I CAN make a difference!

It is more apparent to me every day that our world and country are in turmoil. It seems there is constant conflict every day and that conflict continues to barrage our homes, schools, workplace and communities. 

What do I do?  What CAN I do?

I feel so small and helpless. My thoughts are constantly surrounded with these questions, especially at night when I pray. I feel so helpless when I learn of the Christian Holocaust taking place, people being forced from their homes, families dividing and it continues. The lives of our servicemen and women that are constantly at stake, giving everything so that we might maintain our life here. Their families, who sacrifice so much to try and have a normal life while their life is anything BUT normal.

Is it really acceptable that I just sit here? No. It's not about CAN I do something, but WILL I? 

YES!! WHAT?

Last year I hosted a Fast for our Constitution. This year, I am continuing in that same effort.

I feel more inclined to Fast for our Country, the men, women, and their families serving it, and for our Liberties to remain!

Will you join me? 2nd Annual Country Fast

We will all begin fasting on July 3, 20125 at 5:00 pm with prayer for our intention on this fast and close at our own parties and festivities at 4:00 pm with prayer.
 There is a fun little addition this year, I am hosting a fundraiser. What we raise will be donated to our War Veterans. The fundraiser begins June 22, 2015 and will be through Jamberrry. So grateful they offer these opportunities! I will post more info. on that here as time goes on.

I am so excited and love being able to contribute SOMETHING to our country and livelihood.

Please share with your friends and family and take advantage of the opportunity to DO something rather than just talk about what needs to be done!

What am I doing?

Have you ever asked yourself, "What am I doing? Why am I doing this?"

When have you asked these questions? Was it in the middle of an argument with someone? General
wondering about life? While you were going somewhere?

Why do you think these thoughts creep into your mind; do you think it is because they are actually telling you something? Like, maybe I should stop yelling at my kids and simply sit down and talk to them. Or maybe I need to better understand what it is I am doing in life instead of just rolling with the punches. Or maybe I don't need to really be at that gathering or event, there is something more important for me to do or place to be.

Whatever the reason is, do we listen to the thoughts that come into our minds that could actually bring us to a deeper understanding of ourselves, or do we simply ignore them? Do we address any doubt that comes to our mind and cast it out when we KNOW what we are doing and why?

On my journey in this life, I have come to understand that I second guess most everything I do. From what I am doing on a day to day basis to am I really fulfilling my specific purpose and mission of my life?

Last week I talked about faith, and I continue to learn that doubt and faith cannot occupy the same space. We are either acting on faith, or we are letting doubt lead our lives.

The big question is, are the thoughts of doubt or something to help us realize a deeper truth?

The answer to this question is simple, yet difficult for most of us to recognize. We are all blessed with an internal knowing. If we would be quiet and listen, we would know where these thoughts come from. Truth and light or doubt and darkness.

Most often we are so caught up in ourselves, that we don't actually hear the promptings that will lead us to what will be for our greatest benefit. Or we are too scared to follow what we know is true in our heart regardless of what others may think of us - especially family.

My words to you are simple - stop. Stop worrying about anyone's thoughts of you. Be still for a moment when those questions arise and allow yourself to feel what is right, then GO WITH IT. You will lose friends and maybe even family. But in the end you will gain a lot more than that. You are the only person who lives with yourself non-stop and lives with everything you think and feel. The best way to remove doubt and gain faith is by acting, NOW. Even if you make mistakes, make a choice and move forward. You will feel better about yourself and where your life is going, how you treat your spouse and children, and it will become more and more clear to you, each day, What you are doing and Why you are doing this.

How would this affect you if you believed it?

Light is shining through my window and my eyes begin to crack open. I look at my clock - 6:28. Again, for over a week I have been able to wake up at 6:30 am on my own, and I feel more rested than I have in a long time. I realize how amazing that is as I slowly roll over and maneuver my 7 1/2 month pregnant body to the edge of the bed so I can sit up.

I pick up the book I am reading for my Hour Of Power in the morning and set my timer. I am learning about Faith, and how it is the foundation of everything. Without Faith, we would not exist, nor would anything around us. Faith is what motivates and moves EVERYTHING. I am getting a glimmer of how this affects me, my family, and my whole life. My second thought as my timer goes off and I begin writing in my journal, is that God is no respecter of persons. If I can exercise a small particle of faith in something, it IS possible and can be obtained!

