Mere Christianity...

My friend Ron lent me "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis, which I have been meaning to read for... well, most of my life. While reading it today, I came across a couple of thoughts that I wanted to quote - undoubtedly I'll have another post or two referencing this book, but here's what I'll share for now:

"I have heard some people complain that if Jesus was God as well as man, then His sufferings and death lose all value in their eyes, 'because it must have been so easy for Him'. Others may (very rightly) rebuke the ingratitude and ungraciousness of this objection; what staggers me is the misunderstanding it betrays. In one sense, of course, those who make it are right. They have even understated their own case. The perfect submission, the perfect suffering, the perfect death were not only easier to Jesus because He was God, but were possible only because He was God. But surely that is a very odd reason for not accepting them? The teacher is able to form the letters for the child because the teacher is grown-up and knows hot to write. That, of course, makes it easier for the teacher; and only because it is easier for him can he help the child. If it rejected him because 'it's easier for grown-ups' and waited to learn writing from another child who could not write itself (and so had no 'unfair' advantage), it would not get on very quickly. If I am drowning in a rapid river, a man who still has one foot on the bank may give me a hand which saves my life. Ought I to shout back (between my gasps) 'No, it's not fair! You have an advantage! You're keeping one foot on the bank'? That advantage - call it 'unfair' if you like - is the only reason why he can be of any use to me. To what will you look for help if you will not look to that which is stronger than yourself?" (pg. 58-59)

And also from page 65...

"God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then... There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last for ever. We must take it or leave it."

Update

I'm still alive.

I didn't end up going in to Tsawwassen for job shadowing - I called Paige and told her how crazy stressed I was feeling about some of my school stuff and she said "don't worry about it! We can reschedule for January!" (After all, this wasn't required, it was just something I wanted to do).

So I felt better.

Today, I worked on my directoral project for "The Tempest" and then Gabby came over to study for our Stagecraft final. I can do this.

And then I watched last week's episode of "The Office" again because it is SO freaking funny. Sometimes you just need a little light-hearted escapism in your day!

Also, you all need to go to this site: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1y64mxm85s

I LOVE Dave Barnes. What a funny guy.

Okay. Merry Christmas!

the Christmas Crazies.

I'm desperately trying to finish off my remaining school work - tomorrow (Tues.) I'm shadowing Paige Hansen at SDSS as a drama teacher (it's recommended that anyone going into education has at least a few experiences in the classroom before finishing TEP, PDP or BEd). Wednesday morning is my Introduction to Technical Theatre final exam... I'm not at all prepared. That night we have the youth Christmas banquet, leaving me little to NO time to work on my final project for my Intro to Theatre class on Thursday morning.

Yikes.

If I can just survive past Thursday morning, my life will be easy, breezy and wonderfully Christmas-oriented. HOWEVER, I literally have no idea how I'm going to get all of this done.

Why not work on it RIGHT NOW instead of blogging? Well, I'm trying to... but every once in a while I become paralyzed with fear and have to resort to sneaking some Reese's pieces or staring at my Christmas tree or venting on a website...

AAAAH.

Also, I've asked Kyle for Christmas movies for Christmas (scrooged, home alone, muppet christmas carol, it's a wonderful life, white christmas, the grinch, elf), but what good does it do me to open a gift that I will not be able to enjoy for a whole 'nother year?! dag nabbit. I still want them, I just want them now so that I can enjoy them. He already tried to buy me one, but I had already bought it for myself... (Christmas Vacation).

Okay, back to the grind. Wish me luck.

my whitt

I'm a tad late. I meant to write this a few weeks ago, but school and rehearsals and, well, life caused me to delay.

My sister, Whitney Shea (Saip) Dyck turned 24 on October 24th - her champagne birthday. It's hard to believe that we're getting into our mid-twenties... I remember sitting on our bedroom floor, making barbie cars out of slippers and wondering what we would look like when we turned 16.

I have lots of memories with Whitt - she has been my "other half" since 1988. From before I can remember I have tried to be just like her... everything from outfits, to hairstyles (pixie cut in grade 5, yikes), to last names... haha. In all honesty though, I don't know who I would be without her. She has played such a vital role in shaping who I am today - she's always been a coach, cheerleader, mentor, confident, supporter and best friend to me, and I can't explain how much she means to me.

So Whitty, happy (belated) birthday. I love you more than you'll ever know.

xo Jay

Day by Day.

I wrote this note for facebook last week, but I thought I'd share it on my blog as well...

Joshua 1:9

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

sometimes I get discouraged. sometimes I wonder why I'm still dealing with these health issues, why God hasn't healed me. but then I remember just how good I have it... just how blessed I am. despite the frustration I sometimes feel, I know that I belong to an all-knowing, all-loving, all-powerful Saviour.

i love this old hymn. my prayer is that these words would always ring true in my life.

Day by day and with each passing moment,

Strength I find to meet my trials here;

Trusting in my Father's wise bestowment,

I've no cause for worry or for fear.

He whose heart is kind beyond all measure,

Give unto each day what He deems best;

Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,

Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev'ry day the Lord Himself is near me

With a special mercy for each hour;

All my cares He fain would bear and cheer me,

He whose name is Counselor and Pow'r.

The protection of His child and treasure,

Is a charge that on Himself He laid;

"As your days, your strength shall be in measure,"

This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in ev'ry tribulation,

So to trust Your promises, O Lord;

That I lose not faith's sweet consolation,

Offered me within Your holy Word.

Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,

E'er to take, as from a Father's hand,

One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,

Till I reach the promised land

this eminent spotlight.

I'm pretty excited...

this coming Wednesday is the first read through of "Girl in the Goldfish Bowl", which is the Morris Panych play that I was cast in at UFV. The cast is only 5 people and, in all honesty, everyone is SO great! (Which sounds conceited, but you know what I mean).

The play is set in 1962, when air raids and the Cuban missile crisis are part of daily conversation.

My wonderful, marvellous, talented friend Gabby Bohmer is the lead - she plays 10 year old Iris - and she is PERFECT for the part. Just an all-star.

Ron Jackson - a very funny and intimidatingly gifted actor - will be playing Owen, Iris' father, who has not worked since World War II (when he accidentally shot himself in the leg while loading a gun), and is completely obsessed with physics.

Rebekah Brisco - what a doll. Lovely, talented and hilarious! She will be playing Sylvia, Iris' mother, who, in an attempt to leave the family, slipped and broke her wrist, and is now stuck in an awkward situation.

Josh Wilson - who I think of when I think of "UFV Theatre". Very talented, and although I was super intimidated by him at first, he's actually very sweet and VERY funny. He will be playing Lawrence, an aimless drifter with an undistinguishable past whom Iris found on the beach and believes to be the reincarnation of her dead goldfish, Amahl ("I named him Amahl because that's where we bought him").

And me. I play "Miss Rose" ("maybe I'll tell you my first name when we've known each other a little longer.....Vivian"). I am the boarder at Iris' house, middle-aged, hopelessly stuck in the war years (for those were my glory days), I spend my days working at a fish cannery, and my nights down at the Legion making out with Veterans "like its VE day all over again" (although you never see it). I have the least amount of lines in the play, but the role is fabulous! (I actually have the most costume changes, which means that I will have multiple dresses made JUST for me!)

It's going to be wonderful. The show goes up in late January and runs until Feb. 6th. You should come see it.

xo - J

Really?

Look out, world. I'm "displeased".

"Hello...Jalen, is it?"

"Yes, hi"

"You've been dealing with this "condition" for a year and a half? hmmm... interesting. Have you had allergy testing before?"

"Yes, a year ago I had blood testing done through a naturopath"

"Oh. Well, I don't care what a naturopath found - do you KNOW of any allergies you have?"

"No... not for sure"

"Alright, let's do some tests then."

(Prick test, right arm foods, left arm contact allergens - 10 minutes of "reaction time")

"According to your reaction, it appears that you're quite severally allergic to dust mites"

"Oh. Is that why my arm is so swollen?"

"Yes. This allergy could be aggravating your skin quite a bit without you knowing it..."

Great. Wonderful.

First of all, naturopathic medicine (if that's what you'd call it - www.eczemanaturalhealing.com) has literally been THE ONLY thing that has had a lasting positive impact on my health (obviously also through God's help and healing), and although it's slow as the dickens (and some days I want to give up) it's effective for long term.

Secondly, my apartment is carpeted wall to wall to wall except in the kitchen and bathrooms... so, thanks so much for suggesting that I not have carpet - super helpful. Also, I don't think covers for my duvet, mattress and pillows are covered under my medical plan, so I'm not going to be able to run down to the store and purchase those anytime this semester, but thanks.

Basically, thank you for making me aware of an enemy that I actually cannot fight right now... except for more frequent dusting and vacuuming.

Pfff. I'm just frustrated. Why does no one respect natural healing? Medical plans don't cover pillow covers or probiotics or enzymes, or ANYTHING that helps me, but they DO cover steroids and cortisone creams and other garbage that has actually caused SO much damage in (and ON) my body. It's dumb. Really stupid.

I had to get that off my chest. I'm not saying that allopathic medicine is bad, I'm just saying that there should be a certain amount of cooperation and respect between the different methods of healing... I'm tired of being made to feel stupid by doctors. I've been dealing with this for a year and a half now and I know a few things about my body that they don't. I have a vested interest in my well-being, and I can't just tell myself "good luck" and send me out the door with a prescription.

Okay. I'm done. Sorry for losing my cool a little bit, but seriously.

my darling autumn.

I love fall. I really LOVE it. It gives me the warm fuzzies inside just THINKING about it!

Here are some thing I will always associate with fall:

- cozy clothes

- stunning colours

- crisp air

- pumpkins

- apple cider

- coffee dates

- gingerbread

- apple crisp

- my mom's "fall display"

- boots

- halloween (I love dressing up, carving pumpkins, having parties... even the smell of the candles inside the pumpkins!)

- family get togethers

- thanksgiving

- jazz music (specifically the Harry Connick Jr. "when harry met sally" album)

I love, love, love it. Unfortunately I'm not able to enjoy some of the usual highlights of fall because of my stupid skin, but hopefully that will all change soon! (I would LOVE to have a latte and a ginger-molasses cookie right now!)

My wonderful Aunt Terri sent me this fall collage a few days ago, and I just had to share it!

It is well.

Hey guys.

The past couple of weeks have been a little nutty.

Some of you may already know that Lyle (my wonderful stepdad) has been in the hospital for awhile now. He was diagnosed with epidural spinal abscesses. Basically, he had something comparable to tumours along the base of his spine that were causing him a lot of pain and threatened to cause neurological damage or paralysis if not treated immediately. On Thursday night they decided to do emergency surgery to try to reduce the risk of paralysis. The surgery went well, although they were unable to remove the abscesses, they could release some of the pressure around his spine. He's still at Royal Columbian Hospital, and they're now attempting to take care of the rest of the "problem" with antibiotics and other medications.

Thank you to those of you who were praying for our family - we can't tell you how much we've appreciated it! Lyle has really felt God's comfort through this whole ordeal (I think he's been calmer than mom and us four kids!) and we're obviously also VERY relieved that he still has full function of his limbs (and his mind!).

Lots of love.

Toms Shoes

This movement is rad.

Toms shoes is a company which was developed for the purpose of distributing one pair of shoes to a child in a third-world country for every single pair of shoes that they sell.

What an awesome idea.

http://www.tomsshoes.ca/content.asp?tid=529

check it out.

Personally, I love this pair:

I just need to have a little recovery time from my "all natural supplement" med purchases and school tuition and then these bad boys will be making an appearance on my feet! haha

Autumn

I wrote this poem in the end of August 2009, and it seems fitting to share it once again...

