All I want for Christmas

I started sponsoring our first compassion child when I was in college. It was a wonderful way for me to get outside of myself and enter the world of a little girl who had little to nothing. Later on my husband and I decided to sponsor another child because we found out the need was so great and we were able to make a difference even if it did seem a small one. Since then we have been blessed through letters and prayers our sponsor children have sent us. It is true that when we give we are blessed, surprisingly blessed by our Lord.

This Christmas Compassion International has asked those of us who sponsor children to be an advocate for a child who still needs a sponsor. If you have a heart for children and desire to make a difference please prayerfully consider reaching out to a child in need of physical and emotional support. Sponsoring a child is a wonderful way for you and your family (including small children) to minister and be blessed by someone half way across the world.

You can contact me if you like, call the following number toll-free (800) 336-7676 or go to www.compassion.com/christmaschild

What's the story morning Dory?

The desire to get a dog would hit me in waves. I would pour over a dog book for a few days and then forget about it. Weeks later I would be searching on the internet and then realize the dog I had wanted would cost somewhere between $1,200-$1,500. No way! We gave it up until my brother mentioned that one of his boss' dogs had had a litter of puppies. Mmmm. We went to go see them and on the way home I felt unsure about the commitment of getting a puppy. My husband was the one who convinced me we could do this and that it would be a wonderful addition to our home. Besides she came at a very reasonable price....free!

It took no time at all for me to get pregnant and by then we had already said yes to getting a puppy.It seemed a little crazy to me but we stuck with the decision. So a few days after we came home from PA we had a black little bundle of joy filling our hearts and our home. I can honestly say that although raising a puppy takes a lot of time and effort, it is well worth it. Our little Dory (my husband named her) is smart, active, lovable and a cuddle bug. Little Miss has enjoyed the company and seems to be more active and confidant because of our little pup.

Be Near

It's been a long time coming for me but I'm so thankful that the Lord is gentle with those of us who some times go through life situations kicking and screaming digging our emotional heels in. My husband was wishing for our next child way before I even started contemplating the idea. August was the beginning for me. As most of you know I started the journey of seeking and undergoing a new round of treatment with one of the goals being pregnancy.

I remember getting up in the middle of one of my wrestling nights thinking about the reality of having another child. I heard a voice loud and clear rising up from my heart with firm love saying " Who are you to withhold a life from my world? what great things this child will do if only you will let go of your life." Matthew 15:24-26 was a verse that kept coming back to me over the past year and now as I stood by my little upstairs window I knew He had been preparing me for this time for a long time. Isn't that His way?

Now it's Christmas time and I'm around 11 weeks along in my second pregnancy letting go of all the busyness and holding on to the promise that I will never be left alone, praying that the Lord would satisfy and replenish this weary soul.

An Impossibility

Another wonderful way of looking at our Savior. Hope you enjoy. More posts to come in the future. So much to write about!
blessings. A


Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
December 20, 2009
An Impossibility


The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
-- John 1:14 NKJV

We talk a lot about the Incarnation as Christmas draws near. Incarnation is a Latin word that means "taking flesh." God "took flesh" and became the human Jesus. We say that so glibly. But the idea is so impossible.
God became flesh? It's like accepting that a battleship can fit into a bathtub. A skyscraper can fit into a dollhouse. A field of wheat can fit into a cereal box. More than that, it's like making blue paint out of blue sky. We can't fathom such things. In the same way, we can't imagine the God of the universe becoming a baby.
It's so odd. After all, the whole point was that God wanted to rescue us. But a baby can't rescue anyone; babies need rescuing themselves. Maybe because God couldn't make himself greater to impress us, he made himself smaller to attract us.
And the Christmas story is attractive. In all history there is nothing like it. If you stroll through cities around the world, you will see imposing monuments to outstanding men and women. But have you ever seen a statute of a famous person as an infant? You never see George Washington portrayed in a stroller. It would be silly.
But it's not silly to honor the Lord of the universe as a baby, because this child signifies the Incarnation. That God took on flesh is amazing and incredible, like an oil well fitting into an oilcan, or a mountain squeezing into a molehill. God became flesh - Wow!

To help you think about what an amazing act the Incarnation is, make a list of all the qualities Jesus gave up or limited to become a baby. For example, he who is the Light of the World chose to dwell in a dark womb for nine months. You'll be amazed at just what Jesus' choice meant for him -- and for you.

