Young Living Convention

Monday we left early to go to Disney World.  We listened to books on tape on the way down and the time flew by.  I sometimes get disgusted with the melodramatics of both Chris Heimerdinger's characters and his reading, but ultimately right triumphed.

We spent the night in Marianna, a small town in the Florida Panhandle and got to our resort about 2pm on Tuesday.  Kathy had helped us out with the Wynham Bonnet Creek resort, and I have to say it was excellent.  We were pampered.  The room was great.  We had free shuttle to the Disney resorts and the lagoon and pools were really beautiful.

After we checked in, we headed over to Epcot.  It was fun to wander around and see the sights.  We tried our hand at creating our own ride.  It was cool to see these mechanical arms implementing the movements of the bobsled.  Epcot seemed to be filled with places to eat and places to separate you from your money-- all kinds of stuff to buy.  We really didn't have a high interest in either.  Maybe it's left over from Kenya, but it looked like a lot of stuff to me.We stayed for the fireworks-- which were amazing-- and got back to the room about 10 pm.

Wednesday we went to Disney's Hollywood.  I think I liked this place the best.   They had fun rides and good shows.  We watched the action feature where we saw cars spinning and sliding and performing almost like a synchronized ballet.  Very impressive.  We also got our picture taken in front of Micky's Hat.

Here is Tom in front of the Car's topiary.  We also took a ride on a "test track" that was a not-too-scary kind of rollercoaster ride.  When we went to Animal Kingdom on Thursday, we went on a crazy Mt. Kilimanjaro rollercoaster ride that was terrifying enough for me.  I'm thinking, "I'm too old for this!"  And my body agreed. (Tom was okay with it though!)

 The Animal Kingdom had this tree with 300 animals carved into it.

 I really didn't think I'd be that impressed with the Animal Kingdom since we'd been to visit the real thing.  However, if you can't afford a trip to Kenya, Disney's Animal Kingdom isn't bad.  Their Safari ride gives you a sense of being on a genuine safari,  And they had several other walking tours that brought you past interesting animals. The hippos never had water this clear in Kenya!

 Nor did we see watusi cattle there.

 And I have to admit, I didn't sit with a frog there either!

 However, the Kenyans would have been overwhelmed, astonished, blown-away, at the prices their wood carvings brought.  Giraffes about the size we bought for $3.50 were selling for $65!  They did have the rolled paper beads there--- for $25 or so, instead of the $2 we paid.  I hope some of the money is going back to Africa to help the people there.

I really wanted to go to Disney World.  Every since I went to Epcot with Miranda in 1966 (I think) for the FIRST robotics competition, I've wanted to go back.  I'm glad I did.  We had fun holding hands and walking.  We saw neat stuff and took great rides.  I'm glad I went.   And I don't feel a great urgency to return.  Maybe I just needed to check it off my bucket list.  Maybe fuddy-duddiness has set in.

The Young Living convention began on Thursday night with a reception at Epcot.  Then on Friday and Saturday we had great speakers and good information given.  We learned the value of enzymes, and that one of the great things about Frankincense is that it digests the cancer cells and leaves the healthy cells alone (unlike Sandalwood that destroys both.)  We saw the results of testing done to see if Frankincense distilled at 75degrees for 24 hours had more effective properties than frankincense distilled at 100 degrees. (The 100 degrees was more effective.)  I was impressed at the thoroughness of the study to see what kind of distillation produces the very most effective oils.  Most distilleries distill at high temps for 2 hours and call it good.  I had a wonderful session on Essential Oils and animal care from a Veterinarian.  And they have a new "tea" out that seems very effective at weight loss.

 The convention was smaller than the one in Utah.  So I had a chance to go and say "hi" to Mary  Young, wife of Gary Young and co-founder of Young Living.  She was very gracious.

 We really had a wonderfully relaxing time.  For one of the first times, we could have stayed away longer.  We were almost sad to come home.  We learned a lot and were motivated to do better.  Sunday we drove to church in the Orlando area, and then drove to the outskirts of Birmingham.  We got home Tuesday late afternoon.

