Some changes…

…are sad.

I came into the office this morning to get my shots.

And found, they are closing our branch.

My shot nurse is retiring.

The remaining staff is moving to the other office.

I feel like crying.

I know that sounds silly.

But these four ladies (shot nurse, doctor, nurse, and receptionist) I care about.

They were the encouraging smiles and gentle listening hearts as I began this journey with my allergy shots.

We had just moved to a new city, didn’t know anyone, didn’t have a clue where anything was and we were fairly ignorant about a great deal in this area

I remember the nurse taking my blood pressure and telling how to find Walmart.

The doctor (before the virus) telling me it was okay to bring both my kids and our grandbaby to my appointment, because I just didn’t feel comfortable leaving them home.

I remember the ladies’ sweet comments about our baby granddaughter, as we all came to the office for my shots.

Then, after the virus, the care continued in asking to see pictures of our granddaughter, then of our grandson.

Discussions with the receptionist as we both had highschool children.

One time I shared my favorite Youtube link about crocheting.

And many other little moments which have been a blessing.

They have made this time a joy and something to look forward to.

Especially nice, as I rarely go anywhere.

I’m praying for each of these ladies and the changes they are all making.

Although, I’m sad, I know change is part of life and oftentimes a blessing.

Change helps us to value the things we have.

Like today, I am so thankful for the past year and a half with these ladies.

I’m praising God for His provision of what I have had.

No matter what this change brings, I’m thankful.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your blessings. Thank You for the medical professionals who step beyond treatment and into caring for each individual. Thank You for the courage to continue to get up each day and work to help others. Please bless those who are serving. Please shine Your love to them and through them. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

The gift of giving

It wouldn’t have come to mind.

My husband and I were chatting on the patio.

We’d been discussing the begonia.

It’s a beautiful hanging plant, but I’ve been concerned where I’m going to keep it once the weather turns.

My sweet hubby purchased for me, but didn’t realize it’s tender nature.

I mentioned the possibility of it overwintering in our bedroom.

Our windows face the patio and my husband gently pointed out the window lined with four potted Jade plants.

“There’s already several…”

“Honey, don’t worry. I’ll give those away as soon as I know who the Lord wants them to go–oh!”

For a memory flashed into my mind.

Last week I’d asked for prayer for wisdom.

“I have been so blessed by the ladies at the Allergist. I really want to let them know how much I appreciate them, but can’t figure out how.”

There are two nurses, my doctor, and the receptionist.

Four ladies.

Four Jade plants!

My husband was looking at me with a quizzical expression.

I smiled.

“I know exactly what I’m supposed to do. I’ll give them away tomorrow.”

What a blessing!

To use the things the Lord has placed in my care temporarily to give to others.

I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to go about it tomorrow, but I’ll be praying.

It’s in the simple and small things that I want to be diligent.

Those seemingly unimportant details where God speaks so gently.

It’s that still small voice.

I want my life to be a reflection of Jesus wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, and however I possibly can.

Because Jesus doesn’t love people once in a while, or when it works into the schedule.

He loves people.

Period.

I want to do that as well.

I don’t know if the ladies will even want these plants, but I’m praying they will feel loved.

Hopefully, they will feel appreciated.

It’s only a tiny sliver of gratitude for their service to me.

But I praise God for each one of them and for this opportunity to give to them.

I praise God for His provision and the gift of giving.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for these ladies. Thank You for the medical field which has come up with treatment and ways to help me and others with allergies and asthma. Lord Jesus, thank You for this opportunity. Please bless these ladies and let them feel Your love. May Your name be glorified. Amen.

My last Wednesday

Ready to head to the allergist’s office.

Since September I’ve been going to get my allergy shots.

Two, one for each arm, which tells you how many things I’m allergic to!

When our new insurance began, I started coming twice a week.

Every Monday and Wednesday morning to get my shots.

I’ve learned many things about the allergist’s office.

For example, it’s the only place I know of that most people come in quietly and just sit down.

At first this puzzled me.

Doesn’t the receptionist need to check you in?

I quickly learned that she knows the regular people by sight and while she smiles acknowledgement of the person she doesn’t normally need to chat if they are just getting shots.

People come in, sit down, read or get on their phone and wait for their turn.

It’s very quiet.

Unless you sneeze!

Each of us, who are taking shots, have to be watched for thirty minutes afterwards.

It’s a safe guard to make sure we don’t have any major reactions.

The only time every person looked up in the entire room, both the shot nurse and the appointment nurse came out and the receptionist stood was when a gentleman sneezed.

Poor guy, he looked a bit self conscious.

And no wonder!

Normally, people don’t look at one another, or talk, or even acknowledge the other person.

At first I found this a little uncomfortable.

It only took a few weeks for me to realize, most of the time, I don’t see the same people.

So, if the room is full of strangers it makes sense they are reserved.

After all these weeks, I have been able to pick up a friendly recognition from another lady.

I don’t know her name, but we smile and sometimes ask polite questions.

Monday she mentioned Jase’s absence.

“Actually, he’s in the car with his sister. He said it’s hard to work on school work in here.”

She smiled and nodded.

There’s a lot to be learned in the allergist’s office.

Allergies are not picking.

Old, young, middle aged, and children all suffer.

Every part of society is vulnerable.

And although I’m looking forward to not driving into the allergist twice a week, I’m thankful for the opportunity to receive my shots.

I’m also very thankful for the lessons.

It was only a few weeks in when I realized I have a wonderful opportunity every time I’m sitting there.

I can pray for each and every person.

I can be kind and loving to both the nurses and the receptionist.

(Not every person who walks into the allergist office wants to be there. Anyone who has worked with the public knows it can be less than nice.)

I can be friendly and thoughtful.

At times the waiting room gets really full and I was blessed to give up my seat for a mother and her two kids to sit next to each other.

I was equally blessed when someone else did the same thing for me when both my kids wanted to join me.

Life is such a gift and there are incredible opportunities just waiting for me to hear the Lord’s voice say, Pray for him. Or Smile at her.

I praise God for all these Wednesdays, and the lessons at the allergist.

“Lord, please continue to help me to redeem the time You have given me, no matter where I am.”

Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV — See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Nothing severe

Anne has been feeling better.

Praise the Lord!

When she decided to bake mini apple pies from the abundance of apples in our yard,

I gave her the thumbs up.

She loves baking.

Infact, she’s spoken of her desire to learn all she can when it comes to cakes, pastries, and other baked goods.

This summer she has truly enjoyed her time working a few hours each week at the bakery and restaurant where we lived.

It was a sad moment when I had to tell her to quit due to her declining health.

She’s not giving up on learning to bake.

And I’m not giving up on learning what has caused her health problems.

Infact her allergy screening was yesterday afternoon.

It’s a bit more than an hour to the doctor’s office and I enjoyed the time together.

I knew she was nervous.

Trying to reassure her,

I had spoken of my experience last December.

I’d packed a book to read aloud.

She had brought homework.

I felt prepared.

But I wasn’t.

Anne was laying down.

Her back was carefully numbered.

Under each was a scratch where the allergen had been administered.

As Anne quizzed me,

I felt at a loss as to how to respond.

“Well? What am I allergic to? Can you tell?”

Although marked,

nothing stood out as a reaction.

Her body wasn’t revealing any allergies.

Not being a medical professional,

I suggested we wait to see what the nurse said.

I resumed my reading.

The nurse returned and confirmed there wasn’t anything she was showing an allergy to.

Then she informed us that Anne would need to undergo another test.

Shots.

Eight of them.

Anne doesn’t like shots.

At all.

But after hearing this the nurse spoke with the doctor who decided to only test Anne with five.

Neither of us had expected shots,

but I watched, silently prayed,

and tried to give courage as she received five shots in one arm.

More waiting to see what her body would do.

The doctor came in and checked on her as well as the nurse.

At last the time was up.

“Nothing severe.”

I looked, almost with unbelief, as the doctor repeated.

“Nothing severe. She doesn’t have any real allergies, just a very mild one to dust mites.”

I wanted to sing and shout for joy!

I wanted to dance and praise the Lord!

Instead, I sat quietly listening to the doctor explain what we could do to manage Anne’s asthma and treat what allergy symptoms she might have.

We left and I still couldn’t display my joy and relief.

Anne was glad too.

But she couldn’t grasp and I couldn’t express my joy.

Since my own allergy screening revealed a severe allergy to dust mites as well as allergies to cats and dogs, plus other lesser allergens, I’ve had to look at life completely differently.

When the doctor looked me in the eye and said,

“You shouldn’t have pets”,

I realized my lifestyle was never going to be the same.

And we’ve made the changes which my health has required.

Our two cats have new homes.

Rose now lives with my mother on the ranch.

(Which is closer to Bell, so she gets to visit her often.)

And it is worth it.

I’m actually up doing things.

I was able to drive to the doctor’s, be there three hours, drive back to the city, buy groceries and then drive home, to unpack and help put away.

Even a month ago I couldn’t have done that much.

So when I heard Anne isn’t severely allergic to anything I couldn’t have been happier.

It means her future will be more flexible and her lifestyle can look different than mine.

And I’m so thankful.

Not to be misunderstood.

I’m not upset I have allergies.

I know God is in control,

even of that.

But I am thrilled beyond measure,

that Anne

has

nothing severe.