Sharing What Is Good

Well, our new year didn't start quite the way I imagined it would.

My husband and I were both sick over Christmas.

He caught a nasty cold and cough and spent almost two weeks on the sofa

while I oiled him up with immunity boosting, anti-viral therapeutic oils

and kept him well supplied with tissues.

I placed two home diffusers in the living room.  One at the head of the sofa and the other at the foot, 

and went through copious amounts of essential oils to aid in his breathing and congestion.

He became such a believer in these Young Living Essential Oils that he began asking for me to anoint him every few hours because they provided so much relief for him.

Knowing there was a pretty good chance that I would be on the receiving end of any errant cooties flying around the house, I oiled myself up every other hour and swiped my nose with Animal Scents Ointment laced with Lavender, Egyptian Gold, and Exodus II as a preventative measure.

I did catch a bit of a cold, but it only lasted for three days. I believe it was so short lived because of these wonderful gifts from God ~~ gifts that God intended as our medicines.

While traveling this "oily" journey, I continue to learn more and more about their healing properties. That, in turn, is forcing me to take a second look at what is in our pantry, what groceries I buy, how we eat, what we put in our bodies, and what we apply to our skin. 

Then, it dawned on me.

Each drop of an essential oil we use contains approximately 40 million-trillion molecules. (yes..that is a real number). If we're using these oils because they contain the power not only to heal us when we're sick, but to nurture and preserve our health when we are well, 

why in the world would I want to eat something or put something on my skin that is full of chemicals and is genetically modified? It's totally defeating the purpose of using these pure oils to stay healthy!

I read in my "Healing Oils of the Bible" that the oils' molecules deliver oxygen molecules to our cells, and can erase or deprogram miswritten codes in cellular memory. They can actually help fight cancer. They carry electrical charges, usually electrons or negative ions, which are healing and healthful. So, when we are eating things that weren't natural and organic, we certainly are not helping these oils to work optimally.

It was time for a change.

A BIG change.

Yes, it would be more expensive...because for some odd reason, eating healthy costs more than eating processed food.
But how many times have you have heard (or said yourself),

"When you have your health, you have everything."

So, I want to share with you what is good in our life right now.

I am running on my treadmill religiously at least four times per week, not allowing myself to stop until I log in at least three miles.  Today I started using the incline to push myself even harder; determined like never before to lose a few pounds before spring arrives.

I begin every other day by "oil pulling".  Taking a teaspoon of organic coconut oil, adding a couple drops of Thieves mouthwash (which I just love) to it, and swishing it around in my mouth for 15 minutes while I shower. It pulls toxins and bacteria not only from my mouth, but from my body as well.
It's all about prevention.

Some deliciously scented organic goats milk soap and shea butters arrived from Taproot Farms in Alaska. I love the feel of the silky soap, and the butters are so healing on winter dry skin.

(Not to mention, I'm totally diggin' the name of the soap.)

My long-time girlfriend who is also my hair dresser, gave me some Matrix oil to try on my hair.

I adore it. It makes it soft and manageable and keeps it healthy. It also smells absolutely heavenly.

I switched from coffee to organic tea spiked with cashew milk, raw honey, and a few drops of essential oils (cinnamon bark, Thieves, lemon, peppermint, and Slique). The cashew milk provides protein that keeps me full all morning long.

I make a Kefir smoothie at noon and nibble on some organic turkey jerky.

Grocery shopping is taking me longer. I read every single label and put items back on the shelf that have too many ingredients.  I am looking for the fewest ingredients as possible and if they are organic, all the better. It amazes me at the amount of chemicals, toxins, GMOs, and unnecessary additives that companies insist on pouring into their products. So disgusting.
We also stopped drinking any type of sodas due to all the chemicals in them
(like formaldehyde....really?)
My go-to drink is water with a few drops of lemon, lime, tangerine, or grapefruit oil in it.

We are eating more fruit when we get hungry. Bananas, apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and oranges. They are filling, nutritious, and provide fiber and energy.

Our pantry shelves are gradually getting filled with organic almond butter, raw honey, quinoa, organic coconut and flaxseed oil, protein bars, ground chia seeds, and hemp protein powder. 

