Update on Moore and OKC Oklahoma TORNADOS

An update from what I know from Moore and Oklahoma City Oklahoma, thank God that my mom and several families I know over there, are safe.  They did go through some scary storms and tornadoes at the beginning of the week.  My mom's close friends lost their home, yet thankfully the family of 6 is all okay. Please keep the Hock family in prayer, along with the other families who lost their homes, and especially the ones who lost a family member in the devastation  They, among others, have had to go to their property to see what they could salvage. Yet even then some of the stuff is getting ruined because of the rain that's been going on and off the last couple of days.

Out of the family of six, who left for the day. The father went to work, 2 girls went to school, and the mom was home, on her day off, with her older daughter and older son.  They were all in different places, and thankfully they all are alive.  Connie, who is the mother of the lady of the house was actually going with my mother Donna to her doctor's appointment.  They both heard on the car radio that a tornado was coming so she was able to call her husband and her daughter to take shelter.  Thankfully, they heard, because their family was able to go for safety.  Thankfully my mom and Connie were okay too.


Please pray for the people in Oklahoma.  Even though they are grateful to be alive, some may be teary eyed, still shaken up, but some people, it might not have even hit them yet that they lost everything, including their home. They may be in shock.  A lot of them may go through the grieving process, because it's hard when you lose a lot. They have to start over. Think of the things we use daily; they lost all that in their homes. Some of them even lost their cars. The Hock family had 2 cars ruined by the tornadoes. Their two dogs are alive yet one of them was injured in the tornado that ripped through the house. He may have to get stitches.

Three of the members in the Hock family were going to rough out the tornado in the bathroom or a closet, because that is what you do over there when you don't have an expensive storm shelter.  YET at the last minute, there neighbor came home and let them go in their shelter.  
When they got out of their neighbor's shelter, they stepped out to find their house had flattened except for 2 rooms.  Even in those two rooms, they might not be able to wear the clothes or use the other stuff because the tornado shot the windows out, so glass and wood splinters may have stuck in the clothes.

The next day when they were looking through their rubble, they found the guinea pig's cage flattened. They probably thought the worst. Yet while they were looking through the stuff, out comes the guinea  pig from under the couch...He was alive...for the 10 year old who owns that guinea  pig, that probably brought joy to her heart. It brings a tear to my eye. If that guinea pig could talk, he would probably tell them a wild ride he had.


I did talk to Krystal on FB who just moved from San Bernardino 3 months ago to Oklahoma; she used to go to North Hills church.  She sounded a little shaken up but her family is okay. Thankfully her family was in a storm shelter. The tornado didn't touch their house. Thank God, They are okay.

The families in  Moore and OKC need a lot of items since they are having to start all over...if you have it in your heart, please send your money donations to a trusted site like the American Red Cross.  http://www.americancrossroads.org/.  I know this is a little more closer to my home since my mom and friends live there, but if you can give any donation, the people in OK would really appreciate it...and yes, they do appreciate your prayers.



Thank you...Tanya

My New Web Address

In case you didn't get the memo, my website "Expressive Praise" has a new web address.  It is now www.expressivepraise.blogspot.com ...


Click on the "Blog Archive" or "Labels" on the right hand side of my blog to read posts that I have written.  You will find silly/humorous stuff, encouragement, "just for thought," info on Fibromyalgia and chronic pain, "just blogging," short stories, poems, artwork,  and more...Check it out...

Also on the right hand side of my blog, you can click on "Art Portfolio" and it will direct you to my Expressive Praise Artwork.


Ttfn
Tanya Mae K (a.k.a. expressive praise)

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

1. The illness and chronic problems I live with is: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Bilateral Anterior Displaced Menisci, Anterior dislocation of the Anterior (right) disc and Articular disc (left)/ Allergies/ Myofascial Pain Syndrome/ Arthritis in Jaw and Neck/ Visual Migraines/ / High ear sensitivity/ subject to regular Migraines, yet have Headaches 24 hours a day/7 days a week/ IBS, TMJ, Cervical Vertigo, stomach problems which makes it hard to eat many foods,, etc... There’s more, but I don't want to overwhelm you. ha-ha lol.

