Why? Why? Why?

Many of you have asked why essential oils? Why doTERRA? Why a detox? I am going to attempt to answer many of your questions in this post. Much of this post will be copy and paste from various sites (Jill Samter and doTERRA) in addition to my personal experience and opinion.

As you know, last year was quite difficult from June on for our family. From my layoff, to surgeries, to car accidents, to illness, and so on, it was quite a stressful year to say the least.

For several years now, I have been on a journey searching for ways to live a healthier lifestyle. I have done my own research and changed much about my lifestyle, specifically where food is concerned. After my car accident and other health issues and the change of our medical insurance plan, our financial situation drastically changed. As a result of the car accident, I have suffered greatly with pain and inflammation, which has created more of a financial strain on my family, not to mention my emotional well being. I continued researching many holistic homeopathic ways to help, the use of essential oils being one of them. I was optimistic and went to a local store and purchased some of their brand of oils. I was greatly disappointed, I felt no change at all.

About three years ago, I met a friend here in the blogging world, Jill Samter Her Facebook post were full of benefits she was receiving from essential oils. I started messaging her, I was really trying to find truth in what she was boasting about. She is full of healthful information and I have trusted in the past (still do), so I decided to give these oils from doTERRA a chance.

I'll admit, I really didn't believe they would work, But it was Jill, so I had to give it a try. I'm glad I did. Indeed they have made a huge difference in my life!

Why Essential Oils? Why doTERRA?

*Directly from doTERRA's Website

Essential Oils are natural aromatic compounds found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.  Essential oils can lift the mood, calm the senses, and elicit powerful emotional responses. Yet the use of essential oils goes well beyond there fragrant appeal. 

 Essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits.            Modern trends towards more holistic approaches to self care and growing scientific validation of alternative health practices are driving a rediscovery of the profound health benefits of essential oils. Many have powerful cleansing properties and are naturally antimicrobial. Their unique chemical structure allows them to pass directly through the skin for immediate systemic response to topical application. And certain oils may be used as dietary aids to promote vitality and well being.  In addition to giving plants their distinctive smells, essential oils provide plants with protection against predators and disease and play a role in plant pollination.

Extraction Methods

Therapeutic-grade essential oils are most often extracted via a low-heat steam distillation process in which steam is circulated under pressure through plant material liberating the essential oils into the steam. As the steam mixture cools, the water and oils are separated and the oil is collected in its pure form. To ensure the highest quality oil extract of correct chemical composition, temperature and pressure must be monitored very closely. Too little heat and pressure will not release valuable oil, while too much can fracture an extract’s delicate chemical composition and alter its potency. 
Equally important to the carefully controlled extraction process, the careful selection of correct plant species and plant parts, harvested at the perfect moment when their essential oil compounds are most concentrated, is also required for a quality therapeutic-grade essential oil extract. This complex process is as much an art form as it is a science and requires experienced growers and distillers working together to ensure a superior product. 

Essential oils are non water-based phytochemicals made up of volatile organic compounds. Although they are fat soluble, they do not include fatty lipids or acids found in vegetable and animal oils. Essential oils are very clean, almost crisp, to the touch and are immediately absorbed by the skin. Pure, unadulterated essential oils are translucent and range in color from crystal clear to deep blue.

Try this at home: Squeeze the peel of a ripe orange. The fragrant residue on your hand is full of essential oils.

In addition to their intrinsic benefits to plants and being beautifully fragrant to people, essential oils have been used throughout history in many cultures for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. Modern scientific study and trends towards more holistic approaches to wellness are driving a revival and new discovery of essential oil health applications.

dōTERRA (CPTG) Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^® essential oils represent the safest, purest, and most beneficial essential oils available today. They are gently and skillfully distilled from plants that have been patiently harvested at the perfect moment by experienced growers from around the world for ideal extract composition and efficacy. Experienced essential oil users will immediately recognize dōTERRA's superior quality standard for naturally safe, purely effective therapeutic-grade essential oils.

Essential oils are used for a very wide range of emotional and physical wellness applications. They can be used a single oil at a time or in complex blends depending on user experience and desired benefit. Essential oils are usually administered by one of three methods: diffused aromatically, applied topically, or taken internally as dietary supplements.

Aromatic Uses

Our sense of smell influences many physiological pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is founded on the body's predictable response to specific olfactory stimuli. Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy applications. Certain essential oils, when diffused in the air, can be very stimulating while others can be calming and soothing. Beyond emotional benefits, diffusing essential oils can purify air of unwanted odors and some airborne pathogens. Low or no-heat essential oil diffusers are recommended as they do not change the chemical structure of the oil being diffused. Essential oils can also be used as cleansing and purifying additives to laundry and surface cleaners throughout the home.

Topical Uses

Due to their natural molecular composition, essential oils are easily absorbed by the skin and can be safely applied topically. Application of essential oils can have immediate, localized benefit to the target area of application. They have restorative and calming properties and can be used effectively with massage and beauty therapy. They are also natural disinfectants. The chemical structure of essential oils also allows them to be absorbed into the bloodstream via the skin for internal benefit throughout the body.

Internal Uses

Essential oils can also be used as dietary supplements supporting a variety of healthy conditions. Some essential oils have powerful antioxidant properties while others help support healthy inflammatory response in cells. Many essential oils are generally regarded as being safe for dietary use, but some oils should not be taken internally. Do not use any essential oil product internally that does not have the appropriate dietary supplement facts on its label.

