Come at me bro, Mel Gibson style.

Take my freedom.

Attack my Christian beliefs.

Corrupt my children.

Inflate the currency until it hurts.

Create a law or policy for EVERYTHING.

Contaminate my food supply.

Try and take away my guns.

Tear apart the family.

Lie to me.

Devalue the life of a fetus.

Corrupt every level of my leadership.

Burn my flag and keep the Pledge of Allegiance at bay.

Fail to protect my borders.

Take my job overseas.

Downplay terrorism.

Create a welfare state.

We may agree.  We may agree to disagree.  We all have something we stand for.  When someone rocks your boat, stand up for it.

COME AT ME BRO!

^"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

Our worst critic.

I saw this nifty quote drifting around facebook and just knew it was the motivation I needed to write a post.  I have been thinking lately about how hard we are on ourselves.  We are truly our own worst critics.

Maybe it's negative self talk about how you parent, the way you look, how you perform at something or things you have done in the past that you regret.  No matter what it is, we have a tendency to get excruciatingly down on ourselves.  I know I call myself stupid or retarded when I do something foolish.  It can sometimes be something as simple as dropping something or burning the toast.  Stupid?  Retarded?  Did I really deserve that?

Think about how you would feel if someone else was as hard on you as you are on yourself?  Perhaps you have had one of those critics in your life.  I hope you don't, but most us of know that it hurts pretty bad if someone calls you (or makes you feel) stupid, ugly or unworthy.

Just like the quote above, we do compare our own lives to others.  I don't care who you are, if you are human, you've done this before.  When I find myself comparing my life to someone elses, it's almost always someone that I don't know intimately.  I only see their "highlight reel".  I don't get to see all the imperfections, the drama or hear their own nasty self talk.  I don't know if the husband brings his wife breakfast in bed every morning like I imagine he MUST.  I don't know if those perfectly behaved children turn into demons the second they walk through the front doors of their own house.  I don't know if their finances are or are not in shambles because they couldn't resist the temptation to keep up with the Joneses. 

Or what about when I've compared my life to someone elses and thought about how much better my life is than theirs...that's not very nice.  Humans I tell ya.  Often times, we can be pretty self centered and mean.  Often times we don't want to admit it, but it is a reality that all of us face.  Some more than others. 

In the book of Obadiah, God gave the people of Edom a warning.  In Obadiah 1:12, God said "You should not look down on your brother in the day of his misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast so much in the day of their trouble."   God goes on to warn the people that they will judged as they have judged others.  The same holds true for us today.  We don't have the right to judge ourselves or others. 

There is absolutely no use or gain in comparing our own lives to others. It will only lead to feelings of inferiority or superiority, both of which can turn in to some pretty nasty personality traits.  Not to mention that comparing ourselves isn't fair to either party.  We are either cutting ourselves down and putting someone else on a pedestal or vice versa.  No one except God alone deserves to be put on a pedestal.  No one can live up to it.

Let's face reality.  We are all human, which means that we are imperfectly perfect.  Just the way God made us.  If you are following God's lead, you are living WITH and exactly WHAT He planned for you.  Don't be hatin' on and comparing yourself or others.  We must catch ourselves in those moments and remember this:

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.  When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body.  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Psalm 139: 13-16  

Hollywood Disappointments

Let's call her Pearl, since I love that name and wish I could have another daughter just so the name doesn't go to waste.  Pearl, oh how she loves the day her People magazine comes in the mail.  She thumbs through it immediately, catching up on the newest fashions and celebrity gossip.  She just can't believe that Lindsay Lohan had to go into rehab AGAIN.  Poor Lindsay she thinks.  Pearl wonders what happened to the poor girl. 

Pearl closes the magazine and looks around her house.  It's not nearly as nice, clean and glamorous as Britney Spears' is.  Pearl looks in her closet and feels inadequate, she can't possibly afford the latest fashions, although she tries as she charges endless amounts of clothing on her Nordstrom credit card.  Pearl can't sing worth a darn and can't act, so where in the world is she going to make her millions?  She's gotta figure it out soon, because her standard of living is certainly not going to cut it.  Meanwhile, Pearl's kids and husband are watching her.  Soaking it in.

As a kid, I LOVED Michael Jackson. This is how I remember him. I had the poster on my wall and every one of his tapes!

I slowly watched Michael Jackson change in to this over the years. It was sad, disappointing and confusing. Such an amazing talent and person turn in to something that was completely unrecognizable from his old self.