* * * * *

Emmanuel, God with us, words seem impossibly small and unwieldy to try to express the immensity of your love for me, and the gratitude I feel. Help me to live today in a way that would honor the sacrifices you have made for me.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

Had Enough?

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
November 4, 2009
Had Enough?


... I have had enough, Lord, take my life...
-- 1 Kings 19:4
Ever feel like you have spaghetti for a backbone? When I feel like giving up, I think of good old Elijah and our verse for today. Even a powerful prophet can discover he has noodles for knees. Queen Jezebel had heard through the grapevine that Elijah had wiped out hundreds of her prophets. So she went after his neck. And Elijah ran for his life. When he reached the desert, Elijah gave up. He didn't even have the courage to do himself in. Instead, he begged God to perform a mercy killing on him.

Do you see yourself in this picture? Whether you're terminally ill, on your last legs, or hunch-shouldered with a bad case of the Monday morning blues, all of us sometimes say, "I've had enough." There's hardly a one of us who hasn't, at one time or another, wanted to throw in the towel.

We can draw comfort that we are all as vulnerable as Elijah. How did this mighty prophet surface out of his despair? God didn't give answers; He gave Himself. He ministered to the prophet, handing him food and giving him sleep. God even offered a listening, empathetic ear. The record shows that the angel of the Lord agreed that the "journey is too much for you." Then God presented Elijah with new work to do. Sometimes switching focus on to others is just what the doctor would order.

As surely as the angel of the Lord gave the prophet a sip of cool water and laid him down to rest, the Lord touches your life through the people He places around you. People are the hands and heart of God to you. If there are no people? God will personally come through for you, giving you strength out of nowhere.

Do what Elijah did. Carve out time for rest. Watch your nutrition. Spend time with God. Seek out fellowship. Look for ways to help others. It's a prescription to help ease depression.

* * * * *
God of rest and restoration, show me how to turn to You for help when I slump emotionally. Tune my heart to the ways You want to minister to me and help me to be responsive.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

Bottoms Up!

I woke up from a short nap feeling rather hungry. Then I stopped, thought about it again .... ahh thirsty that's what it was, I was thirsty. Did you know that most times you grab for food you're really dehydrated? Amazing isn't it?
I'm sure this can be applied somewhere else in my life...I'll have to think on it a little. Right now I'm off to drink another glass of water.

Cheers. Bottoms Up!

I shall abide

When I was knocked down by a viral infection last week I was thinking about all the things I could have done to prepare myself
for this.
a. Buy those chicken roasters from West Wind farm to make chicken broth.
b. stocked up on some basic foods like cooked beans, ground beef, diced with peppers and onions, a few quick meals frozen and ready to go.
c. My house in order (ok well maybe just the laundry folded and put away)
d. Bathrooms clean, and a dust free house.
e. Honey in plenty, lots of herbal teas and lemons

Being prepared for sickness is such a blessing because your not as stressed, your husband's not wondering what to make for dinner and while your passed out in the bathroom coughing your lungs up, you can rest assured that its not too dirty.
Of course gracious mercies abound for the sick even if we don't see them at first. For me it was the little things that made a huge difference.

a. My husband picked up the slack by taking off from work for the first two days. He folded laundry, cooked dinners and put up with my crabby self.
b. My husband and daughter bonded while I was stuck to the couch. My daughter also was considerate of my needs and took the opportunity to play quietly. THIS was HUGE.
c. I was able to read my Bible, and A Severe Mercy.
d. Most importantly I feel like I was able to take time to wrestle a little with my Savior and learn once again how to trust even when things get scratchy. and pray. pray. pray.

I also wanted to mention, for those who are interested, a few things that I did do that helped with my recovery.

a. I went to my MD right away and was given an adjustment, and some anti-viral and immune booster supplements.
b.For my pinkeye I put FRESH raw milk in my eyes which helped.
c. Kept taking things like zinc and staying away from sugars and nasty but tempting foods
d. I drank water, hot tea, V8, and honey and lemon
e. Gargled with Celtic Sea Salt. (Btw my MIL sent me some wonderful info on gargling in the morning and night as well as swabbing your nose with salt water to help kill germs. Must start doing that)
f. cod liver oil
g. Got myself some IntraMax to help fight things off for my loved ones.

