Detours

PHOTO CREDIT: HIKE NOW
I was replying to an email this morning from a sweet sister, who was sharing that she calls upon the Lord each morning to see what she should do and to give her the strength to do so. And these verses were laid upon my heart...emphasis mine.

2 Corinthians 12:
9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

May we go through each of our days, asking Him to author them. Being flexible and not worrying about the little detours in our plan. God's plans are better than our own.

Our Lord bless you and keep you...today and all days...Joy!

Favorite Books

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson

He that composes himself is wiser than he that composes a book.
Benjamin Franklin

The good, the admirable reader identifies himself not with the boy or the girl in the book, but with the mind that conceived and composed that book.
Vladimir Nabokov



The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read.
Abraham Lincoln





If one cannot enjoy reading a book over and over again, there is no use in reading it at all.
Oscar Wilde

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.
Saint Augustine

The ideas I stand for are not mine. I borrowed them from Socrates. I swiped them from Chesterfield. I stole them from Jesus. And I put them in a book. If you don't like their rules, whose would you use?
Dale Carnegie

You can't get a cup of tea big enough or a book long enough to suit me.
C. S. Lewis






I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
Groucho Marx

'What is the use of a book', thought Alice, 'without pictures or conversations?'
Lewis Carroll

All that I am I owe to Jesus Christ, revealed to me in His divine Book.
David Livingstone

"And behold, I am coming quickly

Blessed is he who heeds the words

of the prophecy of this book."
Revelation 22:7

Hummingbird Nest

I was talking with Tiffani in the living room this afternoon and saw a hummingbird hovering by the window above our piano. We very often see them rest on a branch, but it just it didn't look the same from afar. I walked closer and found her sitting in her tiny nest. We'll watch for her to fly away and see if we can get pictures of her eggs...

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow,
nor reap nor gather into barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not worth much more than they?
And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?
~ Matthew 6:26-27

HOPE

For You are my HOPE;O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.
~ Psalm 71:5

My soul, wait in silence for God only,For my HOPE is from Him.
~ Psalm 62:5

Be strong and let your heart take courage,All you who HOPE in the LORD.
~ Psalm 31:24

Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,
According as we have HOPED in You.
~ Psalm 33:22


But now faith, HOPE, love, abide these three;
but the greatest of these is love.
~ 1 Corinthians 13:13


Now may the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that you will abound in HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
~Romans 15:13

Looking Forward to Graduation...

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word,
in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
~1 Timothy 4:12

BirthChoice Project

Tiffani was assigned a Benevolence Project last month wherein she was to learn about a charitable organization, create a goal to contribute her own time/talent/treasure, and write a report about her experience. She chose BirthChoice of the Desert and will add a brief synopsis of her report to this post very soon. She met her monetary goal and donated 2 baby blankets as well. Tiffani donated a fleece blanket. And a big thank you and hug to Andi, who crocheted a beautiful blanket that Tiffani could give!

Baby items given to new moms in need.

Each new mom receives a bag of goodies and diapers for her precious baby.

Tiffani showing Andi's beautiful blanket.











Tiffani meeting with Patty Stringer...BirthChoice's Director.

Tiffani sharing with her class about her experience with BirthChoice.

Luke 18:16-17
But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Happy Thanksgiving!

Psalm 100
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Day 40 ~ So Much Can Happen in 40 Days!

DAY 40!!!

* Noah was in the ark while it rained for 40 days and 40 nights.

* Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights.

* Elijah went to the mountain of God in 40 days and 40 nights,

on the strength of one meal provided by the angel of the LORD.

* Ezekiel was to lie on his right side and bear the iniquity

of the house of Judah for forty days, a day for each year.

* Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights prior to his temptation.

* He was tempted for 40 days.

* He taught the apostles upon his return for 40 days.

So much can happen in 40 Days! Amen and amen! :-)

This day marks the point where my day-counting ends and new life begins...

I was reminded yesterday that as I wait for 100%, that many people in this world have never even experienced 100%. At 90%+ today, I'm incredibly fortunate!

I am feeling soooooooo much better AND again I thank you all for your prayers and supplications on my behalf and on behalf of my family.

I'm not sure about the long-term ramifications of my condition, but I trust my heavenly Father and I am committed to doing what it takes to make them as minimal as possible.

I am filled with joy overflowing!

Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Day 32 ~ Pressing On...

10:37 AM ~ I had thought about cancelling my detox appointment yesterday since I felt so bad, but my wise Tiffani said that was the exact reason I needed make that appointment. :-)

So, I went to my appointment and Marilyn suggested that I use a humidifier with 11.5 pH water (highly micro-clustered). I used it while I was there and she sent home some of the water with me, so I could do the same at home.

I used the humidifier last night and had a little something come out of my lungs. But that was nothing compared to what came out this morning! Wow! So far this morning, I've had 4 balls (1" to 1-1/2") of white/clear goop come out.

I awoke with hardly anything on top of my soft palate this morning. When I took a deep breath upon waking this morning, I coughed like crazy and balls came out for the next hour or so.

*It's important to note that the substance coming out of my lungs is white/clear in color, not yellow/green as in the case of a cold or flu.

There has been much concern about my weight loss and I'm encouraged that all will be fine. I was reminded that healing takes a lot of the body's energy. Digesting food takes an enormous amount of energy. So I will keep eating Vitamix meals, which are easily digestable and not force myself to eat when I'm not hungry.

And I may start Sprouting...for extra nutrients in a compact form.

7:48 PM ~
A truly remarkable day! My lungs released at least 4-5 more balls of goop throughout the day. I'm so thankful that it's leaving my body. I was able to pick Tiffani up from her Chemistry class and chat with Sande, Cindy and Leslie for a bit. And to Tiffani's chemistry teacher about my condition...very eye-opening.

After we got home, Tiffani told me about her CoOp and Chemistry classes. As we chatted, I actually began to feel hungry. I called Jeff and asked him if he'd like to take us out to dinner when he got home. :-) He picked us up and I was able to eat a half salad and a little chicken.

Philippians 4:
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Day 31 ~ I Can Do All Things...

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

11:27 AM ~ Good morning! I'm so sorry to report that this is my worst morning yet after the sinuses opened up. Functioning at about 65-70% today. I'm just exhausted after having about 2-3 hours sleep.

Yesterday, my words were Strength and Strong, so I'm hanging onto those today. :-)

I thought about rescheduling my detox appointment today (I really don't feel like driving), but I know I need to be there to keep these toxins on the run.

Prayer Requests:
- Increased appetite...not very hungry.
- Restful sleep tonight

Praises:
- Something wonderful happened yesterday to show me that God is answering my prayers and moving on my behalf and others.

Love knows no limit to its endurance,

no end to its trust,

no fading of its hope;

it can outlast anything.

Love still stands when all else has fallen.

~ Anonymous

Day 29 ~ BREAKTHROUGH??

I am so encouraged this morning!!!

I woke up about 5:30 AM with horrible, burning pain on top of my soft palate...similar to Day 10. Except this time, it was not a little blob of gunk, it was a massive amount and being released from my sinuses. I find it interesting that today is one month to the day that this all began and today is when the entry point of my condition begins to release. It's the same thin, slippery, gasoline-tasting substance that continually comes up from my lungs.

To aid this cleansing, I felt led to take Nature's Sunshine ALJ, which I always have on hand. It's a great herbal supplement for cleansing the entire respiratory system. Whenever I take ALJ, I imagine tiny scrubber brushes working away. :-) And I also started taking my favorite powdered Vitamin C.

RETRACING: There is a phenomenon in natural healing called Retracing. It's the principle that as your body heals, you may encounter symptoms again that you've had previously...even if it was years ago.

One Personal Example:

When I began receiving chiropractic care years ago, I had no pain, but my spine was a wreck. I didn't realize that even though I had no pain, the misalignments were keeping my nervous system from sending its signals to the organs and tissues of my body at 100%. The first of my health symptoms to disappear was monthly cramps...lived with them until I was 24 and they've never come back. Next, I retraced a quadricep injury from high school. When the pain came into my leg, I mentioned it in passing to Jeff...and that's when he told me about retracing. As the nerve supply was working more optimally, it was actually able heal my leg in a way that couldn't happen previously. I went through a couple more injury areas including a badly sprained elbow. Then my ears started bothering me...you guessed it! Chronic ear infections and plenty of antibiotics as a child. My ears bothered me for a couple weeks. Then nothing.

