Staying true to what is good and right - Psalm 7

We certainly go through tough times when we KNOW what we are sticking to is good and/or right, though people or circumstances rise as obstacles to what we are pursuing. Even when those obstacles seem so convincing or cause us to doubt our stand in some way, with the Lord as your shield, He can protect you from anyone or any thing.

Recently, I took my 18 month old to the doctor for his 18 month checkup. He happened to have a pretty bad cold/cough at the same time. The doctor asked to do a strep culture, even though he didn't have any of the typical symptoms of high fever over 101 or white spots in a devastatingly sore throat. The rapid strep culture was positive (92% accuracy), and he had an inflamed ear. With his already challenged immune system with severe food sensitivities, I was extremely reluctant to go the route of antibiotics, which wipe out most of the good bacteria along with the bad. Also, the doctor pointed out there could be ingredients in the medicine that he could be reactive to, as well. The doctor told me I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Take the antibiotics to kill the strep virus (which in rare cases can cause consequential health problem if not taken care of) but likely worsen is food sensitivities and weaken his immune system further to more illness...

Long story short, I filled the prescription but quickly researched how I can use the essential oils I have to treat strep and a pending ear infection. Different essential oils from botanicals (God's creation, after all!) have natural, powerful antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory properties (and MANY other properties/benefits). I followed that protocol strictly the rest of the afternoon and through the night. If he was worse in the morning, I would start the antibiotics. I prayed prayed prayed for his immediate healing. I felt in my gut SO BAD about giving him the antibiotics, knowing what I know about how detrimental they are for the rest of your LIFE, in fact, aside from all the present issues I knew would ensue.

In the morning, he was SO SO much better from the cold/cough symptoms; he seemed to feel like a brand new baby!! I praised God so much and kept up with the EO protocols for a full 10 days (just like antibiotics) until we got the second strep lab culture result (which was taken at 7 days post-diagnosis) that it was NEGATIVE for strep! Much more relief and praise and tears in thankfulness to God than my baby was delivered from illness without all the pressures to resort to the medicine.

SO this deviates a lot from the point of Psalm 7 overall, but what I took from it was most relevant for what happened in my life recently. If I'm right, Lord, please stick by me and defeat my enemies. If I'm wrong, lead me to the truth. Praise Jesus!

in.tol.er.ance. whyyyyyy???

I'm generally a great sport about everything. I am very accepting. I'm a change agent when I want to/need to be.

Right now I am very upset.  Maybe later I'll detail all the health stuff I've been through with the body pain and the diet changes and the medical procedures with no conclusions.  But right now, I just need to vent about this crazy body.  God, why did you give us such amazing vessels, only to allow society's conventional modern-day eating routines to just mess it totally up?  10,000 years ago, I'm sure we didn't think we were doing anything wrong when agriculture started happening.  I'm sure that the people creating GMO goods KNOW they are doing something wrong, and all the other people whose jobs are to promote very bad things for our health that are just causing more and more allergies/intolerances so that people live in pain and causing increased diseases at astronomical rates.

I've been reading, researching, googling, for weeks and weeks now, so I've accumulated a lot of knowledge about healthy lifestyles, healthy eating, all the shit that's in our food that shouldn't be, so much more.  I have no idea what I am allergic/intolerant to now.  I thought the answer was easy.  I found some good groups that were hard to give up, but I did it.  Currently, I'm trying to give up another big lump of foods (anything with gluten) but I"m doing it.  I'm trying to make changes to solve the problems happening to me on a constant, daily basis.  Now, who knows, I just might have an allergy like corn and that is in every freaking product in any freaking form you could dream up.  I thought tomatoes would be hard.  I miss them dearly (along with the rest of the foods in that group I gave up), but it is so doable.  My health is worth it.  Now I'm giving up gluten.  This is hard, but there are some substitutes out there and a lot of help and a community of so many others who are gluten free.  So, what 4 weeks ago seemed nearly impossible is so much more possible and tolerable in my mind now.  Now, if I'm facing another near-impossibility (corn)...I'm all of a sudden feeling so overwhelmed and sad.

Only God knows why this vessel is reacting this way, why I am one of the 1 in 3 people with gluten intolerance, why I am 1 in ? people who may not be able to handle corn (another grain, not a vegetable!), why I feel this daily pain and experience these constant other issues that disrupt my passionate goal to live healthy and well.  The past couple of years have changed me and my mindset.  What was once a nearly unfathomable accomplishment is now just a simple daily choice.  As I know these other trials also are.

Today I am passionately thankful for the Internet, and for all the people who have been passionate about their trials and feats to post the information and advice that is helping me today and every day, the more I read and research and learn.  I think maybe I should start compiling/posting the stuff I find, not only as a record for myself but in case my reading/research compilations should ever come up in someone else's search engine.  The precious time others' have spent to type their knowledge and experiences has helped me and countless others in our searches for pain-free, get-on-with-life living.  Eat to live, not live to eat.  Only Jesus can give me the things I need to support me through this confusing situation.  Inner peace and guidance.  Loving, supportive family and friends.  Companies run by people committed to producing truly healthy, people-conscious foods and products.  Hope.  Passion to pursue the solutions.  Energy to pass what I learn on to others.

Camera. Swallowed. Check!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I swallowed a camera, a feat that even you could accomplish...only if your doctor asks you to have the test. :) It's called...the PillCam.  Google pillcam images for reference.  At the same time you wear this AWESOME shoulder purse and bullet-proof cummerbund.

Well, it may not be bulletproof, but there's gotta be something special about it if it has wires coming out of it attaching to the AWESOME shoulder purse!  I am 'proud' to wear my purse for the entire day, after which the doctor person will download up to 57,600 images of my digestive track.  Freaking amazing if you ask anybody! Not freaking amazing = clear liquid diet for 27 hours, drinking an entire small bottle of reconstituted Miralax, and reading the directions NOT to retrieve the camera after it has been 'released' from my system.  Most say 'gross!' but I say 'darn'!  This thing is freakin' cool!  Pictures of every place my food goes?!  Let ME see!!!

Not freakin' cool = reviewing 57,600 images.  So that's why the follow-up is 6 weeks.  Ha.  Alright, I'll cut him a break.