Author: dianegclark

People may look at my life from the outside and think I am too busy. I’m a therapist, I help lead worship and organize the welcome team at TRU. I am a Big Sister to Adelle. I volunteer with Homestead. I work out 4 times a week and am learning kickboxing. I have elderly parents and grandkids who need me. I’m writing a novel. I sing in a band and do some of their social media.

Then I have days like today with virtually nothing on my schedule. Intentionally. To find balance. God is teaching me how to balance, how to prioritize, how to be present in this moment and let Him lead the next. How to give up busyness, distraction, striving, pleasing.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “You cannot give what you don’t have.” This is so true.

Every morning I get up an hour before I have to start getting ready for the day. I spend that time alone with God. Not doing. Just being. I’m learning that its okay to prioritize me. To rest. To renew. To just be.

I’ve written about Whispers of Rest, the devotional I am going through for a second time to soak up the truths here. I am letting this sink in at a new level: “Its okay not to be all things to all people all of the time by ourselves.” I think I really felt that way as a school social worker.

2 Corinthians 1:4 says “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

I used to think that meant just that we go through difficulties so that we can better empathize with others’ difficulties. That is true. But as I do therapy, the one thing I see more than anything else is that people are too busy! They/we are so caught up in this culture that teaches us we have to DO constantly. We spend hours on our screens. We do this long enough and it messes up our health, our mental health, our actual brain chemistry. We were not created for this world.

Bonnie Gray writes, “When you come to a fork in the road today–between choosing the quiet or filling it up, by performing, pleasing, or disappearing–stop…Enjoy something no one would be able to point at and say, ‘Look. She did something.'”

Be instead of Do.

Be quiet. Be loved. Just soak up His quiet love.

“The Lord is with you. He will take great delight in you: He will quiet you with His love.” Zechariah 3:17

Stop worrying, planning, doing, distracting, pushing, controlling, rushing…. Just listen to what He has to say to you. In this moment.

We are conditioned to be busy instead of loved. He provides all we need. For this moment.

Intentional quiet. Trust.

You don’t have to be strong. Just loved.

“In repentance and rest you will be saved; in quietness and trust is your strength.” Isaiah 30:15

I plan to take my own advice as soon as I finish this blog post. Lol. No, really, I’m sitting here in my robe, a to do list before me, a whole day before me. Sheets to wash, appointments to make, people who need me.

But I choose rest. Renewal. This moment.

And who knows after that? Maybe I’ll go back to bed. I will wait and see all that God has for me in the next moment.

Right now I choose to be. In this moment.

I got my second monthly order of essential oils today! And yesterday I got a check! Whaaat?

As I said in a previous post, I purchased a starter kit and began “selling” Young Living Essential Oils just after Christmas. Which means basically, I am doing a ton of research and ordering a bunch of oils for myself to try out! Next month I am switching from another company to Young Living for some of my personal products (face wash, natural deodorant) and supplements.

Today I got my second monthly order in the mail!

Both months, I’ve gotten free products. I get a discount every time I order. And then yesterday I also got a check!

I might be turning into a essential oil weirdo.

I love them!

I use lavender for sleep. I diffuse in three rooms of the house, in the car and in my office at work (favs are peppermint and orange OR orange and stress away). I use them in Epsom salts in my bath every morning (favs are orange and eucalyptus). I apply them topically as perfume (valor, also for confidence and calm). I also apply them to my tummy (digize and peppermint) when it’s upset. And for my immune system (thieves). I put thieves in my humidifier at night. I diffuse RC and apply it for breathing. I have made sprays and roll ons like a mad scientist. I put oils on a wool ball and use it instead of dryer sheets. I sniff frankincense every morning after I drink my coffee to raise my frequencies and open my clogged neurotransmitters. I also have a natural hormone replacement that I use that is also supposed to improve the look of wrinkles. I can put oils in my shampoos too!

