Faith Made Stronger

I want to encourage you to call upon the name of Jesus. If you are are hurting. If you feel week and need to be healed. If your faith is needs to be made stronger. Call on Jesus. In the name of Jesus there is strength, there is hope, there is compassion. 

 Ephesians 3:20-21

20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The lyrics to "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United are powerful. 

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Oh, Jesus, you're my God!

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

Watching thousands of people lift their hands and sing these words to the only one who can bring us through this life gives me chills. I hope this encourages you as it has me. May our faith be made stronger in the presence of our savior. 

Essential Oils for Arthritis

My arthritic symptoms are so bad lately. I know I keep mentioning this but the pain is terrible. I have decided that I am going to start an essential oil protocol to treat my swelling and achey joints. Here is the plan that I found on a site entitled Mama Balance. The oils listed are specifically recommended for arthritis.

Oils for Arthritis  -  Essential oils for arthritis include frankincense, rosemary, marjoram, peppermint, wintergreen, frankincense, eucalyptus and cypress (to increase circulation).  Oregano and Clove can work together to provide natural arthritis pain relief.                                              

Topical Application Blend 1 (apply to area as needed) 2 drops Peppermint, 2 drops wintergreen (diluted), 2 drops frankincense, 2 drops eucalyptus, 2 drops cypress                        

Topical Application Blend 2 (apply to bottoms of feet twice daily) 3 drops oregano, 3 drops On  Gurard (I use the On Guard specifically for my immune system)                                                                     **Deep Blue Rub on soar areas for relief

Navigating the Pain

Navigating through the pain of Lyme Disease is overwhelming. Lately, I have been so up and down with pain that it is wearing me out physically and mentally. There is extreme pain in my joints and my body shakes for long periods of time. I have moments where I want to move to a warm climate where the weather is steady year round because I feel like I have arthritis. If you know me, moving somewhere like this is totally not me. I love the seasons; even the rain and snow.

So, why 2 1/2 years after being bit by a tic do I still have such severe pain? The main reason that scientists believe is that there are residual effects from contracting Lyme. When a person is bit by a tic the bacteria can be killed with antibiotics. What people don't realize is that a person's immune system is likely lowered and they are susceptible to other diseases. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that,
            "Approximately 10 to 20% of patients treated for Lyme disease with a recommended 2–4 week course of antibiotics will have lingering symptoms of fatigue, pain, or joint and muscle aches. In some cases, these can last for more than 6 months. Although often called "chronic Lyme disease," this condition is properly known as "Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome" (PTLDS).
The exact cause of PTLDS is not yet known. Most medical experts believe that the lingering symptoms are the result of residual damage to tissues and the immune system that occurred during the infection."

The CDC, in 2013, increased the number of cases of Lyme Disease as 10 times higher than in years past. Many believe this estimate is not even close to the undiagnosed number of cases.
           "About 300,000 Americans each year are diagnosed with Lyme disease, according to new estimate released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week. That number is 10 times higher than the number of cases reported annually to the CDC."

A comprehensive plan to treating Lyme is essential. I believe antibiotics alone will not cure you if you are suffering with PTLDS. Most likely you will end up with other issues from long term use of antibiotics. I personally am on a comprehensive treatment plan to address the other physical side effects I now have. The issue is that regardless of being treated I still hurt, and bad!! Some days are awesome and then I suddenly I feel like I have been run over by a truck. There does not seem to be a clear cut path to recovery. I am following the best route I know to for now.

Never Alone

I rarely know how to start my posts, but I know I want to share. I want to share my story and updates of my walk with Lyme Disease so that others who are trying to navigate through Lyme, either themselves or with someone they love, know that they are not alone. Their symptoms are real. The pain is tremendous. The journey is very often long and treacherous. That being said, I believe with all my heart that there is hope!

Today starts my 6 month of treatment with Longevity Health. It has been up and down, up and down, up and down. My last post was about nearly throwing in the towel, but I decided to stay in the ring and go the distance (yes, I am a bit of a boxing or really UFC fan if you can't tell by the terminology).

This past weekend I was sick, my husband was sick, my child was sick and it was my birthday. Life around here was not fun and a part of me wanted to be resentful since it was my birthday. However, I still had a great birthday! I had a great party with my family and my dad, whom I am so blessed to share my birthday with the night before. The day of my birthday, although I felt bad and bummed out because of it, was still blessed.  I had my favorite wine, gluten free pizza and watched a great movie, Nocturna,  at home with my family. The movie is a great example of how we are never alone.

Even in the darkest hour, I, we, have someone with us; who is watching over us. I believe it's God who is watching over us. And I believe everyone faces the dark in their life. Regardless of if it is physical, emotional, relational etc., there are and always will be dark times. Times that we are scared and life is hard to face. We choose how we face the dark.

In the bible Christ's disciples had many opportunities to face dark times where they were scared and uncertain what was going to happen. One such time was in Matthew 14:22-31 they were in their boat while a storm was raging. Jesus started walking toward them, but they couldn't recognize him they were so afraid. But Jesus told them not to be afraid and that it was him. He even beckoned Peter, his disciple, to get out of the boat and walk toward him in the midst of the storm. This was a seemingly crazy request. Drowning likely was imminent. What did Peter do? He obeyed! He got scared and had to cry out for help, but he obeyed regardless of the outcome. The scripture goes on to say that the disciples worshiped God. He was watching over them the entire time.

We don't always make it back to the boat and God doesn't always catch us the way we want him too. Sometimes it is so dark we are like the boy in Nocturna constantly afraid. But God, is always with us. Asking us to trust him. To not give up. To know he is in control. Even if I never get completely well, I pray that I have faith to praise God in the midst of the storm. I am pretty sure I have written about this before and that most likely I posted this song. But I am posting it again because life's storms come and go, but we choose how we respond - in fear or in trust.

Not Throwing in the Towel

Happy New Year! It's 2015 and I am so thankful to say that my health is continuing to improve.

I started treatment with Longevity Health 4 months ago. The first month was so hard, the second month I saw improvements, the 3rd month was really hard. During the 3rd month I was super dizzy and fell several times. The falling was probably due to lack of sleep and an herb that I tried without consulting with my herbalist; won't make that mistake again. I also had major detox sweats during the 3rd month. I sweat a lot at night and always have, but the sweat I was sweating at night was so putrid. Not a body order smell - just nasty! Of course with detoxing, symptoms intensify. I had almost a week where I couldn't drive or do much of anything and I had to get back out my cane. I felt BAD and wanted to throw in the towel. Luckily, I seem to be on the up swing again. I sent my blood in and found that my body wasn't absorbing nutrients like it should. The doctor made adjustments to my medicines which seems to be helping.

Beside improvement of health in 2015, I have been using essential oils for nearly a year now. I use them daily and have found them very helpful in a lot of different ways regarding health. I have used various kinds of essential oils that are 100% Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade (CPTG).

My next appointment with Longevity Health is scheduled for March. Until then, I will continue with treatment from Longevity Health, OnDamed, Chinese Herbs and essential oils and hope to have continued improvement.