Not Even A Year

Wow, it's not even been a year and already I need to have my meds checked.  I'm not having episodes like I used to have, but I'm cycling two to three times a day.  What the heck?  I promised my doctor I would stay on the meds for a full year, and I will, but it is really hard when the disease almost gets the better of me.

Me and Meds

Why is it that some bi polars think they can get by without meds. Mainly...ME!!! No, really, I'm fine...I've moved close to my family now...I can handle things better now. Always an excuse.

I've just come off a two week hospital stay. New Dr. It's always hard to trust new doctors. I've had so many. This one seems to really know what he is talking about, and he seemed to actually pray about my case. Not that he totally trusted in God to tell him what meds to put me on, but I think he trusted that he made a decision, then prayed about the decision and actually changed it a couple of times until he got it right. No other doctor has done that. They always think they have got it right the first time and never tweak the dosages, or the meds. I left the hospital on three less meds than what I was on while I was there.

Trusting a mental illness in somebody else's hands is a very difficult thing. It is very hard to let someone else completely into your mind. Imagine having to open ALL your thoughts and bare your soul just so your mind can function properly.  I don't completely trust doctors anyway. This is a very difficult thing for me.

The worst thing is the front I put on for everyone. Sometimes the ones closest to me can tell that something is off, but most of the time I hide things very well. I'm even learning to hide things from myself. What is that saying about me?

All About James

At supper this evening James quizzed us about his life. Questions like; how long have I been playing the WII? Why do I like cars? Why do I ride my bike to school? Why do I like the WII so much? Why do I put a check mark on my reading charts at school? Why do I like milk?

He gave us a chance to answer, then he told us if we were right or wrong. Most of the answers we got correct, but there was one that completely stumped me.

Why do I like apples?

Because they tickle my teeth...

Who would have even imagined that answer...go figure.

Change

More change in our lives. Ron got laid off on Monday. Not for long, only till Nov 22, but he is not going back to his regular schedule, and he is not even going back to his old site. All kinds of changes. He is now going back to work in Nisku, from Monday to Thursday. Nisku is 513kms from our house...and his accommodations are not paid for...his meals are not paid for...and his transportation is not paid for.

BUT, I am not complaining, just venting (is there a difference?)

I was just getting used to his old schedule, two weeks away and a week home. But now we will get him home every weekend.

We have old vehicles which will not do a thousand km trip each week.

Pay our tithing, read our scriptures, family prayer and family home evening, and it will all work out! I know it will, because I have faith. (Besides, it kinda nice having Ron home for a little while.)

Shopping

Have I ever mentioned that I HATE shopping. Yesterday James and I went grocery shopping and my back ached, my head ached and I had to pee. I dislike it so bad, I'm sure that as soon as I decide to go, my body automatically rebels and goes into an allergic reaction.

But I made it. Groceries here and put away...and James really helped. Thanks buddy.

Family Home Evening

James and I had family home evening last night. He continually amazes me with his insight. I told him the lesson was on our Heavenly Father so he got to pick the songs. He picked "A Child's Prayer" for the opening and "I Am a Child of God" for the closing...without any prompting from me.

The last line in the lesson manual is: Ponder what you can do to draw nearer to God. We talked about it for a minute then I told James I was going to try to have more meaningful personal prayers. He said that he was going to stop all electronics and playing with friends on Sunday. He told me he felt Sabbath (his words) worship was the best way he could draw nearer to God, because it is His day after all.

He is only seven, and he is teaching me life lessons I should have learned a long, long time ago. His testimony astonishes me. I am thanking the Lord for sending him into our lives.

180th Annual General Conference

One of the talks I loved the most was by Claudio R.M. Costa. He listed 14 Fundamentals in following a Prophet. He quoted Ezra Taft Benson.

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for God.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important that the dead prophets.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any certificates, diplomas or any other credentials to speak on any subject.
6. The prophet does not have to say "Thus saith the Lord." to make it scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by man's reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, spiritual or temporal.
10. The prophet man be involved in civic matters.
11. The two groups who will have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are; the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counsellors make up the highest quorum in the church.
14. The prophet and the first presidency:  follow them and be blessed, reject them and suffer.