Using essential oils can be both profoundly simple and life changing at the same time. Working with someone who has used essential oils before will help first-time users have a more beneficial and enjoyable experience. A large amount of information is readily available for those desiring to increase their knowledge of essential oil applications.

(Be sure to use only 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils and follow all label warnings and instructions. Essential oils should not be used in the eyes, inside the ear canal, or in open wounds. If redness or irritation occurs when using essential oils topically, simply apply any vegetable oils such as fractionated coconut oil or olive oil to the affected area. Consult your physician before using essential oils if you are pregnant or under a doctor's care.

Here is a link to the many uses just for lavender.

I am so grateful to Jill and the many other's locally I have met who use doTERRA oils. Everyone has helped to teach me everything I am learning. Their own experience and mine witness the benefits of doTERRA's oils. I have literally been able to not get the flu from my son when he was sick for three weeks. Recently, I was able to shortened the length of the flu, not missing any work. I have received relief with my insomnia, a stomach upset, burns, inflammation, reduced my hot flashes, helped a friends ear ache disappear (she was shocked), and they have made a huge difference in my depression. My mood is tremendously uplifted.  Keep in mind, I have only been using doTERRA for two months.

Here is some information about doTERRA:

Wellness Philosophy

dōTERRA® Essential Wellness is a company founded on a wellness philosophy of healthy lifestyle choices and informed proactive participation in one's own healthcare alternatives. dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade™ essential oils and other wellness products are specifically formulated to support a wellness philosophy of eating right, exercising, resting and managing stress, and reducing toxic load. dōTERRA also teaches informed self care alternatives and encourages people to take a proactive role in their medical care. Our mission as a company is to teach people to live more healthy, productive lives and to share with others the blessing of a lifetime of wellness.



Mission Statement:

We at dōTERRA are committed to sharing the life-enhancing benefits of therapeutic-grade essential oils and essential oil enhanced wellness products with the world. We will do this by:

• Discovering and developing the world's highest-quality therapeutic-grade essential oil products through a leveraged network of highly-educated and experienced botanists, chemists, health scientists, and health care professionals.
• Producing our essential oil products to the highest standard of quality, purity, and safety used in the industry—CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade^®.
• Distributing our products through Independent Product Consultants who, working from home, introduce, educate, and sell dōTERRA^® wellness products locally through person-to-person contact and globally through personalized web shopping sites.
• Providing educational opportunities for all people interested in learning how therapeutic-grade essential oils can be used as a self-care wellness alternative.
• Bringing together health care professionals of traditional and alternative medicine to encourage further study and application of therapeutic-grade essential oils in modern health care practices.

Company Values:

We at dōTERRA will conduct our business in such a way as to be a positive influence for good with each person, customer, consultant, employee, vendor, and partner with whom we come in contact. We will do this by:

• Conducting our business with absolute honesty and integrity.
• Treating all people with whom we come in contact with kindness
  and respect.
• Conducting our interactions with others in a spirit of service and caring.
• Working hard and managing the use of company resources wisely.
• Fostering an uplifting work environment by smiling, laughing, and
  having fun.
• Being grateful for success and giving recognition to others.
• Being generous with those less fortunate in our community and
  around the world.

CPTG (Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade) 

In addition to being 100% pure and natural, dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are subjected to further quality testing that ensures the correct composition of the active natural compounds found in each oil. Even though an essential oil may be 100% pure, if the right species or part of a plant has not been used, or if the plant has not been grown in the right environment or harvested at the right time, or if it has not been distilled under the right conditions, the natural chemical makeup of the extraction will not provide as predictable and powerful a benefit. In some cases, the wrong plant harvested at the wrong time may result in an extract that contains harmful levels of some constituents.

dōTERRA's Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® essential oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and natural and free of synthetic compounds or contaminates. They are subjected to rigorous mass spectrometry and gas chromatography testing to ensure extract composition and activity. 

*** I want to add, even with the extreme measures doTerra takes to ensure the safety and purity of their product it's always good to follow these guidelines for young children as their skin is more sensitive: rub on the soles of their feet or with franctioned coconut oil elsewhere on their body.  Also, for those with sensitive skin franctioned coconut oil with the oils is also recommended. 

Please NOTE: This is my opinion as a direct result of my personal experience. I am not offering any medical advice, just sharing my personal experience. 

“The statements contained in this post have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Suggestions and ideas presented in this document are for information only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, meant for diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. Readers are encouraged to consult their health care provider before beginning any cleanse, diet, detoxification program, or any supplement regimen. The information in this post is not to be used to replace the services or instructions of a physician or qualified health care practitioner.”

If you are interested in learning more about doTERRA's essential oils or would like to purchase oils, please message me or feel free to check out my website by clinking on my link.

