Yes, Hunter and I have embarked on a new "road" in this journey called
life. Actually, as I will describe in the following post, it will often be a change in locations but also a change in mindset involving challenges yet unseen.
First let me describe our new location, at least for 4-6 months of each year. We recently had built a small, two-bedroom home in a retirement village in Fishers, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis. For the past 6 months we knew we wanted to locate long term near one of our children. Since two of the three of our children are in the military and we all know that involves moving every 3-4 years, that left us with one choice-near Branden, who feels he is cemented in Indianapolis raising his three children here long term. Therefore last summer we began to look in the area and God led us to Britton Falls, a Del Web Community, complete with a wonderful clubhouse and other amenities. God has richly blessed us with this home, which is just recently completed. Our plans are to live here spring and fall, continue to live in the RV for the winter, and leave the summer for travel to Italy visiting Rebecca and her family, New Jersey visiting Jacob and his family and sightseeing around the country.
Now let me explain the statement: "a change in mindset involving challenges yet unseen". After years of stomach distress and a few other health issues I was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It came as somewhat of a shock, although after 8 months of hand tremors and "googling their causes" it was a definite possibility.
Parkinsons is a chronic and incurable condition. It is not diagnosed by a blood test but rather by the symptoms that a loss of dopamine causes. My main symptoms are bilateral resting hand tremors. For others there might be tremors in other parts of the body, rigid muscles, or bradykinesia (slow movements). It is a progressively deteriorating disease so I am on a downward slope but as Hunter says, so is everyone else. I just happen to have a name for the sled I'm sliding on!
Causes for this disease are generally genetic or environmental or a combination of both. In my case my upbringing, living on a farm drinking well water and being exposed to insecticides and pesticides is likely the culprit. Yet, I would do it all over again because being raised on a farm and living in a small Christian community, with Godly parents, prepared me to follow after Christ.
Treatment at this time for me is good nutrition and LOTS of aerobic exercise, combined with stretching and balancing routines. Exercise produces a higher level of dopamine, which is what I am lacking. Thankfully I am in the early stages of Parkinsons and I don't currently need medication with all its side effects. I know that is a reality in the future and I also know that God will be right there with me when that bridge I have to cross.
Since learning of my diagnosis my times with the Lord have been more intimate every day. He has shown me the Bible is full of stories of those who have suffered and how they coped with His ever present comfort. I am collecting a notebook of verses and passages talking of suffering and the hope that only He can provide. Isaiah has been especially precious to me. Verses that I am currently committing to memory are Isaiah 43:18-21
"Forget the former things, do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing. Now, it is springing up. Do you not see it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert to give drink to my people, the chosen ones, the ones I have formed for myself, so that they may proclaim my praise."
I pray each day that God will give me opportunities to praise Him as I travel this NEW road!
