Neighboring and learning during COVID-19

This morning I asked my neighbor, who is a Fire/Rescue person, if it would be alright to record their Granddaughters releasing some energy between their homeschool classes. It was interesting that he had recently put up a trampoline to give the girls a little recess, and I had an opportunity to catch up on him, his family and his work.

I’ve known my neighbor to work long hours and he’s a devout Christian who serves as a firefighter. I learned that he and his wife contacted COVID last year (yes, all this pandemic started last year), but they did not need to be hospitalized. This disease is affecting numerous people, yet it is NOT to be feared, but respected (wearing masks, keeping as much distance as they can, and keeping hands as sanitary as possible). It’s up to every individual to do their part for the betterment of all.

Upon asking about his work, he let me know that fire stations have been doing double & triple duty transporting pandemic patients to the hospital (some who really needed to be ventilated and others who were not in need, but wanted to be checked out). There are numerous patients who need to be seen due to heart conditions, accidents, or other emergencies, but they refused to go to the hospital because of unknown COVID fear. People cannot be forced to go to the hospital and all that can be done is pray for them and get refusal to be treated forms signed.

During these times of uncertainty, keep in touch with others, stay safe and trust in God. This too shall pass. #TBR

Tests going through a COVID pandemic

Well, God has done “IT” (He does a lot) once again. If you’ve read my previous two testimonies (Health care during a COVID-19 pandemic & Part II - Health care during a COVID-19 pandemic), you will note that I’ve been going through hell and I wasn’t about to stay there.  My last bout with the devil was as if I was being “punk’d” by him. I had to get a full “Skeletal Survey PTV” which is a series of X-rays from my head to my feet (26 films in all). It took an hour and a half. Let me take a moment to thank all who prayed for my healing and recovery without asking a lot of questions.

As some of you might know, an Oncologist specializes with your blood, and is also associated with cancer related matters.  Sure, the enemy tried to put fear in my mind, but I’ve been taught not to allow the devil have any power over me.

I believe that God is continually with us as we go through unfamiliar territory in order to be a blessing to others who may need help in building their faith; just as He did with Job in the Bible.

As it stands, I’m slowly gaining my weight, and overcoming some minor equilibrium issues. The doctor will see me again in December to make sure my numbers continue to be positive and hopefully he’s not trying to maintain a paycheck from me. I’ll be going back to the gym real soon, as I continue to live my life through this 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and beyond. #TBR and #FollowMeAsIFollowChrist.

I also need to give God the glory for supplying all my needs according to all that He possesses. We received a portion of the hospital bills, lab results and numerous doctors. God blessed my husband to have served in the military and have great insurance. I’m grateful that my mature age also allots me to collect the monies that I earned through social security. God creates many avenues of blessing, yet He is our source.

Van went with me to the Oncologist (October 20, 2020) to get the results of the Bone Marrow Biopsy, the urine test (I had to collect my urine for a full 24 hours - I had over a gallon and a half to take to the lab), Numerous blood tests, and a couple of consultations.

Call me crazy, but every time I see a butterfly cross my path, I praise and thank my God for LIFE!  Been doing that for many, many years and will continue to appreciate God speaking to me in this manner. OBTW, the COVID-19 Pandemic continues to go on and my bubble of protection remains steadfast and unmovable.

Part II - Health care during a COVID-19 pandemic

Have I got a praise report for y’all.  If you don’t know what I’ve been experiencing, please read my first Blog on my health.  On Oct. 5, 2020 I went to the Nephrology (kidney) Doctor.  When the doctor entered the room, she asked me how I felt.  Well, I told her that I originally went to the doctor’s office with symptoms of a UTI, and now other things are exposing themselves; no offense to her, but I didn’t want to come to her office.  I appreciate her profession, yet I needed one less specialist.

Well, she had my bloodwork in her hand and God had gotten my lab results down to normal.  I’ll just be checking back in 6 months before being completely dismissed. I gave God the glory right there in the office.  He is so faithful!  May I say that I was apprehensive about having a Physician Assistant tend to my needs due to the fact that it was a PA who prescribed the antibiotic that weakened my kidneys in the first place, but you shouldn’t assume that all PA’s are negligent.

