Health | A Love Lee Place

Each year I ask God to give to me a word for the year. In 2024 that word was GRATITUDE. This entire year I’ve had so much gratitude for all of the beautiful blessings gifted to us. We love living near Brandi and Robi, and having Cheyenne and David close by. We have such a peaceful home with scenic views and surrounded by nature. We’ve also had a few adventures along the way. We have been blessed with so much but it feels like the year flown by. Yet it blows our minds when we think about all we’ve done in such a short time.

We moved to Roan Mountain last December. The interior of the house was completed just in time for us to move in and get settled before Christmas. It was wonderful but to say the exterior was a hot mess was an understatement! We had a makeshift driveway and there were mounds of dirt everywhere. The yard looked like a construction dump sight. Then to make matters worse there were natural springs running out of the mountain creating a muddy mess. So, in January the focus was for the contractors to construct the retaining wall.

Meanwhile, we were trying to get acclimated to the ICE & SNOW!!!

As for my Mom…She Absolutely Loves Watching it Snow!!!

In February the Work on the Retaining Wall Continued

The footer was formed, concrete poured, and the blocks were laid despite the rain and active springs!

February was also a time of celebration. We got to celebrate our granddaughter, Cheyenne’s 24th Birthday in our new home.

Now That Was a Great Memory!!!

Then during March and April, the construction of the wall continued until completion. Also, Brandi and Richard started work on the garden. Oh man, what an undertaking that was!!!

Progress on The Wall

Prep Work on The Garden

Then towards the middle of April we noticed things were really greening up. It was so beautiful. But, we had a lot of cleanup to do before the crew arrived to do our dirt work.

Also during April, I started learning a lot about foraging. Cheyenne and David took us out and taught us how to forage for morel mushrooms.

OH MY…Talk About Yummy!!!

Oh, and we did a little hiking in with Brandi.

We LOVE Her Sense of Adventure!

In May, we began to hear the rumble of motorcycles heading up the mountain to Carver’s Gap. As the weather got warmer, the motorcycles got louder and yep, you guessed it!

Richard Bought a Trike!!!

May was also the month the dirt work was done. The yard was hydroseeded and a proper driveway was put in…Finally, it was time to start work on walkways and flower beds!!!

June and July was spent outdoors working in the yard and garden. It was glorious!!! We laid five pallets of flagstone. Then, created flower beds. We then set up the fire pit area. It was nice working outside while being surrounded by the splendid beauty of God’s creation!!!

June was also when our grandson Brandon, Sarah, Payton, and Skylar flew in for a visit. Family hikes and sitting out by the fire pit made for some great memories!

Then towards the end of June and into July harvest season was upon us. Not only did we have to gather the produce but also preserve it all. So, I canned, dehydrated, froze, and baked A LOT!!! It was definitely a learning curve for me and I had to be quick study…The produce was not gonna wait!!!

Then in July everything came to an immediate halt!!! Now, July thru August was not a good memory. It was a memory that made an impact on our lives nonetheless. One day after some strenuous work in the yard, I noticed my back was sore. So, I took some Aleve and applied ice. After about a week it started feeling a little better so I decided to bake some chocolate chip cookies. I pulled the cookie sheet from the oven. As I turned to put them on the island, I went down in excruciating pain. This pain was like none I had ever experienced before!!! Richard had gone to get the mail. Mom was still in bed asleep. I tried to call Richard, Brandi, and Robi…No answer! Then I remember making my way to the couch while sending a 911 text to everyone. Brandi called me back instantly and before I knew it they were all three standing in our living room. To sum it up, an ambulance took me to the trauma center in Johnson City. There, they discovered I had severe stenosis on the left at L5-S1 foramina and spinal canal. They also found a cyst on my spine. Also, my vertebra at L4 had slipped forwards over the S1 vertebra. I was referred to a neurosurgeon and scheduled for surgery a month out. During that time, the doctor’s office worked to get a pre authorization for the surgery. The procedure was going to be over $200,000.00!!!

At this point, I would like to interject that I can’t say enough good about my coverage!!! We were extremely nervous because it was not conventional coverage but a Christian Program called WeShare. They are amazing, kind, and they really care!!! At first, we were told my surgery would not be covered. Many phone calls were made. Due to the work of an amazing employee at WeShare, my final out of pocket ended up being $5,000! Folks…THAT WAS GOD!!!

Also during this time, I was told I could not lift, bend, or twist. It was impossible for me to care for my Mom. Bless her heart, she was so understanding and agreed to stay at our local nursing facility as a respite patient. Aug 22nd I had my surgery and after a couple days in the hospital, I was sent home to recuperate. I was to wear a brace for 8 weeks, no lifting, bending, or twisting.

