#pressthrough – Page 9 – rootedbythewater.blog

Stirred!

July 9, 20221 Comment

In all honesty I’ve been feeling kind of burned out. Being attentive on social media platforms can be soooo draining with my low vision and typing on an iPad touch screen. If you saw the amount of typing errors from not seeing the screen well, it would blow your mind. I then have to go back and correct each one with the screen zoomed in large. I’m talking”triple tap and drag” on my iPad… ZOOMING IN! It’s tedious and sometimes I wonder if it’s even worth it. Sometimes I laugh at the process and sometimes I shake a fist at the screen. It’s almost been one year now of blogging. I started this journey as a continuation of my book, “Rooted by the Water” ( available on Amazon) My journey didn’t end at the end of my book. God continues to teach me and stretch me. Sometimes I go with the stretch and yet sometimes Im resistant. Lord help me learn, surrendering daily to your gentle tug on my heart.

Here’s a fun fact about me, I never watch tv. There are so many remote controls I don’t even know how to turn it on and off. I’m not kidding. I’d rather download a book from Hoopla app and expand my mind. The entertainment industry shapes our culture. There is such a lack of moral values and integrity that it is astounding. Whatever happened to logical, open minded, civil discussion? Now it like, if you don’t agree with me I will just cancel you out. That’s the way people come across. It’s a sad broken world we live in. In todays society “good is considered bad and bad is considered good”. Here is a prime example, recently Foxnews posted on Instagram that celebrity Chris Platt was seen at a anti GLBT church. HELLO! What kind of headline is that? Talking about stirring up division. Out of curiosity I decided to read the comments. There is nothing like seeing the true state of humanity in all its various shades as reading public forums. Some people know what’s going on and some are truly in the dark. Deception abounds and what you hear and see plays a huge role in what you think. What are you exposing yourself to?

So back to the particular Instagram post, I don’t normally participate in these discussions but people need to know truth. John 14:6 says, “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”ESV. So I felt a need to reply, with love of course. After debating a guy for days about what the Bible says, I finally told him he didn’t know enough about Christianity to be having the discussion with me and he stopped responding. He was determined to say Christians are bigots. If you are a true follower of Jesus Christ you surrender you fleshly desires and live according to the Holy Spirit. I gently explained that according to the Bible we ALL have sinned and we ALL fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” ESV‬‬) Not just one group of people. God is HOLY. Sin is sin! God doesn’t tolerate sin. We could never make it on our own, that is why Jesus died in our place! And I will have you know that He rose again on the third day, has ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God.

Over the years the enemy has snuck into the church. Political correctness has snuck into the pulpit of many churches. We must pray that Pastors will preach the Gospel of Jesus crucified and resurrected. Preach the Word of God, “The Holy Bible” from beginning to end. Add nothing to it and leave nothing out! II Timothy‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” The English Standard Version says it this way, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for proof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

Even though I feel dried out form this process of social media and blogging, I will continue simply because God has once again stirred me. I pray daily, “Lord pierce the darkness! Shine brightly and expose deception!”. People read the Bible, pray, listen to the Holy Spirit and Shine for Jesus! Will you join me? The world is dying from lack of spiritual knowledge. I’m talking the truth of Gods Word, not some watered down gospel appeasing the itching ears. I’m going to stop here and pick up again on the topic of “stirring”. May Gods peace and joy rest on you as you seek Him. Be Blessed!

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The Missing Link

June 27, 20222 Comments

There is glorious light at the end of this struggle. Today I went back to my Audiologist for another mapping (programming) of my Advanced Bionics Marvel cochlear implant processor. The last several weeks have been quite an interesting challenge. After a week of a sound diet, having no auditory stimulation, followed by turning the processor back on to a low level; today she found the missing link. I had three electrodes that were turned off for some reason. My Audiologist tried turning them all back on but it was just one that made a big difference. Turning that one electrode back on brought a crispness back to sound. It no longer sounds muffled. She also turned the other two electrodes on and off while I listened to my husbands voice. I could understand him better with those two electrodes off. My nerves were able to tolerate the increase in sound without any eye twitching. I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I am. I am so so thankful to the Lord for His direction and wisdom. Ron and I have prayed throughout this process and family and friends have also prayed. It will take me some time to adjust to the new mapping but I’m all smiles! I can hear myself above the background noise so I know how loud to speak. I will have to get out in the environment to practice. If I learned anything this past time, I learned to ease into it. I will navigate this next stage with a more balanced approach. I am eager to explore sound and see what I can understand but I will not push myself too hard this time.

