If you’ve wondered where I’ve been since I dropped off the face of the earth, just know, I’ve wondered too. For those who read my previous post, Lingering Light, you know I ended the article with a brief update on some health issues I’ve been dealing with. I lost most of 2025 due to an autoimmune disease called polyarticular psoriatic arthritis. In hindsight, I now realize I lost much of the previous year to aspects of the disease, ones presenting themselves in such a way that I misinterpreted what was happening to me.
On the heels of my brother’s early-onset dementia and his death in January of 2024, my “thinking” issues were concerning. Over time, it only worsened. I’m not one who fears death—at all—but to have to live as my brother had in his final year would be a fate worse than death. As my cognitive decline progressed, it was more than memory lapses, which I’ve always had. I couldn’t think. Most of the time, I couldn’t write beyond simple, high-level concepts. I could read and know what the words meant, but often I couldn’t understand what the string of words as sentences or especially paragraphs meant. I did better some days than others, but for the most part, I knew I was losing myself. My husband and I were both bracing ourselves for the likelihood of a dementia journey.
I kept it from most people. When I came to the end of a year-long Zoom group, I was relieved to step away. The last months of preparing for and participating in that group were a struggle. I stopped writing for Rapture Ready. I stopped posting on my site. I made on-again, off-again attempts at writing a fiction book, but my mind was too muddied and confused to accomplish much. Even on my best days, I was dimly lit, like there was a tiny flicker of the old me in there, but I was just not able to express myself. Thankfully, I was able to work through our home-build season making the decisions I needed to, but as for anything mentally creative, I just couldn’t function like the real me.
Going back as far as a decade, I had “flares” of something that was never diagnosed, severe issues with joint inflammation, fatigue, and mental confusion. I thought it may have been rheumatoid arthritis since my symptoms pointed in that direction, but a blood test showed negative. What I did know then was that being off wheat and gluten kept my joint inflammation under control and the flares at bay.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago, and I found I was able to eat wheat again with no joint pain. So, I dabbled. Who wouldn’t? Then dabbling turned into full-time bread and biscuit and pasta and pizza eating. I thought maybe my system had reset. My most famous line during my newly eating bread season was, “Why would I not?” Not-so-famous last words.
What I didn’t realize was that the disease that had been in remission for a few years was triggered by the wheat but was this time attacking my skin and creating inflammation in my brain. That inflammation, coupled with a low sodium issue I’ve dealt with for several years, convinced me that I was dealing with dementia. I passed the skin eruptions off as a change in soap and trudged along waiting for the worst. Thankfully, my joint inflammation resurfaced in March of ’25, cluing me in that something else may have been happening.
Still undiagnosed, I went off wheat again since I was positive that would help with my joints. It did. Once I did receive my diagnosis, I attacked back against a disease that was attacking me. I switched to a strict diet with no inflammatory foods. That wasn’t for sissies. I began taking handfuls of supplements. I did everything possible to avoid healthcare and pharmaceutical systems that have proven to me they aren’t to be trusted. Guess what? It worked. I do have issues at times, but I’m finding my flares are no more severe than those of family and friends with autoimmune diseases who are on medication.
My brain is coming back to life, at least for the most part, but I still have dimly lit days. I’m finishing that fiction book I started back in the spring of ’24. I’m excited to be posting here again. This to me is living, when I’m able to write. I keep telling those closest to me: I’m me again. I found long-lost Lisa. That’s what this post is about, reaquainting you with the excited-to-talk-to-you-again Lisa.
I don’t know the exact plan for ministry going forward, but I do know the general direction. My heart’s passion has always been to encourage, to disciple, to lift others up in a world determined to knock us down as believers. In anything and everything I’ve written, I hope I’ve always done this one thing: to remind us all to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. That’s my direction, pointing to Him and His love for us.
I’m not setting expectations for myself or setting a writing schedule. I’ve found that the overuse of my arms while weeding and even a small sinus infection both triggered the disease to begin attacking my joints again. Others with autoimmune diseases have warned me that flares will likely come when exposed to viruses and even random stimuli. With that in mind, knowing I may continue to have good days and bad days, I’m just going to let this be what it needs to be. When the Lord gives me inspiration, I’ll share it with you.
My goal today was to give a more detailed reason for my disappearance, rather than just showing back up and posting again as if nothing happened. You’re my fam, and I love you. I felt you deserved more. And I want to thank those of you who have checked in on disappearing Lisa. I haven’t been the greatest at quick responses and don’t know if I will be going forward, but just know that I do read each and every message that you send.
I look forward to a new season, hopefully one fully lit and brightly shining.
Until next time,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
So happy that you had the strength to update us. Thank you for sharing your life with us. It’s so refreshing for someone to be genuine and ‘touchable’ in the sense of being willing to actually be real and have communication with those who follow your ministry.
