Formerly Darkness

"For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord." - Ephesians 5:5-10

Amazing website - Death Is Not Dying - young mother's testimony shortly before cancer overcame her.

ME

Well over two decades of my life...

God Will Injure Us, Just to Heal Us? What?

Heather's Story - Mesothelioma Awareness Day

I received an amazing email from a new friend Heather last week. She asked if I would be willing to share her story today. She writes, in part, "I am a wife, mother, and a mesothelioma survivor. When my daughter was 3 ½ months old, I was diagnosed with this rare and deadly cancer, and given 15 months to live. Despite my grim prognosis, I knew that I needed to beat the odds for my newborn daughter, Lily. It’s been 7 years now and I feel that it’s my duty to pay it forward by inspiring others."

If you would please take a moment today to visit Dying to be Heard to simply learn a little about this condition, you would be doing yourself an amazing favor while making both Heather and me Happy in the process! Thanks. :)

Invisible Illness Awareness Week

From Facebook ;)

Sorry I didn't get this posted to any of my blogs before the event, but a huge thank you to Lisa Copen of  Rest Ministries for allowing me the joy of guest hosting in her live Invisible Illness Awareness Week chat this morning on Facebook! For much of the morning, we averaged between 300-500 chat participants with one question thread bring in over 1,100 visitors! This blows me away!!! I've been praying for God to give me a bigger platform, so this is all Him and so not me!

Welcome to all new visitors due to this chat! If you are looking for my Given Me a Thorn Facebook page, please take a moment to look around here, read some history and links from the sidebar, then head to https://www.facebook.com/GivenMeaThorn. :)

From Facebook

Missed it? Don't worry, but feel free to catch each post this week by using #innvisibleillnesschat on Facebook, or going directly to https://www.facebook.com/InvisibleIllnessWeek. You can jump into any thread in the archives and still read or comment. :)

So why did I not post in advance? Let simply say I have time management issues. ;) I was busy updating my stroke description until about 20 minutes before we went live, then I still had to review all my interview questions (that I've had since last night, but didn't bother even opening until 10:40 for an 11am chat!

From Facebook

 

Did you know that one in two people suffers from some kind of hidden disability. So if it is not you, there is know doubt that a friend or family member is living with an invisible illness! I give an example of hidden disability here. Have you read The Spoon Theory yet? It may really help you understand!

Facebook

 



It was discussed on chat today, that if you want to become more public about your invisible illness, you might want to find something that is attention grabber, that invites conversation, and make it your trademark so that people will ask you about the unusual item, giving you a chance to share about your experiences. One lady says she daily wears a spoon-shaped pin so that people wonder and ask about. I wear combat boots. :) Do you have an idea to suggest of an every-day item to draw attention to or explain your illness? Please share!





Where Else I'm Writing

People are continuing to find me through various sources and surprised that they didn't know it was "me" all those different places. So to help everyone find me, I want to list the projects and places I currently remain active so you can easily find me. (Technically, I'm registered for over 30 blogs, but some I don't keep current anymore, some I per-registered for names of probable future book projects, some are titles I know people to search for me by and just redirect to other active blogs, etc.)

From Facebook - I do this a lot!

So here's where to currently find me actively writing, cup of tea on the side table next to me (picture from around my home to mentally picture the process):

Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart in the Midst of Infertility, Miscarriage and Adoption Loss (book published by NavPress, 2005, ISBN-10: 1576836541; ISBN-13: 978-1576836545) . Hannah's Hope blog and Pintrest pages on infertility, miscarriage / loss, adoption. Facbook at https://www.facebook.com/HannahsHopeBook

InfertilityMom, blog on motherhood after infertility and loss. My motherhood pin board (along with those just listed above) probably best fits this audience. Homemaking too. :)

My current book project, a harvest-themed devotional study on the fruit of the Holy Spirit, especially in the face of trying times, working title Harvesting Hope from Heartache and the accompanying Harvesting Hope blog and Harvesting Hope, fruit of the Spirit , gardening, roses, and spiritual warfare Pintrest pages. Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/HarvestingHope

Of course, Stroke Of Grace, my unfolding stroke recovery journey blog. I hope to write an accompanying book if future years. On Pintrest, there are several specifically related pages: stroke-related pictures and thoughts, why I'm homesick for Heaven, therapy and exercise, my struggle to find purpose, thoughts on grace and glory and a great collection of brain images. Facbook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stroke-of-Grace-by-Jennifer-Saake/339888582731687

From Facebook

A future book project, currently titled Given Me a Thorn,a study on the life of the Apostle Paul as comfort, encouragement and resources for living with chronic pain and/or illness. Pintrest pages at Natural Health and Chronic Illness, Gluten Free, Latex Free, Mountain, Rocky Road, and Given Me a Thorn. Facbook at https://www.facebook.com/GivenMeaThorn

A page I have let fall fallow since the strokes, I hope to revive again, InnerBeautyGirlz, tips and tricks (and even some give-aways) for outward beauty, but with an intention focus on the heart and soul.  I have, however, really been building my Pintest page on this beauty this year, a reflection of my own struggles both physically and emotionally/mentally, to accept God's perspective on me in my brokenness. Facbook at https://www.facebook.com/innerbeautygirlz

Find me on Twitter at @InfertilityMom. I would love to invite you to follow all my Pintrest boards (several more, not listed here, like Social Media, various holidays/seasons, Japan (special board on Koi fish), Tips and Tricks, romantic bicycles like the ones above and below,  my heroes,  Just Because... and much more) at /InfertilityMom.

From Facebook

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. - Psalm 51:17