Day#13 of Living with Essential Oils-What Valor Can Do

Day #13. Good thing I'm not superstitious, cause that number ain't so lucky. My day wasn't too terribly lucky, either, though I don't believe in "luck" per se. I had a misadventure in the laundry room, trying to fit the ironing board cover back on after I'd washed it. My thumb slipped under the metal surface and the metal kindly sliced right through, underneath the nail. First aid training to the rescue!!!! I applied pressure, but unfortunately, the ironing board had slid down, barring my exit from the den of doom. My White knight came to my rescue (poor White knight, he has had to rescue me so often!) and got the evil ironing board out of the way, and doctored me up, too. It was that blood dripping down kind of cut, which of course hit my head after about five minutes. Thank goodness I was already sitting down by then!

Now you know why I didn't post yesterday: I couldn't type! That might have made for a more fun and interesting post though...

I used a lot of Peppermint yesterday, to try to promote some energy. I'd not slept well the night before because I had accidentally dropped one of my nightly pills and didn't know it. It also just happened to be the one that helps me to go to sleep and be relaxed and not anxious. Surprisingly, cancer treatment kind of took away some of that ability! Lol My eyes have also been real itchy ( nasty pollen!) and there is not too much the oils can do about that since they are not to be put in the eyes. A dab of Lavender or Peppermint rubbed under the eye bone does help some. However, last night I had some teeny, tiny hairs in my eyes because I got my first haircut since my hair started coming back in August of 2012. Oh happy day! You may see getting a haircut as a chore and a must do, but to me to get my do did is worth the pleasure of doing because I have a do to get did! Did you follow that? If you did, please explain it to me, because I'm not sure I followed it. Maybe sometime soon I'll have a decent picture taken of me that I can post to update the ones to your right that are from way back in 2010 I believe. "When time was young, and so were we..."

I have also become a champion of putting a dab of Lavender on the inside of my cheek! I have become so tough that I am now unmoved by the taste and my eyes do not water, nor does my throat involuntarily gag in reflex. Sigh, my mother would be proud...The tingly sensation is kind of cool, too.

Tim tried Peppermint as a stomach soother yesterday too. The book I have, that I mentioned before and only cost $2, said to place one drop of Peppermint on a sugar cube and suck on it until it dissolves to alleviate bloating, stomach cramps, and flatulence. His comment was it also wakes up and clears out the sinuses! Essential Oils do have side effects, really they do. Yet, unlike man-made medicines, the side effects give relief to other ailments! It is amazing what God does with just the molecular structure of a plant to benefit us, the human race. I'm so glad I serve Him. I think He's kinda cool, really.

One neat thing that happened: I had been sitting down cross-legged, indian-style, in a tailor's seat, whatever you want to call it, and when I went to stand up my left knee buckled and didn't want to straighten. No, silly, that's not the neat part! I hobbled over to the place we keep the essential oils and put into practice what I had read in the Lemon Drop Lounge on facebook. I first rubbed in Valor (not to keep my knee from snoring! You're being silly again! Remember what I just said about the positive side effects? Valor also relieves arthritis pain), which I chased with Pan Away (this one smells kind of like IcyHot only better), and finally I rubbed in some Peppermint, which is to go deep into the muscle or tendon and relieve pain. I went about my business and within five minutes, five minutes!, my knee was fine. I'm sold! I have had chronic pain in my left knee especially, but in both knees, since a car accident two years ago when the throttle stuck in the suv I was driving and I plowed into a field, missed a school bus in said field, and ended up taking down a tree before being stopped by the immovable force of a stationary utility trailer, and rammed both my knees into the steering column. All this with the kids screaming in the backseat. Lovely...Now when they give me problems, my knees not the kids, I know what to do.

