My 'Everyday Amazing' story, inspired by the upcoming book "So Close to Amazing" by KariAnne Wood

Hi y'all! So today's post is about to get REAL. If you came here for a DIY or tutorial, well I'm sorry to say that's not happening today. No, today, I'm telling you my "Everyday Amazing" story which I was inspired to share by my good friend, KariAnne Wood's upcoming book titled "So Close to Amazing" which you can order here.

You guys. YOU. HAVE. TO. BUY. THIS. BOOK. I'm serious. I have laughed until my tummy hurt, I have cried, prayed, reflected, been confronted with my own personal shortcomings but most of all realized that BECAUSE of all of the above, I'm actually 'amazing'. Yes, I am amazing. Why? Well, because for one, I am a creation of God! Also, I rock at a lot of really neat things, and at the same time rock at being bad at many things, too! :)

If you're new to my blog, my name is Evey. This is me, well how people are used to seeing me...when I'm onstage at Home Shows, on TV and morning news shows or just on social media.

Photo by Stefanie Photography

Here's a more recent one:

Photo by: Hector Rivera Photography

And here's also what I look like, quite often when my health fails me and I end up in the hospital...

The reality is, I have 6 (we're now up to 8 as of Dec. 2018)  autoimmune illnesses, 2 genetic disorders and COPD. That means I spend about a quarter of my life in and out of the hospital. That means, I won't live as long as I'm supposed to. That means, I've coded 7 times in my life. That also means, I live my life to the FULLEST. It means I find the beauty in EVERY. DAY. It also also means I love every aspect of my life, and I try to experience as much as possible.

I had the opportunity to read KariAnne Wood's So Close to Amazing before it hits shelves on September 5th, and it has been everything I thought it would be and more. If you know KariAnne, you know she's an incredibly kind and selfless being. You know that she is bubbly, funny, very talented and has an incredible eye for design. She also has an incredible story. This well written memoir is both emotionally moving and very funny. It tells her story in a thought-provoking and beautiful and amusing manner.

It has inspired me to share the following video...I must warn you, it's long and likely the first time I've spoken so candidly about what it's like to live with chronic pain and illness, as well as what it's like to follow my dreams not just in spite of, but BECAUSE of the above. Hope it inspires you to follow your dreams but to also buy KariAnne's AMAZING book! Don't forget to check out the other reviews and 'So Close to Amazing' stories by some of my bloggy friends below via the linky party!

KariAnne: Thank you for writing such a personal, and incredible book! Thank you for letting me be a part of your journey to sharing your story with the world. Love you lots, lady!

An InLinkz Link-up

 

Giving Thanks and Rejoicing in EVERYTHING

For days, I have started and re-started this post in my mind...in and out of consciousness, but it was there.  Today is Thanksgiving day.

Ordinarily, I would have been baking up a storm in the days leading up, and today, I would have been finishing up all the sides that are my annual responsibility. But today, I write this from bed, not able to hold my own weight up long enough to stand, with over 25 wires attached to my head and chest, and with my wheelchair nearby...BUT I AM ALIVE. Alive.  A couple of weeks ago, I doubted that I would even make it to Thanksgiving Day.  Today, I have a million reasons for which to be thankful, beginning with the fact that I got to kiss my kids good morning. 

I thank each and everyone of you for all of your prayers, well wishes, warm thoughts and constant support.  It has meant the world to me.  I am  happy to say that I am home with my family.  Though I am still bedridden and hooked up to a gazillion wires and machines, I am home! :)

My diagnosis is Addison's Disease which means my adrenals have failed and are no longer making cortisol or adrenaline.  I am still unable to stand upright without passing out due to the dysautonomia that has come along with the Addison's.  I haven't seized in a few days, though, and I am finally absorbing the synthetic version of the hormones and steroids, something we didn't think was possible just a few days ago.  God is good and I am extremely thankful this Thanksgiving!

Tonight, when you give thanks around the table, remember just how fragile life truly is, but also how incredibly rich it is when you are surrounded by those that love you. I know that's exactly what will be going through my mind. 

 

xoxo,

 

Evey Owner/Creator, Evey's Creations Tel: 201-281-6696  http://sweetsongbird.eveyscreations.com FB: www.facebook.com/EveysCreations G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105370121686355288267/posts Twitter: @EveysCreations Instagram: @EveysCreations Hometalk: http://www.hometalk.com/eveya

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Happy Easter, in my daughter's words...

First, I want to thank everyone for the prayers, well wishes, and good thoughts  since my surgery.  I'm truly blessed and I know God had a hand in all of this.  Thank you to all for your help and support during this difficult time.  It has made a world of difference!

Now back to Easter.

We don't do Easter Bunnies around these parts.  Same as the whole Santa thing I shared with you back in December. ;)

No judgement to anyone who does...it's just not our thing.  I often think about what Easter Sunday or "Resurrection Sunday" as we call it in Spanish means to me.  The other day my Princess Wunkie basically just gave testimony of what it means to HER while lying in bed with me.  She had just come home from a "Good News Club" meeting.  She very calmly and with great conviction told me that our Lord was so amazing for dying for our sins.  "He could have gotten down from that cross, Mommy! He is God!  But He didn't! He stayed there, while He was mocked and even given vinegar instead of water!  He did that for us!",  she said, "THEN on the third day of being in a tomb, He ROSE AGAIN!".  It brought tears to my eyes.  In her tiny, little, 6 year old girl voice she had just professed the salvation story for me and anyone else to hear.  Amazing, right?!  What better way to explain it than in the words of a child!?

So today, I leave you with one of my favorite songs ever by one of my favorite bands ever, and the following words:

"One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now He's ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

Living, He loved me
Dying, He saved me
Buried, He carried my sins far away
Rising, He justified freely forever
One day He's coming
Oh glorious day, oh glorious day"

Amen and Happy Easter.

xoxo

Evey Owner/Creator, Evey's Creations Tel: 201-281-6696  http://sweetsongbird.eveyscreations.com FB: www.facebook.com/EveysCreations G+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/105370121686355288267/posts Twitter: @EveysCreations Instagram: @EveysCreations Hometalk: http://www.hometalk.com/eveya

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"How you live"

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I am always amazed at human nature, the fact that we have this need to be "someone", even if it means being someone else.  What is even more amazing, however, is that Christ loved us JUST AS WE WERE!  "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."- Romans 5:8. 

Giving Thanks!

‎"in everything, give thanks."  1 Thessalonians 5:18a

Sunday Morning and a thought

Hello! Before I rush off to Sunday Service, I thought I'd share with you some of my private thoughts since it's been a while since I did just that on a Sunday morning. ;)  I generally don't broadcast it to the world, nor do I hide it, but I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I have been living with this illness for as far back as I can remember.  Although it doesn't usually slow me down, I had a pretty rough week pain-wise.  I can say I've come to terms with chronic pain and a chronic illness, but I sure did get frustrated this week!  I had to constantly remind myself, that God has a purpose for everything in my life, including my illness.  I also had to remember that constantly He's working on me; little by little I notice things changing for the better with my illness, as well as with how I handle it.  So I just have to rely on Him for strength and for grace in the midst of the pain. Like His Word says: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.  I look forward to that day, when I will be perfect, as He intended, and get to walk pain-free.  Until then, I will praise Him and keep seeking His will for me.  I will also be grateful for the husband He gave me, who came home early to watch the kids, so I could rest and get better, and who bought us dinner so I wouldn't have to cook! :)