LEAP

Life is interesting, isn't it? Sometimes challenges come up that require a leap of faith. I've had to do that a few times over the years, but it's never easy. It kind of feels like I'm launching myself into space without a guide wire to hang onto. One of those leaps confronted me a few weeks ago. And because I decided to leap, I ended up in Las Vegas for more than a week where I received healing treatments that I wasn't completely sure I even believed in.

Since 1991 I've lived with chronic pain that began with a serious auto accident. I have a list of painful conditions that I'll leave for another day, but recently I was diagnosed with of renal cell carcinoma. Ugh. 

I was scheduled for surgery to remove the kidney and the tumor and was all set to get it taken care of, but then I heard about another possible option. It could be like a miracle, not just for my kidney but for the rest of me as well. New clinics popped up all over the country, but there were long waiting lists. When I called the office in Las Vegas I was surprised to discover the clinic had room for me, but I had to go right away. I had only a few hours to decide and when I discovered that making the trip meant I'd have to postpone my surgery by almost two months I was anxious about such a dramatic change of plans. But God was waiting for me when I reached out and took his hand. I knew He had my life under control ... no matter what. I took that leap of faith, my hand firmly in his. 

In recent months I'd been hearing about new technology for health care and hoped that someday I'd be able to give it a try. Well, July 4th was my day, at least that's when I got a green light from the clinic in Las Vegas. On the 5th Greg and I set off for Nevada. That was on a Wednesday and Friday morning I walked into the Las Vegas Holistic Clinic. 

The clinic offers many paths to wellness, but I was there for EES, the Energy Enhancement System. If you'd like to do some personal research on it here is a link,  https://www.eesystem.com

I've never taken part in a healing process like the EESystem. But the science is good, and I am convinced that it works. There are some incredible new technologies being released for the general public.

I can't take the time here to explain the intricacies of the system, but in a nutshell, it creates an atmosphere where our body can do what it was designed to do - heal itself. The poisons on our planet have made it nearly impossible for our bodies to function the way they were intended.

I spent eight days in Las Vegas, and a total of 60 hours using the system. I do not know yet what has happened to my cancer. I had a CT scan this morning and I'll keep you updated. What I do know is that my body underwent many changes. The arthritis in my hands, feet, neck and back is much improved. What had been excruciating is more of a nuisance. My vision, which had become very poor due to macular telangiectasia type 2, is much improved. The vision in my left eye is markedly better and my right eye is coming along. Most of my life, I've been a terrible sleeper and I am now sleeping well and waking feeling good. I have a lot more energy and, my balance is much better. I stopped using my cane two weeks ago. These are just the most obvious changes. There are others.

I believe my healing will continue as long as I treat my body and spirit well. I don't know if this is the answer for others, but it has benefited me. Even if my cancer is unchanged or even if it's worse, I am glad I went to Las Vegas. I learned a great deal. Some is just about practical living, how to take better care of myself (now more motivated). I learned some interesting things about me during the long hours of quiet and prayer. One is that I'm braver than I thought. I can do the hard things. I can take a risk.

While at the clinic I met some remarkable people. I am grateful to them for their kindness and their concern for me and for others.

My message? Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones. Life is uncertain and can be downright scary, but if we're to reach out and taste the variety and beauty of life we can't stay locked away in a place where we feel safe.

From time to time I will let you know how my health journey is coming along. And I pray that each of you will embrace a way of living that serves you well and brightens your days with hope and joy.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Taking Risks

In my upcoming book, One Hundred Valleys, my heroine has never been a risk-taker, but when she is hit by an unexpected loss and the discovery of a father she didn't know existed, she takes a huge risk, one that puts her life in jeopardy.

I've always wanted to be the type of person who is not afraid to take risks. Through the years I've taken many, but sometimes it feels like I'm holding back. Maybe that's not a bad a thing. I want to be brave but I don't want to be foolish.

In recent months I've had a couple of situations that required me to take a risk. One had a good result and the other not so good. 

In January my husband and I set out for a winter vacation in Tucson, Arizona. Our son and his family traveled from France to meet us there. It was a glorious vacation. The Arizona weather was gorgeous, and the desert vistas were stunning.

We all stayed in a very nice and spacious condo. While we were there we sampled local cuisine, explored the natural beauty of the region and wandered through state parks. The time with our son and his family was special and fun. So good in fact, that we are already planning another vacation together.

So, what was the risk you might wonder. Traveling is something I love to do, but it is always a risk because of my physical disabilities and chronic pain. I never know how bad it might get. Travel is hard on me. During our vacation to Arizona my pain did make the trip more challenging, but it didn't ruin my good time. I'm so thankful I went.

More recently, just a week ago. I decided that attending a writers conference was worth the risk. I love getting together with other writers. To make it to the conference meant a 2 1/2 hour drive each way. Already hurting from the journey, the seating at the conference turned out to be the undoing of my day. Sadly, I had to leave early and headed home to the comfort of my bed and heating pad. No amount of pain medication would have gotten me through the day.