God Does Not Lose

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

In his book, The Explicit Gospel, Matt Chandler states that "original sin has effects beyond humanity, it effects the world. This rebellion against God disrupts the natural order of everything. People who have Job-like experience may moan, Well, if life wasn't like this, if I had more money, if I had more power, if I had more friends, if I had better religion, if my parents weren't so mean, if I grew up in a different place...What they begin to create in their minds is the idea that a better existence exists somewhere over the rainbow. This place, this world is broken. There's no sense in looking into it for the fix. Illogically, foolishly, we are looking for fixes from broken people with broken ideas in broken places. SIN is building your self-worth on anything but God. From the second we are born, we seek our own happiness. It may look different when we get older, but the desire is always the same, our own happiness, our own pleasure. Happiness is the driven force behind everything we do. When sin entered this world, Romans 1:23 tells us we exchanged the infinite Creator for creation. We began to settle for temporary fleeting pleasures rather than for what is eternal and soul-satisfying. This is madness. It's all meaningless.The majority of human beings believe that people and circumstances exist to make them happy. We believe the brokenness inside will be satisfied with outside things. If we're not happy, who's to blame...people and circumstances. God's plan is to renew and remake, and God does not lose. One of the ways the mission of God to reconcile all things to himself chisels away at the work of sanctification is when we engage with the hurt, the pain, and sorrow of the world around us. When we do that, God shows us our inadequacies, shortcomings, fears and sin. We are shown the areas where we don't trust God, the areas in which we refuse to surrender to God. Grace is a heart changer, because the heart is where behavior comes from. Where ever our heart is, that's where our actions follow. Many times I've found someone isn't broken because they've sinned against God. They are broken up because their sin is costing them something. They are living in a worldly sorrow. They're more sorrowful that their rebellion against God has led to consequences, without the real understanding that they have defamed and dishonored God."


HE is the Potter and is in the process of remolding me.

What I've realized, is this...slowly, little by little, I began losing my walk with the Lord. Sin in this world, in my life, slowly took over me, and my desire again became to seek satisfaction in others, in this world, in my circumstances, because I wanted life to be easy. Trying to walk as a Christian, is well, difficult. I began to feel like maybe I wasn't really up for the task. I became more influenced by seeking gratification from my spouse and others, from the world. I constantly felt judged, because "I wasn't behaving like a christian should". What I realize in MY attempt to reconcile this family and others to Christ, I was taking God's place. I AM NOT GOD. I've tried to convince myself that what I was trying to do was lead everyone to Christ, to get my family to see the need for a Savior. What really was going on...this is just a different look on control.

Do I want my family/others saved, walking in Christ, living in a godly way, seeking Him above all things. ABSOLUTELY! But, I CAN"T CHANGE ANYONE ONLY GOD CAN! I've realized, trying to be God is a task no human can take on, something I no longer want to do. I've really seen how sovereign God is.

The world, my family, myself, is groaning because of sin!!! I am not responsible for everyone's sin. I am responsible for my own sin. We all are suffering the consequences right now as a result of worshiping created things instead of the Creator.  Pete Wilson states, "Idolatry simply isn't a sin. It's what is fundamentally wrong with the human heart. While everything we chase looks good or feels good or taste good, it's also poison to our souls. The real question for any of us is this: Which idol is God's biggest rival in your life."

God is so loving and just.  God brings everything to the light in His timing. He allows us to fall into the pit of despair, to think we can do it on our own, to suffer consequences of our sin, so that we recognize His sovereignty. My situation, right now, reveals to me, that even though it feels as if God is absent in my life, He in fact, is powerfully present. He is in constant pursuit of us, with a purpose to reconcile us to Him. The devil also is in constant pursuit. Crafty, he is. From the beginning he has blinded us through deception. Makes everything pleasing to the eye, convinces us that it's good, and often convinces us it's from God. LIAR!

Sin exist. We are sinned against and we sin against others. Ultimately we must look in the mirror and see ourselves in front of the cross with hammer and nail in hand as we pierce Christ flesh. James 5:16 Tells us to confess our sins to one another, that you may be healed. As Christians God is reconciling us to Himself, by showing us our sin, our brokenness. He also calls us to reconcile to one another, that we are agents of God's forgiveness.

What do I need? Do we all need? To turn back to God. I have given up my role as savior. I can't lead anyone else to repentance, only God can. God will remold everyone, just like again, He is remolding me, so that I/others realize the need for a Savior. That our life gone wrong is because we worship self, and as Matt says...God does not lose. God promises death or life. Both are through Him and from Him. One is a gift given by Grace to which we are unworthy, the other is the wage of sin, turning away from God, and becoming our own god, this death we deserve.

God is just.

He is sovereign.

He will not lose.

New Beginnings

A little over one week ago I received "the letter" that changed my life as I once knew it. My current place of employment was purchased by another company. We were told layoffs were inevitable.

I was one of the elect.

Honestly, I wasn't surprised I was chosen. However, I was surprised by the waves of emotion that followed. I've known this was a possibility and I've tried to prepare myself financially and emotionally. What I've come to realize...

You're never fully prepared.

You're never strong enough.

When I tell people I was born and raised in Hawaii, I almost always get the same response..."Oh, you are so lucky! I love the ocean, love the sunsets." This is true, my visit to Maui last year reaffirmed the beauty in both. But, ah...what else was confirmed by that trip, my fear of the ocean.

This past week, I've often found my emotions like the waves of the sea I fear so much. I'm not the best swimmer and there were many times I was tossed by the waves, fear encompassing me. The worst thing you can do when caught in the middle of a wave is panic. You must resist the temptation to panic and fight against the wave. The more you panic, the more short of breath you become. You're responding out of fear and  if you give into that fear, you will drown.

Life is a lot like the waves isn't it. We think life is predictable. It's quite the opposite.

Life is unpredictable.

The only one who knows what is in store for our life is God himself. Yet, we still try to control our destiny.

A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

I cannot lie, this week has been tough. There have been a few times I have panicked in the waves instead of calmly letting them take me to shore.

