The car line.

Monday through Friday from 2:10 until 2:40 if you need me, that's where I am.

Sitting in my car.  Waiting.

Along with about 100 other parents who are sitting in their cars waiting.

I try to find productive things to do… catch up on phone calls to family, read a book, write notes to church members.  I look busy but I'm waiting.

It's true in my Christian life too. I look busy.  I'm teaching, singing on the praise team, visiting those in need but really I'm waiting.

Waiting on the Lord.

Waiting for direction.

Waiting for clarification.

Waiting for the next step.

And just like I find great joy in seeing my daughter run to my car every day, so I am learning to find joy in waiting on the Lord.

"I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, And in His word do I hope."

Psalm 130:5, NASB

Photo by Leonardo Pires

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The Neti Pot!

Have you heard of this tea-pot looking contraption?

You might have seen it featured on Oprah last year. Or maybe, like us, you saw/heard of it while watching the HBO show Six Feet Under. Or maybe you have never heard of it before.

Nasal saline irrigation is a Ayurvedic/yoga medical traditional therapy that uses a salt and water solution to flush out the nasal cavity by using the Neti Pot.

• Mix up a warm salt water solution, slowly pour half of the solution through one nostril while it drains out the other side, switch sides.
• After all the solution has been filtered through your nose then blow your nose to remove excess fluids.
• Breath freely for days.

Last winter, after trying every allergy type medicine on the market, both prescription and non-proscription, without feeling any relief my husband finally gave in and reluctantly tried The Neti Pot.

He could hardly believe the wonderful relief he felt after just one use. From that moment on, The Neti Pot has been in regular use at our house.

My 9 yr old son actually uses it too, with daddy's help of course, and will even ask for it when he feels like he needs it.

According to Web MD :

• Many patients with chronic sinus symptoms from bacterial infections, allergies, and environmental irritants also have begun to regularly use the Neti pot or other nasal irrigation devices, claiming that these devices alleviate congestion, facial pain and pressure, and reduce the need for antibiotics and nasal sprays.
• Research backs up these claims, finding that nasal irrigation can be an effective way to relieve sinus symptoms when used along with standard sinus treatments.
• The basic explanation of how the Neti pot works is that it thins mucus to help flush it out of the nasal passages. Saline solution can help increase the speed and improve coordination of the cilia so that they may more effectively remove the bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that cause sinus problems.

It is very important to properly and thoroughly clean the Neti Pot after every use to prevent infection.

Most stores now sell the Neti Pot and refill packets next to all the sinus relief medicines.

Now that the cold dry weather is coming back you can bet that our Neti Pot is coming back too!

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Beauty Starts From Within

Being beautiful is not only about looking great; it’s also about feeling great! And feeling great starts with what you eat.

Have you noticed how eating foods that are greasy, fried or high in fat and sugar tend to weigh you down? You feel great when you’re downing those blissful junkies but grumpy or sluggish after it’s had time to sit in your stomach. Wonder why? It’s because the wrong foods = the wrong fuel; and without the right fuel it’s impossible to look or feel your best.

What to change how you feel for the better? Here’s how.

Fiber is your friend

Fiber-rich foods are filling and low in calories. Plus they help control blood sugar. Key foods include whole grain breads and cereals, brown rice, barley, oatmeal and oat bran, apples, pears, citrus fruits, carrots, beans, and artichokes.

Got Soy?

Soybeans are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, folate and iron. Plus, it’s loaded with the good fat your body needs. Edamame is a popular soy-based snack that’s sure to prevent that mid afternoon slump that comes with a case of junkies.

Step It Up!!

Nothing gets rid of a case of the slumpy, grumpies like moving around, stretching or taking a few deep breaths. Confined to a desk for the next few hours? Trying talking a quick walk. Whether it’s around the office or down the stairs to the basement, getting your heart pumping is the best way to boost your energy.

Now you’re on your way to looking AND feeling your best!

Related Articles:

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I have grand visions of hanging this over my own personal Mt. WashMe that resides next to the dryer.

But lately, I've been meditating on a verse from Colossians.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."

Colossians 3:2

It's that "working for the Lord" part that gets me.  When I sit in church on Sundays and I stare at the great big windows, it's easy to remember that my worship, my words, they are all for Him.  They are in praise of Him.