HOW DOES THIS CHANGE MY LIFE? Or does it....

If Faith is the foundation of everything, then my life has always been run by faith. But what If I am more intent on what I put my faith in?

I continue pondering over the things I read. God is the object of our faith. Having faith in Him is how we will be able to create what we are wanting.

Is it really possible that I am a co-creator with God?

yes.

Yes it is, we are co-creating our lives every second of everyday. What we put our energy and focus on is what we are activating our Faith on. How we spend our time, what we think about, the words we say, the things we feel. It is all an act of Faith. The more important question is, What are you putting your faith in, and is it what you REALLY want?

We all have dreams and desires. I believe they are a part of who we are to become, given to us by God. Whether we have the faith to actually attain them is the other side of it. How do we grow our faith? By putting it to the test. Align your day to focus, think, speak, feel, act on those dreams and desires. Day by day you will see changes and improvements, and your path will become more clear and straight towards your greatest hopes.

I resign.

To whom it may concern,

I resign.

I officially resign as of today, from the fear of not being good enough. I resign from battering and belittling myself when I make mistakes or fall short of anything I set out to do. From having a bad attitude when things don't quite work out how I want them.

I resign from expecting more than I can give at times and for not giving enough at other times. I resign from allowing outside influences to dictate my choices more than my heart. From the beliefs I have held so tightly that have kept me from accomplishing all I desire.

I resign from thinking I am pathetic, weak, and insignificant.

These things no longer serve me and I resign without looking back.

I resign from the guilt I have allowed to plague me for years. I resign from treating me body like it's nothing more than a garbage can. I resign from thinking and feeling I wil never attain my dreams.

I resign from backbiting, resentment, judgement, and other selfish actions.

From this moment I resign from holding myself back from reaching my dreams, goals, and desires.

To whom it may concern,

I resign.

Sincerely,
Me

HomeMade- Fruit Leather Best homemade treat yet!

Whew! I have been on a HomeMade roll this week! I got this bug to quickly do everything I have been used to doing in the past.

Before we moved to this lovely corner in NorthWest Colorado, I was used to making my own cleaners, snacks, crackers, detergents.... and pretty much anything I could figure out or find a recipe for. Since we moved and lived in our sweet little trailer for almost a year, I got out of the practice.

Well now things have settled down with moving in our house, morning sickness and on. I now feel like superwoman and want to get back in to the groove of being a complete HomeMade MOM again!

So, this last week in our Bountiful Basket, we got 40 pounds of apples!! I was so excited - applesauce, apple butter, and apple chips all floated around in my little head. I love doing food preserving. I also had treated my kids to some real fruit leather, like the ones we all enjoyed as kids - no not Fruit by the Foot kind, but the REAL kind!

Then it hit me - I have all these apples at home, I can make our OWN fruit leather for way less money than .69 a package. I was in creative heaven! I searched some blogs, getting a feel for how it is done ( which is SUPER easy!) and whipped up a batch of my own.

This also served as a fun science lesson with the kids!

I use my handy dandy Blendtec blender for everything, and this was no different. I threw 4 apples in the jar, a little flax and hemp seed for added nutritional benefit, some lemon juice and a touch of honey.

Blend....

Blend.....

I don't have the trays I need for my dehydrator so I  just used some plastic wrap. For future reference, I WILL be getting me the trays! I ended up taking some of it out of my dehydrator and putting it in my oven at it's lowest temp. I would rather use the dehydrator, but it was getting too hot and not able to circulate the air as well with the plastic wrap.

And VOILA!!!  We got HomeMade fruit leather... and it is going quickly! Good thing I have about 20 more pounds of apples to store..............

Recipe -

4 apples (or about 5 cups of any fresh fruit)
juice of half a lemon
1 TBS flax seed
1 TBS hemp seed

Add all ingredients to a high powered blender. (you add a little bit of water to help it mix ) Blend until smooth. Poor on dehydrator sheets or line a cookie sheet with a good quality plastic wrap. Spread mix to about 1/4 inch thick. It gets thinner as it drys. You know it's done when the center is no longer sticky. Pull off of plastic wrap or dehydrator sheets and roll up on wax paper. 

