Rachel Lundy's Blog, page 17

Operation Christmas Child 2015

In 2012 our family packed Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for the first time. It has since become an annual tradition that we enjoy doing together. We typically pack a shoebox for a girl Adelaide's age and a shoebox for a boy William's age. 
There are three main items to include in each shoebox gift: toys, school supplies, and toiletry items. We usually try to add a clothing item too.
Earlier this year I read that almost every boy wants a soccer ball, so we made sure to include a...

Busy Hands: Crochet Walker Bag

Last week I shared the craft projects I entered into the county fair in August. One of the items was this crocheted walker bag.
Several times over the past few years I have looked for a crochet walker bag pattern, but I have never found one that I liked. Instead of using a traditional walker bag pattern, I decided to combine two purse patterns that I liked, and then I added straps so the purse could hang on a walker. I used the houndstooth stitch from this Houndstooth Tote, and I used the...

I Invite You to Join Me for Virtual Teatime!

This summer I heard about a new social media platform called Periscope. At first I wasn't interested in another form of social media. I already had Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. What more does a girl need? Apparently a girl needs Periscope. The first time I checked it out, I was hooked! 
Periscope allows you to watch live video from Periscope broadcasters around the world. As someone who is homebound, this live interaction is wonderful. On days when I am tired and exhausted and stuck...

Busy Hands: County Fair Edition

One of my favorite events each year in Minnesota is the county fair. This year I was unable to attend because I was too tired and weak, but I was still able to participate from home! I gathered several of the craft items I had made in the past year or so, and Will brought them to the fair and entered them in various crochet and jewelry categories for me.
My parents were here for the week of the fair, and they took William and Adelaide to the fair each day. My mom texted me photos fro...

The Mini Adventure

This fall I have been working on recovering from the toll that the summer took on me. I have had to spend a lot of time resting, and I have been more homebound than was previously typical for me. Two weeks ago I was itching to get out of the house, but was so tired that I wasn't sure how it could happen. We decided that I should have IV fluids, get some extra rest, and then do what it took to get outside. The IV infusion was just the boost I needed to be able to get out of the house...

Help Save Midodrine

Earlier this month I shared about my fight against gravity. My blood vessels do not constrict like they should when I am sitting or standing. This means the longer I am upright, the more blood I have pooling in the lower half of my body, which causes a lack of proper blood flow to my lungs, heart, and brain. There is an important medication I take each day that helps in my fight against gravity: midodrine. Midodrine works by constricting blood vessels, thus raising blood pressure and helping...

Just Show Up: Q&A with Jill Buteyn and a Giveaway

This summer I read and reviewed Just Show Up by Kara Tippetts and Jill Buteyn. I am thrilled to say that this book is now available in stores! If you are wondering how to show up for a friend who is suffering, this book will be a helpful resource for you.

Today I would like to share Kara and Jill's own words about this book. For those of you who do not know, Kara passed away from cancer earlier this year. She is now in Heaven, so I will be sharing a quote of Kara's from the book.


In Kara's...

Dysautonomia Awareness Month

Photo Credit: DINET
October is Dysautonomia Awareness Month. On October 1, Niagara Falls was lit up in blue for dysautonomia awareness! It is exciting to see more attention given to this condition that is devastating for so many people. We have a long way to go, but it is good that awareness is spreading for dysautonomia.



Dysautonomia is an umbrella term used to describe the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. There are many different types of dysautonomia, and this infographic shows s...

They Just Showed Up

Kara and Jill's book, Just Show Up, released this month! In this book, they share about the community that surrounded the Tippetts family when Kara was battling cancer, and they help the reader learn how to walk through suffering with a friend. I had the opportunity to read and review Just Show Up this summer, and it is definitely a book that I recommend.
Today the Mundane Faithfulness community is gathering to share stories of how people have shown up for us in our hard times....

Summer Fun

This summer was a difficult one for my family. It was incredibly hard and stressful, and we were not doing well. We were just surviving, clinging to hope, and holding on to Jesus.
The Lord knew we needed help, and He sent family and friends to help relieve the burden. During the weeks that they were here, there was fun and rest and help and relief. Today I want to share about the help and the summer fun!


My parents came to visit us for two weeks in June. While they were here they took the child...