I like to poke fun at Lindsay Lohan, but it really makes me sad to see this girl:

Morph in to this...

So many Hollywood stars are the center of our attention and are rapidly becoming the apple of our children's eyes as well.  The life of the stars is flooded with dysfunction, unreal expectations and heightened glamour.  It's not real and it is obviously taking it's toll on many of their lives as is seen through tabloids and television.  I have found myself captivated by the lifestyle of the rich and famous.  I understand how hard it can be to shut out, especially when it's on every channel and magazine stand.

I believe we must be diligent at protecting our hearts and the hearts of our children against this.  It has proven itself to be a quick and sure path to self destruction.  Yes, they will still be exposed to it at some level, just as we are.  But let us not use that as an excuse to allow it because "that's just the way things are nowadays".  It doesn't HAVE to be the way things are and we can still do what is in our power to fight against it and prepare our children for the day they do face that temptation.

Let's find joy in the simplicity of our own lives, thankful for what we HAVE.  And for goodness sakes, we must be sure, more now than ever, to ingrain in our children that their worth is not tied up in a glamorous lifestyle. 

"A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."

Proverbs 14:30



Introducing Kombucha

This is Kombucha.  It's become quite the craze in the world of the hippies and well, apparently Lindsay Lohan.

Okay, enough with the jokes.  I promise.


Kombucha really is a wonder drink.  In a world where pop(or soda as some of you call it) is running rampant, Kombucha has the ability to save us all from ourselves.  When I talk to people who are addicted to pop, they typically tell me that they are mainly addicted to the carbonation.  I get a craving for a good Diet Pepsi now and again.  Kombucha can be a great way to fulfill your craving for carbonation, but also get the following benefits that Diet Pepsi most certainly can't contend with:


Probiotics – healthy bacteria
Alkalize the body – balances internal pH
Detoxify the liver – happy liver = happy mood
Increase metabolism – rev your internal engine
Improve digestion – keep your system moving
Rebuild connective tissue – helps with arthritis, gout, asthma, rheumatism
Cancer prevention
Alleviate constipation
Boost energy – helps with chronic fatigue
Reduce blood pressure
Relieve headaches & migraines
Reduce kidney stones
High in antioxidants – destroy free-radicals that cause cancer
Improve eyesight
Speed healing of ulcers – kills h.pylori on contact
Help clear up candida & yeast infections
Aids in healthy cell regeneration
Lower glucose levels – prevents spiking from eating

Kombucha tastes kind of like a mix of apple cider and sparkling wine.  It comes in many different flavors, the asian pear and ginger is my favorite so far.  Kombucha is made through a natural fermentation process.  Kombucha can be bought in a filtered form or raw.  Raw is best and will provide more health benefits, but either are great.  Consider buying a glass of Kombucha next time the craving hits, instead of that Coke. 

I saw a ghost today.

Every time I drive out of town a certain way, I see this little old house on the right side of the road.  It's a sweet little house out in the country with all sorts of trinkets and lawn ornaments adorning the yard.  Well, I guess not anymore.  But it used to.  And sometimes when I would drive by on the way to drop my son off at school I would see this very old lady walking around outside, all hunched over, with paints and paintbrush in hand.  She would walk around her yard and diligently "touch up" all of her treasures she had lined up in her yard.  It always melted my heart.  It appeared as if she lived there all alone.  I always wondered what her story was.  Every time I drove by I would look for her, as for some reason she intrigued me.

The day I saw the lawn ornaments removed and the for sale sign in the yard, I felt a little sad, wondering what happened to the sweet little old lady.  Did she die?  Probably.  She didn't appear to be Retirement Home material.  It's been several months since I've got to see her.  Today as I was driving by, I thought of the sweet little old lady, wondering what she would think about her house being for sale and all of her beautiful lawn ornaments put away.  


As I drove closer to the house, I saw her.  I could see her through the glass door in the shed.  She was just standing there, with her arms crossed, wearing a peach robe and looking rather glum.  I assumed she was looking at the shell of what her place used to be, sad that she wasn't there to tend to it, and sure that whoever comes to live there won't take care of it the way she used to.  I blinked, unsure of what I was seeing, and when I reopened my eyes she was gone.


I don't believe in ghosts and I promise I didn't take any mind altering drugs.  Perhaps I've been watching too much Sci-Fi.  I've convinced myself it was my mind playing tricks on me.  I drove away, breathless and shaky.  Regardless, it has my head reeling.


We all have things in this life that we never want to leave.  Perhaps it's your children, your spouse, your work, your pets or your possessions.  Well, God tells us this...

