Hi! I am a Christian Lifestyle Blogger and originally started writing after being diagnosed with Late Stage Lyme Disease a few years ago. In 2014, I got really sick—I mean wheelchair, 80 pills a day, needing a nanny for my kids kinda-sick. It wasn’t until 4 years later, that I decided I would choose joy and live with intention no matter what my circumstances might be. With that mission in mind, I started writing a blog called Intentional Living, creating products to encourage others in their own personal and spiritual development. 

But going from survival mode to intentional living was an extremely hard process. It all started after the birth of my daughter in 2014 that I began to develop some disturbing health issues. My right arm was constantly tingling and throbbing. At times I felt like I was holding a vibrating cellphone when I wasn’t. Pain around my collarbone was so excruciating that I had trouble breathing. 

Over time, the disease progressed and most of my medications exacerbated my symptoms. I was left bedridden, unable to care for myself or my family. I started experiencing all sorts of neuropathy pain like twitching, tremors, numbness, tingling, migrating pain, and crawling skin. In addition, I had hair loss, rashes, panic attacks, blurred vision, paranoia, nausea, vomiting, fainting, air hunger, seizures, and brain fog. 

Eventually, I had trouble holding a conversation and was in so much pain that I couldn’t walk to the bathroom on my own. Every test was normal, and doctors began to question my sanity. 

After two and a half years, I was diagnosed with Late-Stage Lyme Disease (aka Chronic Lyme), which presented another set of problems. I learned that the disease is highly controversial, and navigated an underground world of Lyme treatment. Nothing was covered by insurance and communicating with doctors was often difficult and secretive. 

My journey with Lyme tested my faith in ways I never dreamed and I had days where I wished I could sleep away years of my life. It was in this hard time that I learned the peace that comes with surrender of control and trust in Jesus, one hard step at a time. 

After a year and a half of treatments, I began to see major improvements. But the turning point for me was when I addressed my mental state and acknowledged that I would never make progress if I didn’t believe I could. 

I could continue to be a grump about everything that was going on in my life, give up, quit, sleep away the days, be bitter and angry, and self-pitying. Or I could choose to live in the freedom of gratitude, love, joy, and peace despite whatever circumstances were in front of me. 

While my mindset wasn’t the cause of Lyme, it certainly wasn’t helping it. I read book after book of others who went through hard times and read of their successes through self-care practices like using a gratitude journal or getting outside into the sunshine every day. I saw a pattern of positive thinking and physical healing in my body that I couldn’t ignore. 

In my journey of pain and suffering, I realized that changing my mindset also meant a deep dive into what I believed about my capabilities and an awareness of my need for spiritual growth. 

It was through this mindset change that I began blogging with the hopes to encourage others struggling in their own hardships. 

Over time, it morphed into a platform to teach others about the importance of personal development and spiritual growth through practices such as self-care and setting personal goals. As a former teacher, I naturally fell into the role, creating worksheets for Bible study and its applications for families and relationships.

I hope to encourage you in your own personal and spiritual development! Join the conversation over at AmySenter.com