I was hugely disappointed and felt in some way that I had failed. Often in these situations the enemy swoops in with discouragement and accusation. I moped around for a day and a half, feeling as if I'd never get to take part in activities that I love.

That was a lie! And I'm not going to listen to it.

I can look at this experience as a glass half full or half empty. 

I choose half full. I did get to see many of my writing friends. I received and gave lots of hugs, and managed to fit in a few friendly conversations. I also got to listen to excellent presentations by speaker and writer Sarah Sundin. 

Some of you will likely have difficulty relating to the type of risks I face. That's okay. I want you to think about some things you see as risks in your life. How do you want to face them?

As for me - I am not going to give up. I will keep pushing forward. I will continue to take risks. 

How about you?

It's a beautiful thing to know that God will never abandon us. He will walk the journey of life with us. And when we face a scary challenge he will give us courage.


Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Take A Risk

While preparing to leave for town today, my mind went wandering. It often does. I got to thinking about all I need to accomplish in the coming months. The list is long and I started to feel overwhelmed. I reminded myself that God is able. And yet, worry niggled though my mind. God is able . . . but am I?

My thoughts turned to scripture. Ephesians 3:20 says, "Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Clearly God is way ahead of me and my worries. So the question hangs in the air -- Why do I worry? What is at the core of my doubts?

I have to go to a familiar story. In the midst of a storm Jesus approached the disciples in their boat in a most unusual fashion. He walked on the water. He said, "Don't be afraid. Take courage. I am here." Peter responded by saying, "Tell me to come to you, walking on water." Jesus answer was simple and straight forward. "Yes. Come." Peter climbed out of the boat and stepped onto the water and walked toward Jesus. And then he made a fatal error. He saw the strong wind and the waves, became terrified and sank.

When Peter first stepped out of the boat the storm was all around him, it didn't suddenly appear after he decided to walk to Jesus, but he walked anyway. It wasn't until he looked at the storm instead of Jesus that he got into trouble. That is so like me. I believe. I'm filled with hope. I step out. And then I take my eyes off Christ, off the prize and I sink.

Jesus response to Peter is stunning. Though he reaches out and saves Peter, he says, "You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?" He didn't give Peter any slack. He got straight to the heart of the problem--faith. Who or what was Peter placing his faith in?

Society tells us to rely upon ourselves, our gifts, our strengths or on those things that are offered to us by the world. However, David states the answer to our problems in Psalm 63:8 "I cling to you, your strong right hand holds me securely." Only God has a firm hold on us. There is no security in the world.

Sometimes Peter was impulsive. He jumped to conclusions. He even denied Christ. But with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit he became a man of great faith. He was bold. He took risks. And his eyes were on his Lord and on his calling.

I want to be a Peter. I long to be unafraid. To be bold. And to find tranquility in the presence of my Lord, who offers peace and power. What I must do is keep my eyes on Him and accept His offering.

Have you had a Peter moment, stepped out in faith and then faltered? If we took a survey my guess is we all have. And even when we "fail" Jesus reaches out and lifts us up. Don't let one falter, or a hundred of them, leave you weakened and afraid. Get up. Try again. Take a risk.

Grace and peace to you from God,,

Bonnie

Tips for triumphant living -- Take a flying leap of faith.

Jump and build your wings on the way down is one of my favorite quotes. I don't know who penned it, but it paints a picture of the way I'd like to live my life . . . taking flying leaps of faith.

Perhaps the reason it speaks to me is because I’m not very adventurous. I tend to step out cautiously. In that way I'm very different from my husband. He loves adventure and consequently he has more fun than I do.

There's an Indiana Jones movie, The Temple of Doom (I think that's the title), where Mr. Jones must cross a deep chasm. The secret of crossing the bottomless ravine is that he must step out onto an invisible bridge, believing it's there. Only after taking this step of faith will it appear. If he's to move forward in his journey he's required to make what appears to be a suicidal plunge into the abyss. Any other choice means failure.

We each have moments like that (perhaps not quite so dramatic), when we need to believe and step out in faith without assurance of success or reward. I must confess I often approach these opportunities with trepidation, but some of the results have been remarkable.

One incident comes swiftly to mind. It happened about a year after my accident. I was still in terrible physical shape when I was offered a scholarship to the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference. It made no sense for me to attend, considering my circumstances, but I was certain God had provided this opportunity. I decided to trust and to believe He would take good care of me. That doesn't mean I wasn’t scared; I was.

After four days of soaking in writing expertise offered by teachers and mentors I returned home inspired and ready to write. The Lord had a plan.

The 1992 conference launched my writing career. When I showed up that first day of the conference I didn't know where the experience would take me, but I stepped onto my own invisible bridge. The Lord has blessed my small leap of faith. I've written and published fifteen novels and I'm in the midst of a new series.

It's healthy to move out of our comfort zones and take risks. Do we? If not what might we be missing?

Do you have a story of a time when you or someone you know leapt and built wings on the way down? I'd love to hear it, and I know others who read these posts would be inspired. After all, it's not easy to live triumphantly.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie