The Christmas Gift that Really Touched My Heart

Last year, Brandon challenged his two youngest sisters, Emily and Hannah, to read the entire Bible before Christmas. He told them he'd provide them with gaming computers and monitors. He used an app and tracked their progress. They completed the Bible. Brandon gave them their computers and monitors on Christmas. Clint and I were surprised and overwhelmed with joy at Brandon's leadership with his sisters in this area.

There was another gift that gave us joy too. I'll share about that soon.

Merry Christ-a-must 2024!

Merry Christ-a-must!

to our family and friends

near and far, old and new
close and estranged

May the true meaning of Christmas
be apparent in your homes
and your heart!

Wayward

Grey escaped Bethany's apartment and was lost. She was at work when she found out. Her fiance, Jeremy, loves Bethany very much. He took off work to find her beloved kitty. Grey is a special needs kitty. He is extremely skittish and can not handle too much noise or commotion. He can be very unpredictable. When Bethany asked us to pray, we were all very concerned for his well-being. We have no idea what Grey did while he was wayward, but he was found chilling with the local cat gang several hours later. A nice neighbor found him and took him to Jeremy.

Powerful!! Well Worth Your Time to Listen!

https://youtu.be/gMAoeQzz6dw?si=ZeQYL9Jv-pTTyUDA Copy and Paste

Her story of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and where it led her. Words can not describe her journey. You have to hear it for yourself. If you dare!

How we do New Year's Eve

Previously shared after a New Year's Eve: 

I have several friends who were upset about something that was on one of the programs last night. I do not know what they saw, but it must have been pretty bad. As Christian parents, Clint and I got tired of the worldly performances many years ago. This is how we do it with our family:

For the last several years, my husband has lead our family by finding something more appropriate on YouTube to watch. What we watched last night did not have any talking or performances. 

We saw the ball and countdown display and there was something similar to techno elevator music playing (not my fave, but better than any of the NYE performances). The only thing the camera was on was the "ball." We don't start watching until 10 minutes before. We play games, talk, watch movies, snack, etc. You know, interact with each other.  

When the ball drops, we tell each other Happy New Year and then pray thanking God for the last year and asking for His leading and blessing on the new year. That prayer has been our tradition for over 30 years now. Then I go to bed. :-) Clint and I ride out early the next morning and pick up coffee and breakfast sandwiches for everyone.

Why would Christians choose to watch what everyone else was watching if it is going against our beliefs? We don't have to follow the crowd. We can choose better. We live IN this world, but we have been called to live separate from it.

Unspoken Prayer Requests

There are lots of things I see in our family that could use some prayer. Some of our members are edging closer to the world and forgetting their faith, mostly to please others. I ask that you keep us in prayer. It's nothing overt. Just hints of things here and there. 

Spiritual warfare never ceases, and I know a lot of us are seeing it ramp up in these last days on earth. It's like our enemy and legions know their time is short so they are throwing everything they have into the battle. We can take hope and rejoice in the FACT that God never stops working on our behalf. God wins.

My love to all. We are praying for you too, dear reader whether you be family, close friends, new to the blog, acquaintances, or estranged family.

If you would like us to pray specifically for you and yours, please contact me through the email in the header.

Tramates Versicolor aka Turkey Tail Mushroom

 

I've been taking Trametes versicolor aka Turkey Tail Mushroom off and on longer than some of my children are old. A long time ago, I shared my usage of it along with other mushrooms for EBV with the now-late renowned herbalist Stephen Buhner. He put my results on his website so my experience could help others. 

This humble little mushroom is an immune modulator that bolsters our immune systems. It can lower blood sugar, support gut health, lower blood pressure, lower inflammation, protect the liver, promote wound healing, etc. It is taken along with ginko to protect brain health in Alzheimer's patients. It inhibits tumor growth and detoxifies the body. Called Yun Zhi, it has been and is used frequently in Chinese medicine. This fungus is available free if you know what to look for, where to find it, and how to make use of it.

There are no deadly look-alikes to Turkey Tail. Turkey tail is relatively easy to correctly ID if you know what to look for to rule out the others. I found mine growing on the side of a log in a forest. I harvested 1/3 of it and left the rest to keep growing which is the common practice for wildcrafting. When foraging anything, always learn about look-alikes which can be deadly. 

FYI: The second picture is what it looks like after I blend it with a little ethyl alcohol in my blender. I added more alcohol after that process which you see in the third picture. Why blend it? The blending macerates the marc (herb) so the menstruum (liquid) can extract more of the medicinal properties. Knowing the chemistry of which menstruum will extract what plant properties is a key to successful herbalism. 

Do your research and remember to check for contraindications for existing health issues you may have. Happy herbaling!

indigenous knowledge of native plant medicines Quote

"Over 200 drugs that have been or still are listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the United States or the National Formulary were first used by American Indians, but neither reference acknowledges this fact. Thus, the tremendous benefits we've derived from indigenous knowledge of native plant medicines go largely uncredited." M. Kat Anderson USDA NRCS

It's Peppermint Season again!

A few years ago, I started using peppermint candy for "snow" under my vintage ceramic Christmas trees. My family loves it. They take them by the handful and give them out to coworkers and friends. So far this year, I have purchased four bags of the 600+ count Starlight peppermints from SamsClub. When Emily saw me putting them under the trees last year, she said, "Peppermint season!!" It is worth doing just to get that reaction.

My Birthday and New Adventures

The countdown continues: It was my birthday recently. I am now 56 years closer to meeting Jesus face to face!

I have started a new chapter that may lead to a bigger chapter. I have started a more in-depth herbal medicine learning experience under a Naturopathic Doctor, clinical herbalist, and veterinarian. Once I complete this, I may pursue becoming a naturopathic doctor. 

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21