Our nightly oils were:
The kids-Valor on the feet for courage and to promote sleeping. Peace and Calming on the shoulders to promote rest and peace. Lavender on the neck to promote sleep and to relieve allergies.
Grandma-Purification on the chest to relieve asthma, chronic bronchitis, breathing issues. Peace and Calming on the shoulders to promote rest and peace. Lavender on the neck to relieve allergies and promote sleep. Valor on the feet to stifle snoring and sleep apnea
Tim-Valor on the feet to prohibit snoring and sleep apnea. I love having a non-snorer husband! Aren't you jealous? Well you can have this too! Just let me know to place an order of the Valor for you, or you can sign up to order the kit it comes in. For info go to http://thelemondroplounge.com/. Also if you order from Young Living http://www.youngliving.com/essential-and-massage-oils/essential-oil-collections then please use my YL# to sign up under please. It is #1434897.
Me-Valor on the feet to relieve arthritis and give me softer feet. Peace and Calming on the shoulders to promote peace and calmness. Lavender on the neck to combat allergies and on the temples to prevent headaches and promote sleep.

Experiencing tech difficulties, which means my thumb is injured & prohibts typing. Blog will resume tomorrow.

Day #11 and #12 of Living with Essential Oils-Rantings and Ravings

This blog post has been edited by the crazy poster to curtail any further embarrassment to the poster's husband or anyone else. Apologies are offered for those who were offended by my sense of humor or simply did not find the first and former paragraph to be funny.

So let's see, I'm supposed to be discussing Day#11 and 12. I would have posted about Day#11 already, but technology was not on my side and I couldn't get an internet connection to stay connected long enough to post. Ir-ri-ta-ting! Day#11 was our errand day, which meant being out in this lovely pollen weather. At least the weekend's rain made most of the pollen wash away, but those oak trees were all reaching their long, tendrilly fingers out to smother me with their evil, pollen making fronds. I swear they're after me! I'm not paranoid, I tell you!

Before we left, I swiped Lavender across my cheekbones and behind my ears. I also used Peppermint to perk me up and open my sinuses. We've also discovered that Peppermint has to be diluted with a carrier oil (we're using olive oil right now) for use on the other members of the family, or it burns their skin. I seem to be the only one who can handle any of the essential oils NEAT (un-diluted); I'm kinda weird that way. But, I could not use a capsule to ingest the Lavender, or any of the other EO, because the capsules my friend Josie gave me have all been consumed and I have not placed my order with Young Living yet to get some more. What did I do? What could I do? There may or may not have been a moment of running around in circles, screaming. I did what Monique, the creator-extraordinaire of the Lemon Drop Lounge, told of her husband doing when he needs some serious allergy help. I put some Lavender on the inside of my cheek. This time, the second, I didn't gag or cringe! Well, not too badly, anyway. It still tastes bad, but the immediate relief of tingly spreading all through my face is enough of an inducement for me to use the Lavender in this way. I also must add: this should only be done with a Lavender essential oil that is rated for ingestion. I am not a doctor. I am not going to tell you “Do this”. I am not qualified to do so, nor do I want to tell you what to do. I reserve that desire for my children and my husband.

The whole time we were out (hours, and hours, and hours, and hours!) I didn't have to use either the Peppermint or the Lavender until more than halfway through our trip. I'm still not used to walking much, but I can make it a little bit further than a year ago. I didn't need the Lavender or Peppermint for allergies, but to help me perk up and to help me rest while we were in the car. Oxymoron I know, to say perk up and rest all in the same sentence, irregardless it is true.

While at 2^nd and Charles we found a book on Aromatherapy and living a lifestyle with essential oils that contained recipes for making stomachache relievers (one drop of peppermint eo on a sugar cube), insect repellant, migraine relief, bath salts, sugar scrubs, detoxes for certain conditions, etc all using essential oils. Now, this was not put out by Young Living-that was the Essential Oils Desk (or Pocket) Reference by Gary Young-so this book is only using single oils, not any of the blends YL offers like Valor, RC, Aroma Seize, etc. However, I can't afford to buy the pocket reference at the moment, and certainly not the desk reference (which costs more than the desk any desk in our house it would sit upon! Did I mention what a deal finder of a husband I have?). Therefore this book will suit our needs for the time being and the rest we will have to find out through the Lemon Drop Lounge or YL. I can't complain though, because this particular book was lovingly inscribed to a loved one, but obviously never used and still only cost $2.