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 6:21

If I knew that I would die tomorrow, the first thing I would think about were my kids.  The list of people I would miss and the experiences I wished to have someday would go on and on I'm sure.  Then regrets would set in.

Today was a reminder, that there is more to this life than THIS.  If I'm gone tomorrow, everyone else will go on living.  My kids will be in God's hands and I will be in heaven.  I certainly don't want to worry about being a ghost, lurking around my property in a peach robe, making sure the next tenant keeps my garden up.  I want God to be my most valuable treasure.

Today was also a reminder to me that we are only here for a short time.  Worrying about silly things that don't matter only waste the time we have.  Life is about living while we are here.  That's not an excuse to party all day every day, that is a call to do what is right.  To accomplish what you were put here to do.  We all have a purpose, whether we know it yet or not. 

And hey, a little funny business on the side is probably okay every now and again...





Hippy Wrinkle Cream

Meet Tamanu Oil.


Tamanu is an amazing moisturizer.  Dry skin doesn't stand a chance when you have a bottle of Tamanu in your arsenal.  Mix it with a few drops of your favorite skin enhancing essential oil and you're in for a real treat. 


Tamanu is not just your average moisturizer.  It's a pretty amazing oil.  You're not going to find this kind of stuff at WalMart, that is for certain.  So, here is a brief, shortened list of Tamanu's benefits and uses.


-anti-inflammatory

-antimicrobial(kills microorganisms)

-antibiotic(therefore excellent for cuts, scrapes, wound care)

-helps with dry skin, acne, diaper rash, bruises, insect bites, psoriasis, anal fissures, diabetic ulcers, sunburn, eczema, herpes sores, cracked feet, jock itch

-Tamanu reduces the appearance of stretch marks and can reduce foot and body odor(hmmm)

-traditionally Tamanu oil was used in Fiji for relieving the pain of sciatica, shingles, neuralgia, rheumatism and leprous neuritis


As you can see, Tamanu is highly useful for a number of different topical treatments.  Tamanu oil is for external use only.  Tamanu has a unique ability to promote the formation of new tissue, which is what makes it so useful for wound care and any other type of skin regeneration(I'm thinking wrinkles!).


And if you're curious...Tamanu oil originated in Tahiti and is derived from the nuts of the Polynesian Tamanu tree.

I buy my Tamanu oil from Mountain Rose Herbs.  Mountain Rose's Tamanu is cold pressed, certified organic and 100% pure.  The bottle looks like this:

Go get yourself some.    I'm pretty convinced it's total awesomeness.

You can visit Mountain Rose Herbs website HERE.

SILENCED

Have you ever felt like someone was trying to silence you?  I'm not talking about someone actually putting duct tape on your mouth, threatening you or telling you to be quiet.  I'm talking about a feeling you get inside telling you that what you have to say isn't important.

I sure have.  It typically begins with a feeling of inadequacy.  I over analyze something I said, a conviction I passionately obsess over or a belief I possess.  I wonder what people are going to think of me and I start to feel frustrated, hurt and angry.  And then, I put the wall up.  I convince myself that what I have to say or what I want to contribute to something is not worthwhile and it's most certainly not worth my time and effort.



Then I feel all depressed and start moping around.  Probably because I am busy feeling sorry for myself and denying myself the truth.  As humans, we worry so much about what other people are going to think of us that we don't want to even try to speak up, speak out or speak anything that may be against the grain.  And the Bible believing bunch know that we also have another contender for our thoughts.  That evil dude wants to silence us when he knows that we might have a negative impact on his path to pure evilness.

Between the world, ourselves and Satan beating us up we have a hard row to ho.  It's so hard not to feel alone sometimes. 

This is where having good friends and family around come in.  Just when you are feeling at your worst, someone encourages you.  Me, I believe those people are being used by God...just at the right time.  You get that little nudge that gets you thinking.  You begin to feel that passion again, that zest, that LIFE seeping back in.  Before long, you realize that you nearly allowed yourself to be SILENCED.

We all have a story and unique talents that no one else in the world has.  We all have something important that we need to say, do or be part of.  Don't be afraid to be the unique YOU.  Share your ideas and beliefs with others.  Don't be afraid to start something great or be part of something life changing.  You might get dissed, go through dry spells and get flat on your face depressed at times.  BUT, you can get back up.  Because when you do, you are renewed with that passion all over again.

Sometimes all you have to do is look for a little light.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." 

2 Tim 1:7

Busy, busy, busy.