Tom jumped back into being Bishop.... actually we were a little remiss.  We didn't check our home voice mail messages until we were returning home.  Maybe that's why we had such a relaxing time!

Now that we're home, I have been diligent at spending the mornings on my copy-writing course.  We've been walking.  Tom Mowed the yard.  The chickens are laying eggs.  And I picked some baby lettuce from the garden.

I guess we are indeed, back home.

So Sorry!  I know it’s been two weeks since I’ve written.  Alas.  I’m slothful.

But many things have been going on.  I decided to focus on copywriting as a vocation since I know we will be here in the USA for a while.  I had actually looked at some educational material after our last mission and began studying then…. But stopped.  Now I’ve decided to get serious.  So I am trying to spend a few hours a day studying the craft.  I have an online course and (bleck) homework!  It is interesting and I do like the writing exercises… and the research.  Now when I get “junk” emails I’m looking at how well written they are.  Do they catch my attention? Fulfill a need? Create a desire? Answer a concern I have.  Some are very good.   Some I think, I can do better than that now.

Our fall garden is growing.  In the past, I’ve said, “Let’s have a garden.  Tom, you do it.”  But this time, Tom is busy.  He did rototill and prepare the ground.  We weeded and got things ready.  I planted and now I  have had to take responsibility for the garden.  I’ve been dedicated at weeding and watering.  And today, after months of dry weather, the Lord has watered for me.  Praise the Lord.  We’d been hauling water to some of our trees and gate flowers.

Last Sunday we did our missionary fireside… finally.  We went back into our pictures and I printed out some of the stories and testimonies of the members.  I thought we’d be way over time… but we actually finished right on time.  We got lots of good comments back.  We’d had a nice write up in the paper about the fireside, and some people came who were going to Kenya that week!  It was so fun to chat with them and share great places to shop.  They will go to the Mara, too.  It was a little hectic getting all the pictures together.  Tom pulled his out.  I pulled mine out.  Then Tom spent most of Saturday with the Youth at a stake dance.  He got home in the wee hours of the morning!  Ohh.  We’re too old for that kind of thing.

We had been considering buying another house with Tom’s Roth IRA money.  There was an older, solid house that had a rehab started…. Then stopped.  No bath.  No kitchen, no drywall on the ceilings.  It is quite a project.  But I thought, what they hey.  Let’s see what it will cost to put it together.  So we called in heating and air, insulation, electrical, and general contractor to give us estimates.  Huh!  It seemed manageable…. Well, manageable if they accepted a low-ball offer.  So we put one in.  And they did!  We think we are joyful.  It’s zoned C-3 for quiet business, so an office could go in.  It’s also on two large lots—over ¾ of an acre in the city, so there’s room for other things—duplexes? Business?  Whatever.  And if we do this right, just the house will make money.  Perhaps the best news for Tom is that since it’s a ROTH IRA account, we can’t put in any of our money and he can’t do the work.  We’ll see how the project unfolds.

 Thursday we went to the fair.  It seemed smaller this year.  Not so many booths and not so crowded.  It did have a fantastic loaded baked potato with barbecue beef on top.  Yum!  We shared one.  And I enjoyed seeing the chickens and the crafts and art.  Every year I think, I could do that—bring in photos, flowers or herbs, handiwork, jams or canned fruit.  I actually had a jar of jam and some canned peaches to bring in.  But I got really busy.  Here are some of the interesting chickens.

 These are long fluffy feathers on the head.  You can just see the beak above the red waddle.

 This is a silky chicken-- all fluffy and puffed out.

We didn't take anything to show at the fair, you see,  because once we made the offer on the house, we needed to open the non-traditional ROTH account, sell stock, move money, sign forms, etc.