What I am learning, is that I will make it not by my strength, but by the Lord's. I've ridden these waves before. As I look back, He has always been faithful. My life has not gone as I have planned, but I have been blessed because I cling to His promise for me.

Plans to prosper and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

When I find myself in a panic, I have faith in Him who awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea "Peace, be still!" Mark 4:39

Today I pick up my final paper work and turn in my badge.

Tomorrow, All things are made new.

Me, really?

Four years ago Friday I wrote my first post. It was my birthday. For many years prior I had been in this battle with my understanding of who God was/is. I was blessed with two very strong christian women in my life, Meghan and Lindsey. Both never pushed "religion" or God on me, they just displayed His character, extended love, mercy, and grace.

Meghan displayed faith in the Lord I couldn't understand during the suffering of a dear little man many of us in the NICU grew to love deeply. She never wavered in her faith in the Lord, even when he went to our Heavenly Father. Through her blog, I stumbled upon another woman's blog, Angie Smith. Again, in the midst of her suffering, her faith in the Lord was breathtaking. It was through Angie's blog, I met another woman, Jill Samter. The list goes on and on. I watch these women struggle with not understanding God's will, but still loving Him and trusting Him regardless of their circumstances. Secretly, I envied them. I wondered why God didn't love me like them. Why He abandoned me.  I wanted to have faith like they did, like that of a mustard seed. So small, yet when sown is so big.

Lindsey is my neighbor and one of my best friends. On many occasions she would invite me to church, Grace church. I often spoke negatively about God, church, religion, but not once did she judge or try to change my mind. Her character and the way she loved me was gentle in spirit, humble, Christ like. Many years later, after that first invite, I attended Grace church. It was different than what I was use to. People were wearing jeans...really? Their was this amazing band playing loud, awesome worship music. The messages the pastor gave was really...thought provoking. He would often say, "don't take my word for it, got to scripture, read."
I liked it...a lot!

I started attending the women's bible study. Loved, loved, loved it. Then, the pastor mentioned a new ministry that would soon be starting, Recovery. "Everyone has something to recover from, addiction, loss of a loved one, abuse, divorce..." I attended the first meeting and have been going ever since.

Funny how God works. You see, He used these women, the church, the ministry's to reach me. Because of these women, I started to desire to know God. I was starting to understand prior to writing my first post, but secretly I still struggled with believing, with trusting. I also couldn't stop searching, reading, yearning for Him.

For most of my life, I struggled with depression. I also struggled with really believing God loves me, accepts me...a sinner. During this time, while searching, I struggled hard. Stuggled with fear, doubt, being
unworthy. The enemy didn't like where I was going. You can read some of those struggles here on this blog.

Almost two years after I started to yearn after God, one night, while in Recovery, He saved me. I have been forever changed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ephesians 2:1-10 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (emphasis mine).

Today, I'm blessed beyond what I ever thought possible. I'm very involved in the Recovery ministry at church. I get to watch God work in the lives of the women and men in this ministry. How awesome is that!! I've been told by others, He has spoken through me to them. At first I use to think...me, really? Today, I don't doubt that, the Lord continues to speak to me through many brothers and sisters in Christ.

With another birthday approaching, the lenses in which I see my life are different now. I still struggle, but like those women God placed in my life years ago, I struggle with confidence and faith that He will never leave nor forsake me. That He calms the storms, walks with me through fire, pulls me up from that pit, carries me when I am weak. I trust His hands to mold me, to hold me. I am so richly blessed.

My prayer for you...be still, listen. You never know who He's using to speak to you, or who through you He's speaking to.

Outcast...

A little over a month ago I decided to begin reading/studying the New Testament. I am now in the book of Luke...The birth of Jesus. His timing, always perfect.

I've always known the story of Jesus' birth, but it wasn't till I was saved that I truly understood the significance. Each time I read the story in Luke, something different stands out for me.

Just the other day I found myself having a conversation with a dear friend of mine where I told her, "Sometimes I feel like an outcast among others when it comes to my faith in the Lord. It's so hard at times."
Her response..."Well of course we are, isn't that awesome!"

Awesome?

I've pondered our conversation a lot lately.

Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” Luke 1:34

As I read Mary's response, I put myself in her shoes. I began to think about how I may have responded. First, um...I'm suppose to be getting married. What am I suppose to tell Joseph, surely he'll never believe I'm a virgin! He'll never want to marry me!

Finally, what will people be thinking? Saying?

Surely, I will be an outcast.

But Mary responded, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
Luke 1:38

Awesome

I can't recall where, but I recently read, "those that have found favor with God should not give way to disquieting, distrustful fears."

Mary chose God.

She chose faith.

Mary and Joseph are traveling back to Bethlehem to register.

So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.  And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

Here is a man, with his very pregnant wife unable to find a place to stay. I understand accommodations may have been scarce, as many were returning to their home town to register. What I find difficult to understand is why no one, for one night, could spare a room to a pregnant woman. Mary had no home, no bed. Instead, Joseph gathers hay in the stable; a bed where Mary delivers her first child in a barn. A barn!

I have five children, and I promise you, it's excruciating pain. I remember being stuck behind a train and having to take a detour in route to deliver my fourth child. I was in pain and panic, I did not want to deliver in the back of my car. I'm pretty sure I was yelling in pain at my husband to hurry. My son was delivered shortly after I arrived at the hospital. There was some yelling involved as the nurse told me not to push as the doctor wasn't there yet. Um...impossible...the baby is coming now! The doctor was late.

