One exciting part of my life is that, like tonight, I may be called
(even during typing this post) to help my nephew in Baltimore, Maryland doing ministries for women who have been or are being raped and beaten. I pray for them while my nephew James listens.
I spent most of my early years as a CNA in nursing homes, but I had to leave that type of work. When I left the CNA work behind, I ensured the place was being investigated. However, the other CNAs treated the elderly without respect, compassion, the decency to take the elderly into their room to change them and get them clean, and the carelessness they showed when lifting them when they were a Hoyer-lift was too much for me to bear.
I left my CNA certificate behind to work in a factory. I worked in a factory working men's jobs to raise and support my three young daughters from 1997 until I had a back injury causing me to become disabled in 2004. Since then, my disabilities have increased, first with the injury, then years later I learned I have spinal stenosis in my back and neck, to two years ago finding out I'm in stage three of stage five Parkinson's' Disease. When I learned of spinal stenosis, I looked up at Jesus and asked him to use me as a vessel. Last semester, I took INT-211A after Jesus came to me in my sleep telling me I needed to go back to school, so I would have more knowledge to continue helping others through Christ.
My concern is, will the Parkinson's Disease allow me to finish this four-year bachelor's degree in Biblical studies and take what I learn here at CCU into the local community, helping others come closer to God. July 11th, 2021, I was hospitalized not only because of having problems breathing but because I was having issues with my congestive heart failure causing me to swell so badly that I couldn't see my knees, ankles, or even my own feet. During my short stay in the E.R. that night, they stuck a needle into my wrist, checking for my oxygen level, causing a bruise. Everyone gets bruises, you say? You're right; they do, but mine turned into a cross later. The cross on my wrist is still here, and without a doubt, I know I'm in the right place at the right time. I haven't shared this with you to get sympathy, as that is one thing I don't need. So why did I share? I'm a Christian woman whose faith only grows with each challenge. Yet, I smile...