And when things got bad like coughing all through the night and crying because I felt like I was going out of my mind, I clung to my pillow and meditated on the following.... "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.'"
I'm not very good at abiding but when I get sick there is nothing else to do but abide.

I hope some of this has helped. And I'd love to hear about some of what you all do to keep healthy and fight off sicknesses naturally.

The Opal

For all of us who feel broken today....


Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
October 16, 2009

The Opal
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
--Psalm 51:17
I've always loved opals, partly because that's my birth stone. But also because opals seem even more brilliant and full of fire than a diamond. Amazingly, this beauty comes from desert dust and silica from sand dunes. That's what opals are made of. They owe their beauty to a defect--it's a stone with a broken heart. The opal is full of minute fissures that admit air, and then the air refracts the light. Because of this defect, the opal is all the more brilliant.

You and I who have broken hearts are sometimes only conscious of the cracks and the fissures. But out of all this God is making an opal heart. We must be broken in ourselves before we can give back the lovely hues of His light, including the fire, the brilliance. The Bible says that God can best use a heart that is broken and contrite. It's true in my life. When I'm self-sufficient and in control, my heart becomes a little hardened to others' needs. In fact, that self-sufficient attitude even hardens my heart toward God.

Ah, but then He breaks it...by a cutting yet true remark from a friend. Or rejection from someone whose opinion I respect. Or by a verse such as, "If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Sometimes something beautiful will break my heart...a special hymn or the testimony of someone who has suffered. Only when my heart is fractured, full of minute fissures, can God's love enter in and refract His own light.

Next time you see an opal, think of how you must be broken before you can give back the lovely hues of God's light. Let the opal remind you to thank God for a broken heart.

* * * *

Lord of my heart, thank You that You use brokenness to create beauty and that my defects are tools to serve Your purpose.

Blessings,

Joni and Friends

Taken from More Precious Than Silver. Copyright © 1998 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Nursing Cover

I was planning on getting this nursing cover done oh about a year ago, but just the thought of doing it made me tired.
Well now that I'm feeling better I decided I would start getting some things done. My hubby was at a U2 concert and since I have a hard time falling asleep without him I stayed up super late and was able to get the whole thing done in one night. I prayed really hard before I started. It turned out better than I expected. I'm usually all nerves when it comes to sewing. My poor mother tried to teach me back in the day but I was a basket case just trying to make a little pillow. I thought I would never pick up sewing again, but since I didn't have a major catastrophe with this project I just might try something else...we'll see.

The Practical

Making changes in ones life doesn't come easy but if you have a desire even if its a very slight one... don't get stuck, just start moving forward....

I was standing in my kitchen a few weeks ago mentally taking note of all the no-no food I had stashed in my cupboards...uhhh the 5 lbs of whole wheat pasta I just bought from the co-op, granola bars, white flour...and the list went on and my frustration mounted. My thoughts at that moment? You don't want to know. So what did I do? I called on my expert friend who lives the GF life. She sent me a wonderful list of things I could eat and it was like I was charlie opening up that chocolate bar and getting the golden ticket...never mind about the chocolate I've got that ticket!

So here you go. Just a few things to get you started from my awesome friend KatieO.



Just so you know all dairy, meat, veggies and fruit are naturally gluten free. ...the only exception might be bluecheese:)...(hotdogs and deli meat rarely have gluten but we do get the ones w/o hormones/nitrates etc. just because we like them better

Breakfast:
Frozen GLuten Free Waffles/French Toast Sticks (we get VANS)
Gluten Free Oatmeal (BiLo, and Greenlife) the company is called BOB MILL...but it needs to say GF
Yogurt
Eggs
Bacon/Sausage
GF cereal (Rice Chex, are at WAlmart cheap and gluten free!!)....the BIG thing to look at with cereals is if it contains, barley...malt...oats...and obviously wheat.
Fruit
Protein Shake (i use Chocolate Rice Protein in Rice Milk(do not use Rice Dream if you want to use Rice Milk) but you could use any protein powder that says it is GF and any kind of dairy or nut drink)
Gf muffins that i make from a mix (i can share that with you if you want it) ...i mix in chocolate chips, apple, banana, etc.
Brown Rice Bread Toasted with cinnamon and butter (the bread is called Food for Life...must be toasted...you might hate it but my kids like it..there is MUCH better bread but Mason is allergic to eggs so that limits our options:)


