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chronic illness and pain

Adventures - Cookie Collage

We Lost Our Baby, Cookie!

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With extremely broken hearts, we regret to inform everyone that we have really horrible news … Thursday morning we woke up to finding our beautiful and amazing Cookies and Cream had passed away! We are ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATED! As it says in this video, “A Beautiful Girl Makes a Beautiful World!” And without her, our world is CRUSHED!

Cookie was only seven years old (almost eight), VERY well cared for with very healthy foods, herbs, minerals and vitamins. Her coat was shiny, appetite was good and she showed NO signs of any distraught whatsoever. In fact, we have cameras in their barn, so we can check them regularly and she was up at 10pm Wednesday night for her regular nighttime snack of fresh grass hay to help keep them warm. We are in absolute SHOCK and DESPAIR!

The vet came and reviewed all of her behaviors, foods, shelter, weather and did an exam. There were no apparent reasons, so we suspect she had a heart attack (which I am finding out can happen with no signs). Goats generally live until 8-14, so we had hoped she would make it to 14 like our JellyBean did. We cannot believe this happened!
 
We don’t have kids, so our girls are our babies! And I am very ill and homebound, so these girls are my children, best friends and my joy in life. In the face of my daily life of losses, unbearable pain and isolation, they have always been here for me to snuggle and literally wrap themselves around me with their complete and unwavering LOVE! Their desire to be with me and love me have given me reason to fight another day, so they would never experience losing their Mommy.
 
“The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie” has been the only thing left in my life that I could do from time to time. Posting photos, GIFS and videos gave me GREAT JOY and PURPOSE IN LIFE! … Now that’s GONE!
 
I don’t know how I will cope! But I do know that right now, I have to focus on my only purpose today and that is to comfort my precious, sweet, loving, one-in-a-million baby, Pumpkin and help her through this grief as much as I humanly can.
 
My husband Wayne and I have taken turns being with Pumpkin all during the day since Cookie passed, giving her love and helping her through her sheer loss. When the sun goes down, we sit with her in the barn until it becomes too cold for us, then we tuck her in and she goes to sleep. We check her regularly on the camera to make sure she is OK.
 
We replaced the large igloo with one that is smaller and won’t feel as empty. We put some of our clothes in there for familiar scent and lots of straw. She has been very tired and yesterday she wouldn’t eat her hay or broccolini (which is not normal at all), but we were able to get some grass hay pellets, pumpkin seeds, apple cider vinegar water, cabbage, flax seeds, a tiny bit of organic no sugar peanut butter and little organic popcorn down her.
 
Pumpkin and Cookie were inseparable! Never did they let the other out of their sight! If one went around a corner, the other would cry out loudly and in a panic to find the other! They grazed together, napped together, took sun-baths together, slept together and ate together. Though Cookie was mostly in charge, even when she was done grazing, she graciously layed down and waited for Pumpkin to finish. They were partners, best friends and sisters (not by blood), together 24×7. Pumpkin is lost. There are NO others like this DYNAMIC DUO! We are beside ourselves in GRIEF!
 
We knew one would eventually pass before the other, but we had NO idea it would happen this soon! So now we are faced with looking for another companion for her to snuggle with and take adventures with. There is NO OTHER like Cookie! She can’t be replaced! And bringing another goat onto our property is very scary to us! Pumpkin is our baby and we will take every precaution to get the healthiest, friendliest buddy possible. We will also make sure SHE is happy with the goat and do what SHE wants. We will keep you all informed.
 
Thank you all for allowing us to share our Cookie and thank you for showing us how much you care! She was SO SPECIAL! Our hearts are BROKEN FOREVER! Please keep Pumpkin and us in your thoughts and prayers.
 
With completely broken hearts,
 
Sherri and Wayne
Not-By-Sight-Ministering-to-Believers-Living-with-Illness-and-Pain

My Quote Listed with Spurgeon, Chambers, Tozer and Piper

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How interesting! I was searching for a radio spot from Joni Eareckson Tada about my book, “Not By Sight – Ministering to Believers Living with Chronic Illness and Pain.” I came upon this blog of “Great Christian Quotes” on Conviction of the Holy Spirit.

