I love my homemade products!
1. Face Soap:
I have normal to dry skin.
*Baby Shampoo/Wash (I love CA baby!)
*1 tsp of tea tree oil.
Pour the tea tree oil into the baby wash bottle and shake until combined.
2. Stay-In Conditioner
I have very long, thick, curly hair. It gets pretty dry and frizzy!
Damp, towel dried hair.
Combine in a small container:
*olive oil
* a bit of tea tree oil
I pour about 2 Tbs into my hands and work it through my hair.
No need for stay-in conditioners, gel, or hairsprays.
3. Diaper Laundry Detergent
Equal parts of:
*baking soda
*Sun Oxygen cleaner
*washing soda
2 TBS for a large load.
4. Laundry Detergent
Combine the following:
*1/2C Borax
*1C Washing Soda
*1 bar of Fels-Naphla Soap (grated with cheese grater)
2 TBS for large load.
5. Fabric Softener
* 1/2 C of Vinegar in the rinse cycle.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thankfulness in pain
Is ALL of our life's experiences for God's Glory?
Is there nothing that God cannot use? What about the trials we encounter? Or the sin we commit? Am I to believe that I can bring God glory and honor from the darkest part of my life? Even when everything hurts and feels so wrong?
When I pray for help, I feel hopeless and far from God's will. So I beg, and beg, and beg; and nothing ever changes. I read my bible and I focus on the verses that I believe will allow me to "work" my way out of my suffering. Of course, that never works, either. What if I haven't been asking for help, at all? What if I am reading the bible for my own benefit, and not to love God? Perhaps, all along, my real prayer was a confession of my unwillingness to trust and not submit to His plan for my life? Without real, genuine faith, how can expect God to listen and reveal himself to me?
Jesus' work wasn't useless. Although he healed the sick and raised people from the dead, many people didn't feel like He wasn't the genuine Savior. He was believed to be a lunatic and was tortured and nailed on a cross. But, his "uselessness" for this world brought forth our ultimate forgiveness and redemption. His pain and suffering was all for God's glory.
I am listening, God. My eyes are open. I rejoice in your everlasting love and constant care. I see now, that my life was always in your care. I don't need to try to change my circumstances. I need to change my perspective. I leave my life in your hands.
Full of thanksgiving...
Is there nothing that God cannot use? What about the trials we encounter? Or the sin we commit? Am I to believe that I can bring God glory and honor from the darkest part of my life? Even when everything hurts and feels so wrong?
When I pray for help, I feel hopeless and far from God's will. So I beg, and beg, and beg; and nothing ever changes. I read my bible and I focus on the verses that I believe will allow me to "work" my way out of my suffering. Of course, that never works, either. What if I haven't been asking for help, at all? What if I am reading the bible for my own benefit, and not to love God? Perhaps, all along, my real prayer was a confession of my unwillingness to trust and not submit to His plan for my life? Without real, genuine faith, how can expect God to listen and reveal himself to me?
Jesus' work wasn't useless. Although he healed the sick and raised people from the dead, many people didn't feel like He wasn't the genuine Savior. He was believed to be a lunatic and was tortured and nailed on a cross. But, his "uselessness" for this world brought forth our ultimate forgiveness and redemption. His pain and suffering was all for God's glory.
I am listening, God. My eyes are open. I rejoice in your everlasting love and constant care. I see now, that my life was always in your care. I don't need to try to change my circumstances. I need to change my perspective. I leave my life in your hands.
Full of thanksgiving...
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Waiting
OK, Lord. I'm waiting. Life is so hard right now. I am pushed to the brink and have not been guided back to safety...yet. I am holding on to the hope that God will help me through this. Please, Lord, move this mountain, it is too big for me.
He can give the blind sight and make the lame walk. He can bring death to life...so why do I feel lost in this overwhelming life?
He is alive in me, right?
I count my blessings daily.
I keep working hard.
I keep loving my husband and my babies.
I try to be honorable in all I do.
I have given all that I have.
Every breath...every waking moment...I am seeking, asking, waiting for you Lord.
The blows keep coming.
The same trials occur again and again...as if I haven't learned enough.
WHEN? When will this end??
Sunday, January 20, 2013
I hate snow
I won't even pretend. I roll my eyes at anyone who tells they love the freaking snow. I live in West Michigan, where we get what is called the "Lake Effect Snow." I still don't really understand what that is, except I know that it sucks and I hate it. Did I mention that I hate snow?
