Bible Lessons from my Thyroid

The Dr. called this morning, "Your hypothyroidism has gotten significantly worse. We'll be changing your dosage significantly." The last 5 (almost 6 years) have been filled with trips to the Dr., blood draws, trying and changing different medications and many, many mood swings. The thyroid is like a thermostat for the body, controlling temperature, metabolism, hormones and many other delicate systems. It is a tiny piece of the body that has so much power over the way the rest of the body performs.

There are days that I feel wonderful and there are days where I really dislike myself and my body. A thyroid disorder can begin to make you wonder who you really are. What are the hormones changing and what is the real me? It can become really confusing. This is one of the reasons I enjoy journaling. I can look back over the past months or years and see a pattern that helps me realize "this funk should end soon" or "I'm probably just emotional since they changed my medications"... Still, it is very difficult to "take every thought captive" as II Corinthians tells us to do.

Having chronic health issues is not something I would desire for anyone. It is a tough, everyday battle that is not only physically, but also mentally exhausting. It is a daily reminder that your life is not your own and while you can make choices to help or harm your body- you cannot fix your body. We live in a broken and fallen world- which includes our bodies. Jesus is the only True Healer and this body reminds me that I must lean on Him DAILY. "For we are not our own, but we are bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." - I Corinthians 6:20

Rhine A'Flame

Germans love fireworks! If you've ever been in Germany for New Years- you know this. There are more fireworks on New Years than I've ever seen for the Fourth of July in the states. I will always love the Fourth in the states (especially Nebraska) as they often time the fireworks to music and who wouldn't love that?!? Anyway, the Rhine A'Flame was a reminder of just how much Germans love their fireworks.

There was a group of singles and us newly-marrieds that decided to take this excursion. We enjoyed a river-boat cruise on the Rhine with about 50 other boats. It was actually a lovely evening with the sun out, a light breeze and a nice meal served on the boat. We sat on the top deck in preparation for the fireworks to come. Little did I know that our crew was going to be the life of the party.

As other boats drifted by us, we started waving and then it turned into hollering "Hey!" which somehow turned into "A" (maybe that's an American's version of trying to say "Hey!" in German). The next thing you know we've started the Wave and we have little old American ladies sitting on our men's laps! All this attention got me to thinking about what draws people to us? A question I guess I'm still pondering, for now.

After the sun set and it began to cool down, we heard the loud pops and bangs signaling the beginning of the fireworks. Let me give you a little setting here...this section of the Rhine River is one of the most picturesque with multiple castles on each side of the river. Most of these castles were on fire or part of the war at some point in time and this particular fireworks display is to honor the "Burning of the Castles".  So, the boats line up and float down the Rhine River as each castle does a fireworks display ending with the burning of the castle. There are actually so many boats that each castle does their display twice to ensure that each boat gets an up close and personal viewing. Every time we thought the display was over (surely that was the finale'), it would start up again. I would say at least an hour of fireworks- craziness.

All in all, it was a fun time with this group and we met a lot of interesting people!

Ministry Highlights, Activities & Prayer Requests

Ministry Highlights:

* Thursday night Worship Practice (& Sunday Morning Worship Leading): We have had two new leaders within the past two months and this has been quite the transition. Our current leader has done an excellent job of focusing our hearts on the TRUE reason for worship. There are still several "holes" to be filled, as we said goodbye to 9 of our 13 on our worship team.

* Friday night ministry at the Hospitality House: We are currently studying different religions of the world and it has been a brilliant time of study as we learn the general concepts of these religions and how to engage them with the Gospel of Christ. Tonight we will study "Wicca", a religion that has taken a great hold in our community.

* I have really been enjoying my new role with Cadence in Design & Media. I design newsletters for all the Cadence missionaries (who do not often have time to do that on their own). This has given me a new-found love for the heart of the mission of Cadence International. I look forward to sharing more stories about this in future updates!

* Cadence is in the process of building a new website, as well as, discussing ways to better incorporate social media into reaching our military around the world.

* Kyle has had several men reaching out to him as they wrestle with personal and work issues.

Activities:

* A group of 20-30's are going on a special trip on the Rhine River this Saturday. It includes dinner on a boat while enjoying a firework show over the river. We anticipate good opportunities for discussion.

* We have had one "goodbye" event this last week and will have one more each week of July.

* In August, Kyle and I will be heading to Denver for a week of training at Cadence Headquarters.

Prayer Concerns:

* For those who are PCSing (transferring to new bases): Erica, Millie, Marlowe family (our current chaplains), and the Settle Family. They are all leaving during July.

* Please pray for the "holes" that are left by those who are PCSing. We anticipate a new Chaplain this fall, which is always a huge change for the chapel community. 

* When we say "goodbye" often, it is easy to become hardened and not be open to new relationships. Please pray that our community will have open arms and learn to embrace all those new arrivals in our area.

* Please pray for Kyle as he embraces several of these men who have reached out to him. Also, please pray for him in his role in the Air Force. 

* Personal health: Although my health seems to be improving (taken off several medications), there are new complications as I was diagnosed with (very mild) diabetes. I am adjusting to daily insulin injections and all the implications of that.

Happy July!

The heat and humidity tell me it’s summer, but my mind still has a hard time comprehending that fact. Normally, Germany is not quite this hot & humid- at least ‘til August, but it’s a good dose of Nebraska for me. J 

Worship has been a major theme in our lives these past few months. We said “goodbye” to 9 of our 13-man worship team. God has blessed with many new faces to fill the gaps we were so worried about filling. Hmm, a good reminder to quit worrying since it’s all His anyway. Kyle has also helped fill the gaps by rotating in to lead worship Friday nights at the Hospitality House and it has been a privilege to see him grow in that way.

Leading worship is a lot harder than it looks. Not only do you have to play the notes right and sing the notes right, but you’re supposed to play it at the right beat and lead everyone else to play with you. Then you’re supposed to get all the words right and with some feeling too. On top of all that, you are the model for leading others to the Throne of God! We are learning more of how worship is less of a “Do-it-All-Right” Responsibility and more of a regular lifestyle. Am I living every day at the Throne of God and am I pointing others to the cross of Christ through my everyday living? Then when we sing or play, we are already there. We were made to worship- every moment of every day.

Goodbye’s continue to be a large portion of our summer as well. It is still my least favorite part of military ministry, but God is our portion and strength. This next week we have a combined going-away dinner for two of my favorite gals here in community- Erica and Millie. Erica is heading to Las Vegas and Millie is getting out of the Army and getting married to one of the guys she met at the K-town Hospitality House! Although we hate saying goodbye, we are excited to see what God will do through them at their new locations.

Kyle and I are enjoying married life as we feel like we have found a rhythm of life. In May, we were able to move to a small house (shared with another Cadence missionary) and it suits our needs so much better. We now have room to host events, a back-yard with a small fire-pit and built in community upstairs! :) We are so thankful for God’s gift of marriage and for community here in Germany who have helped us wade through some of those difficult transitions newlyweds experience.

My health has had it’s ups and downs these past few months, but it looks like we’re on an up-trend now. I was able to go off of half of my medications and have been feeling MUCH better. I still have a few more wrinkles to iron out there, but I've been amazed at how much more I feel like my old self. I've even had comments from folks in the area about how much better I seem to be feeling. Thank you for your prayers!

Thank you for your partnership in ministry to our military in Germany!