It's been quite a while since i've updated, but everyone knows that is the way I roll. I have such a hard time sitting down at the computer anymore for long periods of time- knowing that there are better uses of my time. But I have friends who I love and desire to hear from! :) Thought it was time for a new post. Enjoy!

The new year - which is now a third of the way gone!- has been off to a rough start for me! About a week and half into January, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (juvenile onset). It was quite a shock! My blood sugar was 407- and the doctors told me I was very lucky to still be functioning. I had several "signs" that we never put together or considered as symptoms of diabetes. I have been exercising at least 5 days a week since August, and the doctors believe that may have saved my life.
I was in the hospital for 4 days- one here in Columbus, and three up at Riley. I went through an extensive education program that taught me everything I needed to know in regards to caring for my self and learning about the way my body works- since everyones is quite different! It proved to be very beneficial- i feel i receieved the greatest care available. That was a great blessing.
It took me several weeks to adjust and to get over the "shock of it all". I tried hard to have a good attitude though I times i began to feel sorry for myself- knowing I would deal with this the rest of my life. Overall, I knew that God was on my side and He would care for me in the ways He knows best.
I won't go into all the details about diabetes - and the differences between type one and two - they are completely different! I am going through a "honeymoon" period where everything is kind of uncertain in my body and so it is much more difficult to regulate my blood sugar. I check my blood sugar 5-6 times a day and am giving myself inculin shots 5 times a day. I continue to exercise regularly.
It has been a life style change for me and some days it is harder to deal with than others. But there are footprints of God all through my journey with this diagnosis so far. A few are: 1) He has allowed me to live a full and healthy life for 16 and a half years without having to deal with any health problems- for that I am so grateful. 2) He has helped me cope wonderfully and helped me realize how I can use my circumstances to grow and help others. 3) He really has watched over me many times when my blood sugar has dropped dangerously low - and I believe- saved my life. And also during the several months before my diagnosis when i could have gone into a diabetic coma from having such high blood sugar levels. 4) He has also helped me to slow down in life. 5) I have learned the meaning of - I do not know what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future.
I am doing great though. I am feeling much more normal and not so sick all the time. I am so thankful to finally know what has been wrong with me! One helpful thing my doctor has helped me with is realizing that I am perfectly normal. While in the hospital, he asked me, "are you sick?" I replied, "no". He said, "ok, then get out of bed!" :)
A humourous phrase... I babysit for 3 kids each week. One girl, Katie, is 5. When her mom and dad told her i was in the hospital, they told her that I had too much sugar in my blood to which she replied, "you mean she has candy all in her blood?" :)

God is great isn't He? We just finished a gospel meeting with Mike Wilson. His lessons were on adversity. Although i did not feel this really applied to me, or that I would get too much out of this week, it proved to be a wonderful and encouraging week. Mike presents the word of God in a beautiful way. He opened my eyes to so many passages and scriptures. He has been through much adversity himself, through his wife's battle of serious breast cancer. He wrote "Christians and Cancer", a book i would recommend to anyone. I am praising God for a great week and pray that he will continue to influence people as he has me. I will share a few clips of things I greatly appreciated from his lessons.

"Knowing about God's power and love and trusting in them do not always go together"
"May we have a greater confidence that His Grace is ALL we need- for when i am weak, then i am strong." - This is in a prayer that he offered to God on behalf of his wife. his prayer is in his book.
"Searching for a hope that is sustainable.."
Heb. 11:40- "God has provided something better for us!"
"Perseverance is- willing to wait when the pressure is on"
"Without struggles, we would be crippled spiritually"
"some resolutions are never found in this life"
"Remember that WHATEVER happens, God is still on the Throne"
"..we do not know what to do, but our eyes are on YOU" 2 Chron 20:12 (a favorite passage) :)

School is winding down for me-- I have been taking a College English comp class. I have enjoyed it and have done really well. I have finished all my other subjects at home except for math- soon I will be done for the summer! My senior year will be a breeze- mostly just classes here at IUPUC, though I am not planning to "officially" graduate early.

I am looking forward to summer. The weather is amazing- a constant reminder to me of our Great God! 3 summer camps - Indiana FC Camp!, New Jersey FC Camp!, and DOV camp (all girls!) I have not been to New Jersey before but i pray for opportunities to do good. Indiana and DOV camp are wonderful.

I have been an only child since January, cassie has been at FC. But Lord Willing, she will be home in 2 weeks. I am looking forward to her - I have missed her and been somewhat lonely. Caleb is graduating from FC, so we are headed down there next week.

This is long, and I hope it makes up for lost time! Because, it may be a while before I post again. :) Live each day as if it were your last. Seek God with all your heart.

Love to all,
Cami

2 posts back to back is very unusal for me.. so check the one below!! :)

God loves you! :)

"God has been wooing you ever sine you were little. Every story has a hero. The Great Love story- The Scriptures- are telling you about a Lover who longs for you! The story of your life is also the story of the long passionate pursuit of your heart by the One who knows you best and loves you most! God has written the romance not only on our hearts but all over the world around us. What we need is for Him to open our eyes. Open our ears that we might recognize His voice calling to us, see His hand wooing us in the beauty that quickens our hearts. What is it that romances you? Those are all whispers from your Lover, notes sent to awaken your hearts longings. As we journey into a true intimacy with God, He often brings back those things in our lives to remind us He was there, to heal and restore things that were lost or stolen from inside us. Every song you sing, every moment that has led you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart! :) God's version of flowers, chocolate, and candlelight dinners come in the form of sunsets and falling stars, moonlights on lakes, warm winds, swaying trees, and fierce devotion. This romancing is immensely personal, as if it has been scripted for your heart. :) He knows what takes your breath away, knows what makes your heart beat faster. We must open our hearts to hear his whispers and receive his kisses."
WOW! Ever thought about God like that? I know for you guys, it was.. well.. a little girly? ;) But i think there is so much in that for all servants of God.

For me, shooting stars is my favorite. Last year, late one night i was outside and i saw at least.. well i don't know - an uncountable number! of shootings stars :) God really knows how to get me, and let me tell you - it was absolutely AMAZING! :)
I love sunsets too.. i love waves and listening to them crash on the shore, and i love watching the clouds roll by!
But one other way that God really shows me His love is through storms. I have come to appreciate and really just ADORE storms! I love being able to listen to God through them! Hear the thunder and rain. Rain is a constant reminder of God for me. Whether he is showing me his tears or just that peaceful feeling- I love when God sends rain!

God is so amazing. As the weather has changed and the leaves have turned, i am reminded of Him and his glory. How He causes so many things around us to change (or allows them) and yet He, NEVER changes! How encouraging it is to know, that as long as we follow Him, our Best Friend will never turn His back on us. He longs to show his love to us more than anyone else in the world. He is in love with us! :)

Don't forget HIM! and make a conscious effort to look for Him - Today.

Cami :)

I've been singing a lot recently.. just at random times: working around the house, driving around town, etc.. and it has been really helpful and encouraging for me! To go along with my last post, I thought i'd share some more songs that you may find encouraging that help me a lot during worship especially to think about. I've known and sang these songs for years, and yet just recently i have begun to REALLY think about them and what they are saying.


"I'm forgiven, because you were forsaken. I'm accepted, you were condemned. I'm alive and well- Your spirit is within me, because you died and rose again! AMAZING LOVE! How can it be!?? That you my King would die for ME! Amazing love! I know its true!! And it's my Joy to honor you. In all i do- I honor You."

"You are filled with compassion, mercy and grace- with your banner of love over me. I am longing to see you one day face to face and to be with you endlessly. Lord how lovely you are to me. Lovely Lord, you are ALL to me. Lovely Lord- full of purity. Worthy of honor and majesty- Lord how lovely you are to me.
You are bright as the sunrise and fairest of old. Unto you all the glory will be! You are God of creation and Lord of my Life, I will worship you faithfully- Lord how lovely you are to me.
We will worship the name of the holiest One! We will worship your Excellency! We will give you the glory for things you have done and be thankful eternally- Lord how lovely you are to me."

"Lay your burden down, every care you carry. And come to the table of grace, for there is mercy! Come just as you are- we are ALL unworthy to enter the presence of God - For HE is HOLY!!
Lift up your heart, lift up your hands, fall on your knees and pray. For the king of kings and the love he brings is here in this place. We raise our voices, raise our song, we offer him our praise. For the king of Kings and the joy he brings is here- he is here- in this place."

"Loving Saviour, sweet compassion, slow to anger, I'm surrounded by your love. Highest heaven, gives your mercy, my redeemer, I will praise your holy name! Behold the lamb-He is worthy. Behold the lamb- He is holy! Behold the lamb- He is risen from the grave and has washed away the bloodstains from my hands. Behold the lamb- He forgives me! Behold the lamb- how he loves me! Behold the lamb- he has taken all my sin and removed them far as east is from the west."

"Jesus, holy, risen, mighty, you are so incredible! You are Savior of the world! Perfect answer to my sorrows- now i am rejoicing for you are Savior of my life! You are Savior! How i love you! My redeemer! How i praise you!! There is no place for condemnation when I lift your name on high! Wonderful Savior!!"

"Lord, let your light, light of your face, shine on us! That we may be saved. That we may have life to find our way in the darkest night. Let your light shine on us.
Lord, let your grace, grace from you head, fall on us! That we may be saved. That we may have life to find our way in the darkest night. Let your grace fall on us.
Lord, let your love, love with no end, come over us. That we may be saved. That we may have life to find our way in the darkest night. Let your love come over us."



Praise Him all day long!
Cami


Also, anything i can pray about for any of you, please leave me a post or call me and let me know!

My favorite hymn is "Be still my soul".. it reminds me of one of my favorite passages.. Ps. 46:10. It is a humbling and comforting song to me and it shows me how much trust i really can put in my LORD!


Be still my soul; the Lord is on thy side! Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain; Leave to thy God to order and provide. In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still my sould; Thy God doth undertake.. to guard the future as He has the past. Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake. All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still my soul. The hour is hastening on, when we shall be forever with the Lord! When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone; sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still my soul; when change and tears are past, All safe and blessed we shall meet at last!



What is your favorite hymn and why?


Remember WHOSE you are. =)

cami

Hey guys! I'm sorry i haven't been on much recently to talk to anyone. Things are going really well for me.. but i have been very busy!! How are you all?? I hope and pray that you are doing well and that you are growing in the Grace and knowlege of our Lord and Savior!!

I often tell people - "have a great day" or a great weekend or night.. etc... but recently i have thought a lot about that. and decided that "make it a great day" is much more fitting.
Every day is what we make of it. Every day is a great day.. It's another day God has blessed us with! To serve Him! How could it not be great!? But it's so easy to forget that and we don't always have 'great days'.. many things happen.. we get bogged down with things in our lives.. things that don't go our way.. and so on.
So remember.. make the most of every great day we're given! because every day is truly a GREAT DAY.

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