Hand soap is one of those products that most people don't even think about. But it actually can have a big impact on health. If you think about how many times a day you wash your hands, you'll get an idea of how much toxic exposure that adds up to if you're using a chemical-laden hand soap.
First of all, beware of hand soap that is "antibacterial." That means it has some form of antibiotic in it. With the overuse of antibiotics today, many strains of bacteria are becoming resistant, and using "antibacterial" hand soap contributes to this problem. Not to mention it's yet another toxic chemical your body will have to detox.
Another thing to watch for is hand soap that is made in China! Almost every product made in China contains high levels of toxic chemicals. You definitely don't want to be washing your hands with toxic soap.
For the last several years I used baking soda exclusively for washing my hands. It's worked fine for me, though I realize many people prefer an actual soap. Several months ago I began looking for a natural bar or liquid soap that I could use instead of baking soda. I was shocked at some of the ingredients I found while reading soap labels. Here's just one example, a list of ingredients for a name brand hand soap (I didn't even include them all):
Sodium Laureth Sulfate,
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamidopropyl Betaine,
Calcium Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Isostearamidopropyl
Morpholine Lactate, Peg-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate, Fragrance (Parfum),
Cocamide Mea, Polyquaternium-7, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Guar
Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Dmdm Hydantoin, Tetrasodium Edta, Acrylates/Aminoacrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Peg-20 Itaconate
Copolymer, Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Blue 1 (Ci 42090).
I'm not sure what happened to the soap industry that they can't just make plain soap anymore. It's sad. Thankfully, after much research I finally found two options that are completely natural. One is Olivella fragrance-free bar soap. The other is Fiji Coconut Oil bar soap, fragrance-free. My local health food store carries both brands, or you can find them online.
There are some other natural companies now making soaps with various essential oils. Some of those might be ok for most people. Personally I try to stick with the fewest ingredients possible, which is why I selected the two soaps above.
For those who prefer a liquid soap, I found a recipe online where you can turn your natural bar soap into a liquid. It sounds fairly simple and is very cost-effective.
http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-non-toxic-liquid-hand-soap-2
Keeping hands clean is important for good health. But so is using a non-toxic soap. I hope this info is helpful. Let me know any comments or questions you have, or any suggestions of a non-toxic soap you have found. =)
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Miracle Trip
Last week I actually got on a plane and flew to TX! It was the first time I've been on a plane in about 10 years!
I stayed in a hotel and I did fine! I attended an amazing conference with other Christians in media and received so much inspiration and encouragement!
God blessed me with a roommate who understood my needs and was fragrance-free for me, praise God! The rest of the people weren't fragrance free, but I did really well with the various challenges that came up.
I praise God for how far He's brought me in the last 7 years since my health first started its slow recovery. Some days it felt like even though I was making progress, I'd never reach that goal of "well." But faithfully using all the good health tools I've found, and perseverance and prayer have indeed brought results, praise God!
I do hope that everyone who reads this has a faster recovery than I've had. But wherever you are, please be encouraged that recovery is possible! Keep doing what you can, one step at a time. Don't give up! Celebrate every victory and every step of progress. And know that God does hear and will answer your prayers - not always as we want or expect, but always what is ultimately for our good.
Thank you for your prayers for me through the years, and for celebrating this amazing moment in my journey!
Here are a few pics from my trip. :)
warming up for the evening session
After the conference I stayed two nights with a wonderful couple who's kids are missionaries. I wish I'd gotten a photo with them, but I didn't think of it until too late. I'm just not in the habit of using the camera on my phone. I met so many amazing people, but didn't think about getting pictures with them. But anyway, at least I had these few, to give you a little glimpse of my miracle trip! =)
I stayed in a hotel and I did fine! I attended an amazing conference with other Christians in media and received so much inspiration and encouragement!
God blessed me with a roommate who understood my needs and was fragrance-free for me, praise God! The rest of the people weren't fragrance free, but I did really well with the various challenges that came up.
I praise God for how far He's brought me in the last 7 years since my health first started its slow recovery. Some days it felt like even though I was making progress, I'd never reach that goal of "well." But faithfully using all the good health tools I've found, and perseverance and prayer have indeed brought results, praise God!
