Earth Day PSA

I hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend! I have a PSA (public service announcement) to share with you...

Do you celebrate Earth Day? What’s your celebration like? A great way to “celebrate” the earth is to reduce our carbon footprint. Bill Gates says we can reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the number of people who live on the planet!

In this video, you'll hear him dance his way through it by touting vaccines and "reproductive services" (aka: abortions). What???

Instead of committing global genocide, how 'bout we all work together to take care of our planet??

Here’s the plan...

• Use cleaner transport
• Walk, bike, or take public transit (or carpool) whenever possible.
• Avoid allowing your car to idle. If you'll be waiting for more than 30 seconds, turn off the engine (except in traffic).
• Don't take the drive-through (fast food junkies)....park the car and walk inside instead. Or, better yet...cook at home, and skip the fast food!
• Have your vehicle serviced regularly to keep the emission control systems operating at peak efficiency. Check your car's air filter monthly, and keep the tires adequately inflated to maximize gas mileage.
• Driving over the speed limit and excessive acceleration wastes gas (reducing mileage by up to 33%), money, and results in an unnecessarily higher carbon footprint. Slow down!!
• Combine errands to make fewer trips. Remove excess weight from your car. Use cruise control.
• Avoid short airplane trips-take a bus or train instead.
• Eat more local, organic, in-season foods.
• Plant a garden....it doesn't get more local than that!
• Shop at your local farmer's market or natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that haven't traveled long distances to reach you.
• Choose foods with less packaging, to reduce waste.
• Eat lower on the food chain...going meatless for just one meal a week can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption.
• Reduce, reuse, recycle!
• Recycle all your paper, glass, aluminum, and plastic. Don't forget electronics!
• Buy less! Replace items only when you really need to...like after they break, or stop working!!
• Compost food waste for the garden. Garbage that is not contaminated with degradable (biological) waste can be more easily recycled and sorted, and doesn't produce methane gases (a significant greenhouse gas contributor) when stored in a landfill.
• Buy recycled products, particularly those labeled "post-consumer waste."
• Adopt water-saving habits
• Take shorter, less frequent showers...this not only saves water, but it also saves the energy necessary to heat it.
• Don't use the garbage disposal...compost instead.
• Run the dishwasher and the laundry machines only when full. And, if you can, dry your clothing outside on a clothes line (this saves electricity)!
• Wash cars rarely, or better yet, take them to a carwash. Commercial carwashes use less water per wash than home washers, and they are also required to drain used water into the sewage system, rather than storm drains, which protects aquatic life.
• Avoid hosing down or power-washing your deck, walkways, or driveway.
• Regularly look for, and fix, leaks.
• Choose sustainable building materials, furnishings, and cleaning products.
• Explore green design features for your building, like passive solar heating, a rainwater catchment or grey water recycling system, and recycled materials.
• Choose efficient appliances, including low flow shower heads, faucets, toilets; also furnaces, air conditioning units, dishwashers, and refrigerators. ENERGY STAR labeled products are recognized as having superior energy efficiency.
• Choose furnishings that are second-hand, recycled, or sustainably produced.
• Plant drought tolerant plants in your garden and yard.
• Use biodegradable, non-toxic cleaning products.
• Add solar panels to the roof of your home. This costs a little more than the above options, but many providers offer financing options which minimize upfront costs. Two examples are SolarCity and SunRun. If you live in a state with a Net Metering law, you could eliminate your electricity bill, or even earn money, by selling electricity back to the grid.

Every day can be Earth Day; if everyone on the face of this wonderful planet of ours would consciously make these points a part of their everyday life, our CO2 emissions would be drastically reduced...without reducing the size of the world's population!

Have a great day, everyone...and God bless you!! oxoxox

Update Time!

I really don’t want to do this....do I have to face tomorrow? *ugh*

Sorry, everyone....I've not been in the best of moods, lately. Tomorrow was supposed to be a special day; not that I was going to celebrate it, but knowing that I can't vs not wanting to, is different. Tomorrow would have been mine and my late husband’s anniversary. Having been estranged from him, for our anniversary, last year, it would have been no big deal to treat this one like it was just another day, same as last time. But, knowing that he’s gone....I find myself wishing I could celebrate it; or just talk to him.

So, here I go again, with the sadness and anger stages of grieving. To be honest, I feel like blowing up at someone (or hitting them), just to feel some kind of release. I don’t like feeling this way...I’m generally a very mild-mannered and loving person! So, feeling this way is very uncomfortable to me....but, I don’t know what to do with it!

I even noticed, yesterday, that I had been grazing on cheese corn. I only wanted a little bit of it...just a couple handfuls; but, I ended up eating much more than I should have. It’s an old habit of mine; I was an emotional eater, for the longest time. Back in the day, any time life got a little difficult I’d reach for whatever junk food I could get, and stuff my face, until I felt better. I can’t let myself do that, anymore!!

I think one of the biggest issues I’m facing is the fact that regardless of what had broken us up, through the years, we always found our way back to each other, eventually; he and I had been “on again, off again” for 24 years. And now that he’s dead, I have to get to the point where I’m at peace with the fact that that’s not going to happen, anymore.