Lunch:

Corn Thins (b/c they are much thinner and tastier than Rice Cakes) w/ peanut butter, sunbutter, or hummus
Chicken Salad (shredded chicken, diced veggies, sliced almonds, and we use vegan mayo but Helmanns is GF)
Egg Salad over spinach or lettuce (just Gage and i eat this:)
Tuna, Sardines, and even canned salmon mixed with the same things i do with chicken salad
Turkey,Ham, Roast Beef, 'roll up' with a couple cheese strips
Salad(rare but it happens)
Leftovers from the night before
GF Crackers with Peanut/or Sunbutter (we like Healthy Valley's Rice ones...somewhat like graham crackers)

Dinner:

Tacos (just watch out for the seasoning...look for one that is JUST seasonings no extra junk..or make your own...stay away from anything with MSG)
Grilled Chicken Strips, over Brown Rice (i put sauteed diced carrots and onions in at the last minute) , with fruit
Rice Pasta (they sell it at Walmart...the brand we like the most you would have to get at Greenlife called Tinkyada...you can save leftovers and they heat up just fine or even taste good cold where not all Rice Pastas will do that) w/marinara sauce (i hide veggies in it) and meatballs
Fish (frozen tilapia, or salmon...i try to buy wild caught but doesnt always happen) grilled or broiled w/olive oil and we like to put a strawberry/mango/cilantro salsa on it...or capers and toasted almonds w/ sweet potato fries (we buy a brand called Alexia...but its super easy to make them yourself)
Hamburgers/Turkey Burgers w/o the bun, steamed carrots/broccoli and sliced apples
Quesidillas/salsa...i get flour tortillas for Ryan but use corn for us....i cook ours first in the pan and then his
We buy a gluten free Pizza made with Rice crust but it would taste much better and be cheaper if you have an all purpose mix (anything but BOB MIll is gross) and make your own
Pulled Pork in the crockpot with BBQ sauce (there are cheap ones but you really need to make sure it doesnot have soysauce b/c it is made w/wheat)
Stirfry (brown rice, whatever veggies we have, a meat...and Tamari(wheatfree soysauce)
Shish Kabobs (meat/shrimp and veggies grilled over rice)
Roasted Chicken w/ veggies....and i use leftovers for Chicken salad


Snack Ideas:

Popcorn (we airpop it and use coconut oil...and then bag it up and it can last for over a week or two still tasty:)
Potato/Corn Chips (wheat free)
jello/pudding
yogurt
fruit strips or fruit roll ups (Target sells Archer Farms Fruit Strips they are the cheapest i have found)
apple sauce
Pirates Bootie/Veggie Bootie/Tings (Greenlife-its cheap)
Celery w/ peanut or sunbutter and raisins
Handful of nuts/seeds
Trail Mix (i make my own but just check it if you buy it already mixed)
Betty Crocker GF brownies, cookies, cake mix....best mix for these three things and you can get them at Walmart:)
GF pretzels (expensive but we splurge once a month or so...about 7.99 for a big bag:(
Hummus with veggie sticks


okay so real quick watch out for lingo like this:

Wheat, Barley, Spelt, Oats, Malt, Soysauce(b/c it contains wheat), MSG, ...here is a full list below but those are the ones that are clearest

here is a good unsafe list:

http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html

here is a good 'safe' list just for more ideas:
http://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html

here is a list of Gluten Free Medications---gluten is in some so you have to check:
http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/Glutenlist.htm

Feeling Clearly

I've had to make some hard decisions the past few months but now that I'm feeling better I am so thankful I went ahead with all of it. I know that a lot of people struggle with similar issues and I was always super blessed by people who shared their stories with me and encouraged me to push on and keep trying. So its in that spirit that I wish to share a few things that I've been doing that have helped me get to this point in my life. First of all I've been praying a ton really going before the Lord and asking him for healing and I know a lot of people have been praying for me as well. I know that the Lord has the power to heal me completely but I've also seen how going through so much sickness and all the red tape that surrounds someone struggling with LD and chronic fatigue can also glorify His name and be the guide to help others who are struggling too.