Mary has no woman there to assist her in her delivery. It's just her and Joseph. She must have been scared. I'm sure Joseph must have been in a bit of a panic as well. She let an out an agonizing cry right before Jesus entered this world. And then....

Her babies first cry. He was born to a woman, one whom no one would take in...an outcast.

God planned it this way. Why?

Because He found favor in her.

Because God became man to experience life as we do...an outcast.

Matthew Henry commentary states: "We were become by sin like an outcast infant, helpless and forlorn; and such a one Christ was.

Just like last year, I worked Christmas Eve in the NICU. One by one, parents arrive to see, hold, smell, and simply marvel over their child. Even if you don't have children, there is just something about a babies cry and purity that makes people smile and get a warm feeling inside. More often than not, tears are shed at their child's birth.

The Son of God lets out His first cry. Think about the similarities...Picture Mary curled on her side, baby Jesus in her arms, tears of joy stream down her face. Joseph kneeling by her side in awe over what just transpired. He too sheds tears. Mary gently places Him in a manger. Suddenly, where they are, what their circumstances are, doesn't matter.

Surely, if one were to look upon this child, he would utter "this cannot be the Son of God."

But He is!

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:10-11

The Lord came, and no one recognized Him.

The Lord came, and His people rejected Him.

The Son of God comes to us in the image of the unlikely...A child not of royalty, but one of poverty, wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.

Jesus started and lived His life as an outcast, all because God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Jesus lived His life suffering rejection, humiliation, pain, and temptation just as we do, but sinless. The purpose of His life...to give me...give you...the gift of eternal life.

As the babe lay in the manger, in fields nearby, an angel appears to the shepherds. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 
         
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”  Luke 2:10-14

The shepherds go to Bethlehem to see this babe. After they saw Jesus, they spread the word about what the angel had told them about this Child. Many were amazed by what the shepherds said. What was said about Mary stood out for me...

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

I can't help but wonder, Mary knows Jesus is the Son of God, but does she grasp the full meaning of His purpose?

What is the meaning of the Christmas? For many, this time of year can be depressing. Loss of jobs, loss of homes, memories of loved one's lost. The pressure of trying to find the perfect gift for others. We become so focus on what we don't have, we lose sight of of what we do have...the most precious gift of all...A SAVIOR!

Jesus was born with a purpose, to die that we may have life. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2Corintians 5:21


As Christians we can't look at the birth of Jesus and not look at the cross.

His birth, life, death on the cross, and resurrection portrays...

Suffering and healing. Jesus' suffering for our healing. His death on the cross, His separation from God the Father...such anguish for one man to bear. It's by His wounds we are healed!

Rejection and triumph. How many betrayed and rejected Jesus? In His human nature, He surely felt rejected by God the Father. He begged God to take this cup from Him...yet, "not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42. An empty tomb...triumph...VICTORY!

Pastor Pete Wilson, in a recent post said: "Part of the Christmas message is God telling his people, 'You can’t predict me. I’ll show up anytime and anywhere. I’ll show up in the midst of the most unlikely circumstances and through the most unlikely people.'

Why? Because I’m God and you’re not."

Mary was willing to suffer difficulty in her marriage, to be ostracized by society, because "For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name." Luke 1:49

Suddenly, feeling like an outcast isn't so bad, because He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

Awesome!

May you all be richly blessed this Christmas...Christ the Savior is born!

Past, Present, & Future...Salt Springs Memories

This summer we were able to once again, enjoy one of our favorite camping areas, Salt Springs. For more than twenty years now we have enjoyed this beautiful site. When my husband and I first discovered this site together, we would camp here with my older children more than three times a summer. As we had children together, our trips dwindled down and eventually ceased for over ten years until our first trip back in 2010.

Our return last year was with our two youngest boys, whom we've never taken. Emily, my youngest daughter, was the only one of our three children together we've taken camping here. Sadly, she doesn't remember as she was only six months old. I'm hoping next year she will be able to join us and experience the most amazing time together as family with such breathtaking backdrops.

This year we were able to once again, camp with our two younger boys along with one of their closest friends. Our traditional camp site, White Azalea, was unavailable. Not to worry, the new camp site was equally as satisfying. My only wishes...we could have gone more than once...my daughter could have come...my older children and their families could have joined as well.




Path just slightly beyond our large tent which lead to a private camp area hidden among the trees.

 





One of many hiking trails

  


Standing amidst these trees you really realize just how small you are in all of creation.





Slept to the sounds of rushing water all night. Soothing.

 



Bear River Reservoir which feeds into Salt Springs

 

During this trip we saw two bear cubs, several deer, many squirrels, snakes, spiders and other creepy crawly things,  and this lizard. This lizard reminded me of the verses in Matthew and Luke about worry. At five feet tall, I'm not a large person. From the lizard's perspective, I was a giant, yet he really showed no fear of me. As I looked at the picture in my camera's view finder, I noticed the blue on his back was much more prominent in the picture with the water in the background than him on the tree. God created the lizard with the ability to blend into his environment as a way of protection from predators. In the same sense, scripture gives us that same protection. Kinda cool to see how God has provided everything for all His creation.





The boys decided to go on an adventure....

 

Nick made sure Alex wasn't left standing.

 



Trust me...they're freezing.




Small sandy area to the left of the camp.



The view to the right of my seat.

  I spent many moment at this little "beach" area. Listening to the sounds of the water, the leaves rustling in the wind, the birds, the boys laughter off into the distance. All filled my mind with new memories and reminded me of many old memories of past camping trips. Some of my most joyful memories are right here in the middle of God's creation.




Preparing for nightfall

You often hear of the importance of family dinners, there is certainly something about a shared meal as a family that brings dividends to the family. In todays busy life and all its distractions, the campfire is also a place for an equally magical experience within the family. Heck, camping in its entirety is. No cell phones, no Facebook, no TV, no computer games or emails...just a time to enjoy and get to know one another. To communicate, to build bonds that even time can't break. It's times like these you build value in one another. Laughter, singing, and conversation that fills the soul. Memories to last a lifetime. Moments to cherish forever and pass down from generation to generation.  

 What a joy it has been to share this beautiful area with my husband of twenty years, building memories with each other and our children.

Diamond Necklace

For over a year now I've been involved in Recovery @ Grace Church as well as the step studies. I started as a participant and now lead in both. For those unfamiliar with our Recovery and step ministry, let me explain.

Recovery is a Christ-centered repentance an reconciliation ministry. My Pastor first introduced this ministry during the end of the year of 2009. He stated that everyone has something to recover from. Not just alcohol or drug addictions, but loss of a loved one, abuse, pride, envy...you get the idea. This is a place for anyone who is hurting or struggling with something holding them back from pursuing the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. It's a safe place to work through struggles. The people here are loving and accepting, with the goal of leaning on the Lord for truth and healing. We are not here to fix anyone, just simply a safe place where you can truly examine your heart.

Step study is also a safe place where you study the scripture while someone walks alongside you. It's 18 weeks and aims at identifying your struggles and learning to apply biblical truth as you embrace your new identity in Christ, Jesus. You are intensely involved in scripture daily through homework. You go through a personal inventory, one you work through with your sponsor. It's here I learned truth about myself and God's love for me.

Both have a non-specific, gender-specific groups. Both include biblical teaching, that has and continues to bless me tremendously. I continue to reap blessings by both these ministries. To watch the lives of others be touched by God is breathtaking. This weekend at our church picnic, 5 members of recovery and step were baptized.

Though these ministries I continue to struggle well in a safe place, I am blessed, and I, as a leader, continue to learn God's truth through those I serve.

This weekend, one of the women in my step group shared something I thought was absolutely beautiful. Spoke to my heart. a perfect example of how I learn through others.

Have you noticed a jeweler places a beautiful diamond necklace on a black cloth background? Have you ever heard the statement, "diamonds are a girl's best friend"? (Hold that thought).  The diamond necklace alone, we can all attest to it's beauty. But, once placed on the black background somehow it becomes far more radiant.

When we are in the midst of our brokenness, darkness overwhelms us (the black background), Jesus is the diamond! In our deepest darkest moments, Jesus, our best friend, radiates His light/beauty/love so brightly, we can't help but see truth and hope, feel love and acceptance. Even outside of our darkness, looking at Jesus, His light always radiates.

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. John 8:12

But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what He has done has been done through God. John 3:21

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46

Don't Lie

For a little over a week now, these two words have echoed though my mind.

As a parent to five children, honesty one of many values I've tried to instill.


"Don't lie to me, you'll only get in deeper trouble".

"Don't lie, as one lie leads to another".

I realized that while truth is something I've stressed, I've also unintentionally encouraged my children, to lie.

How many of you with young children have heard them remark at one time or another something undesirable to someone and have unconsciously encouraged a lie? Young children are so honest, purely innocent, until we make it otherwise. They say things like...

"You have a fat belly, is there a baby in there?"

"Your butt jiggles when you walk."

"You smell funny, you need a bath."

When we hear our children say things like this, we shudder. And more often than not, in a round about way, we encourage lying. We tell our children they cannot say those things because it hurts their feelings, or "that's not nice". Our intent is to teach our children when it's important to "keep quiet". I'm not quite sure how it happens, but I think somewhere in raising our children we may unconsciously encourage lying. You know that "little white lie" won't hurt anyone. Keeping quite is by far better the better choice when truth may hurt someone. But lying, is clearly not the best option. "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all".

About a week ago, I told what I felt was a "little white lie". What I found out is...a lie is a lie!

Just as scripture tells us that to hate your brother is the same as murder, the Lord gently reminded me, through consequences...a "little white lie" is a lie...a sin.

At first, I truly believed lying was acceptable, as the outcome wouldn't change. I convinced myself that to lie even though the Spirit was convicting me otherwise.

As the Spirit revealed the error of my ways, I asked myself...

"Why did you lie"? Fear!
Fear of consequences and fear of retaliation towards an innocent person.

Fear birthed protection, protection birthed the lie.

Again, back to my children. I couldn't help but realize that in some circumstances, like me, their lie is from fear. Mostly, fear of consequences. I started re-examining my heart in this situation, as right before my very eyes, this one lie, began to snowball out of control. One lie, lead to another, then another...finally...CONFESSION!

I've always told my children, if you tell the truth your consequences won't be as severe. This doesn't mean there won't be consequences as a result of your wrong (sin).

Ephesians 5:13 But everything exposed by the light become visible.

Jesus is the light, and through the Holy Spirit, He exposed in me what's needed to change. Yes, there were consequences, but God is rich in mercy.