When you face ‘a not so good day’, please always remember that you have truly blessed us all, and we love you.
Hi Rhonda,
I know I’m too real at times and often overshare. I’m glad to know it’s well received today. 😉 I love how you ended, that on a not so good day I can think of y’all. That really means something to me. I may need you to remind me of that.
I love you too and can’t wait to meet you face to face.
Lisa
I’m so thankful you figured out what you have been dealing with! You have really struggled! I’m happy you are writing again! I need a Lisa Heaton book to read! When might you be ready for a women’s retreat? I’ve been thinking I’d introduce you to Tiffany Crowder our women’s ministry leader and share with her all your talents….. love you!
Hi Brenda,
You are one of the few who comment on here that I will actually see in person. I can’t wait to put another book in your hands. It’s so exciting to be rounding the bend on the new book. Its title is Saving Joy. I feel like I’m reading it rather than writing it. I love seeing what God will do next with each chapter.
We will sure talk about what may be next for a women’s retreat. Speaking feels a little overwhelming after being isolated for so long, but if the Lord invites me to speak to a group, He will be the power behind the words. When have you ever known me to be at a loss for words? 😉
Love you more,
Lisa
It’s good to see you writing again – you were missed! We go home SOON. Maranatha!
Hi Kathy,
I’ve missed you all too. I can’t wait to see you up there.^^
Lisa
So glad you figured out what is causing the problem with your health! And can be fixed!
🙏🙌
Hi Pam,
I’m glad to get it figured out too. Thanks so much for reaching out.
Lisa
Oh bless the Lord for you, Lisa! What a beautiful message, so very thoughtful of you to bare your situation with such honesty and grace.
My wife’s oldest daughter deals with pretty much the same things that you do and we can relate to all that you’re dealing with. “But God!!”, as Pastor JD often says. We continue to praise Him and trust Him on your behalf, you and your family.
You are prayed for and loved greatly by a “great cloud of witnesses.”
I have the Word open to Philippians 4:4 as I write. May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you and use you mightily for His glory and your good.
You have no idea how much this post has meant to me this morning.
Blessings to you and yours, my dear sister in Christ!!!
Maranatha!! We fly soon!!🙏
Hi Robert,
What a kind and encouraging message. I hate to hear your wife’s daughter is dealing with similar issues. “But God” is exactly right. I’ve seen Him show up in so many spectacular ways along this journey. Our pastor said something last week when he was talking about illness. Paraphrasing here. “Don’t think the reason God allowed your sickness is that He’s mad at you. No, He knows you can be trusted with it.” That made such an impact. I know there’s glory for Him in the midst of sickness. I just want to be found faithful and prove Him right, that I can be trusted with this.
Thank you for your prayers and for the verse. There’s no better thing you can do for me or give to me, brother.
I’m genuinely touched by your message.
Blessings back to you. See you in the air,
Lisa
You have been missed! Thank you for publishing about your ongoing autoimmune disease. I currently have the positive blood test but no active case as yet. I, too, just take it one day at a time, relying on God to get me through and being caution about what I do and eat. Thank you so much for your inspiration!
Hi Tanya,
It’s nice to be missed. 😉
I pray yours never develops into full-blow sickness. I’m so glad to hear you are watching what you eat. Stay away from the inflammatory foods, no matter how yummy. Food is medicine.
Blessings to you,
Lisa
I have checked your website here and there over the last couple of years and often wondered what was going on, I’m very sorry for the things you have been going through. I know you know we serve and worship a true a fateful God and we don’t always understand his plan and reasons but we know he loves us. Keep the faith, and I’m so glad you’re back. Looking forward to reading your work again.
Tim Clark
Hi Tim,
You know, I don’t think I ever once thought someone would check my site to see where I might be. I guess when you have an online ministry and don’t see the faces of those you reach, it’s easy for the enemy to make you think what you do isn’t something to be missed. Your message really changes the way I see things. I’ve often looked at the empty chair at my desk and thought of my online world. During my most tangled-mind season, I wasn’t sure how to make my way back there. Now, I know that chair was the Lord reminding me that you, Tim, and the others who have been reaching out to me since the article were patiently waiting for my return. It’s good to be back. It’s even better to know I was missed.
I certainly do know that I serve a faithful God. He’s kind of shown out this past few months. I love when He does that.
As for my work going forward, I have to prepare you; I don’t see a return to an exclusive last-days focus. The soon-coming rapture will always be a thread throughout my writing, but I sense the Lord is leading me to write more than about that. What seems to be milling around in my heart most is how we as believers can wait well? How can we know we’re so loved that whatever may come, we’ll be settled in that love and trust Him? I’m guessing you followed my site after reading my Rapture Ready articles, so I hope a shift isn’t a disappointment to you.
Thanks so much for your message,
Lisa