Thank you Lord for lessons learned. Thank you Lord for always being my anchor that holds me when troubled waters come along. Thank you for your promises that are new every morning.

We are considering looking into getting my other ear implanted. It is something that will require much prayer. It is an option to think and pray about. In the meantime, I will be working with what I have and trying my best to succeed with what God has given me. God is faithful always.

Never give up. It’s easy to get overwhelmed at times and changing coping methods is needed. However, giving up is not an option. It’s okay to take a step back, rest, refocus and ease into it again. There is help and support, you just have to be willing to accept it. You are never alone in the struggles! God is always right there with you as you lift up your voice in praise, thanksgiving and prayer. Help is on the way. It might not always look like you think it will. Putting your trust in God will see you through. God is faithful always! Let Him help you.

If you happen to come across this blog post for the first time. I encourage you to read my autobiography ”Rooted by the Water”. It’s a true story of how God has enabled me to overcome great difficulties, not by my own strength but through His strength made perfect in my weaknesses. You can find it on Amazon and many other online retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target and Walmart.

Burnt-out

June 20, 20222 Comments

Today was a test for my nerves. Optimism and a positive outlook can get you places but at a certain point circumstances start to wear on you and you can begin to sputter out. That describes me perfectly today. This was not an unusual day. I woke up with the mindset to overcome just like I do everyday but by mid afternoon my nerves were shot.

June 10th was the start of my “sound diet” that lasted until June 16th. That was six days with no auditory stimulation. When my audiologist turned my cochlear implant processor back on that day I could only tolerate low levels. It’s like small steps forward with my brain adjusting to the sound levels. I’ve always had that “Can do” mindset but I feel all tuckered out. I’ve been adjusting to this new map (programming) for four days now. Life doesn’t stop but you push through. There’s been a funeral, wedding, Fathers Day celebration, church, dinners, grocery shopping, a walk with a friend, discussions etc. all while background noises are drowning out voices and I don’t hear how loud I’m talking. Yesterday I actually asked my husband if my face looked tired because I try to smile through it all. My facial muscles actually felt tired. Today I was just done. Having low vision makes lip reading a challenge and the current programming makes it difficult for me to comprehend. I finally just took it off today. Sometimes you have to listen to your body and let it unwind. I have seven days until my next appointment for another mapping / programming. God willing the next adjustment will be a God-send, with just the right adjustments that will lighten this load. I rarely complain. Complaining gets you no where in life. Prayer, praise and thanksgiving are the ways to victory. One prayer at a time.. one heartfelt song of praise at a time..stepping forward step by step, God leads the way. Took a good rest today but forward on I go.

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

Reactivation…baby steps

June 16, 20224 Comments

Today was the day I got to put my Marvel cochlear implant processor back on. It didn’t go exactly like I thought it would. It seemed more like baby stepping stones to take to get towards a goal of better hearing and comprehension of speech. I’m not even close to being there yet. However I went in hearing nothing and came out hearing a little bit so it is a step forward.

Describing this reprogramming eludes me. It was like starting from scratch. I’ve had my implant for 16 years. Since I started having some difficulties understanding speech my audiologist thought perhaps my auditory nerve was over stimulated. All my levels were high although not quite at the very top of the chart. It made sense to go on the “sound diet” so my nerves could rest. I think I went in with higher expectations than I should have. It was like starting back at the beginning, listening to various pitched beeps. They started very quiet and I had to tell her when it was at a comfortable volume. I was mindful of the fact my levels needed to be lower than before. It was super frustrating. As I sat there I started to sweat as I tried to put into words what it sounded like so she could make adjustments. My descriptions ranged from; it sounds like my head is in a tunnel, the microphones sound like they are covered, it’s muffled, volumes seems to go up and down with just a few words spoken. It was so odd.

My take away from today is it’s going to be a process. Progress requires one step at a time. My audiologist wants me to have a week for my brain to adjust to this new programming then I will go back for more changes. Step by step, God willing this will improve. My levels are about two thirds down which is good, we just need to figure out the next changes to make that will work for me. I did some auditory therapy tonight using the iAngel Sound app. I started with basics, food names and animal names. I could understand some of it but it was tricky. My score was down about twenty points from where I scored months ago. I will just need to readjust.

Here are a few reflections during this week and having sound turned back on. Silence is not golden. Not hearing separates you from people. When you have low vision like me, environmental sounds are important. Nothing makes your family work on their signing skills more than when they have to. 😂 Hearing no sound for a week makes you appreciate the little everyday sounds that are taken for granted. Rest is much easier without the noise. Prayer time has been different last week, not being able to really hear myself. I like to pray out loud in my quiet time. It helps me focus and I can speak Gods Word. When I speak the Word I like to hear what I’m saying.