The snow globe view from inside my living room window is nice to look at, and I will admit it is fun to run around and play in it once in a while...until you get too numb, or wet, or snow get's down inside your boot, or in your coat, or in your gloves, or a snowball in your face (ok maybe that's a little fun.)
Moreover, I've got little children...sigh. They cry about every miserable thing (and I don't blame them). It is miserable to be cold and wet. The work required to get my kids outdoors is redonkulous! I have actually broken down and cried when I couldn't get a blasted boot on my 3 yr old. I even cursed at a mitten for refusing to go on nicely.
Snow and mud gets tracked into my house everyday and it drives me crazy. I have stepped on (with socks on, mind you) more muddy, melted snow puddles more times than I could count. If you have any idea what trouble I go through to organize the mess of coats, gloves, hats, and gloves, you would realize why I pop anti-anxiety pills.
Once I step outside my nice, warm home, I want to cry because everything hurts. My eyes tear up, my nose leaks. My blasted teeth hurt. I even think I feel pain in my hair. Then, the ground turns into ice and I start slipping and falling like Bambie on the frozen lake. I have twisted groin muscles and bruised my tailbone and knees. Snow can blow upward and sideways and then blind you with a clump of snow in your eyes. There is some snow that is wet and clingy. Why??? My curly hair frizzes and my lips and hands get chapped so bad they bleed. Have you ever had a crack develop on your fingertip? I have to put superglue on it, so as to stop the intense pain. Superglue...on my body, people...superglue!
Like I said, it looks pretty from inside the warmth of my cozy home, but once you are driving around, all you notice are the piles and piles of ugly dirty snow that are scraped off roads and parking lots and turned into grungy, frozen snow walls and mountains. Everything looks dead, ruined, and downright DISGUSTING. The sun rarely shines and instead of blue skies, the heavens are white and grey day after day after day. Shoveling is grueling and dumb. What a waste of time. Most people own a snow blower and the noise is beyond intrusive. Did you know there are actually people who pride themselves in the "art of shoveling." Michiganders are a bewilderment...
Speaking of driving around in that mess; the actual driving is treacherous. Tail spinning is not fun and spinning your car a full 360 degrees is a fright I don't ever want to repeat. I am surprised I haven't been in a car crash yet! Everyone eventually get's into a car wreck, or crashes into someone's living room or drives into the lake. Heck, people die all the time here!
While this has been fun venting of my hate of snow, I will humbly admit I like some things...
1) The beauty of light snow flakes slowly falling all around me.
2) Sparking lights under the snow.
3) Walking all alone on the hiking trails in the snow. The peace and serenity is like none other.
4) Playing with my family, building snow forts, and sledding.
5) A reason to drink gallons of hot-cocoa.
6) An excuse for a conversation ("talk about the weather") when I'd rather not talk to that person.
7) I enjoy the flowers in the spring. Without the snow what beauty would we have to look forward to?
8) Being appreciative and grateful for the days when the weather is more favorable.
It is OK that I still hate snow, but I am wise enough to appreciate that snow has made me stronger, resilient, and a better knitter.
For everything there is a season...
The snow globe view from inside my living room window is nice to look at, and I will admit it is fun to run around and play in it once in a while...until you get too numb, or wet, or snow get's down inside your boot, or in your coat, or in your gloves, or a snowball in your face (ok maybe that's a little fun.)
Moreover, I've got little children...sigh. They cry about every miserable thing (and I don't blame them). It is miserable to be cold and wet. The work required to get my kids outdoors is redonkulous! I have actually broken down and cried when I couldn't get a blasted boot on my 3 yr old. I even cursed at a mitten for refusing to go on nicely.
Snow and mud gets tracked into my house everyday and it drives me crazy. I have stepped on (with socks on, mind you) more muddy, melted snow puddles more times than I could count. If you have any idea what trouble I go through to organize the mess of coats, gloves, hats, and gloves, you would realize why I pop anti-anxiety pills.
Once I step outside my nice, warm home, I want to cry because everything hurts. My eyes tear up, my nose leaks. My blasted teeth hurt. I even think I feel pain in my hair. Then, the ground turns into ice and I start slipping and falling like Bambie on the frozen lake. I have twisted groin muscles and bruised my tailbone and knees. Snow can blow upward and sideways and then blind you with a clump of snow in your eyes. There is some snow that is wet and clingy. Why??? My curly hair frizzes and my lips and hands get chapped so bad they bleed. Have you ever had a crack develop on your fingertip? I have to put superglue on it, so as to stop the intense pain. Superglue...on my body, people...superglue!