My eager friend has left his subtle fingerprints across a day that is not his own.
A scent, one smell - a memory. "Back so soon?"
But no. Just a hint, in jest, before retreating - almost undetected - into the August midday.
A shade, a hue, has caught my eye - a leaf anxiously embracing my dear friend's splendor.
A deliciously majestic auburn, shaming it's neighbors in appearance.
But this poor, beautiful leaf will be the first to fall... a leader for the myriads to follow.
"You're too early, dear friend", and I know he agrees as the wind catches my hair.
"A couple more weeks, then?"...and I know he's gone again.
But soon, as time dances away another season, he'll return.
With ferver and passion he'll paint his canvas in rich golds, intermingling reds, oranges and browns - a stunning work of art.
But his welcome is never as warm as the world which he creates around us.
A sigh, at first;
a mourning time over the loss of another sweet season who left us much too young.
In this sad state we sit, as my friend labours, unappreciated, to remake the world around us.
He knows his time will come...
And then, before it even seems he was here at all, he will be the one dearly missed.
I've missed you, my old friend. Welcome back.

on with the show!

As you may or may not know, I spent these past two weeks running "Shine Performing Arts" day camps! My mom and I were out to lunch (literally and figuratively) one day back in March or early April and we were discussing the possibility of me running my own musical theatre classes... and that's how Shine Performing Arts was formed! My friend Jon Campbell from Kuztek solutions created the website (http://www.shineperformingarts.com/), I printed flyers out and posted them around town and I ran ads in the Abbotsford newspaper. Slowly but surely, parents began to sign their kids up!


So, August 9th-13th I had nine children between the ages of 6 and 8 learning about singing, acting and dancing down in the Youth Center of Immanuel Fellowship Baptist church! Monday through Friday, 9am - 2:30pm, I was "Miss Jay". At the end of the week we invited the parents to come and watch us "perform" what we had learned. One of the moms video taped the kids performing - http://www.youtube.com/user/celinasart#p/a/u/1/m_HOCsJmyTQ


Sorry about the whining kid... believe me, it was much more annoying in person! haha


Then, the 16th-20th I had six 10 - 12 year olds (and one random 7 year old little sister who asked to join in half way through the week!). This camp was more drama based - we played lots of theatre games, learning about improv, blocking, vocal techniques, etc. Really fun! Below are some pics of them from the last two days.

I had a tonne of fun with these kids. Many of the parents from both groups were wondering whether I would be running once-a-week classes in the fall, which I was hoping to do! So, all in all, it was a great two weeks, and I look forward to many more camps to come!

songs that equal "summer"

So, here are some songs that will FOREVER make me think of summertime...

Phil Vassar - Six Pack Summer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYpdFYWNSC4

Nikka Costa - Everybody's Got Their Something
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyeoW4ifNik

Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes and Chocolate Milk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5CLmflrwIA

Brandtson - Earthquakes and Sharks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTIUDsb2XGs

Chris Brown - Forever
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sMKX22BHeE

Lessons from Job.

Recently, when feeling quite frustrated with my current health-situation, I have referenced Job. Job's story is found in the Old Testament of the Bible - he was a a Godly man: generous, kind, righteous and integral. For this reason, he is the target of Satan's attack. In an attempt to cause this "Godly man" to curse his Lord, Satan causes him to lose his children, his wealth, and eventually his own health. Greatly afflicted with health problems (including boils all over his skin), Job is visited by 3 "friends. They urge Job repeatedly to "repent of his sin", for clearly this is God's punishment! Job argues with them, telling them that he really has nothing to confess - he has lived a life which glorifies God. Basically he says "I haven't done anything wrong. I don't understand why God is doing this to me; why He hasn't answered my prayers." He is upset. Frustrated. Confused. That's how I've felt. I understand that Job's situation was MUCH worse than what I am going through, but I have related to his lamenting more than once...

... and then I read the end of the book - an extremely humbling experience, I assure you.

Job has basically said "I don't deserve this" when he receives this response from God...

Chapter 38
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone..."

On to Chapter 40...

...2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!"

3 Then Job answered the LORD :

4 "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.

5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more."

6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:

7 "Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

8 "Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"

9 Do you have an arm like God's,
and can your voice thunder like his?

10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,
look at every proud man and bring him low,

12 look at every proud man and humble him,
crush the wicked where they stand.

13 Bury them all in the dust together;
shroud their faces in the grave.

14 Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you."


Basically, God is saying "you don't deserve this? Who are you? Do you deserve ANY of what I have given you? Imagine if I gave you what you TRULY deserve!"

