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Hey There World…

Hello friends,

It has been a bit since I said hello👋.

Hard question to answer? It can be huh… You matter! Honestly you should be asked how you are more often. Sadly that isn’t always the case or possible. So here I am asking you.

-I am also here to say to you and I –

Getting back on topic, I thought I would stop by to say Hi. While giving an small update. I’ve thought other then just talking about what is going on around me and in the world, I’d talk to you about myself and some thoughts that I’ve had.

Where do I start… Hmmm. I am not in depression, tho I’ve been there before. Although sometimes I feel like I’m dancing on the edges of it constantly. Yet, I am always having to be on guard, staying strong looking for those silver – linings…

Which reminds me of a passage in the Bible. Stay with me please even if you don’t belive. I’m not trying to sway you. I am a beliver in Christ, yes. Even if you are not, I wanna ask you to have an open mind. I wish share something that has helped me. Maybe it will help you. Maybe not… Please at least read the blog post in its entirety. Thanks.

Psalms 23 <KJV>

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

I’m not gonna dissect the whole thing. However, I feel it’s important to share the full character. What I want to talk about is this part- “Walk in the shadows of death, I will fear no evil.” I didn’t fully understand what the shadows of death meant for many years but now I feel like I do. I remember it like yesterday. I almost ten years ago, I was driving through a canyon. It was a sunny day out but the canyon cast a complete shadow over the long road that I was driving. Then suddenly it clicked for me. To me, that verse meant constantly surrounded by death, yet not dead. Not to be morbid, but true…

My life kinda drives that point home. I’ve had so many near death and serious life threatening situations; due to heath as well as just living.

Do you want a current example being surrounded by the threat of death. Many people would say covid (whatever you want to call it.) is right now the major death threat. Many would also say that it is everywhere and its breathing down our necks constantly… It is a threat in so many ways. A perfect example for my topic. We try to live on but everywhere and everybody effective, affected, and talking about it. Why… Due to covid our lives have been turned upside – down and inside – out. Why? Because the threat of death is scary!

This post isn’t about covid tho. I am just trying to make a point the fear of death is truly scary. You never bern afraid of death before, never had it thrown inbyour face so dramatically. Lets be real death is scary point blank! No matter where your faith lies. And- if – when your always afraid of it – then you’re not fully living…. That verse Psalms 23:4 points out the true fact Death is everywhere constantly threatening. To me that suns up depression pretty well too. Depression is a sickness based on fear, self worth ect… Always there hiding in the shadows waiting and wanting to attack! That sums up a lot actually.

With that said, It has not been easy for me to open up, let alone write for quite awhile now.

I haven’t been depressed, but I’ve been in the shadows of depression. For over a year now honestly. Not just because of Dad, but other things as well. I haven’t even touched my books in months. If you know me and follow me, you know how important they are to me. It has taken me weeks just to write this post. I have been emotionally and a bit physically feeling like I am running on fumes- out of gas.

Depression, fear, anxiety, and emotions, seems to been running rampant. Fear, especially of the unknown, is really trying to take center stage. For a while it was successful at it. Not just for me, for so many otheres, I know and some I love, as well peopleI have briefly crossed paths with. Fear is a powerful enemy. Just as depression, loneliness and self-worth. All the above is more powerful now then ever… These stresses’ can really wipe you out, and severely damage your life. Not just mentally and emotionally, but also they can be physically crippling. I do not say that lightly. 😒

Usually its best to go talk to someone. I’ve got God, Jesus, and The HolySpirit. For that. This is my go to verse, the one I live by. “The Devil comes to steal, kill and destroy; but I come to bring Life and to bring it Abundantly! –John 10:10 Along with “I am the good Shepherd; the good shepherd sacrifices his life for his sheep” –John 10:11

= Jesus. Jesus is my Shepard. So I will fear no evil, like Psalms 23 says. Even when it gets gets hard.

Personally I am just trying to adjust to a new lifestyle and re-figure out my place and goals. While I get through the grieving process of loosing my dad, my dog and our cat last year. I do not like to mention or talk about the rough hardships nor how negative it gets and feels at times. I don’t like to be weak or show weakness. But God showed me it is apart of the growth process and I needed to write about it.

That way I can help others like me maybe, you. I bet I am not the only one who feels down, and stressed too. But keep fighting for yourself, keep looking for the silver linings in life. They may be small but they can have huge impacts, if not now possibly later. Either way they’ll encourage you to smile even if its just for a moment. Trust me. I know. That one smile is a small step towards more smiles.

For my fellow belivers in Christ -Not my art but appropriate.

I remind myself everyday of all the accomplished and stuff I have been through.. which is a lot… Also that I have a purpose and I owe it to God, myself and my loved ones to stay positive and to keep smiling through it all. Especially when I don’t feel like it. I suggest that you also remind yourself of your own accomplishments big or small. Along with your survivals as well… I highly recommend you build yourself up especially when you don’t feel like it.

Here’s a few pictures to briefly recap some of the hardships that I have lived through.

I broke my foot and was in a boot for almost 9 months.

These images are proof if I can survive this I can get through the current and forthcoming temporary challenge too.

Its hard for me to be vulnerable. I truly try to stay tough and cheerful. But when I don’t express myself I end you ferling worse then before or have an emotional moment. I tried to keep all the moments captured in images correctly ordered. It is a little hard to do via my cellphone. Sadly lost a lot of pictures due to computer and phone issues. Including the involuntary removals from social media sites. Thus, I don’t have many online anymore. I’ve learned that you just have to make the best of what you have. Easier said then done, I know… A lot of theses pictures are from previous blogs I’ve written. Some I may not have covered here but in preson, but will in my books. Don’t forget thatI and my mothe. Have some Video blogs on www.deeplyrootedinhim.net

Now here are some more positive memorable achievements and moments from my life so far…

I was asked to wite a short story for this book. What a great opportunity!