So here I am, 16 years later, going through a Chemical Detox Program and Retracing. The first areas of assault were my sinuses & lungs and they are the last to cleanse. As I was praying this morning and realized the pattern, I was sooooooo encouraged! 100% is around the corner!

I saw Marilyn yesterday and my water was not black! Woo woo!! It was just slightly orange with no odor and just a few black flecks.

Romans 5

3 ...we also exult in our tribulations,

knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4 and perseverance, proven character;

and proven character, hope;
5 and hope does not disappoint,

because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Day 27 - With Wings As Eagles

So tired the last couple days...sleeping in and long afternoon naps. Each morning I wake up with another symptom or a repeat symptom.

Strange little tidbit ~ I was looking at my fingernails yesterday and there is a faint, but very distinct discoloration at about a month's growth...when this whole thing began.

How much longer to 100%? I pray. Thank you, Yvonne...praying for 110%! :-) My family and friends make it easy to focus on the wonderful things in my life the majority of the time. And I am reminded that this too shall pass.

Thank you, Leslie, for your near-daily check-in texts. Marny for your encouraging emails. Deborah, for the scriptures you send that remind me to keep my focus Higher ~ Isaiah 40:31. Gale, for our conversation the other day, which allowed me to share the spiritual-side of this journey. Susie, for your sweet handwritten note.

Prayer Requests:
- For weight gain...back down to 106 today. I told Jeff I need to go on another cruise! Hee hee!!
- Continued cleansing...especially lungs.
- Great outcome at Detox appointment tomorrow.

Praises:
- I was able to walk around our neighborhood yesterday...instead of just 8 houses down and 8 houses back home.
- My appetite is good, so if I can increase my intake just a bit, I should be able to balance it with an increase in activity and GAIN weight!

Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the LORD

shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles;

they shall run, and not be weary;

and they shall walk, and not faint.

Two Are Better Than One

Ecclesiastes 4:

9Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor.
10For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.

But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.

Years ago I wrote a book and the dedication inside read: To my husband, Jeff, who lifted me up when I couldn't reach. I haven't had a lot of difficult times in my life, but he's been there for every one in the last 17 years. Unconditionally loving me. Never a lecture...only love.

And what can I say about my beautiful Tiffani-Joi? Proverbs 31:28 says: Her children rise up and bless her. Her sweet heart is such a blessing to me. She and I have always had such a close connection. From her patting my back as a small child saying, "It's OK, ma-ma," to her bringing me a little bell to keep by my bed to call for her if I needed anything, her fruit is so sweet. I pray that her gifts of compassion and mercy continue to grow as she does...beautifully.

Day 24 - A Little Heaven on Earth

I was able to attend my Bible study this morning for the first time in 3 weeks. The first 30 minutes were difficult energy- and breathing-wise and thoughts went through my mind to just go home. But I knew I was where I needed to be and stayed put. :-)

My small group as well as others were so sweet. I want to thank Kristi, Susie, Nancy, Joann, Phyllis, Heather, Karin, Margaret, Melissa, Karen, Jacquie, Michelle, Patty, Lilian, and Liz (and any other CBS attendees whom I didn't speak with today) for their prayers over the last few weeks and their kindness today. It was Luncheon Day and the ladies made a beautiful salad. Again, I was fed healthy things, both physically and spiritually. I left refreshed and thankful I'd gotten out of the door this morning.

A special thank you to Gina, who saw me before I even walked in the door. Simply the love in her eyes brought me to tears. I've had lots of tears of joy and thankfulness over the weeks, which cover those of pain. :-) God is sooooooo good!

After the study, Tiffani and I were off to Marilyn's...
1. Cell Energy Therapy - Reaction: I nearly fell asleep.
2. Infrared Sauna - Reaction: The temperature hovered between 145 and 150 F over the 45 minutes. Finished that really interesting book about Detoxification while relaxing in the sauna today. Perspired profusely...yeah!
3. Sea-Ionic Footbath - Reaction: Acckk! (to steal a Charlie Brown exclamation)...my water was black as tar. Bizarre to see, but we now know that the liver is able to do its job and that my joints and other organs are mostly cleansed of their toxicity.

We were back home and had dinner with Jeff. Then Reverence Club (a theology book club for teens) met in our home this evening. One of Tiffani's friends leads the group. When the kids are discussing, the moms have a little time together. I feel like I've been so deprived of people for the last few weeks, that I felt like I was in heaven today!