I know a big part of my journey in getting better has been my desire to seek out MD's who are more preventative and that seek at going to the root of the problem not just masking over a deeper problem by treating the symptoms. The biggest set back for most people to go to this type of MD is the monetary factor. Some people end up having to pay out of pocket for everything and that can be really hard trust me I've been there. Walking out of their offices shaking my head near tears when I think of all the money I'm dropping on supplements and office visits. And yet we were able to do it and not get in over our heads either. When I was first getting treatment for LD we even had friends and family send us money to help pay for the cost of things! This is a testimony to me of how faithful the Lord has been in providing the resources we needed for my care.

The other things that have been super helpful for me personally are the supplements I'm taking. As I mentioned before I am deficient in iodine and zinc and so I've been taking that for over a month now. I am also taking P-5-P which is and activated Vitamin B6 and Max Stress B Nano Plex. I do really feel like these things have really helped me especially in the area of PMS, mood issues, stress, and fatigue.

I've also made some changes in how I eat. This is a huge thing because it really affects me every single day. I usually wake up in the morning feeling really awful like sick and stiff joints and just grumpy. I was muscle tested and found out that Wheat is not a thing I should eat. I'm not technically allergic to wheat but its just not good for me. SO while I was at it I just cut out all gluten. Now I know that sounds crazy hard to do and it took me a really long time to actually do it but now that I have done it it really wasn't that hard and really not that bad either. Next thing I did was cut out all refined sugar. What I ended up doing when I went GF was that I would just eat more sugary GF stuff. This of course made me feel really bad and so I just decided on my own that I was going to take out sugar, chocolate, and all manner of sweets out of my life. You know what ended up happening? Well I would wake up in the morning and actually feel good! Shocking I know...well it makes sense sugar is an inflammatory and wreaks havoc on your body in so many ways. I do allow myself freedom on the weekends or when there is a special event like a birthday or party. This has made going GF and SF really doable for me.

I also try to eat whole foods as much as possible. I'm really big into Raw milk, which I get from a local source, West Wind farms has wonderful meats and they deliver to our door once a month and although we don't eat organic eggs all the time I can totally tell the difference between my 44 cents Aldi eggs and the fresh eggs that my friend lets me get every once in a while. As far as fruits and veggies go I don't usually get all organic. It ends up being really expensive. So I've been doing some gardening and using my own produce as well as going to a lovely little farmers market called Linda's my sister-in-law told me about. I just wash everything really well and don't stress out about it.

This is a huge thing that I've learned. I've done all of this slowly and I've learned that if I stress about eating ALL organic I'm actually doing my body more harm. I've also learned to just do it and not push my thoughts on others. I KNOW I've probably made loads of people feel uncomfortable and stressed out when in my excitement I've shared all my findings.
It can be overwhelming but I was in a place in my life where I was totally willing to try anything to get better.

It has taken me a long time to get to this point in my life. Don't think for one minute that I am doing this all in my own strength. I'm just as weak and weary over all this striving as the next person. But there is a purpose behind all of it. To be one who overcomes even in areas of health and eating has been every bit physical as well as spiritual. It is a laying down of myself and constantly being filled through the power of the Holy Spirit. Nothing can be done without it.

Its a fresh new day

One of the reasons why I love my man...


Basil anyone?

Usually I feel awful in the mornings...this wasn't always the case however ask my siblings or my college roommates...I was an early riser eager to face the new day. Yesterday was reminiscent of my earlier days as for the first time in months the humidity had vanished and with it all my cares. Ok not all my cares but at least I felt a renewed strength to get things done that had been lingering... no calling out to me for weeks. First on the list...my basil patch. I had made pesto earlier on in the season but I had no idea my basil was going to mass produce itself and as I usually cringe at waste I decided it was high time I attend to it. So last night as we talked over the days happenings my husband and I picked, washed, and blended two huge bags of basil leaves. IF perchance you are reading this blog and are local PLEASE do yourself and me a favor and come and take some of this wonderful herb for your culinary pleasures. I would feel so much better about myself if I used it up and didn't send it all to the compost heap.

The Keeper

Ok so I'm trying to update you all on what's going on with me and my health situation. Ironically when I went in to get my blood work reviewed my MD said that my immune system wasn't just good but perfect...go figure... but he did say that my liver was quite distressed and needed some pick me ups. Mmmm I guess I should lay off all the alcohol I drink... no seriously right now I'm trying to beef up on the things that my body is deficient in so I don't run into complications later on in life. I have way more sympathy for people who are trying to quit smoking or something like that now that I'm trying to be gluten free. Oh and by the way its not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I have really enjoyed the culinary diversion that being GF affords. The word on my LD is that since I seem to be doing well in the immune system department I must therefore be in remission. My MD is not a LD specialist so I'm a little hesitant to do a victory dance. The victory belongs to the Lord either way anyway... Pray for me though I've been taking some new supplements and not feeling a ton better and so I get super discouraged. I also have had some neck muscle pain that's new and has caused frequent low grade head aches. Which leads me into my next topic...

When I feel gross, which is actually most days, my attitude is sorely lacking and I walk around like a big poofy haired cranky Ogre. I never really thought about how this affected my family until this friday when I started my Mom's to Mom's group (which has been a life saver). A woman I highly respect shared on how we as women need to be Keepers at home (check out Titus 2) which she found out really means guardians of the home or watchers. When she said this I felt a chill run down me and a light bulb switch went off in my head. She went on to say how our attitudes really set the mood for our entire household and if we are displaying joy and peace in what we do this will be seen by everyone but if we run around all frantic and crazy (me) we are pouring this out onto our husbands and children. WOW it was like a swift convicting arrow shot right to my heart. SO if you are like me and struggle with illness or just a sultry temper there is hope. Realize that we guard our homes and the people in them... what a wonderful and awesome task. Focusing on the Lord and being surround by Godly women has been a tremendous blessing as I live out each day faithful to my calling as the Keeper of my home.

The Visit

The Visit

Here are a few pictures from when my sister came to visit. We had a good time...long talks, fun times with the little ones, hiking, going to the rodeo, late night Scrabble and ColorKu...

Fairy Ring

My Husbands Endless Supply

Here is what my husband's list is

Sausages
Oddly Flavored Crisps ( like the ones in England)
Eggs
Homemade Bread
Mangos
Avocado
Sardines
Chicken
Rice
Red beans

Endless supply

If you could have and endless supply of ten different foods what would it be?
Here's my list.

Celtic Sea Salt
Cheese
Eggs
Lemons
Raw Milk
Olive Oil
Honey
Lamb
Garlic
Blueberries

Damn the torpedos full speed ahead

I was driving full speed down the highway today trying not be late for another MD appointment thinking and praying about this whole process. Its been discouraging to have to self pay for most of my appointments, wondering if we made the right decision. Guilt creeps in continually, and fear that all of this will be for naught. I was tested last visit and have a low 5-MTHF which means my MTHFR gene function is sluggish making it hard to metabolize folic acid or B-12. I won't go into all the details but basically I have a genetic propensity toward heart disease, and have a bad reaction to wheat lectin. So no more wheat for me! I can hear my friend Katie O right now saying told you so Amos! Last year Katie urged me to go gluten free and after doing some research I freaked out and didn't do anything about it. Now its time to suck it up and get my health back. I am also seriously lacking iodine which is a major tool to aid in a healthy immune system working right along side zinc.

So as I gained speed, wind whipping my hair I felt more and more at peace about what I was doing. Praying for peace, thankfulness and joy which I lack in greater quantity than iodine! I move forward and as David Glasgow Farragut said "Damn the torpedos full speed ahead."

Shove off the shelf

My mom sends me Joni and Friends Daily Devotional and I thought today's was especially helpful. So I'm passing it on.




Today's Idols

All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols-- worship him, all you gods!
--Psalm 97:7


Idols are tough to expose, that is, unless they're the sort that sit on the shelf of a house altar. We're too contemporary for idols like that. But that does not mean today's verse is out of date. It speaks to you. When? Whenever you feel ashamed.

Think about those times when you are ashamed of yourself. Perhaps you were sitting all sophisticated and nicely dressed with a new friend over coffee. As the conversation flowed, you felt witty and interesting. How fascinated your new friend seemed with you. It made you feel all the more charming. But then it happened. You knocked your cup and coffee went all over your new suit. Instead of laughing it off, you felt stupid and silly, embarrassed and even ashamed.

This is where today's verse comes in. It is through shame that God exposes that which we idolize. How does this relate to our story? Well, what idol did the feeling of shame and embarrassment expose but pride? The person in our story was hoping to come across charming and sophisticated and oh-so-important in the other's eyes; but, friend, it all boils down to pride. And the idol we worship - even the impressiveness in our own image - will ultimately put us to shame.