Like I said, it looks pretty from inside the warmth of my cozy home, but once you are driving around, all you notice are the piles and piles of ugly dirty snow that are scraped off roads and parking lots and turned into grungy, frozen snow walls and mountains. Everything looks dead, ruined, and downright DISGUSTING. The sun rarely shines and instead of blue skies, the heavens are white and grey day after day after day. Shoveling is grueling and dumb. What a waste of time. Most people own a snow blower and the noise is beyond intrusive. Did you know there are actually people who pride themselves in the "art of shoveling." Michiganders are a bewilderment...
Speaking of driving around in that mess; the actual driving is treacherous. Tail spinning is not fun and spinning your car a full 360 degrees is a fright I don't ever want to repeat. I am surprised I haven't been in a car crash yet! Everyone eventually get's into a car wreck, or crashes into someone's living room or drives into the lake. Heck, people die all the time here!
While this has been fun venting of my hate of snow, I will humbly admit I like some things...
1) The beauty of light snow flakes slowly falling all around me.
2) Sparking lights under the snow.
3) Walking all alone on the hiking trails in the snow. The peace and serenity is like none other.
4) Playing with my family, building snow forts, and sledding.
5) A reason to drink gallons of hot-cocoa.
6) An excuse for a conversation ("talk about the weather") when I'd rather not talk to that person.
7) I enjoy the flowers in the spring. Without the snow what beauty would we have to look forward to?
8) Being appreciative and grateful for the days when the weather is more favorable.
It is OK that I still hate snow, but I am wise enough to appreciate that snow has made me stronger, resilient, and a better knitter.
For everything there is a season...
Friday, January 18, 2013
Speak Normal, Christians!
Growing up in San Diego, I often experienced a language barrier while interacting with the Spanish speaking community. It was common that I felt very disconnected, confused, and frustrated when I couldn't really talk effectively with someone. Truthfully, it was much easier to avoid conversation and relationship with people I couldn't talk too. Sadly, I find the same level of disconnect in the church. I am sure more confusion is felt by the unchurched in our community. The confusion that I am referring to is the hyper-spiritual talk, commonly known as "Christianese."
Christianese; Putting on the mask:
"Quiet-time," "growing," "I feel so blessed," "I was convicted," "I was moved to," "I am struggling with," "walk alongside me," "I was so encouraged," "I stumbled," "effective in my walk," and the list goes on...and on.
If you have been in the church for a long time, you know these words and phrases very well and you may even speak fluently in this language. (Kudos to you; you are soooo spiritual!) An outsider listening to this language is left baffled and trust me, they believe you are a total idiot! It is a bombardment of useless, noneffective words. You are coming across as obnoxious, intrusive, and judgmental as you speak Christianese into every conversation. But mostly, people feel entirely unloved and marginalized when you talk that way.
Have you ever considered that this method you choose to communicate the spiritual complexities of your faith is not working? Have you even considered that you are hiding behind a false security? You use mysteriously twisted, perfectly dropped, godly words that make you sound good (than you really are, probably). But, you are confused! You see, speaking this way puts you into a "holier-than-thou" position and puts your listener beneath you. Your poor listener has to endure, with baited-breath, your pearls of inspired wisdom. You're striving to be and look different than who you really are, which only makes you appear pretentious and phony.
Jesus told stories and parable that illustrated the Judean culture he was preaching to: Farmers, fishermen, soldiers, families, high officials, etc. That is how it is done. Speak the language of your culture you are trying to reach. Anything less than that is you own insecurity and immaturity. If you are not communicating like the culture you live in, then you will reduce the power of God's work in your life every time you slap His name over every thought or experience you have. You will ultimately hinder the opportunity for the Lost to learn about Christ.
Our goal as Christians is to live out our faith and reach the Lost. We do not to impress others with our understanding of our faith. Always communicating your life only in terms with your relationship with Jesus is only one sided to a grand Christian experience, but it isn't really living rightly. If you just took the time to understand the person you are talking to, then you would drop this whole facade. Stop trying so hard! You can’t get it wrong! Jesus lives in YOU, dear Christian, so just let His love come through.
