miracles come in tiny, perfect doses

I take a lot of pills but I am really, really okay with that. For years and years, my family and I have prayed for that one pill. That one, unobtainable, perfect, magic, fix-all pill.  
Yeah, those don't exists. 

But they do make one pill that is pretty dang close to that miracle pill that my family and I have searched for for nearly 15 years. 

Plaquenil.
One pill. Twice a day.
That did it.
I got my life back and what a life it is.

Plaquenil has been around for a very long time; decades. It was first used to treat malaria, then RA and now it is used forLupus. Being diagnosed with Lupus and being treated for it has absolutely changed my life. It is hard to believe that I wasn't diagnosed for so long. I still have Dysautonomia and Chronic Fatigue but they seem to be secondary disorders to the Lupus. Thus, with the Lupus being well controlled, these disorders are controlled as well. 

I just wanted you all to see what my miracle looks like. I'm also reminded everyday, twice day that I wasn't forgotten or forsaken. That is a pretty awesome reminder! 

More to come on my summer! It was busy and long! I have someone very special that I want to introduce to you all!

Six Months Later...

Hello dearest Friends! 

I'm still here and I'm still doing wonderfully well!

I am so happy to say that!

Six months since my last post. I have sooo many things to share! All VERY wonderful things! God's blessings continue to pour over me and wash me through and through. I have been thinking about my blog a lot lately. My blog is about hope; an anchor, a tool, an ointment, a promise. How can I leave my blog when I feel like so many of my dear friends prayed for me during my journey? My journey is far from over. I feel like I am just beginning in many ways. (So many ways!) I want to share hope from the other side too; not just from bed but from this great and wonderful world that I am able to live in now. I want to shout, "This is my God and this is what HE has done!" 

This summer was wonderful. I traveled constantly! Oh, such great joys!!

New Orleans, LA, Austin, Texas, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Panama City, FL, San Francisco, CA
 

Or as I like to call it, "The Heather Thomas Celebration Tour"!!

 

Beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. I have always loved New Orleans but I decided during this trip that I love New Orleans during the day! The crazy people come out at night and it's just a different city. New Orleans in the day is magnificent! (You know because I am such an authority on travel and all.)

My best friend Kim and her roommate Jimmy. My travel companions to New Orleans and Austin. This was our only photo of the 3 of us during our entire trip. 

 

At my favorite restaurant in Austin, Shady Grove. It was yummy.

 See? Yummy!

Visiting Alex in Indiana!!! Alex and I met several years ago in Arizona and we haven't seen one another since then. It has been about 7 years! It was soooo wonderful to see her and meet her wonderful family!

She is one of my favorite people-ever! I always joked with Alex that she would be the first stop on "The Heather Thomas Celebration Tour". She was the second stop! :)

Beautiful beach trip with friends! 

 

 The first time I have had a tan in about 10 years!!

And the trip of all trips this Summer was a trip to San Francisco to visit the Polyvore team! Y'all it was amazing!! Just amazing!

.

 At the airport. On my way! 

My hotel, The Valencia. It was jaw dropping

The famed, Santana Row. Just amazing.

At the Polyvore luncheon with Nadia and Jess.

The Polyvore Office!!! Soooo exciting to see in person!

The Polyvore Staff is truly amazing!! I can't say that enough. Polyvore has encouraged me so much over the years. It is a wonderful community and I am so proud to be a member. They sent me a beautiful Christmas present about 3 years ago because they read one of my blog posts! Not only did they bring a group of us to San Fransisco and treat us like queens but they also gave us a truly outrageous goody bag full of fantastic treats that only Polyvore could pull together! It was an honor and a wonderful to end the Summer!

 "Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.

Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them"

Psalm 126: 5-6

I have so much more to share. But it will have to wait. This is much too long as it is. 

So much more good news to come!

 

Evidence of a new day!!

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert". 

Isaiah 43:18-19

 I am so blessed that God has given me the ability to embrace each day -each wonderful miraculous day- that I am given to celebrate my health. Through His grace alone, am I able to focus on today and not harbor bitterness about the many, many yesterdays and all the things that I have missed. Instead, I want to show you what all I am doing to catch up and find my way in this new world. 

Evidence #1:

I'm in school! This is old news, I know but the new news is that I am enrolled in TWO classes on campus this fall!! SOOOO Excited!!!

