Learning to Live Within the Parameters I Have Been Given

My reality is knowing my limits and appreciating my resources - including my family and friends. Over the past 8 months I have had some amazing faith building experiences. This morning the scripture, ‘I can do all things in Christ’ comes to my mind. Yes, I have managed to accomplish many things over the past 8 months while experiencing health problems and lacking the benefits of working (pay checks).

I am profoundly aware that my ability to be who I am and do the things I have done is not only because of My Creator but because of my family and friends who encourage and assist me. Because of you, the past 8 months of my life have been very fulfilling.

Thank you for making the following experiences possible:

* Staying in San Francisco for Emma’s birth for a total of 5 weeks.
* Going to Kentucky to support Cassie and Marty in their sobriety.
* Purchasing and moving into a lovely condo that is in a great location.
* Taking a mini vacation after my move,
* A day at the beach with Payton, Emma, Amber and Nick’s family.
* Living in the cooler temperatures of Southern California during August.

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A very Big THANK YOU to my

mother, Barbara Swartwout.
Her encouragement and assistance have exceeded my expectations. I am so very lucky to have my mom!

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Another really Big Thank You to Tiffaney and Justin for taking care of my dog, Sierra during all the different times I was not home or not able to get out and walk her!

I am very appreciative of all my family and friends who have blessed me!

A special thank you to Mario Anthony, Amber, Nick, Cassie, Oliver and Angela; my friends Lee, Mark and Mary; my father Bill Karstadt and Ken Swartwout; my cousins Laura, Ben and Katrina; my nephew Christian and niece Alicia.

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I Know that you all made a positive difference in my life!

Fillipe

Look around - Our Father, God has provided so many resources for us. Some come in the most unexpected manner. My story has a familiar sequence similar to the Best Christmas gift I received as a young child.

When I was 10 years old on Christmas morning I woke up to find a rather large brown card board box (the kind used for refrigerators) next to the tree. On top was written, Merry Christmas Susan. It didn't look appealing but I was very curious so I opened the box to find towels and rags. Well - What was Santa trying to tell me? This was my Bag of Coal!

As Christmas morning progressed, my family sat together opening all kinds of wonderful gifts. If I remember correctly, David received his request for a unicycle and Ted received his 10-speed bike - I had a card board box with rags. To make matters worse, Dad announced that we had to put our dogs, Peanuts and Snoopy, outside in the cold. You can guess what I said if you weren't there...

Similarly, one week ago I was on my way to pick up Sierra who was at Tiffaney and Justin's when I passed Fillipe, a man who held a sign, "Need Work." Tiffaney had kept Sierra since I cleaned up the patio and it was impossible for me to walk her in the 100 degree temperatures. As I drove on toward Tiffaney's home I kept thinking about the man with the sign. I prayed for wisdom and felt comfortable - if the man was still on the corner I should stop and talk to him.

Well, he was still there on the street trying to capture the smallest bit of shade. He told me that he would do any work. In the past he had worked cleaning and bussing tables. I asked if he was interested in helping me complete a move... Over the next 3 nights, Phillip slept on the floor all alone in our old apartment. I began to learn a lot about him as we traveled together while moving boxes from the apartment to the condo.

Phillip had been on the street for the past 3 days and boldly stated that sleeping on the floor was much better than rocks. It was apparent as he spoke with me that he had a developmental disability. His 60-year-old father, who he had most recently lived with was described as an angry man who yelled a lot, one of the dogs barked a lot, and he was uncomfortable with his dad's girlfriend. His Dad pushed out the front door with no keys, no clothes, and no ID. He did not want to go back -

Phillip was raised by his grandmother who passed away in 1996, he lived with aunts and cousins, and then found room and board while working for a restaurant since 2006. He had excellent memory of dates but communicated in a child-like fashion. Based upon his information, I was able to determine that Phillip is in his 40's. Phillip required some guidance and restating of specific details. He worked well with Mario, my son. Together we moved and Phillip worked without complaint.

Phillip, similar to my Christmas gift, was no Bag of Coal. He was cooperative and extremely helpful. I could not say 'thank you' enough. He really blessed my life similar to my Christmas gift - a small homeless kitten.

I do not advocate for picking up strangers from the street. I would not have considered doing so without my ferocious dog Sierra and having inner peace. God brought Fillipe into my life and I am a better person in a better curcumstance because of him. I hope he can say the same of me.

This Grandma is Exhausted

Enjoy the cake - love Suzi

Good news!

Yesterday, we experienced an awesome answer to prayer - Emma had her cast taken off and didn't need another ! She has the cutest little shoes to wear.

Today, at Emma's debut we raised nearly $500 to cover medical bills currently at $5,000. Thank you for helping with your financial gifts!

