she was my friend. She isn’t in pain any more. Her fight is over, she ran a good race, she will be at home with Jesus. And how could anyone wish her back to this horrible world and to the pain she was living in. Not me that’s for sure. Friends like Judy are few and far between. If you have one hang on to them until God decides take one of you home. Then Praise God you got to experience one of life’s true blessings.

Don't Go Backwards

This was brought to my mind by a devotional I’m doing it’s a 5 day Learning to Pray by Faith. Today was putting on the Whole Armor of God. It made me think of this I have written in my blog.

The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:11-18 (KJV)
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
I heard today on Rick and Bubba, Scott Dawson speaking. And he brought to my attention something about the whole Armor of God that I have never thought about. Only the front of our bodies are covered. He said to him that meant we were never to retreat or go back... We are to push forward. We should strive to do more for God today than we did yesterday. We can't say well God we did good on that, I think I'll go to the house to rest awhile before the next thing. Push forward, make a goal to do better today than you did yesterday. Because if you turn to run back your back side want be protected. So go forward my friends. Go forward.

I"m not good a Patience

Lisa Freeman

July 26, 2018 · 

Most of the time I have to confess I do not wait patiently on the Lord. When it’s summer I want fall, when we have rain I want sunshine, when we have sunshine, I want rain. I know you get were I’m going. We’re never really content in the state in which we find our selves. We think oh if I can just get past this, ( maybe a Gorilla attack who really knows what’s next) we think everything will be roses and sunshine and soft breezes, and cooing doves. But if we are striving to grow in God I believe there will always be a next thing to test our faith, our strength, our Obedience. Some people say why would God put this on me. Well I’m thankful for the trial because it’s there for a reason. If we never face any adversity we never grow. So I’m going to try now wait patiently on the Lord because I know he has heard my cry I know he will lift me out of the slimy pit of the muddiest mud and more he will put my feet on his solid rock. And that rocks Jesus our Lord and Savior. If you don’t know that precious precious Lord and Savior I pray that you will look in your Bible and let it talk to your heart and then you can find Jesus. And then you may be content with the rain when it rains in the sunshine when it’s hot unlike me who get so impatient. Love you all.

Psalm 40
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

Sweet Blessings

Laying in my bed this morning snuggled up to my honey, thinking Dear Lord Thank you for all your sweet blessings. I’m laying on smooth soft sheets that were hung out side to dry. What a blessing to crawl into a bed that smells of flowers and sunshine. My head hurts so bad this morning I can’t even make my self get up and take something for the pain. Then I think Thank you Lord for proving me with the IVIG this long. While I’m smelling my sweet pillow case. Im also Thankful for the nurses God has sent to me, they have become very dear friends. The rain is falling I can hear the THUNDER and I hear God in these things. The soothing sound of the rain. The warning of the thunder that the clouds are throwing around some lighten bolts. I doze back off reach my hand over and my grump is up out of the bed. I thank God he didn’t take him October 7, 2015. That he left him here with us with for awhile longer. I stretch out, oh how wonderful my sheets feel. I could stay here all day, but that’s against my rules. If I ever did that then I think I would never get out of bed again. We’re going to Logan’s birthday party. I decided my head could hurt there as well as at home and I want to meet his new pup Miss Emma the miniature Dachshund. I think holding a baby,(fur baby) will make me feel lots better. And I’m thankful I will be able to be with my family, headache and all. So this morning I really want to thank God for sheets that were hung out side to dry, if not for this I would not have lain in my bed as long as I have. What are you Thankful today.

Stomach Problems Just want go away

Lisa Freeman

June 12, 2018 · 

Well it’s back. I received my test results yesterday and everything they checked was normal. Except my Sed. Rate was extremely high(this happens all the time I’m not concerned). So since this has been going on so long I’m having an Abdominal CT Scan Thursday afternoon. I think this will show nothing. I see a colonoscopy in my future. With a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. Yay me. The diarrhea was gone yesterday. I was a little excited. That I was going to be better. But it’s back with a vengeance this morning. I will have it for 2 days and then not have it for 4 then I will have it for 4 days and not have it for a week then I will have it for a week and not have it for 2 days and then I’ll have it for a day and not have it for a week and I’ll have it for 3 days and not have it for 2 just a horrible cycle that has no rhyme or reason. I cannot track it to figure out a trigger. I have tried leaving off dairy that didn’t help I have tried leaving off wheat that didn’t help. I have tried different, things nothing has helped. It will show up it will go away. At first I thought I kept giving my self the same virus, but we have sprayed so much Lysol and used do much white vinegar and Clorox it’s in real, do if a virus was living here I think it’s dead now. I keep new tooth brushes that I change all the time. I was my Yeti cups in the dish washer(big no no). It will still do the same thing no rhyme or reason that I can see. So I’m asking for your prayers. I am wanting to be there when RJ gets here. My baby is having a baby. I need to be there. Well I don’t NEED to be there, she can have him with out me, he’s gonna come when he decides to come. He doesn’t really care who’s there except his mama...lol...cause she has to be. But I want to be there with all my heart to be there. Thanks everyone for your prayers seems like a ask all the time. But I know the power of prayer. I also pray that I quickly learn what lesson God has for me in this, I truly believe every situation we find our self in God is teaching us an important lesson on how to live our life, how to hold his hand, how to make our faith, stronger, how to love our neighbors, how to Praise his name, to know how he protects us from the fire by throwing us in the river, thanks to whoever posted that one. I could go on and on with the lessons he can teach us in every trial. If your in a trial today, and we all are in some kind of trial every day. Take a moment to ponder what God might want you to learn from this trial. Love you Lisa

2 Corinthians 12:9-11 NIV
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.