I can tell how absolutely obsessed I am becoming with theses oils and how they are taking over my life and my way of thinking because I overheard a woman talking to another one at the thrift store about some medical complaints, and I almost, almost leaned over to begin telling what her oils she should use to clear that right up. Aaaahhhh! I am turning into an EO monster!!!!! Haha. I did manage to stop myself in time! I mean, I didn't even know the woman! She would have probably yelled, “Security!” within a few seconds of me addressing her. That would have been interesting to blog about...

I also tried Lemon in some seltzer water for the first time. The part I have had the hardest time with overcoming the craving for is not the sugar or caffeine of sodas but the bubblies and the fizzies. I love the way they feel and taste on my tongue. However, my last episode of drinking a coke is still fresh on my mind and I will not be drinking one in the near future! The Lemon in the seltzer water was pure bliss! It was nothing like the flavored ones I've had in the past, where they are so sweet my teeth rebel when the liquid slides past. This was refreshing (I know I've already said that in conjunction with Lemon lots of times, but trust me, one glass and you will agree!) and bubbly. Yum! If you have not tried this yet, you should. In my opinion, Lemon should be third on your list of what essential oils to get. Right after Lavender and Peppermint.

Day#12 hasn't been remarkable at all. Mostly just me recovering from our day out doing errands. And I got up before 10am and only took 1 nap! Things are progressing. However, I am looking forward to purchasing Motivation and Deep Relief in the near future to help with some of the symptoms I still struggle with. My allergies were not nearly as bad, although I did have to use my prescription eye drops for the burning and itching going on around my tear ducts. I think I've only sneezed a total of four times today. Lavender is such a lovely lady to have about!

On a side, side note, I came up with a good, light salad recipe. Take whatever salad greens you like, I prefer spinach or spring mix, and add diced up mango, apple and strawberry to the greens. Next add some honey roasted peanuts or chow mien or sunflower seeds, something crunchy. Then add crumbled up goat cheese, however much you like. I know it sounds weird. Just trust me. Fruit and goat cheese go together surprisingly well. That is unless you abhor goat cheese with a passion (Josie), then substitute another kind of cheese you do like. Lastly, drizzle a good quality olive oil, avocado oil, or almond oil over the top. The flavors are light and make me think of summer. You are also getting in a fruit serving and a vegetable serving and a dairy serving and an oil serving all in one bowl.

Another thing to tell you about, which is so totally not my doing, but I want to brag about anyway, because of the awesome job Monique and her crew have done. The Lemon Droppers now have a new website. When I first joined the group was called Granola Oils, but things have changed, and everything has become more hip and rad and cool and all of those other words our kids roll their eyes at when we say them. I am very proud to be a Lemon Dropper, which my five year old thinks means I'm a Lemon Head, one of his favorite candies. The boy found a box of them in his sister's candy stash when he was like 13 months old and ate all five pieces before I even knew he had the box. Since then, we buy him a box for his stocking each Christmas and several other times a year. His referral to me as a Lemon Head is therefore a compliment, or at least, I choose to take it as such and no one here can make me think otherwise!!!! If you want to know more about what being a Lemon Dropper is, or more about all of these oils I keep talking about, then check out the website. http://thelemondroplounge.com/ Monique and the other blog posters have a much better and simpler way of explaining than I do. Although I'm afraid you will have to suffer horribly through another blogger's tendencies to go down various rabbit trails and you will also have to suffer through lots more side splitting laughter than reading my posts. She is one funny lady. If you don't believe me, read her post about trying new, healthier things and eating edamame for the first time. Hysterical!

http://granolaconvert.com/blog/learning-to-eat-healthy-is-dangerous There is also a post about Peppermint, and No, it doesn't discuss peeing Peppermint, but it does have a testimonial from yours truly included in the stream of other people's. If you want to check it out, it is http://thelemondroplounge.com/portfolio-oils/peppermint

Our nightly oils have been the same as I posted about last. The kids are still sleeping much better once we added Valor and Peace and Calming to the Lavender. Peace and Calming on their shoulders is becoming their favorite, they do not seem to be effected by the smell of funeral flowers clinging to their skin. They must get that weirdness from their dad. So much else of theirs is my fault, so I think he should take the blame for something!