Before getting that great news, I did go to do some errands and walked more than I have in weeks.  Still feeling a little weak, nonetheless, I’m not dizzy any more.  When you’ve changed your eating habits and diet, it’s difficult (but not impossible) to redirect your body to gain weight.  Since my hospitalization on September 10th, I’ve managed to gain 5 pounds.  Also, the Hepatitis C is still cured and not a threat.

On Tuesday (10/6/2020) Van & I went to the outpatient part of a local hospital to get a Bone Marrow Biopsy.  The test wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated it to be and I only needed a couple of Tylenols (can’t take anything with aspirin) for leg pain from my hip area after the anesthesia wore off.  The specialist wanted to see why my blood has some clots and why some other blood levels are off.  I’ll continue on the blood thinners, that the Oncologist prescribed, for another 2 months.  And guess what, the Bone Marrow Biopsy was done by a Physician Assistant.  I was praying hard and heavy before I had that mild sedative.  I was awake for most of the test - I think (lol).  It only took about 10 minutes to extract the marrow.

I am believing God that all things will be in order, in Jesus name.  My hopes are that my blog posts will be a blessing to someone who may be tested in their faith, may be fearful, or may disbelieve what God can and/or will do for them.  I continue to keep my faith strong as I follow directions from Holy Spirit.  Let me also thank everyone for their prayers.

OBTW, I am still very conscious of the Coronavirus, and so are the establishments where I’ve been visiting.  All places require masks, maintain social distancing (especially in chair seating) and constant hand sanitizing.  I will also get back to the gym in the near future, but I’m not rushing.

Please continue to pray for the persons affected by: Hurricane Delta, the California fires, racial injustices, those who have succumbed to COVID-19 and their families, & the upcoming election.  People must continue to be wise as they maintain their health.  Keep your mental health intact.  Stay positive as you surround yourself with positive people.  Stay active and accomplish some tasks each day.  Remember, You Are Your Future!

Health care during a COVID-19 pandemic

Where in the world has Ms. “V” been?  For those of you who like details - here it is.  It has been awhile since I’ve been on social media and it was a little difficult getting back; but I’m alive and getting better every day.  The devil tried to take me out, but God has many more great years in store for me and mine.

Our Granddaughter came to visit for the Summer this past July.  We have been surrounded in a “Bubble of Protection” (Job 1:10) that God has for us.  It wasn’t until August 20th that I began to feel chills and fever from a UTI.  Because I’ve had so many of these, I had an antibiotic on hand, but it had no effect.  I packed to go to ATL for that weekend, feeling a little better, but still was weak and not myself.

It took me a week and wanting to sleep all day that I got a virtual conference with a doctor on the base.  A urinalysis confirmed that the infection was still present.  The antibiotic that was prescribed for me was wrong.  I became weaker, lost my balance a couple times and fell to the floor.

God gave me enough strength to enjoy our Grandchild although I wish that I was feeling 100% instead of 35%.  Well, things were getting worst instead of better.  When you’re nice to people and talk as if you have sense, you will obtain favor.  I called the base and got an appointment on Sept. 9 with a doctor who would be saving my life.  This same doctor called me the next morning at 6:30 a.m. and told me to go straight to the nearest emergency room; that the base is not equipped to handle AKI (Acute Kidney Injury).

Van and I were in the ER from 7:15 a.m. as they started IV’s for my dehydration.  My veins were so small that I now look like a ‘pin cushion’.  Talk about being tested for FEAR, before I went to my semi-private room, my blood pressure had risen to 175/98.  They took it twice and I prayed that I wouldn’t stroke out.  It came down immediately after that.  God is so faithful and always there.

