My Friends ~ You Guys are the Best!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Extra, Extra!



Just to update everyone on a few things. Writing the Omer takes much of my time, but I am honored to be able to share it with you. If you are blessed in some small way, that is even better.

If you are following me and I have not returned the favor, please leave me a note and a link in the comment section. Sometimes when I click on your pictures it brings up a window for me to read about you and sometimes it doesn't. I live in the sticks and have AT&T wireless. Sometimes is my middle name, I think.

We have had three more babies (girlies this time!) since Sunday. I have taken more pictures, but need to get them loaded onto the computer still.

Monday, Passover, I had to keep extra grands and the well pump had a fit. We were without water for about six hours. So much for Passover Seder. We will still have a dinner with the Seder Plate, so the boys will better understand and remember the importance of Passover. It isn't the day so much, as doing it in remembrance. (Okay, I had a mild fit on Monday, but I am past that now.)

Dh's cousin had surgery today and the news was not good. We are taking care of the chores at their farm also. I haven't told Granny yet, as to how the surgery went. Dot is named after Granny (who will be 92 this Oct.). I was concerned if I told her this evening, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. So tomorrow I have to share the news with her. Not looking forward to that.

There is more, so much more, but I am exhausted tonight. All the kids and grands will be here Friday for a cookout. My mission for tomorrow is to clean off the kitchen table, if I decide to except it. I'll let you know. LOL

The good news is, I have lettuce and radishes, etc. coming up! Just pots I planted as it is still a little early. But I am looking forward to fresh greens.

I miss getting to check in on all your blogs. I am just spread a little thin right now. Please be patient with me. Hugs!

Counting of the Omer ~ Day 2



Counting of the Omer ~ Day 2

Today is Wednesday, March 31, 2010, or Nissan 17, 5770.

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

Tonight it would have been much easier to just throw up my hands and forget doing the Omer. But, then I realized the enemy would see that as a victory and that while my mind seems to be racing in a hundred different directions, this is that which is needful. (You no doubt remember the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was cumbered about with much serving while her sister, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus. Martha complains, wanting Jesus to tell Mary to get herself busy and help. Instead, He answers Martha, “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

So, this is me, Martha, trying to learn from my sister, Mary…or something like that. At any rate, this is where I must be. This is where my life will once again find it’s center, hope will return and faith shall be restored.

I am not quite ready to leave Egypt (figuratively), as there are so many valuable lessons we can learn if we tarry here a little longer. It is the day after Passover. And God speaks to Moses, explaining the plan and their destination. They are to encamp in Etham, at the edge of the wilderness.
Okay, let’s look at this for a minute. Moses has already made this trip twice, once when he fled Egypt after killing the Egyptian task master and when he returned after his burning bush experience with God. It isn’t that far of a journey and Moses knows the way.

However, when we turn the page to Exodus 14, God tells Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they turn and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, over against Ballzephon: before it shall ye encamp by the sea.”

This word Pihahiroth is “mouth of the gorges.” So rather than take the route Moses is accustom to, God is placing the people between the gorges and the sea. (Kind of like “the rock and the hard place.”) And then God tells them, “For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, they are entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.” Exodus 14:3 Not only that, there was a tower at Migdol where Egyptian soldiers could watch for the enemy. The soldiers would see the children of God and report their position to Pharaoh.

But God had a plan. It was His plan to so completely deliver Israel, no one could ever doubt it.

Messianic Significance of the Crossing of the Red Sea

Here we are presented with one of those jewels of scripture that you will never see, unless you attempt to understand Hebrew!

Contained in verse 13 of Exodus 14, Moses says unto the people, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of YHVH (the Lord). The Hebrew word used here for salvation is “yeshuat.”
Does this word remind you of anything? Anyone? Did you say Yeshua? Yeshua! That’s right. It’s not many times that the Torah (Old Testament) outright tells you that you are about to see Yeshua, so this must be important.

This brings up a number of important points. For one, it is connecting the act of salvation with (spiritual) warfare.

It is this Torah picture of deliverance at the Red Sea that helps to teach us the Hebrew concept of salvation. The deliverance of the children of Israel from Pharaoh is a picture of our salvation experience being a deliverance from Satan. We have been delivered into the kingdom of God.

During the actual deliverance, Moses stretched out his arm with
the staff in his hand. In fact, Adonai states that He will "redeem
them with an outstretched arm." Knowing that the deliverance at
the Red Sea is a picture of the work of the Messiah, what is the
connection between the phrase "outstretched arm" to the work
of redemption of Yeshua (Jesus)? That's right! Just as Moses'
outstretched arm secured redemption for Israel, so too does
Yeshua's outstretched arms on the cross secure
redemption for us. The Torah gives us perfect pictures of the
work of the Messiah.

Father, the last few days have been hectic and we have
functioned with little or no sleep, but through it all we have seen
your outstretched arm. You continue to bring deliverance in each
situation, but often we fail to recognize deliverance and salvation
when we are in the midst of trials. So, Father, on this second
night of the Omer, I ask that You give us wisdom, not that we
would be wise in the ways of Egypt (or the world), but wise in that
we would be able to see You are always working for our good. I
ask this in the Name that is above all other names, Father. In
the Name of Yeshua, Amen.

BTW - Thank you for your kind comments. They are very encouraging. Can I ask you to pray for our cousin? She had cancer surgery today and the news is not what we wanted. Her name is Dot Shaw. Thank you!

Blessings,
Cheryl

Counting of the Omer ~ Day 1


Counting of the Omer (or Sefirat HaOmer)

A little background ~ The Counting of the Omer takes place beginning on the second night of Passover and ends seven weeks later on the festival of Shavuot. Shavuot is also known as Festival of Weeks or Pentecost and it takes place on the 6th of Sivan.

It is on the Feast of Shavuot that God gave the law on Mount Sinai. Of course, Passover (which begins on the 15th of Nissan), is the feast marking when God told Israel to placed the blood on their door posts in order that the house which was marked with “the blood” would be passed over. (Just as we have to apply the Blood of Yeshua to our hearts today.)

“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are” and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial’ and ye shall keep it a feast to the Lord throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” Exodus 12: 13-14

The Omer is counted in the evening, after the sun goes down.

Counting the Omer ~ Day 1

Today is Tuesday, March 30, 2010 or Nissan 16, 5770. It is the second night of Passover, thus the Counting of the Omer begins.

BA-RUCH A-TAH ADO-NAI E-LO-HE-NU ME-LECH HA-OLAM ASHER KID-E-SHA-NU BE-MITZ-VO-TAV VETZI-VA-NU AL SEFI-RAT HA-OMER.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us concerning the counting of the Omer.

For weeks, I have prayed about and thought much about what I would study for this year’s Omer. Then earlier tonight, in a way only the Holy Spirit can lead, it began to come together in my mind ~ the direction this year’s Omer would take.

When the people left Egypt, it took seven weeks to reach Mt. Sinai. Early Rabbis taught these 49 days that connect Passover with Shavuot correspond to the forty-nine drives and traits of the human heart. Each day saw the refinement of one of these sefirot, bringing the people of Israel one step closer to their election as G-d’s chosen people and their receiving of His communication to humanity.

For us today, it is a spiritual journey. A time for remembering all God has done and to recognize what He is doing, as we count the days until Shavuot, which was not only the date that God meet with Moses on Mt. Sinai to give Israel the law, but the date the Holy Spirit was given in the Upper Room.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” Acts 2: 1-2

And so, as we make this spiritual journey, we prepare our hearts to receive the Holy Spirit (in greater measurer). It is a time for pulling away from the world, in order that we might draw nearer to God.

Just as the early Rabbis believed this was a time for dealing with the traits of the heart, I believe it was a time for getting Egypt out of the hearts of the people. God did a mighty work in bringing His people out of Egypt, but it must have taken even longer to remove Egypt from their individual hearts.

The same is true today, when we receive salvation through Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ). God calls us to come out from among them. But how much of the world do we attempt to bring along in our Christian walk?

I have been very upset the last few days and one of the things that has upset me is the manner in which our president treated Netanyahu last week. I cannot fathom the amount of arrogance it would take to send a visiting head of state to their room without dinner. Are you kidding me?! That was not only arrogant it was just plain bad manners and a total lack of respect. (Didn’t his mama teach him anything?)

But because of this little incident, arrogance is a trait I desire totally removed from my life.

I have thought back over the times I have said something that appeared to be arrogant, many times it was something that I said in ignorance rather than arrogance. It would seem the two go hand and hand much of the time, which is just an observation, not an excuse.

So, tonight I pray that our Heavenly Father would forgive me for those times when I have spoken out of (either ignorance or) arrogance. I ask that He help me to learn to listen more and speak less. And that when there are things which I do not understand, may He teach me to bridle my tongue and bring it under submission.

Blessings,
Cheryl

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Sunday At Our Place

Unknown Mami

I know it is time for Sundays In My City. So here I am. However, I wanted to do something nice for someone else, kind of pay in forward. My friend Beth has given me a way to do just that. So, while this is a little different, it is what is going on this Sunday at our place! And you all are invited!

I recently received this from Beth. Isn't it precious! And because it is a virtual Easter basket, full of good things, those good things contain no calories, only the opportunity to help those in need.



This Easter season, Hershey is celebrating it’s new Easter products sold exclusively at Walmart and their legacy of making a difference. Hershey’s will donate up to a total of $5,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network. For each blog that participates in the blog hop by sending virtual Easter Baskets, Hershey’s is donating $10 to the Children’s Miracle Network.

Officially, I am sending this to the following people:


Katie @ Dishin'and Dishes
Georgie @ Decisionally Challenged
Dianna @ Bits and Pieces

Unofficially, I am sending it to all of YOU! Not only that, I am challenging each of you to send it to at least three bloggers!

HERSHEY’S BETTER BASKET BLOG HOP RULES

* Copy and paste these rules to your blog post.

* Create a blog post giving a virtual Easter Basket to another blogger – you can give as many Virtual Baskets as you want.

* Link back to person who gave you an Easter Basket.

* Let each person you are giving a Virtual Easter Basket know you have given them a Basket.

* Leave your link at BetterBasket.info/BlogHop comment section. You can also find the official rules of this #betterbasket blog hop, and more information about Better Basket with Hershey’s there.

* Hershey’s is donating $10 per each blog participating to the Better Basket Blog Hop to Children’s Miracle Network (up to total of $5,000 by blog posts written by April 4th, 2010).

* Please note that only one blog post by each blog url will count towards the donation.

Thanks again, Beth, for the wonderful Easter basket and the opportunity to help someone else!


Personal Note: I hope there are not too many mistakes in this. I am too tired to proof and from the looks of some of the stuff I proofed earlier today, I wouldn't see the mistakes anyway.