I know things will get better. As the Audiologist was typing and programming, I was sitting there praying for God given direction and wisdom to make the exact changes I need. I go back in a little over a week for some more adjustments. Keep the prayers coming. Thanks for all the support. God bless you all!

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

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Sound off days 1, 2 & 3

June 12, 20222 Comments

Day 1
We left the audiologist office laughing. I love a challenge and thought I’d approach this like a game. By this evening my nerves are in knots and I’m ready for “Calgon to take me away”! I will settle for Walmart brand bubble bath. Seriously there were so many times today I wanted to put my processor on! Thankfully it is electronically disabled (I think) so I’m stuck. Life still happens and there are still discussions to have but the communication process is currently broken. Ron has been talking as usual. I can’t blame him as we’ve been doing life as usual for 28 married years. I have to remind myself to take a deep breath and don’t snap. Show grace Shannon!

I received an encouraging email today from my Teacups ministry sister Ronnee. She encouraged me to look at it like a silent retreat with the Lord. What a neat perspective on this current challenge. I’m shifting my focus here. Ok Lord without the sense of physical hearing this week let me be keenly aware of spiritual hearing and grasp all You desire to show me and free me from. Day one down, five more to go. Now for that bubble bath! Good night!

Day 2
This morning when I woke up I went straight to where I keep my cochlear Implant processor but remembered it’s off limits. Putting my processor on each morning is the first thing I’ve done for sixteen years. Ron had a day trip planned so me and our dog Joy had the house to ourselves. After a long quiet time with the Lord, I got some chores done. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to put my processor on. Silence is somewhat disorienting. On an odd note, my balance seemed better today but I was tired by the time I went to sleep. I depend so heavily on my processor and with it off I’m having to depend on the vision I have. With 20/400 vision, I guess I’m milking my optic nerves for every stimulation available. 😳🤣Two days down, four more to go.

Day 3
As the saying goes, “Habits die hard”. This morning when my alarm went off again I picked up my processor to put it on. I was half asleep and the place I keep it at night is close to the bed. After this, I had to pack it away in its case so it’s not easily in reach. It’s in its case and put away for my next appointment with my Audi on Thursday afternoon.

I considered whether I would go to church or not. There is always an interpreter so that wasn’t my concern. Not hearing the environmental noises is so odd and uncomfortable but I knew God would meet me there. It was the most “silent” church service I’ve ever attended. 😂 I know emojis are not for writing but I’m inserting one to keep the humor alive. I’m so thankful for my friend Lauren who interpreted the service for me. It was nice to be able to communicate with someone without all the guessing of lip reading without audio clues. I could feel the beat to the music, probably due to Terry being on the Bass. I also heard Pastor’s voice slightly when he was all fired up. It was a powerful message. I’m thankful I got out of my comfort zone and went. There is blessing in obedience. Depending on all the visuals with low vision wore me out again. A good nap was calling my name when I got home.

Tonight when I go to sleep I will be half way finished with this”sound diet”. While I’m keeping a positive perspective, it’s not really like a silent retreat. I have been on those before and they lasted a couple of days with no talking and no devices, it was just one on one time with the Lord. Worship music and sounds of nature always connect me with God. Right now things are utterly silent. A bit unnerving but I’m half way through.

Lord speak in this silence and renew my nerves so I can comprehend speech better again. With my CI packed away for my next appointment, there won’t be the temptation of the habit of putting it on. Please keep the prayers coming.

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

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Sound off…Sound diet… Uumm okay

June 10, 2022Leave a Comment

Today at my audiologist appointment instead of a sound adjustment or programming changes to my cochlear implant processor, my processor was turned off. I’ve been having new issues with speech comprehension and we aren’t sure why. After testing my new (6 month old) cochlear implant processor and finding nothing wrong with it, we are taking a different approach. My program levels are pretty high which could possibly be overstimulating my auditory nerve. My audiologist suggest a “sound diet” for a week, meaning I won’t wear my processor at all. She even turned it off electronically so I don’t cheat.

This is going to be a real challenge because I am also legally blind. When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is put on my cochlear implant processor and when I go to sleep at night, taking it off is the last thing I do. I depend on it for environmental sounds. So this is definitely going to be a challenge but I’ve always been up for a good challenge.

