Statuses

Social networks. I’m sure you’re the member of at least one of them on the WWW? Let me complain about the so called friends on my friends list. I found that rarely a hand full are interested in what I have to say, in the photos, videos, or notes I post. It seems as if society is at such a fast pace, that all they/you (and sometimes I) have time for, is to write a short comment to some blurb of some friend in the main news stream. How ridiculous! One of my nieces wrote that she used to open the newspaper, or turn on the tv, first thing in the morning, and nowadays she just has to open her FB account to catch up with everybody.

Why did I join MySpace again? I don’t actually recall anymore. I think it was because of the MS groups online, and the Joyce Meyer group. In fact there were many groups one could share interests with. It was fascinating, one could model ones own site. For me it was a way to catch up with a few family members abroad. The most exciting thing was that this very niece is an acquaintant of Tom, who invented MySpace.

A couple years later we had an exchange student from France visiting. After she left we just had to join Facebook, because all the French students weren’t on MySpace but on Facebook. More and more people are on there, even though one can’t do them many artistic things as on MySpace, it’s very plain and simple, plus one loses the right on all the photo material uploaded (!). I hate that about Facebook.

Then last summer we were so bored that we started playing FarmVille. Ten months later, after Island Paradise, and Birdland, my friends list exploded. So I erased all them who I just played games with. This year FrontierVille started, and the friends are getting more and more, and the time to be spend online exceeds all my imagination.

What a luck I’m retired, and have plenty of time on hand, huh?

Anyway, with them over one hundred family and friends again, I’ve noticed that I missed out on news about, to me, important people, because so much runs over the main news feed all the time. Maybe they have the same problem with me? And then most of them are still fulltime employed or pupils/students. *sigh*

But, I used to, in detail, write how I feel, and what I plan on doing this very day, and less and less did I get any feedback at all. I find them funny shuffle statuses stupid. So I found me a way to say something important to send out to my friends each day, in adding a wisdom, or even a Buddhist wisdom, or an inspirational quote. That’s not really me, and I don’t like it that much. Funny: acquaintances respond to those at times now *lol*. But maybe it has some good thing in it as well: I quit being too transparent to the wide world now?

2009 November - Things you have done during your lifetime

Place an 'X' by all the things you've done and remove the 'X' from the ones you have not. At the bottom of the list, add something you've done that's not already on the list. NO EXPLANATIONS! If someone asks you about something, then fine - explain away. Blog or forward to 20 friends (publish).

Things you have done during your lifetime:

X Gone on a blind date
X Skipped school
X Watched someone die
Been to Canada
Been to Mexico
Been to Florida
Been to Hawaii
X Been on a plane
Jumped out of a plane
Been on a helicopter
X Been lost
Gone to Washington, DC
X Swam in the ocean
X Cried yourself to sleep
X Played cops and robbers
X Recently colored with crayons
Sang Karaoke
Paid for a meal with coins only
Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch
X Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
X Made prank phone calls
Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans
X Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere
X Caught a snowflake on your tongue
Danced in the rain--naked
X Written a letter to Santa Claus
Been kissed under the mistletoe
X Watched the sunrise with someone
X Blown bubbles
X Gone ice-skating
X Gone to the movies
Been deep sea fishing
Driven across the United States
Been in a hot air balloon
Been sky diving
Gone snowmobiling
X Lived in more than one country
X Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets
X Seen a falling star and made a wish
Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser
Seen the Statue of Liberty
Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle
X Been on a cruise
X Traveled by train
X Traveled by motorcycle
X Been horse back riding
Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR
X Been to Disneyland
Been to Disney World
X Truly believe in the power of prayer
Watch the bats swarm out of Carlsbad Caverns
Gone river rafting
Been to the Taj Mahal
Picked up a hitch-hiker
Cooked food on a block of salt
Visited the Liberty Bell
X Knitted a sweater (I've crocheted an afghan, does that count? - yes, it does, K!)
X Crossed the Golden Gate Bridge

2010 July - Does humidity make MS symptoms worse?

Q. Does Humidity Make Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms Worse?
Sunday July 4, 2010

So, here I am, having a great time on vacation in the desert. Yes, desert - gets pretty hot in the daytime, but, as they say, it is "a dry hot." I feel great - fewer symptoms all around - fatigue is almost gone, cognitive dysfunction is at a minimum (I can actually have a conversation that makes sense to me AND the other person), all yucky parasthesia in my feet gone or reduced to a little tingle. All this time I am wondering if this improvement is due to the fact that I am on vacation and determined to have a good time, having cleared my brain of all worries.

Then, it rains. And rains. And keeps on raining. It is the "monsoon season" here, apparently. This was accompanied by lots of lightning, which always brings on pretty insane tingling in my feet. When the lightning stops, I feel better and can sleep.

Then comes the next day, and along with it the intense desert sun, shining on all of those puddles and bringing humidity for the first time since I have been here. With the humidity came all of my old familiar MS symptoms, and a big ol' dose of crankiness, to boot. It did not get nearly as hot (by the thermometer) as it had gotten here in days past, but it felt gross (as did I).