Thank you for taking part in the Hershey Easter Basket Blog Hop! And have a great holiday!

Blessings,
Cheryl

It Is A Crazy Day Here!



It's Saturday and I promised to show you what I had won and tell you about a giveaway. And I will, but later in the day.

Our Oklahoma winds have been sweeping down the plain, a little too much! The wind is interfering with my wireless connection and it has my allergies stirred up way too much. I just want to sleep, but then I wake myself just trying to breathe.

Seven kids here this weekend and not only is the house upside down, we have turned the day upside down. I didn't get up as soon as *they* thought I should. They had been into the cereal, juice, peanut butter and boiled some eggs by the time I got up. So ~ they wanted hot dogs with chili my first venture into the kitchen. Blah!

They got the hot dogs, I made a fresh pot coffee and we are going to have pancakes and eggs for supper. How's that for shaking things up?

Now it is nearly time to make bottles for the outside babies. (At least no chili will be involved!) I'll be back when things calm down here. Hopefully, in a couple of hours. In the meantime, enjoy your weekend!

Hugs!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

A Friday First

Normally, Fridays are for Friday Fragments.



So, when I suggested to the Oklahoma Bloggers to do a meme about Oklahoma, why did I pick the last Friday of the month for Oklahoma, You're Doing Fine!?



But then, much of what I say is pretty fragmented. That's especially true, when talking about my life.

Growing up Okie, meant learning to crawl in a flat bottom fishing boat down on Little Sandy.

It involved falling off the second story church three doors down while playing hiding & seek.

It was swimming at Lee's Park on hot summer days, while listening to All Shook Up on the jute box.

It was digging potatoes or picking corn over July 4th, turning the hand crank of the ice cream freezer, and then sitting on top of the pile of old quilts covering the freezer while the ice cream "set."

It was going to California and while crossing the state line from Arizona into California, having the state inspector shine the flashlight in the car window and laugh at our bare feet. "Yep, you're from Oklahoma!." He was, too. As was half the Indian dancers at Disney Land (our Mom visited with all of them. One was kin the the Aldridge family that had built hotels in Ada, Wewoka and other Oklahoma towns.)

It was eating Watermelon in the backyard with all the neighbors and washing off with the water hose.

It was skipping school and going here:


And later, once grown, learning your own kids did the same thing, only they went here:





It was spending days fishing on Texoma or getting to climb the caves at Robbers Cave with cousins. The same cousins who were the enemy when you were heavily involved in a war. The ammo was mud and the clothesline was the "front". Mom's freshly washed sheets....well, let's just say, we never did that again.

What is was, was grand!

Can you name this popular Oklahoma picnic area of the 50's & 60's? It is closed now. There is a prize for the correct answer! You have until next Friday.



For Friday Fragments, visit Mrs.4444 at Half-Past Kissing Time. For more posts about Oklahoma (hopefully) checkout the Links below.

Again, many thanks to my friends Beth and Katie! I could not have done this without you!

Be sure and check in tomorrow. I'm going to show you what I recently won and tell you what you'll have a chance to win! This is my 100th post!

Wade's Wisdom:

Stir Fry Cooks come from all woks of life.

Blessings,



Answering Questions - Supplements

This post is for everyone. I just started with Katie (she is special though), because I had Jordan's links handy. ;-)

Katie, yes, I am familiar with Jordan Rubin’s book, The Maker’s Diet. I think I have it, if I haven’t loaned it out. I read it and agree with much of what he says, but it is pretty extreme (as I’m sure you know). I study with another doctor (an M.D.) and he calls eating Jordan’s way, The 3000 diet ~ if it wasn’t around 3000 years ago, don’t eat it.

For those of you who do not know Jordan’s story, you can read it here. It is both interesting and inspiring.
Jordan is also the founder of Garden of Life (vitamins and supplements) which is one of the Cadillac companies in the health food industry. It is a great product, but pricey. Still, they have one or two products that are above comparison.

Biblical Health Coach

This is another one of Jordan’s sites. You can take courses in health and wellness and even become certified as a Biblical Health Coach. I am working my way through these courses (slowly) now. The information is A+ and they are well written. If you are interested in these courses, be sure and leave a comment. I have a little more information to share.


My General Recommendations

(Sorry, these are not organized better. I promise to do better next time.)

Nearly everyone is iodine deficient. You can test this using tincture of iodine. I had to purchase mine at a locally owned drug store. The cost was around $2.00. Under your breast bone, above your waist area, use the tincture to paint a circle about the size of a silver dollar. This should be visible for between 14 to 16 hours. If it disappears sooner, you are iodine deficient. The first time I did this, the circle was not visible after 30 minutes!

Every cell in your body needs iodine to function properly. I use Iosol which I order from Fubao Health Store in San Francisco. My naturopath recommended this brand and it has worked well for both me and dh. The cost is $11.90 for one ounce, which will last us almost a year.

Fubao is also a good source for Sodium Ascorbate, which is a form of Vitamin C. You can take unlimited amounts of Vitamin C in this form and it will not cause loose stools (Ascorbic Acid, the most common form of Vitamin C will cause loose stools.)



They also have a great price on Natural Calm which is a powdered magnesium supplement – we buy the Raspberry Lemon flavor, which I don’t mind but it is tart.
Magnesium protects the heart and the brain, besides strengthening the bones. If you have severe headaches or restless leg syndrome, magnesium is wonderful. (I should probably explain how to properly take magnesium, but will try to get back to this.)

I would not be without any of the products I am mentioning today. Our whole family benefits from the ones I am telling you about.. I also try to keep a good supply of Vitamin B Complex and Ginkgo Biloba. Ginkgo helps to open up the small capillary veins that close as we get older. It is good for treating high blood pressure and to prevent memory loss. On the Vitamin B, I like the liquid supplement such as Perfect B. The body absorbs it much faster.



Judy, on the Skull Cap, I buy Solar Ray brand. Mainly, because I have better results with this particular brand. Skullcap can lower your blood pressure. If you have low blood pressure you should use more caution.

Everyone should have activated charcoal capsules on hand. If you get food poisoning the most common treatment in the ER is charcoal. It will help stop nausea and will pull toxins from the body.

If you know someone who has gout or arthritis, a good treatment is concentrated dark cherry juice. You can buy it at the health food store. You only want to take about a teaspoon a day starting out, but you can build slowly to a tablespoon if needed.

If you are buying supplements to improve your health (and why else would you buy them?), do not buy from Wal-Mart and do not buy from GNC (I think that’s the right letters). Most of these are a waste of money.

Vitacost is a good company to order from and the shipping is $5.95 regardless of how large your order is.

Fubao has good prices and the shipping is reasonable. I was surprise how quickly my order arrived.

If you have a good locally owned health food store (and their prices aren’t too high), they are a great source, not only for products but also for information.

This past week, I started taking a new supplement Phosphatidylserine. Because I am taking this for the first time, I am not fasting or doing anything out of the ordinary, other than trying to get my water intake up to where it should be. You can read about what Phosphatidylserine does here. I started taking it Sunday and remarkably, I’ve had two nights of really good sleep! Which is pretty amazing for me.

Another vitamin we don’t think about that is very beneficial (okay, they are all beneficial, so that doesn’t make a whole lot of sense) is Vitamin D 3. Before you say, “I get Vitamin D from dairy products,” let me explain. Once the cream is separated from the milk, then the milk is pasteurized and homogenized, you are left with very little Vitamin D and what is there is Vitamin D 2, not 3. Also, dairy (unless you are purchasing your milk from someone you know, therefore know their feeding practices) is loaded with female growth hormones, in order to increase milk production. But these hormones are passed on to the consumer. This isn’t good for little boys or little girls. (I’m sure you understand all the problems ivolved, but we can talk about this later.)

Vitamin D 3 comes from the sun. It would be nearly impossible to overdose on this vitamin. Imagine this – if you where on a south seas vacation, wearing a bikini (okay, maybe you aren’t wearing a bikini – I won’t be either), the sun on your skin would be producing 20,000 units of D 3 an hour.

One study showed a higher percentage of women developed MS in the more northern states. This was true until sun screen use became so popular. Now, studies show women in the more sunny south develop MS at the same rate.

Vitamin D3 helps to strengthen and build the immune system. It is believed it helps fight diseases such as cancer and auto immune diseases. As we get older, we spend more time inside. When we are outside, we are often wearing clothes that prevent the sun from reaching the skin or we are wearing sun screen.

Vitamin D3 is about $7.00 for a month’s supply.

Dianna, if I were you, I would be taking the following:

Magnesium (Natural Calm)
Iodine (Iosol)
Vitamin D 3

I would cut out sugar, wheat and corn from my diet for a month and see if there was noticeable improvement. During the cold and flu season, I would also take Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbate). And absolutely, no artificial sweeteners.

Patrick suggested an educational site, I will try to visit the site over the weekend. Thank you for the heads up, Patrick!

And thank all of you for putting up with me!

Blessings,
Cheryl

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Alphabe - Thursday "J"

Jenny Matlock



Jennifer, Jailen Jacob, Josiah, Brennon James, Bobbie Jean! J's abound in my family. Not only that, we have six January birthdays and one June birthday. We are JOYFUL!

For more Alphabe - Thursday posts, visit Jenny Matlock. You can link up and tell us all about the letter J.

Wednesday's Notes



Rec'd a text message from Beth. Knee surgery went well, but she is in a lot of pain. Please keep her in your prayers.

We are nearly finished with school for the day. Except for one project I want to do. Then we'll be working with the horses for awhile. I'll be back later.

Have a wonderful day, everyone.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Tuesday's Treasures



Mari, at Mari Larkin is starting a new meme and today is the first day! It is for us grandmothers (I am Mammaw), or whatever your precious grands call you, to have a chance to share. Come on, you know you want to show those babies off!

I chose some pictures from last summer. There is a wonderful lake about 12 miles from the house and you gotta know, all the grands like to meet there to swim, fish and cookout.

Below are the three youngest (for now). In this first picture Mac (Michaela) is on the left and Keighly (pronounced Key Lee) is on the right.



This is Shaylee Elizabeth and today is her birthday!



Shaylee is in kindergarten and knows all the cheerleading moves! You should see her teaching the other two cheers and dance. I laugh until I cry! They are adorable and make my heart smile. They truly give me a merry heart and we all know ~ A merry heart doth good like a medicine!

Thanks, Mari, for the opportunity to share.

Naturopathic vs Allopathic

This post probably isn’t for everyone ~ just saying, kind of a caution light, warning of what is ahead.

With the passage of last night’s healthcare bill, I am going to encourage you, urge you to begin to take control of your health and the health of your family.

You may of guessed or assumed by now, I am a big fan of naturopathic medicine. I am not totally against allopathic medicine, as I believe it too has it’s place. I just think people should use wisdom and no one knows your body better than you.

With the internet and the availability of information, it is fairly easy to do the research. Allopathic medicine relies heavily on manmade compounds, often containing chemicals that respond differently depending on the person taking them. They produce side-affects and sometimes cause unforeseen problems in the future.

My health liberation started in the late 90’s. I was extremely overweight, had high blood pressure, was enjoying the typical American diet, a border-line diabetic, and mainlining Dr. Pepper. I was on seven medications at the time.

I began to develop Stevens Johnson Syndrome, which can be life threatening and is a severe skin disorder. At the time, I did not know what it was, but each time I went to the doctor, I asked questions and we discussed what could possibly be causing the terrible sores that were covering my body. The most often response, nerves. One P.A. told me it was poison ivy. Really? I know poison ivy and this was not poison ivy. My main physician suggested Prozac, I said no. So, I began my own research.
My biggest concern was the question, if something is causing this kind of problem on the outside of my body, what is it doing to the inside of my body?

After reading everything I could find on skin disorders, medicines causing skin disorders, side-effects of the meds I was on, I was pretty sure which medication was causing the problem and quit taking it. Yeah, looking back, that might have been a bit reckless, but to continue taking a medication that was possibly causing major problems was just as reckless. Within weeks, the sores on my body began to heal. I was overjoyed! Two and a half months later, I went back to the doctor for my regular appointment.

The doctor was thrilled to see the improvement in my skin. When I explained to her the information I had discovered concerning Steven Johnson Syndrome and the med I had eliminated, she wasn’t as “thrilled.” She assured me, it was not SJS and wanted me to give the medication another try. Well, okay. (Back then, I actually thought she knew best. After all, she was the doctor.)

Within three weeks, I began to develop sores once more. I pitched the medicine for good.

During this time, the Holy Spirit was also speaking to my heart to make dietary changes for my health and the health of those around me. I was in my 50’s and dh and I had acquired a second family, three little boys to raise. I realized if I didn’t make changes, I wouldn’t be around to do the work God had given me.

The very first changes were 1) no more Crisco and 2) no more Dr. Pepper. About the time I adjusted to cooking without Crisco –or any other hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated shortening or oil – we felt led to stop using table salt (which is sodium chloride) and switch to sea salt, preferably Celtic Sea Salt, which is all natural and still contains all the trace minerals.

From this small start, we have continued to make small changes and some not so small changes. It has been a very gradual change, but each of us, have experienced better health and that has been greatly impacted lives.

I found a wonderful naturopathic doctor and with her help, I was able to stop using the other six prescription medications. My health has continued to improve and where I could not stand on my feet for any length of time, I can now work standing for several hours.

Three years ago, we were awaken early one morning, with our oldest daughter pounding on the door. She said, her husband (who was 29) had had a stroke or something. She had managed to get him along with their three children in the van and drive to our house. We left all the kids with Papaw and I went with her to take David to the emergency room.

The doctors there, thought David was having seizures and gave him injections to stop the seizures, each time he was injected, his body reacted with more seizure like activity.

A team of doctors was called in, including specialists in internal medicine, neurologist, psychiatrist – the whole “shootin’ match”. After being hospitalized for over two weeks, we asked the doctors if he could be having a reaction to some of the medications. They lowered the doze and extended the time between doses. David slowly improved and was allowed to go home after 17 days. A few weeks later, he had another episode.

To make a long story short, he had been to the doctor for a gall bladder problem three days before the morning Jenny came banging on the door. We first suspected all his problems might be related to a pain medicine the doctor had prescribed. Then one day, David was drinking a Mountain Dew, and asked what bromeliad(ed) (I think that is correct) vegetable shortening. It’s purpose is to keep the citrus flavoring suspended in the liquid.

When we looked up the possible side effects to this little known ingredient, BINGO! Every side effect, right down the line matched David’s.

Armed with this information, David went back to visit the neurologist. They did extensive testing and found David’s body does not make a particular enzyme that is needed to breakdown certain foods and medicines. Once we got to the bottom of the problem, he has been able to manage with only mild reactions. The only drawback is never knowing when he might consume something only to find out his body cannot tolerate one or more of the ingredients. Another, more common ingredient he has trouble with is MSG.

Of our herd of boys, one was born 10 ½ weeks early. He came home after a 5 week stay in Children’s Hospital, on oxygen and a heart monitor. For about 7 months, he saw the doctor once every two weeks. He is now 10 years old and has never seen a doctor since being discharged as a baby, except for wellness check ups.
The same is true for the other three boys and three of the other grandchildren.

I would be crazy to suggest their overall good health is because of me, as we rely heavily on prayer. But when they do need something for a minor illness (earache, etc.), God has been faithful to either heal the hurt or lead us to the solution.
As for me, I am 62 – raising four busy boys, homeschooling, teaching at the local university, helping to take care of my m-i-l (Granny will be 92 in October), helping to run the homestead, and running a candle business. I think that is pretty good for my age. (And yes, I am still overweight..just not as bad!)

I have considered getting my naturopathic license, as I love taking classes and studying all of this vast knowledge God has given us. However, God has allowed me to help a number of people over the last few years and that is what it is all about. Why get a license at my age? Why not just continue to study and help all those who seek help?

I wrote all this is to say, if I can do it, YOU can certainly do it!

Last Thursday night, one of the grandsons who isn’t normally here was spending the night. About 9:30 p.m., he started crying with an earache. He is 8 and I knew it really hurt, as he never wants to go home and he was willing for me to call his mother. I thought and thought, what could I use on his ear? Then in my spirit, I knew. I placed two tablespoons of olive oil in a small glass bowl and added a clove of crushed garlic. I place the bowl in a small pan of warm water and let it heat over low for a couple of minutes. Then I turned off the heat. When the oil cooled to just warm, I put a few drops in the ear. I gave him a skullcap to take. (Skullcap is an herb that relaxes the body. It is wonderful for stressful headaches.) I massaged the area around the ear with the remaining oil and along his neck on that side. I fixed him a warmed pillow to sleep on and he went right to sleep. The next morning, he bounced up and said, “Mammaw, my ear, it don’t hurt anymore!”

I was so thankful, but at the same time it amazes me we have lost the art of healing, of knowing what herbs God has provided for our use. We have become a society, trained to rely on some else’s knowledge, rather than seek the Great Physician! I think with the new healthcare program, we all need to relearn some of the very basics of what our grandmothers knew.

There are some great resources out there and many of them are inexpensive. In a few days, I’ll try to list some sites.

Blessings,

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Old Fashion Root Beer

Homemade Old Fashion Root Beer

I will gladly share my recipe for homemade root beer. It is very easy and takes less than thirty minutes.

Homemade Root Beer

Ingredients:
1 bottle McCormick’s Root Beer Concentrate (2 oz.)
5 lbs. sugar
5 gallons of spring water
3-4 lbs. of dry ice



Wal-Mart carries the McCormick’s Concentrate and that is also where I buy the dry ice. (I usually cut back some on the sugar, but not too much.)

You will need a large plastic container, something that will hold over five gallons and also allow room for the dry ice to “bubble”. We have one ice chest set aside for making root beer. To stir, I use a very large wooden spoon or you could use a large plastic spoon Do not use anything metal.

Pour first 3 ingredients in the ice chest and stir. When the sugar begins to blend in, add the dry ice. Continue stirring, but do not splash. You do not want the dry ice to come in contact with your skin. *I do not allow the kids a turn at stirring until the dry ice begins to calm down.* As the dry ice melts, it chills and carbonates the root beer. If the amount of dry ice is correct, the root beer will be icy when all of the dry ice is melted. (You should be able to tell when all the dry ice is melted, but be sure and do not allow any dry ice into the serving cups. We have never had an accident with the dry ice, but you will need to use caution.)

Once the dry ice is melted, the root beer is ready to serve. Kids (of all ages) love watching the process as smoke rolls up off the dry ice and the “brew” begins to fizz.

We make this every 4th of July or whenever all the grands are going to be here, as well as for family reunions. Last year, I taught a summer cooking class for kids through the Continuing Education Department at our local university. Making root beer was one of the most requested classes. We also made homemade pizza for the same class! Big hit!



Lehmans carries extracts to make fourteen flavors including, crème soda, strawberry, orange, etc. You will find them listed in the kitchen section, under Homebrew Soda Pop. I think this summer we will also make crème soda and strawberry.



You can also find a recipe similar to the one Sonya mentioned here.

I don’t worry about leftover root beer going flat. If there is any left, I pour it up in one of the empty gallon water jugs. The kids finish it off making root beer floats. You can purchase the equipment to bottle it if you like or you can use the yeast method. We only make it when we are having a *crowd* so leftovers have never been a problem.

I hope you have fun and enjoy!

Some of My Favorites

It's cold, snowy and spittin' sleet today. The wind is howling and feels like it is coming right off the North Pole. But last week was awesome!

It was spring break, grandkids were all here, and we had fun! Come along!

Unknown Mami

One sassy lass ~


One good lookin' guy ~


My favorite strutin' rooster ~


Another stutter ~


Makin' homemade root beer ~



Let's travel the world together! Visit Unknown Mami for more cool places!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Saturday and Where is spring?


Wishing for this!



Receiving this!


It’s Saturday! Shalom! Peace, sweet peace and quiet...almost! After having a grand total of all 11 kids for a little over 24 hours, having had many in and out over the past week, we are down to two! Amazingly, two kids are pretty quiet after having a houseful.

The good/bad news is – the last two days have been beautiful, but it started raining last night. Not just raining, but a huge spring thunderstorm with lighting, pounding rain, etc. Today it is *warning, four letter word *ahead* snow! It is March 20th - -snow?! Not just snow, a 24 hour blizzard. Well, that’s just great. Isn’t it the first of spring? I mean we are six weeks (and then some) past Ground Hog Day.

Actually, the ground is so warm, even if it snows it’s heart out, how much snow will remain on the ground for longer than a few hours, days? But that brings up another *word* mud!

As I was dusting today (I do that occasionally), I was musing over the fact that living in the country, I am always fighting either dust or mud. For when we have mud is the only time we don’t have dust (well, nearly). Of the two, I prefer dust. Why, because if you keep the mini blinds closed and the lights low *candles are good here* you have a more difficult time seeing the dust, unless some smart aleck writes his name in it.