In Chapter 42 Job humbles himself before the Lord:

1 Then Job replied to the LORD :
2 "I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.

3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'

5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you"

The Chapter ends by telling us that God blessed the latter part of Job's life twice as much as he blessed the first.

So, I'm finally starting to understand that I can't comprehend God's plan... I can't predict His timing. I believe He'll heal me. I believe that He's teaching me joy, patience, contentment, perseverance and humility. I do know, however, that He has been merciful to me. God has given me a life of hope and purpose which I don't deserve. The creator of the Universe loves me and I really don't have a clue why.

I have to dive into the Bible more... it's full of awesome truths.

if you think of me...

Hey guys.
So, as some of you may know, I'm still struggling with some unidentified health issues. If you look back on my blogs from this past winter you'll see just how severe it was... and although I had thought that I was nearing the end of it all, it seems that I'm not "in the clear" just yet. Although I am still eating quite plainly, I've been having some random outbreaks lately: a couple spots on my face and neck,my jawline, my shoulders, down my arms and along my neckline.
Needless to say, I'm frustrated. It's not easy to change your whole lifestyle in order to beat something just to find out that you're really not beating it at all. I want to be patient and gracious through this whole process... so I could use some prayer.
So, if you're thinking of me, pray that God would give Kyle and I a maturity beyond our years as we deal with this constant annoyance. I'm honestly SO grateful for how far I've come since those scary pictures in February, and for the fact that I have felt God's comfort through it all. I know that there are a lot of you that have had me in your prayers, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that.

Love. (Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Self-Control)

Jay

guess what?!

My wonderfully fabulous Aunt Terri read my last post and (because she is a shameless spoiler of her nieces and nephews) promptly searched for the dresses I loved so much. Unfortunately some of them were out of stock while others were only available in the wrong sizes. SO, she sent me a gift card to modcloth! aaaaah! Needless to say, I wasted no time finding two new, ridiculously cute, dresses!

Ta da!

"Row Your Bow-t"


"Don't Call it a Comeback"


THANK YOU, AUNT TERR! You really shouldn't spoil me so... I'll turn into a rotten brat! haha
Love you lots. xoxoxo - Jellybean

what i wish I were wearing...

Elissa, my wonderful but very far away friend, introduced me to modcloth.com tonight.
Within 20 minutes I found my dream dresses...
so, these are the dresses I'd be wearing if I had some $fund-ilation$ to spend...

You can find these dresses, and hundreds of other FABULOUS clothing items, at www.modcloth.com

"Latitude and Longitude Dress"

"Buds by the Hundreds Dress"

"Ribbon Dancer Dress" (favourite)

"Platinum Party Dress"

"In the Limelight Dress" (2nd favourite)

gotta sing, gotta act!

So, as some of you may know, I'm going to be running musical theatre summer day camps for kids in August. I did a similar sort of class through parks and rec for a couple of years and figured "why not do what I love, make some money and teach kids how to be confident in their talents?"
And so, it's happening! As soon as the website is good to go (Tomorrow, I believe) I will be printing out flyers and distributing them at rec. centers and churches across Abbotsford.

All this to say, I'm excited! Because I'm still healing, this "self-employment" allows for me to not only create my own cirriculum and manage my own schedule, but also to do a couple of courses without "over-doing it", leading to another health-digression.

To add some visual interest, here are a couple of photos I had sent to Jon Campbell (who is creating my website for me!) as possibilities for my "instructor" page...

singing at YC

Guys and Dolls!

Les Miserables (dress rehearsal)

"Rat" - Fantastic Mr. Fox

"Cars That Go Boom!"

YC

Les Miserables

i want to paint a picture.

I want to paint a picture -
not of flowers or of buildings,
but of you and me. Right now.
I want to cover the canvas with
blues and greens. Peace, contentment.
I want to splash yellow across the middle.
Happiness.
And for love - for our love - Rose.
Not quite pink, not quite red.
Warm, inviting...comfortable.
And I want all the colours to compliment each other,
Like you compliment me.
And in the middle, I want there to be a tree,
and on that tree will be a swing.
Because a swing is a place where you can fly.
And you can laugh... and you can dream.
You're that place for me.

this is April.

