Nehemiah 2:7-9 7 Furthermore I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River,[a] that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah, 8 and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple,[b] for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy.” And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me. 9 Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. Three o'clock - 3:05 a.m. to be exact. Can't sleep because of the onset of tremor activity. And I have to wait on anti-tremor meds until after meeting Miss Rachel and Dr. Standeart. sigh... going to be a 'rock and roll' morning! So I looked up to see how many times Good Hand(s) were in The B asic I nstructons B efore L eaving E arth and found 3 times in NKJV - all dealing with the rebuilding of the wall of around Jerusalem at the conclusion of the captivity. HHhhmmmmm - a sign? After reading the three in context, I reflected on this particular passage. I find it intriguing that Nehemiah requests from a foreign "king" written proof that he (Nehemiah) has 'the authority to rebuild and collect'. Nehemiah had prayed so earnestly for GOD to grant opportunities for the People of THE MOST HIGH to return to Jerusalem to rebuild and collect. SO focused on this prayer was Nehemiah that king Darius noticed a physical change in his (N) countenance. As a result of the ensuing q and a session, Nehemiah was moved to ask for permssion, request the letters, and return to Jerusalem to begin reuilding. Nehemiah 'promoted himself' into a position to be able to do something positive toward restoraton. Am I not doing te exact same thing when I pray for opportunities to glorify GOD by givng the message of Living Water available to all who seek 'refreshment and restoration'? Am I not mocking Our Precious LORD when I 'pray' and then fail to genuinely carpe diem (endeavor to work) each opportunity as the door is opened? Help me, LORD, today as I meet and greet my destiny to reverberate Jesus' words as noted by the beloved apostle through Inspiration, Johm 9:3-5 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. 4 I[a] must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Well I got up feeling pretty good so I skipped going to the chiropractor. Now my body says, "you should have gone...you should have gone!" Tremors were less prominent today but I experienced two bouts with dystonia. I did get a little then in the yard But was afraid to stay out too long. Hopefully, sleep will come quickly this evening - 5 a.m. will come oh too soon! Rachel Clark, the nurse in charge of scheduling, called to see if I needed anything and mentioned how she was looking forward to meeting me tomorrow. I, also, am eager to meet her and the many doctors who will participate in screening me for this new chapterof my "Coping with PD" virtual book. Reminds me of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well John 4. I am forever adjusting to the unexpected. The Samaritan woman unexpectedly 'stumbled' on the Living Water she needed for eternal life. Her faith was demonstrated by her eagerness to share her new found Friend and Hope with her whole village. Life is full of uncertainties: people come and go, opportunities knock and then disappear, goals are set with high expectations and then sometimes unachievable. But the most effective lesson I can learn is that to trust in GOD for support and guidance especially when I'm overwhelmed with the 'newness' of relationships or situations will ultimately help me to see purpose in my life. Every person I will meet tomorrow is there by design. What I give to or learn from others will help me grow. I pray that GOD will open that Door of Opportunity of the Unexpected and allow me to share Living Water with new friends. And above all else, no matter what happens, I must remember I am in GOOD HANDS! My course has been set - I'll welcome the good in all of tomorrow. Psalm 40:4-5 4 Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. 5 Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

Day one of my online journal: Day after tomorrow starts the research study. I am trying to tie up loose ends in my garden area outside. Although it was a pleasant day, I still got overheated and the tremors were fairly significant all day. My left hip joint has given me trouble most of the day as well - guess a trip to Doc Hogan is in order for tomorrow! Sunday morning preaching focused on complaining being sinful and irritating to the LORD. So as the old proverbial saying goes, "when life hands you lemons make lemonade..." I know that God is in charge and it's my duty to stay positive and hopeful - in all ways trusting HIM to know what is best. But at cetain times, a bunch of lemons just might be ffar too sour to be redeemed even as lemonade! Embracing things which seems unfair calls for turning my life and total will over to a HIGHER POWER. Trusting GOD during the ebb and flow of distress, tribulations, and even PD is one way I can show others my love for the CREATOR. Complaining is not a significant help; crying and whining only distresses others. (Although I will say a private really big sobfest often eases emotional tension.) Letting GO and letting GOD wasn't easy at first. I grew more accustomed to it and more willing as I felt the burdens of this life being lifted from the shoulders of my heart. I gained more 'life', more freedom to laugh, more relief. And I deserve relief! So rather than making lemonade, I choose to take the mess that life hands me, stir in a great amount of GOD's grace and mercy, and congeal the whole mixture with faith that HE is ABLE....making messages! My messages for me and you to day is: Philippians 4:6-9 (New King James Version) 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you

This week begins a journey I have been looking forward to since learning about "the pump." On Wednesday the 28th I will go to UAB and become a research patient for the LCIG delivery system. 60 weeks! So many questions....

The Pump -
my first emotion was