God Has Other Plans

That was a really long dry spell. Although things have changed a lot for me and my situation, I still do long for the 'Dream'.

Not long after my last post, I had another surgery which left me still weak, painful and with the addition of no feeling in two finger! Around the same time, Sarah came to me and said she really wanted to go to High school here and graduate with her friends. She said she only agreed to RV'ing because she wanted to make me happy. :( At that time, I decided to put my RV'ing dream on hold.

Three months later, I was still not able to work, lost my job and applied for social security disability. It took about 6 months for that to get approved and to make financial adjustments from losing my job.

During this time, God began working in me. He led me, 'kicking and screaming' to Women's Ministry. I say that because I, personally would have never chosen this as my calling.  But then again, we don't get a choice! I really thought God was talking to the wrong person, but over time, He showed me where He wanted me and what I was going to do for Him.

I am the Women's Ministry Coordinator for our church now. It has been about 8 months and now in just a few more months, I will be headed to Nashville, TN for a Women's Ministry Leader Training conference at Lifeway. And believe it or not, I am thrilled to be going.  God has brought me to this place where I am actually excited for this ministry. And since this all began, I have been up in front, speaking to groups three times!  I do not do that! God does that.

So now I face this RV blog where nearly 3 years ago I truly believed we were headed out the door and on the road. Then without warning we came to a screeching halt and an immediate left turn!

I am Chasing the Dream of Jesus now and I still have hope that one day I will get the opportunity to live the dream of full-time rv'ing.  I often wonder if God already has a particular Christian man in mind (who currently owns an RV) to bring to my attention when His appointed time arrives. 

I keep in touch with Dee and Jim via their blog and Facebook and some others, too. And I feel a little guilty for not going to the chat room anymore.  Although, it has been awfully painful for me to type over the past couple of years. I just work on emails and this blog a little at a time now. 

I began a Bible study online with IF:Gathering.com. It is amazing, so if you would like to see what it's all about, go to IF:Gathering.com or download the app for both iPhone and Android. I attended a local IF:Gathering event recently and it was so incredible. The Holy Spirit was present as we worshipped. God is so amazing.

Now you know where I've been and what I've been up to since my last blog...I hope to keep this going. God bless you.

Miriam

BlueJay

     One step closer to going full-time. I recently purchased a new car, one that can be flat towed and it also gets better gas mileage than my other car.  Sarah named the car "BlueJay." I don't know why other than the color is candy blue, but it will be 'flying' behind our motorhome soon.

BlueJay

     I am in a holding pattern right now with my medical condition. The pain and weakness returned after the second surgery, too. I have an appointment at the end of October for a CT scan and nerve conduction test to be completed. My primary physician said this may be a permanent condition and that I may have to apply for disability, but I need to wait for the surgeon's results first.  I also looked into early retirement, which I do qualify for.  We, my doctors, the attorney and myself are all waiting for the tests to be completed and to get the results, so this can be all settled!

     In the meantime, I lean on Jesus for everything. With all that is happening right now in my life, my medical condition, being off work for 7 months now, living on long-term disability, living with this pain and weakness, I am able to be content with my situation through Christ. I know that God has plans for my life, huge plans. I know that He has set this desire within me to begin working toward fulfilling my lifelong dream of full-time RV'ing. And I know this is true, because of what He is doing in my life right now. His plan is unfolding before my eyes! God is awesome.

     Soon the weather will cool down (still in the 80s and it's October!) and I will be able to get into the attic and start downsizing. It's time to get rid of all those ridicules things that I have kept for all these years - and for what?! 

     298 days to go...

Launch Date Set!

     Sarah and I finally set our Launch Date!  We decided that waiting to see how things will go isn't a very good way of working towards a goal, so we set AUGUST 1, 2015 as our official launch date to begin this full-time RV'ing journey.  I even set up a count down app on my tablet - just 325 days to go!

     I am looking at getting a 'toad' for our journey as I would like to have an inexpensive vehicle that can be flat towed behind my motorhome.  I have narrowed it down and will be going out soon to trade in my Mazda6 (which I love :( but unable to flat tow) and purchase one that I can. And something a little more economical than the Mazda, too.

     I had a pre-retirement meeting recently to determine whether I can retire early and I have met all the requirements for me to do so, I just need to work on some things to make it all happen in 325 days!

     Sarah and I created a Vision Board to help us move forward with our dreams. Having the vision board posted in a place where we see it every day, will keep that dream alive and in our forethoughts. We can focus on making our dreams come true on a daily basis.  We love the idea.