So, there have been some big changes - mostly my health and my hair! I'm doing really well, health-wise, so praise the Lord because He's been doing amazing things in this silly body of mine. I'm still on a SUPER strict diet (bummersville) but I would rather eat rice and bok choy for lunch EVERY day than feel the way I felt in January, February and March. Shocking revelation - which may or may not be accurate - I think I might be allergic to some nuts... PEANUTS being one of them! What's the point of going ON, I ask you? No peanut butter? Are you KIDDING me?! We'll see if that's true though... It's hard to tell.

And now for the hair - I was feeling kind of "blah" about myself... the skin thing left me looking slightly aged and my hair had been tightly pulled back in a high Sumo wrestler bun for about three months (it itched my shoulders and neck otherwise!). SO, I decided to go a little funky... to show off my artsy side, if you will. More blonde and a little splash of pink. It's fun and unique and I'm loving it!
Below are two pics: one of da' hair, and one of Howie and I, Tori and Elise's new puppy (SO cute, too bad he can't stay that way forever...)

patience.

So, its back to what it was in those first few pictures taken on February 3rd.
I was only given a few days worth of steroids, and when they were done, the problem that they had "fixed" came back full force. Because steroids take down inflammation, once you STOP taking them (and are still trying to detox those things out of your system) you swell up. Bummer.
I'm still confident that God is healing me... I won't lie though, its hard to be patient. He's healed me before (ask me some time about what happened in Cuba), so I know He can... I'm just wondering when He will.
Luckily I didn't have school this week because there's no way I could go - this semester has been a gong show, attendance-wise. I've missed A LOT. Had I known how sick I would become, I never would have registered.
But, the show must go on!

Keep praying for me, if you think of it. Pray that I would sleep through the night and that the swelling would go down in my eyes. Basically just pray that God would heal me VERY soon. So soon that it can be a testament to HIS ability to heal, and not that of detoxification or meds.

Much love. Jay

less than three days...

Just like I promised - here are the photos. First few taken on February 3rd while talking to Whitty on the phone, followed by those I took earlier today.

Great is Thy Faithfulness.

It's been a tough few weeks.
I went up and down like a yo-yo in terms of my health... My skin would like semi-decent (although never close to normal) and then I would wake up with my eyes swollen, my face cracking apart and my neck ridiculously inflammed. To be perfectly honest, I felt terribly discouraged...
But God is good.
Wednesday, February 3rd, was a breaking point... I phoned Kyle to come home from work because I was feeling so frustrated, and alone... and just sad. He came home, but could only stay for about an hour and a half as he had to run youth that night. So he left...
And just a little while later, my Auntie Marilyn called. She asked me to tell her what was going on, so I explained the whole situation - the months of unanswered questions, the medications, supplements, lotions, tests, trials, etc. And she prayed for me. She reminded me of my worth in the Lord, of the beauty God had created in me, and that Satan wants to use situations like this to break us... to cause us to despair. She told me to rejoice in the Lord - to sing songs of praise and to remember that God is bringing me through this. She said that she had been about to leave the house - coat on and all - but felt that God was telling her not to leave until she called me. I have never been more thankful for God's timing.
So I started to sing... and the phone rang. It was whitt - and she encouraged me to persevere. She also told me to take a couple of pictures of my skin so that I could see the transformation in the days to come. I will post those pictures in a few days along with some pictures of my face now.
We hung up, I sang another worship song, and Gatlin called - just wondering how I was doing. Wanting to let me know that he was praying for me, and so was his entire floor at school. While I was on the phone, Sarah texted and asked if she could come over and hang out - YES PLEASE! We watched some tv and chatted about the events of the night. Kyle came home with flowers and a movie he rented for me, and although I was looking rough, I felt joy, hope and a peace that could only come from the Lord.

The next morning my mom phoned to ask if she could take me to Emergency in Abbotsford that afternoon for some bloodwork. I was still MUCH too sick to go to class, so I said "sure, why not!" She also asked if it would be alright to have Steve and the Elders from the church come over (in Tsawwassen) that night to pray over me - sounded like a good plan to me! My dad also called to see how I was doing and to tell me to "let your mom take charge here! It's time for answers!"