Saturday there was an emergency preparedness fair in Springfield.  It was very well run and I got to ask lots of questions.  FEMA was there.  I got the pressure gages checked on my pressure canners.  One gage didn't work at all.  Good thing I hadn’t used it yet. (I got it at a garage sale.)  We went to a late lunch at Carlos O’Kelley’s—one of our favorite dining places.  Then stopped at Aldi’s to shop on the way home.  Once home we immediately turned around and went to a wedding.  Tom officiated.  It was Tom’s first chance to do a wedding since becoming bishop.   Last week he did his first funeral.  Beginnings and ends. Both times he did very well.

Today was the final rehearsal for the primary program.   We had bishop’s youth discussion at our house right after church.  I made some sloppy Joes for them to eat.  The youth arrived.  But alas, Tom was delayed.  I took out catch-phrase—the game, from our closet.  And they played that until he arrived.  And now we pack and leave tomorrow for Disney World and the Young Living Convention.  We hope to have Fun.

The Anti-Stress

I was pondering about a friend who is under a tremendous amount of stress.  It’s affecting her health, her relationships, and making her miserable.   I recalled that stress releases cortisol the enzyme (?) that breaks down cells, sometimes called the death hormone.  So that stress actually can create the illness you fear.

So what to do about stress?  Heavenly Father didn’t intend for us to be miserable, anxious, angry, troubled and full of stress.  Those are not gospel qualities.  God is a god of love, peace, hope, charity and kindness—to ourselves and others.  If God wants us to be happy, how do we get rid of the unhealthy stress?

Many people turn to God in prayer.  They say, “Please help me get through this day.”  I think they’ve already decided what has to be done.  They are in charge; they’ve made the decisions.  Now they just want the Lord to step in and make it happen. In essence, we’re doing our will, not His.  Perhaps a better way would be to consult with the Lord and ask, “What should I be doing today?”  “What would you have me do today?”  The Lord may tell us to let go of something and let Him take care of it.  He loves our families, our friends, all people as much or more than we do.  And he is entirely capable of taking care of every need.  If the Lord asks us to turn something over to him… do we have the faith and trust to do it?  I know at times I give it to Him… then snatch it back…. then remember it’s His now and give it back again… and so on.  It is a process in gaining trust in the Lord to be able to turn it over to him, even when the results are not what one had wished.  Only as we turn to the Lord and ask Him will we know if this is a burden we must carry, but can trust Him to “make light” for us, or one we need to release to Him.

The Lord may whisper things that will help lift us, even as we carry the burden.  He may say, “Look for the good in others today and praise them.”  or “Remember you are a child of God.  Be at peace and forgive others.  They don’t know what they are doing.”  In these cases, the problem doesn’t disappear, but our ability to handle it, or our attitude changes and it becomes more manageable as we are lifted up.

There is a difference between acting and becoming.  We are taught to DO—read our scriptures, keep the commandments, be loving, forgive others, and so on.  I remember when I was a young mother trying hard to be patient and loving.  I’d suppress the irritation and impatience as I smiled sweetly and encouraged my darlings.  But by bedtime, I’d HAD IT!  All that inner turmoil had reached it limits.  “Get in Bed, OR ELSE!”  And I’d be so frustrated that I was not the kind, loving, patient mama I wanted to be.

Acting and doing are important, but that’s not the final destination.  Our goal needs to be to BECOME Christ-like: To change ourselves to feel as He does, to live as He does, to act as He does.  When our heart changes, the ability to act in a Christ-like way is easier.  It becomes natural.   Have I become perfect at this?  No way.  Have I become better?  I think so.  It’s not something we can do on our own.  If we could become perfect by ourselves, we wouldn’t need the Savior.  This is where his Grace comes in-- the divine help and strength we need to become what he wants us to be.  We have to pray for, seek, and be willing to trust and submit to the Lord’s will in order to accomplish this. Sometimes that’s really hard.  We think, “I know best!” Sometimes we need to pray for a desire, a desire to want to become Christ-like.  We may not want to be humble and submissive.

One of my goals on my mission was to want to do what the Lord wanted me to do: to rejoice in doing His will.  That was easy as long as it was also what I wanted to do.   But it’s not.  Sometimes the Lord asks for things I don’t want to do.  My goal is to try to think.  It’s from the Lord.  I love Him and trust Him.  I know He loves me unconditionally and only wants what is best for me.  I can trust that if I do His will, I will be blessed far more that if I followed my own puny reasoning.