 Evidence #2

I am driving and it never gets old! Never, ever gets old...I'm telling you! I cry a lot while I am driving because I am soooo happy. Driving is AMAZING! Did you know that?!

 (don't worry I was stuck in traffic when I snapped this!)

Evidence #3

I wrap friends' birthday's presents. I don't just stick them in bag. Why? Because I feel sooo good! I feel like getting all my pretty paper goods out and using them! I am little rusty with my handiwork...

Evidence #4

I took a big step (for me) a few weeks ago and I have decided to try and find a new church to attend. I am so overwhelmed by this process. I am terrified of meeting new people and being sick over the last few years has really done a number on my self-esteem.  So, I decided that I had to face my fears head on. I am visiting churches by myself and forcing myself to speak to new people and try to find a new church home. I took this photo after my first Sunday visiting a new church. 

  

Thank you for your conintued prayers, love and support! I am so overwhelmed by your love not only here but on facebook, polyvore and through email! You all love me such much and I am touched everyday!

Austin Was Amazing

I am home from Austin and wanted to share some photos from my VERY FUN trip!! Austin is an amazing place! I want to move there. :) I always thought New Orleans was my favorite place but Austin is now on top of my "Favorite Places" List. We did stop in New Orleans on our way to Texas, though. I forgot how completely insane Bourbon Street gets at night. (Just in case you were wondering!)

We had dinner in New Orleans at Emeril's restaurant. It was so good. Kim and her roommate Jimmy. Jimmy is a traveling genius. I want him to plan all my vacations...he planned us a great trip. Please note this is the only photo of the 3 of us! :( I always had Jimmy take our photos and never got one with him. I am such a nerd!

 My best friend Kim.

Beautiful view of Austin nature. 

Some very yummy food trucks on South Congress Street. We had cupcakes! They were delicious! 

This photo was taken with my iphone so its color is a little off. We were at a restaurant called Shady Grove. I had the most amazing sandwich in the history of the world! It was called the "hippie chick". Grilled veggies and chicken on some very good bread!  

That amazing "hippie chick". Seriously, doesn't that look great?!

Our itinerary for our final day. I rested the first half of the day so I really did start out until number 6! :) But I still count it as a very successful day!

Our last night in the great city of Austin. I was pretty excited about this photo!

Thank you so much to everyone who sent me well wishes for this trip and prayed for me while I was gone. I am so happy I was able to go! I am so very thankful! 

Because Sometimes Those Silly Cliches Are Really True...even for me!

I hope you are prepared for a WHOLE LOT of HAPPINESS! When is the last time I said that on this blog?! I will admit it has been awhile!

First order of business. School. School is going really, really well. Even though I am still little bummed that I switched my minor to Human Growth & Development that are two really major positive outcomes. The first is that it compliments my Psychology major a lot more that my first minor did and secondly, I can take every single course for my minor online! Hallelujah! I go to campus once a week and observe at an on site daycare for an hour. Some weeks have been difficult but the last couple have been just fine and (drum roll)....I even drove myself the last two times!! Whoo!  I will be signing up for Summer and Fall classes next week. I am taking two online courses this Summer and taking a leap of faith and choosing to take one course on campus for the Fall. I am nervous and very, very excited! 

Secondly, yes I am driving some!!! Seriously, it feels so nice to drive again. I feel like such a carefree teenager when I am able to drive. I even have a "car-tunes" playlist on my iPod just for the special occasions. I only go places close to home. (Like the pharmacy or to get a pedicure.) I am planning to go to the library this week or next. It is about 25 minutes away. I always drive when someone else is at home and has access to a car-just in case I get where I am going and get sick and can't make it back home. Always be prepared.

Okay, this is my biggest and most exciting news!! I am really nervous but so super excited at the same time. I have decided to go with my best friend Kim to Austin, TX, the first week of April. Kim, her roomate and their friend from church will be coming from Maryland during their spring break. They are coming through Alabama and I will ride the rest of the way with them. I am a little nervous because my mind likes to scream at me and remind me of all the horrible things that could go wrong so far from home but then there is another little voice that is like, "Hey, put on your big girl panties! You have been way too sick for way too long to give up an opportunity like this!" Even though the little voice scares me a litttle, I happen to agree with it and I am taking a huge leap of faith and I am going to Austin...like a regular, normal person!! I am so excited!!!