Praying For...Tyson and Lizzy...I adopted a few more grandchildren on our mission, whom I added to my prayer rotation...that they will be happy, healthy, safe, and choose to follow Jesus as Savior and Friend...that the evils that surround them in the world today will be tempered...that they won't be affected by such...that leaders of nations will discover that joy isn't found in domination but in gentleness...let them grow gardens, associate with good people, delight in wholesome family recreation, worship as they desire, serve their neighbors, and pursue peace through strengthening their nations from within...
Jesus' Word..."...if the Gentiles shall hearken unto the Lamb of God in that day that He shall mainifest himself unto them in word, and also in power, in very deed, unto the taking away of their stumbling blocks," 1 Nephi 14:1. Oh, let us listen to Jesus.
Miracle Moment...usually after dishes and a walk, I'm ready to take a soak while J reads. We aren't anywhere near the kitchen after 7:30 unless one of us needs a drink. Last night was different. We decided to play Scrabble. Near the end of our game, I though I heard the dishwasher start up...but it didn't sound quite right. A few minutes elapsed, and I knew it wasn't the dishwasher. Upon investigation, I discovered the hose to the ice maker had popped off. Water covered the kitchen floor. If we hadn't been there our newly renovated kitchen and carpet would have been saturated. Since we don't use the ice maker and had no idea the workers had put in a new hook up, we disconnected it. We're thankful for this tender mercy of God. I don't believe in coincidences. Again and again He blesses me.
Bibliophilia...settling back into a life of study...rereading One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America's Future by Ben Carson M.D. I don't agree with 100% of what Dr. Carson says, but he is logical and sensible. I like his ideas of listening and action. He could be a great president.
Cucina Fresca...absolutely loving the availability of fresh, inexpensive produce, which is a benefit of metropolitan living...for the most part, I prefer the country. Anyway, we've been eating less grains and beans but more greens, veggies, and fruits. This is good, because I gained a few too many pounds living in the cold and dark forest, forever hungry and craving dried fruit. I call it the salad diet. Split between us breakfast is a green smoothie made with 1 lb spinach and fruit. Salad for lunch is 1 lb romaine and other veggies, and 1 c beans with a side of fruit. Finally, I disguise our salad as a stoup: 1 lb cabbage or bok choi and other veggies, 1 c cooked whole grains, 1/2 c cooked beans or dal, and lots of flavorful herbs and spices with a side of fruit--this is the perfect time for banana ice kream. It is extremely filling and satisfying. Sambar is our current favorite stoup. When I get rid of the extra baggage, I'll eat a few more calories from legumes, whole grains, and potatoes. I don't want to be too thin again.
More Movement...now that I'm a little more put together, I've resumed my mixture of yoga, martial arts, ballet, strength training, and foam rolling along with a lot of walking...I feel great when I am fit and strong...Additionally, I'm taking Clara's advice of Clara's Kitchen, who said that doing her housework was better exercise than running around the neighborhood. Sweeping, scrubbing floors, dusting blinds, cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming, and gardening keeps me fit without the injuries inherent with running. I was considering getting a cleaning service and taking up running. Seems pretty silly after listening to Clara. After seeing the mess our yard is in, we'll also fire the gardener. What has he been doing these last two years?
Dr. Ginger, Medicine Woman...I'm not a doctor but a student of natural healing and nutrition....Getting more sun on purpose, plus it's actually possible...sunlight therapy or heliotherapy is the healing science of sun bathing. I don't accept many of allopathic medicine's paranoid messages about the dangers of the sun. As a side note, allopathy accidents and mistreatments are the fifth leading cause of death in the US, which doesn't put them on any ivory tower to me. Ancient cultures and even modern medicine until not too long ago used the sun to heal all kinds of illnesses and restore radiant health. Hippocrates advocated sun bathing to the point that most large Greek homes had solariums or helioses. The Incas of Peru were also sun healers. Not only does sunbathing end depression and fight TB, it produces vital vitamin D, increases bone and tooth health, speeds wound healing, fights cancer, supports the immune system, protects against dementia and brain aging, helps eliminate excess fat and cholesterol, treats skin issues, builds the immune system, kills pathogens, promotes production of nitric oxide, aids production and regulation of hormones, improves proper liver function, fights insomnia, increases the production of both red and white blood corpuscles, raises oxygen saturation, and improves blood circulation.
Prophet's Voice...“The voice of warning is to all people by the mouths of his servants. If this voice is not heeded, the angels of destruction will increasingly go forth, and the chastening hand of Almighty God will be felt upon the nations, as decreed, until a full end thereof will be the result. Wars, devastation, and untold suffering will be your lot except you turn unto the Lord in humble repentance. Destruction, even more terrible and far-reaching than attended the last great war, will come with certainty unless rulers and people alike repent and cease their evil and godless ways. God will not be mocked. He will not permit the sins of sexual immorality, secret murderous combinations, the killing of the unborn, and disregard for all his holy commandments and the messages of his servants to go unheeded without grievous punishment for such wickedness. The nations of the world cannot endure in sin. The way of escape is clear. The immutable laws of God remain steadfastly in the heavens above. When men and nations refuse to abide by them, the penalty must follow. They will be wasted away. Sin demands punishment. When the voice of warning goes forth it is always attended by testimony. In the declaration issued by the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1845, this is the testimony which was borne, and we who are the apostles today renew it as our witness,” Ezra Taft Benson, October 1975.