They listed my quote, “If we could CONTROL God, HE would not be God, WE would be God and WE ARE NOT God!” – Sherri L. Connell 

Wow! Look closer! My quote is surrounded by A.W. Tozer, Oswald Chambers, John Piper, Charles Spurgeon and more! Of course, I am certainly not a prolific writer they are, but it was quite a fun surprise!

Not By Sight is available through Where is God Ministries or on Amazon! Check it out!

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Thank you, everyone!

IDA’s National Disability ID Initiative

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The Invisible Disabilities Association is excited to announce their National ID Initiative in this Facebook Live presentation. This has been a passion of mine and Wayne’s for many years!

Invisible Disabilities Association launches new ID identifier for ID's and Driver's Licenses!
Invisible Disabilities Association launches new National Disability ID identifier
for ID’s and Driver’s Licenses!

Bruce and Sue Bryan

This Couple! Wow!

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THIS COUPLE!!! I am SO blessed to have these two in my life! We have known Bruce and Sue for 18 years! They are two AMAZING individuals, who make an INCREDIBLE couple! They truly put God, their marriage, family and friends first in their lives.
 
THIS WOMAN!!! Sue gives to so many in her life: her children, her grandchildren, family, friends and strangers. She has been there with me through many tragedies and difficult times. Just last June, both Sue and Bruce blessed us with the most enchanting evening in the forest, after we lost a life-long dream and project we had been working on for 3.5 years and my friend of 28 years. Then she sent me home with these gorgeous flowers to enjoy!
 
Sue has been a friend to my mom, as she has been struggling severely with her health and living an isolated life. She went through every single piece of clothing my mom had in her closet, drawers and in boxes and helped her decide what to take to her new home at the Cantril House in Castle Rock (assisted living). That was a Godsend for me, because I dreaded that task. Sue helped sort through the bathroom things and was an incredible source of MUCH NEEDED moral support for all of us, throughout the grueling process! Last week, she visited Mom in her new place and did some shopping for her.
Sue is what a true servant of God and friend looks like! And I am so thankful for Bruce, who greets me with the most loving bear hug ever! This man’s treasured wisdom is so valuable to us and we are so thankful that he shares his BEAUTIFUL bride with us! Please keep Sue in your prayers, as she is facing some of her own physical challenges. May God bless these two for the blessings they give to others!
 
I LOVE YOU Bruce and Sue, more than words can say! I could never get through this life without you!
 
Sherri

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♡ Sherri

A Surprise Bouquet from Amazing Friends

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Wowee!!! I have THE MOST AMAZING friends, Mike and Patti! They have a pretty good idea of the HORROR I have been living off and on (mostly on) for past 6 years, plus every day for the last 1.5!

I have been near death more times than I can count and under so much unfathomable, unthinkable, daily stress and crisis situations with my mom, in addition to so so many deaths, attacks on us and serious loses. I will spare the details. Please just keep my mom, Wayne and me in your prayers.

Today, a florist showed up at my door. I told him, “you must have the wrong address, because I never get flowers!” I was being serious. But I looked at the card and IT WAS for me!

Thank you, Mike and Patti for caring enough to send me the ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS bouquet! My only wish is that we weren’t so far apart!

I love you both so much!!! 💖💖💖

Hi Friends! Have you subscribed to my blog yet? Are you following me on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest? What are you waiting for?

Simply go to the top right side-bar to follow me!

♡ Sherri

Alex Boye Shake It Off

Let’s Shake It Off Together!

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Most of you have probably already heard this song by Taylor Swift! But I love this Africanized version by Alex Boye! Not all the words apply, but after I listen to this the chorus helps me remember to Shake It Off!

Whether it is a person saying something ridiculous or a frustrating phone call with an insurance company, I am too good at internalizing the pain and anguish, which turns into increased physical pain! So, I must learn to Shake It Off!

Listen and sing with me! Listen enough times that it comes up during the day when you need it most!

Hi Friends! Have you subscribed to my blog yet? Are you following me on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest? What are you waiting for?