Will store for months in the fridge or in an air tight container!....... If it lasts that long!

You don't understand why I don't vaccinate......

I don't often post more than once in a week, but there has been something that continues to show up and I haven't been able to get some thoughts off my mind. So when I can't get something out of my mind, I write it down.........

You don't understand why I don't vaccinate. Frankly, I don't understand why you do.

You don't know the hours, books and study I have committed to this topic over the last 7 years. Researching to have a better understanding of what they are and where I want their place to be in my life. I don't know what you have committed to this topic either. I can only hope that you have.

You don't know the promptings, impressions, and strokes of light that I have had come to me concerning this. I don't know what has been given to you.

You don't know the earnest prayers and seekings that have been uttered from my mouth in honest search for truth. I don't know what time you have spent in these same pleadings.

There has been a lot of things being stirred up in the vaccinate/don't vaccinate world due to the controversy over the measles outbreak that happened in Disneyland. There is a lot of blame and discontent over who is to blame for this.  I understand the passion that people on both sides of the spectrum have concerning an issue like this. I've been there, and I am still very passionate about my feelings. But that is what it is  - MY
feelings. These aren't things that are to be pushed on others and even to be used for blame and hatred. Don't we have enough wrong with society as it is already? Can't we unite together as parents, supporting each other in doing what we each feel is best for OUR families?

There aren't any guarantees in life, or with vaccinations. Truth be told; there is a lot of risk involved no matter which way you face. We all view things differently, down to what football team is the best and why. We each choose for ourselves what risks we are willing to take for our families and follow course. For every documentation and news article you show me about how bad I am for not vaccinating, I can show you at least the same amount as to why I don't think it a good idea to vaccinate. There is a LOT of information out there, showing why to or why not to.


Unfortunately, the media is pretty one sided about this and doesn't share with you damage that has taken place by vaccines, (look up VAERS) or that the vaccinated, FULLY VACCINATED, people are contracting the diseases they are supposed to be protected against - and NOT by getting it from someone who is not vaccianted. The CDC is is pretty clear about vaccines not being tested for efficacy and immunity. They bluntly state that the vaccines are not guaranteed to protect against the disease. Also written pretty clear on the package insert. (ask your doctor for one or look on the CDC's website)

Why are breakouts happening in primarily vaccinated populations? When was the last major breakout in an Amish society?

Why are vaccinated afraid of the un-vaccinated? If it works, it shouldn't matter to you if un-vaccinated people get diseases because you are protected.... right? (I can understand the concern of someone who wants to vaccinate yet due to health issues doesn't have the liberty to vaccinate their child. This is a different topic for a different time)

Why is it that only diseases that are vaccinated against are the ones that have a breakout? Cholera, Spanish flu, Scarlet fever.... etc. why aren't these breaking out? How did they get eradicated in the first place if it takes vaccines to do it?

I read this post today from a Cardiologist in Arizona. Even for me, it was a bit harsh, but he was direct and very accurate in his point. http://vaccineimpact.com/2015/arizona-cardiologist-responds-to-critics-regarding-measles-and-vaccines/

MY point with this post

 I am tired of the blame game. We are in a free country, with the same rights from God. WE EACH GET TO CHOOSE. If something happens in your family that you don't like, don't blame me and I won't blame you for the same situation. My family is mine and I get to choose what is best for them. I ask for your support as a parent. I SUPPORT YOU in making choices as a parent for your family. It's not an easy task! There is a lot that goes into it, and I am not going to judge you for doing things differently than me, so please don't pass that judgment here.

Traumatic Day - Part 2

It was the end of or day, kids were playing together on the floor and hubby and I relaxing on the couch. Stephen looks at our 2 year old Emma and then me and says "she doesn't look very good." As soon as he finished saying that, she comes walking over, pulls herself onto his lap and just lays there. We start asking her if she's ok, and she just points to her stomach and then kept pointing in her mouth, then she became super hot.