A few days later, my son and I were on our way to the orthodontist. He had lost a bracket, several days prior. They always lecture about the importance of coming in right away to get that taken care of. I don't like going back and forth to the orthodontist. In the car on the way, I told my son to tell them he just lost the bracket this morning. LIE! Immediately...the light! I couldn't believe I actually encouraged my teenage son to lie. Ugh! Yes, I did the right thing. But why a lie? There was no fear, I just didn't want to hear the lecture.

This was a wonderful moment for both my son and I. He got to witness how imperfect I am.  How I humbled and became obedient to the Lord. Most importantly, he saw the Lord's grace as we told the truth. There were no lectures.

For me, the most beautiful moment is; my son, who doesn't know the Lord, saw the Lord through me. Now that's awesome!!

Dancing to the Beat

This past weekend I had the opportunity to see my first 3D ultrasound of my newest granddaughter, Brooklyn. What an amazing thing to see...

When I think about God creating the heaven and earth, as I witness a sunrise or sunset, I'm absolutely awestruck. Then I saw Brooklyn...miraculous!!

For You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13-14

Even now, as I look at this photo, my eyes well up with tears. Fearfully and wonderfully made...only God can do such a thing.

My grandson, Brayden was also in the room. There were some toys on the ground, and he was playing. The technician had asked if we wanted to hear the heartbeat...YES!

She turned up the volume, my grandson stood up and began to dance to his sister's heartbeat. I wish I had a camera to capture that moment! I tried to fight my tears...

Cherished!

The "In" Crowd

I believe everyone at one point or another, desires to feel...."A sense of belonging"

Ever feel invisible, even though you are a part of something (family, club, work, church)? Have you felt excluded?

It seems to start at a very young age, often when we start school.

You can't be in our group...

-cause you have short hair.

-your fat.

-your clothes are ugly.

-you're a Jesus freak.

The list goes on and on!

I remember as a child desperately wanting to belong, to be significant in some way. From my experience, rejection or feeling excluded, whether real or just my perception, left me feeling invisible.

We all want to feel accepted. Sadly, the way we perceive acceptance by others, more often than not, is when we are included in a group, activity, recognized/acknowledged in some way, or told we're valued.

I've recently felt this way. It's a little different for me now as an adult. I tried to talk myself out of how I felt, give people the benefit of the doubt. But, just like when I was a child...I couldn't help but become consumed by thoughts of "what's wrong with me?" "Why don't they like me anymore?" What soon followed, was feelings of jealousy, bitterness, and entitlement.

I've come to realize, these feelings arose out of my need for acceptance and self-esteem. Websters defines self-esteem as: a reasonable or justifiable sense of one's worth or importance. I'm not sure I believe self-esteem and self-worth are interchangeable here. For me, self-esteem is based more on accomplishments or achievements. Self-worth is where you feel worthwhile and valued in this world. I believe it's created in our mind, belief system, and by others...it's here you feel/know you are loved, accepted.

Aren't we all are guilty of  "excluding" someone? 

I had to take a step away my perceived thoughts and ask myself...
"What is true?"

"What is a lie?"

My Pastor once said; 'put your hope and trust in this world, in people, you will always be disappointed".

Truth- I am valued so much that Christ gave His life for me. Therefore,  I should live my life with complete confidence in who I am in Christ. That I'm just passing through this world and the best is yet to come~Amen!

You see, I realized...

It's not about me!


It doesn't matter whether I'm in the "in" crowd or not. Regardless of how others treat me, what matters is I love others no matter what, because....

1John 4:7 He first loved us.

Galatians 4:14 Love your neighbor as yourself.

1John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth. 23 And this is His command: to believe in the name if His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.

You see, it's not about me or you...it's about understanding that we were first loved by God as a sinner(always a sinner) and out of that love, Jesus sacrificed His life that we might belong to the Kingdom of God. And because Christ lives in us, it's Christ love that shines through us to others, all for HIS glory! It's really about following Christ way of loving others.

Funny thing...prompted by the Lord, I started this post Monday(just never posted) and today (Sunday) my Pastor's message was about how to love as Jesus does...

Apparently, someone is trying to get my attention!

I'll close with scripture that just came to me...

Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

A Gift

I woke this Christmas morning, with a blog post prepared in advanced for today. But then, yesterday happened....

It's Christmas Eve, I'm working. My job...taking care of tiny babes. During this week, in the NICU we have been busy creating footprint ornaments and Christmas photographs of the babies to give as a gift to the parents. One by one, I placed these memories created of their precious little babes at the bedside. As the day began, parents arrived.

I watched...

The Christmas Spirit unfolding right before my very eyes.

A young mother, tears stream down her face as she held the ornament in her hands.

Another...tears as she holds her baby. She's being discharged home today, her baby must stay. She'll wake Christmas morning with no babe in her arms. She cuddles him, nestles in the chair, soon she's asleep.

A father leans into the isolette and smells his new born baby. "I just love the smell of new life," he says.

A mother at her babes bedside, tears stream down her face. He's been here a while, almost three months. We embrace, we cry. Her husband is in another Country, her babe in the hospital. Another mother waking on Christmas morning empty handed. As she holds her baby, she looks at the pictures we've taken...smiles, laughter, more tears.

Another family, one I've known for 96 days arrived with gifts for other families they've met during their stay. Their faces are full of joy today, it's possible their babe will be going home on Tuesday.  They've been through so much! I've grown to love this family. As we talk, I fight to hold back the tears. I'm trying to figure out how to let go...

