A long overdue hello and some updates!

A warm hello to all my dear readers! I've missed you all greatly; thoughts of you all often fill my mind throughout the day.

Before I give you all updates, I just wanted to thank you all so much for the caring and concerned e-mails and comments I've received from you all. The outpouring of love and sympathy has been simply overwhelming, and I'm so thankful to know that I'm in your prayers!

As for my hand/wrist, we have now, by God's grace discovered what was ailing me. We had pretty much determined that it wasn't CTS. My grandmother who had carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists gave me a wrist test for CTS and I failed it. Our suspicion then was that it was more than likely not CTS, but we still didn't know what it was. My mass pretty much completely disappeared and my pain also went away due to the fact that most of my normal activities that would overwork my wrist (i.e. writing for my blog, crocheting, kneading bread, spending time on the computer, etc.) were eliminated from my weekly schedule. I then had an appointment with a local hand and wrist specialist on Tuesday, December 16th. We were very pleased with this doctor-he was very kind, quiet and seemed very knowledgeable(I'm very thankful to the Lord for directing me to this particular doctor; it also was a blessing to learn that he attends a local conservative Presbyterian church in the downtown Chattanooga area). After doing 3 x-rays and working my hand and wrist around a lot(with my wrist popping a lot for some reason), he determined that I had been suffering from a ganglion cyst that had just gone away(which they often do when they cease to be irritated). He said that I'm free to go back to my daily activities (praise the Lord-I had really been missing all my domestic work, and I had gotten behind on my article and devotional writing for this blog, not to mention the fact that I haven't been able to visit my favorite blogs in weeks!). Dr. Jemison wants to see me back in 4-6 weeks(after I've returned to my regular activites and have been doing them again for a while) to see how things are going, as ganglion cysts can and often do return(for when they reduce in size, they do just simply that-reduce-but don't go away completely-the cyst wall, etc. is still intact in my hand/wrist area). If, after returning to my regular duties my cyst comes back, then I may have to have surgery to remove it. However, ganglion cysts are pesky little things, and after surgery, another one could form. So, please continue to pray for me, that the Lord's will would be done first and foremost, and that, if He wills, my wrist would be healed for good. Thank you all so much for your faithful prayers and loving concern!

I don't feel that I can apologize enough for the article and devotional delays. I know you are all very patient and understanding, but I almost feel as if I've failed you all. I know this whole wrist thing couldn't be helped, but I feel terrible for making you wait so long for blog posts. Thank you all so much for bearing with me! You are all such a God-send, and I pray that He blesses richly each and every one of you!!

If there's one thing I've learned throughout this whole ordeal, it's that I must not plan things of my own accord and leave the words Deo Volente(God willing) out! So often I've published posts promising that certain articles, etc. would be published in a certain time frame. And each time I've left those precious words out. And guess what? Each time, the Lord has postponed my plans, teaching me the very gracious lesson that I'm NOT in control-HE is! I'm so thankful that He's taught me this; I only regret that through this time of learning, you've all had to wait so long. The following passage has been one of great conviction for me lately: " Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” ~James 4:13-15(emphasis added!). Therefore, I will not be promising a certain time for when my stay-at-home daughterhood article series, etc. will be posted. But I will say this: I will begin posting the articles(once they're completed) included therein very soon Lord willing! :)

Thank you all again so much for your goodness to me!

May you have a very blessed Lord's Day tomorrow!