The photo (above) just shows one area of the vision board where all the photos of Full-Time RV'ing are located.

     I am still doing physical and occupational therapy 4 times a week and trying to get this arm/hand strength back (better). I can type a little better, but not for very long before the arm/shoulder starts hurting.  I've been without the pain since surgery, but noticed recently after certain activities the pain feels like it's coming back.  And on that subject, I am appealing the denial for my worker's comp claim and need to call the attorney tomorrow. It is odd that WC denied my claim, yet they have ordered me to see an independent doctor (two of them) for evaluation - maybe they are having second thoughts?

Have a blessed day

     

Where has the Summer Gone?!

Nearly two months have passed without a word...however, I've had a lot going on.  Since June, the Creeper has struck three more times and is due to strike again soon. We still haven't been able to identify him, but the cops are looking for him and trying to figure out who he is. He is still a creep to me.

I had cervical spinal surgery (2nd one) on July 15th. I am still in the recovery process, now attending physical and occupational therapy four times a week. The surgery was successful as I have no pain running down my right arm into my hand! That is amazing. Now I just need to continue to heal and strengthen my muscles which have atrophied over the last year. This has been a very long summer having two surgeries and going through the therapy sessions, etc. I cannot believe that I have been off work for 6 months already. I still don't know for sure yet when I will go back to work, possibly in Sept or early October.  I am dealing with workers comp on top of this. I filed, they denied, but now I have to talk with the doctor and therapist to see why it would have been denied. I only filed because they told me it was work-related - I'm not the expert!

On August 21st, my beautiful little girl turned 13! I guess she is not so little anymore. :( She is growing up so fast. Sarah is a great kid and I am so thankful to be blessed by her.  We celebrated with her friend and family at Putter's in Eugene with pizza, laser tag, arcade games, etc. Then a huge surprise at home where her brand new Xbox 360 was set up and waiting for her to play! She said it was her best birthday ever.  I hope to make more of her birthdays the best one ever while on the road discovering America!

Just 8 days from today, my youngest son, Dave will be getting married to my best friend's daughter. That's right, my best friend that I have known for over 15 years and I are going to be mothers-in-law or something like that. Our kids kind of knew each other through us, but they are 7 years apart, so they didn't exactly 'grow up' together.  Lorianne, my best friend's daughter and my future d-i-l, started communicating with my son while he was serving in the Army while stationed in Iraq. When he came home, they went on a date and that's all it took! Things are beginning to pick up for me - thankful I'm not the mother of the bride!  We have the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner, August 28th which is earlier than most rehearsals because of the type of venue, we can't get in the day before due to another wedding taking place.  The wedding is on Monday, Sept 1st. They decided they wanted to get married on a weekday which happens to be a holiday too - Labor Day. This last week will go by fast and we have a lot of things to finish up too. And with this wedding, means more grandchildren!

After speaking with Jim and Dee (Tumbleweed) in July, I have decided to look at Class A's & C's, mostly thinking about a Class A instead of the 5'r and a truck. I agree with Jim, that it would be better for me physically and for safety to go with the Class A/C. So I have been looking and have fallen in love with the Forest River Georgetown - love it, love it, love it. I have also narrowed down my list of what I want (must haves) and what I would like (extras) in my mh. I also found out I can't flat tow my current vehicle (Mazda6), so we are thinking about buying a different vehicle. I am thinking about getting a Jeep Wrangler as I've heard they can quite easily be flat towed and I've always liked the Wrangler. This is still in the processing phase, so things can always change!

I have an appointment Sept 4th to determine whether I can retire early. I am hoping that this will work out in my favor. I would like to set a launch date for us, but with so many things still up in the air, I can't just yet.  We did clean out Sarah's room and hauled out 5 bags of stuff the other day. I swear the stuff is multiplying on its own! Once the weather here cools down I will be able to access the attic to begin that clean out-ugh! Hoping to have a yard sale before the fall weather comes too.

Now you know what has been going on with me for the past two months, I will try to do better with keeping my blog more up to date.  Thanks for reading...

The Creeper

Even though this is not related to my dream of living full time rv'ing, I have mentioned this situation to some of my rv chat friends and I had some follow up information.

In December of 2013, I noticed a woman's undershirt (lace camisole) in my front yard near my car. It had snowed, so I actually didn't find it until after the snow had melted. My only thought was how disgusting it was that someone would throw their clothes in my yard. I picked it up and threw it in the trash can. In January, it happened again-I thought nothing of it. Again in February this time a bra and March, panties. So I contacted one of the sex crimes detectives at the police department where I work and he told me not to take it so lightly, to file a report the next time it happens and have an officer come out and pick up the "evidence." He also suggested I get a security camera.

