Without going into the gorey details, my church life has recently changed dramatically and it has been extremely painful. I've shared before how I tend to withdraw when I'm going through a difficult patch and this time is no different. I find myself not answering phone calls, saying "No thanks" to lunch invites, and basically crawling into my cave. Call it hibernating, pouting, or self-preservation. The fact remains, this is my natural tendency.
I've tried not do that this time and have done fairly well. I have my moments, though and today was one of those moments. Our small group meets on Wednesday nights. It's just a group of us who've been friends for years and our families get together for uplifting, encouraging Bible study.
Today, I didn't want to go. I just wanted to hide from the uncertainty, the pain, and just do my own thing. Luckily, my friends didn't let me off the hook that easily and my family and I went after all. I was quiet through the entire meeting because I was fighting back tears. Tears of anger, betrayal, grief...but more than that...tears of thankfulness. I'm thankful for TRUE community and family. I'm thankful for the love of family that exists based on our shared belief in Jesus and that has grown through living our lives together. I was overwhelmingly uplifted and encouraged just by being there.
The same can be true in dealing with chronic illness. It's extremely important to stay connected. Isolation can be devastating and lead to depression in some cases. Staying connected to friends, family, even online friends can be a tremendous blessing. I encourage you to reach out even when you don't "feel like it". Pick up the phone, say "yes" to lunch invitations, even email or visit forums or health blogs. Even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone, don't allow isolation creep into your life with chronic illness.
I'd love to hear what's worked for you and how you've stayed connected to others. Email me (kristenreyna at gmail dot com) or leave me a comment.
With HOPE,
Kristen
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Put on a happy face
Well girls...this is one of those days.
A day when I know I've got to suck it up, put on my big girl panties and put on a happy face. I can take charge of my own life and choose joy or I can wallow in self pity.
Today, I choose joy! What about you? Are you going to allow your symptoms, your financial situation, or even the rest of the world determine your attitude today?
Suck it up, put on your big girl panties and your happy face. I'm not saying that's easy to do because it's not. "Easy" would be wallowing in self pity today. If you find you can't do it alone today, email me and we can find strength together.
Don't fake it, but make the choice to find joy this morning!
With hope,
Kristen
A day when I know I've got to suck it up, put on my big girl panties and put on a happy face. I can take charge of my own life and choose joy or I can wallow in self pity.
Today, I choose joy! What about you? Are you going to allow your symptoms, your financial situation, or even the rest of the world determine your attitude today?
Suck it up, put on your big girl panties and your happy face. I'm not saying that's easy to do because it's not. "Easy" would be wallowing in self pity today. If you find you can't do it alone today, email me and we can find strength together.
Don't fake it, but make the choice to find joy this morning!
With hope,
Kristen
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
What A Weekend!
Welcome to my new Dallas and Plano friends! I was honored to spend time with you this weekend and so encouraged by you!
I was blessed to participate in a Women's Conference last weekend held in Dallas and Plano and it was fantastic! I met so many new friends and was tremendously blessed! I hope to have pictures up soon, so be sure to check back.
I led two breakout sessions, gave a talk in the main arena, and did two of my original dramas as well as shared songs. I was tremendously encouraged by the hearts of my new friends and amazed at how God brings us together through events like this one.
MacKenzie, you've been on my heart since Saturday. I'm praying for you. Your courage and your faith in God is inspiring. Hope to hear from you!
To those who shared their personal stories of illness with me, I'm truly blessed and honored you would share such intimate experiences with me. I would love to hear how things are going for you. Leave me a comment or send me an email anytime! It became even clearer to me this weekend to continue sharing about my illness and the HOPE I've found.
God is good and he never leaves us without refreshing hope. Embrace the hope that comes only from HIM and let's walk together on this journey!
With HOPE,
Kristen
I was blessed to participate in a Women's Conference last weekend held in Dallas and Plano and it was fantastic! I met so many new friends and was tremendously blessed! I hope to have pictures up soon, so be sure to check back.