Yesterday morning for breakfast I cooked 1 pkg (12 oz.) of bacon, 1 can of spam (special request from one of the grand-dudes), and 1 package of beef smoked sausage (some of us are trying to give up pork). Along with that they consumed one dozen eggs, 2/3 of a (large) box of Rice Krispies, 1 gal. of orange juice, 10 bananas, at least 4 oranges, and toast. I felt like I had fed a small (but determined) army! Imagine my surprised when 45 minutes later they wanted to know if they could go on a picnic. I made them wait 2 hours. It was torture, but I did it anyway (and loved it).*

*Beth*
pay attention (just kidding you!) – they needed the red food coloring to make it appear to be fire coming from the volcanoes. And yes, they did it again yesterday, when one cousin showed up that was not familiar with the fine art of making volcanoes. (I figure at least they will know how to freshen plumbing drains when they grow up, so it wasn’t a total lost. As a matter of fact, (being the home school person I am), I could list this under *creative play* - *life skills* - *simple science* (well, you really get a chemical reaction) or under a number of other subjects! At least, they came up with the idea on their own - *maybe creative thinking skills*.

Anyway, nine went home last night, and it is quiet and I miss them. But so glad I am not going to be cooped up in the house with all of them if this snow really gets going. I’d have to loot a grocery store!

*My Health Walk* ***Warning, gross conversation ahead***

I gave up on my fast for this week. After making a million P&J sandwiches (and having to lick the knife before putting it in the sink), I figured I was fighting a loosing battle. But I did try to work on the candida cleanse – avoiding sugar, wheat, starch, etc. Interestingly, the candida cleanse I am using has several herbs that are somewhat drying. I have also been taking a product called Lungs Clear, trying to dry out the last residue of the crud. I really didn’t consider the affect of taking both herbal combinations at the same time. (Probably why it isn’t always a good ideal to be your own doctor.) But for the last couple of days, I have itched like crazy! So I upped the amount of Omega oils I was taking. Last night my hands itched so bad, I got up and mixed olive oil with some lavender essential oil and messaged into my hands to get some relief. I slept wonderfully afterwards. *gross part* I went to the bathroom this morning to do my morning *umhm* thing, and passed a parasite! Lands, I was shocked, because I wasn’t doing a parasite cleanse, but the combination I was “accidentally” taking evidently dried the poor critter up! Glad he is no longer a part of me.

BTW – for what it is worth, everyone should do a parasite cleanse twice a year.

Going to work on the fast starting this coming Monday.

*The Promise, My Spiritual Walk*

With the sighting of the New Moon and the barley being ripe in Israel, we begin a new Biblical year. It is an exciting time as we move closer to Passover (and closer to the Sacrifice Yeshua (Jesus) made for each of us). May this year be one that brings each of us to a deeper revelation of His presence!

Last night (Friday) at sundown began the Biblical Sabbath and the Parsha study (Torah portion) for this week, which is from the first five chapters of Leviticus and is titled Vayikra, which means “And He Called”. May your heart hear His call and may He shower each of you with blessings!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

It's Friday!

Mommy's Idea



The following photo has nothing to do with this post. He is for sale. I want him. I was told, no way. I am sure we will be discussing alpacas again. LOL



Things You Learn Over Spring Break

I know you are thinking, Cheryl home-schools, so what could possibly be the big deal?! Yes, I do home school, but spring break means the other grands are here, the distant cousins from across the pasture are here, and occasionally even a cousin’s cousin shows up!

“It’s too hot to play outside.”

*Really?! It’s 60 degrees. What will you do come August?*

“Why do I have to carry out the trash? So & so doesn’t have too!”

*Because I said and because So & so doesn’t live here.*

“Can I have another juice box?”

*Not right now.*

“Why, Elijah got a juice?”

*It’s his first. You’ve had three!”

“But I’m thirsty.”

*Drink some water.”

“What are we having for – breakfast? – lunch? – supper?”

*Food!*

“But I’m hungry!”

And to think, I was looking forward to summer.

The nice little guy showed up with the census form today. Looking over the questions, it asks how many people live in your house as of April 1st? *Only one. I plan on kicking everyone else out!* (I can always blame it on April Fools.)

While I was looking over the census form, the herd of kids took my baking soda and vinegar outside to pour into the volcanoes they made in the sand. That wasn’t enough. I caught them when they came back for some red food coloring!

With the new moon and it now on the increase, we had another baby goat. A little buck. So far this season we have 2 does, 3 bucks. I read somewhere, if you wanted more does to add vinegar to the buck’s drinking water. We may have to try that next year. Wonder if this has any scientific basis?


Wade’s Wisdom:

I learned something amazing today. Almond Bark contains neither almonds nor barks. Talk amongst yourselves...

And while you are talking among yourselves, go by Mrs. 4444 for more Friday Fragments. Then head over to checkout the cool Leftovers at Sippy Cups Are Not For Starbucks.

The Girl Creative

It is also New Friend Friday at The Girl Creative.....go make some friends!

Have a great weekend!

Thursday's Notes

The laptop has picked up a virus from facebook, I think. It has been a nuisance for a couple of weeks now. Anyway, better-half has had the laptop trying to debug it. Hence, I haven't had much time online.

My fast isn't going well. It's Spring Break (Really? What was I thinking?) Having extra kids each day is going well. Thankfully, we have had tons of sunshine!! I'll try to be back tomorrow with a more "regular" post, but today I am going to leave you with one of my all time favorite stories, which you have probably seen before. It's okay....I read it over and over! Enjoy!



The Daffodil Principle

Several times my daughter, Julie, had telephoned to say, "Mom, you must come see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from my place by the beach to her lakeside mountain home.

"I will come next Tuesday," I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call. The next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and so I got in the car and began the long, tedious drive.

When I finally walked into Julie's house and hugged and greeted my grandchildren, I said, "Forget the daffodils, Julie! The road is invisible in the clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and the children that I want to see bad enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly, "We drive in this all the time, Mom."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears and then I'm heading straight for home!" I said, rather emphatically.

"Gee, Mom, I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car," Julie said with a forlorn look in her eyes.

"How far will we have to drive?"

Smiling she answered, "Just a few blocks, I'll drive ... I'm used to this."

After several minutes on the cold, foggy road, I had to ask "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"

"We're going to the garage the long way," Julie smiled, "by way of the daffodils."

"Julie," I said sternly, "please turn around."

"It's all right, Mom, I promise, you will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church I saw a hand-lettered sign ...

"Daffodil Garden"

We got out of the car and each took a child's hand, and I followed Julie down the path. As we turned a corner of the path, and I looked up and gasped.

Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it down over the mountain peak and slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, saffron, and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted as a group so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.

Five acres of the most beautiful flowers I had ever seen!

"Who planted all these?" I asked Julie.

"It's just one woman," Julie answered, "She lives on the property. That's her home," and she pointed to a well-kept A-frame house that looked small and modest in the midst of all that glory.

We walked up to the house and on the little patio we saw a poster ...

Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking

50,000 bulbs
one at a time
by one woman
2 hands, 2 feet
and very little brain
Began in 1958

There it was ... "The Daffodil Principle"

For me that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than thirty-five years before, had begun - one bulb at a time - to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountain top.

Still, this unknown, old woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. She had created something of magnificent beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration:

* learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time, (often just one baby-step at a time)
* learning to love the doing,
* learning to use the accumulation of time

When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Julie, "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years. Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her direct way, "Start tomorrow, Mom," she said, "It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of our yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson a celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask ... "

"How can I put this to use today?"

May your day be blessed!

Georgie, if you read this....I missed you! Tried to comment on your site last night (wonderful pictures!), but my signal wasn't good.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Hey, Monday, Comeback .....I'm not through yet!

Don't you just hate it when you get sidetracked? I started this last night (Sunday), worked on it this morning (Monday), and now I finally have enough time to post it - check the links, etc., only it will be Tuesday in another thirty minutes! Where did my day go? I'm not ready for it to be Tuesday, I'm not through with Monday yet!

I am contemplating changing things up a bit. I hope in doing so, I won’t upset anyone.

I was going to begin a “fast” today; however dd#1 and her family came down this afternoon to bring a surprise and I cooked dinner for extras. I am not sure if I find it difficult to fast when I know company is coming or if it is a great excuse to wait one more day.

With that in mind, Tuesday I will begin a fast and a master cleanse for three days. Then the next three days I will be doing a candida cleanse. I have been working on different areas of my body since the beginning of the year, but haven’t written about it until now. I hope writing about my journey will serve to keep me more focused and possibly posting will encourage someone else. For that reason I have decided to add an update each day. I’ll try to keep it short and not too boring. And I will title it My Health Walk. That way you will be able to skip that part, if you are not interested,

Next, the Passover/Resurrection season is nearly upon us. I will be writing something about the meaning and the connection of the two occasionally. After Passover, I am planning on Counting the Omer (or Sefirat HaOmer). I will explain this is greater detail as the time draws near. If you are not familiar with Counting the Omer, basically it is the counting (with special attention given to study) the 50 days between Passover and Shavuot (or Pentecost). This year the dates are March 30 to May 18. I am not definite on this year’s topic, although something that was said on another blog did spark my interest. Perhaps the meaning of Honor and Women of the Bible. I will title this part of my posts The Promise. There again, hoping to allow you the option of whether you want to follow along or not.

I would like to eventually divide this blog into pages, but it will have to wait until I feel *smart enough*.~ Someday. ~ That would allow me to be more organized and it will allow better access for you, my friends.

If you are following me and I haven’t returned the favor, please leave me a reminder!



(TADA) Thanks to Dianna at Bits and Pieces, I rec’d my very first award! Along with the award I have the opportunity to pass it on to ten terrific bloggers! And selecting (just) ten, was difficult! Here are my first five bloggers to receive the Sunshine Award! I am still working on the second half!;-)




Raymonde at Every Day I Walk With You.

Dawn at Mamaz Place

Mzz Terry at Mzz Terry's World

Katie at Dishin' and Dishes

Jennifer at The Cotton Wife

Raymonde, who lives across the pond (I always wanted to say that), is hosting a wonderful giveaway! Not one giveaway, but three! Yes, there will be three winners!



Be sure and visit Raymonde's Blog. Visiting with Raymonde will bless you.

Izzy is also hosting a giveaway. She is giving away a lovely piece of jewelry made from Eye of the Tiger. Please be sure and visit her blog and while you are there read her post titled, Kathleen - The Story. It is the touching story of being reunited with her birth mother.

If you haven't met Raymonde and Izzy, you are in for a real treat!


Blessings,

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Sundays In My City

Sundays In My City is brought to you by Unknown Mami. Go visit the many other places from around the world.

Unknown Mami


On rare occasions we break loose and leave the homestead behind (as long as we are back to help feed that evening) and do something different ~ like a field trip. One of our favorites is the annual Medieval Fair held each year in Norman, Oklahoma (Go Sooners!), in March. Want to come along?

These pictures are from last year.









Thanks for going on our field trip!



P.S. Later this week I'll be naming my own Sunshine Award winners, announcing a huge contest and shhhh....Unknown Mami was the winner of the Jacquie Lawson membership!