I had to research security cameras to see what type to buy and that took some time. Also during this time I had had my spinal surgery and was recovering. The creeper, as I began referring to this guy, had hit again in April, three times in May and now twice in June. Every time a nasty looking bra, crumbled up women's panties, swim suit tops and bottoms and once a little girl's dress - one sick pervert. I got one camera with the intentions of buying more, but not sure what kind to buy as I was having difficulties with the one I bought. I finally got the one working and it was recording 24/7.  Today, the creeper struck again, but this time he was caught on video by my camera doing his dirty deed! Now at least we know what he looks like.

The police came out and took possession of the sd card and the nasty bra left behind. The photos have been distributed to the local porn shop owners and patrol officers. Hopefully someone will ID this creep. I feel a little relief knowing we finally got him on video as all along he's been this elusive stalker out there preying on us and remaining unidentified. I don't know who the creep is nor does he look familiar to me.

I hope today leads the police to find the creep and soon he will find himself behind bars. Now more than ever, I wish we were on the road!

This and That

I saw the neurosurgeon today for the results of my most recent MRI and I have to have surgery again!  I knew that there could be a chance that it could happen, so I'm not blown away by the news. Of course, I have to go through the surgery again, all the recovery and wearing a neck brace for 4-6 weeks, no driving, etc.  The doctor did say that she would put in writing that the cause of this 'occupational disease' was my job. The occupational therapist has already confirmed that, so it should help with going through worker's comp. I am hopeful that this surgery will be successful and I will be pain free and regain the use of my right hand. Just waiting now for the insurance company to approve the surgery and then it will be scheduled. Timing sort of sucks, because the wedding is 9 1/2 weeks away.

I got my new crown today, too. It feels awkward - foreign object - in there. I'll get used to it soon though. At least that is done.

We got Sarah's final 7th grade report card:  5-A+'s, 2-A's for a grand total of 4.0! I'm so proud of her.
She managed to keep straight A's through 6th and 7th grade. Sarah is also feeling better - no more fever and her tonsils are even back to normal.  I think I was just tired and needed rest as I am doing fine now.

I've been looking online again at fifth wheels. I am starting to make notes on some of the things I think I want, which of course, there are a few things I can do without if it just comes down to one or two things.  Some things I will not give up on.  I'm looking at so many, all of the floor plans are running together! There's only so much that can be done with limited space. Other than building your own design, how do you find all or most of the things you want in one fifth wheel at the right price?!  I've been reading more RV websites and blogs too.  And I'm looking forward to the Fall RV Shows here in Oregon. It takes a lot of research and planning - well, it does for me because that's just my nature.

I'm looking forward each evening to chatting with my new RV friends at RV-Dreams.com. They are a great bunch of folks. I hope to meet one of them in a couple of weeks and I'm excited about that. One day, I hope to meet the others during our travels.


More later...

Amazing!

This is amazing to me. Even if you aren't a Christian and don't believe in God, I still want to share it with you.  I came across this a couple of days ago - perfect timing. I had asked God if this was just my own dream or if this was something He had in mind for me to do! Wait for It!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For the vision is yet for an appointed time...though it tarry, wait for it...”

(Habakkuk 2:3, KJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God has an appointed time to fulfill the visions, dreams and desires in your heart. Just because it has taken a long time or because you’ve tried and failed doesn’t mean it’s not going to happen. Don’t give up on those dreams! Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. Our God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible things look, if you’ll stay in faith, your set time is coming. Remember, every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God put it there. Not only that, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Hold on to that vision today. Declare by faith, “My time is coming. God is working behind the scenes on my behalf. I will fulfill my destiny!” As you continue to hold on to that vision and speak life over your dreams, it won’t be long before you see them begin to take shape. You’ll see your faith grow, you’ll see your hope strengthen, and you’ll see yourself step into the destiny God has prepared for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for placing dreams and desires in my heart. I trust that You are at work to bring them to pass even when I can’t see it, even when it’s taking longer than I thought. I know that You are faithful, and I trust You completely in Jesus’ name, Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen AMAZING GOD!      I had a very busy day today. I helped out at the church with our annual clean up day. Then I came home and took care of Sarah who is still running a fever and not feeling well.  I did a couple of things around the house, but now I am needing some relaxation and some heat/ice on my arm/shoulder.      Sarah showed me her tonsils and they are HUGE!  I guess, I'll be calling the doctor on Monday.      Sorry about the format of this post. I copied the Joel Osteen stuff and it messed up the columns.      More later...