No blog post tonight my adoring fans. Tune in tomorrow with the hopes of getting a double dose of little ol' me and a working internet signal for day 11 & 12.

Day#10 of Living with Essential Oils-Fever vs. Thieves

Goodness what have I gotten myself into, posting about each day of our using essential oils?! For those who don't know me very well, I am great at starting projects; really I am very creative, and able to come up with some very good ideas on a variety of subjects: sewing, cooking, gardening, writing, designing, etc. I have been so blessed in those areas, God has seen fit for whatever reason to bestow many a blessing on me, that I assure you has nothing to do with me, but has also seen fit to leave learning and applying persistence, consistency, and diligence up to me. Don't you hate it when God wants you, in all of His glorious wisdom, to do something that is so uncomfortable? I mean, geez Louise!, haven't I gone through enough, Lord? Do I really have to learn how to be a better person and use my talents more to your glory? I mean, can't I stay in my comfort zone and grow stagnant for just a little while?! Ugh, I hate it when I answer my own questions to God...I can just picture Him silently and indulgently nodding His head while I prattle on and on.

So, Day #10. Ooh, it was a doozy. I thought for a little while the bad mood John had carried around for most of Day #9 had foisted itself off on me. I got up with my allergies trying to eat my face. I literally felt like I was to be part of a Doctor Who episode, not playing the part of Rose or Amy, but one of the poor unfortunates who has some evil alien something explode their head or turn them into Daleks. If you have never watched Doctor Who, you have no clue what total goodness you've been missing! Sorry, side rant...Allergies, face being eaten, yes, got it. Ok, so I felt like crap. I sneezed and sneezed (although nowhere near 47 times, more like 10) and I snotted and snotted. No dainty feminine thing am I! I wish! Lavender came to my rescue, along with Peppermint, which I rubbed on my neck, behind my ears, along the bottom eye bones, and across the bridge of my nose. I also took a pill capsule with Lavender, Peppermint, Lemon, and Thieves in it. And, amazing amazing, no gagging! I think I'm getting used to the grossness or using better aim to getting the oil into the capsule, either one.

I put Lavender and Peppermint on the kids before they left out with their Grandma and Daddy for the morning to go to yard sales and flea market owned by some family. John is still taking 3 prescription allergy meds each night; please don't think I'm pretending to be a doctor, because I'm not. When the kids go for their well check-ups next month I will talk to their doctor about weaning John off of his meds one at a time to where we are just using essential oils, but I am not playing voodoo doctor here. I also gave Tim a pill capsule with Lemon and Peppermint and Lavender in it to help combat allergies as well as help him to lose weight. We've both already experienced the effects of Peppermint being an appetite suppressor, and I've had to remind myself to eat on several occasions because I've just not been hungry. I'm not trying to lose weight, but I don't want to gain either. When Tim and I got married, I barely weighed 110 lbs. and wore a size 6 juniors clothing. Today, after ten years, two kids, turning 30, and surviving cancer, chemo and radiation I weigh 150 lbs. and wear a size 14 women's,at 5'8” I might add. I'm perfectly happy with that. And I'm thankful to be in that kind of place in my life.