Meantime, Mom was still in the nursing facility. She was struggling to adapt to having a room mate. The sleep wake cycles did not match hers. She was having difficulty with the food, and being away from us. So, we made the decision to bring her home two weeks after my surgery. Now let me be clear… There was no way Mom would come home but for Richard’s willingness to help with her care. Mom also has a care giver that comes in 10 hours a week…She is AMAZING and Mom loves her dearly. So, between the three of us we have worked out a routine. This has allowed Mom to be back with us. For that… I am eternally grateful!!!

Mom Says, “There’s No Place Like Home!!!“

Then just as we thought things were about back to “Normal”, Hurricane Helene hit! Now, I have lived on the Gulf Coast most all my life. I have never experienced the effects of a hurricane on the coast like we did here in Tennessee with Helene. The aftermath was and continues to be devastating for so many in this area. The Doe River runs through our daughter and son-in-law’s property. Though it’s a small river, it is a force to be reckoned with when it floods!!!

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Though we were surrounded by devastation, we realized how incredibly blessed we were…All our family and their animals were not harmed!!!

After hurricane Helene, September, October, and November were dedicated to cleanup and continued healing. At my 8 week doctor’s visit I was released from the back brace. Then on the next visit I was released to ride on the motorcycle again.

Praise God…Just in time for Fall Foliage!!!

Then in Late November We Also Got Our 1st Snow!!!

The holidays were quiet for us. Brandi and Robi spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas with family in Texas. We definitely miss them when they’re away. Nevertheless, we do get to spend a lot of quality time with our Tennessee family and grand critters year round. WE LOVE THAT!!!

Well, that’s a wrap! 2024 is coming to a close and 2025 will be here in a couple of days. I guess the old saying stands true… “TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN“

WE’VE HAD A BLAST IN 2024

and

FOR THAT WE EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE!!!

Wishing Each and Everyone a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year!

Jessica (Niki) easily lifts Bob Bishop in &quo...

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When faced with a threatening situation do you run the opposite direction or is it full steam ahead no matter what the cost? This response is known as fight or flight.

The fight-of-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a psychological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The fight-or-flight response was first described in the 1920’s by American physiologist Walter Cannon. Cannon realized that a chain of rapidly occurring reactions inside the body help mobilize the body’s resources to deal with threatening circumstances.

Threatening Circumstances:

A threatening circumstance is subjective and dependent on an individual’s threshold for stimulus. For some the threat can be real or perceived. This too depends on the individual’s ability to process information rationally and in a timely fashion. A threat can be as simple as a missed communication or as complex as perceived or actual physical danger. It is the perceived or actual degree of the stimulus that determines how we react.

Fight:

The first stress response to a real or perceived threat would be “fight”. To fight is to encounter the threat head on; not backing down either verbally or physically. Willing to sacrifice both life and limb without giving thought to the danger which could be involved.

Flight:

The second stress response to a real or perceived threat is “flight”. To flee the real or perceived threat. To avoid the encounter by removing one self from the proximity of the threat.

Instincts Versus God’s Word:

Do you find yourself being bombarded by those things which push the proverbial buttons in your life. Those buttons which evoke anger, fear, jealousy, or pride. Those buttons which initiate the fight-or-flight response. When faced with a difficult decision or perceived threat, I am sure you have heard the old saying “Go with your instincts”. However, do your instincts (fight-or-flight) line up with the word of God? Are you fighting when you should be fleeing or perhaps are you fleeing when you should be fighting. Is this a threat or is this a necessary trial with a purpose and you find your self asking Why Does Everything Have to Be So Hard?

When to Fight:

There is a time when we should fight; a time when we should stand for what is right. 1 Corinthians 16:13 says “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. However, the battle should be fought while wearing the proper garments as defined in What Are You Wearing Today?. In addition to the proper attire we should prepare for battle; exercise our minds, practice problem solving, learn to ask the right questions, and most importantly constant prayer. Then while under attach we are physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared to fight as God instructs rather than flee which we would do instinctively.

When to Flee:

God’s word also reminds us there is a time to flee. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says “Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.” We should also remember to flee from idolatry: 1 Corinthians 10:14 ” Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry”. Finally, we are told to flee evil desires. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” So those urges we instinctively fight against are what we should actually flee from according to God’s word.

Mountains out of Mole Hills:

Often times not all perceived threats are actual. Often it is our perception and we are often tempted to make mountains out of mole hills. We must make sure our minds are stayed on Christ so the proper perspective is maintained at all times. With Jesus in our hearts and the Holy Spirit guiding us we have the power to discern what is real versus perceived and all fear is removed from our daily lives.

Perhaps sometimes we just need to Lighten Up …

Love Lee ♥