Evenings have been the best part of my day for at least a week now...so what a blessing it was to share an evening with my sisters! Phyllis, Debbi, Linda, Sherrill, Yvonne, Bethany and Melissa: Thank you all for being so sweet and caring and letting me share what God's been doing and for making me laugh and for hugs. :-) It was so good to see all of you! I've missed you.

Day 23 - A Joyful Heart is Good Medicine

4:06 PM ~ I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update the blog in a couple days. I appreciate your phone calls! I am doing much better. Our internet router's power cord stopped working and Verizon had to send a new one. They said it would be in here in 2-3 days, but in fact it arrived yesterday (the tech blessed us by sending it Next Day Air). Thank you! :-) We got plugged in yesterday afternoon, but it took about 24 hours to configure all the computers ~ fortunately the computers configured themselves.

Sunday, October 25, 2009 ~ Thank you to Lyndi and Hannah for dropping off our "last dinner" this evening. I started feeling GREAT around 5 PM and when they came to the door around 5:30 PM, I felt like me! There were lots of HUGS! Hee hee!! The Lemon Chicken and Broccoli were so tasty. And the pumpkin bread smelled as delicious as it tasted, Tiffani tells me.

Again, our family wants to thank all of you who have been praying for us, getting Tiffani where she needed to be, grocery shopping, caring for our home, and bringing us meals. I was telling my Bible study group leader yesterday that it's been truly amazing to learn even more about how our bodies work, to watch the body of Christ in action, and to see God's love and mercy displayed in such incredible ways ~ through both physical and spiritual feeding.

I am truly in AWE!

Monday, October 26, 2009 ~ After feeling so great the night before, I woke up in a fog this morning. Stinker! Good news was that I was able to pick Jeff up at the airport as he flew in from Dallas. When we got home, Tiffani and I headed for the adjustment table. My feet and toes were so subluxated. But they were fixed and later that afternoon, I was off to see Marilyn.

1. Cell Energy Therapy - Reaction: Today, I felt like I could breathe better...no pain.

2. Infrared Sauna - Reaction: The temperature hovered between 145 and 150 F over the 45 minutes. Read a really interesting book about Detoxification while relaxing in the sauna today. I have to remember to get the title of it next time! Still love this box! I don't think I've mentioned how beautiful it smells in there...rich, warm like cedar.

3. Sea-Ionic Footbath - Reaction: My water was even lighter orange today and the tiniest bit of brown debris (liver) & black flecks (heavy metals) were released! No smell.

I hugged Marilyn when I left, as I always do. She is so sweet and caring. And speaks softly with conviction. She was wearing purple today...I love purple! I'm a sponge when I listen to all her knowledge.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009 ~ Today was pretty uneventful. I did all my "little things" ~ which a few of you have asked...

Q: What else are you doing at home to detoxify your body?

A: When I remember to do all of these things in a day it's a good thing...I've been (1) oil pulling, (2) neti potting, and (3) using American Botanical Pharmacy's Intestinal #1 and #2. According to the website: Intestinal #2 draws out old matter, toxins, poisons, bacteria, drug residues, mercury and lead. Intestinal #1 pushes everything through. I haven't been talking about the "results" of these little things for good reason! Hee hee!! That would be TMI (too much information!). (4) Green smoothies...if anyone is interested, email me and I'll send you a list of 70 recipes! (5) Taking liquid minerals in my alkalized water, which push toxins through the body. There are probably some other things, but that's all I can remember right now.

Back to TODAY! Wednesday, October 28, 2009 ~ Today I was determined to do my own grocery shopping. What normally takes me an hour, took 2 today. But I was victorious! :-) It was so fun to smile and help people in the stores again.

I was also able to make dinner and do a couple loads of laundry. And I'm looking forward to attending CBS tomorrow morning. I'm breathing well...about 90%. And have just mild bladder pain as my body continues to dump toxins. "Pink water" helps...alkalized water with a splash of 100% cranberry juice. I know I'm nearing the end of this chapter. :-)

I leave you with one of my "life verses"...

1 Thessalonians 5
16 Be joyful always;
17 pray continually;
18 give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Day 20 ~ A Joyful Heart!

Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!

The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly,

The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow.

Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and King!

~ George Herbert

Pictures from our backyard on this gorgeous October day...