However happy I might be, I felt yuck on Day #10. While the others were gone I was trying to finish reorganizing one of my armoires that holds my sewing supplies. I had started the project a week before and had not gotten around to finishing it. Refer to first paragraph of this post if you are the least bit surprised. That I was able to pretty much finish it within one week must be setting a record for me, I tell you! When the others came back, I was on my second touch up of Lavender, and had mercifully stopped sneezing and having to blow my nose every two or three seconds. Although my bad mood remained; unfortunate for the others, especially since they brought back a myriad of things from the places they'd been, including a rather large piece of furniture. Oh, it was a great deal and a pretty piece of furniture. Tim never ever comes away without a great deal when he goes out. It is his specialty and has supplied most of the things in our home that have not been given to us, and greatly compliments his love language of giving. We are very blessed, but (yes, there is always a but, blah, blah) I am the one with the interior design degree and the one who takes charge (whether it's been given or not) of the décor of our house. That meant this poor, wretched, bad-tempered woman whose sinuses were trying to invade the rest of her face was forced to stop, get over her miffiness (check the dictionary of rachel for that one), take a good look around and figure out where to put this new monstrosity with the least amount of fuss and the most amount of grace. The fuss part came more easily than the grace, although neither were a piece of cake. I wish I could hide the truth, but my husband reads this too but I couldn't bear to do such a thing to my lovely readers who must surely rely on my honesty and straightforwardness. I almost got that written with a straight face...

While I pondered and rearranged the furniture in my head (take that Sherlock Holmes, with your “mind palace”) seeing what might fit where, I realized I wasn't just being cranky and bad-tempered. I actually had an excuse. Wonders never cease, eh? I had curled up on my loveseat to ponder on the furniture arrangement, nestled under a blanket, freezing. Yet, when I touched my hand to my head, to aid in pondering not to imitate a lady in distress, I realized I had a fever. I got Mercy to bring me the Lavender, Eucalyptus, and Thieves, which I dabbed and rubbed and dabbed and rubbed. Have I mentioned how much I love the smell of Thieves???? I was also thankful to know I was not in jeopardy of becoming dehydrated with, like, the gallon of water I'm drinking a day thanks to the ever so lovely Lemon I add to my water.

The solution to the arrangement problem came to me and I directed my ever so lovely staff, er, family, to do my bidding while I lounged like Cleopatra on my divan. No wait, she was a crazier lady than I and voluntarily got bitten by snakes...I graced my lounge in the manner of Queen Victoria, letting my royal decree be known. Unfortunately it was more in the manner of the elderly Queen than the younger, more vivacious version, because somewhere in the midst of it all I fell asleep. And, I was awakened in the most loving manner by one who is as dear to me as Prince Albert was to Queen Victoria, though he has yet to give me as many children and better not die on me to be 30 something years his widow. No, it was not true love's kiss. Sigh...It was him moving the love seat while I was slumbering upon it, in a sudden, jarring fashion. Good thing I like him...

I went to a more proper place for one of my nature and temperament...bed. Where I slept for at least three hours. When I awoke, I felt much better and my fever was gone, not to return. Thankfully, the bad-tempered woman seemed to be gone as well. And all in the castle heaved a sigh of relief! I was amazed by the ability of the Thieves, when rubbed on my chest and the soles of my feet. I had read about it's potential to get rid of fevers and kill over 99% of bacteria and wanted to try it for myself, but I wasn't expecting such a fast result. Why not just take tylenol you ask? Well, in the past year I have taken nearly two bulk size bottles of tylenol due to my various ailments, and it is not exactly the best for one's liver, and speak for your own liver, but my liver is very happy where it is and I'm very happy with it doing it's job well for as long as possible. So, anything I can do to relieve the adverse effects of modern medicine I will do; of course, unless life happens and I forget about doing it for a while (like you've never!). I am not here to judge, I am only here to share what amazing things my family is experiencing by using the essential oils from Young Living. I'm even here to share our struggles, our dislikes (have you read my reaction to Peace And Calming?), and even the things that don't seem to work that well for us. If you want to know more about the essential oils, Young Living, or the Lemon Drop Lounge (the facebook group dedicated to asking questions and posting answers about essential oils) please email me at spiceyourspace@yahoo.com or message me on facebook. If I can't answer your question, then I'll try to find the person who can.

Well, to finish out this post, our nightly oils were:

Grandma:Valor on the soles of her feet for sleep apnea and arthritis relief and across her wrists for anxiety; Peace and Calming across the shoulders to promote peace; Purification on the chest to prevent asthmatic or bronchial symptoms; Lavender to promote sleep.

