GOODS NEWS

Since I had ask you to pray for me I thought I had better at least thank you for your prayers. I wentback to the Rhemotologist Thursday. Went at 12:30 since my appointment was a 1 P.M. I usually have to wait an hour or so. This was only my second time to go to him and my last. I was 4 P.M. getting to the back with one patient ahead of me. At least that is what the nurse told me! so we waited and waited. I was so frustrated that I told my husband if the doctor was not in that room by 5 P.M. I was leaving. He was almost fit to be tied himself. Well, the doctor came in at exactly 5 P.M. He went over the reports with us. Now, remember he had already made a diagnoses of Sjogrens Sydrome. But with all the test and symptoms - well, I'll just go like he did. "You know, rheumotology is one of the hardest fields to be in. Some times things point in one direction and then the test points to something else. The good news is -you don't have anything serious. Your muscles have a little inflamation in them and your lungs have a little inflamation. Other than that and the dry mouth and lips I don't see anything. Your lung function test if good." He wanted to put me on steroids. I also had a lot of congestion and he thought I needed a shot and anti-biotic. Guess he thought he needed to do something. I have decided if nothing is too serious - that Iwill not take the steroids. I feel my changes with the Lord helping me is far better than what he offered. He still wants to call it sjogrens in the making. I got to thinking - he had to diagnose something because the insurance won't pay with out a diagnosis. Anyway, should I have to go to another rheumotologist - it will be closer to home. But the good Lord willing, I have no plans of going. I will just deal with my primary care who is also an internist. Right now, I just feel I'm in slow motion - but hopefully next week I can put all this behind me and go christmas shopping. I love to go but not when I feel bad. I know the Lord has been so good. I look around and see so much sorrow and heartaches that I almost feel guilty of mentioning all this. But it did make me feel better to know you were praying for me. thanks so much. Be sure and drop by KJVblogs.blogspot.com You might miss something if you don't. This is a branch off deborah's blog lyricdevotions.com. You will find different writers and some good stuff at both sights. Take time to listen to Deborah's songs. They will bless your heart.

OUR REFUGE

Just a little note of praise this morning! I know some of you have been praying for Mom. She had a mini stroke and several minor things - but she is home from the hospital. My sister is with her this week. How the Lord is going to work this out - we don't know yet. She cannot stay by herself anymore -I feel sure she will need someone around the clock. Keep praying for her.

I have to go back Thursday to see the Rheumotologist. Need to find out what was in the 12 viels of blood they drew! Also the MRI report and the lung function test. I am feeling better except for my dry lips. Just praying that all of this is something that will pass. But for this moment I am fine.

I found this poem by Annie Johnson Flint.

THIS MOMENT

He's helping me now -- this moment,

Though I may not see it or hear,

Perhaps by a friend far distant,

Perhaps by a stranger near,

Perhaps by a spoken message,

Perhaps by the printed Word;

In ways that I know and know not,

I have the help of the Lord.

He's keeping me now -- this moment,

However I need it most,

Perhaps by a single angel,

Perhaps by a mighty host.

Perhaps by the chain that frets me,

Or the walls that shut me in;

In ways that I know and know not,

He keeps me from harm and sin.

He's guiding me now -- this moment,

In pathways easy or hard,

Perhaps by a door wide open,

Perhaps by a door fast barred.

Perhaps by a joy with holden,

Perhaps by a gladness given,

In ways that I know and know not,

He's leading me up to Heaven.

He's using me now -- this moment,

And whether I go or stand,

Perhaps by a plan accomplished,

Perhaps when He stays my hnad,

Perhaps by a word in season,

Perhaps by a silent prayer,

In ways that I know and know not,

His labor of love I share.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My niece has just had a birthday. I won't tell you how old she is - but she and my daughter are only a few weeks apart. Hope you had a good Birthday, Karla.

If I can find and scan the picture of you and Stephanie in the old fashion buggy that I just saw at you Moms - I will send it to you.

Wow! It seemed like my birthday! I was on my blog working and suddenly I saw my counter. I showed it to Uncle Silas, got back on there and low and behold - my beautiful background was back. Thank you so much! I know you are very busy and I really appreciate it. Love you, Aunt Lene & Uncle Silas

A BLESSED AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING

FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS, MAY YOU HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND A BLESSED DAY FILLED WITH THANKFULNESS TO THE ONE WHO GIVES US ALL THINGS. THE LORD HAS BEEN RICH IN HIS BLESSINGS TO US THIS YEAR.

THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Just wanted to let all of you that were praying for me that I did get through the MRI and Lung Function Test . When I was taking the MRI I felt your prayers and thanked God for each of you. I won't get the results until December 4th but I am trusting the Lord that they will be okay. Since I have been off the medicine I am feeling much better. Now I have another prayer request! I have just found out that my Mom was taken to the hospital sometime today. We won't know anything until tomorrow. She couldn't move her legs and I suspect she has had a mild stroke. I noticed when I was there last Thursday that she did not seem the same. I remarked about it to my husband. She will be 89 years old on Dec 6th. She has suffered a lot of pain the past years and I know she is ready to meet the Lord - so if it's His time I know His grace will be sufficient. But she has been a very independent little lady and always wanted to wait on everyone else. Who knows - she may be home before long. But I'm sure not by herself any longer. So there will be decisions to make. Just please keep her in your prayers. I love you girls and it made me feel good to know that a few of you were praying for me. Until I hear more I will get to bed and try and get some needed rest.

