Hi Everyone,<P>I have two things to pray for:<P>First I have a job interview Wednesday August 8, at 9:00am. It is for the State. The job title is Systems Developer Specialist V. I would be doing database design and programing. I want this job in the worst way. I have been working on getting an interview with the state for over a month. Please pray that I get it. I know I would be excelent in the job.<P>Second: I have been trying to work with the morgage company on keeping my house. My Mom is giving me some money. I feel bad because she could really use it herself. But now they have to decide if they are going to try and work with me or not. People have been coming by trying to look at the house. Today I lost it on one guy and just told him to get off my property. I know I should not be rude but they are starting to really get to me. They do not want to help me financially they just want to make money off of my pain and suffering.<P>Third: I have a doctors appointment on Wednesday. Pray that they doctor can pinpoint what is wrong. Mom thinks it is Lupus. Several family memebers have it including my sister. My uncle died from it. Mom is really worried that I have it as well. I have some of the signs but nothing conclusive. I have been rather sick for a few months now.<P>I feel awful being so demanding right now and not giving much in return. So sorry about that.

I hope you get the job paha! I hope your diagnose at dr's is nothing more than a bad case of unemployment and poor choice in men. What's up with Tony these days anyway? Think good thoughts and have faith that the universe is bountiful. You'll be in my prayers for sure.

Paha,<P>I am praying for your job interview and for the house situation. Also I am praying for your Dr's appointment this morning.<P>When we have needs God wants us to come to Him and to others to ask for prayer. You're not being demanding, just reaching out. It is hard for us to reach out to others. But that is what the Lord wants. He wants to Bless us but it is humbling to ask for blessings. I found that I was trying to be too self sufficient and that was hindering my walk with the Lord. He wants us to acknowledge that we can't do it on our own and but acknowledge that He can. We learn in life that we have to be self sufficient and that is one factor that makes it so hard to come to God and surrender it all to HIm. <P>Also when our prayers are not answered exactly how we think they should be and want them to be, then we figure we can do it better ourselves. I fall into this too often. Then the Lord brings me to a place where I am impotent to do anything and I have to remember, only He can.<P>Praying for you. hw

Father,<BR>I thank you for your loving kindness and mercy, and thank you also for the promises that you give us through your son, and our Saviour, Jesus Christ. <BR>I lift Pahakissa up to you Lord and ask you to give her mercy and grace. Father, I also pray that you give her favor before men. Lord, I ask that she is selected for a job Lord, that glorifies you, and fits her perfectly. Lord, I know that the plans you have for us are higher than the plans that we have for ourselves, so although we are asking you for good health for Pahakissa and a good job, we are also thanking you for the higher plan that you have called her for.<BR>Lord, I know that we "under-ask", because we do not have the forsight that you have, nor do we know the plans that you have for us. But Lord, I thank you right now for the answer to prayer that you are giving us, and also thank you that you are a MIGHTY God, and you are able to do all things. <BR>In Jesus Holy Name, I pray.<BR>Amen

Heavenly Father,<P>I pray for dear Pahakissa, first, that her job interview goes well. That's a good job, Lord, and she could begin to see some light financially, as well as use her talents.<P>I also pray for the house situation, Lord. You know better than we do what's going on... how or if Paha's mom can afford to give her money. Bless her mother for the gift, and give the mortgage company, as a whole, a tender heart in working to make arrangements.<P>And Lord, Hel Paha from whatever symptoms she has that seem to point to Lupus. I pray that she doesn't have it, but Lord, if she does, send her into remission, please. Help her to feel your healing touch.<P>In Jesus' Name, Amen.<P>------------------<BR>~Sheryl<P>And we know. We who have seen. ~Pellegrino

You women are so wonderful. Thank you so much.<P>Lonesome -- Tony is still being Tony. I have to say he has done a great deal of growing up. He still in a passive resistance kind of way refuses to get a job. He has an interview with two places next Tuesday. I pray that he gets hired at one of them. <P>How are things with you? Any better?<P>HW -- Your prayers are so wonderful. You have such an elequence about you. I think you are so right about going to people and asking for help. I have always had such a difficult time doing so. I am getting better about leaning on others for assistance and trying to help others in need too.<P>I am trying to balance me trying to work for everyting and trusting in God. It is such a difficult tightrope walk. I am calmer now and just waiting to see how things work.<P>I still pray for your H's hard heart towards your marriage. I also pray for you.<P>Sheryl -- Thank you very much for the prayer. How are you doing in Canada? You are married to someone else now? How is that working out? <P>I just got back from the doctors. She thinks it is my thyroid not working properly and not lupis at all. I am relieved to hear that. I have to take synthyroid again but hey if it works it works.<P>I wish nothing but the best for all of you.

