Today marks the one year anniversary of starting this journey of healing. I'm pet sitting at Uncle Kevin and Aunt Michelle's house. Pet sitting. I still can't get over it. It was 12 months ago that I was on 5 medications, 2 shots weekly, and still avoiding animals like the plague. Hopeless. Hurting. Weary. Lacking faith.

Now I rejoice daily for my health. Oftentimes, I'm overwhelmed by God. My mind cannot comprehend his power and love. My God heals. MY GOD HEALS!

So many sleepless night, wondering if this sickness was the will of God for my life.
So many moments paralyzed with fear, wondering if life would always be like this.
So many hopeless doctors appointments, wondering if my condition would continually worsen for the rest of my life.

My God heals. Do you hear me, Christian? My God heals! :-)

In other news, I'm going to Italy in five weeks. It's all God, just so you know. He's crazy like that.

Praise Him!

Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

I want to go to Italy. ....start in Sicily and head north, hitting all the major cities. And maybe by the time I get to Venice, I'll want to stay in Europe forever. :-) I just need three months, a backpack of essentials, and a few really close friends. (Oh yeah... and money!)

I was so incredibly encouraged by the Psalms today. I was struggling, so I went to the Psalms, determined to stay there until my heart connected with one. Well, my heart connected with one... and then another... and I just couldn't get out. (love it!)

Psalm 27

The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I see: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD