What a Great Day

I am spending a girls' weekend away with Allison in Orlando. This is the first time we have done this since she has grown up, if ever. I am enjoying the time together. She has been gone most of the summer at Cedarkirk working as a counselor. So this is a time to reconnect.

Today we went to Downtown Disney. I actually walked around on my own without the use of a walker, motorized scooter or wheelchair. YIPEE! I don't know if you can imagine how I feel. In the past, if I wanted to go anywhere that meant a lot of walking, Doug had to push me in a wheelchair or we had to put out the money for a motorized one. I did not enjoy our family trips as much as I would have liked to. I could never do the rides and I could not participate in all the fun activities with the kids. I usually spent most of the day sitting and watching Doug, Ryan and Allison as they had fun. Don't get me wrong, that was enjoyable for me. I liked to see them having a good time, but I did feel left out. Doug did not enjoy the work of moving me from one place to another either.

As we wandered Downtown Disney today, I could not help but reflect on those past experiences. The times when I could not even go into a store because it was too crowded for the wheelchair or we had to leave early because the heat was making me sick. We did not buy anything today, but I WALKED through every store with my daughter and had a wonderful time. It was hot but I was not sick or tired. PRAISE GOD!

It is days like this that remind me what an amazing change that God has wrought in my life. If I had not had the gastric bypass surgery almost two years ago, I do not know what my life would be like today. I am sure that if I was alive, I would be staying at home and not doing very much. I certainly would not have been able to go on this trip and the other weekend trips I have taken in the last year. I feel so free and happy.

The new and improved me says To God be all Glory and Honor for what He has done for me and the blessings he pours out on my family everyday! Amen!