I led two breakout sessions, gave a talk in the main arena, and did two of my original dramas as well as shared songs. I was tremendously encouraged by the hearts of my new friends and amazed at how God brings us together through events like this one.
MacKenzie, you've been on my heart since Saturday. I'm praying for you. Your courage and your faith in God is inspiring. Hope to hear from you!
To those who shared their personal stories of illness with me, I'm truly blessed and honored you would share such intimate experiences with me. I would love to hear how things are going for you. Leave me a comment or send me an email anytime! It became even clearer to me this weekend to continue sharing about my illness and the HOPE I've found.
God is good and he never leaves us without refreshing hope. Embrace the hope that comes only from HIM and let's walk together on this journey!
With HOPE,
Kristen
Monday, January 26, 2009
Need Your Help
I'm busy preparing for Refreshing Hope which begins next Monday. It's a motivational, inspirational class for women living with chronic illness. I can't wait to get started and next Monday will be our first meeting.
That's where YOU come in! If you live with a chronic illness, please consider leaving a comment for me in answer to the following question:
What is the ONE thing you do for yourself that makes living with chronic illness just a bit easier?
Now I'm not saying anything makes living with illness EASY, but what is it you do for yourself that takes the edge off just a bit? I have never been much for pampering myself, but after living with CIDP for many years, having a pedicure is something I do for myself that makes life easier for me. It's a treat and it's a healthy thing for me.
Now it's your turn!
What is the ONE thing you do for yourself that makes living with chronic illness easier?
With HOPE,
Kristen
That's where YOU come in! If you live with a chronic illness, please consider leaving a comment for me in answer to the following question:
What is the ONE thing you do for yourself that makes living with chronic illness just a bit easier?
Now I'm not saying anything makes living with illness EASY, but what is it you do for yourself that takes the edge off just a bit? I have never been much for pampering myself, but after living with CIDP for many years, having a pedicure is something I do for myself that makes life easier for me. It's a treat and it's a healthy thing for me.
Now it's your turn!
What is the ONE thing you do for yourself that makes living with chronic illness easier?
With HOPE,
Kristen
Friday, November 28, 2008
Shopping, Shopping, Shopping!
I'm one of the crazy shoppers who gets up the day after Thanksgiving, before the crack of dawn and heads out for the deal of a lifetime! This year was no exception.
I got up at 3:15 a.m. and after a quick shower and ten minutes of being sick to my stomach...I headed to Kohl's to stand in line with all the other deal seekers! (I'm being honest about the nausea because this is a CIDP blog and I'm trying desperately to tell it like it REALLY is. I'm not trying to gross you out!)
I stood in line at Kohl's with four or five hilarious ladies who were total strangers, but we were buddies after experiencing the long wait together. It occurred to me after twenty minutes or so, I was standing outside Keva Juice and it should have been open! A delicious smoothie is exactly what deal-seeking women need, isn't it? Hmm...maybe they'll be open next year.
After 45 minutes of waiting, the doors opened and we formed a human shield to keep out those who tried to cut in line. I kid you not! It was like something out of a movie. My new friends hollered to me to find them in the checkout line and they would save me a place in line. I found exactly what I was looking for and was out of there in 15 minutes. (BTW, I bought a KitchenAid set of knives, regularly priced 149.99. My price....insert drum roll....29.99. Oh yeah baby!) I would say this caused a perk in my step, but by now I was dragging my left foot off and on but determined to keep going!
Next stop...JCP...not very exciting. Bought DiMarco one gift, left without anything exciting and caught my breath.
Next stop...Target! I sucked down a bottled water and took my place in line where I stood for over an hour. I listened to four teenage girls behind me and learned some new cuss words and new ways to use some old ones. After the initial shock wore off, we chatted for awhile and they were actually very sweet girls. Despite their harsh exterior they seemed so young.