Having a positive perspective is more than half the fight. As we talked with the audiologist we asked if we could pray with her. God given wisdom is a must and we are trusting God for a good outcome, so we prayed together in her offic. Afterwards I turned to my husband and told him he better brush up on his signing skills this week. I also jokingly told my Audi I might end up thanking her next week because Ron is a talker. I’m always listening and trying to figure out what he is saying. Right before the processor was turned off Ron said to me “Bye”. I texted our son later and explained what was going on. He said, “Everything will work out fine and you might just enjoy it.” I remember writing in my book “Sound is nice but silence is golden.” I wonder if I will say that at the end of next week. Prayers appreciated. Ron might need them even more than me. This will be a test of patience. I guess this blog will be continued…..

If you’d like to read more of my story please check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water”. It’s a true story of how God has enabled me to overcome great difficulties, not by my own strength but through His strength made perfect in my weaknesses. You can find it on Amazon and many other ponline retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target and Walmart.

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

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Thankfulness

May 30, 20221 Comment

As I sit on the back porch this Memorial Day morning I’m thankful. I’m thankful for the freedom to sit here with my dog Joy and listen to the birds singing. I’m thankful for the brave men and women who serve our country and for those who gave it all for our freedom. I’m thankful for Jesus who renews our hope each day.

Yesterday at church I was reminded to offer up sacrifices of praise to God, even in the waiting and frustrations of life. Lord let me always be mindful to PRAISE YOU anyway!

Lately I have felt so weighed down by life, the world, issues with my “state of the art” cochlear implant processor. As the list of concerns goes on, I can find myself overwhelmed. But yesterday at church as I listened with tears rolling down my face, I was reminded to be thankful in the waiting period even though it seems I’m always in a waiting period. All I can do is pray, praise and trust God to move. Our country, our world, society at large is so broken because it rejects Jesus. I can’t do anything about it but pray and allow God to use me in whatever way he desires to bring about healing in our world. Let’s pause today and be thankful. Let’s pray continually and give thanks because our God is faithful.

If you’d like to read more of my story please check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water”. It’s a true story of how God has enabled me to overcome great difficulties, not by my own strength but through His strength made perfect in my weaknesses. You can find it on Amazon and many other online retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target and Walmart.

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com

TikTok anybody?

April 8, 20224 Comments

I can hear it now, “Surely she’s not going to write on this subject”. I surely will and ask you to hear me out. Please keep reading.

Last May when my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” came out my publisher suggested promoting on social media platforms. In the process of doing this I have discovered some writers groups. One of these groups has amazing suggestions of how other self published authors successfully promote their books. It was there I found out about Booktok which is a part of TikTok.

When I first considered different options for promoting I saw how very expensive hiring a professional publicist and marketing pro can be. The beauty of Tiktok is that it’s free promotion but you have to do the work and learn the system. Doing this with low vision is so time consuming!

The thought of TikTok itself was so intimidating because as someone who does not watch tv I can be easily blown away by things people post. I’ve never seen such vanity and cries for “look at me!” I’m like, “You people need to cover up! My goodness! Know your worth!” It’s an understatement that I was shocked at what some people post but I learned how the system works and would quickly scroll on past the offensive ones.

As I learned, I found the “discover” section where you can search what you’re looking for. I search for Booktok, Christian TikTok, true story, Christian Booktok, deaf blind and many more. As I typed these things in to search, great videos came up of Christian books, people sharing devotions, words of encouragement, worship music, nature and more. Therein lies the beauty. The videos are very very short and repetitive, so if I don’t understand it I just listen again. I began to realize it’s a great auditory therapy resource for practicing with my Advanced Bionics Marvel cochlear implant processor . I just make sure what I’m listening to is something I want to keep hearing and not offensive.

Actually creating the videos is a whole different story. It took me years to accept my limitations with hearing and vision issues. It took many more years to admit them and be open to help from people. Then God put on my heart to put my story in writing to encourage others and give glory to His name. Writing my book took me two years and many tears. When my book released last May, I thought “Whew! I’m done!”. Little did I know it was the beginning. What I had hidden for so long, finally accepted and finally put into writing…. people were now reading. Talking about being uncomfortable! Making videos to promote the book takes that discomfort to a whole new level. I am not about promoting me but I will promote what Jesus is to me and how He helps me. As I try to come up with content for videos I see I can use this tool to encourage others to look to Jesus which is my purpose. It’s not about writing blogs, making videos, and selling books but rather opportunities to share Jesus!

If you are on TikTok look for me and follow me @shannonkenleyhinson and I will point you to the best thing ever, Jesus my Lord! You can find my book, “Rooted by the Water” on Amazon and other online retailers. You will laugh, you will cry, and more than likely shake your head in disbelief. It’s transparent and I give God all the glory.

http://www.shannonkenleyhinson.com