We eat only "clean" meat. Organic turkey or chicken burger or home-processed venison is used for chili, goulash, or tacos.  Air-chilled organic chicken or salmon are our favorites in soups or stir-fry,
with lots of bok choy, broccoli, green beans, carrots, onion, mushrooms, and red pepper.

We sprinkle ground chia seeds on top for an extra boost of protein, antioxidants, calcium, and omega 3 fatty acids.

Cold winters days are spent reading about healthy living,
learning as much as we can...

with a bit of decorating thrown in for good measure, of course.

In my studio, standing in front of a favorite tiny painting from my dad...

I create more dream catchers,
while my husband putters away in his work room.

And as 2015 marches forward toward the promise of a healthy spring...

our goal for a natural, organic, holistic, healthy, healing way life blooms
in this old farmhouse.

Watercolor by my dad.

"You are the content of your character. 
You are the ambitions that drive you. 
You are the goals that you set. 
You are the things that you laugh at 
and the words that you say. 
You are the thoughts you think 
and the things you wonder. 
You are beautiful and desirable 
not for the clique you attend, 
but for the spark of life within you 
that compels you to make your life 
a full and meaningful one. 
You are beautiful not for the shape of the vessel,
but for the volume of the soul it carries.”
~author unknown

By the grace of God, we strive to carry our healthy souls forward in a full and meaningful life...
and share the goodness that we are blessed with.

We taste and see that God is good.


~  Eucharisteo  ~

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Seasons of the Heart

It's been a busy, busy month here at Heaven's Walk...thus my long absence from Bloglandia.

My heart seems full to overflowing
and my mind has been stretched to it's limit.
I have truly missed visiting you all and hope to start finding some time in the near future
to stop by and catch up with you all once again.

Besides the usual seasonal chores like blowing leaves,

 watching the first snowflakes of the season mix with more falling leaves,

cleaning gutters,

winterizing the pond,

putting the veggie garden to bed,

storing the porch furniture,

blowing more leaves,

mowing for the last time,

hanging up all the hoses in the barn,

placing heaters in birdbaths,

blowing even more leaves,

 covering the fountain and rain barrel,

and cutting down that huge, old, dangerous mulberry tree in the middle of the yard...

there's been meetings with lawyers, financial advisors, realtors, and bankers

over Trusts and Estates and Probate.
It seems to be never ending.

I also signed closing papers on my parents' house...

and watched a young couple walk away with my dad's keys in their hands.

It was sad.

Bittersweet.

Emotional.

 Heaving another huge sigh....I took another step forward in my life ~

finding it difficult not to look back.

 As I mentioned in my previous post,

I entered the world of Young Living Essential Oils

and am embracing their incredible healing properties.

Mind, body, and soul.

At this time in my life,

they are so comforting, anchoring, empowering, and grounding ~

and bring me into God's presence continually throughout the day.

Their scents remind me of the gifts and blessings He faithfully promises,
and their healing properties have helped both my husband and me sleep more soundly,
reduced our bodily aches and pains, wiped away tension headaches,
and boosted our immune systems.

This beautiful blend of oils wafts through the rooms in my old farmhouse every day during this late autumn season

filling it with a sweet, clean, earthy fragrance.

 Orange boosts immunity, induces relaxation, and reduces depression.

Clove is antiviral, antioxidant, and creates a sense of protection and courage.

After a clear mammogram result (the first one since my surgery),

I ditched all of the chemical-based perfumes from my medicine cabinet, 

(you'll find only YL oils there now)

and all cleaning supplies from beneath the sink were put in the trash.

I am using Young Living's natural, cleaning products that are full of clove, lemon, rosemary, cinnamon bark, and eucalyptus radiata. 

Not only is it antiviral and antiseptic, but also antibacterial and anti-infectious ~ 

protecting us from any cold or flu bugs that may make their way into our home.

 While the temperatures slowly sink into the 20s and 30s and winter makes its unwelcome appearance,
homemade French onion soup simmers on the stove next to a French baguette topped with Gruyere cheese.

Maizie Grace waits patiently for her own dinner ~ with Flopsy close by.

 After dinner, surgery is performed on her Bear.

Her maternal instinct kicks into high gear as she nervously lays at my feet,

watching my every move...

until...

arm reattached...

her beloved 'baby' is safe and sound.

It was also time for me to step into the 21st century.

I finally upgraded to a smart phone and practiced posting to Instagram by taking some photos around the house.

