We joyfully announced our upcoming trip to Israel! We were not surprised that Satan attacked to discourage us.

Journal, 2-21-2020: I’m on the last day of my fifth round of Prednisone. I decided to update my license to a real ID. I kept waking up worrying about it. I’m moving ahead on the trip despite these allergy flares. …

Psalms 31:2, “Listen closely to me! Deliver me quickly; be a rock that protects me; be a strong fortress that saves me!” Common English Bible

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“Psalms 31 is a prayer for help with the typical elements: complaint and petition…along with affirmations of trust and praise…is unique because the expressions of praise/trust begin, end, and pervade the psalm, giving it a character similar to the psalms of trust.” Common English Bible Notes on Psalms 31:1-24

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2 Samuel 16:12, “Perhaps the Lord will see my distress; perhaps the Lord will repay me with good for this cursing today.” Common English Bible

February 21, 2020: Psalms 31, 55; 2 Samuel 16; Psalms 3-5.

Journal, 2-22-2020: The tear duct in my right eye is clogged again. I have red hives under my eyes. I decided to switch from Allegra to Claritin for a few weeks. …

(The Allegra builds up in my system and I have to take a break. I’ve been on a double dose all winter. That is not normal!)

…We have gone over my list of triggers. A week ago, I ordered a new coat. I am allergic to feathers and the “encapsulated feathers” are poking through. The coat is red and the red dye is a possible trigger. I went through the cupboards checking for it. Thank God, Aldi does not add it to their products!

I found it in my favorite dressing. I mixed “red dye-free” ketchup with mayonnaise. Then added some relish to make my own “1000 Island Dressing.” Each day I ask God to show me anything I can do to stop this reaction. …

2 Samuel 18:4, “The king said to them, ‘I will do whatever you think is best.'” Common English Bible

February 22, 2020: Psalms 6, 8, 64; 2 Samuel 17, 18.

Journal 2-23-2020: The tear duct in my right eye is closed. My eyes are swollen with red hives. I used a warm wet compress and flushed them with saltwater. Then I used a sinus rinse and washed my hair in the tub. I hoped the rinse would run into my upper sinuses and run down to unclog that duct. …After church and the nursing home service, I took Benadryl and went to bed.

Somehow, I got off on my list of chapters! I read the ones assigned to the 24th! I didn’t notice it until the 25th!

Psalm 18:27, “You are the one who saves people who suffer and brings down those with proud eyes.” Common English Bible

I sure don’t have proud eyes today! Makeup was out of the question. I know God saves those who suffer. There is hope.

February 24, 2020: 2 Samuel 21, 22; Psalm 18.

Journal 2-24-2020: …I moved Valentine’s Day Decorations and red candles from boxes to clear totes. (I decorated for St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday.) My goal is to eventually move all my storage into clear totes. Dust is a huge trigger. …

Psalm 20:4, “Let God grant what is in your heart and fulfill all your plans.” Common English Bible

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Psalm 20:14, “And save me from willful sins. Don’t let them rule me. Then I’ll be completely blameless; I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing.” Common English Bible

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“Blameless: The word does not mean sinless. It means “completeness, wholeness,” and is sometimes translated “integrity” (see Psalm 18:25). Listening to God’s instruction and being forgiven by God, the psalmist will be fully in relationship to God.” Common English Bible Notes on Psalm 20:14

February 25, 2020: Psalms 19-21, 65-68.

Journal 2-25-2020: Exercise. Journal. Devotions. I wrote a post about going to Israel. Then I checked the 2021 April Bible Reading Guide. …

Psalms 61:8, “Then I will sing praises to your name forever, and I will do what I promised every single day.” Common English Bible

I found I am off on the chapters by a day. Somehow, I missed February 23rd. I read it today.

February 23, 2020: Psalms 61, 62, 89; 2 Samuel 19, 20.

Journal 2-26-2020: Both eyes are almost swollen shut!!! I took pictures and sent them to my doctor. Then I made an appointment.

He replied, “More Prednisone!”

I canceled the appointment. Every few hours, I boiled purified water; I poured it over 2 washcloths; let it cool 10 minutes; then put them on my eyes and mouth for 10 minutes. I have hives around my mouth now, too. (Sigh.) I switched back to Allegra. …

…David picked up more meds. I took them and finished my devotions. No post today. I just can’t see! …

…I sent a picture of my eyes to the worship pastor, the head of the E3 cafe, and Derek, saying, “Just between you and me, I can’t see! This is an allergy flare. I’m out for tonight!”

Psalms 138:3, 7, “On the day I cried out, you answered me. You encouraged me with inner strength. …Whenever I am in deep trouble, you make me live again…” Common English Bible

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Psalm 141:1, “I cry out to you, Lord: Come to me quickly! Listen to my voice when I cry out to you!” Common English Bible

February 26, 2020: Psalms 138-141, 143-145.

Journal 2-27-2020: I dragged through exercise. My mouth and eyes have red, swollen hives. …I soaked them four times today. …

…Kenny V. called. His mother passed away. He asked me to accompany his cousin at the funeral. I should be tapering off of Prednisone by Monday. I agreed. He dropped off music to the hymn she wanted – “Tell Mother I’ll Be There.”

2 Samuel 23:2, “The Lord’s spirit speaks through me; his word is on my tongue.” Common English Bible

I will be there.

February 27, 2020: 2 Samuel 23, 24; 1 Chronicles 21.

Journal, 2-28-2020: David woke me up when he left for work. I drug myself out of bed. I boiled water for a warm compress and went back to bed.

I took another picture of my eyes and sent it to the doctor. Some of my lashes were stuck together when I woke up. I wondered about an infection.