PRAYER REQUEST

After three days on the medicine for Sjorgren's - I find that I cannot take it. I have been so weak in my muscles, heart rate up to 130 even when I am resting, head ache and achy all over. I am sensitive to so many meds. My Family Dr. says she has not seen anyone being so sensitive to so much. I will call the Rheumotologist tomorrow and see what he wants me to do. I also have to have an MRI Tuesday - so please pray for me this week that all will go well. I am not anxious to take the MRI. I can't stand closed in places. But I really need a touch and I know Jesus is the Great Physician. I know you will pray. I will let you know how all comes out. In Christian Love, Aliene

Sassafras Leaves and Roots

Since I mentioned Gumbo in the other post for today I want to tell you about what we use in gumbo after it is cooked. It is called File' We all have heard the song: Jambalaya ,Crawfish Pie File' Gumbo That's about all I know of the song. The File' is what I want to tell you about. You pronounce file' -like fee-lay. Grandpa John, who was my husband's grandfather, use tomake file'. It comes from sassafras trees. He use to go out into the swamps and gather leaves from the sassafras trees, bring them home and spread outside on a sheet made of feedsacks sewn together. Grand mother had a bamboo rack she would stir them with every day. They did this until the leaves were dry. They then would take all stems out. Grand Father had a home made box that was tapered, about 8 inches square at the top and four 4 inches a the bottom. He would fill the box with leaves and then pound it with a homemade tool until the leaves were powder. He then put the power file'into empty medicine bottles that all the neighbors saved for him. He sold them for 5 cents a bottle. That was back in the 1940's. Now you can buy File' in the grocery store. You may be wondering what file' does. It is a thickener for gumbo. If you used too much it will be slimy. But it sure does give flavor. Now, down to later years. This goes way back!~The boys would go into the woods and get roots from the sassafras trees and bring them home and boil them. The liquid was then made into a drink that taste like root beer. I'm sure there is a medicinal purpose for the drink but I not old enough to know what. Maybe some of you will know! Now go back one more post and you will see the Turkey.

THANKSGIVING TURKEY

I just read Nina's blog about cooking a turkey last year. Go over and check her out Portualbound.blogspot.com. Since my husband was in the kitchen cooking up the seasoning to shoot up a turkey - I thought I would tell you how I cook a turkey. I DON'T! Here in Louisiana we get about a 12-14 pound turkey. About three days before you cook it you shoot it up. Here is what we shoot it up with. First you have to get the marinate syringe from the grocery store. In a good size pot put: 4 and a half cups of water 4 TB Chef Paul,Poultry Seasoning 4 TB Tony Chacherie Seasoning 1 tb Cayenne Pepper 1TB garlic powder 1 Stick Oleo orButter Boil for 5 minutes. Let cool and inject all the mixture into the turkey with your marinating needle. Place in a long pan and cover with foil. Let it marinate for a couple days in Fridge. When you are ready to fry: Set up your propane cooker, put enough peanut oil into cooker to cover turkey. Deep fry OUTSIDE @ 300 DEGREES 4 minutes per pound of turkey.

Put it on a big platter or long pan with paper towels or brown bag to absorb grease.

(The next step is my favorite: Pinch off the crisp edge and sample.Then do it again until you are caught.) It taste like cracklins. When time to serve - slice like you ordinarily do. Most of the seasoning is native to Louisiana but I'm sure you could improvise. After Thanksgiving there is most always some left. You then take the left over bones and meat and boil. Take bones out and make a good gumbo. Don't know how? Let some of us Louisianians know and we will get you a recipe posted. Now: Head over to KJVBLOGS.BLOGSPOT.COM. This is a fairly new blog set up by Deborah @ lyricdevotions.com You will find a variety of subjects and different writers each day. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

My wonderings are almost to an end!

Yesterday I went to the Rheumotologist. Seems I've been going around in circles for months trying to find what was wrong with me. You know the saying "blessed are those who go in circles, for they shall be called a big wheel?" Well, frankly, I'm dizzy from going in circles. I don't want to be called a little wheel, much less a big wheel! I just want to feel better. At any rate, I have gone to six different doctors and still have another appointment today. They finally figured out I have Sjogrens (show-grins) Disease. Never heard of it? Well, don't feel bad - neither have I and most people will ask, what in the world is that? It's just another way of saying that your own body will attack your own immune system. It can attack the lungs, the pancreas, whatever! So I was put on medication. But I can't get it filled until I go to my eye surgeon. Now that is the pits! Sometimes I think the doctors are going in circles. I just went and had my eyes checked a couple weeks ago. Got new glasses! Now I have to go back to see if I can take another doctor's prescription! Sometimes you wonder if they really know what they are doing. I really think they know what they are doing, but sometimes it gets to be too much. I had to give them 12 tubes of blood. Can you imagine! Why won't one big tube do? Guess I will find out. I just ask that each of you will pray that the medicine will work! I am so sensitive to medications and have so many side affects until I am almost afraid to start it. But I know God is in control and I have so much to be thankful for. They could have said cancer or something far worse. I guess I have vented enough! I'm tempted not to even publish this - but I do need prayer and who else to ask but my sisters in the Lord? Thank you!

50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

Fifty years is half a century

For most good things to last.

But we're still together and still in love,

And share a wonderful past.

Memories sweet, old and new

Are in our hearts to stay.

We give our Lord the credit

For this wonderful day.

Down memories lane- as we go back

We know that God ordained

Marriage as a Sacred Trust,

Come trials, heartaches or pain.

Today we celebrate fifty years

And remember as we became one,

It has always been Each for the Other

And both for the Lord.

We hope you as our friends in the Lord will celebrate with us. All of you have grown to mean a lot to us on our blogging journey.