#DropTheMask: I Am Healed + Let Your Light Shine Link-Up!

Happy Thursday!

Today I want to talk about mask that I want to remove and show to you all. I want to talk about my journey with dealing with lupus. I often give uplifting stories and talk about positive things to each and everyone of you and I show my happy, joyful side. But there was a time that I was always so unhappy. I was diagnosed with lupus and 2006, and my life was forever changed. Anyone that knows what a diagnosis feels like, can relate. To be told that you have something that is out of your control is disheartening and cause you to lose your faith and hope. My journey was difficult but when I came into Christ my journey shifted courses. In Christ, I began empowering myself to know more, hope more, and do more about this diagnosis. I know that he has already paid the price for my health and that I can be completely whole in Him. I definitely believe in miracles, and I also believe in healing. I believe in Jesus. 

I believe that he wants each and everyone of us to be complete in him. I believe that there is a story in my journey with lupus. A story that can touch places in people that that no other words can reach.  There's a bigger purpose in this tough and negative situation, and in Christ it can be turned into something that propels me into a firm faith and belief in who he is. Through my journey, I can see him taking on all of the pain of this world to offer freedom, liberty, love, life, and truth. 

I want to begin a personal journey of taking a more aggressive approach to my healing. I don't want to take medication for the rest of my life. Who does? I know that since it is labeled a chronic illness, they say its something I will deal with for the rest of my life. I know that many people have seen it go into remission for years. If it something that can go into "remission" for the rest of my life, I call that healed. Right now it is in remission. I have not been hospitalized for over 3 years. I thank Jesus for my health today, and every moment of everyday I am getting stronger in him, and stronger in hope and faith. 

I just wanted to share a piece of that with you that I never talk about it on here but it is something that I deal with on a daily basis. It used to haunt me, it used to scare me, I used to cry myself to sleep - upset that I had to deal with it every day of my life and nobody understood. I thank Jesus for those tough moments, the moments when A was right next to my side, literally carrying me to and fro because of inflammation in my body. I thank him that I can look back onto those dark days, and I can see the bigger picture, and the light he has given me and put into my life! I thank Jesus for the strength and the power to get through each and everyone of those moments, and the victory that he has given me in my life today to continue to conquer this disease. 

Call it what you want,  I call it healed.

So today, let's drop the mask we so often put on and show people the real us- because we all have a unique being we could share to help someone else.

Let's start the conversation with

hashtag #Dropthemask. 

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Today is Let Your Light Shine Thursday!

You know what time it is, let that beautiful light shine!
Each week we appreciate those of you who come by to share your posts on fashion, beauty, faith, love, and all the in between.

Today we are sharing a post from Katya at Life, KV Style.

Her post in LYLS link up last week caught my attention because let's admit, we are all trying to find the key to eating healthy!  This blog post of hers offers a fantastic tip on how to start your health journey and stay on it. Take a look!

RULES: 

1. Link up your favorite post this week - It can be related to faith, fashion, food, family, or whatever else you would like to share that helped you shine your light from the week!
Don't worry if you don't have a blog to link up - just leave a comment with how you let your light shine this week!

2. Follow I'm Perfectly Human & Made with Zeal on Bloglovin, or any other social media outlet (FB, Twitter, Instagram, or GFC)

3. Link back by using the button above or your own link.

4. Visit other blogs and meet new blogger friends!

Each week we will be choosing our favorite posts to feature and share with you all! So link up for your chance to be featured!!

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<a href="http://truesoulandspirit.blogspot.com/shine" title="Let Your Light Shine"><img src="http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l63/AishaLeuthardt/LetYourLightShine.png" alt="Let Your Light Shine" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Linking up: WIWT, Treasure Tromp, Week's End

-J

Follow me: Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Pinterest || Bloglovin 

An InLinkz Link-up

Having Faith: I am Real, I am Human.

Most days I feel like I am a very strong person. I can do anything and my head is held high,

with all doubts and fears beneath me. 

Other days I feel overwhelmed and like I am unable to continue to be strong. 

This morning was a test of my strength. 

Not the first, and certainly not the last. 

Ever since my struggle began with Lupus, six years back, each day has been a testimony in every way shape and form. 

I woke up with this morning, exhausted, 

like I had run a 15 mile marathon a few hours before. 

Unable to pick up my cellphone and turn off the alarm, due to the pains of arthritis in my hands, the fears and doubts flooded me. This is a familiar morning to me, as most of my days begin like this. 

But, today was different.

 As I rose to my feet I noticed pain and inflammation in my right knee and ankle. 

Oh, Great. 

This week was already going to be trying, as spring break is over, and any of you that work full time and go to school full time know the stress of balancing school, work, and life. 

Now unable to walk myself to the bathroom to take on the day, 

I felt defeated. 

As Adrian lifted me off the bed, and helped me dress myself, 

I let out a tear and told him,

"I am feeling discouraged." 

He looked into my eyes, and said,

 "Don't feel discouraged baby, you're body just needs to warm up. Everything will be fine." 

Unable to get into my doc, I know Adrian is right. 

I prayed to God. 

Sometimes, I needed to find the faith in me to take on the day. There were so many things that I needed to do, but my body was just not cooperating with me. 

click image for source

Faith can move mountains.

 I've seen people in my life believe in God, when there was nothing left for them. 

Believe that things would get better, that they would find the strength to carry on. 

I know I can do it. 

I am a strong, independent woman. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

I am grateful for the amazing people God has placed in my life, Adrian has seen me at my lowest of lows, he has stood by my side through it all. 

I know God has placed him in my life.

My parents and my siblings are always there whenever I need anything. 

They try to understand what is going on with me, even when I don't. They have been there to lift me up when things aren't going as planned.

I have good friends that are able to offer support. 

I try not to ever ask anyone for anything. I think I get that from my mom. She has always been strong, and figured things out for herself. I have found out that although I never want to depend on them or anyone for that matter, all of these people will let me depend on them. They will help me when I don't ask for it.

click image for source

I am thankful for another day, I am thankful through it all. I know that my hard work and dedication in my life is not in vain. 

I will make it! 

Happy Monday! 

While on Hiatus...

I may not have kept you updated.. So here's the past month in a few photos:

I got a bunch of friends and fam together to support me at the Lupus Walk for Hope! :)

(I was diagnosed with Lupus in November, 2006)

 Worked a few promos and shared laughs with great people!

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Supported my BFF, #10 who plays in MN Valkyrie Lingerie Football League! Super fun!

We made signs, and had a lot of fun some friends were even seen on MTV2!

 Bought a new rug for my living room, absolutely love it. 

Found Inspiration in a Fortune Cookie! (Don't you love when that happens!)

Dressed up as Skeletons for Halloween! I did the makeup myself, first time doing this and it turned out pretty good! :)

Overall, pretty good month. I also went shopping and bought lots of new clothes to show you all! I missed you guys and I hope you missed me too! Stay tuned for my welcome back outfit post this week! :) 

Lots of Love,