As I type this, the puddles are dried up and the humidity is back to normal at 17%. I feel great again. As I contemplate my humidity = MS symptoms, I am trying to enjoy the last days of my vacation without focusing on the fact that the normal humidity back home around this time of year is 75 to 90%.

What do you think? It is pretty impossible to find anything about humidity and MS symptoms in the literature, as the scientists want to focus on things that they can objectively measure, like relapses, rather than things that we "feel" but can't be quantified well. I have to say, as an epidemiologist, as well as a person with MS, I feel like we (that is, you all and myself) are making huge discoveries with some of these "non-scientific" questions.

2010 July - News about mankind

1) everything that’s already in the world when you’re born is just normal;

2) anything that gets invented between then and before you turn thirty is incredibly exciting and creative and with any luck you can make a career out of it;

3) anything that gets invented after you’re thirty is against the natural order of things and the beginning of the end of civilisation as we know it until it’s been around for about ten years when it gradually turns out to be alright really.

Apply this list to movies, rock music, word processors and mobile phones to work out how old you are.

2010 July - Smoking makes MS worse

By Julie Stachowiak, Ph.D., About.com Guide:

I guess it comes as no surprise that smoking makes MS worse, since it really doesn't seem to have any positive effects on any aspect of health. However, I was still a little surprised to see the results from some of these studies.

Let me start by saying that I am not going to harsh on anyone who smokes, who has smoked, who thinks they might take up smoking, so you don’t have to worry about any of that “noise” as you read this article. However, I do want to warn you that it looks like the news is not so good if you have ever smoked in your life – even if you quit a long time ago. Sorry, I wish I had something different to tell you.

Most of the evidence points to smoking as a contributing factor for developing multiple sclerosis. However, once it is a done deal and you have been diagnosed with MS, does smoking still matter?

Yup, looks like it does.

Read the full article:

http://ms.about.com/od/multiplesclerosis101/a/smoking_ms_progression.htm?nl=1

Thought I'd share this to my fellow MSers online.
Gimme your opinion about it, will you?

2007 July - Facts about MS

MS - The Disease

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system. Today over 2,500,000 people around the world have MS.

MS is the result of damage to myelin - a protective sheath surrounding nerve fibres of the central nervous system. When myelin is damaged, this interferes with messages between the brain and other parts of the body

Symptoms vary widely and include blurred vision, weak limbs, tingling sensations, unsteadiness and fatigue. For some people, MS is characterised by periods of relapse and remission while for others it has a progressive pattern. For everyone, it makes life unpredictable.

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). MS is an inflammatory demyelinating condition. Myelin is a fatty material that insulates nerves, acting much like the covering of an electric wire and allowing the nerve to transmit its impulses rapidly. It is the speed and efficiency with which these impulses are conducted that permits smooth, rapid and co-ordinated movements to be performed with little conscious effort.

In multiple sclerosis, the loss of myelin (demyelination) is accompanied by a disruption in the ability of the nerves to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain and this produces the various symptoms of MS. The sites where myelin is lost (plaques or lesions) appear as hardened (scar) areas: in multiple sclerosis these scars appear at different times and in different areas of the brain and spinal cord. The term multiple sclerosis means, literally, many scars.

Quick Facts

• MS is a progressive disease of the nervous system, for which there is no cure.
• An estimated 2,500,000 people in the world have MS.
• More women than men have MS, with a ratio of 2 men to 3 women affected.
• MS is the most common diseases of the central nervous system in young adults.
• There are four types of MS: benign, relapsing remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive.
• Sclerosis means scars, these are the plaques or lesions in the brain and spinal cord.
• In MS, the protective myelin covering of the nerve fibres in the central nervous system is damaged.
• Inflammation and ultimate loss of myelin causes disruption to nerve transmission and affects many functions of the body.
• While the exact cause of MS is not known, much is known about its effect on immune system function which may be the ultimate cause of the disease.
• MS is not directly hereditary, although genetic susceptibility plays a part in its development.
• MS is not contagious.
• Diagnosis of MS is generally between 20 and 40 years of age, although onset may be earlier.
• MS is rarely diagnosed under 12 and over 55 years of age.
• Life span is not significantly affected by MS.
• There are a wide range of symptoms. Fatigue is one of the most common.
• The incidence of MS increases in countries further from the equator.
• There is no drug that can cure MS, but treatments are now available which can modify the course of the disease.
• Many of the symptoms of MS can be successfully managed and treated.

Causes of MS

The cause of multiple sclerosis is not yet known, but thousands of researchers all over the world are meticulously putting the pieces of this complicated puzzle together.

The damage to myelin in MS may be due to an abnormal response of the body's immune system, which normally defends the body against invading organisms (bacteria and viruses). Many of the characteristics of MS suggest an 'auto-immune' disease whereby the body attacks its own cells and tissues, which in the case of MS is myelin. Researchers do not know what triggers the immune system to attack myelin, but it is thought to be a combination of several factors.