Target was marvelous when it came to customer service today. Lines were easy to maneuver outside and employees even came out and walked down the line asking shoppers if they had any questions or needed to know where to find an item. Very cool to this weary shopper! On Black Friday, you never know where things will be located in a store. One woman asked where to find a vacuum and the employee told her the boys department. Who would've known? Kudos to Target for customer service this morning and I actually found everything I went for i-n s-t-o-c-k! Can I get a woohoo?
A group of late arriving shoppers tried to rush the door at the last minute and there was an absolute revolt by those who had waited in line. It was hilarious! It was interesting to watch people come together in such a funny situation. Black Friday is the perfect day to study people.
I drug my weary bones back home by 7:00 and crawled back into my comfy bed and slept like a rock, only to get up and do it all over again with my mom several hours later. I can hardly move now. Literally. My legs feel like they weigh 200 pounds each and my hands are ridiculously numb. Such is the life when shopping with CIDP, but boy oh boy was it fun!
With hope,
Kristen
I got up at 3:15 a.m. and after a quick shower and ten minutes of being sick to my stomach...I headed to Kohl's to stand in line with all the other deal seekers! (I'm being honest about the nausea because this is a CIDP blog and I'm trying desperately to tell it like it REALLY is. I'm not trying to gross you out!)
I stood in line at Kohl's with four or five hilarious ladies who were total strangers, but we were buddies after experiencing the long wait together. It occurred to me after twenty minutes or so, I was standing outside Keva Juice and it should have been open! A delicious smoothie is exactly what deal-seeking women need, isn't it? Hmm...maybe they'll be open next year.
After 45 minutes of waiting, the doors opened and we formed a human shield to keep out those who tried to cut in line. I kid you not! It was like something out of a movie. My new friends hollered to me to find them in the checkout line and they would save me a place in line. I found exactly what I was looking for and was out of there in 15 minutes. (BTW, I bought a KitchenAid set of knives, regularly priced 149.99. My price....insert drum roll....29.99. Oh yeah baby!) I would say this caused a perk in my step, but by now I was dragging my left foot off and on but determined to keep going!
Next stop...JCP...not very exciting. Bought DiMarco one gift, left without anything exciting and caught my breath.
Next stop...Target! I sucked down a bottled water and took my place in line where I stood for over an hour. I listened to four teenage girls behind me and learned some new cuss words and new ways to use some old ones. After the initial shock wore off, we chatted for awhile and they were actually very sweet girls. Despite their harsh exterior they seemed so young.
Target was marvelous when it came to customer service today. Lines were easy to maneuver outside and employees even came out and walked down the line asking shoppers if they had any questions or needed to know where to find an item. Very cool to this weary shopper! On Black Friday, you never know where things will be located in a store. One woman asked where to find a vacuum and the employee told her the boys department. Who would've known? Kudos to Target for customer service this morning and I actually found everything I went for i-n s-t-o-c-k! Can I get a woohoo?
A group of late arriving shoppers tried to rush the door at the last minute and there was an absolute revolt by those who had waited in line. It was hilarious! It was interesting to watch people come together in such a funny situation. Black Friday is the perfect day to study people.
I drug my weary bones back home by 7:00 and crawled back into my comfy bed and slept like a rock, only to get up and do it all over again with my mom several hours later. I can hardly move now. Literally. My legs feel like they weigh 200 pounds each and my hands are ridiculously numb. Such is the life when shopping with CIDP, but boy oh boy was it fun!
With hope,
Kristen
Monday, November 17, 2008
My New Bling!
Melie, Would you email me? kristen (at) kristenreyna (dot) com. Thanks!
Thanks to those who left comments about my wedding ring. Your thoughts were so encouraging and I wanted to share my new bling with you!
Thanks to those who left comments about my wedding ring. Your thoughts were so encouraging and I wanted to share my new bling with you!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tears and Pride
Regardless of your political views, last night was a pivotal moment in history. As my oldest daughter and I were watching the election coverage, I felt as though I was witnessing a piece of American history in the making. It was almost surreal. I have to admit, I was moved to tears.