More testing came to my Faith as my room was right next to the Kidney Dialysis room.  I was asked so many questions and was given a Sonagram of my Kidneys and Liver (to make sure that the Hepatitis C was still cured and no harm was done in that organ.  The CAT Scan didn’t reveal anything, yet one examination and a Sonagram of my legs indicated that I have a blood clot in my left leg.  I had Thrombophlebitis over 40 years ago when I was a nurse, and got treatments just as I’m getting blood thinners now.  I am gaining my strength daily and slowly gaining the 13 pounds that I’ve seemed to misplace; nonetheless, I miss going to the gym and my lack of muscle tone needs help.  I was discharged from the hospital on the 14thh and will be seeing an Oncologist for the blood, and a Nephrologist to follow up and make sure that I continue to heal.

Thank you to those who inquired about my wellbeing and for the prayers and thanksgiving to God.  Sometimes you just need to be alone with close family and not a lot of questions.  #TBR

Take Good Care of Yourself

God, Me, Family & Work

Time is a commodity that once it’s spent, you can never get that time back again.  Time is something that one should spend wisely.  Take time to be with your family and enjoy that time.  Steal-away continuously to be alone with God.

As in the diagram God should be primary.  He should be the first person you seek in the day and the last person that you think of and talk with at night.  Go to bed, wake up and “Praise the Lord.”  God is our father and as His children, He wants us to love Him and want to be with Him.  When we put God first, everything else will fall into place.

YOU should be next (take care of yourself).  If you don’t take care of yourself, how in the world are you going to care for another person, place or thing?  If you are a 'caretaker' then take some time to get YOUR annual physical, eat healthy, exercise and be the best You that You can be.  Pamper yourself a little, smile and be happy.

Next is your family.  Take them to church, don’t just drop them off.  Have dinner with them & leave the electronic devices in another room.  Attend their games, but don’t try to involve them in everything that you might have missed in your childhood.  Extracurricular activities should not control your time especially time away with your spouse.  Do all things in moderation.

Now for the thing that most of us need to do in order to have funds for the other three entities, and that is ‘work’.  We have to work in order to pay our tithes, give to others, put food on our table, pay for a roof over our heard, get a manicure, clothe our bodies and enjoy time out.  Sure, God supplies our needs, yet we have to do our part to live, nevertheless, we shouldn’t allow our jobs to overcome our families, ourselves or God.  It’s time to set our priorities in order and live our lives the way God intended.

Believe and Receive

You may ask, “If God is able, then why doesn’t He…?”

“Why doesn’t He heal me?”

“Why doesn’t He use me for His service?”

“Why doesn’t He prove this or that to me?”

Well, first of all, God is sovereign (having supreme rank, power, or authority).  He doesn’t have to prove anything.  Sometimes He does, but that’s up to Him.  He is Elohim (the Creator).  He is El Shaddai (the all-sufficient one).  He is God.

Secondly, the reason why God may not show Himself to you is because of your unbelief in this or that situation.  Or it may be because of a lack of faith.  Yes, I too sometimes have to build up my faith level in a particular area.  I’m striving to achieve the level that Brother Smith Wigglesworth had.  Through the power and anointing of God, he once resurrected a woman from the dead.  He slammed her against a wall and spoke life back into her body.  (Was that the first method of CPR—the Holy Ghost way?)

Yes, our faith has to be built up, and we do this by praying to our Father and asking for an extra dose of the Gift of Faith.  Then, while awaiting the manifestation of the gift of faith, we must believe that we have received it.  In other words:  trust, believe, and receive.

To read more – Get the Book: “Where Did That Come From?” by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)

If you like Ms. “V”s Blog, come read her weekly columns on The Examiner.com: Christian Living and Events pages.

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Getting ready for a Happy New Year

As we begin to enter into another year, let us remember that things that didn’t work out for you in the past may be coming to fruition very soon.  Our timing is not the same as God’s timing.  #TBR

“Small Beginnings” (September 23, 1996)

In 1996, I began to go through a situation similar to Job’s.  No, I did not lose my children, or my home, or my health, but, when you are confronted with misfortune; it can seem as enormous as any problem that Job faced.  Just as Job’s trials, my misfortune seemed enormous and unending.