One theory is that a virus, possibly lying dormant in the body, may play a major role in the development of the disease and may disturb the immune system or indirectly instigate the auto-immune process. A great deal of research has taken place in trying to identify an MS virus. It is probable that there is no one MS virus, but that a common virus, such as measles or herpes, may act as a trigger for MS. This trigger activates white blood cells (lymphocytes) in the blood stream, which enter the brain by making vulnerable the brain's defence mechanisms (i.e. the blood/brain barrier). Once inside the brain these cells activate other elements of the immune system in such a way that they attack and destroy myelin.

Symptoms of MS

Multiple sclerosis is a very variable condition and the symptoms depend on which areas of the central nervous system have been affected. There is no set pattern to MS and everyone with MS has a different set of symptoms, which vary from time to time and can change in severity and duration, even in the same person.

There is no typical MS. Most people with MS will experience more than one symptom, and though there are symptoms common to many people, no person would have all of them. Common symptoms include:

Visual disturbances

• blurring of vision
• double vision (diplopia)
• optic neuritis
• involuntary rapid eye movement
• (rarely) total loss of sight

Balance & co-ordination problems

• loss of balance
• tremor
• unstable walking (ataxia)
• giddiness (vertigo)
• clumsiness of a limb
• lack of co-ordination
• weakness: this can particularly affect the legs and walking

Spasticity

• altered muscle tone can and muscle stiffness can affect mobility and walking
• spasms

Altered sensation

• tingling
• 'pins and needles'
• numbness (paraesthesia)
• burning sensations
• pain may be associated with MS, e.g. facial pain, (such as trigeminal neuralgia), and muscle pains

Abnormal speech

• slowing of speech
• slurring of words
• changes in rhythm of speech
• difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia)

Fatigue

• a debilitating kind of general fatigue which is unpredictable or out of proportion to the activity. Fatigue is one of the most common (and one of the most troubling) symptoms of MS

Bladder & bowel problems

• Bladder problems include the need to pass water frequently and/or urgently, incomplete emptying or emptying at inappropriate times.
• Bowel problems include constipation and, infrequently, loss of bowel control

Sensitivity to heat

• this symptom very commonly causes a transient worsening of symptoms

Cognitive & emotional disturbances

• loss of short term memory
• loss of concentration, judgment or reasoning

Whilst some of these symptoms are immediately obvious, others such as fatigue, altered sensation, memory and concentration problems are often hidden symptoms. These can be difficult to describe to others and sometimes family and carers do not appreciate the effects these have on the person with MS and on employment, social activities and quality of life.

The course of MS

It is impossible to predict accurately the course of MS for any individual, but the first five years give some indication of how the disease will continue for that person. This is based upon the course of the disease over that period and the disease type. (i.e relapsing- remitting or progressive ). The level of disability reached at end points such as five and ten years is thought to be a reliable predictor of the future course of the disease.
However, there are many variables in this scenario:

• a large percentage of people with MS (approx 45%) are not severely affected by MS and live normal and productive lives.
• there is a significant group (40%) which become progressive after a period of some years as relapsing-remitting.

Who gets MS?

Women are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than men, with MS occurring 50% more frequently in women than in men (i.e. 3 women for every 2 men). Multiple sclerosis is a disease of young adults; the mean age of onset is 29-33 years, but the range of onset is extremely broad
from approximately 10-59 years.

What do I tell people about having MS?

Before you tell people that you have MS, you need to think about what they need to know. Many people will have no experience with MS or, on the other hand, know of someone with MS whose experience of the disease may be very different to yours. Your community includes people who are intimately connected to you and those whom you know casually. Your relatives, friends and employer naturally will want to know what has happened to you, especially if you have visible symptoms. They may also want to know what they can do to help. If you are honest with those close to you and let them know you will accept help when you need it, you will allay their worries and probably find them very supportive.

You can start with a simple explanation of MS and how it is affecting you at this time, so that people are aware of any practical support which you may need without imagining that your MS is any worse than it is. If you have a standard description which you use, it can help to ensure that you feel confident giving the information and that the details you give are consistent. Certain general issues may need to be quickly refuted - for many people there are stereotypes which surround MS (eg that everyone with MS ends up in a wheelchair) or misunderstandings (eg that MS is contagious). MS societies have pamphlets and brochures that will make the task easier. Casual acquaintances can be told if it comes up in conversation or if you wish. In this case there is probably no need for formal explanation.

Older children and adolescents need to be informed but may require a more careful approach. Although they can appear outwardly calm and possibly even indifferent, they are most likely very concerned. Their anxiety can be helped by information. Their concerns need to be addressed as they arise and they need to know that you are willing to speak with them as issues come up. The opportunity to read selected literature from the national MS society may be helpful.

Adolescents feel that they should be treated as adults, and if they are not allowed to play a responsible part in a family problem they can feel both hurt and resentful, and as a result may start behaving in a destructive way. If, however, their cooperation is encouraged they can become surprisingly mature and a source of strength. Trying to keep your problem to yourself will not spare them any anxiety.

2007 July - Experiences

My own experiences with Multiple Sclerosis..:
I understand it this way:
MS is simply just an inflammation of nervs in the brain and spine. That injures the covering of the nervs. If the nervs are hurt, depending on which location, it takes impulses longer to get anywhere in the body. Everything slows down basically.
So depending on which nerv is injured, the body has problems with for instance the sight, the speech, the memory, sleepiness (fatigue), feeling/touching, bladder, and all of ones extremities.
In my case it occured in autumn 2005, that my whole right arm turned numb all of a sudden, from the fingertips up to my shoulder. It felt as if my arm fell asleep, but that wasn't so, and it didn't get better. I kept on working for another 2 weeks, before I decided to see a doctor.
I knew this tingling sensation from earlier on, but before I really recognised something was wrong, that tingling, funny feeling on my skin would go away. And I always had it on body parts that weren't that important, like one half of my behind, or on my stomach, or on my thigh. I mean I could still walk then, it just didn't feel normal when I touched the skin of the other thigh for example.
It must have started in 2003 I suppose.
So this time it was serious, I went to plenty of doctors, and none could really help me. We tried several treatments, and at the beginning it seemed to help, but then it worsened. At the end my arm was just hanging on my body. I couldn't write, couldn't comb my hair, couldn't use flatware (no spoon, no knife, couldn't hold it), and finally I ended up not being able to wipe my own butt.
To shorten this a bit: I was told I had a tumour in my upper spine, which would be dangerous to operate. If they'ld do that I could have ended up in a wheelchair if something would have went wrong, plus I would have been hooked up to a lung machine, my lungs wouldn't have been able to work on its own.
With this scenario in mind, after having settled all my belongings and paperwork (child custody, legacy, patients decree) I had to stay at the hospital.
Being 39 years of age that isn't to much fun, I tell ya! That are plans for being 60 or 70, but not being that young!
Soon a neurologist found out that it's "just" MS. They put me on Cortison right away, the inflammations softened a bit, all of a sudden I could move my arm again! What a delight! After 3 weeks at the hospital I was sent into a rehab program, which worked out very well.
The complete feeling never returned in my right hand up till now, but oh well.
Thanks to all that my boss fired me with some excuses, I fought a long while against him, lately I could have went to court to fight him further, but I'm so tired of all that. I didn't even get a good reference from him. As if I got ill on purpose! Anyway, he had to pay me some money, at least that hurt him in his pocket, and I trust in God, he'll pay them back somehow. Even the law is on my side, so not everything is as bad as it looks like.
All that stress made me have another "push", how they call it. My left leg "fell asleep". But this time I went to the doctor right away, got my Cortison, and it got better. That was Christmas 2005.
I found me a new doctor in January, a neurologist, and she put me on daily prophilactic injections. Which I take since then, plus some pills to balance what I mess up with eating wrong things, or not enough things like vitamines.
Now I have to explain something about MS again: it basically is an auto immune desease. That means, that as soon as I should catch any bacteria or virus, my body doesn't fight them, it starts fighting the myeline (the covering of the nervs) of my own body - IT STARTS FIGHTING ME. And what the daily prophylactic injections do, is simply that they program the brain for 24 hours to fight against the intruder and not me.
I had to cope with all of this, and because it's so hard to get a psychiatrist in Germany for things like that, I let it out somehow else: I wrote a book. Oh well, I'm just one of 30 co-authors of that MS book, and one of 3 lectors, okay, but I wrote a book. We promoted it last summer. I don't get a dime out of it though =(
Sure, I have something they call the "Uthoff phenomenon", which means, as soon as I heat up to much, or have too much stress my symptoms worsen or return. But this I can handle, and I can live with the side effects of the injections, too.
Every day is different for me. Getting up I have to check how I feel first, before I can plan the day. In the meantime I had a second rehab, they've tried to send me back to work. But my energy level shrunk down to less than 3 hours a day, so it was decided to send me into retirement. Luckily I was insured against things like that, which doesn't make me a rich woman now, but I have a better income now, than back when I used to work fulltime!
My next blurb will be about the various symptoms.
I feel good, one can't tell I'm sick at all, I minimized stress, ok it's not that tidy in the house anymore, because there's a lot of things which just exhaust me too much... But... I have two busy helpers here =)
I love my life, I found my way back into faith (I just loove Joyce Meyer, wished I could see her live in July in L.A.), I made peace with my German family, I found out who my real friends are, and dissociated from the other ones ;-) Found new friends through my illness.
What more can you want in life?

2008 May - Faith

A girl went to a party and she ended up staying longer than planned, her boyfriend got drunk and passed ..outand had to walk home alone. She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away around the corner of 4th & 16th.

As she walked along passing "MacDonalds" Mary asked God to keep her safe from harm and danger.
When she reached the alley, which was a short cut to her house, she decided to take it.
However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.

She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for God's protection.
Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped round her, she felt as though someone was walking with her.
When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.

The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there.

Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.
Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this
young woman, she decided to go to the police station.

She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.
The police asked her if she would be willing to look
at a lineup to see if she could identify him.
She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before.

When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed.
The officer thanked Mary for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.
She asked if they would ask the man one question.

Mary was curious as to why he had not attacked her.
When the policeman asked him, he answered, "Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her."
Amazingly, whether you believe or not, you're never alone.
Did you know that 98% of teenagers will not stand up for God?
And you, do you truly believe in God... ?

2007 August - Top 10 things not to say

Top 10 Things Not To Say
To Someone With M.S.
10.) Must be nice to sleep all day
9.) You're lucky you don't have to work
8.) I can relate
7.) Just take something
6.) Just try harder
5.) Just be positive
4.) You just want attention
3.) It's all in your head
2.) It could be worse
1.) But you LOOK so good

2008 July - Inspirational

2008 May - God is cool

Keepsakes

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin"
I'm whispering "I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven."

When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain...
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

This is out of Duane DOG Chapman's book:
"I clicked the television on and listened to an evangelical preacher give a sermon while I unpacked. As I reached for the remote to change the channel, I heard the preacher say 'I have a feeling there's someone out there whose very existence is about to change. He has a checkered past, perhaps a criminal. You never thought you could turn your life around, but you can. I am here to tell you the Lord has raised His hand and said, 'Be healed. For you shall serve Me, as a messenger of My word and faith.' If you can hear me, son, the Lord has asked me to tell you to trust His mighty plan. you must honor His wishes, and you shall be greatly rewarded for your service.' That message was for me. I could feel it through the TV. The hand of God had touched my heart. The Lord was telling me to stay righteous."

Internet negativity
I have had so much fun on MySpace since I first made a profile about 6 months ago!! I've rediscovered some wonderful old friends from my youth. It's as if I am reassembling all the lost parts of myself. Also I used it to stay in touch with my student friends who scattered to the winds over the summer and after graduation. I find myself checking my MySpace at least once a day and being delighted to find a little something pleasurable waiting there for me every time. However, I've now had my first ugly experience. Recently, I had a misunderstanding with a young friend, who sent me an unpleasant message over myspace, then removed me from her top friends, then deleted me entirely. Isn't it interesting that we can use this social networking site as a tool NOT ONLY to build one another up, but also to tear one another down? How sad! I am guessing that other people may be used to this sort of thing? Not me! I want to log on eagerly anticipating the good things. If I ever begin to dread what I may find, I'll stop using myspace. It's that simple. I'm too old for the other kind of drama anyway. In general, I urge everyone to use MySpace in a fun friendly way. We have face-to-face encounters for the other stuff. And if you express yourself better in writing than in person (I know I do), there's always pen & paper. Thank you to all my friends for the kindness I have found every other time I've logged on! Let's continue to build one another up, make one another stronger and more confident so we can better handle the real problems out there.

 

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5- 6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)

 

Bank account
I have just deposited love
and blessings
into your bank account
and the best part is
that it will cost you nothing
I ask that you just use it in abundance
Your pin number is: J-E-S-U-S
*IMPORTANT NOTICE*
If you lost your pin,
you lose everything
Make a deposit
into someone else's account today
May your trouble be less
Your blessings be more
And nothing but happiness
Come through that door

I always loved this one by Pastor Joel Osteen:

This is my bible
I am what it says I am.
I have what it says I have.
I can do what it says I can do.
Today I will be taught the Word of God.
I boldly confess, my mind is alert,
my heart is receptive.
I will never be the same.I am about to receive
the incorruptible, indestructible,
ever-living seed of the Word of God.
I will never be the same.
Never, never, never.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus name.
Amen.

2008 April - Think about this

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?

Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a
"penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you
were buried in for eternity?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

What disease did cured ham actually have?

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it
would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies
wake up like every two hours?

If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?

Why are you IN a movie, but you're ON TV?

Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in
binoculars to look at things on the ground?

Why do doctors leave the room while you change? They're going to
see you naked anyway.

Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?

Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a
horrible crisp, which no human being would eat?

If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a
coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from
vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from
morons?

Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets
mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride; he sticks his head
out the window?

2008 April - Chili joke

Chili Cook Off
If you can read this whole story without laughing then there's no hope for
you. I was crying by the end. Note: Please take time to read this slowly.

(I've read this probably 5 times and it never fails to reduce me to tears
of laughter). Hope it does the same for you!!!

Frank: "Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili
cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I
happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to
the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other
two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy and,
besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I
accepted."

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
*****************************************************

CHILI 1 - MIKE'S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI...

