A good thought for the day.....

Why, God, Why? by Jan

Why do bad things happen to some people and why don't they happen to the others? Why does it seem that life is unbearable to some people while the other is having their life quietly and totally undisturbed by anything? Why is life so UNFAIR? That was exactly the question I used to ask God for too long a time. Why me, God? Why? It seems that you made my life much more troubled than most -- deliberately. Was it my fault? It made my life dark as hell. But after some time I realized that instead of asking. "Why?" I should ask, "What for?" I should ask, "What is the purpose of what is happening? What are You trying to tell me through this?" It made a difference to me and it will make a difference to you also. You will become able to listen -- and God will ultimately explain to you many things that you are not able to understand right now. It is easy to blame. But try to look at this from another perspective. God has His own plan for every single soul on the earth. And I am sure that He is especially close to ones who suffer, even if it seems like He is the One who is causing the suffering. What is the plan for you? Ask God and He will answer you. But please, please don't lose the ability to listen. This is my only hope for the future. We often say that we need to accept other people 'as they are'. We also need to accept God as He is. Why? Because far too often we accept one thing (usually a pleasant one) from God and fail to accept another, tough one. We make an image of a "pocket God" who is supposed to do what we like -- and not do what we don't like. And after some time of such 'relationships' with this so-called God, we find ourselves not able to see Him as a person. Instead we treat Him as if he were a "miracle-stick" (In European folklore you just take the miracle-stick out of your pocket, ask it to do something, and it does it - and then - back to the pocket). But He is not like that. He is a Person -- and the Person who is good for us, even though we not always see how this works. May this thought comfort you, as it has comforted me. God is good -- and He has a very special plan for you and me. If we don't understand it, let's ask Him and listen. He will answer when the time is right.

Gods greatest warriors......

So I'm always the first to say life is a journey, and even more so readily admit that when you are strengthening your walk with the Lord the most the devil strikes even harder.  So why am I surprised with the status of my life right now.  For all you who don't know. I''m sick.  Not the cancer, have a lot of surgeries and follow up sick---I'm down and out physically sick.  On most days keeping up with my 2 year old and 4 month old feels like defeat from the time I hear Maaa in the crib in the morning.  Worse as I barely get them baths and to bed by 7.  In which I usually follow right behind and pray that I can get the best sleep possible.

There is a first for everything it seems, and mine happened to be an ambulance ride last Tuesday.  If anyone has had Graves Disease or Hyperthyroidism knows it is no joke, and  Thyroid storm wasn't either.  The good news is I finally got my medicine in me and I knew my life was going down hill when you have to buy a pill box.  Yes no laughing matter.  That is me.  Thyroid meds, beta blockers, anxiety pills, and nausea we have them all.  For someone who won't take a vitamin this has been a lifestyle to get used to.  As the ER doctors told me it would take a good 3-4 weeks to work for me that has seemed like eternity.  Most days are an adventure never knowing when the next "adrenaline wave" they like to call them will come.  Only hoping that one of my dear friends, sitters or my husband will be here for the ride with me.

I'm certain I have never been more private until now about something, nor more scared.  I feel like I'm dying some days and others I'm feeling back to normal. It's a cycle of patience of faith and of grace that I'm trying to find so desperately. I never understand the whys of many situations, especially my health issues, but what I do know is God gives his greatest struggles to his bravest warriors.  I hope I fit the bill.

So I ask for prayers.  Prayers for strength mostly, hope and a quick recovery.  As I wait to go Dec. 19th to the Endocrinology team I can find out if I can add another surgery the belt or maybe radioactive therapy. Either way I want to feel better.  Any thyroid patient will tell you it's not easy.  It takes a lot of patience and a good support system. God humbled the girl that fluffed pillows until midnight, super woman after birth and never asked for help. Today I'm screaming HELP from the top of the mountaintops.  Mostly for prayer, great doctors with solutions and for God to take this on for me.  Truly to date the hardest battle, but knowing when I come out of this which I will, there is many true lifestyle changes in store.  Mostly how to enjoy each day, my current situation and just to cherish my health first and foremost.  I urge you all to as well.  I only wish I knew now back then.

Prayers are needed for my family. It's been a really tough journey for us over the past 4 years....and I know the reward is up ahead.

So True....

Update on the Bama Zimmers!

Well I know I talk a lot about the fam, but really haven't given many updates lately so here is the synopsis!

The chief, Daddy, is doing good! Traveling more with work and getting to do some pretty neat things! Just went and toured the new Cowboys stadium with HP and Talon folks! Went on the field and his seats were ridiculous! Loves his team at work as we all know, so do I! Excited for Basketball season, depressed about the departure of Dodge in NASCAR and the Bengals failure to show up this year! Working extra hard and looking forward to the Fiscal Cliff in a month (enter sarcasm)

Cash Man- a future preacher we are certain! He can give a sermon like no other although we can't understand a lot of what he is saying! He gets to stay home full time with the girls now...made the executive decision to enjoy him full time while I can! Loves sissy now so much and plays with her all the time! Also very protective when she is upset! Has developed a convenient cough and foot disorder when he wants something! His favorite word is please and what's that! Mostly he is one of the most happiest kids I know! I'm proud of that....