Those are the moments when everything you know as a mom, and have learned go flashing through your head - " Okay, get me the Wellness for Kids oil, Tri-Remedy for kids, and her liquid herbs. Someone make some yarrow tea."

I kept trying to peek into her mouth to see why she kept pointing at it. It kept looking like a molar was trying to come through.She had just cut the one on the other side about a month ago, so it wasn't surprising that that was what it looked like. Besides, the only fevers she has ever had was associated with cutting teeth.

So I followed my regular steps - herbs and oils rotating every 15 min to keep immune system strong and help her body do it's job. ...... "I wish I had some liquid calcium!" The body creates a fever when teething because it is trying to pull calcium to push the tooth through, and of course I was out.... and out of garlic.

I kept working with her, giving her liquids and herbs through the night. She was just laying there and would jerk every now and then like someone does when they are falling asleep and jerking awake. I thought this was what it was.... but something kept feeling off. Her fever wasn't stable, it was all over the place - high, low and in between. Different than other experiences before. we got through the night, and around 5 I gave her a catnip enema -  this does 2 things; keeps the bowels moving (she hadn't had a movement all day, and helps to keep hydrated - crucial to an effective fever) We then proceeded with a warm bath and layed her down on our bed to sleep. The fever broke while in the bath, and I thought YAY! We are coming over this, but when we woke up a few hours later she was burning up again.

Stephen had gone to work, and was 1 1/2 hours away. I talked to him, letting him know that as much faith as I had in what I was doing, something wasn't feeling quite right, I was having a hard time keeping faith in it. He told me to do what I felt and to follow my intuition.

Not long after that conversation, I was laying with Emma, she had been sitting up and talking to me, feeling a little warm still, but not so lethargic and sleepy. I felt better that she was showing good signs of improvements, and kept giving her drinks. Her fever was considerably lower, then she got tired. I was tired too, so we lay down to sleep. Her bod kept doing that same jerking she had done the night before, only now it was about ever 30 seconds and her fever spiked. I sat up feeling how hot she was all of a sudden and picked her up... then her eyes rolled and her whole body started jerking in my arms uncontrollably. She went blue from not breathing and I sat there crying, not knowing what to do for a seizure. Wishing I had Dr. Christophers anti-spasmodic formula, and that I would just know what to do. It seemed to last forever, and ended. She lay there blue on my bed, I thought she had died in my arms. I screamed and placed my hand on her body and felt a faint heartbeat.... She's still here.

I called my husband and told him we were going to the ER. My children hearing my cry, came running "get your shoes on" Her body was so limp and she was so lifeless. We got into the car and started driving. It is a half hour drive to any medical assistance. My husband and his co-workers had called 911 - an ambulance was meeting me. The could only come about halfway because they don't cross the county line.... where we live. I met them and we started to the hospital. Her fever was at 105.3 and she had started crying just minutes before we met them. We began to cool her down and got to the hospital.

They were very quick and a crowd of people jumped around her to start taking blood and assessing the situation. He was miserable - screaming for me at the top of her lungs, clawing at my hands and arms. Her eyes were still rolled back in her head and she was stiff as a board with anger. She was sweating and raising her temperature by being so worked up. It was the absolute most miserable thing to watch. 

All her tests came back negative... except one. A barely noticeable pink stripe for Strep Throat. Her fever came down to normal and she got re-hydrated. We were given antibiotics for her and came home.

She had what is called a Febrile Seizure. As common as 1 in 6 kids will experience one in their lifetime. It is caused by a super fast spike in temperature.If her temperature had raised slowly and with more stability, her chances of having one would have been dramatically decreased, even down to zero.

Her fever kept returning for a few days, but she was very quick to be herself. She was tired from the seizure, but was very determined to walk and do what she wanted.

This experience has many, many lessons in it for me and my family. I am so grateful to God that He has give me knowledge to bless my family, and that He also shows us when something is beyond that knowledge. I am also grateful for this experience, because I am reminded of things I have to learn, to teach my kids and to share with those around me.

Ye shall not fear if ye are prepared. I am grateful this happened somewhere that we could have the assistance of medical help. I am preparing and educating myself now for a time where emergency situations may happen and there is no other help.