Mikel's Back

Just so you know, Red Robin's peach tea rules!!

Red Robin Yum!

So, we found out whats been causing all the pain in Mikel's back. He has what is called degenerative disc disease.

So, you like me may be wondering:

What is degenerative disc disease?

According to what i have read/researched. It sounds scarier than it actually is. Degenerative disc diesase is not turly a disease. it is a term doctors use to discribe normal changes in the discs in ones back.

What causes Degenerative Disc Disease?

As we get older our disc in our back degenerate or break down.  Most people do not get pain from this problem until their late thirties to forties.  This can be caused by injury or dehydration.

What causes the pain?

The pain is caused by either inflammation or abnormal micromotion instability. The disc degeneration can also cause pinched nerves.

What are the symptoms of Degenerative Disc Disease?

• "The low back pain is generally made worse with sitting, since in the seated position the lumbosacral discs are loaded three times more than standing.
• Certain types of activity will usually worsen the low back pain, especially bending, lifting and twisting.
• Walking, and even running, may actually feel better than prolonged sitting or standing.
• Patients will generally feel better if they can change positions frequently, and lying down is usually the best position since this relieves stress on the disc space." (Copied from: spine-health.com)

What are the treatments for Degenerative disc disease?

The known treatments are anti-inflammatory medication, pain patches, epidurals and surgery. 

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Anyway, with that being said... I have no idea whether its something the Air Force will let Mikel deal with while still serving our country or if they will say he is not fit for duty and medically discharge him. We will find out come October... But October is a long way away! I don't know if they decide to discharge him whether we have like a week to get off base or a month or what? That's the scary part, not knowing what will be required of us. My hope is that if they discharge him and do not allow him to retrain, that they allow him to stay in until his enlistment is up and just don't let him reenlist and discharge him with disability pay..... but we shall see. We may have to fight for the disability pay. At least we still arent wondering whats wrong with his back. We finally got that answered. :D

Have a great Wed/Thursday!
Ang

I am a terrible blogger/ What if??

I have figured out that I am terrible at remembering to get on here and blog... I always think "Oh I'll post on there tomorrow" and well.. It doesn't happen... Sorry to anyone who actually reads my blog... I know, I am terrible.

My life is a lil crazy right now due to all the "What ifs"...

Lets see, my husband may loose his job in the Air Force due to his back.. We still have no idea what is wrong... However, today (in about an hour) we go to the newest Dr. to see if he has any idea... I am hoping we get a diagnosis and treatment plan... but I don't know that that will actually happen...
"IF" he does loose his job, we have to find a new one and a place to live and all that.... probably by the end of this year... :( 

Earlier this week I went to the ER due to what felt like terrible horrible heart burn... Only it was worse than the one time I did have heart burn (I couldn't sleep, eat or drink anything without feeling like my chest/stomach were on fire). Some people were asking me if I was pregnant (I'm NOT) and that brought up all the of the feelings of "What if" I am pregnant... Will I be able to make it through student teaching etc. (The Dr. says I have acid reflux.. but i'm not sure whether I believe him.)

These are just two of the many that are on my mind... 

Anyway with all the "What IFs" its hard not to worry... I am a planner... I like to plan things out for like the end of the year... but you know what?? I can make all my plans and IF God's plan is different mine gets thrown out the window... Its hard to trust, when you have no idea what is going on or what will happen... This is what I hold on to:

Matthew 6:25-34


The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10


And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5


What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31


How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1

I know that God's got the whole world in his hands... He cares for me... He loves me as a daughter and will work all things for good. He will never leave me nor forsake me.. If God is for me, who can be against me? Everything will be ok... God will be right here with me.. to get me through it! I do NOT need to worry! Hes got it under control.....

There's my blip for today... Have a great Monday!!!
Ang

Reading the Bible

 This youtube video is pretty much what I am about to say in a funny way.

Recently in church, specifically in Sunday school... We have been learning about reading the bible and getting to know God through it..(Not just reading it.. but digesting it and understanding what it really means rather than just a bunch of verses you memorize or read and then forget about 10min or a few days from now.)

 I know many Christians... including myself... who thought that reading the bible was something you "have to do" if you want to be a "good" christian. So we would go through the motions... read our 3 verses or chapter a day and then get on with our lives.... We might have thought about it at some point during the day.. but the real reason we read it was to get our "Jesus time" in... and to make ourselves feel better because we did our "duty" as a Christian and read our bible... This must make us a "good" christian...
ummm.... not to make you feel bad... but you are WRONG!

The point of us reading the bible is for us to: 1. Learn and understand who God is... 2. To see our sin. 3. To help us not to sin.

If all we do is read it for our 5min a day and then never think of it again... do you really think any of the above is going to happen??? (Hint: NO!)

If you have time... read psalm 119 or just a part of it (its the longest chapter in the bible) then come back..... http://www.esvbible.org/search/psalm+119/

In psalm 119, you learn about the psalmists passion for the word of God. For example:

    With my whole heart I seek you;
        let me not wander from your commandments!
(Psalm 119:10 ESV)

    Blessed are you, O LORD;
        teach me your statutes!
(Psalm 119:12 ESV)

    I will meditate on your precepts
        and fix my eyes on your ways.
    I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word.(Psalm 119:15-16 ESV)

    Open my eyes, that I may behold
        wondrous things out of your law.
(Psalm 119:18 ESV)

    My soul is consumed with longing
        for your rules at all times.
(Psalm 119:20 ESV)

    Your testimonies are my delight;
        they are my counselors.(Psalm 119:24 ESV)

    Oh how I love your law!
        It is my meditation all the day.
(Psalm 119:97 ESV)

As you can see, the psalmist loved God's word and longed to learn more and to understand it... He meditated on it all the time. He didn't just do it because he had to... he longed for it... he memorized and meditated on it because he had a passion for it.

Meditate = Think about it!

Does the above sound how you are about Gods word??? If not, pray about it... God will give you that desire through the Holy Spirit. You don't have to do it on your own... He gave us his helper.

My challenge:
1. Take the next week to read Psalm 119.... Read it, study it, memorize a verse or two, meditate on it and pray about it.Write down what you learn!
2. Let me know how it goes and what you learned!
3. Don't do this because you have to... Do it because you desire to learn more about your savior the one who died for you!

Remember: The entire bible is about one thing: JESUS!