It's such a joy to continue to connect with friends from all over the world via another media venue.

I'm still learning my way around this phone that uncannily seems to know more than I do,

but am enjoying the challenge.

So, as Michigan bids farewell to a short summer,

an even shorter autumn,

and watches warily as winter creeps in...

 I pray that we are spared from another overwhelming season like we experienced last year

when this was the continual view out my kitchen window

before we had over 100 inches of the cold, white stuff

for six long, dreary months.

I will swipe on my favorite YL oils to keep me healthy,

rub some on the Husband's sore shoulder and neck,

clean my house with clove and rosemary,

share IG photos,

close my eyes,

count the days,

and dream 

of 

this...

~  Eucharisteo  ~

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A Healing Gift

Scents....fragrances....aromas...

they play a huge part in our life.

They conjure up memories of people, places, and things in our past.

 They embrace us, emotionally heal us, bring us joy.

They are part of what defines us.

A part of who we are.

The saltiness of the ocean brings me back to vacations at the beach.

The earthy freshness of cut grass reminds me of my dad teaching me how to mow the lawn when I was a young girl.

The scent of lilacs makes me feel my mom's warm embrace.

The popcorn smell of my Maizie's furry feet makes me smile.

Scents were one of the reasons why my curiosity got the best of me, when at the gentle nudging of a couple close girlfriends, I ordered some essential oils to try.

I couldn't wait to start diffusing and filling my home with beautiful fragrances that were more clean and natural than the chemical filled plug-ins that I had been using for years.

But then.....

I started reading.

A lot.

The more I read about the oils and the more testimonies I heard about their healing properties, 

the more intrigued and committed I became.

Was it just my boho-hippy soul that was being awaken?

No.  

It was deeper than that.

 It was a calling to my spiritual heart.

It was a spiritual re-awakening.

I bought an essential oils reference book.

I also bought a book called "Healing Oils of the Bible".

I found myself soaking up every bit of information in them that I could.

As I began reading and learning and educating myself, something turned in my soul.

I realized that as each oil drop soaked into my skin and sank into my cells,

they contained life force and energy that can indeed bring healing.

They were a healing gift from God.

"When God created the plants by his speaking voice, he imbued them with his Word and his intelligence.  This includes the  oils of the plants which he intended, from their very creation, to become our medicines when we need healing.  This is what is so special about essential oils.  They contain power from God's Word.  Essential oils are divinely ordained as medicines for God's children and are meant to be used with God's guidance, accompanied by prayer."

 ~excerpt from "Healing Oils of the Bible" by David Stewart

Now, I've always been a bit of a slacker when starting my day out with prayer.

The best time for me to pray is when I'm driving someplace because it's just God and me in the car.

I can talk with him endlessly there.

Or when in church because I'm in his house....his sanctuary...

and I feel his Presence and reverence so tangibly there.

But applying these oils every morning upon rising

seem to bring me into instant communication with Him.

The scents remind me of him somehow.

I feel him.

I smell his comforting Goodness.

I feel grounded and focused and close to him ~

and at this point in my life, I desperately need that.

When I catch the scents on me during the day,

I'm instantly brought back into his Presence.

I actually find myself praying more,

whispering names of people who need him and his healing touch;

lifting up my worries and fears to him;

thanking him in endless gratitude for the blessings he's poured over me.

I feel blessed in a way I can't even describe.

The media brings us news of viruses and epidemics circling the globe and entering our lives at an alarming rate. It's a frightening realization how fragile we humans are.

So, in response....I oil and diffuse.

Not only in an attempt to bring myself closer to God than ever before where I feel safe and secure ~

but to fill my body with clean, natural, immune boosting strength

to ward off the evils of the world around me. 

I use his oils to protect.

"...Their fruit will be for meat and their leaves for healing..."

~Ezekiel 47:12

Every day begins with Joy spread over my heart.

 

Valor is swiped at the back of my neck.

EndoFlex stroked on my throat.

Thieves rolled on my feet.

PanAway for any pains.

Lavender to soothe and calm.

Patchouli on my wrists...just because my boho heart loves the scent.

 I keep Lemon, Tangerine, Peppermint, and Ocotea

in a jar in my pantry to drip into my glasses of water during the day.

Thieves is diffused throughout our bedroom each night to clean the air of germs.

