Thr truth about our bodies

The truth is, God created our bodies to function properly under most circumstances.
It is only in the past 100 years that we have seen the rise in heart disease, diabetes and cancers of all kinds.
I could blame this on many factors, not the least of which would be the hormones, pesticides and antibiotics put in our meats and produce. I could blame this on heredity–it’s so much easier to blame your mother, isn’t it.
But the truth lies in our own internal void. That void that longs to be filled with The One True God. That void that longs for relationship with the creator. That void we chose to fill with food, drugs, alcohol, sex, and the like.
In order to heal the diseases of the day, we must address that void, that God-shaped void, at the center of every man, woman and child.
The truth is:
1. Our bodies were created with filters to remove things like pesticide, herbicide, hormones and antibiotics.
2. Our bodies were created with small fist-sized stomachs which should be filled to satiety, not stuffed.
3. Our bodies can heal themselves. God, the Creator, designed them to self heal.
We must:
1. Seek God first, in all we do. Ask God if you really want that hamburger, or are you craving more of Him.
2. Seek God first when you eat. Ask God to signal you when your stomach is satisfied. Learn the God-given fullness cues.
3. Seek God when you are sick. Ask God to reveal to you the reason for your illness. Sometimes it is sin. Sometimes it is for God’s glory. Sometimes it is just the body’s natural way healing.

Find the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

and now for the rest of the story…

Thinking too much?

Last night as Beloved came to bed, I could not sleep. So, I got up and came down stairs.
I cried out to God. I just don’t know what he wants me to do. Sometimes I feel like I cannot possibly handle a fifth child. I think, “Why are you doing this to me?” What on earth was I thinking?
Well, then I have those thoughts of, “I always wanted six children, five is on the way.” But how do I get a hold on the four that I have before the fifth one comes along. I feel like I’ve lost my sanity somewhere.
I recall all the negative things said to me about having a fifth child. The “what were you thinking, you’ve gotta do something about that.” The “how are you gonna handle five? You can hardly handle four.”

For the first comment there, I replied, “It is absolutely none of your business as to the size of my family. You have no right to judge me. I am blessed by the most high God with absolutely wonderful children.”
For the second commenter, I just ignored, for out of that same mouth came remarks like, “Your children are so well behaved,…Your children love you so much,…You are such a good mother.”

I mean really.

Why is it that when you have more than four children the world goes bonkers. In years past, many children was a sign of blessing from God. Now it seems to be a curse. What makes it most difficult is that the ‘world’ seems to place a high importance on wealth and prosperity. The church does not seem too concerned about prosperity these days. Need I remind them, we serve THE MOST HIGH GOD?

Anyway, that’s another topic.
So, all of this thinking had me concerned about my future with a large family. We rent our home now, and it is big enough for five children, but if we were to move to another rental, we would be facing the challenge of ‘too many children.’
I’m afraid of what lies ahead. I’m afraid of having more children and not ending this season in my life. I am afraid.
But I know that spirit of fear was not given me by my God. I know His perfect Love drives out all fear. It’s just so hard to trust right now. So hard.

and now for the rest of the story…

Somewhere along the line we made all subjects game

When I was in college, me and the girls were quite open and honest about everything. Beleive me–everything.
While still retaining our modesty, we managed to slather one another with aloe vera gel one Easter weekend after deciding to go to the lake instead of home to our families. We paid dearly for that decision. A memory worth remembering again and again.

But, that’s not the subject I’m referring to. This morning a friend called. Without even thinking about it, I mentioned that the little one had awaken this morning with a dirty diaper and that he now had a terrible red bottom.

After the phone call, I recalled Meg from “Little Women.” When Jo askes why she didn’t write that she was expecting, Meg says, “One doesn’t hardly talk of such things.”

I wonder how we got from that modesty to the present day. It wasn’t that Meg was ashamed to be pregnant. Quite the contrary. But she protected her family. Her family unit was sacred and adequately blessed, with twins none-the-less.

and now for the rest of the story…

I have clothes!

My friend Mandy met me today at the HEB down the road. She gave me two full garbage bags of maternity clothes. Mind you that we went through our pregnancies at different sizes, but most of the clothes are in my size range.
Praise the Lord! He never leaves us wanting. Amen!

and now for the rest of the story…

Welcome Baby Balducci

Congratulations are in order to Rachel BAlducci and her family. She gave birth to a beautiful baby boy (her fifth) yesterday.
Check out her blog at testosterhome.blogspot.com.

and now for the rest of the story…

Sent to me in an email from my mother in law

A father wanted to read a magazine, but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like.
Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said,”Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you your whole country today.”
After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.
“Oh,” she said, “on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where he belonged, then our country just came together.”

and now for the rest of the story…

The News you’ve all been waiting for:

Well, maybe not all of you, but someone out there is bound to get some enjoyment from this announcement.
Baby #5 is due February 1, 2008. Had an ultrasound yesterday to confirm pregnancy, and the heartbeat was 172 bpm.
All arms, legs, and neccessary parts are present, and we will be setting a cesarean date soon.
Updates will come as we get them!

How am I?
Well, since you asked…
Tired
Nauseous
Moody
Tired

Oh, did I mention tired twice, that’s because I have 4 other children at home. I also gain quite a few pounds right before the beginning of this pregnancy, so that’s of great concern to me now.
We are considering all our options, which includes considering a tubal ligation.
When we found out we were having a 5th child, we weren’t all that thrilled. It took some time to come to an excitement. Now we are excited, the kids know, and they are excited, we are thinking about ending our fertility after this baby.
Why, you ask?

Well, I’ve had 4 cesareans, this will be #5. Since we weren’t too thrilled about this pregnancy at first, we thought we might consider ending fertility. See, we seem to be very fertile, and although that would be great som 2000 years ago, it is not necessarily so today. So, a tubal for me would be easiest, because while they do the cesarean, they can do the tubal. In and out in 30 minutes, and a baby for the trouble!
So, that being said. I’ve got to lose weight as well. And the thought of a possible pregnancy while I’m trying to lose the weight would not be good. I’ve got 100 pounds to lose, and I want to lose it. I’m ready to move on the the next phase of parenting and close the chapter of pregnant and/or nursing all the time.

For those who remember, the little one finally weened a month ago. He turns 2 tomorrow! He was the longest nurser yet, and didn’t seem to want to quit, but he finally stopped asking for it–Praise the Lord!

Thank you for all your prayers!

and now for the rest of the story…

Eight Random things about me

My Random Life::Tagged by Mandy for 8 Random Things about me.

1. My house is kept pretty clean, except for my office. It’s a disaster area. My desk is piled with papers, the bookshelf needs reorganizing, I have to move things to make copies (sad, I know), there are items in there that do not belong!

2. I love to drive. I could drive all day, were it not for the sore but and swelling feet!

3. I just had my very first massage. It was very nice, and not at all embarassing like I thought it would be.

4. I drive a big red van. A very big red van. A Ford E350 12 passenger van. Anybody need a ride?

5. I love to sing. I was made to sing. I haven’t been singing in a choir for over four years now. I miss it terribly. Pray I’ll join the choir soon.

6. Reading my sisters blog is a highlight of my day. Or week. Or month. Depending on how often she posts!

7. I have a secret that I’ve been keeping for over a month, and I’m just about to spill the beans. Stay tuned!

8. I really want a steak right now, but don’t have the money to buy one. And when you want steak–nothing else satisfies!

Now, I think I’ll tag my wonderful sister, who I think may be the only person besides Mandy who reads my blog!
So, Jennifer get right on that!

and now for the rest of the story…