Psalm 118:24 & 29

24This is the day which the LORD has made;

Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

29Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Day 19 ~ So Blessed...

2:53 PM ~ Not much to report today, which is a good thing! Woo woo!! A relaxing day ~ Breathing well as long as I don't talk! :-) Physically, I'm about 85-90%; energy level at 75-80%.

Thank you, Rick, for dropping off Angie's potato dumpling soup and chopped salad this afternoon...grandmother's recipe? Tiffani and I both say Yum Yum!! Would love this recipe, if it's not a family secret!

Lots of time in the Bible today. Word study on breath, which had me in Job, Isaiah, and the Psalms quite a bit! Here's a Psalm that touched my heart...

Psalm 33
Praise to the Creator and Preserver.

1Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming to the upright.

2Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.

3Sing to Him a new song;

Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

4For the word of the LORD is upright,

And all His work is done in faithfulness.

5He loves righteousness and justice;

The earth is full of the lovingkindness of the LORD.

6By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

And by the breath of His mouth all their host.

7He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;

He lays up the deeps in storehouses.

12Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.

13The LORD looks from heaven;

He sees all the sons of men;

14From His dwelling place He looks out

On all the inhabitants of the earth,

15He who fashions the hearts of them all,

He who understands all their works.

20Our soul waits for the LORD;

He is our help and our shield.

21For our heart rejoices in Him,

Because we trust in His holy name.

22Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us,

According as we have hoped in You.

Day 18 - "Let It Go"

7:26 PM ~ Treatments went great this morning!

1. Cell Energy Therapy - Reaction: Today, I felt a brief pain around my liver. And I watched a video on what this therapy does to increase circulation in the body, as well as "unstick" red blood cells and create an environment for the white blood cells to communicate better with the body. What amazing technology!

2. Infrared Sauna - Reaction: The temperature hovered between 140 and 145 F over the 45 minutes. I love sitting in here...it's the one time during the day when I can breathe with no problems. And I sweat more today than I've ever sweat in my life! Yeah! Toxins are breaking through!

3. Sea-Ionic Footbath - Reaction: My water was a lighter orange today and less debris was released. The noticeable difference today was that there was no smell. Another Yeah! I left feeling rejuvenated and with a brighter outlook than I've had for the past 2 weeks.

I'd say at this time, I'm about 80%, maybe even close to 85%. Yippee!! I can breathe almost normally. And even take some deep breaths with no repercussions. No O2 Therapy today.

I had the blessing of a visit from one of my wisest friends and sisters this afternoon...thank you, Lyndi for sharing tea with me. She let me chat away. Part of this healing process is about "letting go" of stuff that my flesh still wants to take care of, but God is saying to "let it go." The more I spoke today with Lyndi, the more I was able to just "let go and let God." The Lord has seen me through this far and will be with me all the way. I pray that I can be obedient and let go of every person/entity by whom I've been wronged in this brief journey. Every day I get closer, today is my closest day of all to "keeping no record of wrongs." I don't care to be bitter. And I've learned sooooooo much through this experience that I can share with others!

Genesis 50:20 has continually come to mind over the past week or so:
20 "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."
[To clarify my thoughts in regard to this verse...I solely reference the enemy. I don't believe for a moment that any person/entity "meant evil against me."]

Thank you, Barb and Kaleigh for stopping by with one of our favorite dinners! Wild salmon with rice and roasted peppers/onions. And such a special treat for you to share your Canadian tomatoes in that delicious salad. Can't forget the Rice Krispie Treats for dessert! So glad you were able to stay a few minutes. It was a very good day for me. Hope we're able to get out there and hike with you very soon.

Thank you, Leslie, for taking Tiffani to Chemistry today, feeding her (lunch), and for fruit from TJ's. And Bethany G., thank you for getting her home safely.

Prayer Requests:
- That I will continue to breathe normally without labor.
- That I will remember all the little things I need to do throughout the day to further my progress.

Praises:
- Jeff had a successful speaking engagement in Chicago and his flight today to Dallas was uneventful...he arrived safe and sound.

Day 11 - Fruit and Flowers

7:20 AM ~ A brand new day...a day of new possibilities. :-)

I woke up praying for the woman who shocked me with the message she left on my cell phone yesterday. It dawned on me that it's probably just her nature...some people are just more empathetic than others.

God is so good to have always pressed His message from 1 Corinthians 13 on my heart...Love keeps no record of wrongs...so I'm blessed this morning to move forward in love and joy. And I pray that I meet this woman in-person someday (I don't know her, nor have I ever met, seen or spoken with her) and give her a hug. Because I'm a hugger. :-)

And it's a good lesson for all of us in addressing someone who is ill. We better pray for the fruit of the Spirit to overflow out of us before our encounter with them OR before leaving them a phone message, because an ill person needs our: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). They don't need to be told a list of things they already know. They don't care about our agenda. They are caught in their own little world of hurt and healing for a while. They need to know that you are concerned for them...and that you love them. That is all. So simple.

And onto Flowers...I forgot to mention the beautiful flowers I received on Tuesday! I have them both on my bedside table.
The first to come in are from Leslie...pretty little purple flowers. They have a name (campanula get mee), but I just call them "my purple flowers." I love all purple flowers...they always catch my eye and cheer me up. There are lots of perfect little flowers on each stem and the stems are "wild" ~ shooting everywhich way out of the little container. I love them! They make me think Life and Vibrant Health.
The other flowers came in with dinner from Marny on Tuesday night. She told Tiffani she was hoping they'd be "Birthday flowers and not Get Well flowers." I love them, Marny, for any occasion. :-) They are little pink roses...2 in full bloom, 2 waiting for the perfect moment to burst forth with blossom and fragrance. The 2 that are open smell delicious. The petals are soft and their green leaves lush. They remind me to relax. Stop and smell the roses...

This morning's Prayer Request:
1. That driving again will be no issue. I know I have plenty of help getting Tiffani where she needs to go today, but I'm going to drop her off at CoOp classes, because I have to go to my Treatment appointment right after anyway.
2. My largest request...Please begin praying for Tiffani's CHSPE test tomorrow. She only needs to take the math section to pass. And I've been a huge burden to her these 2 weeks leading up to this test. Interrupting study time, etc. Lord, I pray that you will cover any question she encounters that would have been studied for had she not been attending to me. A friend also mentioned the stress of knowing an ill mother is waiting for while she is taking the test on top of general test stress will need to be overcome...she said she knows from her own experience. So I pray for His guidance and wisdom over Tiffani...she'll be sitting for the test at 8:30 AM.

I'm feeling well this morning...I'd say about 50%. Breathing is good. Still pulling thin, slippery stuff from my lungs. Brain seems clear. Will update after my treatments today.

Q. Have you been running a fever?

A. I was until a couple days ago. Between 100.5 and 102.2. My temperature was normal yesterday when I checked. Haven't checked today.

7:32 PM ~

Treatments went great today! Marilyn is wonderful.

1. Cell Energy Therapy - Reaction: Again, didn't physically feel a lot with this one. Today, I felt a pulsing a few times around the area of my right foot injury last April.

2. Infrared Sauna - Reaction: I was in the sauna for 45 minutes. The temperature hovered between 140 and 145 F over the 45 minutes. Marilyn checked on me throughout this time. Again the warmth felt beautiful to me. I barely perspired the last time. This time, I was excreting some toxins. :-) Still not a full-sweat, but I'm working up to that.

3. Sea-Ionic Footbath - Reaction: By the end, my water was about the same color as last time indicating the same things are still being released from my body, but there was a noticeable decrease in the amount of debris. The stench was worse today...more chemicals.

I left feeling relaxed and about 65%, as the day has gone along and I've continue to drink my special water with minerals, and eat, I'd say at this time, I'm at least 75% Yippee!!

A big thank you for another great dinner! DeLora you are so sweet. I think you're the only one I've actually seen during a meal drop, so that was really special. And just so you know, Tiffani had seconds. :-) I loved the spinach salad...I personally can't use dressing right now, but it was delicious with the sweet strawberries and almonds.

I thank God for all of you. I really can't find the words to thank all of you enough for seeing my family and me through all of this with your prayers, encouragement, and practical help. I pray that you are all happy and healthy.

Much love...Traci :-)

In The Still, Wee Hours Of The Morning...

very early morning ~ I just published today's post and I turned my head right, then left for a nice stretch. And I witnessed such a beautiful sight, I'd call it a gift. Have you seen the moon? It's crescent-shaped and positioned like a cradle. It's big and bright.

Psalm 136
4 To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
5 To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
6 To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
7 To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever—
8 The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.