Miracles

These are the miracles I have had the privilege of witnessing the past few weeks:

- 2 yr old Son of a friend of mine that is developmentally behind by almost a year - in a 4 month period he began crawling, then walking and is now talking! in 4 months!

- Friend who has suffered with migraines for 38 years and has not had ONE in two months

- A couple we are friends with that have both suffered with hypoglycemia in the past, now both doing great with blood sugars

- 16 yr old daughter of a friend of mine that had spontaneous vomiting - Drs had done tons of tests and couldn't find a cause - she had tried eliminating foods, and all sorts of things. For the past 3 weeks she is eating anything she likes and the vomiting has totally ceased. She has color back and energy and is very excited!

- My own 17 yr old daughter has gone down several clothes sizes and her cystic acne is resolved - she is looking at wearing a bikini this summer for the first time in her life!

- A friend with MS that had numbness on the right side of her body, couldn't taste food for 2 years, and couldn't' grasp a key between her fingers to lock her front door - she is now tasting everything she eats, numbness is gone and she can lock her door again!

Isn't all this amazing? WOW! To God be all the glory for the things He has done!

Sun

It was sunny today, and actually warm! In fact, Lizzie got out her much anticipated Slip N Slide we bought a few weeks back and have not been able to use yet! She had fun, as well as her big bro and sis! Don't worry, we got a picture of Jake, at 6ft long he took up half the slide when stretched out!! It is always fun to watch these teens turn into little kids and play with Lizzie. These glimpses are rare these days and it helps me get a small picture of the fact they are still kids, even if only briefly. Change is good though. I have always resisted change I think, but I am learning to grasp Jesus' hand and head on into it. I may drag my feet a bit at first, but it seems once the rough part is over there is always something even better on the other side. It is OK if I have to close my eyes and not look for a period of time, cuz I may not trust the path, but I have complete trust in the One who is leading me.

Right now the sun is gone, we are having a thunderstorm. The weather is so like life, unpredictable. I know this - the sun will come out again, eventually. It may not be today or even for a week, but I will see it again and feel the warmth on my skin. If you are in a dark time of your life, or even just having a bad day - just close your eyes and wait out the storm - there is Sun, and maybe even a rainbow waiting for you, eventually.

Out of Wack!

OK, the first week of no school and I am already getting into the bad habit of staying up too late. Why do I do it?? I am not sure. I KNOW when I stay up until 2am I will be tired the next day...but I have already done that two or three times in one week! I stayed up until 2:30 last night and I have not been very productive today. I have to get myself in gear here and get productive!! I wonder why no matter how late I sleep in, it is not as invigorating as when I go to bed at a decent time.

In a way it is fun to have a life with so much freedom. I really don't answer to anyone for anything. I have responsibilities with my family, and my job...but both are totally flexible. Basically, the three kids and I do what we want when we want. It is a fabulous way to live. Reagan, my oldest, will start her freshman year in College next year at 17 and is wondering how she will adapt to being told where to be when. I know she will be fine, as she already structures herself even though she doesn't have to. She loves to be academically challenged and will thrive at school I am sure. She also realizes that while she will be more tied down, the rest of us will still be flying by the seat of our pants. Even though I am sure there will be times she feels left out, I know she LOVES school and book work and will blossom.

SO... after that rabbit chase - I guess my point is that I am really glad to have a life lots of people only dream of - but I need to put my big girl panties on and make myself go to bed at a decent hour tonight!!

Road Trip!

Today my best friend Julie and two other women are taking a road trip. I can not remember the last time I got into a car with a group of friends and drove...let's see...Must have been about 11 or 12 years ago when we were in TX and would go on Women's retreats I suppose. Those were fun times!! Anyway, there is going to be a Reliv special Event in Great Falls tonight. So, we are going... we are gonna pray for the 3 hours on the way, then meet up with some other friends for dinner, then go to a fabulous meeting and share hope with people, then try to stay awake for the 3 hours home! I am excited, it should be fun!