Why? For starters, I love this country. No, I'm not always in agreement with governmental decisions and I'm often indifferent to political issues. But I'm honored to live here in the United States and privileged to live in freedom. Privileged.
I don't care who you voted for. Forgive me, but I honestly don't and I don't think you should care who I voted for. Whether my candidate won or didn't was not the reason for my tears.
I cried because my Nana wasn't alive to witness the election. You see, after the death of my maternal grandfather, my Nana remarried and her second husband was black. That's right, she married a black man. In her day that was unheard of. She was the recipient of hatred and ignorance and my mother and her sisters lived in fear for a period of time. Whether noble or otherwise, Nana lived with pride in her decisions. Her marriage wasn't a perfect one, but despite the discrimination she experienced she was a proud woman.
Funny thing was, it wasn't until I was in the seventh grade that I became aware that not every family was of mixed heritage. I literally thought this was the way every family lived.
As an Anglo woman married to a Hispanic man, I've experienced discrimination although it pales in comparison to what Nana experienced. I've never lived in fear and am proud to live in a part of the U.S. where this is considered the norm.
What saddens me more perhaps than the issue of racial discrimination is the fact that I've experienced more discrimination within the walls of the "church" than anywhere else. The fact that my opinion carries less weight than a man's opinion cuts me to the core and continues to be a source of personal, private grief in my life.
I pray my daughters will never experience what I have, just as Nana prayed her grandchildren would never experience the discrimination she endured.
I cried last night because for those living with chronic illness, a change in our country's leadership can have a dramatic effect on our lives...health care, treatment, insurance, etc. I cried tonight for those who were watching in fear.
I cried because we've come so far as a country and have made huge strides in the area of prejudice. I cried with pride because one man, who years ago would've been forced to ride in the back of the bus, is now given the same rights as any other man. I cried watching the faces of those who've endured hatred and ignorance light up with pride.
I cried because of the magnitude of this election's outcome, no matter which candidate I supported.
How could you not be moved to tears?
With hope,
Kristen
Why? For starters, I love this country. No, I'm not always in agreement with governmental decisions and I'm often indifferent to political issues. But I'm honored to live here in the United States and privileged to live in freedom. Privileged.
I don't care who you voted for. Forgive me, but I honestly don't and I don't think you should care who I voted for. Whether my candidate won or didn't was not the reason for my tears.
I cried because my Nana wasn't alive to witness the election. You see, after the death of my maternal grandfather, my Nana remarried and her second husband was black. That's right, she married a black man. In her day that was unheard of. She was the recipient of hatred and ignorance and my mother and her sisters lived in fear for a period of time. Whether noble or otherwise, Nana lived with pride in her decisions. Her marriage wasn't a perfect one, but despite the discrimination she experienced she was a proud woman.
Funny thing was, it wasn't until I was in the seventh grade that I became aware that not every family was of mixed heritage. I literally thought this was the way every family lived.
As an Anglo woman married to a Hispanic man, I've experienced discrimination although it pales in comparison to what Nana experienced. I've never lived in fear and am proud to live in a part of the U.S. where this is considered the norm.
What saddens me more perhaps than the issue of racial discrimination is the fact that I've experienced more discrimination within the walls of the "church" than anywhere else. The fact that my opinion carries less weight than a man's opinion cuts me to the core and continues to be a source of personal, private grief in my life.
I pray my daughters will never experience what I have, just as Nana prayed her grandchildren would never experience the discrimination she endured.
I cried last night because for those living with chronic illness, a change in our country's leadership can have a dramatic effect on our lives...health care, treatment, insurance, etc. I cried tonight for those who were watching in fear.
I cried because we've come so far as a country and have made huge strides in the area of prejudice. I cried with pride because one man, who years ago would've been forced to ride in the back of the bus, is now given the same rights as any other man. I cried watching the faces of those who've endured hatred and ignorance light up with pride.
I cried because of the magnitude of this election's outcome, no matter which candidate I supported.
How could you not be moved to tears?
With hope,
Kristen
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