My husband and I opened a small, retail store selling ethnic cosmetics, cards, hosiery, figurines and a number of other items.  There was no other place in town that sold these particular types of items.  We drew up a dynamic business proposal and submitted it to the Small Business Association, after which we received a considerable loan to start the business.  We found a place downtown (the location wasn’t great, but we could not afford anything better (location is everything).  We remodeled the place, which we didn’t own but rented (mistake!).  We bought fixtures with a business credit card, and we purchased products to sell.  We had done a survey to find out if there was a demand for our products in our area, but you know how often people say one thing and then do another?  Our survey showed a good demand for our idea and our products.  We thought we had a sure thing.  We had prayed, trusted God, and basically, we had done our homework.  Some people say to give a business at least five years to become a success.  I say examine the facts.  Why endure a lot of hardship and expense?  When the cards are dealt after the shuffle, and, after you have drawn more cards, and you can’t make a good hand, then fold and fold gracefully…

To read more – get the book: “Bent But Not Broken” by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)

If you like Ms. “V”s Blog, come read her weekly columns on The Examiner.com: Christian Living and Events pages.

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Testimony of “Waiting on the Lord”

"YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK – Posted Tue 5/18/2010 5:01 AM, from BTW email scripture.      
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..."      Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)

The thoughts of man help determine his course in life.  If he thinks of himself as unsuccessful, incapable, and beneath others, he will behave in that manner and manifest failure in his life.

God wants the best for you, but He has given you the power to decide the course of your life. Do you have what you want?  If not, what are you saying?  Change your thoughts; change your life.

You were Born to Win! Faith Christian Center, Bishop George L. and Pastor April R. Davis, 8985 Lone Star Road,
Jacksonville, FL 32211,
(904) 725-3636.

I started writing for “The Examiner.com” on September 23, 2009 (I remember the date because I keep my important paperwork filed away).  Usually I get paid according to the number of articles that I post weekly, the number of times and duration that people come to visit my column, and if the person subscribes to receive email notifications when I post new articles.  All of this adds up to about $.01 per item.  There is an extra incentive of $1.00 if the article is ‘local’ and another $25.00 if someone is recommended by me.  In order for me to make a paycheck, I must accumulate $25.00 within a months’ time.  It’s not “fast money”, but it’s what I enjoy doing.

2015 Update: Things have changed and Examiner.com is not paying as much, but writing there is still my calling.  F.C.C. is now called “Impact Church”.

Yesterday, May 19, 2010, I posted an article entitled: “Oil Spill (Gulf of Mexico) clean-up solution 2010” and the response has been phenomenal.  God has blessed me to achieve a wonderful readership following and it hasn’t been easy, but through perseverance, it finally paid off.

Today, May 20, 2010, I went to thank the person who gave me the lead on the story and to take a look at my stats.  Well, today I’ve made more money in one day than I make in one month.  Earnings for yesterday alone were $29.03.  Total Subscribers = 47; Comments in last 7 days = 37; my page views = 3,204; Jacksonville average = 26, and Religion & Spiritually average = 17.

 

The stats for April were: my page views = 2,014; Jacksonville average = 478; Religion & Spirituality average = 492.  Total earnings for the month was $18.58 minus incentives.

As of today (5/20/10): my page views are 3,391; Jacksonville average = 56; Religion & Spirituality = 51 and my earnings are $30.80.  Praise Jehovah Jireh for He gets the glory and honor.  Amen.

The thought for the day that Faith Christian Center sent spoke directly to me and confirmed what I’ve been doing.  I’ve thought of my writing as being successful and the fruition of my goals is in manifestation.  TBR!!!  Trust – Believe – Receive; that’s what faith is all about.  You’ve got to believe it before you see it.  Hebrews 11:1 (King James Version) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Don’t give up on your dreams.  You’ve got to “Believe In Yourself” and keep on Believing.

If you like Ms. “V”s Blog, come read her weekly columns on The Examiner.com: Christian Living and Events pages.

