An easy way to teach prayer using the hand as a guide.

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.

5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

She comes like a theif in the night.

She came like a thief in the night. Without warning, although I knew she had been here she been lurking.
Her visits began slowly and increased the last few days.
She presents as tightness in my legs. I became aware of her a few weeks ago and i knew that she's was coming back. I just did not know when.
She is an uninvited, unwelcome guest. I do not know what to say, I forgot how severe pain could get.
She came through the night and waited for me to wake up.
When I woke up I couldn't move without intensifying the pain.
This winching pain so severe
I remember hearing my morning meds container hitting the floor between bouts of drowsiness and sleep last night.
I did not know that she had returned until i tried to take off the cpap mask.
I could not move, not upward, not side to side, without the wringing pain.
I texted my pastor because I knew that I would be missing our appointment.
I heard my son moving around it was such a mercy that he had not gone to work early this morning.
My son heard me calling and he came in.
He is helping me to sit up, this will be a very long tedious process.
The torture so severe, i just took my pain medication and muscle relaxers they will begin to work soon.
I am now in my chair at the workstation in my room.
I started translate this dictation and must get a call into the neurologist, family doctor, nurse and my pain management specialist.
I know that this is a test, i must stay strong and I have to stay faithful, must keep it together.
I keep a cell phone and my iPad with me, even in bed just for these visits.
She has now left but I am confidant, that she will return.
I will guard myself by stating in the Word and focused on the reassurances, promises inside it.
I will be compliant with my  doctors.

Random Thoughts

My wound care nurse just walked out the door, whist she walks in, my home health aid is preparing to leave. It is 11:30, all this began at 9am. A few months ago I could take a shower, address medical concerns, be dressed and out the house in 30 minutes.Why do I have to have strangers taking care of my most personal needs? My house is in such disarray with material, sewing machines, computers, and crafts supplies. The disarray is driving me nuts but i am at the mercy of it all until I can remain standing upright, bend, lift and organize. In a few months, I will go back into remission and the desperation, fear and utter abandonment that I feel right now will fade but that time feels so out of grasp. How did I go from the person providing support to the one needing it. I jump between the both. I cannot physically provide physical support but I watch my fellow congregants via facebook and email and I am there for them spiritually. Providing encouragement and remaining edifying. I wait for the same but it does not happen. The Word sais judge not lest ye be judged. I try to be a doer of the Word so I will not judge. We are instructed to do a thing without expectation of reward. I do as the spirit tells me and I will continue to. The condition of our spiritual hearts needs to stay pure.  I feel so alone. I know the Word sais that we are never alone but as far as my physical eyes can see, it is just me. I have learned that as my physical health deteriorates, my character,  reverence increases and my love for the Word strengthens.

Pain Beyond Belief

I'm at the mercy of my right arm. The pain is horrible.
I can't move my arm can't move my body because the pain intensifies
the pain ranges from my pointer, thumb, finger and extends to the middle of my forearm
I can't move.
I can't do anything it just hurts the pain is horrible, I am just stuck here
the immobilization does not stop until it's ready just when you think it's done
and try to move, the sensation of heavy fire swells if you try to move it intensifies
i am literally at the mercy of my fingers
I can't move until it releases me
I don't even know how to describe this pain,
i have never experienced anything like it.
similar to a charlie horse but on a grand scale
I use the time to pray,reflect and appreciate
At times, the pain is so severe that i fall into a daze to try and hide.
It wakes me up, i have only had one attacked while awake
I really feel like i am being held hostage by 3 fingers in my body,
three little fingers
I pray most of the time but now this one is over.
I'm so exhausted because I don't to screem, cry, move or breath heavy any voluntary actions intinisify the pain
Most of this entry was recorded with dragon dictate on my iPad. I did edit the dictation

How time flies...I built this blog in October of 2009 to share myself with my communities. I adore design and find it to be a great stress reliever, motivator and means of expression. Ironically, I was diagnosed with MS in 2005, just around the time I got my associate degrees. MS can be a creator of great stress, motivation destroyer and at times leaves me without the ability to process thoughts, speak or walk. My life now balances between a few planes,  they are Remission and Relapse. I have been actively involved in copyright compliant graphic design since the early around 2000, long before it was the gold standard for designers. Design is one of my releases. Between ministry, family school,and my ever changing health status, I rarely have time to design but that is about to change.

Spooky Time

This kit is now retired

This was different. I am usually not big on holidays and lately not too big on sleep either. This one came to me off the cuff in the middle of the night and it is kinda cute. Each element has two files...one with a shadow cast off and one just in glass.

Pumpkin Time

This kit is now retired
 I adore the fall. In honor of the fall and all the associated festivities I made a mini kit called pumpkin time. I hope it is received as well as much as enjoyed making it.
Enjoy.