Father God, please help me deal with this pain...I honestly don’t want to feel this way, anymore!!

~~~~~

In other, happier, news....

My youngest daughter will be turning 21, on Saturday; we’re both very excited about that! And, not only is my granddaughter crawling, now; she has her first two teeth...the bottom front teeth have come in!! I’m a very proud Mamma and Grammy!

I love how baby girl is gnawing on my Bolthouse Farms drink bottle!
We tried to get her to put it down, but she refused to give it up! LOL!

Oh, I've also joined a fitness club, called Forever Fitness 24. I started last week, with the goal of becoming strong enough to stand for 2 hrs or more, because I’m going to see Def Leppard in August. I've been a fan of theirs for a very, very long time, and have never seen them, live; I want to enjoy the show!! Secondary goal...I’d like to be able to lose 50 lbs by then, as well....new wardrobe!! LOL!

I’ll also be taking Yoga and Zumba classes, as soon as I’m able to move a little more fluidly. Here are some of the machines I’m concentrating on....

The only CRUNCH I can handle!!

I swear, I could sit at this machine all day....I love it!!

Not looking for serious muscle...just want my arms
firm and toned.

Another one of my favorite machines!

Is it a press...or a row?? Either/or, it's working my shoulders!!

I sit this way, and turn around facing out, to do this
behind my neck, as well!

This is a LOT harder than it looks!! LOL!

My Oncologist is happy with my new fitness routine, and he said the exercise will help lower my blood pressure....it’s been a bit high, for a while now, and we’re both a bit concerned about that! I told him I refuse to take blood pressure medications, because I don’t want to be dependent on a prescription drug, for the rest of my life. He reluctantly ok’d that decision! LOL!!

There are much more healthy ways to lower blood pressure, and I intend to utilize those methods to keep mine in check.

• I don’t smoke....I don’t drink alcohol, either.
• I've changed a lot about my diet, in recent years (looking into changing it a bit more)
• I've begun a fitness routine
• I take supplements
• I don’t drink coffee that often (I prefer tea)
• I’ll be signing up for Yoga, soon (meditation and deep breathing are good measures to take in lowering your blood pressure)
• I don’t have the stress of a job at this time
• and I love listening to music!

I’m sure I’ll be just fine, without any medication! And, I’m researching natural ways to combat the blues, as well, so depression doesn't take control of me...because I truly don’t want to feel this sad and lonely, anymore!!

Stay healthy, and happy....and have a blessed day!! oxoxox

The Savvy Survivor - A New Chapter

First, I want to thank all of you for your love, prayers and support, since I announced the death of my estranged husband. It has, truly, meant a lot to me! One of my Twitter fans even said, as an encouragement, that now is the time for me to prove my title...The Savvy Survivor.

Typically, when I hit the emotional wall, like this, I would resort to binge eating, drinking alcohol, or smoking to cope with my nerves. I can’t do either of those, anymore...because they would do more harm, than good. So, I need to find another way to cope with this massive roller coaster of emotions I find myself on, at this time. A niece of mine, whom I’m very close to, suggested I vent in the form of a blog.

So, until I can function, again, as a normal human being, this blog will contain entries full of despair, confusion, grief, and anger, from time to time. Please bear with me, my loves...I pray I can breathe again, soon!

I met James two years out of high school...we had gone to the same high school, but ran with different crowds. The day we officially met, there was a connection almost immediately. And, even back then, we had some obstacles to overcome; he was often times, moody and distant, and I never could figure out why. The reasons he’d give me never made sense.

We broke up more times, during the 24 years we knew each other, than I can count! And, the only breakup that was my idea was the one that led to our divorce, back when our kids were little; the darkness he had allowed himself to get swallowed up by, had caused him to become violent, and I was genuinely afraid for me and the kids. I had no choice, but to leave.

Hardly anyone I know (family and friends), was able to understand why I kept getting back together with him...and our getting re-married blew everyone away! Some people even called me a fool. My family didn't like him, all that much, because of the way he treated me, when the darkness rolled in; what they still don’t understand, is that I knew him well enough to know the “asshole” behavior (pardon my use of terms) wasn't his fault...it wasn't intentional. I may have been the only one who could see that.

What was James' fault, was that he never sought help for this mental disease (I believe he was bipolar). He didn't want to be labeled “crazy”, so he never got tested for depression, or bipolar disorder, or anything of that nature. The only disease he got help for, was diabetes...it was a physical illness, not a mental one.