This is not all I’ve survivied or accomplished. I don’t have the time or space to go over each event. I have years worth of posts here from instagram and Facebook as well. For you to read if you really want to know more. I promise to keep working on my books; those which I pray will change and help your life in a positive way. Not every day is promised so all I can do is give you the best I can and trust God with it.

I realized in doing this post just how much I’ve gone through and how little I’ve opened up about. Repression always cones out in some form. Sometimes not in the best complimenting ways. Thus it is better to talk about what goes on and what you neded. You matted. Don’t take the people in your life for granted, and open up to someone.

We are not alone. I have friends, family, and a wonderful man. Even if i was by myself I have my faith in God. I see Jesus as my bestfriend. With the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, in my life. As you do too if you so desire. That gives me and you a reason to keep moving forward.

I wake up and thank God for a new day. One full of possibilities and chances to spread love -joy, be productive, and spend time with the ones we care about. Its not always easy for sure, but its better to try then give up. My passion is to spread love and joy. To encourage you that you are treasure. That you are loved and mattered especially to God.

Here are some places you can reach out to if you don’t know who to talk to or don’t want to discuss anything about it with people close to you…

〰️💕💕💕〰️

The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Illness have a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264

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https://www.nami.org/help

〰️What-does-NAMI-stand-for-and-what-is-its-mission

NAMI offers support and education programs for families and individuals living with mental health conditions. NAMI recognizes that the key concepts of recovery, resiliency and support are essential to improving the wellness and quality of life of all persons affected by mental illness.

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❤💛💚💙💜

〰️Lifeline
We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

ღ╮❤╭ღ╯ Amy Jane Sandberg ╰ღ╮❤╭ღ╯

Posted in A Novel Life, Deeply Rooted In Him, Faith, God Supplies and Miracles Happen, My Work, News + Updates, Random

My Dad’s Heath….

Jan 17

Posted by Amy Jane Sandberg

Hello All,

“My Dad”

My dad is one of my biggest heroes. He would go to all my doctor heart appointments and act silly to keep the mood light. I have always tried to be a good daughter. [I’m not perfect tho. 🤣]

When I was a child and he worked swing shift, I would always make excuses to stay up and wait for him to come home. That became easier as I got older. Sometimes when he got home we woul all as a family go swimming under the stars. He has always strived to keep the family close and to be a good dad 👨 ❤

He is a kind man who works hard. He is always learning new things and creating new things, and inventing new ways to fix things. He is almost always willing to help others whenever he can. He never says a bad word about anyone. Whenever he got sick he would hide it if possible. He hardly ever showed weakness.

“A squirrel on the Wolf dad carved with a chainsaw”

In 1992 just before hurricane Andrew he had a heart attack. That was the first time we saw him really ill. I remember sitting outside the hospital door in Orlando while Hurricane Andrew passed over the state. Trying to entertain my sisters and not worry about my dad while mom was with him. That was a difficult task for sure. He refused to let us girls see him which was painful for us. Thankfully he survived and recovered.

“Dad and Rinley”

It wasn’t until December 2015 where he had a second heart attack and Flatlined. Thank God the doctor didn’t give up on Dad and he came to after 11 electro shocks. After that he had a triple bypass, a stent, and a defibulator put in throughout three surgeries, within the same week. He was subosoed to make a full recovery but he was still pretty weak. Because of a blood clot in his somach that caused issues getting blood to his leggs on top of a bad hip. That didn’t stop him from being as active as possible.

“Mom and Dad”

Then in 2018 he developed strep / cellulitis in his foot which turned into a some sort of vasular ulser. It took most the skin off the top of his foot almost causeing him to lose his foot. I won’t share the pictures I have here but possibly in a book in tbe futer. It was pretty gross at some points.

He became bedridden, all the doctors said there was nothing they could do that he should just prepare for the end. We had nurses and physical therapy coming several times a month. It really tested our faith. Dad had blood poisoning three maybe four times. He was on several antibiotics non stop. We didn’t give up tho, we kept praying!

“Jini and Dad.”

After months of his foot getting worse we finally went to see a second doctor who wanted to do a bypass surgery in his legs even though everyone insisted it would be a lost cause. They they proceeded to do the bypass surgery in his legs, they were pretty sure they would still have to amputate his foot later tho. But we kept praying and standing on the word of God. When reading the Bible out loud to him we came across a verese that we know God gave us for the trials we’ve been facing….

We claimed that over him and stood in faith. They kept insisting that his foot had to be taken, and maybe more. The day before the sugery, which we didn’t realize was scheduled they heard blood flow. So we asked them to push the sugery back and they agreed to push it back three days to see if there would be enough blood flow to save his foot. After the second day they canceled his sugery and he started a treatment that they use for burn victims. Called mist therapy.

“Jabber and another chainsaw carving of dad’s.”

After a month of treatment his foot was well to come home. I took him to a burn dr three timesca week untill he was well enough for a skin graft. When they did his first graph they also had to remove a some of the bone in his foot and big toe due to it being infected. But nothing to major. His first graph was promising tho not perfect but he needed a second one from his own skin from his thigh. Tho painful for sure he made a full recovery after almost a year of stress, fear, anger and pain!

Don’t Give up hope for a miracle. It may take a while, and may not come about the way we wsnt. But God is a Good! He is a loving father who gave us his son Jesus.

Don’t Give up hope and be strong. We may not understand the path we are traveling but it will be a path that will make a difference. 😀 God brings good out of all bad situations. I truly believe that and I fully trust God.

My dad never gave up, and he’s better, znd more active now tgen after his bypass surgery in 2015. He is one of my biggest heroes and I strive to be more like him.