Tim: Valor on the soles of his feet to combat sleep apnea and give arthritis relief.

Mercy and John: Valor on the soles of their feet to promote courage and bravery and combat nightmares. Lavender to promote sleep and rest. Peace and Calming to promote, well, peace and calming.

Little 'ol Me: Valor on the soles of my feet to promote sleep and relieve arthritis; Peace and Calming to help me get to sleep; Lavender to promote peace and rest and prevent headaches; Thieves on my chest to prevent sickness and because I just like the smell.

All of these are also accompanied by prayer. The fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much.

For those of you who have actually read this whole thing (goodness me, aren't you the diligent one!) I will reward you with a little bit of info I haven't shared up until now, because I'm chicken, ok? You can become a member (oh Lord, I think I just lost everyone at that word) of Young Living for just $40. Now this does not mean you are a part of a scam or a pyramid scheme or have to sell so many bottles a month, etc or that you have just signed your life and the lives of your children away. What it does mean is that you get the Lavender and Peppermint (in 5ml bottles vs. the normal 15ml bottles) plus a $40 off coupon for a home diffuser to spread all those lovely molecules of goodness around in your home. You don't have to do anything else if you don't want to, but you will then get my price (which I will give to you anyway, if you order from me) on all of the merchandise Young Living has to offer. If you want to go one more step, (say, oh, tax returns timely arrival) you can get the essential starter kit, which comes with 7 of the oils, plus info and samples and the coupon and the Lavender and Peppermint, for $150. This too, will give you my price and you can load up on all the oils your heart so desires!

Day#9 of Living with Essential Oils-Bad Mood Relievers & "Franklin's cents"

Day #9 was a bit of a challenge for me. Our son, who is going to be 6 in just a couple of weeks, was cranky and in a bad attitude most of the day. It was so unlike him to act that way, and it was something I had to address several times. On the second occasion I applied Lemon, Peace and Calming, and Valor to him and prayed with him. He was more easy going for a while and better behaved, but after he got sent to his room while our neighbor was over here playing, I applied them again. At bedtime, I put Peace and Calming, Lavender, and Valor on him and prayed diligently. When he woke up in the morning, he said he slept very well and has been in a much better mood. He also said the oils helped him stop being mean. He is much better at admitting when he's wrong than I am, so perhaps he won't be as stubborn as his mom when he's grown. I hate to think what he would have been like today without the essential oils to help! But at the same time, it shows this is not a fix all cure, we have to be diligent in our use of them and in our use of prayer to accompany them. If you don't understand the power of prayer, I can see where you would call these “voodoo meds”!

When I told Mercy it was time to do schoolwork, I didn't even finish my sentence before she had gone over to the box with the oils in it and began applying Peppermint and Frankincense to help her concentrate. I complimented her for doing so, but she said something that just struck me as quite funny. She thought we have been calling Frankincense “Franklin's cents” all this time! She knew it was an expensive oil back in Bible times and thought that it was called Franklin's cents because it took a lot of cents with Ben Franklin's picture on it to buy the essential oil. Oh, I have the best job ever being a mom!

I didn't have as much energy on this day. My allergies were really acting up, and I didn't douse myself in Lavender and Peppermint as much as I should have because I got busy and didn't think about it. We moms tend to not think of ourselves when we see a mile long to do list in our heads. It is not intentional or on purpose ignoring, it just kind of happens and later we go “oh yeah, I was supposed to take some...”. I did remember to drink plenty of water with Lemon in it. Have I mentioned how yummy and addictive it is???? I was however very glad when night time rolled around, even though I had taken a nap, I was not feeling well over all.

