It's been a while since I've written. In my self-analysis, that can be related to a couple things. First, my stress and craziness have subsided. The ph.d. fiasco is finally ebbing, and after a good biopsy, in March, my health has been spectacular. God worked in mighty ways to help me lose 35 pounds with weight watchers. Secondly, I had kind of an interesting turn in my life. I'm seeing someone. This in itself, I wouldn't think, would stop the writing process, but my time has been invested in other things. Then, in the midst of all this, I re-evaluated my stance on Calvinism... that only took 2 months. However, I don't tend to write about theology very often. My skill lies in self-introspection and understanding people's feelings.
Actually, so many good things happened over the summer, I was ready to write a blog along the lines of "Look how good I've done. You can do it too." So now, I'm writing again.... why? Because I'm stressed out and crazy again! Hence, the recognition of new humility!
So the other cool thing God did this summer... I got a new job this summer. I'm working 30 hours instead of 20, and I got a raise. I also got a roommate! That means my rent dropped by half, and my monthly wages increased by over 50%! Great, yes? Yes, but now, I have to pay back all of those medical bills from February through April last spring! So God supplied the increase to provide for the decrease. That's been stressful. I guess I'm learning trust on that point. My roommate gets married and moves out in December, so please pray that I make wise housing decisions that reflect my want to be a good steward of this money.
So there is one more example of good and bad going on in my life. Two weeks ago, I went to a bone marrow/ stem cell transplant survivor conference. Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!.... I can't say it enough times. First, I got a scholarship that paid for it all. Secondly, I got to go with Mom which was good bonding and paid for even more of it all. Third, since I left M.D. Anderson, 11 years ago, I have never been outranked as a cancer survivor. At that conference, I had one of the most healthy bodies of anyone there, and many have been closer to the edge than I ever was. For example, I might be one of about 5-10% of survivors of this procedure who can have children. And since I had my own stem-cells, I never have to worry about my body rejecting donor marrow/stem cells. I left feeling more blessed to be alive than I have in a long time. However, I also had to face a lot of the long term consequences and expenses. Now, I have to be super-responsible. I need to keep living a healthy lifestyle. I have to get a breast MRI in the next month to monitor myself for possible cancers related to my radiation. And now, I have 3 or 4 places to ask for money to help cover those stupid Spring bills... but I hate the paperwork that goes along with that.
So God's been good, but I've been stressed out. Not to mention, I'm in two fulfilling but homework laden classes! Needless to say, I food binged tonight and had a Sonic 2.99 coney and tots deal. So far the things that have been suffering the worst the last month have been my eating habits and my exercise schedule. To top it all off I made this really great steak dish last night, but it's super fatting! Maybe if I hadn't added the olives.... So if you have a minute, say a little pray for me! So God bless!