I’m slowly replacing my spices with oils like clove, cinnamon, marjoram, and ginger. I put lemon oil in my water every day. It’s supposed to be so much better for you!

My up line people answer my questions and even sent me some samples!

I ordered some Gentle Baby and I can’t wait to see if it helps with Emmet and Henry when we watch them in a few weeks. I saw a video where it calmed a crying baby in less than a minute just by holding it under it’s nose!

I also just did some research and ordered some of the supplements that I’m so excited to try. I’m going to take the Master Formula, Omegagize, Cortistop and Nyngxia. My immune system will be boosted, I’ll have extra energy, my stress level will go down (can anyone say belly fat?) and I’ll get all my vitamins and minerals.

I give samples to some of my clients and talk about them all the time. They use them in my office for sessions.

And Scott is into them too! He really likes the Stress Away blend and puts it on his beard every day. I’m mixing up a blend for his tinnitus and I already have one for his snoring!

The hilarious thing is that I started all this to SELL the oils! So far I’ve only sold one bottle!

So if you want to know more or order some oils, here is my website:

https://www.myyl.com/dianegclark

If you want to talk oils, smell them or try out some samples, let me know that too!

I started meditating about 2 years ago. Since then, I meditate almost every day. I recommend it to my clients. I’m crazy about it!

After trying a couple of apps, a bunch, actually, I landed on CALM. After a couple of weeks, it offered me half price for a month so I went for it. Then I kept using it, I was offered a half price lifetime offer and I grabbed it!

I know you are going to think I get a kick back from the app, but I don’t! There are so many different categories of meditations: sleep, stress, calming anxiety, deep sleep, flight anxiety, staying on track, mindful eating, body scan, mindfulness at work, happiness, self esteem, gratitude, focus, relationship with self, loving-kindness, forgiveness, mindful walking, emotions, relationship with others, breaking habits, Winnie the Pooh, college collection, deep concentration, emergency calm, commuting, non-judgement, a bunch for kids, and more!

Here is an example of meditations within each app:

My favorite meditations are the 15 minute deep sleep release (I use it when I have trouble falling asleep or falling back asleep) and day 4 of the 21 days of calm which teaches about emotion. The homestead girls like the self forgiveness meditations and the loving kindness meditations. My clients like the emergency calm and the gratitude mediations and some of the sleep stories. When I need to fall asleep, I put on the app and the gal’s voice (Tamara Levitt) just makes me relaxed and sleepy.

The research on meditation keeps pouring in. It has been proven to help you with feeling calm (improves mood disorders such as depression and anxiety) and promotes relaxation, improves focus (memory, less distraction, attention, learning, concentration), improves health (more energy, less pain, helps with heart disease, inflammation, immunity, resilience), and reduces impulsivity, and increases creativity, and optimism.

My goal is to do every single meditation offered on the calm app and then do the daily calm meditations. As you can see from my stats, I’ve been at it awhile but I have a long way to go!

I’m writing a novel!

When I was a little girl in elementary school, I wrote a couple of novels. I remember them clearly. The one I wrote in 4th grade was about my barbies who were very real to me. Then in 6th grade, I wrote a long story about living under the sea. I started college as a journalist major. So I guess I’ve always wanted to write.

Scott always thought I should write a novel. I’ve read at least one novel per week since I was in middle school. He thinks since I read, I can write.

The idea for the novel started just before we went to Nashville. Chad had come up and we heard the new rendition of the song, “She’s on Her Own.” The Homestead girls came over for Cass’s graduation celebration. Scott had mentioned something about me writing a book about my experiences as the support group leader for Homestead. When I mentioned this to Sam, and the possibility of a novel based roughly on her life, she cried. She had always known that her story would go out into the world to help others, to raise awareness of sex trafficking. Sam cried as she heard the new version of “She’s on Her Own” which we dedicated to her as she spoke at our concert at the Wareham. And then she cried again as she listened to the new song, “That’s Why I Like the Rain.” I assumed she was thinking of her son whom she gave up for adoption, but she was thinking about Ashley, our common friend and survivor of trafficking who was murdered.

So the novel idea was born and grew. A novel about Samantha’s life in parallel with Ashley’s life.

I still hadn’t started the novel and wasn’t sure where or how to start.

Then we went to Nashville. There, ideas started getting tossed around and the idea of the novel was thrown in. The guys talked about a possible music video for “She’s On Her Own” and though the song isn’t specifically about trafficking, it is similar. When these ideas were mentioned to Brian, our publicist, his eyes lit up. He felt that attaching Midwest Meets Manhattan to a cause such as raising awareness and possibly even funds for sex trafficking survivors, could boost Midwest Meets Manhattan as well. Scott and I got excited.

When I got home, I wrote a forward, talked to Deb and talked to Samantha. We started the first of many interviews so far and many, many more to come. I wrote chapter one. Then we spent another afternoon together, she on the bed talking, crying, me on a chair nearby scribbling as fast as I could. Her life is a story all on its own and as she reflects, the novel is writing itself. Trafficked as a child and then again as a young adult, Sam’s life tells of the pain and inescapable circumstances of trafficking. It is filled with horror that will be so very hard for others to read about, but also of miracle after miracle. It is unbelievable. It is inspirational. The reader will be forever changed reading it. No one will walk away without needing to do something to get involved.

The direction of Midwest Meets Manhattan is unknown and we are in prayer about what is next. Whether or not a music video is made, whether or not the band attaches to the cause, whether or not She’s On Her Own gets promoted to raise awareness for trafficking, this novel will be written. And I hope get published. And change lives. If you know how to get a book published, please share! In the meantime, please pray for Sam, for me, and for Midwest Meets Manhattan.

Ashley Harlan, RIP

Samantha

I needed some Emmet and Henry and Leah time so drove to Newton today. I always dread the drive but once on the road singing, it never seems quite as long as I dread.

I got to Newton around 11. Today I decided to take Rex along today. Emmet is always waiting for me in the large window but today he was not. Leah and Henry were standing on the porch. Henry is getting over a fever so he didn’t give me a giant grin as usual, but I got lots of grins later. I could hear Emmet in the back and then he squealed with delight as he saw Rex and then greeted me. Apparently he had been looking forward to my visit.

We got coats and shoes on and got in the car and went to Prairie Harvest. Every time I glanced back at Emmet in the car, he giggle screamed with delight. I love him so much.

Emmet used the potty before we left and came out and announced in a funny voice, “That’s a lot of pee” which he then continued say a bunch more times, including at the restaurant.

Little friendly Henry grinned and waved at everyone in the restaurant repeatedly from his high chair. Emmet took his boots off and wormed around in his seat and ate one bite of bread the whole lunch. Henry made the cutest face as he tasted hummus for the first time. He wasn’t quite sure but he ate it and we think he liked it.

Emmet wanted to go up the stairs badly. He asked and then while waiting for Leah inched closer and closer to the stairs but accepted we weren’t going there.

At the house, Emmet followed me into the bathroom and watched while I pooped. He even looked to make sure it was coming out. This is quite the experience, I tell you. But I did earn a sticker for pooping in the potty. This was followed by several readings of the book, “Everyone poops,” with Emmet pointing out every pile of poop the animals made. Such is life with a toddler.

At nap time, Emmet and I read books together in his chair then he went right to sleep in his little bed. I tried to put stuffed animals in bed with him but he instructed me to “leave them there.” He is quite the little instructor lately.

Leah and I talked then bought her birthday present on Amazon (a big African basket) then closed our eyes for about half an hour with cuddly Moose. When Henry woke up, I went to get him and he grinned his sweet, whole face grin at me, then put his head on my shoulder after I picked him up.