So many of us are WAY too busy.  We feel like time is not on our side.


We feel stretched too thin.  Trying to make it to every party, sporting event and friends' house for dinner.  There is never enough time in the day and we end up going to bed feeling guilty because we couldn't meet our world's expectations.

I personally struggle in the opposite direction.  Sure, I keep myself busy with all the critters and the family, but I do not have a knack for scheduling social events.  I am somewhat of a hermit.  I covet my alone time and despise being over scheduled.  There are a couple weeks a year that busyness inevitably happens and when it does I am incredibly uncomfortable and edgy.


So, as you can see, this problem can swing both ways if left un-managed, un-analyzed, un-prayerized and un-realized.


Bottom line, most of need some help managing our time. 


"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."    Proverbs 16:9


We try and plan everything and fit in what we can, while missing the big picture.  God already has a plan for us.  People who are always busy never have the time to sit down and reflect on where their lives are headed.  They are too focused on tomorrow's busy schedule.


Time isn't something that should be left unmonitored. Reason being, we only have a limited amount of it.


"Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes."  James 4:14


A mist?  Well, guess that puts things in to perspective.  In reality, we only have a short period of time here on earth.  We can spend it so busy that life passes us by in a cloud of events or we can sit back and enjoy the life we have been given by focusing on what is most important in our lives.


Managing our time can be tough.  There is so much to do and so little time.  We don't need everyone to like us and we don't need 2 thousand friends.  If we over schedule ourselves, we miss out on the people who truly matter to us in this life.  We can't be the best for those we were meant to have an impression on.  Not to mention, we aren't able to enjoy the bounty of this place we call earth.  And most importantly, we aren't as in tune with God's plan for our lives when we are trying so hard to manage it ourselves.


I encourage you to S L O W down.  Take in what life has to offer without saying yes to everything and compromising the path you have been lead to follow.  And I promise I will try and schedule a couple more things on my calendar...well, maybe.

Nice 'n Easy and wrinkle cream.

As I look at myself in the mirror at the ripe old age of 32, I notice some gray hairs on that head of mine.  I also see wrinkles creeping in that weren't there before.  And disturbingly enough the wrinkles appear....deeper!  My skin isn't quit as supple looking as it was in my youth.  The circles under my eyes are darker and the woes of life are worn on my face.

As some of you read this you are laughing at the fact that I referred to the age of 32 as "ripe" and are looking for your reading glasses so you can see the rest of this blog post.  Others are mortified at the thought of finding that gray hair and extra wrinkle and racing out to the store to buy their Nice 'n Easy and expensive wrinkle cream.  Some of you are standing exactly where I am.

Either way, I can say with confidence that it is more than likely all of us have faced pressure to stay young. Whether it be from TV, magazines, our family and friends or low self esteem.  What in the heck is that all about?  We are fed this idea that in order to be worthwhile, we need to be youthful.  I completely disagree.

This lady goes to the pool several times a week in an attempt to stay healthy.  She has 6 grandchildren that are convinced she walks on water.

This woman runs the local food bank in her town and mentors young women in her church.

This couple still feels the same zest for their marriage they did 50 years ago.

This woman endured painful abuse for most of her life.  She is finally free of it.

He still works hard every day to put dinner on the table.

And this lady.  Well, she's the one that would tell you that you were stupid to worry about a gray hair and wrinkle cream.


Aging is a beautiful thing.  Wear those years with pride and don't allow lies to convince you that the life you are wearing is anything but a joy.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

Cow testicles and the outlandishly smelly dog.

Today was just one of those days.  You know what I mean.  The day started off with the gate accidentally getting left open and us looking out and seeing the cows in the yard.  Then we moved on to accidentally banding a calf whose testicles hadn't dropped yet.  Then while that whole debacle was happening one of the steers decided to hop the fence and run all over the universe with the exception of our property.  Well, then there's the cat.  She's been missing since yesterday and Bean's sad.  Then as I was feeling as if I was going to rip my hair out and get rid of every animal we own, the dog walks in the house smelling like...well, it can't even be described.  Needless to say, he needed a bath.  The entire day was spent outside, stressing over animal issues and trying to parent at the same time.  My house ended up a disaster and dinner never ended up getting made.  And then there was that play date that had to be cancelled.

Days like these in my life aren't common, but they aren't as uncommon as some of you may think.  Anyone who has 10 million animals like we do know exactly what I am talking about.  There are days where these critters make me the happiest woman on the planet and others where I feel like throwing in the towel.

It's days like these that really get me thinking about why we try and pretend to be farmers.  The learning curve seems to be hitting us from all sides lately.  From meat chicken disasters, a baby chick rescue mission, goat diarrhea and a new calf just in the past week alone, my head is spinning.  And may I point out that the biggest disasters always strike when my husband is at work??  

But then again, I guess the day wasn't a total loss.  We finished up the evening with two nude children spraying eachother with the garden hose while cracking up hysterically and my husband walking around outside spraying poison oak in nothing but a backpack sprayer, underwear and flip flops.


I guess all I can say is...it's a labor of love?   Maybe you should ask me tomorrow.

"Be strong. therefore, and let not your hands be weak and slack, for your work shall be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7



Eating right is patriotic darnit!

Diabetes, heart disease and cancer in the United States are rising at a rapid rate.  You've heard it a thousand times right?  There is not one person who hasn't been touched by one of these diseases and it's becoming much too common. 

Our food supply is being flooded with genetically modified seeds that are meant to withstand high doses of chemicals, namely ROUND-UP!  Not something I want in my body or the bodies of our children.  The United States is quickly falling behind other countries as we dive bomb in the health department.

So if we keep hearing it, why aren't we changing it?  People are waking up and it's really exciting.  Some don't know where to start, some choose to ignore it as some hippy conspiracy, some think they are eating healthy but fall prey to marketing schemes and others are well on their way towards healthier eating.

We need our children to be vital, productive members of the workforce, not on dialysis at the age of 30.  Where will America be if we don't keep this health wave rolling?  It's time to get back to our roots and fight against this.  Vote with your dollars.  Support organic, support local and start making an effort to grow as much of your own food as you can. 

We are Americans!  We are at our best when we are up against a wall with a battle to fight!  Will you join me?   Let's do something with all the extra patriotic blood racing through our veins this 4th of July.  There are plenty of people out there that have already started.  If you know one, team up with them.  If you are one, spread the word and help others around you.  It's time we support the Americans around us who are trying to provide healthy food for a healthy America! 

My testimony. My story. I don't know what to call it.



Growing up I knew there was a God.  I didn't know Him and I wasn't even really sure He existed.  As I got older I realized that God was one of many options out there.  Like any human, I needed an explanation for why I was here.

You see, I believe that we all have eternity in our hearts and we search for an answer to it.  At a young age, I remember asking God laying in bed one night if he was really there.  I asked Him to give me a sign so that I would know if He truly existed.  I didn't get my "sign".  I also never felt His presence in my life.

When I got to High School I learned about evolution in my Science class.  Sure, it fit.  I didn't have anything to back up a belief in God and evolution made sense to me.  Evolution was my explanation for the longing I felt in my heart to know where I belonged, where I fit in to the story.  It would be my explanation until I turned 27.

At 22 years of age I would graduate college, get married and start a career.  I married one of those so-called Christians.  He didn't talk about his faith much and didn't seem to care that I wasn't a believer.  I remember him talking to me about it a couple times, but I was so against it that I would shut the conversation down.  My husband wasn't living like a Christian and would later admit that he used me as his excuse to stray from God.

And then there was Bean.  Having a kid changed everything and when I found out I was pregnant with Ida at 26, it changed even more.  I was still working at that time.  I cussed like a sailor, worked with bad guys all day and had no compass to live my life by other than what I felt was right and what Dr. Phil and Oprah said.  All things considered, I was doing pretty darn good if I do say so myself.  I had a firm set of values that I was raised on, a persevering heart and a great group of family and friends.  But, I didn't know what I was missing out on.

To make a long story short, a training at work led me to making the decision that I should quit my job to stay at home and go to church.  Looking back it's clear to me that a certain Someone was grabbing ahold of me in a big way.  And He knew that my kids were the way to my heart, since everything He was telling me was the opposite of what I thought I had planned for my life.

We went to church.  We got hooked.  I got saved.  My husband renewed his relationship with Jesus.  Our lives became renewed, restored and forever changed because of this.  I'm doing everything in my power not to screw it up.  I don't ever want to go back.  It really is like Jesus gave me the key to unlocking an entirely NEW life.

I really thought I was doing fine before I met Jesus.  And ya know what, by the world's standards, I probably was.  But let me say this.  Jesus has transformed my life.  I'm still me, sure.  But now I have the Holy Spirit helping me a long, each step of the way.  Not to mention the FACT that I have eternal life with Him...just sayin'! 

Each one of us has a story.  One that is unique to us.  One that God desperately wants to take control of.  In my experience, it's best if you just let Him.