Paha, <P>So glad to hear of the positive outcome at the doctor... hope those meds work well for you.<P>Canada is really nice, for the most part, but super-duper muggy this time of year in the East. I am having horrid asthma symptoms. <P>My marriage is lovely, my H a gem, but it has it's difficulties... getting used to having stepkids (what my role is, etc.) and the financial stuff until I can work (immigration ickies - hopefully within 90 to 120 days or so, I can get out there and look for a job). We're living off of plastic right now. Only goes so far, you know. <P>Thanks for asking.<P>Hugs, but not too tight, don't want to hurt you!!!

It's amazing how that thyroid can affect us in so many ways - I am so glad it isn't lupus! PTL!<P>hugs - and you are still in my prayers for that job on the 8th....

Praise the Lord that it probably isn't Lupus!!!!!!

Hi Sheryl,<P>I am glad you are happy. As far as the steps go just try and be a friend to them. I know when men tried to play daddy to me I resented it. They are not my father. I know this is what you are doing. They will try and test you. That is what children do.<P>I know what the weather is like. It is very humid and hot. I have been running the air conditioners the past few days. I started on a steroid inhaler for my asthma. What do you do to keep it in check? I have found that when I am without my inhalers and I have an attack I drink coffee. There is something in it that helps open the airway. <P>I know how hard it is not to be working. I have not been working full time since January. I my contract job ended at the end of Feburary so I have not done anything since then. I so want to work again. I feel like I am loosing touch with reality. The extra time on my hands is driving me crazy.<P>Just to let you know Sheryl I keep you in my prayers. Living in another country can be a challange. I loved living over seas but you can loose base with what is known and familiar. <P>TNT -- How are you doing? Are you feeling better about your H and the X situation? I know she moved how has that come. I pray for you and your H all the time. <P>Thank you for the continued prayer for the job interview. I want this job so bad. I know I can do it. Just have to wait and see how things turn out.

Hi!!<P>Re: asthma (I hate it, lifelong)...<P>I take Singular tablets, Vanceril (steriod) inhaler and of course, waaaaay too much of my Albuterol (rescue) inhaler. I should have gone to the ER this morning, but truly, we can't afford it. I also drinks coffee and take a Albuterol tablet when it gets really bad, and of course, don't lay down. On really bad days, I get nervous, which makes it worse. In the States, I qualified for a nebulizer, but insurance wouldn't cover it, and I couldn't afford it. Here, in Canada, I don't qualify and my doctor wants me to go to ER instead of taking care of it myself. I can't afford it... my mantra.<P>In the winter, while inside, with the dry heat, I'm great, and not horrible outside, but not great. In the summer, too humid, like I said. <P>Back in CA, I lived in the desert... super dry... really good for breathing, although I still had a yearly trip or two to the ER in the Spring.<P>Icky. I hate asthma. <wheeze><P>Praying for you too, Paha... and thanks for your prayers too!!

Hi Sheryl,<P>I take the same medication. I have a vanceril inhaler I have to take twice a day. And like you Albuterol is when I have major problems breathing.<P>I know on really humid days here in New Hampshire I leave the ACs on. Even when it is 70. It really helps. Not sure if homes in Canada have AC. Most homes here do not. We are the only house on the block that does. I need it. I can not cope with the humidity. Maybe I should have stayed in Lubbock. It is in West Texas very dry.<P>Another thing is that my house has not wall to wall carpets. My girl hood home did not have wall to wall carpets which helped a great deal. Carpets can never get really clean there is always dirt, dust, and mites in them. The mites is what actually can bring on allergic and asthma attacks. <P>I learned all this while living in Finland. My best friend's dad was a doctor and we had a long discussion on health related issues. They banned all wall to wall carpeting becuase of the health issues involved. Not sure if you rent or own but you might think about ripping the carpets our if you can. Right now I do not have the money to fix the wood floors underneath but at least I can vacume them and get all the dirt up. It helps that under the old wall to wall carpet there are pine floors...but even if you have the subfloor you can do a lot with it.<P>I was told that Canada had an awsome health system. Is that not the case? Since you are married you are not still allowed health care service? In Finland since I was a student I was allowed full health care benifits. I will pray that your asthma does not act up. If you do not mind talking about how things are in Canada I would be very interested in my neighbors to the north.

