Happy Birthday to the Blog!

March 22, 2018

My blog turns one year old today! I decided to take this opportunity to reflect on everything that’s happened this year. I’ve come such a long way in my recovery! I never imagined I’d be doing this well after only a year of mold avoidance. As a way to celebrate, I’ve compiled 10 of my favorite milestone posts.

1. I’m Not Helpless Anymore

This was the day I realized that my relationship to my illness had changed forever and that mold avoidance gave me a measure of power over it. I didn’t have to suffer blindly anymore.

2. A Birthday Hike!

This was the first time I went hiking since falling ill. It hurt and I had to take frequent breaks but I did it!

3. “Look Mother, I Can Run!”

This post is about that wonderful day when I discovered I could actually run. I could run! I could run, after 5 years of severe illness and hundreds of days confined to bed.

4. A Letter to My Body

Extreme sound sensitivity was one of my most debilitating symptoms. This post tells the story of how I was able to go to a loud restaurant and eat pizza. No panic attacks. No hives.

5. I Made Lunch

I was able to cook for the first time in years! On a camp stove to boot. πŸ™‚

6. Relearning How to Drive

With Brett’s encouragement, I decided to try driving again. It was both thrilling and terrifying!

7. My First Day Without Any Meds

After years of debilitating pain and severe insomnia, I was able to get off off all of my medications.

8. We’re Moving In!

After only six months of mold avoidance we were able to move indoors for the winter. What a relief it was to have hot showers that pour out of the ceiling whenever we want!

9. I Didn’t Know I Could Heal From Chronic Illness

This is the story of my first workout since falling ill. Also known as… that time I thought I was participating in a gentle fitness class and it turned out to be hard-core aerobics. I still survived!

10. Good Times With Friends

This was one of my first experiences of feeling normal again (in spite of the respirator mask). I got to travel to Colorado just for the fun of seeing dear friends. Unlike previous visits I wasn’t confined to bed and my brain didn’t have trouble keeping up with conversation.


By the way, Brett and I made a beautiful PDF of my favorite resources for suffering souls. I created the content and he made it look fancy with his superduper graphic design skills. It’s available for free to my email subscribers. Click here to sign up and receive 5 Resources for the Suffering Soul.

Get My 5 Favorite Resources

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15 Comments

  • Grandma Zimmerman

    Praise the Lord, Ana! We are so happy to see how far you’ve come! I love that photo, you look so good!
    Love you, Grandma

    March 22, 2018 at 3:58 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Amen! Thank you so much Grandma! I love you and miss you! πŸ˜ŠπŸ’•

      March 22, 2018 at 5:41 pm Reply
  • Katherine Forster

    THIS. IS. AWESOME.

    March 23, 2018 at 10:59 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      πŸ˜„πŸ˜„πŸ˜„πŸ˜„πŸ˜„

      March 23, 2018 at 12:21 pm Reply
  • Rachel

    This makes me so happy! Thank you for sharing your journey with us, Ana. It’s not something you owed us by any means, and I know sometimes it must be hard, but it is a real blessing and gift to see through the lens God has given you!

    March 24, 2018 at 1:08 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Aww! This is such a sweet comment Rachel. Thank you. πŸ’•

      March 24, 2018 at 12:39 pm Reply
  • Charis Rae

    YAY ANA!! *hugs* I am so so proud and happy for how far you’ve come. You are such a light shining into the darkness of this world. Thank you for all you do to testify Jesus, point me to Him, and inspire me to live my days more fully. (And by the way, you have the best smile and the sweetest laugh!)

    March 24, 2018 at 2:29 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Aww! Thank you so much Charis! You’re so kind! I love this comment! πŸ’•

      March 24, 2018 at 3:13 pm Reply
  • Erin

    CONGRATULATIONS, Ana!!!! Love you!!!

    March 24, 2018 at 5:00 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Thank you so much Erin! Love you too! πŸ’•

      March 24, 2018 at 8:05 pm Reply
  • Dini

    Congratulations!!! Ana this is amazing!!
    May the Lord continue to bless and heal you!
    We keep praying for complete restoration. The kids remember you faithfully every night. πŸ˜€
    We look forward to see the things that the Lord will do through you. Love from all of us. πŸ˜€

    March 26, 2018 at 10:02 am Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Oh wow! Thank you SO much! I really appreciate it that so many people are praying for continued healing. Please tell your kids thank you for me, πŸ’•πŸ˜Š

      March 26, 2018 at 5:12 pm Reply
  • Ruth Meyer

    Your journey has been a joy and privilege to read unfolding over the last year, all praise to our Lord for His endless mercy and grace! You are a beloved sister in Christ, and I am so glad I met you through Brett’s writing workshop. You are an amazing two made and awesome one in the Lord, and I pray the Lord continues to bless you in the years to come! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, lessons, and grace to us along the way. It’s been priceless, Ana! Just like you.

    March 29, 2018 at 4:19 pm Reply
    • Ana Harris

      Oh Ruth! This is one of the sweetest comments ever! Thank you dear sister! πŸ’•

      March 29, 2018 at 4:27 pm Reply
  • Happy birthday wishes

    This is awesome.

    May 29, 2018 at 1:09 am Reply
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