LEAP

Life is interesting, isn't it? Sometimes challenges come up that require a leap of faith. I've had to do that a few times over the years, but it's never easy. It kind of feels like I'm launching myself into space without a guide wire to hang onto. One of those leaps confronted me a few weeks ago. And because I decided to leap, I ended up in Las Vegas for more than a week where I received healing treatments that I wasn't completely sure I even believed in.

Since 1991 I've lived with chronic pain that began with a serious auto accident. I have a list of painful conditions that I'll leave for another day, but recently I was diagnosed with of renal cell carcinoma. Ugh. 

I was scheduled for surgery to remove the kidney and the tumor and was all set to get it taken care of, but then I heard about another possible option. It could be like a miracle, not just for my kidney but for the rest of me as well. New clinics popped up all over the country, but there were long waiting lists. When I called the office in Las Vegas I was surprised to discover the clinic had room for me, but I had to go right away. I had only a few hours to decide and when I discovered that making the trip meant I'd have to postpone my surgery by almost two months I was anxious about such a dramatic change of plans. But God was waiting for me when I reached out and took his hand. I knew He had my life under control ... no matter what. I took that leap of faith, my hand firmly in his. 

In recent months I'd been hearing about new technology for health care and hoped that someday I'd be able to give it a try. Well, July 4th was my day, at least that's when I got a green light from the clinic in Las Vegas. On the 5th Greg and I set off for Nevada. That was on a Wednesday and Friday morning I walked into the Las Vegas Holistic Clinic. 

The clinic offers many paths to wellness, but I was there for EES, the Energy Enhancement System. If you'd like to do some personal research on it here is a link,  https://www.eesystem.com

I've never taken part in a healing process like the EESystem. But the science is good, and I am convinced that it works. There are some incredible new technologies being released for the general public.

I can't take the time here to explain the intricacies of the system, but in a nutshell, it creates an atmosphere where our body can do what it was designed to do - heal itself. The poisons on our planet have made it nearly impossible for our bodies to function the way they were intended.

I spent eight days in Las Vegas, and a total of 60 hours using the system. I do not know yet what has happened to my cancer. I had a CT scan this morning and I'll keep you updated. What I do know is that my body underwent many changes. The arthritis in my hands, feet, neck and back is much improved. What had been excruciating is more of a nuisance. My vision, which had become very poor due to macular telangiectasia type 2, is much improved. The vision in my left eye is markedly better and my right eye is coming along. Most of my life, I've been a terrible sleeper and I am now sleeping well and waking feeling good. I have a lot more energy and, my balance is much better. I stopped using my cane two weeks ago. These are just the most obvious changes. There are others.

I believe my healing will continue as long as I treat my body and spirit well. I don't know if this is the answer for others, but it has benefited me. Even if my cancer is unchanged or even if it's worse, I am glad I went to Las Vegas. I learned a great deal. Some is just about practical living, how to take better care of myself (now more motivated). I learned some interesting things about me during the long hours of quiet and prayer. One is that I'm braver than I thought. I can do the hard things. I can take a risk.

While at the clinic I met some remarkable people. I am grateful to them for their kindness and their concern for me and for others.

My message? Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zones. Life is uncertain and can be downright scary, but if we're to reach out and taste the variety and beauty of life we can't stay locked away in a place where we feel safe.

From time to time I will let you know how my health journey is coming along. And I pray that each of you will embrace a way of living that serves you well and brightens your days with hope and joy.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

You Can Do It!

 

We all have challenges. Granted, some are more difficult than others, but through our lives we're going to experience some tough stuff. 

Gardening is a big part of my life right now. See my smile in the photo. I'm loving it. 

I grew up in a family that gardened. My mother had a gorgeous dahlia garden. People driving by our place would sometimes stop to admire the profusion of flowers and my mother often sent them on their way with a bouquet in hand. That garden gave her such joy.

My father worked hard at his job and when he came home, he went to work in our vegetable garden. We had less than an acre of land but managed to grow enough to feed our family of seven through the year. We worked together planting, harvesting and preserving what we grew. It was hard work, but I have many fond memories of those summer days.

After settling into a family of my own I was drawn back to what I knew when I was young. Over the years, I've made many attempts at raising vegetables. Some years I've had a plentiful crop and some not so plentiful, but I've always enjoyed my time outdoors among the plants.

This year is no exception, but I can't lie, it's getting more difficult. My seventy-year-old body is complaining, actually it's been complaining for many years due to injuries I sustained in an auto accident in 1991. Being active has been taxing for me. Staying busy can hurt, but there is something in me that refuses to give up. Some of the years between the accident and now I've been sluggish and sedentary. It just seemed too hard to do more than was necessary. And as I've aged it's become a bigger obstacle.

Three years ago, I told myself that I wasn't going to allow another day to go by when I wasn't moving. I started taking more steps, finding reasons to walk from place to place. And I began strolling through the beauty of my country neighborhood. When spring came that year, I decided to put in a garden. With the help of my husband, children and grandchildren we created one. 

It wasn't easy. The effort created more pain but getting out in the sun and working in the dirt was good for me. It was such fun to put seeds in the ground and watch them sprout and grow into edible food. It warmed me from the inside out. I had so many fun conversations with my grandchildren and heartfelt conversations with my daughters. 

I treasure those memories. And the people I love most will have those special moments to hold close when I am gone.

I want to encourage you to try harder. Reach for those things you know nurture you. If the challenges in your life have pulled you down, made you want to give up, or to curl up with a blanket in front of the television or a computer, maybe there's a better choice. Maybe it can be different. Better. 

If your challenge is a physical condition you might need to get an okay from your doctor if you want to push a little harder, but if he says okay, then do it. Oftentimes we can do more than we think. Tune out the commercials on television that try to convince us all that we're sick and need more meds. I'm not against medications, but so much of that stuff we see is more about making money than helping the human race.

God gave us the garden, He gave us the earth, He gave us His creation for our benefit. Just taking a walk out in the fresh air with the sky above us and the earth beneath our feet will raise our spirits and feed our soul. Challenging our minds and our bodies makes us stronger.

Sometimes vegging out on the sofa is what we need, but it's not all we need. What is it that you love to do that you've given up on because it seemed too difficult? Pick up again and let it nourish you. 

I can't spend hours in the garden or walk difficult trails through the forest, but I can do some of it. I thank the Lord for spurring me on to do more. And I'm continuing to seek out new delights. 

We have limited days on this planet, let's make the most of them.

Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie