How Blissful the Sound of Two Coinciding Heartbeats....

Talk to me three weeks ago, and you would find me saying that it was very difficult for me to get through a day without thinking about today's upcoming baby appointment. The thought crossed my mind MULTIPLE times a day. My worry: not hearing a fetal heartbeat and having to go through the similar events in July (GOD'S BABY POSTING) .....only this time right at Christmas. Having a secret of sadness from relatives, or else feeling obligated to share my sadness story with everyone at such a joyous time!

Being a Christian, I know we're supposed to trust God in everything: (Philippians 4:6-7) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." But sometimes I need reminders. Reminders through prayer, from the Bible, from silent reflection, from friends and loved ones. This time I was reminded through a friend, with the words:

"Remember, 'Jesus is your life', and the Holy Spirit has taken up residence IN you! Try imagining your whole life, including that of your unborn, being acknowledged as belonging to God. Live in the knowledge of that humble submission. Our anxieties find no refuge when squeezed out by God's sovereign control." Those were the words God wanted to share with me....and He did, through a friend.

Those words were VERY POWERFUL to me, striking a cord of awakening. Like I said up above, I search multiple resources until I am able to sit comfortably with peace from the Holy Spirit within. Those words calmed me, brought me confidence and gave me trust back in my Savior. Not necessarily trust for the baby to remain healthy and alive, but trust that I would get through whatever darts my enemy may hurl my way.

I was doing so well up until today, then the same thoughts crossed my mind once again.

I prayed as I shoveled the driveway before leaving,

I prayed on the drive there,

I even prayed as I got after my kids to behave in front of others in the waiting room.

But the thoughts came back over and over again: "What if?......"

My only way of coping was to fire back with verses and prayers. I had to rewire my thoughts to positive ones, however impossible it seemed.

My midwife searched around my tummy for the heartbeat.

Multiple spots.....multiple uncomfortable smiles shared......multiple misses.

I had to turn my head to the wall as tears started to roll down my cheeks, "Lord, please....." I began to silently say a prayer of petition and.....

THUMP--THUMP, THUMP--THUMP.....I totally lost it--crying and laughing with amazement. We heard both mine and babies heartbeats together at the same time! The room formerly being filled with uncomfortable silence.....was now blasting with the fetal monitor's echoing rhythms of multiple heartbeats......what a glorious sound and what a blessing for us to share a laugh at the uniqueness of the situation!

The worry melted away.

The moment of trial had passed.

My only physical rememberence left is the pain in my arm from the 6 viles of blood being drawn infront of 3 apalled little girls.

NOW, nothing but a fading memory....

God Bless, Ms. Salubrious

They Brought Forth Gifts of Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh.....

Ms. Salubrious at 5 years of age, belting out something only her heavenly father could be proud of....

Most of my memories of the Christmas story are of standing in the foreground of the manger scene as an Angel, singing of the glorious birth of my Savior. The manger scene was so miraculous to me: the animals, the angels, the earthly father and mother, the music that gave me tingles up and down my spine, and of course the baby doll that seemed to be REAL in my eyes. All gathered to celebrate the life sent to us from a loving heavenly father.

I remember watching in awe as the 3 wise men walked down the sanctuary aisle towards us bearing their gifts of splendor. I didn't give the gifts of Frankincense & Myrrh much of a second glance, but when the gift of gold came down the aisle, I couldn't take my eyes off of it! I had often wondered why the wise men didn't bring something of more value than just one gift of gold and 2 other "non-mentionables". In fact, to reiterate this thought, I recall a pastor's children's sermon on the gifts one year, with him saying that "the Frankincense & Myrrh 'may have been' something of value back then", as he was awkwardly trying to bypass the value of these to explain the gift of gold that everyone understood.

Recently......I ran across this excerpt from Healthquarters Ministries: December Newsletter. I was awed to discover that 'These resins and their essential oils were priceless medicines, worth more than their weight in gold!' In fact, I thought the explanation was so well-written that I included it all instead of paraphrasing it:

"In Biblical times, Myrrh was one of the most desired and expensive items in the world. It was also used in religious ceremonies and at the time of Christ it was also only available to the wealthy. It's not actually an essential oil, but rather the sap or resin from a tree.

Myrrh is anti-infectious, anti-viral, parasitic (worms), hormone-like, anti-inflammatory, soothes skin conditions, anti-hyperthyroid, and supports the immune system.

Myrrh is used for many skin conditions, such as chapped and cracked skin and wrinkles. It has one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes. It is also widely used today in oral hygiene products.
Some uses of myrrh are for bronchitis, diarrhea, dysentery, hyperthyroidism, stretch marks, thrush, ulcers, vaginal thrush, and viral hepatitis. This oil may help asthma, athlete’s foot, candida, coughs, eczema, digestion, fungal infection, gingivitis, gum infections, hemorrhoids, mouth ulcers, ringworm, sore throats, skin conditions (chapped and cracked), wounds, and wrinkles.

Frankincense has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. It was well known during the time of Christ for its anointing and healing powers. It was used to treat every conceivable ill known to man. Frankincense was valued more than gold during ancient times, and only those with great wealth and abundance possessed this oil.

Frankincense is high in sesquiterpenes, which helps stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of emotions) as well as the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. Frankincense is now being used therapeutically for its ability to improve human growth hormone production. Frankincense is used for asthma, depression, and ulcers. High in sesquiterpenes, it is stimulating and elevating to the mind and helps in overcoming stress and despair, as well as supporting the immune system. This oil may also help with allergies, bites (insect and snake), bronchitis, cancer, respiratory infections, diphtheria, headaches, hemorrhaging, herpes, high blood pressure, inflammation, stress, tonsillitis, typhoid, and warts. It increases the activity of leukocytes in defense of the body against infection.

Frankincense contains the following properties: anti-catarrhal, anti-depressant, anti-infectious, anti-septic, anti-tumoral, expectorant, immunes-stimulate, and sedative. "

If only people saw the value of these gifts today as the wise men saw these! To use these gifts for chasing away depression, funguses, infection, indigestion, asthma, immune system depletion , cancer, mouth problems, skin eruptions, blood pressure imbalances, and allergies the way God designed it! Would we have better results than the methods we use now days?Something to think about as you enjoy this Christmas's gifts and church activities.

There is a really good BLOG posting my friend Jennifer did last year over at "Oils For Wellness", mentioning these specific oils: OIL ARTICLE . She sells a high-quality brand of essential oils called "YOUNG LIVING", in which I have bought a few over the years and have been impressed with the results! I encourage you to check out her site and inquire with her of any questions you may have on essential oils!

Thanks for reading, may the Lord bless you in your pathway towards natural health!
Ms. Salubrious

******None of the above statements have been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All of the information in this BLOG is strictly for educational purposes. This BLOG should not be used to treat, diagnose, or prescribe for a condition you feel you may have. If you have any health concerns, you should see a competent practitioner. ******

A Couple of Favorite Recipes

GUACAMOLE RECIPE

1-2 Avocados (mashed with a fork)
1 Big Roma Tomato-diced (or 1/2 can diced tomatoes)
1/4 yellow onion (chopped finely)
1-2 Key Limes-juiced (or else 1 tsp lime juice)
Pinch of Cumin
Redmond Salt to flavor
Handful Cilantro (I have made mine without this and it turned out fine!)

Mash avocados and add chopped veggies and lime juice....then TRY to stop eating it!!!

DEER JERKY MARINADE

1Tb Redmond's salt (sea salt is fine)

1/2 c warm water

1/3 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos

2/3 cup Worcestershire Sauce

1 Tsp-1 Tb course freshly Ground Pepper (depending on how strong you desire it!)

1/2 Tb garlic powder (pref. organic, so no fillers)

1 tsp Liquid Smoke

Cut 3-5 lbs of meat, 1/8' - 1/4" thick

I recommend marinating it for 12 hours if you like normal flavoring, 24 hours if desire a teeth-clenching bite of flavor!

Put in a dehydrator for anywhere between 2-8 hours.