Sissy oh sissy! The true Princess. Life is a cake walk for her it seems! All she does is smile and her eye contact is one for the record books! Never in a hurry and whistles wondering through life it seems truly her fathers child! Laid back its all good attitude! Sweet doesnt describe it. We roll already laugh and babble constant, but I will hold the record for the loudest kids! She is surely contagious I will say that!

Momma is good! Striving each day to Get this momma thing right! Loving her hubby, writing a lot and missing home more than ever! Really challenging myself spiritually...of course as always struggling with health, but I have just decided that may be my platform on this earth! Diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism this week we start another battle, but with The Lord this too shall be ok! Already thinking of Christmas Decor and addicted to Pinterest! Only problem is it gives me ideas to hire someone to do it! Again looking forward to the Fiscal Cliff:)

Overall we couldn't be more blessed! Our kids are the coolest and as they say love grows stronger overtime we are surely seeing that play out! Our chaos is a beautiful thing!

Prayer Warriors Needed

It's always hard to watch real life dire situations happening to our fellow Americans, but even more so when it is happening to your good friends.  I ask all of you to please keep my friend Jamie Sams Chesson and her family in your prayers.  They live in New Jersey and have been without power since Sandy came through.  Today as their power came back on, it went off 5 minutes later with the next storm.  We all know how hard it is to get gas and supplies as we see it on the news.  My heart breaks.  Ironically we both have a Cash (yes same age) and Presleys (yes a few months apart) and this is very dear to me.  I can't imagine what they are going through, but I pray for strength and protection.  Power of prayer is so real and we know that because it helped her sister that you all prayed for some months back after a terrible accident.  Thank you so much.....

BBN Helps Sandy Victims.....

Congrats to the Big Blue Nation for raising over 500,000 for Hurricane Sandy Relief......Proud of You!

Fiscal Cliff What?

Yesterday it was election, today Fiscal Cliff.  For most they have no idea what this means for us or for America. I knew little, but found this very helpful.  What you need to know is for most you will see major changes in your taxes and healthcare costs at midnight Dec 31.  Yes in a short time from now.  Get educated and prepared.  You deserve to know.



The Fiscal Cliff Explained
“Fiscal cliff” is the popular shorthand term used to describe the conundrum that the U.S. government will face at the end of 2012, when the terms of the Budget Control Act of 2011 are scheduled to go into effect.
Among the laws set to change at midnight on December 31, 2012, are the end of last year’s temporary payroll tax cuts (resulting in a 2% tax increase for workers), the end of certain tax breaks for businesses, shifts in the alternative minimum tax that would take a larger bite, the end of the tax cuts from 2001-2003, and the beginning of taxes related to President Obama’s health care law. At the same time, the spending cuts agreed upon as part of the debt ceiling deal of 2011 will begin to go into effect. According to Barron's, over 1,000 government programs - including the defense budget and Medicare are in line for "deep, automatic cuts."
In dealing with the fiscal cliff, U.S. lawmakers have a choice among three options, none of which are particularly attractive:

• They can let the current policy scheduled for the beginning of 2013 – which features a number of tax increases and spending cuts that are expected to weigh heavily on growth and possibly drive the economy back into a recession – go into effect. The plus side: the deficit, as a percentage of GDP, would be cut in half.
• They can cancel some or all of the scheduled tax increases and spending cuts, which would add to the deficit and increase the odds that the United States could face a crisis similar to that which is occurring in Europe. The flip side of this, of course, is that the United States' debt will continue to grow.
• They could take a middle course, opting for an approach that would address the budget issues to a limited extent, but that would have a more modest impact on growth.

Possible Effects of the Fiscal Cliff
If the current laws slated for 2013 go into effect, the impact on the economy could be dramatic. While the combination of higher taxes and spending cuts would reduce the deficit by an estimated $560 billion, the CBO estimates that the policies set to go into effect would cut gross domestic product (GDP) by four percentage points in 2013, sending the economy into a recession (i.e., negative growth). At the same time, it predicts unemployment would rise by almost a full percentage point, with a loss of about two million jobs. A Wall St. Journal article from May 16, 2012 estimates the following impact in dollar terms: “In all, according to an analysis by J.P. Morgan economist Michael Feroli, $280 billion would be pulled out of the economy by the sunsetting of the Bush tax cuts; $125 million from the expiration of the Obama payroll-tax holiday; $40 million from the expiration of emergency unemployment benefits; and $98 billion from Budget Control Act spending cuts. In all, the tax increases and spending cuts make up about 3.5% of GDP, with the Bush tax cuts making up about half of that, according to the J.P. Morgan report.” Amid an already-fragile recovery and elevated unemployment, the economy is not in a position to avoid this type of shock.
The cost of indecision is likely to have an effect on the economy before 2013 even begins. The CBO anticipates that a lack of resolution will cause households and businesses to begin changing their spending in anticipation of the changes, possible reducing GDP by a full half-percent in the second half of 2012.
Having said this, it's important to keep in mind that while the term “cliff” indicates an immediate disaster at the beginning of 2013, the impact of the changes - while destructive over a full year - will be gradual at first. What's more, Congress can act to change laws retroactively after the deadline. As a result, the fiscal cliff won't necessarily be an impediment to growth even if Congress doesn't address the issue until after 2013 has already begun.