Be real with people. Apostle Paul spoke of being "all things to all people." That will take courage and determination to speak plain English. It will require you to love deeper and throw off the old habits of your complacency. Opening up your life and being real will give you real access to the heart of other people. Take your mask off and leave it off.
One more point:
Talk to other Christians this way, too! It will be empowering to all!!
Christianese; Putting on the mask:
"Quiet-time," "growing," "I feel so blessed," "I was convicted," "I was moved to," "I am struggling with," "walk alongside me," "I was so encouraged," "I stumbled," "effective in my walk," and the list goes on...and on.
If you have been in the church for a long time, you know these words and phrases very well and you may even speak fluently in this language. (Kudos to you; you are soooo spiritual!) An outsider listening to this language is left baffled and trust me, they believe you are a total idiot! It is a bombardment of useless, noneffective words. You are coming across as obnoxious, intrusive, and judgmental as you speak Christianese into every conversation. But mostly, people feel entirely unloved and marginalized when you talk that way.
Have you ever considered that this method you choose to communicate the spiritual complexities of your faith is not working? Have you even considered that you are hiding behind a false security? You use mysteriously twisted, perfectly dropped, godly words that make you sound good (than you really are, probably). But, you are confused! You see, speaking this way puts you into a "holier-than-thou" position and puts your listener beneath you. Your poor listener has to endure, with baited-breath, your pearls of inspired wisdom. You're striving to be and look different than who you really are, which only makes you appear pretentious and phony.
Jesus told stories and parable that illustrated the Judean culture he was preaching to: Farmers, fishermen, soldiers, families, high officials, etc. That is how it is done. Speak the language of your culture you are trying to reach. Anything less than that is you own insecurity and immaturity. If you are not communicating like the culture you live in, then you will reduce the power of God's work in your life every time you slap His name over every thought or experience you have. You will ultimately hinder the opportunity for the Lost to learn about Christ.
Our goal as Christians is to live out our faith and reach the Lost. We do not to impress others with our understanding of our faith. Always communicating your life only in terms with your relationship with Jesus is only one sided to a grand Christian experience, but it isn't really living rightly. If you just took the time to understand the person you are talking to, then you would drop this whole facade. Stop trying so hard! You can’t get it wrong! Jesus lives in YOU, dear Christian, so just let His love come through.
Be real with people. Apostle Paul spoke of being "all things to all people." That will take courage and determination to speak plain English. It will require you to love deeper and throw off the old habits of your complacency. Opening up your life and being real will give you real access to the heart of other people. Take your mask off and leave it off.
One more point:
Talk to other Christians this way, too! It will be empowering to all!!
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Friend of Sinners
The Lord, our Savior, is called "friend of sinners." I believe him to be my Lord and Savior, unfortunately, I have snubbed him as a friend. I am ashamed that I have adopted an unhealthy formula in making and keeping friends.Though I loathe small talk, I will endure hours of it, if that means I can earn you as a friend. I will even gossip about whomever you like, if that would keep you interested in me. I am the best at venting, cajoling, envying, and revealing all flavors of pain and sin. Of course, I include my reliable and dramatic "feelings" into any and every topic, so as not to seem dull or flat in my character. I will actively listen. I will even promise to pray for you. The truth is, it is all smoke and mirrors. I do not want a real friendship with anybody. What I want, you can not give me, and that is why I am forever seeking. No wonder I feel so alone. My needs are endless, my behavior is abhorring and my standards are weak. Is that not the reason why I needed a Savior in the first place? He came to fill those deep voids in our lives and to show us love unconditionally? If Jesus is all we need, our daily bread, why am I so hungry for more? Am I just a spiritual infant after all, suckling on the insatiable milk of pride and lust? Am I gorging on the crumbs off the table of worldly friendships because I haven't realized I was invited to a banquet with My Savior? Recently, I experienced the consequences of substituting a earthly friend, in place of a relationship with Christ. It has proven to be a regrettable disappointment in my life. I asked more than can be given and I gave more of myself than I should have. No one, no matter how well-intended or loving, can ever replace the wisdom and guidance we receive from the Lord. A real friend, like Christ, will be a mirror of Our Father's will and unconditional love. The temptation to be in a position greater than the influence of Jesus is so irresistible that even the holiest of saints can fall prey to it. The scriptures that are full of warnings and instructions on how to walk humbly, act shrewdly, and promote peace. He promises us that he will provide all we need. How easily I missed these instructions!
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