Judge 1 -- A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.
Judge 2 - Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.
Judge 3 (Frank) -- What in the world is this stuff? You could
remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames
out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.
*****************************************************
CHILI 2 -

AUSTIN'S AFTERBURNER CHILI...
Judge 1 -- Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.
Judge 2 -- Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
Judge 3 -- Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what
I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted
to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they
saw the look on my face.
*****************************************************

CHILI 3 - FRED'S FAMOUS BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI...
Judge 1 -- Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.
Judge 2 -- A bit salty, good use of peppers.
Judge 3 -- Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like
I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more
beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in
the front part of my chest.
*****************************************************
CHILI 4 - BUBBA'S BLACK MAGIC...
Judge 1 -- Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
Judge 2 -- Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or
other mild foods not much of a chili.
Judge 3 -- I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to
taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was
standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to
look HOT. Just like this nuclear waste I'm eating! Is chili an
aphrodisiac?
*****************************************************

CHILI 5 LISA'S LEGAL LIP REMOVER...
Judge 1 -- Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding
considerable! Kick. Very impressive.
Judge 2 -- Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit
the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
Judge 3 -- My! ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I
can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed
paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili
had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring
beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off.
It really pisses me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.
*****************************************************

CHILI 6 - VERA'S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY...
Judge 1 -- Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices
and peppers.
Judge 2 -- The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.
Superb.
Judge 3 -- My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous,
sulfuric flames. I pooped on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will
eat
through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that
Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore.
*****************************************************

CHILI 7 - SUSAN'S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI...
Judge 1 -- A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
Judge 2 -- Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of
chili peppers at the last moment. **I should take note that I am worried
about Judge 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing
uncontrollably.
Judge 3 -- You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I
wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds
like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which
slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my
shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've
decided to stop breathing its too painful. I'm not getting any
oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole
in my stomach.
*****************************************************

CHILI 8 - BIG TOM'S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI...
Judge 1 -- The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold
but spicy enough to declare its existence.
Judge 2 -- This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor
hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge 3 farted, passed
out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if
he's going to make it. Poor fellow, wonder how he'd have reacted to really
hot chili? Judge 3 - No Report

2007 September - How we feel

I think that because I don't complain every day about everything that is hurting, burning, tingling or tightening, that they think I am just wanting attention or something...

How us with MS Feel......

When We Say We Can't do Something Because We don't Feel Well,
Put yourself in Our Shoes By Using The Examples of our Symptoms Below...

- Painful Heavy Legs: Apply Tightly 20 LB ankle weights and 15 LB thigh weights then take a 1 mile walk, clean the house, go shopping and then sit down - how ya' feeling now?

- Painful Feet: Put equal or unequal amounts of small pebbles in each shoe then take a walk, if we are mad at you we would prefer needles to pebbles.

- Loss of Feeling in Hands and/or Arms: Put on extra thick gloves and a heavy coat then try and pick up a pencil, if successful stab yourself in the arm.

- Loss of Feeling in Feet and/or Legs: Ask a doc for a shot of novocaine in both of your legs and then try and stand up and walk without looking like the town drunk. Hopefully you won't fall down.

- TN (Trigeminal Neuralgia): Take an ice pick and jam it into your ear or cheek whenever the wind blows on it, or a stray hair touches it. If you want something easier to do, get someone to punch you in the jaw preferably daily.

- Uncontrollable Itching: Glue or sew small steel wool pads to the inside of your shirt, pants and undergarments wear them for an entire day.

- Tingling: Stick your finger in an electrical socket - preferably wet.

- Tight Banded Feeling: Put 12 inch wide belt around you and make is as tight as you can and leave it there for the entire day. How ya' breathing?

- Shots: Fill one of our spare needles with saline solution, saline won't hurt you, we would love something worse but don't want to end up in jail. Give yourself a shot everytime we do our shot.

- Side Effects From the Shot: Bang you head against a wall, wrap yourself in a heating pad, wrap your entire body with an ace bandage tightly then finally treat yourself to some spoiled food or drink.

- Trouble Lifting Arms: Apply 20 LB wrist weights and try and reach for something on the highest shelf in your house.

- Spasticity: Hook bungee cords to your rear belt loops and rear pant leg cuffs then for your arms hook bungee cords to your shirt collar and cuffs on shirt sleeves then go dancing.

- Poor Hearing/Buzzing in Ears: Put a bee in each ear and then put a plug in each
one...Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

- Balance and Walking Problems: Drink 100 proof grain alcohol and then sit and spin in an office chair for 30 minutes, now get up and see what happens.

Urgently Needing to Pee: We put a .5 liter remote controlled water bag and drip tube in your pants, we point out 2 restrooms in a crowded mall, then we tell you that you have 30 seconds before we activate the water bag (by remote control) to get to a restroom. Just for spite we may make that 20 seconds without telling you.

- Bizarre and Inexplicable Sensations: Place tiny spiders on your legs or arms and
allow them to periodically crawl around throughout the day, heck all day would be good too.

- Pins and Needles: Stab yourself repeatedly with needles all over your body or better yet....Get a very large tattoo in your most sensative area.

- Dizziness (Vertigo): Get on a gently rocking boat all day and all night and take
several walks around the deck with your eyes closed.

- Fatigue: Stay awake for two full days to induce incredible fatigue and then cook dinner, clean the house, walk the dog and see how you feel. Please do not compare MS fatigue to you being tired from only a few hours of sleep - it's not the
same at all.

- Cognitive Function (Brain Fog): Take a liberal dose of sleeping pills but stay awake. Try and function properly and think clearly. To make it even more real without killing yourself of course, take the sleeping pills with a small sip of wine.

- Bowel Problems: Take a 4 day dose of an anti-diarrhea medicine followed directly by a 3 day dose of stool softeners for a minimum of 3 weeks, at the end of 3 weeks sit down on a hard uncushioned chair and stay there
till tears appeared.