Kyle was home for the morning and we relaxed and watched a movie together, and then mom came to Abbotsford and took me for some sushi (no sauce, no sesame seeds, no soy!) and then to the hospital. Eyes followed me through the hallways - understandable, since I appeared to be suffering from severe burns on my face and neck (nope, just eczema!) Bloodwork was done and I was told that I have "suprisingly great blood for someone who looks like you" haha. I attribute that to Dr. Sunny Lee who has me on a strict detox. They gave me some Steroids to calm the inflammation, some lotions to soothe the pain, and a recommendation for some Vaseline (awesome stuff. I love it.) Throughout that afternoon I recieved texts and phone calls from a myriad of people who told me that they were praying for me... and I could feel it.

We picked up whitt from Langley on our way to Tsawwassen, and I actually felt quite happy, riding along with mom and whitt. I expected God to do big things... and He did.

Melissa and Michelle came for a "girly visit" and in the time that they were there, I was already transforming...By the time Steve and the Elders came over I could fully turn my head (doesn't sound like a big deal to you...) and smile (which I was doing a lot of). It was great to be covered in prayer - and I woke up the next morning almost unrecognizable. God is good.

I'm ACTUALLY on the road to recovery now, I believe. I'm sticking with the detox and supplements - and acupuncture treatments - because God also gave me a brain, and to just quit on the detox or on any treatment would be ridiculously stupid.

Thank you, to all of you that have been praying for me. Like I said, I'll post some "before and after" pictures either later on today, or in the next couple of days... and when you see them, you'll know why I'm praising God.

Love.
Jay

quick update

So, I promised to update you - here it is:
Not feeling so hot.
I still believe that the detox is working, but that it's getting worse before it gets better... and believe me, it's worse. I woke up multiple times throughout the night last night because of pain... which is not super helpful for getting "as much rest as possible".
Don't worry though... I'm figuring this out - trying to find some time to really heal.
If you think of it, pray for me. I'm trying to be patient... Maybe just pray that I'd be able to sleep through the night.

Thanks guys. Hopefully I'll write again in the next couple of days about my recovery!
love - J

My Road to Recovery

Let's blog this thing.
So, things have gotten better recently with my "allergic reactions"... my skin was getting increasingly better - I was actually thinking that the problem had, indeed, been solved! I was being VERY careful not to eat anything that contained even TRACES of egg, sesame or milk. I was good to go, basically.

Wishful thinking.

On January 4th, while in Washington with my fam, all rashy-face/neck/body-hell broke loose! It flared up just as it had done before... maybe worse. I have to admit that there were a few "tearful episodes" that occured. I was back to where I started 9 months ago - no answers.

So, I booked an appointment with a Dr. in Vancouver that my aunt Terri referred me to. Not only is he a "normal" practitioner, he is also a Dr. in traditional Chinese Medicine. The man is brilliant. Whitney was with me in the appointment (a major blessing), and after just a few short minutes of checking my wrists and eyeballs I was told EXACTLY what was going on with me. He knew all of my symptoms (that I never connected to the eczema) and I found out that my Liver has been in over-drive and that my pancreas and spleen have been in under-drive (is that a word?!) Not a good thing. My system isn't detoxing as it should - bummer!

SO, it's detox time. It's time to fix my Liver, mostly. It would be hard for me to list everything I CAN'T eat, so I'll tell you what I CAN : rice, cooked veggies(no mushrooms!), almond/rice milk, chicken and white fish, yeast-free bread, sugar-free/salt-free peanut butter, "hot soups" (but with no salt...?)... some teas... that's all I can think of.

I am also taking 12 pills per day... vitamins of course (and some liver boosting pills). There are also a couple of rules - I have to drink 1 1/2 to 2 litres of water or liquid everyday as well be ASLEEP by 11pm (after all, 11pm - 1am is the time of night that your liver detoxes... duh.)

So... that's what I'm doing. It's not super fun, but I think it's going to "fix me". I'm really grateful that I finally have a plan... Kyle and I have been praying for answers, and I believe that the Lord has provided answers - through a Chinese Medicine Doctor!

Thanks for reading guys - I'll let you know how it's going in the near future.