Ask me sometime what happened in Arizona, but let's just say I'm not a cat person anymore. Dogs - now that's another story.
I recently checked out Eight Below from our local library. Wow, what an inspiring movie! I wanted to know more, so I went to the official website. I wanted to know more about the true story that inspired this movie.
What I found on the Eight Below website was a collection of dog hero stories. Incredible. Dogs and kids. Dogs and adults. Dogs and families. Dogs and fires, burglars, thin ice. All kinds of stories of the heroics of dogs.
If you are an animal lover, especially dogs, or you just need to know that good things can happen when all seems lost, go to the Eight Below website and check out the dog hero stories. It will make your heart glad!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Blessings of Music
I sometimes use music to encourage the children to get out of their beds and head for the chores list. One day last week, I put in a cd by Janice Smith. It's songs from her children's series, Janice's Attic. I knew the children would recognize some of the songs and enjoy it. What I didn't realize is how much it would bless me as well.
All of these kids songs have such simple messages, but are put beautifully to music in a way that children enjoy. Simple songs about persevering (boy did I need that one) and having a good attitude. Pretty soon, I realized that choosing that cd that day was the best thing that I could have done to remind me of the simple truths of God's love and His desire to give me a more abundant life. Praise the Lord for those who minister to children! God says they have their reward, and I believe that! I'm also grateful that the people who minister to children can also minister to us stubborn adults, if we'll just take the time to listen and humble our hearts.
All of these kids songs have such simple messages, but are put beautifully to music in a way that children enjoy. Simple songs about persevering (boy did I need that one) and having a good attitude. Pretty soon, I realized that choosing that cd that day was the best thing that I could have done to remind me of the simple truths of God's love and His desire to give me a more abundant life. Praise the Lord for those who minister to children! God says they have their reward, and I believe that! I'm also grateful that the people who minister to children can also minister to us stubborn adults, if we'll just take the time to listen and humble our hearts.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Journey to Wellness Revisited
You may recall the Journey to Wellness quiz that Karl and I took, and the results that I would outlive him by 15 years. If you want more info, see the previous post called Journey to Wellness.
There were already some changes that were happening in our lives at the time, but one change in particular, which I won't comment on in this post, seems to have opened doors and changed our lives for the better! It's amazing how making one decision for a change in your life can put you on the right track in many areas of your life.
Good things aren't pouring out like rainstorms or anything, but both Karl and I have noticed how more good things and positive things are happening. It is a wondrous blessing!
One of those new positives is Karl's pledge to drink more water, and the fact that he is actually doing it. He is really noticing a difference in his energy levels and other things. Despite the migraines, he is avoiding sodas (he often used the caffeine in a soda to constrict the blood vessels in the neck that feed the migraine area and so forth) and feeling a huge difference.
Lastly, he tried a new product called Extreme X2O, produced by Xooma Worldwide. It's a water purification packet you put right in your glass. More than that, it has the right properties to help restore the PH balance in your body.
I didn't know that a Nobel Prize was given to the person who discovered that cancer cells can't live in an alkaline environment. How come this isn't spread all over the world? Everyone needs to know this simple discovery. No, it's not a cure for cancer, but he did discover that the cancer can't survive in an alkaline body. So, how do you get alkaline? Most of the sugars, fatty fried foods, coffee, sodas and so forth are acid forming, whereas most fruits, vegetables and grains are alkaline forming. Xooma's Extreme X2O also helps to balance your PH toward the Alkaline.
So, I'm happy for Karl. I wish him the best as he tries to get his health back on track. You can visit Karl's website to find out more about Extreme X2O at www.xoomaworldwide.com/drinktogoodhealth.
In the meantime, I'm going to look at my spiritual balance as well. If the cancer of sin can't live in an alkaline environment, what are some of the things that Jesus can do in my life, that will balance my spiritual PH? I think it's time I let Him do whatever is needed.
There were already some changes that were happening in our lives at the time, but one change in particular, which I won't comment on in this post, seems to have opened doors and changed our lives for the better! It's amazing how making one decision for a change in your life can put you on the right track in many areas of your life.
Good things aren't pouring out like rainstorms or anything, but both Karl and I have noticed how more good things and positive things are happening. It is a wondrous blessing!