But at home, when I stare at that pile of socks on an unswept tile floor, it's hard to remember that my work is still unto Him.  It is still holy.  Those socks, the feet that fill them, those are my work.  And they are sacred.  Sacred little hole-y socks.  (I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself.)  So I should treat them with care.  Do my best.  And serve with a grateful and cheerful heart.  As if I were serving the Savior, and not my sock-wearers.

So here's what I'm saving my pennies for now to hang in my laundry room.  Truthfully, I should hang one in every single room in my house.  All my rooms are full of "sacred work."

Now, if someone will just write me some Laundry Liturgy, I'd be good to go.

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It’s confession time.

Before I was a parent …now, prepare yourselves…but before I became a mother I had… ideas about parenting-

** GASP!**

I know, I know, it is the number one rule in life to never say never but I did, and unfortunately I did it with frequent censure.

The days before my tiny tot entered the world wondered how a woman could walk into a public place looking like she had just completed a 10K marathon complete with children who appeared to be dressed and styled by chimpanzees.

I used to say, “Wow, I will never look like that in public and I certainly would never allow my children to look that way either.”

Ah, parenthood makes fools of us all; fast forward from those fateful words to yesterday morning.

I found myself at the grocery store in what appeared to be clothing but was in fact various forms of paper towel; my sweatshirt had been sneezed on, coughed on and the sleeves had been used to mop up medicine that was too disgusting to be swallowed.

I hadn’t slept in two days, hadn’t showered in three, my hair was covered by my husband’s ball cap, my shorts had a lime green stain from the popsicle puddle my child left on the couch and I think I was wearing shoes but I can’t be a hundred percent certain.

The only thing I did know for certain was that I looked like some sort of bridge-dwelling troll out in search for cough suppressant.

Up until that point my daughter had been sick for a week. Unbeknownst to me not all mothers get that super-mom-immunity that is supposed to take place at the time of childbearing, so I had been sick right alongside her.

When the pharmacist informed me that they didn’t sell cough medicine anymore for children under the age of six, I caught a glimpse of myself on a security mirror, you know, one of those big round ones that they use to spy on shoplifting patrons.

As much as I would like to blame my reflection on the fun-house properties of that mirror I realized that I was looking at the woman I swore I’d never be.

Pitifully, I went home without the medication I had searched so vehemently for and proceeded to eat my words for breakfast, lunch a dinner.

As it turns out irony tastes an awful lot like cough suppressant.

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Everybody is talking about H1N1 these days…from the newscaster to the grocery line, it seems to be on everybody's mind.  Understandably so, as there is nothing more important than your health, and the health of those you love.

So this week we'd like to take some of the mystery and disinformation out of this topic by addressing the basics and answering your questions.  Let's start at the beginning:

H1N1 flu and seasonal flu: how are they different?

H1N1 and seasonal flu's biggest difference is who is at the greatest risk for severe illness. With the seasonal flu, those over 65 years old are most often hospitalized; 90% of season flu deaths are people over 65.  With H1N1, however, younger people are more susceptible.  The CDC states that those under 25 are experiencing a "greater disease burden" than those over 65.

Seasonal flu and H1N1 do have similarities, however.  From the CDC:

However, pregnancy and other previously recognized high risk medical conditions from seasonal influenza appear to be associated with increased risk of complications from this 2009 H1N1. These underlying conditions include asthma, diabetes, suppressed immune systems, heart disease, kidney disease, neurocognitive and neuromuscular disorders and pregnancy.

What are your concerns about H1N1?  What questions do you have?  Leave them in the comments!  Of course there will be some specific questions that only your doctor can answer for you, but we'll do our best to slough through the misinformation out there and bring you the most current and accurate data that pertains to us all.

(photo courtesy of http://www.sxc.hu)

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“The leave-in conditioner’s great; makes my hair feel silky and smooth.” ~ “Oooo, this smells good, dang!” ~ “I LOVE this crème lotion thing. It’s got a mango-y, citrusy kind of scent working—delicious!” ~ “The wrap lotion? Loved it! My hair was so bouncy and shiny.” ~ “Ooo, this feels nice.” ~ “My hair feels so soft.”