Also to read similar posts – Get the Books by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)

   “Where Did That Come From?” & “Bent But Not Broken”

NEW!  Top 5 Google Areas to Ms. "V"s Website for October 19 – November 3, 2015 are:

   • Altamonte Springs, Florida

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It’s all about the “Prayer”

I don’t normally pray for celebrities, yet today I was prompted to pray for Beyonce.  Why – I don’t know.  Haven’t heard anything in the news lately, but when you’re led to pray for someone or something in particular – just do it!  We never know when intercessions are needed on our behalf.  It doesn’t have to be a long eloquent prayer because God already knows, nevertheless He was waiting for someone to stand in the gap and PRAY.

What is prayer?  Prayer is communication, communion, speaking with, and hearing from God.  It’s being in His presence, and not being alone.  It’s waiting for an answer and being still enough to hear that answer.

 

Making The Difference

You never know when it’s your prayer that makes the difference, in someone’s life.  Have you ever thought that your prayer was not necessary for someone else to make it through?

You probably knew that other people were praying for the same thing, so why should God bother with your little prayer?  You never know.  Your one little request may be the one that God is waiting to hear.  So don’t count yourself short.  Your prayers do count.

God’s Got A Super Highway

If you think the “Computer Internet” is something, tap into the Power of Prayer with God, and get the expected and the unexpected.

To read more – Get the Book: “Where Did That Come From?” by Ms. "V" (Victoria Thomas Poller)

NEW!  Top 5 Google Areas to Ms. "V"s Website for February 17 – February 24, 2015 are:

   • Lakeside, Florida

   • New York, New York

   • Chicago, Illinois

   • State of Parana, Brazil

   • Catania, Italy

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What is “God on Display”?

When you feel like everyone around you is being heard by God, but what about you? – Know that your blessings are right around the corner. #TBR, #ThatsGod, #GodOnDisplay.  See the whole story on Examiner.com and tell your story.

Overcoming obstacles, God’s got it!

Living a Christ-centered-life does not make one exempt from trials, but knowing Jesus Christ insures that you get through any situation that may come your way.  We’ve got to remain prayerful and trust Him.

Recently, I encountered another trial on my life.  As recorded earlier, starting in 2008, there have been numerous attacks on my body and God has delivered me through all of them.  There was Skin Burning, a Broken Ankle, a Pinched nerve that required Back Surgery to relieve the pressure on the Sciatic Nerve (Laminectomy), Shingles (without pain), diagnosis of COPD & in 2011 the first experience of Diverticulosis.  If it weren’t for the promises of God, I would have ‘lost it’ a long time ago.

Diverticulosis  Try to imagine blood coming from your rectum like running water – that’s what happened the first time I had a bout with this ailment.  This time it was darker blood, yet it was blood.  I’ve had difficulties with my bowels since my youth, and have been told to increase my dietary fiber.  Now, there’s got to be a change in my eating lifestyle.

is what I experienced once again, and was hospitalized for only two days.

I praise God that I didn’t have to get a blood transfusion as I did the first time.  I also thank my God that I didn’t have to have a colonoscopy, even after drinking the prep. solution.  Did I forget to mention that in each occurrence, I was always in the F.O.G. (favor of God); private rooms, courteous staff and knowledgeable Doctors.

Sure I was a little apprehensive because my maternal Grandmother died from rectal bleeding; nonetheless, my Husband, children and a few others prayed and assured me that God is faithful even though the natural eye may see things as a little scary.  Thank You God for Your Words on healing found in the Bible.

 

In Jesus’ name, this apparent generational curse stops with me through God’s healing touch, because “I Got a Lot of Living to Do!” (I like “Bye, Bye Birdie” – don’t judge me).

Sometimes people need to know that they’re not the only ones going through an illness, a trial or a test.  All of us do.  Be encouraged, you too can overcome menopause, arthritis and other sicknesses.  Don’t give up on yourself.  Continue to TBR (Trust in God’s Word, Believe that what He say, He will do and Receive His healing touch in your life)