One of those new positives is Karl's pledge to drink more water, and the fact that he is actually doing it. He is really noticing a difference in his energy levels and other things. Despite the migraines, he is avoiding sodas (he often used the caffeine in a soda to constrict the blood vessels in the neck that feed the migraine area and so forth) and feeling a huge difference.
Lastly, he tried a new product called Extreme X2O, produced by Xooma Worldwide. It's a water purification packet you put right in your glass. More than that, it has the right properties to help restore the PH balance in your body.
I didn't know that a Nobel Prize was given to the person who discovered that cancer cells can't live in an alkaline environment. How come this isn't spread all over the world? Everyone needs to know this simple discovery. No, it's not a cure for cancer, but he did discover that the cancer can't survive in an alkaline body. So, how do you get alkaline? Most of the sugars, fatty fried foods, coffee, sodas and so forth are acid forming, whereas most fruits, vegetables and grains are alkaline forming. Xooma's Extreme X2O also helps to balance your PH toward the Alkaline.
So, I'm happy for Karl. I wish him the best as he tries to get his health back on track. You can visit Karl's website to find out more about Extreme X2O at www.xoomaworldwide.com/drinktogoodhealth.
In the meantime, I'm going to look at my spiritual balance as well. If the cancer of sin can't live in an alkaline environment, what are some of the things that Jesus can do in my life, that will balance my spiritual PH? I think it's time I let Him do whatever is needed.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
My Casio
Okay, strange question for all of you - do you know how to fix the roller function on a Casio FR 2650 adding machine?
Called tech support, they tried to tell me how to load the paper, very kind and professional in manner. I told them the feed isn't working. I've worked some paper in there because the feed wouldn't load it. I enter calculations and it just types on the same line over and over again because the feed isn't working. I don't need someone to tell me how to load the paper, I need someone to tell me how to get the roller/feed function going.
They referred me the repair center. Casio is nice to provide both of these facilities with toll free numbers. However, the repair center person wasn't as easy going as the tech support. She wouldn't even listen to me, just send it in for repairs. No questions asked. When people won't even listen to me, it makes me wonder why I should send my item to their repair center. So, before I send it to either New Jersey or California, the only places authorized to repair an FR 2650, I'd like to know if anyone else has dealt with this and knows what to do to get this thing working.
Thinking about the whole incident....I think I'm the same way with God. When God tells me to do something, and I don't feel like He's listening to me, I'm usually not willing to do it. However, from reading God's Word, He is always listening to us. So, the only conclusion I can come to is that God is listening, but maybe I'm just not getting the response I want. It doesn't mean He isn't listening. It means I still need to submit to His will and be patient.
Ya'll pray for me because I have a real problem with patience! Hence the frustration with my Casio FR 2650!
forced paper in there and the feed isn't
Called tech support, they tried to tell me how to load the paper, very kind and professional in manner. I told them the feed isn't working. I've worked some paper in there because the feed wouldn't load it. I enter calculations and it just types on the same line over and over again because the feed isn't working. I don't need someone to tell me how to load the paper, I need someone to tell me how to get the roller/feed function going.
They referred me the repair center. Casio is nice to provide both of these facilities with toll free numbers. However, the repair center person wasn't as easy going as the tech support. She wouldn't even listen to me, just send it in for repairs. No questions asked. When people won't even listen to me, it makes me wonder why I should send my item to their repair center. So, before I send it to either New Jersey or California, the only places authorized to repair an FR 2650, I'd like to know if anyone else has dealt with this and knows what to do to get this thing working.
Thinking about the whole incident....I think I'm the same way with God. When God tells me to do something, and I don't feel like He's listening to me, I'm usually not willing to do it. However, from reading God's Word, He is always listening to us. So, the only conclusion I can come to is that God is listening, but maybe I'm just not getting the response I want. It doesn't mean He isn't listening. It means I still need to submit to His will and be patient.
Ya'll pray for me because I have a real problem with patience! Hence the frustration with my Casio FR 2650!
forced paper in there and the feed isn't
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Jesus is our High Priest!
For some, this means nothing more than the words they just read. But there is a big difference for those who have put their trust in God, if we stop and think about it for a little bit, while adding a little bit of culture.
The Israelites had a day of atonement. On that day, the sanctuary would be cleansed. On that day, everything that had been happening the whole year on the credit card system, if you will, was about to be paid up (as far as the earthly symbols go). Would the payment be accepted?
Each year, on the day of atonement, the Israelites would pray and search their hearts. Had all sins been confessed? If the high priest was not worthy, or didn't fulfill the sacrifices and offerings in the correct manner, it would not be accepted.
The high priest wore bells on the end of his garment, that would jingle as he walked and ministered in the Most Holy Place. If the bells stopped ringing, the other priests, in the Holy Place, who held the end of a rope that was tied to the high priest's ankle, would have to pull his dead body out. For he would be consumed by the power and majesty of God, if this high priest was unworthy or the people hadn't done their part. A very solemn ceremony, to say the least.
But we can rejoice! We know that our High Priest has offered the best and the only sacrifice that is worthy. We don't have to fear. Jesus' sacrifice was what the law demanded. We don't have to fear the judgment/final day of atonement, as long as our trust is in Jesus, because His sacrifice has been accepted in heaven.
For some, this means nothing more than the words they just read. But there is a big difference for those who have put their trust in God, if we stop and think about it for a little bit, while adding a little bit of culture.
The Israelites had a day of atonement. On that day, the sanctuary would be cleansed. On that day, everything that had been happening the whole year on the credit card system, if you will, was about to be paid up (as far as the earthly symbols go). Would the payment be accepted?
Each year, on the day of atonement, the Israelites would pray and search their hearts. Had all sins been confessed? If the high priest was not worthy, or didn't fulfill the sacrifices and offerings in the correct manner, it would not be accepted.
The high priest wore bells on the end of his garment, that would jingle as he walked and ministered in the Most Holy Place. If the bells stopped ringing, the other priests, in the Holy Place, who held the end of a rope that was tied to the high priest's ankle, would have to pull his dead body out. For he would be consumed by the power and majesty of God, if this high priest was unworthy or the people hadn't done their part. A very solemn ceremony, to say the least.
But we can rejoice! We know that our High Priest has offered the best and the only sacrifice that is worthy. We don't have to fear. Jesus' sacrifice was what the law demanded. We don't have to fear the judgment/final day of atonement, as long as our trust is in Jesus, because His sacrifice has been accepted in heaven.
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Matthew's Hurricane
Matthew has a cowlick. It is unmistakable. It's also adorable, right now. Who knows what it will be for him when he's a teenager.
I remember when we buzzed his hair last summer. The cowlick was even more pronounced. This was during Hurricane season, and before Katrina. Someone at church came up and said, "Matthew, you have a little hurricane on your head." Sure enough, with his hair buzzed, that cowlick did look like a little hurricane in his hair.
For some reason, Matthew has been fascinated with hurricanes ever since. Maybe because we buzz his hair during the summers and he is reminded of his own little hair hurricane.
The latest with Matthew and hurricanes was an experience Karl had. We've taught the children how to say "I love you" in sign language. Most people know this symbol. Using your right hand, you have your thumb, pointer finger and pinkie finger extended, and the others folded.
In our family, we sometimes make the sign and then make our fingers "blink." It's our way of making a neon I love you sign. Sometimes we wave with the hand as well, saying it's a wave of I love you. Well, Matthew took it a step further. He made the I love you sign and was making it in a circle. Karl asked him what it was, and Matthew said, it was a hurricane of love.
God's Word says that children are a treasure from the Lord. In moments like this, I have no doubt (it's the baby powder spills all over the bedroom that make me waiver). I do rejoice in my children, and thank God for the privilege of raising them.
I think God planted something special in all children. Their great capacity for loving is indeed a treasure!
I remember when we buzzed his hair last summer. The cowlick was even more pronounced. This was during Hurricane season, and before Katrina. Someone at church came up and said, "Matthew, you have a little hurricane on your head." Sure enough, with his hair buzzed, that cowlick did look like a little hurricane in his hair.
For some reason, Matthew has been fascinated with hurricanes ever since. Maybe because we buzz his hair during the summers and he is reminded of his own little hair hurricane.
The latest with Matthew and hurricanes was an experience Karl had. We've taught the children how to say "I love you" in sign language. Most people know this symbol. Using your right hand, you have your thumb, pointer finger and pinkie finger extended, and the others folded.
In our family, we sometimes make the sign and then make our fingers "blink." It's our way of making a neon I love you sign. Sometimes we wave with the hand as well, saying it's a wave of I love you. Well, Matthew took it a step further. He made the I love you sign and was making it in a circle. Karl asked him what it was, and Matthew said, it was a hurricane of love.
God's Word says that children are a treasure from the Lord. In moments like this, I have no doubt (it's the baby powder spills all over the bedroom that make me waiver). I do rejoice in my children, and thank God for the privilege of raising them.
I think God planted something special in all children. Their great capacity for loving is indeed a treasure!
Friday, September 8, 2006
Beware of the Yeast
I couldn't believe it. I was laughing because it was just too funny. Of all the things to win a blue ribbon and a special prize on top of it. It's just too funny!
This week is our local county fair. I entered 6 different baked goods, including dinner rolls. When I was making the rolls, following the directions of course, I had to set the yeast in a separate container and then start on the rest of the bread. I got the bread all kneaded, covered and set to rise, when I realized, I had forgotten to put in the yeast!
This was too much. I was also baking three types of pudding cookies and banana bread and cornbread and there just wasn't time for silly mistakes like this! At this point, I didn't care about ribbons, I just wanted the dinner rolls to turn out because I didn't want to waste the ingredients. So I worked the yeast into the dough and worked it and worked it, and prayed.
There was judging all morning and afternoon yesterday. Then, later in the afternoon I went to get our concession stand open that is a fundraiser activity for my son's 4H group. The official entries for the fair only need three pieces on a plate. So the rest of my baked goods went to the concession stand to help the kids. After working in the booth and cleaning up and tallying the profits and so forth, I finally had a chance to go see some of my entries.
I had heard that I got 4 blue ribbons and 2 red ribbons, and I just knew it was the dinner rolls that got a red ribbon (surprised they didn't throw them out), but there were the dinner rolls, set out on top with a line of other special prize winners. I couldn't believe it. I still chuckle when I think about it.
There is this verse in the Bible where Jesus says beware of the leaven (yeast) of the pharisees. I needed to beware of forgetting my yeast when I was baking! Yet just a simple thing like that, and the Lord answered prayers about making the dinner rolls still be edible so that food wouldn't be wasted. God is good. I'm glad He has time for the little things of life.
This week is our local county fair. I entered 6 different baked goods, including dinner rolls. When I was making the rolls, following the directions of course, I had to set the yeast in a separate container and then start on the rest of the bread. I got the bread all kneaded, covered and set to rise, when I realized, I had forgotten to put in the yeast!
This was too much. I was also baking three types of pudding cookies and banana bread and cornbread and there just wasn't time for silly mistakes like this! At this point, I didn't care about ribbons, I just wanted the dinner rolls to turn out because I didn't want to waste the ingredients. So I worked the yeast into the dough and worked it and worked it, and prayed.
There was judging all morning and afternoon yesterday. Then, later in the afternoon I went to get our concession stand open that is a fundraiser activity for my son's 4H group. The official entries for the fair only need three pieces on a plate. So the rest of my baked goods went to the concession stand to help the kids. After working in the booth and cleaning up and tallying the profits and so forth, I finally had a chance to go see some of my entries.
I had heard that I got 4 blue ribbons and 2 red ribbons, and I just knew it was the dinner rolls that got a red ribbon (surprised they didn't throw them out), but there were the dinner rolls, set out on top with a line of other special prize winners. I couldn't believe it. I still chuckle when I think about it.
There is this verse in the Bible where Jesus says beware of the leaven (yeast) of the pharisees. I needed to beware of forgetting my yeast when I was baking! Yet just a simple thing like that, and the Lord answered prayers about making the dinner rolls still be edible so that food wouldn't be wasted. God is good. I'm glad He has time for the little things of life.