In case you didn’t pick up on it, there’s lots of  buzz about Jane Carter’s hair care products and rightfully so. Made from ingredients derived from nature, natural butters, and certified organic essential oils, Carter’s products deliver on its promise to make your hair vibrant and alive again.

Like many of you, I’m VERY selective of what products I put in my hair, especially since I made the transition from a chemical process to my natural texture. Because kinky/curly hair is prone to dryness, I only use products that return moisture to my follicles. This is where Jane Carter’s Nourish & Shine most impressed me.

Made from essential oils and natural butters, it promises to add amazing shine without the greasy feel—and it does! My hair felt soft, smelled great and had lots of shine.

Deliciously fragranced products and rave reviews aside, my favorite thing about Jane Carter is this declaration: "we believe that "hair is hair," and that segmenting hair care by ethnicity does not encourage diversity, love and multicultural coexistence."

So, ladies whether you’re hair is curly, kinky or pin straight, Jane Carter’s got a product that's just right for you. Don’t believe me? Click here and find out for yourself!

Editor's Note: I received 3 sample kits from Good Girl PR which I shared with 7 different women who'd never tried or heard of Jane Carter, including myself. The above statements are actual comments from people who used the product for the first time.

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Chapel Altar in the Melk Abbey

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God." –Philippians 1:9-11

Since my children have become adults, I don't bathe them, I don't feed them, I don't drive them around anymore, but one thing I still do daily is pray for them and that prayer has become much more precious to me.

Today I noticed that Paul's prayer in Philippians is the exact prayer I pray for my kids every day.  How cool is that?  And it also occurred to me  that most of Paul's teachings were bullet style — guess that's the writer in me.

My prayer for our children:

• that their love may abound and grow wiser
• that they can discern what is good
• that they can be blameless and pure
• that they may be filled with the righteousness of Christ
• that they will glorify God

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What I initially liked about the Glimpse skincare line was the scent. It's a very natural scent, not perfumey at all. It blends well with the skin and leaves no after fragrance. I don't walk away smelling like a fruit tree, medicine cabinet or flower shop. I just feel fresh and clean. I like that the moisturizers are not heavy nor leave a residue.

Through the convergence of time-honored techniques and advanced, customized technology from Japan, BioActive X3 Complex is enhanced with mangosteen-infused water, biofermentation and cold processing to preserve and amplify the potent phytonutrients found in mangosteen. Glimpse Skin Care additionally is intuitive, featuring self-adjusting formulas to address your skin's ever-changing needs. The more you use Glimpse Skin Care, the better it works for you. This scientific care and attention to detail ensures performance-driven skin nutrition coupled with vital safety and rare purity.

I also sampled the mineral treatment. It's easy to apply with good coverage, and can be used in conjunction with their Mangosteen Pericarp Oil for a wet application as well. Again I didn't feel like I was wearing something heavy on my face.  I love the matte look.   It is free of toxins such as Titanium Dioxide, Talc, Oxychloride Bismuth, Parabens, Phthalates and Silicones.

BioActive™ X3 Complex, in harmony with zinc oxide, oat protein powder, silk powder, bio-chelated minerals and our Energizing Gemstone Complex, work together to naturally enhance your skin while diminishing the appearance of fine lines and minimizing the appearance of pores. Protect your skin, guard your health and benefit our planet with our perfect blend of nature.

These products are available through independent consultants, or on the XanGo website. And consultants receive a considerable discount on their own products, making it an affordable option and business opportunity all in one.

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No matter where we go, what road we take, God is always in the driver's seat. When we realize that reaching across that seat is too cumbersome for us to deal with and we sit back and let go, God shows us that no matter which road we took while we were back seat driving, He is always in charge.

In His sovereignty, He allows us to take the wheel when we insist, but He still has us right where He wants us. Just as when Jonah ran from God, He knew right where Jonah was the whole time. No matter how hard Jonah tried to hide and go in the opposite direction, God had Him in His hand and guided Him to where He wanted Him. Even when Eve insisted on eating that fruit, God knew what was to take place and He allowed it. Joseph's brothers rejected him, but he still had God's blessings on his life. God is able to take what we, or others, do and turn it around for good.

If you realize that you are becoming a back seat driver, just let go and sit back. God knows where He's taking you. Let Him drive.

Proverbs 16:9, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

photo courtesy of nickwinch at sxc.hu

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