As you know, I have Young Onset Parkinson’s Disorder. This has effected every part of my life. Recently, my symptoms were the worst that I had ever experienced for two weeks straight ~ I had a difficult time walking because it felt like I had cement blocks tied at both of my ankles. My toes would cripple up to where I would step on them with my heel to crack them to relieve the pain. My whole body was numb; arms, legs, even my face! My movement was so bad that I was “plopping” down in my furniture which prompted me to get a lift chair in my home ( the last thing I wanted to do at 36 years old). By the Grace of God, I still managed to get through my days at work, but it was difficult as I would pray step by step, “Please God, one foot in front of the other. Let me make it to my classroom.” A few mornings, two of my friends at work held my hands as they prayed to God to touch me so that I would make it through my day and to guide me. This helped so much, but there were a few times that I had to leave work early due to my health issues. Once, my friend had to drive me home.

Once home, it really wasn’t much easier on me. I couldn’t sleep because I was in pain. I also took on a project at work to which I am doing our yearbook layout for school. I would lie in bed, worried about how I was going to manage that. I had never done anything like that before and I was overwhelmed with the programs I bought for this project that I had never used before. With this on my mind, I would lie in bed and think “uuuuggghhhh!”
Although medication can mask the symptoms of Parkinson’s, it just didn’t seem to be working well….and the side effects…I was falling asleep during daily activities without warning. I even had to leave church one morning because I just couldn’t sit through the whole service. And then I had the biggest wake up call!

I was driving home from work one day and fell asleep at the wheel. I had done it before, but at a red light. Well this time I rear ended someone. I wasn’t texting or playing with the radio..I knew I fell asleep because I woke up from the impact of the crash and thought, “Oh my! I just hit that truck in front of me!” God was with me and the man I hit got out of his truck and asked me if I was okay. I said yes and apologized. He told me not to worry about it. He said, “If you’re okay, I’m okay.” and that was it, we went our separate ways. But I was not okay and I was worried about it. I went home and went to my parents. I was so lucky that there was little damage to my car, I hit an old pick–up truck, and no one was hurt. I told my parents I refused to drive until my medication was altered.

A few days later, I was lying in bed. Once again, I was not able to sleep and I started to cry. I cried and cried and then I picked up the Bible and started to read the book of Matthew. I have to say, that I was raised Catholic, so I never studied the Bible. If I ever tried to read it before, I would start in Genesis and usually quit reading in the middle of Exodus because I was just reading words. That night I started reading the book of Matthew, it was different. I wasn’t just reading words, I was able to comprehend what I was reading and it clicked! It made me want to read more and more. I found my Relationship with the Lord that night and I actually started having wonderful days with my health since that night! It was like my eyes were opened and the Holy Spirit renewed my strength and put so much doubt about my life aside. God’s Grace gave me a whole new perspective about my life! And He could not have chosen a better time than when we are celebrating His birth!

Judy, I have to say that the last two days have been a big strain on me and I have been depressed. Disgusted with some people at work, feeling bad for many people who have recently lost loved ones, and upset with people who are just plain mean … I woke up early AGAIN… lying in bed thinking, “I just don’t want to go to work today!” I turned on the computer with intentions on looking at some yearbook ideas I had that were shot down by the yearbook sponsor in hopes of tweaking them to her satisfaction (could have cried yesterday at work cause I spent hours on the computer working on something that i was so excited about), Anyway…I checked my facebook first and the first thing I saw was your post with the elf video of you, Pastor Travis, Angelina, and Baby Boy. Not only did it make me smile, it brought me to your Blog. I read this entry and it was just such an inspiration. Than you for reminding me about God’s Grace and His plan for each of us. It is time to get ready or work!

Happy Holidays to you and your family. Rachel Lindsay

that was really cute and it did make me smile! have a blessed holiday! see you at church ~ rachel lindsay