I was thinking yesterday about all the postive things in my life since Reliv showed up. There is amazing health for my entire family, there is financial freedom for the first time in years, but there is something else. I am not even sure how to put it into words...but it is the most postive thing I have ever encountered. People in Reliv seem to be a different kind of people. There is much diversity among Reliv distributors, but one thing we all seem to have in common is integrity. I LIKE that! Being surrounded by people that genuinely care for others and want to serve them is a great experience. PLUS it seems there is LOTS of positive. Even though things are not perfect, when people feel good and are joining together to help others, there just isn't much room for negativity. That is one of my favorite things about being with Reliv people. One of the ladies going today is Judy. I did not know Judy at all. A distributor under me shared Reliv with Judy. Now, she and I are partnering together to change her families financial future, and it is FUN!! Her successes feel like my successes. I wish I could adequately put this feeling into words... oh well ... I am just SO grateful that God intrusted me with this gift to share with others. He is the amazing one that brings all this good into my life! Thanks - God!!!

Home Sweet Home

We made it back home. It was a fun trip, but there is something SO nice about getting back to my own place. I love my house. I LOVE that it cooled off this evening and we all hung around outside for hours until we were chilly and had to come inside. I LOVE that the grass grew about 6 inches while we were away and all the trees are budding out now. I love that Lizzie couldn't wait to swing on her swing, slide down her slide, and make sure everything in her playhouse was how she left it.

Things that are always better at my own house after a trip:
#1 The bed, of course...there is nothing like my own bed
#2 Sorting thru the mail
#3 Hate to admit it...but I love my own toilet!
#4 The cats and the horses were excited we were back with them
#5 Not having to worry about anyone else's schedule, or being too noisy in the hotel...I could go on...but the point is...

I am glad to be home!

Pepperoni!!!

Pepperoni - I ATE pepperoni!!! Now, you should know that even tho I can eat just about anything I want now - I still try to eat fairly healthy. BUT...we are here in Idaho and when we got to our friend's house last night, that is what we had to eat, Pepperoni Pizza. Well, you know that when you show up at someone's house you gotta eat what is served... well, yeah - except I used to couldn't do that. I would have to say, "I am sorry. I can't eat that due to my allergies." NOT ANYMORE!!!!I am a woman that can fly and eats pepperoni pizza if necessary!! Praise God!!!

Idaho

We are going to Nampa, Idaho this weekend. One of my dear friends and her family live there. When we first moved to Montana in 1998 she was one of the first friends I had. She has two girls that were really good friends with Reagan and Jake, my older two kids. They moved to Idaho about 5 years ago and we have only seen them one time since.

Mary is the the oldest of their girls and is graduating. She has been homeschooled always and this will be a homeschool graduation. It should be interesting!

The temps are suppose to be in the 90's. Lizzie, my 6 yr old, is worried "her skin might melt". Too funny!! I really am not a fan of heat! That is why I moved from TX to Montana. Oh well, for friends anything can be endured...even sweat!

Rain

I love the rain. I don't know why. Maybe it is because I was from the desert of West Texas all my life, where even grass didn't grow naturally. It puts me in a good mood when I wake up and it is cloudy and raining. Even here in Montana we don't get lots of rain. It is usaually snow. So, these days when it is raining I know that spring is truly here!

We also have a metal roof on our log house and so I LOVE that sound. I love getting into bed and it starts to rain. The rain on the metal roof is so soothing and puts me right to sleep.

Most people would rather have sun, not me, give me rain anyday! Although, then the question is posed, "How long would it take in a truly rainy environment for me to grow tired of the rain?"

SAUSAGE!

I ate sausage today!! I know, you are thinking, what is the big deal?? Well, the big deal is nitrates. They are one of the things I was highly allergic to. I still try to avoid nitrates. The grilled sausage looks so yummy I decided to be brave - and it was DELICIOUS!! Must be about 5 years since I had eaten any. Guess what - NO Reaction to it at all!! I can not believe it! Amazing what your body can do with good nutrition on board!