I used Valor on my feet for sleeping and arthritis and most importantly on my jaw for TMJ and teeth grinding, Peace and Calming on my shoulders to promote calm and help me get to sleep, Lavender on my temples to prevent headaches and the sides of my neck to promote sleep and rest. I also put a drop of Thieves on my chest. I LOVE Thieves! Josie Jones you were so right, it is at most moments my favorite oil! I even added a drop of it to the white vinegar in the fabric softener slot when washing some nasty, sweaty, smelly work clothes. I couldn't believe the difference! I am very sensitive to smells, have been since the chemo beast attacked me last year. So sensitive that I could smell any paper or cardboard product from across the house! Our house is over 80 feet long, people! And I could tell when someone on the other end of the house tore off a paper towel from the roll or opened a new package of toilet paper. Therefore when I say Thieves got rid of the sweat odor, I really mean it. And when I say it Thieves smells wonderful, I really mean that too!

At bedtime, Mercy got the same oils as John: Valor, Peace and Calming, and Lavender. She also slept extremely well and said she only woke up once and it was to hear her Grandma snore just a little bit. M turned her head and showed me how she went to sleep with cartoon like drama. The girl is cute, what can I say?

Tim got me to rub Valor on his feet without a mutter of a reply from me. I'm learning how to be more giving! Woo-hoo! I also rubbed some Peace and Calming on his neck and shoulders to help relax some tenseness he was dealing with. When I came to bed, he was sleeping well and didn't snore any that I know of. Just seeing him sleep better and be able to relax enough to sleep after being tense is enough of a reason to use these essential oils! It eases my heart and brings me peace, too. Look for Day #10's post tomorrow in the midst of your church day. I'm going to talk about how I got relief from a fever that hit me midday.  

Day#8 of Living with Essential Oils-Lessons Learned

Day #8. How can it be that our lives have changed so much in just 8 days! Tim even packed up his cpap machine because he hasn't had a need for it; Valor has given him, and me!, profound relief from his snoring and sleep apnea. The gargantuan stomachache I had today was relieved by simply rubbing Peppermint oil on my stomach. No need for man-made meds, which is just extraordinary to me. The kids have slept better by far, except for last night, than they have slept for months. Grandma has felt better and had a great reduction in snoring, and even some nights without any snoring. I have had more energy, which is in itself remarkable given what all these essential oils are having to fix in this imperfect body living in an imperfect world!

I mentioned in yesterday's post about my very experience in drinking a coke. In case you missed it (it was riveting, astounding composition, I assure you!), I've been trying to cut out sodas, which for me means coke, but had a 20oz. Coke over the space of about 12 or 15 hours, an evening and a morning. The effect was a nasty stomachache which kept me miserable until I remembered the Peppermint and applied it Neat to my stomach. Within minutes, I felt much better. It was like a science experiment so cool you couldn't believe the result of it! Maybe God knew what He was doing with creating these plants for our benefits after all! Duh! (Does anyone say “duh” anymore? If they don't, please substitute a more appropriate word in place of my gaff) Later when my stomach tried to revolt and turn into a heavy, lead rock weighing me down, I simply applied Peppermint again. Again, within minutes, I was feeling much better and without the chalky consistency and aftertaste of Rolaids or that nasty-liquid-stuff-you-keep-in-the-fridge-but-never-want-to-drink-because-it-is-so-very-nasty. Well after that second application my stomach was fine. No, I didn't feel like eating a 10oz ribeye or a juicy hamburger, but I was able to function and not be miserable for the rest of the day and into the night and even eat something light.

I've been reading a book called Healing Oils of the Bible based on recommendations from people associated with Young Living. I was able to get it from the library, and I have found it to be very enjoyable. The history involved in it is what I love, because history is my favorite subject, but the honest faith descriptions and insights into what oils really meant not just signified to the people of the Bible times has impressed me. Not everyone will agree with the author, I'm sure, but I have found the subjects discussed to be enlightening and suggest anyone uncertain of the true power in these essential oils or skeptical about what oils can and are intended to do, read this book.