- Burning Feeling: Make a full pot of boiling water and then have someone fill a squirt gun with the boiling water and shoot it at yourself all day long. However, you can give us the pleasure of shooting you instead...optional of course.

- Intention Tremor: Hook your body to some type of vibrating machine try and move your legs and arms.....hmmm are you feeling a little shaky? You are not allowed to use anything fun for this lesson.

- Buzzing Feeling When Bending Our Heads to Our Chest (L'Hermitte's): Place an electrical wire on your back and run it all the way down to your feet, then pour water on it and plug it in.

- Vision Problems (Optic Neuritis): Smear vaseline on glasses and then wear them to read the newspaper.

- Memory Issues: Have someone make a list of items to shop for and when you come back that person adds two things to the list and then they ask why you didn't get them. When you come back from shopping again they take the list and
erase three things and ask why you bought those things.

- Foot Drop: Wear one swim fin and take about a 1/2 mile walk, nothing else needs to be said for this one, you'll get it.

- Depression: Take a trip to the animal shelter everyday and see all the lonely animals with no home. You get attached to one or more of the animals and when you come back the next day you come in while they are putting her/him asleep.

- Fear: Dream that you have lost complete feeling in your feet and when you wake up wiggle your feet, just so happens they don't move. Think about this every night wondering whether something on your body won't work the next day when you wake up.

- Swallowing: Try swallowing the hottest chili pepper you can find.

- Heat Intolerance or Feeling Hot When it's Really Not: You are on a nice vacation to Alaska. It's 35° outside and 65° inside. Light a fire for the fireplace and then get into it. Once you have reached about 110° tell me how you feel, even a person
without MS would feel bad, now add all of the above symptoms - welcome to
our world.

- Double Vision: You're lost in a desert and starving *hunger pains*... you find an ant pile and decide to eat the ants for food... after eating you realize the ant pile has been doctored with ant poison and you start seeing two cactus'...unfortunately you walk into the "REAL" cactus!

Then Finally...

After subjecting yourself to the items above, let everyone tell you that you
are just under a lot of stress, it's all in your head and that some exercise
and counseling is the answer.

2007 September - Dr. Seuss

2008 April - Doctor's joke

   

Physicians:
(A) The number of physicians in the U.S. is 700, 000.
(B) Accidental deaths caused by Physicians per year are 120, 000.
(C) Accidental deaths per physician is 0.171
Statistics courtesy of U.S. Dept of Health Human Services.

Now think about this:

Guns:
(A) The number of gun owners in the U.S. is 80, 000, 000.
( YES , that's 80 Million )
(B) The number of accidental gun deaths per year, all age groups, is 1, 500.
(C) The number of accidental deaths per gun owner is .000188.
Statistics courtesy of FBI

So, statistically, doctors are approximately 9, 000 times

more dangerous than gun owners.
Remember, Guns don't kill people, doctors do.
FACT: NOT EVERYONE HAS A GUN,

BUT ALMOST EVERYONE HAS AT LEAST ONE DOCTOR.

Please alert your friends to this alarming threat.
We must ban doctors before

this gets completely out of hand!!!!!

2008 May - Joyce Meyer visits Germany - photos

http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery2.php?instanceid=86802081

..

2008 May - Joyce Meyer visits Germany

We popped into that first conference at 9:05 pm (it started at 7 pm). We got seated in the rear, in a packed hall with about 7000 people of various kinds of skin colours, nations, and religions. Joyce was standing there on top of the stage, badly translated by some German lady, who spoke like the pope himself (unctuous, and exactly the reason why I don't like to go to our local church any longer...) :( We had a hard time to fade her out *sigh*

And the funny thing is, as soon as we entered the room, she was talking about the stuff we listened to on our way to Essen, Germany ('you are in a hurry, and God's not'). So she spoke about rocking our box, being fruitful, not busy. As if she could read our thoughts!

It was followed by her invitation for the people there to become born again christians, to come forward to the stage. Hundreds of people came forward to the stage, and she prayed with them and for them, and afterwards the staff, and helpers wrote down people's names, talked to them.

For that evening that was it, we saw tables out there, which were covered with her DVD's, CD's, books etc.

We left our hotel at around 7:30 am, got there just in time. A big line was waiting in front of closed doors. But everybody was (tired) peacefully waiting, the line crossed the street up to the parking lot, until one black British guy said something like 'dear fellow christians, please stand on the sideway, don't block the cars'... It was such a good mood there, not one single bad word spoken! At 8:15 am we could finally enter. We got a seat in the 5th row, on the left hand side. There were 3 big screens on the stage, and a couple of tv monitors.

Patiently we waited until it started at 10 am. There were some places reserved, for I don't know whom, right in front of the stage. And one very unfriendly lady didn't let us sit down there. In front of us were British and German people seated, behind us some Turkish. I could spot out Dutch, Spanish, Africans, and French as well.

At 10 am Delirious started with 3 songs of worship. It's a rockband, all kinds of young people ran to the stage, started jumping and singing, we were asked to rise and join the singing. Which wasn't hard to do, because they had the lyrics running past the screens. The songs had such an impact on me, and on the others, too! You could tell the singer ment, yeah felt, what he sang about, each song was a prayer in some unique way. One time, to the song 'rain down' they had lightning and rain pouring over the screens, it faded into the singers face, while the lyrics was running below his face, it was soooooooo cool!

While the 3rd song was being sung, I could spot Joyce and Dave and one of their sons at the side of the stage, Joyce and Dave holding hands, both singing out loud, raising their hands. We all were supposed to join hands, lift 'em up in the air, singing 'here I am, send me' and 'I could sing of your love forever'. It was awsome! And another one (inside outside) sang about 'captivate me, saturate me, fascinate me'.

We were fascinated by one old British guy in front of us, he started jumping and singing, praysing the Lord, as if he would be 17 years young! After a big applause, and after the young ones sat back down, Joyce held a big speech about donating to the ministry, and that they will use the money to reach out to the Arab and Eastern countries, as well as Africa, to spread the word of the Gospel. Because it isn't possible to get into those countries, but the tv stations can. The Turkish behind us went almost nuts, applauding... Then we watched two videos about starving children in the world, they showed the countries the money will be used on, and Joyce introduced the new CEO of the German branch in Hamburg, a tall guy named David. It was so funny when he stood beside her, 'cause she's so little, and he was even taller than Dave! She said they wanted someone who would be easily spoted. It was hilarious, everybody laughed. The bad translator was there again. And it really bugged me, because she copied the movements of Joyce, she stood in the center of the stage with her, instead of taking herself back. She translated a lot of stuff wrong, and not simultaneously, but after Joyce, and in ways Joyce didn't mean it at all! Terrible. But I understand that it's too expensive to put out 7000 headphones! Well, I wanted to hear the original ..(

My friend still believes that Joyce said, who doesn't believe in God and the bible, will go to the devil later on. I haven't heard that at all, I don't think she would have said something like that, to not offend people. But I don't have a problem with that, my friend did on the other hand. Guess when I get the ordered tape of the conference I can prove that she didn't say it.

Furthermore she said, and I heard her for the first time saying something like that, that it isn't enough to just join her ministry, listening to her teachings, that everyone of us should be involved in our local churches. I didn't like to hear that. :( Because our boring priests and sermons are the reason why I am listening to Joyce in the first place...

Btw the starving children tape wasn't supposed to be shown, that's when we got to see Joyce and Dave's son. And some speaker at the beginning told us that for just that day we could buy her DVD's 3 for the price of 2, just this one day, like it's done in the US at the conferences. So I did. I bought myself 'how to read the bible', 'think about what you're thinking about', and 'are you ready for a change yourself?'. Plus the Delirious CD+DVD. I couldn't find that 'captivate me...' thing on it though. :(

Finally she started preaching. About getting out of our box, about being fruitful, not busy, but the most important message was the following...
- use the inbetween times, and
- don't care about your religion, be a christian!

With inbetween times she referred to young kids, and people age 25 and under. She said she hates it when 10-year-olds are asked what they wanna be, once they grew up. Or that people try to accomplish their goals, and waste the time until they get there! Because as soon as this one goal or destination is reached, there is a new one coming up. And she is so right! So be fruitful during these inbetween times!

And she said she doesn't want people to be put in boxes, she doesn't ask people, or she doesn't want to be asked by people, which religion she belongs to, or they belong. That is of none interest at all. She teaches the Gospel, and wants people to be christians, all the time, and in every way they can! That is the only thing important to her. I agree. That should be the way to look at things.

I can't think of any other messages/teachings that day, due to my illness. When I can think of more, I will let you know, as soon as it comes to mind again.

To our both regret she didn't say goodbye, she did her born again christian thing again, this time asking the helpers to come to the stage first, then she invited the people, Delirious came on the stage one more time. Afterwards they left too, didn't say fare well or goodbye either, which was sad for us, because we had to leave then. But everybody was invited to attend in the evening at 7 pm again, which we couldn't, regrettably.

We left the hall, went to the tables outside, where coffee and cake was offered. There were many of her newsletters, but just in German. At the tables was all her stuff, people stood side by side, in peace, everyone was patient, waited for his or her time to come, to pick something out, or just look at things. We could pre-order the tape of the conference, and it was several bugs cheaper, than ordering via the internet. And eventhough the bad translator will be on it, and maybe the band won't be shown, I ordered it! As a memory.

Afterwards we left pretty quick, even at the parking lot everybody was so peaceful, like I've never experienced anywhere else. We found our way to the highway, made a short stop in the city of Cologne. To check out 'Glockengasse No. 10' where the perfume 4711 comes from ;-)
All the way back we listened to the Delirious CD. At home I watched the Delirious DVD.

This all was such a big blast! I have never experienced so much faith at one spot! God was amongst us, I could feel it right there! We were in unity with Him, we all became ONE! Great people, great sound, great teaching!

I can just recommend you to go to one of her conferences. It's worth it.

God bless you.
Amen.