Please continue to stand with us in prayer. I'm asking for normal spine and brain functioning, the ability to hear her sing praises to God, and see her children!

God is AND Emma is My Gift of Faith

A while back, I left Amber's home rather exhausted. It was a warm day and I felt the spasticity in my neck, throat, and shoulders. I spent some time caring for Emma and Payton while Nick and Lexi worked in their back yard.

As I watched little Emma, I noticed that she was having difficulty sleeping for more than a few minutes at a time. It was as if she was jolted out of her sleep - startled. I'm pretty sure we have all had this experience at one time or another. You know the kind - when falling asleep and your entire body jumps and wakes you up. But usually this only happens once or twice - right? Well poor Emma - every time she fell asleep - about 4 or 5 minutes - she would startle and then start crying. I held her and prayed. I placed her in the stroller and prayed. I researched Chiari, hydrocephalus and sleep apnea on line. I discovered that the combination is common among most babies with Chiari II.

I went home rather exhausted. Most of you know I can sleep a lot - 12 to 14 hours a day - but for some reason I was not able to fall asleep. As I laid in bed I began to pray for baby Emma. I prayed for her healing. I prayed for her left leg that was in a full leg cast. I prayed for the formation and function of her brain to be as perfect as His original design. My prayers seemed to be words and thoughts without effectiveness.

THEN the most amazing thing happened. In my discomfort and limitations, I prayed for healing of my brain, neck, and spine. As I prayed for myself, I felt relief from my symptoms. This caused me to think that there must be a spiritual connection among all we experience and with those we live among.

I do not understand but can tell you that God is and hears our prayers. PLEASE continue to pray with me for healing and personal growth to become everything God designed us to be during our life.

On the way to visit Cassie

Friday evening I was on a flight to Charlotte, NC when I passed out. The combination of warm temperatures along with a few hot-flashes were more than I could handle.

I had dressed warm with layers of clothing. I did not take the ice vest. Never, ever did it occur to me that the temperature in the cabin of the plane might be a problem for me.

About an hour into the flight, I started feeling uncomfortably warm. Then I had a couple of hot flashes and started sweating. I turned the cabin air on full blast BUT it was warm air. I started to feel awful so I got up and asked to use the restroom in the front of the plane...

NO WAY - the front of the plane is for 1st class!

The walk to the back of the plane seemed impossible BUT I did not feel well so I turned to walk to the back of the plane. Moments later things became a blur - I could not understand what a man was saying and I could not coordinate or focus my eyes. I was down for the count!

YUP - right there on the plane, I collapsed. Finally, I could stretch out and be comfortable in the over-crowded plane. The next thing I hear :

"Is there a medic on board?"

"Maam, are you traveling with someone?"

"Do you have chest pain?"


"Nooo - I'm too hot" was my reply.

I was thinking - I want to stay on the floor - it's much more comfortable than my seat. And I'm glad my kids aren't with me - how embarrassing.

With a moist cool towel, a bag of ice water on my neck, and some orange juice - I began to feel better. Darn if they didn't make me return to my seat.

Then about a half hour later, I remembered I was wearing my glasses. I called the stewardess, she looked and found them under a seat. They looked as though they had been walked on and will need a major adjustment before they fit on my face correctly - I didn't get to the restroom until I was off the plane in Charlotte.

DO YOU THINK THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS WOULD HAVE FOLLOWED UP and possibly had an someone go with me as I changed flights in Charlotte? THEY didn't and IT DID NOT OCCUR TO ME TO ASK... Fortunately, I made it to my next flight, which was much more comfortable (less crowded and cooler temps).

Tomorrow, I have to fly USAir to get home. I hope and pray that my flight will be more comfortable. At the very least, I promise you that I will speak up when I don't feel well - and I WILL ask for assistance!

Remember - nothing ever stays the same

I remained strong, adjusted to the changes in my health and was able to support my daughter with the birth of Emma. Developing pneumonia, which exacerbated the Multiple Sclerosis the month prior to going to San Francisco was not good. My daughter remained positive and was glad to have my company even though I slept a lot and we had some problems with my scooter - for mobility - while in SF. God blessed us in so many ways and answered so many prayers.

Through this experience I have learned how truly amazing my friends and family are. Thank you for your kind words, encouragement, and support. Emma's life and health is an answer to many of your prayers. I am so blessed to have these experiences. I feel that she belongs to all of us. Thank you again for your prayers and support.

I am doing better too - walking more and sleeping less. Today, I met with Shari and Karen at Kyrene District Office to discuss work. I am hoping to pick up a couple of evaluations prior to the end of the school year - about 8 hours each week. I feel better just thinking about the possibilities. Also, today I met with a mortgage officer about obtaining a loan for a condo in Scottsdale. With the additional hours - I should qualify.

Things are looking up!