Another issue of the day, was Mercy getting very upset and discouraged through doing her math. We homeschool and math is most often her favorite subject, but some days she expects too much of herself and gets overwhelmed. Sometimes, she is her own worst enemy. And her heart is so tender and loving, she upsets herself by not reaching her own expectations or because of fear of not reaching our expectations or what she thinks will be our expectations. So after a bout of discouragement and not being able to work through it, I applied Peppermint on her neck and nose for concentration and to wake up her senses. We were at the end of the school day and I knew her brain was tired by the look of her eyes. She was working herself up, so I also applied Peace & Calming to her shoulders to promote, you guessed it!, peace and calming. I told her to go read until she felt calm and then we would try again. Mercy told me later she felt much better after I put that “stuff” on her. Out of the mouth of babes, people! And this particular babe is going to be 9 in just a few weeks. How can that be?!!!!!!!

Mercy also had a horrible night last night, coming to our bed for the first time in months, telling her daddy she had a nightmare. Like me, she has always been prone to bad dreams and a hard time going to sleep. I can still recall some nasty dreams I had as a five-year-old, so I didn't want her to experience another night like the last one. So this night, after reading a tip from a fellow Lemon Dropper in the Lemon Drop Lounge, I applied the Lavender like normal on M, but then I added Valor to her feet and Peace & Calming to her shoulders. Unlike me, she likes the smell of P&C, but it doesn't smell as bad as the funeral home flower smell as it did at first. Then, I fervently prayed over her.

Every night I sing a lullaby to both of my children that I made up for them when they were little babies. Then after I sing it, I say a prayer over them and then they pray themselves. But this instance was more spiritual warfare. I don't know what you believe or don't believe, but I know what I believe, and that is we live in a fallen world as a formerly fallen people that have been made friends of God if we believe in Him and let His Son make us new again by believing in Him also, but the devil tries every trick he can to torment us children, by harming us, stealing from us, destroying us and what is ours, and killing us. I also believe that Psalm 91 says we do not have to be afraid of the terrors of the night and Psalm 4 says that we can both lie down and sleep for the Lord alone keeps us safe. Therefore, I prayed fervently over my child that she would have strength and courage and be brave, that fear would not overtake her, that night terrors could not come near her, that only good dreams could be in her night sleep, and that the Lord would protect her, and guard her heart and her mind. It was a moment I know faith happened. It was like the moments after my cancer diagnosis. I knew death was not part of the equation, that I would be alright. I didn't have any medical proof that I would actually make it, but I knew, if I allowed the Lord to be my strength I would live. In this moment, praying over my beloved daughter, I knew she would not suffer from bad dreams and that she would sleep peacefully.

During all of this, I had also applied Lavender to John-behind his ears, down his neck and across his bottom eye bones. After his lullaby and prayers I sent him on to bed. However, unlike his normal routine, he came to me fifteen minutes later saying he couldn't sleep. He said he only needed a drink of water, so he got that and went back to bed. Ten minutes later he returns, saying he still can't sleep. By which point I happen to know Mercy is already asleep. What an amazing God we serve! Even our sleep matters to Him, our God of More Than Enough! Realizing my error for not including John in the same regiment as Mercy, I silently repent, and rub Valor on his feet (which he loved because it tickled) and Peace & Calming on his shoulders. Then I prayed over him further, asking that God help him to go to sleep quickly and stay asleep all through the night, that he have no bad dreams, only good dreams. That his mind and heart be guarded and his angels protect him and that he both lie down and sleep for the Lord keeps him safe. He must have gone on to sleep, because he didn't come back out of his room, and he is not one to suffer alone in his bed if he can't sleep and there is someone else's bed he can crawl into.

Tim did not have any oils tonight, because he went to bed before me and I, shock of all shockers, didn't pause in my blog posting to go rub his feet in Valor, even if they are softer feet than the feet of Day#1. I'm still learning the humble lesson, so no judging! I, however, used Lavender behind my ears and on my temples; a drop of Thieves on my chest; Peace & Calming on my shoulders; Valor on my the bottoms of my feet, but I forgot to put it on my jawbone to help with TMJ and teeth grinding. Ah, the lessons we learn the hard way! I believe Grandma used P&C, Lavender, Valor, & Purification on her chest to help her breathe. I plan to put some Thieves on our dog's bed and some Valor to help her stop snoring, It's kind of funny when the dog becomes the loudest snorer in the house!!