Friday, September 1, 2006
Compounding
The latest detour in our journey with our oldest son's health is chelation. Michael's doctor has thoroughly tested him and we have worked with diet/allergies for a while. The next step is removing the mercury he was poisoned with during childhood vaccinations. Now, not everyone gets 4 shots in one day, but Michael did, and at the time, we didn't know any better. We've learned a lot since then about speaking up and researching for ourselves when it comes to health.
Michael still has a problem with swallowing pills, so we have to use a medicated lotion for the chelation process. This is something that has to be "compounded." This is not something that is kept in stock as a lotion. Only the chemicals are kept in stock, to be compounded when a prescription comes up needing it.
Michael's doctor called in the prescription to some place in New Jersey. I called them to work out the money details. All they wanted was my credit card number, and they weren't too free with information from their end, so I said no thank you and called around. Turns out our local pharmacy in our town has started compounding. Lately, they've been marketing their compounded bio-identical hormones. So, I thought I would give it a try.
Sure enough, they were friendly, answered all my questions, and didn't ask for my credit card until I was satisfied with the answers. Plus, they gave me a better price than the place in New Jersey and I saved the shipping costs!
I was reading an article lately about how more pharmacies are starting to put compounding areas back in their facilities. It seems that more and more people are becoming aware of the need to go back to the old ways of doing things. Another article in another magazine was touting the latest in veterinary news: doctors making house calls. Seems they've figured out that most of the felines and canines do much better when they are in their own environment.
It seems that every where I look, the "old, outdated, non efficient and certainly not politcally correct" ways of doing things are coming back and holding their own. People are getting tired, perhaps, of the computerized voices and no personal touch in anything these days, and they want things the way they used to be, people helping people right in their own communities.
It reminds me, however, of something very interesting I learned a few years ago. We went to a meeting where leaders of our area church district were talking about evangelism. They showed on a chart what had the best effect for leading people to Jesus and what had the least effect. They also showed what church members are more willing to do, and what they are least willing to do for evangelism.
It was very interesting that television and radio were the least effective witnessing tools, yet they were the ones the church members were the most willing to do. The most effective forms of evangelism were one on one Bible studies and other personal efforts. These, of course, were the things that church members were the least willing to do. Our society seems to be crying out for the "personal touch."
I hope God can use me to touch a life, because I know He has used many of you to touch mine.
Michael still has a problem with swallowing pills, so we have to use a medicated lotion for the chelation process. This is something that has to be "compounded." This is not something that is kept in stock as a lotion. Only the chemicals are kept in stock, to be compounded when a prescription comes up needing it.
Michael's doctor called in the prescription to some place in New Jersey. I called them to work out the money details. All they wanted was my credit card number, and they weren't too free with information from their end, so I said no thank you and called around. Turns out our local pharmacy in our town has started compounding. Lately, they've been marketing their compounded bio-identical hormones. So, I thought I would give it a try.
Sure enough, they were friendly, answered all my questions, and didn't ask for my credit card until I was satisfied with the answers. Plus, they gave me a better price than the place in New Jersey and I saved the shipping costs!
I was reading an article lately about how more pharmacies are starting to put compounding areas back in their facilities. It seems that more and more people are becoming aware of the need to go back to the old ways of doing things. Another article in another magazine was touting the latest in veterinary news: doctors making house calls. Seems they've figured out that most of the felines and canines do much better when they are in their own environment.
It seems that every where I look, the "old, outdated, non efficient and certainly not politcally correct" ways of doing things are coming back and holding their own. People are getting tired, perhaps, of the computerized voices and no personal touch in anything these days, and they want things the way they used to be, people helping people right in their own communities.
It reminds me, however, of something very interesting I learned a few years ago. We went to a meeting where leaders of our area church district were talking about evangelism. They showed on a chart what had the best effect for leading people to Jesus and what had the least effect. They also showed what church members are more willing to do, and what they are least willing to do for evangelism.
It was very interesting that television and radio were the least effective witnessing tools, yet they were the ones the church members were the most willing to do. The most effective forms of evangelism were one on one Bible studies and other personal efforts. These, of course, were the things that church members were the least willing to do. Our society seems to be crying out for the "personal touch."
I hope God can use me to touch a life, because I know He has used many of you to touch mine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