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year: 2001, yet my symptoms started in 1995.

3. But I had symptoms since: 1995, symptoms started after a head injury and increased through the years.

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is: (this one is a hard one because there are so many) Wearing ear plugs all the time/ Not being able to go places or do things that my friends are able to do. / The first time I said I am going to go to college and make something of myself; after I went for a couple of months, I had the head injury. I had to drop out for a little bit, and then only was able to take 2 classes at a time, and now...I am not able to do them as often./ Also not being able to go to church all the time is so hard.


5. Most people assume: that if I say that I am okay, then they think I am doing great and not in any pain.

6. The hardest part about mornings are: Getting up...I have a hard time moving in the morning, like hard to walk / I have ‘fibro fog’/ digestion is messed up/ painful joints, muscles, skin, etc.../ try to wake up from a horrible night sleep of tossing and turning. (Before my injury and illness, I was a morning person and would be the first one up and ready to go)

7. My favorite medical TV show is: House

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is: my earplugs (everyday sounds are like a trumpet blowing in my ear) and also my sunglasses, have sensitivity to brightness.

9. The hardest part about nights is:Getting to sleep/staying asleep and tossing and turning.

10. Each day I take pills & vitamins: a bunch, but now, it's more vitamins then meds.

11. Regarding alternative treatments:I am having success with chiropractic although, I did try acupuncture and it caused severe muscle spasms throughout my body. (They say that doesn't usually happen)

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible one, I would choose: (that's hard to answer because I know that when I do have a brace on my arm, people sympathize with me, yet that brace I wear only at different times and that pain is no way near the pain I have daily. Also when I use my handicap card people kind of look at me different because they see me as someone who doesn't look like I have pain.) So yes I guess sometimes it would be nice that I would have a visible illness instead of an invisible one.

13. Regarding working and career: let's see, in 1995 had to stop working for a few months, then I did many years part time because pain was so bad, and then I had to stop working in 2001 because symptoms increased greatly.

14. People would be surprised to know:that there are times that I just need a hug and for people to actually be there for me when I really need it. (I have a couple of my friends who do, but a lot of people say they would do anything for me, but they disappear)

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been: not being able to go to church all the time. I need that network or contact of friendly hugs. Facebook is great, but I so miss the human contact.

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was: hmm, I don't know. Maybe keep on going no matter what, encourage others who are going through tough times, and writing a book.

17. The commercials about my illness: within the last couple of years there are a few that has popped up about Fibromyalgia: Lyrica, etc...

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is: singing in the church choir and just hanging out with my friends at any time of day.

19. It was really hard to have to give up: singing, working, and volunteering. I tried several times to sing, but with severe TMJ and headaches which lead to migraines, it’s kind of hard to do that. I tried throughout the years, but it just led to migraines and major muscle spasms in jaw. Not so much fun.

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is: drawing, painting, and making photo note cards

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would: go to church, hang out with my friends, maybe go to a concert, and eat ice cream. Oh, buy a car and drive forever, I haven't been able to drive in awhile because of all the health and visual problems I have.

22. My illness has taught me: live minute to minute, trust in God, be my own advocate; keep standing up for what I believe in- if it's medical rights or God.

23. Want to know a secret? I like encouraging cards and phone calls, just to say hi or being there for me, is so important.


24. But I love it when people: I do appreciate the ones who contact me on Facebook.

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is: “Jesus wept" (John 11:35). Jesus had compassion for Lazarus; even though he knew he would raise Lazarus from the dead, he still wept. To me, that shows compassion.

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them: I know what you are going through; if you need to talk or need prayer, contact me; stand up for yourself; set boundaries, and lean on God.