He ordered more Prednisone. Three days ago, he increased the dose by half. Now I will be on a high dose for 6 days, not three. I went back to bed. …

…At noon I put a pork roast in the Crockpot and had devotions. I checked it at 3:30 p.m. I didn’t turn the Crockpot on. (Sigh. Life on Prednisone.) I put the meat in the refrigerator and texted David. He brought home pizza with white sauce. I take Benadryl at night to go to sleep.

Psalm 2:12, “…But all who take refuge in the Lord are truly happy.” Common English Bible

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“…The necessity of taking refuge in God shows that true happiness doesn’t mean the absence of threat or suffering…” Common English Bible Notes on Psalm 2:12.

February 28, 2020: 1 Kings 1, Psalms 2, 110; 1 Chronicles 22.

Journal, 2-29-2020: I’m tired. David picked up the Prednisone refill – 1000 milligrams! …

…I worked on the song for the funeral and practiced for Sunday. Brenda is sick. Derek had to change two songs. …

…I asked to have the Worship Team Christmas Party moved to my house. (Yes, it’s been a hard winter.) I made a gallon of sweet tea and a gallon of lemonade. Then I baked a Chocolate Chip Torte and Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. …

…Rachel called at 4 p.m. Another family is out sick. We postponed again. David froze the cake and I put the pork roast in the oven. Then I went back to bed!

1 Chronicles 24:5, “They divided both groups by lots because they were holy leaders, even outstanding leaders, …” Common English Bible

Goal – an outstanding leader.

February 29, 2020: Psalms 30, 91, 92; 1 Chronicles 23, 24.

Journal 3-1-2020: Soaked my eyes. Washed my hair. I’m tired, in a Benadryl fog and wondering if I should give up. I read my Bible.

1 Chronicles 28:9, 10 “As for you, Solomon, my son, acknowledge your father’s God and serve him with enthusiastic devotion, because the Lord searches every mind and understands the motive behind every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you abandon him, he will reject you forever. 10) Now then, since the Lord has chosen you to build the temple for him as the sanctuary, work hard.” Common English Bible

Journal 3-1-2020: …Set up and practiced. I stayed backstage. At this level of Prednisone, my immunity is lower. Derek and Rachel had a meeting in Mt. Pleasant. We tore down the drums and her keyboard during the offering. …Back at home, I put on pajamas and crawled into bed. I stayed there.

I didn’t give up and abandon God. I know I’m chosen for worship. I worked hard to do the tasks assigned to me. I am devoted to God.

Search my mind and motives, God. I turn it all over to you.

March 1, 2020: 1 Chronicles 25-28.

Journal 3-2-2020: I woke at 5:15 a.m. and put on the clothes I wore to church. David had to be at work at 7 a.m. …

…I took a picture of my eyes which are still red and puffy. I sent it to the doctor and asked to taper off anyway. …He told me to drop 10 mg every 3 days.

…I took a shower and went to the funeral home early. I signed the book with my gloves on. I went back to the piano and stayed there. I only had contact with 3 people. I stayed in that back room until everyone left and it was time to pick David up for lunch. I waited in the van.

1 Chronicles 29:17, “Since I know, my God, that you examine the mind and take delight in honesty, …” Common English Bible

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Proverbs 2:2, 3, “Turn your ear toward wisdom and stretch your mind toward understanding. 2) Call out for insight, and cry aloud for understanding.” Common English Bible

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“Strategic thinking helps you plan, to become more efficient, to maximize your strengths, and to find the most direct path toward achieving your God-given assignment in life. (1) Strategic thinking simplifies the difficult… (2) …helps you ask the right question… What should we do next? …” The Word for You Today, March 2, 2020

March 2, 2020: 1 Chronicles 29; 1 Kings 2.

Journal 3-3-2020: I debated canceling all our plans before our trip and just staying home. I shouldn’t be in crowds on this amount of Prednisone. I wondered if I would be able to enjoy the trip? …David shared his concerns about his knee. Someday, down the road, the doctor wants to replace it. Of course, it has been bothering him recently. He wonders if he will enjoy this trip? …

1 Kings 3:5, “The Lord, appeared to Solomon at Gibeon in a dream at night. God said, ‘Ask whatever you wish, and I’ll give it to you.'” Common English Bible

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John 15:7, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.” Common English Bible

Lord, we ask you to heal us!

Proverbs 3:5-8, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. 6) Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight. 7) Don’t consider yourself wise. Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8) Then your body will be healthy and your bones strengthened.” Common English Bible

My body will be healthy and David’s bones will be strengthened!

March 3, 2020: 1 Kings 3; Psalms 45, 72, 127; Song of Solomon 1, 2.

Journal 3-4-2020: …We went to the last meeting for the Israel trip. I was nervous. (Prednisone.) I don’t feel like I fit in. David was outgoing and talkative. That made me feel shyer. …

…The sermon was about discerning: gather evidence, prove it, and then decide. …

…The care pastors, Dana and Linda, came to pray with me. They know what’s going on. I was talking to Pastor Peggy about the trip. I shared our struggles with her and Pastor Brant and Bethany. Not only did they pray for us, but they also shared two other people with health battles who are going to Israel with us. We are surrounded by prayer warriors. Now when I think of our health struggles, I will pray for Jaimie and Nicole!

Song of Solomon 3:7, 8, “Picture Solomon’s bed – sixty heroic men round about it all from the heroes of Israel, 8) all of them skilled with the sword expert in warfare, each with his sword ready at his thigh against terrors that come by night.” Common English Bible

It’s at night that I worry about the trip to Israel. I think of what could go wrong. We have heroes to battle the terrors by night and win!

Proverbs 4:23, “More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.”

Common English Bible

March 4, 2020: Song of Solomon 3-8.

And to everyone encouraging me to write a book? I think I just did!

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