It was tested to contain potent antimicrobial properties and can kill 99.96% of airborne bacteria.

 "When we use antibiotics to overcome a bacterial infection, we are left in a weakened state.  Our immune systems have been compromised. Until we can re-establish a new culture of friendly bacteria into our bodies, we are more susceptible to to the next illness that might come along. When we use oils to fight bad bacteria, our systems come out stronger. Our immune systems have been strengthened. Our beneficial bacteria have been untouched. We are better able to deal with the next barrage of disease-causing germs that come along."

~ excerpt from "Healing Oils of the Bible"

I quickly learned this while watching my mother fight off C-Diff more than once this past winter.  Each round of antibiotics weakened her system, and C-Diff would return to badger her frail body time and time again.

I wish I had known about these healing oils back in January.

God's healing gift supports us in so many ways.

As fighters against unfriendly microbes

As balancers of bodily functions

As raisers of our bodily frequencies

As antioxidants that purify our systems

As clearers of negative emotional baggage

As uplifters of our spiritual awareness

"The leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."

~Revelation 22:2

I am a believer.

In God and in the Trinity.

I also believe in his healing oils that he gifted to us as "a fragrant offering", as "an acceptable gift", and as "pleasing to Him".  

I read that there are over 900 references of essential oils in the Bible.

The three wise men brought frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus,

and myrrh was one of the first and last oils received by Christ.

Mary and Joseph would have known that frankincense oil was good for anything from cuts and bruises to the common cold. They would use it through Jesus' infancy to help protect him and keep him strong and healthy.

 "Oil of joy", "oil of gladness", and "ointments rejoice the heart" are all referenced in the Bible 

in books like Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Hebrews, Mark, and James.

"Precious treasure and oil remain in the house of the wise."

~Proverbs 21:20

The ancient people of the Holy Land understood this quite well. They used aromatic oils to maintain wellness, for physical healing, to enhance their spirituality in worship, for emotional cleansing, and for purification from sin.

And in peace, joy, and gratitude ~

 I accept this healing gift,

and will do the same.

~  Eucharisteo  ~

Contact me if you're interested in learning more about these life changing oils!

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Grounding

"When was the last time you felt the stinging gift in your own eyes, this most natural reminder that you are alive, here, human?

Maybe it’s been a while for you. There’s nothing wrong with that. But the next time the tears rise up to meet you, don’t brush them aside. Greet them, receive them, and listen for the life they bring." 
~Ann Voskamp

A roller coaster year of emotions

bringing me up
letting me fall
affirmation of my human-ness
confirmation of a life full up with love

feeling untangled
becoming unraveled

living

"Every single one of our life-aches, large and small, has a response from a God who put on skin so that we might know His scent and feel His calloused hands and live in a nearness to this beauty that would forever keep us coming back to sit at His feet.

Pain invites us to see. Him."
~Sara Hagerty, author

I see.
I hear.
I feel like never before.
The pain of loss has opened my eyes to an even deeper grounding of my being in the love of Christ.

learning
discovering
opening
embracing

"I don’t waste anything in your life, including your suffering. I use it to teach you important lessons here and now. But there is more. Your troubles are also accomplishing something in heavenly realms. They are achieving eternal Glory—contributing to the reward you will receive in heaven." 

~Jesus Today by Sarah Young

My devotional book lays open before me on the table.
Eyes drinking in the words.

scents surround me
lifting my spirit
calming my soul

http://heavens-walk.blogspot.com/2013/07/passion-grace.html

I inhale His goodness
letting it fill my heart

The essential oils ground me.
Define me.
Heal me.

Valor swiped on the back of my neck for strength and courage.
Joy rubbed over my heart for happiness.
Peace & Calming fill the room with tranquility.
Patchouli's earthiness like a warm hug.
Biblical oils.
The original source of healing for
mind
body
spirit.

Sitting in the stillness of His presence
I prepare to face the day.

to hear His voice
to follow His guidance
to live in a nearness to His beauty

hope
purpose
strength

And as I learn to live with loss...
I learn to feel even more the grace of Him.

accepting it
breathing it
filling it
releasing it

Finding my deepest fulfillment of my heart in Him alone.

Breathing Him

Breathing Life

Grounded...
using one of God's healing gifts.



~  Eucharisteo  ~

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