Allow Me to Introduce You

To the sojourners abroad,

Allow me to introduce you to something that has been building up in my body since Junior High. Apparently I am allergic to all over the counter pain medications. It is not a fun aspect nor do I look forward the many researching and testing ahead. I should start from the beginning. When I was in Junior High I took some Ibuprofen and spots appeared on my back and arm. My parents took me to the doctors and I was diagnosed with eczema. To us this made sense because eczema runs on my dads side of the family.

I don't really remember having any more reactions to pain medication until I went to the hospital my senior year of high school for a cyst. My mom gave me Tylenol to go with the lovely heavy drug I was given at the doctors. A pretty decent reaction came forth and we ceased the drug taking process. I've had the spots come back but I did not really put two and two together until I caught a cold over Spring Break.

My Spring breaks are not spent in Cancun partying it up with friends nor taking lovely adventures to see my boyfriend. They are quite the opposite. I usually spend them in bed because I am sick. This spring break has not differed. I took an Excedrin to help my headache while I went bridesmaid dress shopping for my friends wedding. I took another when I got home because we were having company and was experiencing that same headache. In the evening I was in my parents room and could not figure out why it was so hot. The itchiness and lovely pain of hit all hit soon after. Looking in the mirror I could not believe what I saw. It was not just bumps but they were all over my back and neck.

The next day I woke up and it was ten times worse. It hit my face and arms. I was swollen and totally out of it. My mom being the brilliant woman that she is made a connection to the medicine being the cause. So basically I am allergic to ALL over the counter pain killers. I took benadryl for two weeks and whenever I stopped they would come back.

I finally after spring break and went to see a doctor. I dont think I have ever seen so many mouths drop or tell me how rare it is. I have always been one to say that I like being unique and classic. Well this is definitely unique and so Classic Corrine. I went to see an allergist and said hes only seen one other person with this case ever. So while uniquely and classic Corrine is going to a lab on Friday to start a lengthy process of testing to find some kind of pain medication she is sitting over here praying that there is no need to ever take pain medication until this is resolved.

I will tell you that its been a good reminder. My Pastor has been going through the Attributes of God in church and I remember during one of the sermons he told us that to question why God has placed certain things in our lives is not fully trusting in His Character of who He is. Especially since we know that scripture tells us that He does not give us anything we cannot handle. So in all actuality I am laughing at the circumstances, because not only do I know that my God is control and knows all things that are happening and going to happen in my life, but I know He has a sense of humor. And to me this is quite humorous. Maybe its just me. :]

With love,
Corrine

Its time to take a stand.

To the sojourners abroad,

This is a little bit overdue. Funny thing life. You know we get so busy that we just forget other things that are going on. When we get busy our lives become so "me" oriented.

I've been reading this book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. I would tell some of you its another Christian book but it is far from that. It is a calling. A calling to live a life that is set apart from that oh so well known stereotype Christians are associated with. I will admit I have a hard time reading "theological" books. Not because I dont like reading about my faith and sucking up anything new, its just they are hard to get through.

This book is different. Francis is practical but very straight forward. I appreciate that about him. My dad was explaining that the book is not really a book. My dad stated its a "calling to action". I am steering away from the "train" scenario mostly because these are just my thoughts lately. See Francis states "Because we dont often think about the reality of who God is, we quickly forget that He is worthy to be worshipped and loved. We are to fear Him".

It hit me. Life is interesting on this side of California. I live with 13 people. Have an Amazing boyfriend (including his family who have been there for us) of a year and couple months. Fantastic friends who amazingly still check in on me when I have seemingly fallen off the face of earth. And for the sake of kicks and giggles, a dog who is only alive because its my moms dog. I am surrounded by people who cover me with their love. Yet I forget about my first love?

Francis says it is an easy thing to do. To forget about the God who came down in the form of a man. Who lived a life I will NEVER meet and then died a death that my brain cannot grasp, not only physical but taking on MY sin and I have the decency to forget Him? I have screwed up many a times. Maybe not the big stuff most people think like drinking and the such a like, but I've done my fair share of screw ups. (Ask the family of 13 over here, they got some doozies and so does the boyfriend). Yet Jesus forgave me on that cross. Incredible.

Funny. I was just reading my journal and RC Sproul states "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God".

I have no clue where this post was going. My thoughts just flowed out of me like a waterfall. I have learned a lot already from 10 pages of Francis' book. My intentions are not to be idle with this new knowledge. A couple of years ago my mom tried her hardest to make a Bible study for the three of us kids. We started to walk through Proverbs. I suppose thats always been pressed on her heart because I remember starting it at least 3 different times with her, and each time learning something new. I remember one thing specifically and it was the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

I remember sitting at the table of our apartment and she telling us that knowledge is only in our heads and will never be enough until it is put to action. I say this because Francis' book is more than that "good Christian" book. My goal is to put it to "action" as my dad phrased it. If there are two things I could leave with you one would be this quote from the book.

"God is the only Being who is good and the standards are set by Him. Because God hates sin, He has to punish those guilty of sin. Maybe thats not an appealing standard. But to put it bluntly when you get your own standards. When we disagree, lets not assum it's His reasoning that needs correction".

I guess it makes sense to me to have God as an authority figure in my life. Let me correct that. THE authority figure in my life. life is not easy and our plans are not our own. I have learned this the hard way and still am.

Secondly, I leave you with this verse.

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)

Love always,
Corrine