As I lay my head down for the night, visions of Christmas past fill my thoughts. I remember those late nights...last minute wrapping, waiting for children to fall asleep so that I may place the gifts from him (Santa) under the tree.

Then early in the mornings...sometimes 3am, a child would rush to my bed..."He came! He came!"

I can't lie...I miss those days. The excitement as the children open their gifts.  The frustration as we (my husband and I) assemble many toys. The exhaustion. The family gatherings.

The past few years, I've seen things differently.

But, something really changed for me this year...

While my three children are still nestled in their beds.

I hardly doubt visions of sugar plums dance in their heads.

It hit me...

I wish I knew Jesus then, as I do now.

I wish my children would wake up saying...He came! He came! And be speaking of the Christ Child, not Santa.

This has been an extraordinary year.

I started this year in search of truth. Exhausted from trying to battle life by my own power, as my own god, I hungered for peace, joy, love, forgiveness, life, freedom, grace...

As the Christmas season comes upon us...I see things so differently.

Memories of childhood Christmas past...the gifts, so many. Ripping open packages, one after the other, from the eyes of my youth...it was pure delight, joy! It seemed as if I always got everything I ever wanted, yet I always wanted more.

My childhood turns to parenthood, and the joy of getting is replaced by the joy of giving...yet, my heart still yearns for more. Don't misunderstand, I love giving...but, as I look back, the motive wasn't always good.

This year I have grasped a new understanding of the true meaning of Christmas, the greatest gift ever given...Christ.

Christmas is a time where many celebrate the birth of our Savior.  We all know, Christ wasn't born on December 25th., it's just a day that's been selected to celebrate His birth.

Why celebrate?

I want to share a few things I've come to realize about this precious gift...

From the beginning, creation...God already had His plan in place for our salvation.
Genesis 3:15 "And I will put an enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Her offspring-Jesus!

Isaiah 7:14 speaks of God's promise of the Savior. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. Also, Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I've been reading in Matthew and Luke, the story of Christ birth.

Again, I recall the birth of my children, my pregnancies. I can't help but look at things through the human eyes of Mary. Mary, so faithful to God, so trusting, was humbled to honor God's plan. "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38  I can imagine how difficult it must have been for a young women, a virgin, not yet married, to be fully exposed to the judgement of society.

I place myself at the Inn where Mary, already laboring is told there is no room. As I rearranged furniture in my living and dining room to make space for our tree, I remember thinking to myself in my frustration...it's so crowded in here...there's just no room for anything! Then it hit me...how petty! Mary had no home, no bed. Joseph gathers hay in the stable; a bed for Mary as she gives birth. She births her firstborn son, wraps Him in cloths and places Him in a manger.

Fast forward to 2010. As a NICU nurse, I have attended many deliveries, not in a stable...but a comfortable, warm, controlled environment of the hospital.  The baby is placed on a warmer (not an animal trough), cleaned and bundled, then handed to his mother. I think about the difference in the births of today, than the one Mary had. I can't help but be in awe over Mary's faith and trust in God.



I think about the similarities. Did Joseph, love the smell of Jesus...THE LIFE.

Did Mary shed tears of joy as she held her babe? Can you picture her snuggled in the hay, lying on her side...baby Jesus in her arms?  Can you?

As the babe lay in the manger, in fields nearby, an angel appears to the shepherds. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

The shepherds go to Bethlehem to see this babe. After they saw Jesus, they spread the word about what the angel had told them about this Child. Many were amazed by what the shepherds said. Something stood out for me, that hasn't before...

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

I can't help but wonder, Mary knows Jesus is the Son of God, but does she grasp the full meaning of  His purpose?

My youngest is fourteen. At twelve Jesus had begun preparing for His purpose.

What is the meaning of the Christmas Spirit? For many, this time of year can be depressing. Loss of jobs, loss of homes, memories of loved one's lost. The pressure of trying to find the perfect gift for others. We become so focus on what we don't have, we lose sight of what we do have...isn't that what the Christmas Spirit is all about?





This year, my oldest son came to me and said he didn't want me to buy him gifts this year. He wanted me to use that money to give to another family in need.  He said, "I have everything I need, anything else is just a want. I've been thinking about how many people don't have what I have, I want to give."

It hit me...I never really spoke to my children during their formative years about Jesus. But this year, Jesus has become the center of my life. I've changed. Do they feel it? Do they see Him in me?

One by one, as my children heard of what my son wanted to do...they too shared the same desire. Christmas gifts were selected and presented.  They don't know it yet, but someday, when they look back...they'll understand, they'll feel the Christmas Spirit. Both my children and the children who received, will realize it's not about the toy...it's about what was felt in their heart.

The Christmas Spirit is that of...

Love

Light

Hope

Peace

It's understanding, that all these things come from one of the most precious gifts God has bestowed upon mankind...

A babe...Jesus!

Jesus was born with a purpose, to die that we may have life. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2Corintians 5:21

You can't look at the birth of Jesus and not look at the cross.

His life, the cross, and resurrection portrays...

Suffering and healing. Jesus suffering for our healing. His death on the cross, His separation from God the Father...such anguish for one man to bear. It's by His wounds we are healed!

Rejection and triumph. How many betrayed and rejected Jesus? In His human nature, He surely felt rejected by God the Father. He begged God to take this cup from Him...yet, "not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42. An empty tomb...triumph...VICTORY!


                       HE CAME!  HE CAME!



Merry Christmas!