Monday, November 28, 2011

Easy to be Thankful This Year . . . .


With such good news in early November, I should have updated this blog long ago, but I was sidelined by illness and then recuperation and then the Thanksgiving holiday, with good and precious time spent with extended family.

We work at being thankful in ALL circumstances, knowing that "this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT) Sometimes that's a challenge (when life brings circumstances that are difficult and puzzling and worrisome), but for the past few weeks, it's been very easy to be thankful where Anna's eyes are concerned. NO INFLAMMATION at all in both eyes! We had gone from June through mid-October with this report, and then a few trace cells showed up in October (as per the last blog post). But from now until January (next eye appointment), we can set that concern aside and appreciate the joy and relief this news brings!

We know that at all times, God surrounds us with His unfailing love and carries us through the tough times. But how good and pleasant it is when we can get down from His arms and run alongside Him, laughing and dancing with joy! For every parent who is struggling with their child's arthritis issues, I'm praying that Anna's journey will continue to encourage you (knowing that there ARE moments along the way when you may experience relief--and "run and dance with joy."). For those who continue to struggle to find the right combination of medications to bring relief from the pain or to settle down the inflammation that uveitis brings, I pray that you will know and experience the "anchor for the soul" that our family knows---to keep you grounded through the stormy weather.