I Am Thankful

Good Thanksgiving Eve, November 21, 2018 @ 18:06:25 MT to you! I am sitting very comfortably in my hyperbaric chamber and the pressure gauge is slowly rising. Both of my ears had me yawn. Aw, there! I decided to only spend one hour in here tonight because I need to get everything that I am baking organized for early tomorrow morning. I will not be doing very much baking. Not as much as I would like but I will have fun anyway. The ATA is already at 1.0 so I will be putting my oxygen mask on very soon. I am so comfortable in here. It is such a joy to do these dives each week. I have my personal fan blowing at my neck. The ice pack is helping the air inside the chamber to be very comfortable for me to wear my tank top tonight and chill! I have my mask on now because the ATA is at 1.3. All is great! A very Thankful dive!

I Am Thankful! I remember a time years ago when I wasn’t very thankful. I had just been fired from a job that I loved. God was with me all along the way. I had to taste the sting of being fired for a greater good. My employer was violating State and Federal law. They did not appreciate me much for keeping excellent records. In the end, a number of people spent time in prison and the center to be shut down. The entire process caused me to lose heart and become embittered. One day I had a talk with God. I let Him know just how I felt. I had a vision of  Him standing in front of my heart. He was holding a delicate hammer and chisel. My heart was encased in concrete. He was nodding His head and patiently waiting for me to agree with Him. I nodded in approval. My LORD began gently removing the concrete to reveal my viable heart that needed revitalization. I cried for myself in repentance. Then I found a pen and paper and wrote each verse in the Bible on Thankfulness. My heart was transformed that day!

I Am Thankful! In my 19th year I needed an emergency surgery. My appendix was inflamed and I was bleeding internally from a blown ovary. A large cyst had formed and busted beyond the normal eruptions that occur at ovulation. My surgeon suggested that I have children within the next few years because both of my ovaries were not very healthy. I got married at 22 years old and we were not ready to have children. My precious daughter, Sarah, was born just weeks before my 27th birthday. The events leading up to her birth are quite a story. I knew that she was in my womb but obstetric medicine said otherwise. On my third attempt to find a doctor that believed me, Sarah had already been developing for over four months. The night of her birth is another of my most thankful days. I love you so much Sarah Janelle.

I Am Thankful! Three years later on Sarah’s 3rd birthday, Garrett Thomas decided it was time to make his presence known. He was already three weeks late and making quite a scene! I told him that he had to wait a day for his own birthday. He obliged me. Garrett was born the following evening. I cried when Dennis introduced me to him. I had no idea just how thankful I would be. I was nearly 30 years old and God had blessed my life with an awesome husband, an adorable daughter and now a really big baby boy! (10 lb 14 oz , 24 inches long)

I Am Thankful! I have written about many of the terribles I experienced in life in earlier blogs, but have I told you that each of those tragedies had to be addressed multiple times throughout my life as I recovered from all of their wounds? O yes they have! Flashbacks, body memories, random sensations, events and thoughts bring me to tough moments where I have to face each demon and fight for my life. Dennis has been there to assist me with each one…multiple times. He has never discounted or diminished or shamed or blamed me. I am blessed!

I Am Thankful! I am enjoying the benefits of recovery with this hyperbaric chamber. I am thankful for every hour that I  advance and improve. I was left to accept that I would have to live in the “new normal” until I found Dr Hughes. I am so thankful for the progress I am making and the restoration I am enjoying.

I Am Thankful! My Mom is spending her 90th Thanksgiving in No California with her two oldest sons, their wives and a few of her grandchildren. Have yourself a wonderful day Mom. I love you so much!

I Am Thankful! Tomorrow, Dennis and I will be joining families here in Hayden to celebrate Thanksgiving. Every year Venue Church is where we want to be on Thanksgiving Day. I mentioned that I will be baking in the morning. Pastor Garrett likes the pumpkin swirl chocolate brownies that I make every year. I am also bringing stacked potatoes as a side dish. I will be making Dennis’ and my turkey and roasted veggies too. (The strict diet I am on right now makes it necessary for me to prepare ours separately) If I wake early enough, I plan on baking a few cider vinegar donuts for us to enjoy together before the day takes off. We invite everyone to our community dinner which will begin at 3pm. If you are interested in joining us, please let me know! What a gift it is to be thankful together!

I Am Thankful! The hour has gone by so quickly. It’s time for me to take off my oxygen mask. I am beginning my ascent. I will be ready to enjoy the evening with Dennis and our dogs. I sure hope that the weather report is accurate. We are supposed to have a snowy Thanksgiving. Nice!

Numbers 6: 24-26  “The Lord bless you and keep you;
 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
 the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Thank you for reading along with me. I bless you and yours always.

Hugs,

Suz