My thought for others is, if you are struggling with issues, seek counsel with the Lord.  Discover His will, and do it.  Work to become, not just act, in a Christ-like way.  It really does bring peace and comfort and love and a joy and delight in living.  It is the antidote for stress.

Moving Along

Hard to believe we are already into September!  That’s close to fall…. And that’s close to the end of the year.

This week I felt like I settled in.  I think it’s because I have purpose and a plan.   I signed up to take the AWAI’s copy writing course.   I’d been given the manual for the class as I was leaving our last mission.  I actually read part of it and started working on it.  And as I was cleaning off our old computer I came across something I’d written as an exercise for the course and it was pretty good writing!  So when I came across a good deal for the course online, I took the bait.  Along with the bait came daily emails about how I could buy better and different and more specific programs so I could make a lot more money.  They are interesting.  They give you insight on why and how people who take the basic program are not successful.  But I’m going to do the first program before I decide if I need more.  It’s been a good learning experience so far.  Words are subtle little devils.  As you read and dissect other direct mail, you see the obscure motivations they contain to make the plunge and buy.

Speaking of buying….  I was talking to our realtor and she suggested a house she thought we might be interested in.  The plusses are its location, acreage, and zoning for light commercial.  However it’s an old house and was someone’s project.  I think they got part way into it and then moved to New Jersey.  It’s a MESS!  No bath, no kitchen, needs flooring, electrical, plumbing, heat and A/C.  Ah, but it has the potential for a lovely pine floor and gracious trim work. So we’ve had the heat and A/C guy and the foam insulation guy out to give us estimates.  They were within possibility, so now we need to get estimates for electrical and plumbing.  Then last night I was looking at Truila.com and came across one of the typical 2bdrm 1 bath homes that we’ve bought in the past for about $20,000 less than we paid for our last one.  And it looked like a lot less work!  So.  Do we want to have the joy of fixing up….Or the joy of rental income?  Tom is so good to let me run with an idea until either it turns out to be unfeasible, or it turns out to have some merit.  We’ll see how this wild hare ends up.  But Tom’s opinion is let someone else tackle the ‘project’ house!

I don’t know if I mentioned that I got new glasses. (At the price of a small computer! GAAK)  I decided to try the no-line glasses that gradually change from distance, to mid-range, to reading.  They are also rimless. They look good, and I think I’m getting accustomed to them, although I feel like I’m reading small print out of the very, very bottom edge of the glasses.

I am so delighted!  My little garden is growing!  I have beans and peas.  I have lettuce and broccoli.  I think I even have beets.  I forgot to plant spinach, so it’s a little delayed.  And my sugar-snap peas were old seed and have yet to make an appearance.

We got an invitation to go to a time share homeowners update complete with gift card, free nights, coupon book and such.   Yes, it’s three hours of hard-sell, but I, being a greedy sucker, might have bit.  But Tom said, “Why would I want to flagellate myself?”  So I explained that for the sake of my marriage, I had to decline.

Thursday evening Elroy Chinn died.  He was 92 and the only black man in our congregation.  He was probably the best dressed man in the ward and he was so humble.  He learned to read when he was 84 at the Literacy Center where Tom worked with adult education.  He became the Arkansas Literacy Council Student of the year in 2005 and gained national recognition with a ProLiteracy award in 2006.  You can see an article on him at www.baxterbulletin.com for Saturday-Sunday Sept 3-4, 2011.  If you look under news, you’ll also see an article about Tom and I coming back from our mission.

We have had hot, dry weather here.  It’s cooling, but no rain.   The poor lawn crackles under my feet and even though we water…well water occasionally… the flowers in front, they look mighty dried and weary.  We pray for rain.  I expect Rebecca would be glad to share some that’s come to Belle Chasse.

I'm sure there's more that's happened.  But that's all I remembered.