This is helpful! How else would we detect the idols in our life? God has engineered us in such a way that he uses our sense of shame to reveal those things, people or vocations which we idolize. And once our idols are exposed, we can then more easily do away with them.

The next time you feel shame, ask yourself, "What idol has just been given a shove off my shelf?"


I have to admit, Lord, that a verse like today's seems as though it's from another time and place, another era. But verses like these are as fresh and personal as they were 3,000 years ago. Thank you for exposing the idols in my life through my sense of shame. Help me to remember that the next time I feel embarrassed.

Blessings,
Joni and Friends
Taken from More Precious Than Silver. Copyright © 1998 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530

Detoxify

I posted a picture called journeying and right now begins a new journey for me and so I think it would be fun to write about it. As I sit here posting pictures and writing I'm soaking my feet. I'm doing a month long foot bath detox. Why? well I'm toxic don't you know? ask my husband he'll tell you the details. Sounds like the name of a song doesn't it? I'm toxic yeah yeah yeah I'm toxic...just kidding. In an effort to regain strength loose the fatigue and get to the bottom of my LD I have started going to a new MD for help... actually he's a DC, NMD and a CAK. This year marks the 5th year of working through my struggle with LD. I've gone to many doctors, undergone some pretty interesting treatments, swallowed some pretty nasty stuff and have struggled and strained through most of it. Why do I write about it now? I'm asking for your support and prayers. I'm taking little steps hopefully in the right direction. But I'm a sceptic at heart so as I post say a quick prayer for me and my family. I'm on the road to detoxifying.

And for those of you who are interested...

RECIPE FOR FOOT BATH DETOX
1 cup sea salt ( I use celtic sea salt)
1 cup epsom salt
2 cups baking soda
Hot water

Put contents in a bag or glass jar to store. Use 1/4 cup in a little wash bin with hot water (as hot as you can stand)
Soak for 30min. Don't soak too long or you'll feet will end up like mine do now!


I will be doing this every day for one week and than once a week for a month.
I am not a medical professional so you must always check things out before you do them. ( They write this after every herbal or natural treatment thing I read. I thought I should put it down too.)

A Few More

Here are a few more pictures I took at the wedding. Not in any particular order...I just liked them. more to come as I get in the mood to post them.

Getting Ready

Keith got ready for his wedding day at our house with just Scott, his Mom, me as company. It was a very special time.

Wedding

Just married!


Linda's dress went perfectly with the decor don't you think? I absolutely loved Trish's dress she look so stunning!


Trish's sister-in-law made both the cakes and I'm telling you they were both amazing. I found out later that she had never made anything this elaborate before and that she worked on it while her 3yr old and 18 month old took their naps!


The groom cake (Trish sculpted the tools)


The head table.

Fifteen

Therefore I make provision, ere I begin
To do the thing thou givest me to do,
Praying: Lord, wake me oftener, lest I sin.
Amidst my work, open thine eyes on me,
That I may wake and laugh, and know and see
Then with healed heart afresh catch up the clue,
And singing drop into my work anew.

George MacDonald

Crying at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo

What are we crying about you may ask? She wants her snack.

Morning Harvest

My poor garden is being neglected and yet it still keeps producing beautifully!

Author Samuel Rutherford said

Therefore, all the comforts, promises, and mercies God offereth to the afflicted, they are as so many love-letters written to you. Take them to you, and claim your right, and be not robbed. It is no small comfort that God hath written some scriptures to you which He hath not written to others. Your God is like a friend that sendeth a letter to a whole house and family, but speaketh in His letter to some by name, that are dearest to Him in the house.

Painting

Painted from a picture my husband took while on a walk at the Rodale Institute.

Helianthus annuus

Sunflower Lyng's California Greystripe




Looking at the giant stalks following the path of the sun light reminds me of visiting my Grandparents farm in Upstate NY. It seemed that there were always fields of bright sunflowers every where we went.

PESTO!

I made pesto last week with my new food processor. I had been using my blender (sigh!) which is very tedious and not a joy at all when it comes to making pesto with a garbage bag filled with basil leaves! My brothers MIL gave me the idea to freeze it so I highly recommend that. Little miss enjoyed the end results!