Living Word Decor

*This is an update to my original post from 2016. My shop is no longer on Etsy, but I do have my own website now, which can be found here: www.LivingWordDecor.com 

LIVING WORD DECOR

I mentioned in my last post that I started painting and have really been enjoying it. I wanted to share some more information about that here.  

A few months back I started searching Etsy for wooden scripture signs to decorate our home. Since God's Word really transformed and healed me in so many ways during my chronic illness trial, I wanted to grace our walls with it. I found a few things we really liked and bought a few pieces; however, most of it was just too expensive. I got the idea out of nowhere to try and start painting some signs myself.  I say the idea was "out of nowhere" but I know it came from the Lord. I never considered myself crafty in any way but have had from time to time the desire to be! I dug out of the bottom of my closet an old tool box kit full of Apple Barrel paint samples my husband had bought me years ago (I knew I was keeping them for a reason ;)) and started painting some verses on scrap wood.  To my surprise, things were turning out okay and I was really enjoying myself!  Fast forward dozens of trips to Hobby Lobby later (for more paint, stencils, wood transfer paper, new paint brushes, spouncers, etc.) and I opened an Etsy shop full of some paintings and made my first sale as of yesterday!

I named my shop Living Word Decor, as God's Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12) and it also heals, gives life and peace, it transforms, it increases faith and accomplishes its purposes (Proverbs 4:22, John 14:27, Romans 12:2, Romans 10:17,Isaiah 55:11). We are commanded in scripture to keep His word before our sight (Proverbs 4:21) and what better way to do this, besides reading your Bible, than to hang His word on our walls to always see!

I'm posting a few pictures of some of my paintings. If you like them, please take a look around my shop (link above)! My greatest desire is to bless others with God's Word as it has so greatly blessed me.

Lyme disease remission

I suppose this post is past due.  Just as the title says, I am officially in remission from Lyme disease! Praise God! At my last doctor's appointment, about a month ago, he declared me in remission and took me off the antibiotics (although I had already taken myself off them, more on that below). I am still supposed to be taking my herbal medicine (grapefruit seed extract, burbur, pinella, stevia, banderol & samento) but I'll be honest, I'm slacking in that area. I guess that's the part of me that just wants to be done with it all. I'm praying about it and seeing how the Lord leads me as to whether or not I should continue with all that stuff. 

Towards the end of my third month of treatment, I started having stomach issues at which point, my doctor added flagyl. I couldn't handle the flagyl so I took it upon myself to stop ALL antibiotics about 2 weeks shy of my doctor's appointment.  It was a gamble but I felt it was time.  I listened to my body and trusted the Lord. It only took about 24 hours after stopping the antibiotics for my stomach issues to resolve and to feel MUCH better so it was further confirmation that I made the right decision. 

Overall I would say it's been about 6 weeks since stopping the antibiotics and I'm still doing really well.  I'm just so thankful for having energy and not needing to sleep all day! I do still have days here and there where I'm tired and I take my afternoon nap but it's no where near (and I mean NO WHERE NEAR) how tired I used to feel!  My joint pain and muscle aches are gone, no more being off balance, no more daily nausea, no more insomnia, no more blood pressure issues (POTS syndrome), no light light/sound sensitivity, no more numbness/tingling/extremely cold hands & feet, etc., etc. I do still have my ocular flutter issue but honestly, I've learned to live with that.  I thank the Lord that it's not severe.  I supposed He is keeping that healing all to His miraculous self.  

I'm slowly getting back into working out, walking my dog most days and working on building back up my endurance. I've gotten into painting which I really enjoy and may share on here at some point in the future.  I'm just living life one day at a time and truly thankful for all that this experience has taught me.  On to the next season!