After we separated, this time, I found myself getting caught up in all the negative energy a few of my family members were sending out; he was being accused of plotting and scheming against me, and I joined in. How else would they see it, when James had convinced me to sign away the remaining child support he owed me, and then we fell apart (again)? I even questioned whether or not he ever loved me, at all....verbally, in an e-mail to him. And now, I wish I could tell him I know the truth; after speaking with a long-time friend of his, I know now, he really did love me. I'm sorry, I couldn't see it, then.

Why is it that we never really know someone, until after they’re gone?? I also found out from a conversation with my youngest daughter after she had contacted James' mother, he only abandoned me, when I told him I was diagnosed with breast cancer, because he didn't believe me...he and I weren't on good terms, at the time. I wish I had known that, then...I would have sent him my medical file.

If I could go back in time, to the day we met, and do it all again...I would. The only thing I would do differently is insist that he get help for his mental distress, and get on medication to control it, once I saw that breaking up had become a habit.

Knowing (now) how much he loved me, I could have shown him some tough love and not taken him back, until he got help....we would have avoided getting divorced, in the first place, if I had insisted back then. I’m sure it would have helped.

When it was good between me and James, it was SOOO good; but, when it was bad...it was just easier to hate each other. The emotional roller coaster he and I had been on, all those years, took its toll on our relationship, in the end. I know he loved me, as much as I loved him; but, the darkness that kept swallowing him up, always managed to build a wall between us. Until now, no matter how many time the darkness came between us, we managed to dig through the wall, and find our way back to each other.

This time, the darkness won.

And now, I find myself experiencing emotions I never knew I had; and ones I don’t want to feel! This morning, on my personal Facebook page, I made this statement, as if I were talking to James...

“It's been a week, since you took your life; and, even though, we weren't speaking to each other, I found a certain sense of peace knowing you were still out there....somewhere....being angry at me. What am I going to do, now??”

I’m lonely, and distressed; I feel empty and incomplete...angry, lost, guilty. And, I’m experiencing all of these emotions, and more, all at the same time; it’s dizzying! I saw a picture of James, from back in high school (senior photo), yesterday, and felt like I got punched in the gut!

I’m trying hard to focus on the good times James and I shared; but then I end up sobbing, hysterically, because the realization hits me...we’ll never have any more good times, together. Right now...I'd settle for an argument!

Father God, please help me get through this!!! Hold me in your arms, and help me to see that I will be alright, some day!!

It's Christmas Eve!

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19 KJV)

As I sit and connect with God, this morning, He brings me to this Scripture, and it got me thinking.

I've often said that it’s not a great idea to assume what God’s doing, or thinking. That means you’re putting yourself in His place, and you believe you know more than He does (I'm guilty of this, myself...but I've learned my lesson!) Lucifer did that....and was thrown out of Heaven for it.

All the time, I hear people ask, “If God's so "all powerful", why does He allow bad things to happen? Why doesn't He just stop them?” Well...if someone comes chasing after you, with a big stick, aren't you going to run for cover?? How do any of us know that maybe God’s allowing all these bad things, because He knows they’ll bring us closer to Him??

The Bible says, in Psalm 9:9, many people are suffering— crushed by the weight of their troubles. But the Lord is a refuge for them, a safe place they can run to. (Easy to Read Version)

Now, I’m not assuming to know what God thinks, or anything...I’m smarter than that! LOL!! But, think about it...the Scripture, above, tells us He does new things to make life a little more bearable!

For instance, consider all these different Bible translations we have available to us, these days. So many people get offended at them, citing that the King James is the ONLY translation there should be; but, how do any of us know that it wasn't God’s idea to create easier to read versions of the Bible??

I’d consider that making “a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”. Wouldn't you??

See...thanks to all those different variations/translations, more people are getting to know God, because they can finally understand what the Bible is teaching! Granted, some of those translations have left whole verses and chapters out (not good, folks!); but if you can’t understand...

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” (Romans 12:16-18 KJV)

you might be able to understand... “Be friendly with everyone. Don’t be proud and feel that you are smarter than others. Make friends with ordinary people. Don’t mistreat someone who has mistreated you. But try to earn the respect of others, and do your best to live at peace with everyone.” (same Scripture, but from the Contemporary English Version)

Folks, we’re not supposed to be fussing with each other over what God’s will is; it’s not our place to assume we know what God is up to, with all that’s going on in the world! That would be usurping OUR will, and claiming it's God's will. We’re only supposed to be concerned with how He wants us to impact the world!

That’s OUR job...the job of the Believer; and, the biggest impact would be to introduce the Savior to those who may not understand that that’s who He is.

We’re also not supposed to stand in judgment over anyone, for any reason, either, and I hear more and more Believers doing that! Jesus' own words to His followers:

Luke 6:37-38 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (KJV)

Luke 6:37-38 Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don’t condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you’ll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. (The Message)

This is what we (the Believers) are supposed to be doing with our time...

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (KJV)

Mark 16:15 And then he told them, “You are to go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere. (The Living Bible)

The GOOD NEWS (aka: The Gospel) is that Jesus gave up His life, being crucified on the cross and resurrected from the dead, so no human being would have to spend eternity in Hell...we can all go to Heaven! The only “catch” is that you have to believe that...if you don’t receive what Jesus did for you, as the gift it was intended to be, you won’t make it to Heaven.

Not my rules, folks...just the truth!

Jesus even said it.... “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) The Father is God, and He lives in Heaven; none of us will ever get there, if we don’t believe that Jesus IS the Savior of the world.

The Apostle Paul taught us how to do that...

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)

You don’t have to change how you live, or think, or dress, or speak. You don’t have to convert to another religion. And you don’t have to “be a better person” before you decide to believe and confess; just do it!! And, I know, some of you are thinking, “Why would anyone give up their own life, for me??” Simple...He did it, because He loves you; and He knew that was the only way to bring you Home.

That was the whole purpose behind His birth...He came down from Heaven to bring us Home!!

John 1:14 And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. (AMP)

And, wouldn't you say that a virgin birth was a "new thing"? It only happened once, in the history of mankind!

Enjoy your Christmas holiday!! And, God bless us....every one!

oxoxox

The Pain of Waiting

Ohmygoodness!! As I'm writing this, I'm experiencing a monsterous cramp, in the back of my right hip! OWWW! This is what I've been dealing with for the last 5 weeks!

It all started during "Atlanta Weekend" (last weekend of June). I thought it was just a temporary thing, because during my flight from Akron to Knoxville (meeting up with my oldest daughter), my plane lost altitude, suddenly. I'm not kidding...we literally fell out of the sky! Scared all the passengers, and of course, I tensed up. Who wouldn't, right??

So, I hobbled through the weekend, expecting to get back to normal, once I returned home. I was wrong. The entire month of July, whatever this is that's happening, got progressively worse! And, I don't even know what caused it!!

What happens is like this...I feel tightness in my lower back, buttocks, hips, and thighs (kind of like a charlie horse) and while these muscles are tight, they spasm! Sometimes the spasms come first, but not always; and recently, my calves, and feet, have been twitchy, as well....so, it's spreading. At first, it only happened at night, then it began happening right around lunch time...now, I'm in the pain zone all day. I've even been woke up by charlie horse sensations, in the middle of the night! Not nice!!

I've asked my Surgeon to call in a prescription for Skelaxin, after clearing it with my Oncologist. My sister uses it, and she gave me one, one afternoon; it felt so good to move without being in pain!! And, my Oncologist said it wouldn't interfere with the chemo pill. But, I'm still waiting for my insurance company to approve the prescription! I've been waiting for about a week, now...I didn't have to wait THIS long for my Xeloda to be approved!!

This whatever it is has significantly limited my activities. It takes me twice as long as normal to get from the recliner to the bathroom, now; and traveling anywhere is agony!! I've even had to spend the night in the recliner (now I sleep there, every night), because laying down in my bed is impossible, without dealing with excruciating pain! And, until I can get some relief, I won't be very active...which, consequently, will make my condition worse...and/or cause more problems.

I've been trying to get in to see my Surgeon, so he can run some tests to see if we can (hopefully) discover what's gone wrong, but his schedule has been totally screwy, lately; he's had to reschedule me five times! Hopefully, I'll be able to see him, next week! It's been a year, since my surgery....I shouldn't be having this issue!!

Something is very wrong...and I hope it can be fixed!!

On a brighter note, I think I've found my "magic number" with my chemo pill, Xeloda! I can tolerate four pills a day, as long as they're spaced apart. So, I take two pills in the morning, and two in the evening; I just hope my Oncologist is ok with this! LOL! I'm feeling good, other than the muscle thing! And, I'm looking forward to him telling me, "it's gone!"

Have a great weekend, my loves! I'll keep you updated, as soon as I know anything!

God bless you! oxoxox

Change is Inevitable

Everyone experiences change, from time to time. Our lives changed, the day we got diagnosed...when someone gives birth, when someone passes away, when someone gets married, or divorced...things change; even our everyday lives are different, from day to day. It's how we progress through life.

Yesterday, I announced on my Facebook page, that there were some big changes about to take place in my life. Today, I’d like to share what they are, with you. A couple things you may already know about.

As I've mentioned before, I’m legally married (Lee is my maiden name); my estranged husband and I haven’t seen each other for over a year. Our lives are moving in two different directions; and, I've encouraged him to file for an annulment, since he’s the one who doesn't want to be in the marriage, anymore. He was the one who suggested the separation, and shortly after that, he left Ohio.

The only time I've ever heard from him is when I've e-mailed him, and he sends a reply; and all he’s talked about are his dreams of owning a house for himself, and making a life for himself…no mention of me in that future, at all. And, he certainly wasn't all that concerned, when I told him about my diagnosis; he told me he wasn't sure what I expected him to do about it, but he was sorry I was going through this. So, I’m waiting for him to file the annulment, and send it to me, so I can sign it; in one of our previous e-mail conversations, I gave him my address, but I have no idea where he is.

I’m also making plans to move to Knoxville, TN, sometime this year. The sooner, the better, as far as I’m concerned; however, I still have to remind myself that all things happen in God’s timing, not ours! LOL!

As I’m making these plans to relocate, I've created a Wish List for myself; it’s comprised of all the things I want for my new home. I think it’s a complete list...there are a few things I intentionally left off the list; I can get them, the day I move into my new apartment. You can see my Wish List here; and, if you would like to help me fill it, I appreciate that! Thank you, very much!!

The shipping address is different than mine…I’m having my things shipped to Knoxville ahead of me, so by the time I get there, I’ll only have to move in, rather than spend the day collecting furniture and things. That just makes more sense to me! If you've decided to help me fill this list, and can't find the shipping address, please let me know!

My oldest daughter, her hubby, and their families live in the Knoxville area, so I’ll have familiar faces around me, even though my surroundings will be unfamiliar for a while. My oldest daughter’s Dad and I have been friends for years, even though our marriage didn't work out, either. And, everyone’s excited about me coming to live there! The storage facility I rented is at the company she works for…she’s the Assistant District Manager, at Storage Pros and works at the facility on Sutherland Avenue! If you ever need a storage unit, in Knoxville (or know someone who does) I highly recommend Storage Pros…and you can tell them I sent you!!

And, as you may know…in July, my youngest daughter will give birth to my first Grandchild! It’s a girl, by the way! I've already begun picking out frilly little dresses, and hair bands; and I’m in the process of crocheting a blanket for her…the nursery colors will be pink, brown and white!

My daughter has even been discussing some “raising baby” rules with me, for when I have her to myself. She’s going to be such a great Mommy; I'm so proud of her!! She’s also talked about plans that she and her boyfriend are making to take the baby on trips, and to museums, amusement parks, the zoo, etc. Everyone is SUPER excited, and very anxious for the baby’s arrival…July can’t come soon enough for us!! LOL!!

The last big change will happen gradually; I’m hoping to be able to lose at least 80 lbs. by this time, next year. I’m looking forward to being lean and healthy, once again… I've been overweight, and unhealthy, for far too long!! Look out world…here comes the “New Me”!!

And, there you have it! These are the big changes that will soon be happening in my life. I have a feeling life is going to be one great big adventure, with all these things taking place; but, I think I’m up to it! LOL!!

Thanks for being part of that adventure! Have a blessed day!! oxoxox

Today is Easter Sunday

Mark16:5-7 when they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid His body. Now go and tell His disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.”

As I reflect on what this day means to me, I’m reminded of the moment I received the gift of salvation that Jesus bought for us. I was raised in a Christian home, but lost my interest when my Dad died; I was 13 years old, then. I told God I wasn't interested in serving a God who would steal a little girl’s daddy away from her. I didn't know much, then; I now know, my Dad wanted to go…he had been sick for so long (diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and high cholesterol), and he just wanted relief. I believe he’s in Heaven, and I’ll see him when I get there.

After I had walked away from God, I spent the next 18 years of my life, living for myself and struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy. I became a wild child! In today’s society, those children aren't looked down upon by many. They drink, do drugs, have sex with multiple partners, party too much, cuss at everyone and about everything; they’re disrespectful, rude, selfish, and spiteful. But, sadly, that’s the norm, these days….they’re just kids. I was one of them, back in the 80's and 90's, and my life was going nowhere, fast!

Fast forward to the year 2000. At the time I was reacquainted with God, I was living in a homeless shelter, and my two younger children were in Foster Care; my oldest daughter was living with her Dad. The powers that be were telling me I’d never see the two who were in Foster Care, again. I’m still not saved, at this time, so I believed what I saw, heard, felt, tasted, and touched. It was the lowest point in my life…no matter how hard I struggled to get back on my feet, the voices of reason were telling me it was hopeless. And, I was losing the will to fight.

While I was a resident of that shelter, I met a lady who was down on her luck; as a result of her misfortune, she became a resident, as well. She was a firm believer in God, and taught me about Jesus. She laid hands on people and made them well, when they were sick; she even gave one lady peace enough to cause her to sleep for 12 hours, after being awake for 4 days, straight. Every time she touched someone’s life, she’d say “In Jesus’ name!”, and she stood firm on the belief that God was going to make things right for all of us! I’d witnessed God’s power, and decided that wanted that in my life; she told me the only way to live in the power of the Holy Spirit was to get saved, and allow the Spirit to guide you.

I gave myself to Him, without hesitation! It was a moment, I can honestly describe in the words of Van Halen’s song, "Love Walks In"…

Contact is all it takes
To change your life to lose your place in time
Contact! Asleep or awake
Coming around you may wake up to find
Questions deep within your eyes,
Things you've never realized

[Chorus:]So when you sense a change
Nothing feels the same
All your dreams are strange, love comes walkin' in
Some kind of alien
Wait for the opening

Simply pulls a string…Love comes walkin’ in

A huge weight was lifted off my shoulders! I could BREATHE!! Everything looked different, too…the sky was bluer, the clouds were fluffier, the sun was brighter; and the birds sounded better, too! In prayer, the night I got saved, God told me to stop listening to the voices telling me I’d never see my kids again…He said I’d get them back. He was right!! Not only did I get my kids back, I got a job and a place for us to live! This Child of God was loving her life, once again!!

Since becoming a Believer, however, I have had moments where I've done things my own way, instead of the way God wants me to do; and those moments have always resulted in loss, confusion and a human struggle I could barely survive. The Bible warns us not to do things our way…

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

I guess my wild child habits were hard to break! LOL!!

The latest realization of this, being my recent diagnosis. I was supposed to begin eating as a flexitarian about nine years ago; God kept prompting me to change my diet, and only eat certain things; but, I always treated those moments as a time of fasting, rather than a lifestyle change. It was during this time that I got heavy into soy products, as well. Not listening to God’s instructions about my eating habits for that long, I’m now in the fight of my life…for my life! Lesson learned, trust me!!

With that said, I’d like to explain a little about what this day is all about. Jesus told Nicodemus, who was a Teacher of the Law of Moses, that in order to get to Heaven, we must be born again; and He explained what that meant, because Nicodemus was a little confused about it.

John3:1-17 (NLT) There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”

3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into His mother’s womb and be born again?”

5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.

10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.

16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

When we surrender ourselves to God, and receive the gift that Jesus bought us, by way of His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead, we are born-again (or saved); we will be the ones going to Heaven, when we die. There is no preparation necessary for this moment; you don’t have to “clean up your act”, start going to church, give to charity, or anything. You just simply need to want what Jesus bought of you. Life will still be life, and at times it will be difficult…but having God on your side makes even the difficult moments, easier to navigate!

Let me back you up a little, and explain WHY we need to receive the gift of salvation…Romans 5:12-21 explains it pretty clearly:

Romans5:12-21 (NLT) When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. 13 Yes, people sinned even before the law was given. But it was not counted as sin because there was not yet any law to break. 14 Still, everyone died—from the time of Adam to the time of Moses—even those who did not disobey an explicit commandment of God, as Adam did. Now Adam is a symbol, a representation of Christ, who was yet to come. 15 But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.

18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.