I do hope that everyone who reads this has a faster recovery than I've had. But wherever you are, please be encouraged that recovery is possible! Keep doing what you can, one step at a time. Don't give up! Celebrate every victory and every step of progress. And know that God does hear and will answer your prayers - not always as we want or expect, but always what is ultimately for our good.
Thank you for your prayers for me through the years, and for celebrating this amazing moment in my journey!
Here are a few pics from my trip. :)
at the airport
on the airplane, met a fellow Jesus-follower and encouraged each other
with my roommate, an amazing lady from Ethiopia
all dressed up for the fancy dinner =)
After the conference I stayed two nights with a wonderful couple who's kids are missionaries. I wish I'd gotten a photo with them, but I didn't think of it until too late. I'm just not in the habit of using the camera on my phone. I met so many amazing people, but didn't think about getting pictures with them. But anyway, at least I had these few, to give you a little glimpse of my miracle trip! =)
Thursday, April 21, 2016
When Life Makes Sense
Life is hard. At times it's plain impossible, especially when living with chronic illness. Besides the physical challenges we face, we also deal with relational difficulties from people who don't understand our situation.
If you've struggled with this, you're not alone. In fact, I haven't met anyone with chronic illness who had total support from friends and family members. There's usually at least a few people who show compassion, but there's always some or many who don't. And the responses of those people can range from simple disbelief to outright verbal attack.
There's no excuse for unkind behavior. Yet all we can do is rely on God's power to forgive them. We can't afford to hold onto bitterness for someone else's wrong response. And for the others who just don't understand us, I'm finally learning to accept that that's just the way it is.
While I wish every person could demonstrate compassion to us regardless, the reality is that if they haven't experienced it, they just can't relate. When they look at us from the perspective of their knowledge and experience, our lives don't make sense.
As I was pondering these things the other day, I heard a worship song by Robin Mark, and the words spoke exactly to my need. As he sang praise to God he said, "You're the only who satisfies, the only one who makes my life make sense."
I started crying. Because in that moment I realized that it's ok if my life doesn't make sense to someone else. Sometimes it's hard for me to make sense of it myself. But to Jesus, it always makes sense.
First of all, Jesus understands.
Isaiah 53:3 says of Jesus,
"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised and we held him in low esteem."
When Jesus died on the cross, it didn't make sense to anyone (except maybe his enemies). Even His own followers were confused and devastated. They didn't fully understand who Jesus was or why He came. Yes, Jesus knows what it's like to be misunderstood, rejected, despised.
But secondly, Jesus doesn't just understand - He makes our lives make sense.
Three days after His "senseless" death, Jesus came out of the grave! Death was turned into resurrection! And now we can live everyday with the hope of eternal life in Him!
Romans 8:28 says,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter how difficult or ridiculous our lives may seem to others, or even to us, God still has a plan. He makes our lives make sense.
May He give us faith to believe it. May He give others eyes to see it.
If you've struggled with this, you're not alone. In fact, I haven't met anyone with chronic illness who had total support from friends and family members. There's usually at least a few people who show compassion, but there's always some or many who don't. And the responses of those people can range from simple disbelief to outright verbal attack.
There's no excuse for unkind behavior. Yet all we can do is rely on God's power to forgive them. We can't afford to hold onto bitterness for someone else's wrong response. And for the others who just don't understand us, I'm finally learning to accept that that's just the way it is.
While I wish every person could demonstrate compassion to us regardless, the reality is that if they haven't experienced it, they just can't relate. When they look at us from the perspective of their knowledge and experience, our lives don't make sense.
As I was pondering these things the other day, I heard a worship song by Robin Mark, and the words spoke exactly to my need. As he sang praise to God he said, "You're the only who satisfies, the only one who makes my life make sense."
I started crying. Because in that moment I realized that it's ok if my life doesn't make sense to someone else. Sometimes it's hard for me to make sense of it myself. But to Jesus, it always makes sense.
First of all, Jesus understands.