Graduation and Mother's Day!

It was a great day! Kelli, my sister in law graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering today from Montana State University. I am really happy for her. I hope she can find much joy and contentment in her new life working as an engineer.

Then my kids were too anxious for Mother's day, so I got my gifts early! Lizzie had picked out all her own stuff...it was SO sweet. I am now the proud owner of a car window sign that says, "I love my chihuahua"!! Just what I have always wanted... NOT, but hey, it is the thought that counts, right? AND I actually really DO love my chihuahua, so that is a good thing. My teenagers blew me away though...they bought me a Red Ipod Nano - WITH THEIR OWN MONEY!! I was shocked, I LOVE it!! I am so blessed by these three guys in my life. My life would be very empty without them. I feel like an honored mom today.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all you moms!!!

Perspective

So, most of you that know anything about me, know that housework is not one of my favorite things to do. I must say though, I am doing a fair job at it these days! At least I don't shudder when someone comes to the door these days...

anyway, I was talking to my dear friend, Herman. I said, "Guess I should go do laundry, those clothes aren't going to wash themselves!" He responded with, "Actually, they do wash themselves, all you have to do is put them in the washer. It isn't like you have to chop the wood, build a fire, get the pot boiling and scrub all day."

I thought that was hilarious!! Also, it does give me a new perspective. I will never enjoy laundry, but I really shouldn't complain - it could definitely be a lot worse!

Conference

One of the new ladies that went with us to conference summed it up pretty well. When I asked what had impressed her, she said, "I liked that it wasn't a bunch of hype and Rah Rah. The corporate people are just regular people." That is one thing I really love about Reliv - it is just ordinary people sharing these extraordinary products that are literally changing people's lives.

Bob Montgomery has been our CEO since the beginning 20 years ago. I have heard him speak several times, but each time I just appreciate him as a person more and more. Here are some things he said which I really liked:

- Don't accept advise from people that are more screwed up than you are

- Love everyone, but do not hang out with negative people that dampen your spirit,
some people just want to be negative

- Your attitude is more important than your intelligence

- People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care

- Imagine a tattoo on everyone's forehead that reads, "Make me feel important"



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Miracles!

Hey Guys! I have missed you all. I can't wait to go read your blogs and get caught up!!
I have truly experienced a miracle this past weekend. Maybe I should start at the beginning so you will fully understand.

I have talked of being sick before, but I have never really talked about my anxiety. I have never had anxiety or panic attacks prior to my Environmental Illness, but boy did it come on full force at that time! I have often wondered how many people who have been diagnosed with mental illness might actually just have severe allergic reactions to things in their environment...cuz I am telling you, I was nuts! Anyway, that is a topic for an entirely different day.

Where I was - When I would have my allergic reactions I would get such cloudy thinking, that I could not think clearly at all. In fact, it got to the point that my kids would have to tell me how to get home! So, my solution was to not drive without my mom or my husband in the car with me. For four years I did not leave my house without my husband or my mom...sometimes a friend, but in that instance I would be very nervous still. I stayed in my house for weeks at a time without leaving it. Have I mentioned before we built a totally toxin free home for me to live in? We were building our home when I became ill, so we just finished it totally toxin free so I could have a "clean, safe" environment to live in.

NOW - To the miracle! God has healed me SO much over the past couple of years. I still feel so humbled and grateful, that words are inadequate to express how it feels to have my life back. I FLEW TO SAN JOSE THIS PAST WEEKEND!!! I still can't believe it. Not bad for a girl that used to have panic attacks just going to pick up someone at the airport. You see, I had flown about 5 years ago when I was so sick and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Imagine someone allergic to new clothes dyes, perfumes, soaps, regular detergents, fuel, etc... closed inside a plane with all those things!! The miracle is that I, Michele, am now a woman that FLIES!!! Someone pinch me, it does NOT seem real!