20 God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. 21 So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And, Paul mentions the purpose of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, in his letter to the church at Corinth, in 2 Corinthians 5:15-17…. "He died for everyone so that those who receive His new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! 17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"

I have been a new person, since the year 2000…it’s about time I acted like it!! LOL! I do regret not living as that new person, until now; but the Bible says God can turn anything in something good for those who love Him.

Romans8:28 (NLT) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.

And, He has…as a result of my decisions, and my recent diagnosis, I have the chance to get to know you! I've been given a great responsibility to not only share my story, and guide you to a healthier life, through proper nutrition…but, also to share Jesus with you! He truly is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).

I realize now, how much more complete my life is with Him. As I surrender myself to Him, daily, and learn to listen to God’s instruction, I am blessed more and more. It’s true, my life isn’t all that great…I have a terminal illness. I’m going to die, some day. But, while I live out the rest of my life, I will live for Him; and I’ve discovered that life isn’t all that bad, after all! LOL!!

Please consider receiving the gift of salvation that Jesus bought for you. I would love to see you in Heaven, some day! Don’t worry about not meeting me, in our human forms…we’ll recognize each other, there!

Let me also encourage you to watch The Passion of the Christ. It’s an account of what Jesus went through, the last few days of his life…and in giving Himself up for us. You'll want to turn the captions on, because the movie was done in Aramaic (I think). It is a bit graphic, as well; but, that only serves to drive the point home. He went through physical Hell, being beaten and hung on the cross; and then descended into Hell, itself, to beat Satan and free us from ourselves! There was an earthquake, as soon as Jesus died…I believe that was everyone who was in Hell, running for the door, when Jesus came in and asked, “Who wants to go Home with me?” LOL!!

Some scientists say they believe that this particular earthquake was global, and that it was responsible for creating all of the fault lines we now know about. The Bible does say the earth shook…

Matthew27:51-54 (NLT) At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus’ resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people.

54 The Roman officer and the other soldiers at the crucifixion were terrified by the earthquake and all that had happened. They said, “This man truly was the Son of God!”

He is the Son of God; He loves you, and He wants you to know Him better…give Him the chance to transform you into a new person, today! And, don’t worry if you screw up…just ask for forgiveness, and put it behind you!

And, have a Happy Easter!! oxoxox

Spring is Here...Allergy Season is Coming!!

With the onset of spring (although it certainly doesn't feel like it), we are now facing the upcoming seasonal allergy season. How many of you have allergies? Do you take any medications for them? Did you know you can fight them off, naturally?

I used to have bad allergies, to pollen and dust...now, it seems my allergies are more toward animal dander (my sister and brother-in-law have 2 dogs and a cat). As you know, I've been researching different methods on how to battle breast cancer, naturally; so, I figured I should research and see what methods there are to battling allergies, naturally, as well.

Here's what I've learned...

Best Health Magazine lists these methods:

1. Supplement with "healthy bacteria" (probiotics)
2. Load up on butterbur
3. Take more Vitamin C
4. Eat your onions
5. Supplement with fish oils
6. Look for adrenal support
7. Pay attention to your diet

A more in-depth explanation of each of these points can be found, here. Definitely worth the read!

And, the Farmers' Almanac says these foods are beneficial in the fight for relief from allergies:

1. Apple cider vinegar
2. Local honey
3. Lime
4. Chamomile tea
5. Garlic

Click here, to learn how to utilize them, and why they're beneficial.

The website Care2.com has some advice for us, as well. You can find that article by clicking this link. I love this site!!

And, Dr. Mercola has an entire library of information concerning allergies...anything from food allergies, to pollen/dust allergies, to pet allergies (no, I mean pets who HAVE allergies!), etc. I encourage you to check it out!

Mother Nature Network says there are 10 foods that fight spring allergies. On that article, they even list a recipe for "Allergy Soup"! I love when I can get a recipe AND some great advice, at the same time! LOL!!

HealthWithFood.org also has a wealth of information for us, concerning a nutritional approach to combating allergies. That article can be found, here. Some of the information may sound familiar! LOL!

There; you and I are now armed to the teeth with tons of information on how to fight off our allergies, the natural way, rather than relying on medications! Let's do this!! As you explore them, please feel free to comment on which ones work for you! I'd love to hear from you!

I'll try them out, too...and, I'll let you know which ones work for me!

Have a great day, and may God bless you!! oxoxox