Isaiah 53:3 says of Jesus,
"He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised and we held him in low esteem."
When Jesus died on the cross, it didn't make sense to anyone (except maybe his enemies). Even His own followers were confused and devastated. They didn't fully understand who Jesus was or why He came. Yes, Jesus knows what it's like to be misunderstood, rejected, despised.
But secondly, Jesus doesn't just understand - He makes our lives make sense.
Three days after His "senseless" death, Jesus came out of the grave! Death was turned into resurrection! And now we can live everyday with the hope of eternal life in Him!
Romans 8:28 says,
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
No matter how difficult or ridiculous our lives may seem to others, or even to us, God still has a plan. He makes our lives make sense.
May He give us faith to believe it. May He give others eyes to see it.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Respect The Signs
When I lived in Mexico there was one particular road sign that amused me and my friends. Instead of the normal speed limit, speed bump, or other signs, this specific sign said (in Spanish) - "Respect the Signs".
It seemed funny to have a sign telling you to respect the signs. =)
But on deeper reflection, I can see its value. How easy is it to drive the same roads every week and start to ignore the signs? Drive a little faster. Barely slow down for the bumps. Forget to watch for falling rocks....
The problem is that when we don't respect the signs, we do so at our own risk! I think the same is true with our health. God created our bodies in an amazing way! When the body has a problem or a need, it sends you a message, or a sign, in some way. If you make a habit of ignoring those signs, you put yourself at risk.
So what are some of the "signs" your body may be showing you?
1) Unusual fatigue.
This sign could mean that you need to slow down and rest more. Or you may have an infection and your body needs extra energy to fight it. Or perhaps something is wrong and your body is using energy to try to address the problem. Or other things.
2) Ongoing pain.
This sign is your body's way of getting your attention about a problem area. The sooner you find the root issue, the sooner you can address the problem and resolve the pain. Just ignoring the pain or taking pain meds usually prolongs and worsens the root issue.
3) Allergies.
This sign indicates that your immune system isn't functioning well. Finding ways to improve your immune system is so important. Allergies are your warning sign that your immune system needs help.
4) Digestive issues.
This sign is vital to pay attention to. Good health begins in the gut. Anything you can do to improve gut health will improve overall health.
5) Mental/emotional symptoms.
This sign is probably harder to recognize but very significant. When the body is under stress and working hard to still maintain basic functions, there is often no energy left over for mental focus and concentration or for emotional stability. If negative emotions or "brain fog" are frequent problems, these are big signs that your overall health needs much help.
There are other signs the body uses to get our attention, but I think these are the basic ones that most people experience.
The important thing is for us to learn to "Respect the Signs"! When we pay attention, we can more quickly recognize what our bodies need and take action to move toward better health.
So what sign from your body do you need to listen to this week?
It seemed funny to have a sign telling you to respect the signs. =)
But on deeper reflection, I can see its value. How easy is it to drive the same roads every week and start to ignore the signs? Drive a little faster. Barely slow down for the bumps. Forget to watch for falling rocks....
The problem is that when we don't respect the signs, we do so at our own risk! I think the same is true with our health. God created our bodies in an amazing way! When the body has a problem or a need, it sends you a message, or a sign, in some way. If you make a habit of ignoring those signs, you put yourself at risk.
So what are some of the "signs" your body may be showing you?
1) Unusual fatigue.
This sign could mean that you need to slow down and rest more. Or you may have an infection and your body needs extra energy to fight it. Or perhaps something is wrong and your body is using energy to try to address the problem. Or other things.
2) Ongoing pain.
This sign is your body's way of getting your attention about a problem area. The sooner you find the root issue, the sooner you can address the problem and resolve the pain. Just ignoring the pain or taking pain meds usually prolongs and worsens the root issue.
3) Allergies.
This sign indicates that your immune system isn't functioning well. Finding ways to improve your immune system is so important. Allergies are your warning sign that your immune system needs help.
4) Digestive issues.
This sign is vital to pay attention to. Good health begins in the gut. Anything you can do to improve gut health will improve overall health.
5) Mental/emotional symptoms.
This sign is probably harder to recognize but very significant. When the body is under stress and working hard to still maintain basic functions, there is often no energy left over for mental focus and concentration or for emotional stability. If negative emotions or "brain fog" are frequent problems, these are big signs that your overall health needs much help.
There are other signs the body uses to get our attention, but I think these are the basic ones that most people experience.
The important thing is for us to learn to "Respect the Signs"! When we pay attention, we can more quickly recognize what our bodies need and take action to move toward better health.
So what sign from your body do you need to listen to this week?
Thursday, March 24, 2016
EI Verses
You've probably heard of personalized verses...where you paraphrase a verse to make it personal to you, sometimes even inserting your name.
Well, through the years I've not only personalized verses but also adapted some of them specifically to this EI life. Here are some of my favorite personalized/adapted verses.
Greater is the One who is in you, than the fabric softener, chemicals, and toxins that are in the world. (1 John 4:4)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, and a longer while, and another while...will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
I can do all things...including laundry, physical therapy, stretches, deep breathing, and all my other "chores"...through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I don't sit and when I don't rise; you know all my thoughts; you know when can't go out, and when I'm tired of lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. You surround me; even in darkness you shine your light. Though I often forget, I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that your works are wonderful, so I praise you. (from Psalm 139)
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens, weaknesses, pain, suffering... Our God gives power and strength to His people. (Psalm 68:19, 35)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, inside and outside...but not crushed; perplexed, confused, questioning...but not in despair; persecuted, misunderstood, overlooked...but not abandoned; struck down, stuck down, laying down...but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither allergies nor chemicals, neither weakness nor pain, neither isolation nor frustration, neither depression nor sleep-deprivation, neither grief nor fear, neither emptiness nor tears, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
Amen.
Well, through the years I've not only personalized verses but also adapted some of them specifically to this EI life. Here are some of my favorite personalized/adapted verses.
Greater is the One who is in you, than the fabric softener, chemicals, and toxins that are in the world. (1 John 4:4)
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, and a longer while, and another while...will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10)
I can do all things...including laundry, physical therapy, stretches, deep breathing, and all my other "chores"...through Him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I don't sit and when I don't rise; you know all my thoughts; you know when can't go out, and when I'm tired of lying down. You are familiar with all my ways. You surround me; even in darkness you shine your light. Though I often forget, I know that I am fearfully and wonderfully made and that your works are wonderful, so I praise you. (from Psalm 139)
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens, weaknesses, pain, suffering... Our God gives power and strength to His people. (Psalm 68:19, 35)
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, inside and outside...but not crushed; perplexed, confused, questioning...but not in despair; persecuted, misunderstood, overlooked...but not abandoned; struck down, stuck down, laying down...but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:7-9)
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither allergies nor chemicals, neither weakness nor pain, neither isolation nor frustration, neither depression nor sleep-deprivation, neither grief nor fear, neither emptiness nor tears, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
Amen.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Deficiencies and Probiotics
The last few months have been a difficult yet interesting journey for me. In the midst of the challenges, I'm learning new things that have been helpful for me, and I hope will be helpful for you as well. =)
For instance, I've been learning more about deficiencies.
1) Potassium deficiency
For years I've had to supplement with potassium every day. Recently I learned that excessive use of baking soda (which I definitely qualified for), can contribute to depleting potassium. After learning this, I began using an olive oil bar soap (Olivella fragrance free) to wash my hands instead of using baking soda. Within a few days I noticed I didn't need the potassium supplement every day like before. I still use baking soda for some things, but by reducing my use of it I also reduced how much potassium I needed. I also discovered that simply putting my left foot on the inside of a banana peel for about 10 minutes every day, or even every other day, allowed my body to absorb all the potassium it needed. And I was able to stop taking it as a supplement.
2) Vit D deficiency
I've dealt with vit D deficiency off and on for years. Now that I've been out of the house a lot more and actually getting some sun, it's been better. But I learned that I could use an apple peel, like the banana peel. I put my left hand on the inside of an apple peel for about 10 minutes a few times a week, and that has been enough to keep my vit D levels stable.
3) Vit E deficiency
Because I've been living with friends, not at home, I haven't had my shower filter. And the excess chlorine from unfiltered water led to a vit E deficiency. Dr. Mercola has a helpful article on vit. E and why it's important to keep a proper balance, not too much, not to little, in your body.
And again, he recommends getting vit E naturally through eating healthy foods.
Obviously, the best way to correct deficiencies is naturally, by the food we eat, or by absorbing them through our hands/feet. Supplements are less effective and can be problematic if they aren't good quality or aren't monitored well.
In addition to all this, I've learned that having the RIGHT probiotic for YOU is absolutely essential! Probiotics do so much in the body. They not only power your immune system but much more:
from Dr. Mercola: "Probiotics are also essential for optimal digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, and they help your body produce vitamins, absorb minerals and aid in the elimination of toxins."
from: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/24/one-of-the-most-important-steps-you-can-take-to-improve-your-health.aspx
So you can see that taking probiotics will also help prevent/correct deficiencies.
The main thing I've learned about probiotics lately is that you have to find the specific one that YOU need right now.
I've taken probiotics for years. Sometimes it felt like they weren't doing anything. Other times I could feel positive changes in my health almost immediately when I started taking a new one.
My theory is that the "terrain" of your gut changes based on diet, stress, lifestyle, environment, seasons, etc. So the kind of probiotic you need today might be different that what you needed last year or even last month. In December I started taking one called "bacillus coagulans" and I've been amazed how helpful it's been! If I forget to take it one day I definitely feel worse the next day. However, now that I've been taking it for a few months, I feel like I need to look for a different one again. Once that specific strain of probiotic is built up in my gut, then I can look for a different one to add.
As far as finding the specific kind of good bacteria you need today, I don't have a formula. If you don't have a trusted health provider to guide you, then I'd say go to the store, stand in front of all the probiotic bottles and see which one calls out to you. =) Seriously though, do read labels, make sure it's a quality product, and then try different ones and see how your body responds. Or you can get a recommendation from a friend of what has helped them. Just don't get discouraged if the first one you try doesn't seem to do anything. Move on to another one until you find what your body needs right now. There are so many strains of good bacteria, look for different ones than just "acidophilus" or "bifidus". Maybe even try a children's probiotic and see how that works. =)
I'm so thankful that God created our bodies with the ability to heal and repair themselves! It's our job to give our bodies the materials they need to do the work of healing. So keep eating those healthy foods, watch out for deficiencies, and find a probiotic that works for you.
Any questions or suggestions?
For instance, I've been learning more about deficiencies.
1) Potassium deficiency
For years I've had to supplement with potassium every day. Recently I learned that excessive use of baking soda (which I definitely qualified for), can contribute to depleting potassium. After learning this, I began using an olive oil bar soap (Olivella fragrance free) to wash my hands instead of using baking soda. Within a few days I noticed I didn't need the potassium supplement every day like before. I still use baking soda for some things, but by reducing my use of it I also reduced how much potassium I needed. I also discovered that simply putting my left foot on the inside of a banana peel for about 10 minutes every day, or even every other day, allowed my body to absorb all the potassium it needed. And I was able to stop taking it as a supplement.
2) Vit D deficiency
I've dealt with vit D deficiency off and on for years. Now that I've been out of the house a lot more and actually getting some sun, it's been better. But I learned that I could use an apple peel, like the banana peel. I put my left hand on the inside of an apple peel for about 10 minutes a few times a week, and that has been enough to keep my vit D levels stable.
3) Vit E deficiency
Because I've been living with friends, not at home, I haven't had my shower filter. And the excess chlorine from unfiltered water led to a vit E deficiency. Dr. Mercola has a helpful article on vit. E and why it's important to keep a proper balance, not too much, not to little, in your body.
And again, he recommends getting vit E naturally through eating healthy foods.
Obviously, the best way to correct deficiencies is naturally, by the food we eat, or by absorbing them through our hands/feet. Supplements are less effective and can be problematic if they aren't good quality or aren't monitored well.
In addition to all this, I've learned that having the RIGHT probiotic for YOU is absolutely essential! Probiotics do so much in the body. They not only power your immune system but much more:
from Dr. Mercola: "Probiotics are also essential for optimal digestion of food and absorption of nutrients, and they help your body produce vitamins, absorb minerals and aid in the elimination of toxins."
from: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/24/one-of-the-most-important-steps-you-can-take-to-improve-your-health.aspx
So you can see that taking probiotics will also help prevent/correct deficiencies.
The main thing I've learned about probiotics lately is that you have to find the specific one that YOU need right now.
I've taken probiotics for years. Sometimes it felt like they weren't doing anything. Other times I could feel positive changes in my health almost immediately when I started taking a new one.
My theory is that the "terrain" of your gut changes based on diet, stress, lifestyle, environment, seasons, etc. So the kind of probiotic you need today might be different that what you needed last year or even last month. In December I started taking one called "bacillus coagulans" and I've been amazed how helpful it's been! If I forget to take it one day I definitely feel worse the next day. However, now that I've been taking it for a few months, I feel like I need to look for a different one again. Once that specific strain of probiotic is built up in my gut, then I can look for a different one to add.
As far as finding the specific kind of good bacteria you need today, I don't have a formula. If you don't have a trusted health provider to guide you, then I'd say go to the store, stand in front of all the probiotic bottles and see which one calls out to you. =) Seriously though, do read labels, make sure it's a quality product, and then try different ones and see how your body responds. Or you can get a recommendation from a friend of what has helped them. Just don't get discouraged if the first one you try doesn't seem to do anything. Move on to another one until you find what your body needs right now. There are so many strains of good bacteria, look for different ones than just "acidophilus" or "bifidus". Maybe even try a children's probiotic and see how that works. =)
I'm so thankful that God created our bodies with the ability to heal and repair themselves! It's our job to give our bodies the materials they need to do the work of healing. So keep eating those healthy foods, watch out for deficiencies, and find a probiotic that works for you.
Any questions or suggestions?
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Quick Update & Some Resources
Hello friends,
I hope this week finds you improving in health and remembering your blessings. =) Seems like the last few months have been the hardest of my life. But even in intense trials, God continues to give good gifts, and for that I'm thankful.
Quick update on our house: the mold has been remediated and the house passed mold inspection, hooray! =) Now it's on to the necessary repairs (wall, floor, etc.), cleaning, painting, and more. It seems like such a long process, but we thank God that at least we are making progress. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers through this challenging season!
Here are two helpful resources I've come across lately, that I wanted to share.
1) My friend Martha recently wrote an insightful post called "Sickness, Disaster, Death and Satan." I appreciated her insights into an often puzzling topic. I hope you'll be blessed by her thoughts.
2) This week I read a great article by Dr. Josh Axe about 10 "Health Foods" you should never eat. I thought he nailed it with this one! I totally agree with this list, and I think it's very helpful since there's so much mis-information about some of these foods. Please read and pass it along to others as well.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine on you and be gracious to you, and give you His peace.
(from Num. 6:24-26)
-Joanna
I hope this week finds you improving in health and remembering your blessings. =) Seems like the last few months have been the hardest of my life. But even in intense trials, God continues to give good gifts, and for that I'm thankful.
Quick update on our house: the mold has been remediated and the house passed mold inspection, hooray! =) Now it's on to the necessary repairs (wall, floor, etc.), cleaning, painting, and more. It seems like such a long process, but we thank God that at least we are making progress. Thank you for your encouragement and prayers through this challenging season!
Here are two helpful resources I've come across lately, that I wanted to share.
1) My friend Martha recently wrote an insightful post called "Sickness, Disaster, Death and Satan." I appreciated her insights into an often puzzling topic. I hope you'll be blessed by her thoughts.
2) This week I read a great article by Dr. Josh Axe about 10 "Health Foods" you should never eat. I thought he nailed it with this one! I totally agree with this list, and I think it's very helpful since there's so much mis-information about some of these foods. Please read and pass it along to others as well.
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His face shine on you and be gracious to you, and give you His peace.
(from Num. 6:24-26)
-Joanna
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