Well, hubby working late tonight, so here I sit... and I'd love to talk about Canada, or at least what I've found out so far:<P>Nothing is automatic, even after marriage. Here's how it goes: <P>Get married, which involved my H signing affidavit which states I cannot go on any financial aid or receive "help" socially, for 10 years. He is responsible for me.<P>Get paperwork together for immigration, and good grief, it is extensive. Go to police station, get fingerprints (just did that today) which will go to FBI in States to prove I'm not a criminal, go to doctor for physical (paid by us, must use their doctor), fill out forms (how did we meet, how do we plan to live, etc.), and oh ya - send $1,400.<P>In 90-120 days, will get approval/disapproval letter (and God forbid it's disapproval, I can't imagine what will happen then!), and then can apply for OHIP (health insurance) and work permit. <P>I will be a "landed immigrant" if all goes well.<P>How's that? Lots o' stuff, eh?<P>I may have left something out, too... this over-40 brain sometimes forgets things. <P>Canada truly is lovely... I've been to BC in the West, Calgary in the middle, and Onatrio, here in the East. I liked Calgary best, and in fact, my H and I had rented an apartment there last year. However, it was decided that it would be best to move here, closer to his younger children. It's been quite an adjustment for me.<P>I miss Mexican food, and iced tea without sugar, Starkist Tuna, and Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing. Don't tell customs, but I bought some the last trip to California, and brought it back with me. sssshhhhhhhh <P>You know how they have "salad bars" in markets in the States? They have "olive bars" here... lots of Italian people who I guess need variety. <P>I'm used to stucco houses and lots of dust. It's brick and stone here, with basements (never seen one until now, no basements in CA), and it's soooooo green... and we're surrounded by water. Lovely, truly. But Hamilton is an industrial area, and it's smoggy. Ick. Bad for the asthma. Calgary was not! It was gorgeous - but even colder than here, and here is plenty cold and snowy in the winter. <P>People are very, very nice to me here. I've never had a problem, not even in customs. I don't feel out of place at all.<P>Oh, and I LOVE HOCKEY. Never did before!! Go Maple Leafs!!!!!!!

ooooooh... and...<P>No air-conditioning (we have a window one)... no garbage disposals ANYWHERE, no dishwashers....<P>and we rent... so icky carpet we can't remove

Hi Sheryl,<P>Sounds wonderful where you live. Do you rent an apartment or house? Have you tried a air purifier? You plug it in and it cleans the air. I use one in the townhouse and it helped a great deal.<P>Also I was thinking what are you allergic to? If you can cut them down that should help with the asthma. My doctor gave me a nice lesson on how the two are like sisters. Allergies can cause asthma to act up.<P>I will pray that your transfer goes well. I thought with NAFTA items could pass through very easy. I also just assumed that all of Canada had everything we had.<P>How are you holding up otherwise? Are you making friends there and the like.<P>

Funny how you and I are on at the same time a lot... I only have a few moments, since H is out picking up his kids for the weekend...<P>We rent an apartment, and it's old and gorgeous... however, it's been tough... paper-thin walls... the super's called us on our second night here, and told us we were talking too loud in bed, and we *were* just talking. It was 11:45 pm, and he had to work in the morning. We were talking softly. Makes us wonder what else they've heard. We are newlywed's ya know! <P>The floors are wood, but because they creak, we either accept the ugly decripid (sp?) carpet that's here, or buy new. We can't afford new. Ick, eh? It's in the rental agreement -- accept what's here, or buy new.<P>I had all the alergy tests done. I'm allergic to grasses and olive trees. How odd, the olive trees, huh? My parents had one in the back yard... explains why I couldn't breathe back there until they removed it!<P>I've made no real friends... two of my new SIL's have taken me to lunch, but they're busy, and we can't go with any regularity. <P>We keep wanting to get to church, but with this every other week thing with his kids, and them being Catholic, we can't go anywhere with them but Catholic, and I'm not Catholic. I think church would be a nice place to meet some other ladies.<P>I've thought about taking some classes at the local art school, but alas, the money sitch is tight... so...<P>...and yeah, I've met just a few folks here in our complex, and one of the ladies I really like is the super's wife, and she's still embarrassed about her H calling us in the middle of the night, so it kinda nipped that friendship in the bud. Most of the other ladies are older, or obviously very young (they're in their 20's, I'm in my 40's)and not interested in making new friends.<P>I know, I NEED SOME FRIENDS!! That's one of the reasons I hang on here too much... I'm bored silly!!<p>[This message has been edited by Nyneve (edited August 04, 2001).]

Hi sheryl,<P><BR>Woohooo I am sure the neighbors get use to the new newlyweds in the building Here is a true to live story for you. Tony and I just moved in to our house and we decided to break in every room of the house. Well we took a break from painting when our next door neighbor walked up to our window to say hi. Lets just say he got to see a lot of us that day. <P>I, like you, have not made many friends here. They are not so open as people in the south. It can be hard. Not sure how they are in Canada. I am sure you will meet people. You are such a warm open person. Take your time. <P>Have fun with the step kids.

Happy Sunday, Paha <P>I've had a rough weekend ... sigh... I won't go into a big story (did I hear a sigh of relief? )... suffice it to say that "have fun with the stepkids" wasn't exactly what has happened. <P>I really feel it's necessary to find at least one friend that I can go to coffee with, or a movie... something, for those times I feel so trapped in the house (when my H is working late and I'm lonely and alone, for example). Since I'm obviously going to be here for awhile, I think I'd better get on the stick and reach out somewhere. I still think church would be a good place...<P>Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, Paha. It's very appreciated. I'm going to begin a new thread, but I'd like to ask you personally to pray for my son. He's going back to school after being schooled at home for the last two years, and he's scared, and so am I. Thanks so much.<P>Hugs, Sheryl