Simply go to the top right side-bar to follow me!

♡ Sherri

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Thank you, everyone!

I Am A Champion – You’re Gonna Hear Me Roar!

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“I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire! Cuz I am a champion and you’re gonna hear me roar!” Cover tune, “Roar.”

Living with a chronic illness can bring out so much judgment and assumptions towards us from family, friends, doctors and even strangers. Often these things can cause us to want to retreat or avoid speaking up for ourselves.

Now, I am a “peacemaker” and I do not like negative confrontations. I would rather let what people say bounce off of me … but it doesn’t. I tend to internalize what they have said and it eats me up inside!

Therefore, I do not think we have to resort to being unkind, but we need to believe in ourselves and stand firm on the ground that we are valuable, have purpose and our illnesses do not mean we are weak, lesser, nor do they mean we are at fault.

So, let’s stand up for ourselves! Let’s stand strong! We can be heard with kindness, but let’s be heard and let’s fight for our relationships, care and lives!

Be sure to watch the video below! I love this version, because I am Safari Sherri! Enjoy!

Alex Boye, featuring the Ft Mom Bloggers United sing the Africanized version of cover tune, “Roar,” by Katy Perry. 

Let’s ROAR!!!!!!

Safari Sherri

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Thank you, everyone!

Mandy Harvey Christmas Concert

Christmas Concert with Mandy Harvey

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Wayne and Sherri with seats in front of the stage

We were so elated to celebrate Christmas and my hubby’s birthday with Mandy Harvey at Dazzle!

This was our third Christmas Concert and I am so very thankful to be able to go and have never had a problem with chemicals there (air fresheners and perfumes).

It was SO great to see Mandy and give her big hugs! I have missed her! She has really been busy after being on America’s Got Talent in 2017! As you probably know, she placed forth!

We are so very proud of her and are elated that she is able to live her dream of singing and a making a difference in this world with her message of love and perseverance!

Sherri

Invisible Disabilities Assoc Facebook Frame - Not All Disabilities Are Visible Friends

Invisible Disabilities Facebook Frames Are A Hit

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The new Invisible Disabilities Facebook Frames I designed are out!

The ones I made for the 2017 Invisible Disabilities Week were a hit! Over 6,500 people used them on their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Check it out! I made one for friends and family, too! http://FBFrames.MyIDA.org

Details: https://invisibledisabilities.org/ida-getting-the-word-out-about-invisible-disabilities/ida-facebook-frames

Follow the Invisible Disabilities Association on Facebook!

Sherri ID Wallet Grocery Store

My New ID Wallet Helping Others with Invisible Disabilities

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For several years, I have been wanted to design some sort of ID Cards with a Lanyard and Card Holder. I wanted something that I and millions of others living with invisible disabilities could wear to doctor appointments, the grocery store or on the bus.

The card would say, “I Live With An Invisible Disability” on the front. And the cards that could be handed out would share, what is an invisible disability.”

This would give a visual to people living with debilitating conditions, in the hopes that we would be able to get better help in the stores and possibly a seat on the bus when all the seats are taken. It would give us a chance to bring awareness and education to the people we met, without having to expend the energy to explain to people what is an invisible disability.

The Invisible No More ID Wallets Were Born

Finally, I put a pencil to it and showed it to my hubby, Wayne, founder and president of the Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA). Wayne loved the idea, but he wanted to go a step further. He suggested instead of just having the badge on the end of the lanyard, to actually have a wallet for the cards.

I thought this was a perfect way to also allow people to carry their insurance card, credit card, cash and pens when they are going to a doctor’s office or grocery store! This way, when I have an appointment, I don’t have to carry my whole purse, I just put my essentials into the ID Wallet and I have my hands free to use my cane or crutches. Voila!

In September 2017, the ID Wallets were launched for the Invisible Disabilities Association’s Invisible Disabilities Week! It was a great addition to the IDA Store, along with Katie Maskey’s new IDA Lapel Pin!

Read more about both items, as well as the Invisible No More Glow-in-the-Dark Wristbands. Order from the  IDA Store. All proceeds go to help support IDA’s work around the world!

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