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is: I am learning that I can handle anything that comes my way and that God has brought me through so much.

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was: brought me dinner.

29. I’m involved with Fibromyalgia Awareness Month because: I know what people are going through.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel: that you do care about me and what I go through.

What Would Your Chapter Say?

In Exodus chapters 3-4 (in the Bible) the Lord is talking to Moses and wanting him to help rescue people from Pharaoh who are in Egypt.  


"The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.  So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land...And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”  Exodus 3:7-10

Moses ends up arguing with the Lord that he is not good enough to speak to Pharaoh to lead the people out of Egypt.

"Moses said to the Lord, 'Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.' The Lord said to him, 'Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'   But Moses said, 'Pardon your servant, Lord. 

Please send someone else.'
 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well...You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do.  He will speak to the people for you, and it will be as if he were your mouth and as if you were God to him.  But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.” 
Exodus 4:10-17

So everything is set. Even though God wanted Moses to be the main leader and work on his own without the help of anyone else, except God, he provides a way to help Moses out. The Lord provides Aaron, Moses' brother to be his voice, since Moses doesn't feel he is adequate enough. So basically Moses and Aaron will lead the people out of Egypt.

^"And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, 'Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead.' So Moses took his wife and his sons...and went back to the land of Egypt..." Exodus 4:19-20



God gives Moses the okay to go back to Egypt since the people who were going to kill him are all dead. That's a sigh of relief...whew!!!  I believe they were wanting to kill him because he killed an Egyptian earlier.  Moses also gets an okay from God that Aaron can help him lead the people out of Egypt.  So Moses has probably stopped trembling in his bones...Well, he is still probably nervous, but not as much, since his brother will be doing the talking. And now Moses is taking his family on a trip back to Egypt. So everything seems to be back on track.

"The Lord said to Moses, 'When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." Exodus 4:21

I would have said: "Um, excuse me God...You want me to perform all these signs and wonders before Pharaoh, and you are going to HARDEN HIS HEART. Why? I already told you that I can't speak well in front of people, and now you are going to make it even more harder. Why are you going to do that?"  

Moses argues with God about everything...Yet I noticed he didn't even question why God would harden Pharaoh's heart. To me, I would have asked God about this: "God, isn't this a waste of time? Why are you going to harden Pharaoh's heart? Isn't is hardened enough?"

It gets even better.

^"At a lodging place on the way, the Lord met Moses and was about to kill him."Exodus 4:24



I have read that story many times in my life, and I don't even recall this one sentence...Why was the Lord God going to kill Moses?  He already gave into Moses' excuses about why he felt he couldn't lead the people out of Egypt.  He even said "the People" who were going to kill you, are no 
longer alive; so it was safe for Moses to return to Egypt. 

Why didn't God just come out and say, "Moses, the people that were going to kill you are all dead. So you don't need to worry about them...But Moses... I am going to kill you. So watch out..."

Why was the Lord wanting to kill Moses.  If the Lord God killed Moses, who would have led the people out of Egypt?  Would Aaron do it alone? Why did God want to kill him?  Was it because he argued with God? Was it because he didn't follow the covenant of God exactly the way he was supposed to?

I am a sinner, too; saved by God's grace. I wonder would God ever want to kill me?  Am I stubborn enough to anger God?  I know I tend to argue my point, and then give in most of the time, but am I making God angry? I never have really thought about God being angry with me before. 

If I was in the Bible, what would it say about me? Would it say that I angered God? or would it say that I didn't do what he wanted me to do so he provided other ways to help me accomplish his tasks?...Would it say that God was going to kill me?...I so hope not...It makes me think of things that I need to change in myself. Some might say that Moses didn't do all that God wanted him to do so that's why he was going to kill him.  Do we always do all that God wants us to do? Are we any different than Moses?

If a chapter in the Bible was written about you, What would it say?

All scripture is from the NIV (New International version) Bible from www.biblegateway.com


All photos are from photobucket.com