Emmet got up shortly after and while Leah made some cinnamon nut bread, I entertained the boys in Emmet’s room. First Emmet gave Henry a car so we could play with the blocks. Henry kept knocking the blocks over so Emmet called him a “silly goose”. Emmet also kept saying, “Hi Rex” and giving Rex gentle pets and hugs. I can understand more and more of what Emmet is saying now.

After Henry was out of the room, Emmet and I played a rough game we sort of called “hug monster” that involved semi hiding under the blanket, hugging, and wrestling. He laughed and laughed from his belly. We played the longest time but he would have kept playing for hours, I think. Emmet has a tremendous attention span. Longer than mine, for sure, and my energy level.

Just before we left, Leah took Henry’s shirt off and discovered a rash. I suspected roseola and confirmed on WebMD while Leah called the doctor. Poor baby. But his fever was down today so he is through the worst of it.

I bought some Lavender and Clover items today, as usual, then said my goodbyes and headed out for the long drive home. Emmet didn’t cry when I left this time and it was easier for me to leave with Rex with me. Next time I see them, I will be watching the boys for three days, partly by myself while Leah and Dave go to Hannah and Kent’s bachelor and bachelorette party. Woo boo! I had better rest up for that!

Scott is my hero. Leading worship is not for wimps. It is so much harder than people realize.

Scott and I just started singing worship after doing it a couple of times before without Dave. Travis puts the songs up on Worship Planning.com by Tuesdays every week. Right now he is way ahead. I print out the PDF’s or grab them out of my notebook and put them in order. Scott and I both try to listen and sing along in our cars a couple of times a week. Scott has only been singing with the worship team for a couple of months. He listens to secular music so often times, he’s never sung the songs before and maybe only heard them once or twice. I’ve been singing with Dave for a year and a half now so I know most of the songs well. My part, anyway.

The band plays through the songs (without keyboards) in Travis’ garage on Thursday nights. Dave comes over to our house and Scott and I and now Labarbara and Darryl and I sing through the songs over and over til we get the nuances and harmonies. Dave will have us get in a circle where we can hear each other and see each other’s mouths. Dave gives great instruction and tips and encouragement. We decide who is singing when and where to build the songs up. This rehearsal takes anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half.

On Saturdays, Travis and the guys do all the set up. We pick up Mom and drive out to TRU. It takes quite awhile to do the sound checks to get the balance out in the auditorium and the sound coming to us through the monitors right. Then we pray and go through the songs one by one. The band, the person putting up the words and Scott, have to figure out how many times we are going to go through the choruses, the verses, the bridges, and lock down who is doing where and when. This is hard to remember and keep track of. Especially for Scott since, as I said, he hasn’t sung these songs much. This rehearsal generally takes about an hour and a half.

Our band is amazing. Darren, the drummer, drives from Topeka. Josh has three kids under the age of 4. Mom is 88 years old. Travis works full time and has a busy family. They are committed and talented. They never mess up. It is a blessing when Bobby is able to join us as well. We love that Lababara and Darryl are singing with us now. We like to joke about the average age of the worship leaders. We have a lot of years but not a lot of years on a worship team. The instrumental band is way more experienced.

Sunday morning comes. We wake up never knowing how our voices will sound. Scott has a cocktail of musinex, halls throat lozenges and tea with honey to get his voice right. I have allergies but since I only do back ups, the quality of my voice isn’t as crucial as Scott’s now that he is doing the lead-in verses solo. We warm up in the car. People riding with us have to put up with all the strange sounds we make to get our voices ready.

We arrive to Tru by 8:15. Sound checks and fine tuning on the sound again. Pray. Then go through the songs. It is almost a given that this rehearsal will be rough. The things we had down all week, either the melodies or the timing, or the voices, something goes wrong at this rehearsal. Almost always. I have learned to roll with it.

Then the break. Go to the bathroom as many times as possible while trying to socialize with people we haven’t seen all week and try not to think about the worship part. Then at 9:27 we gather just off stage and hold onto each other and pray. We pray to be a blessing. We pray that God is glorified.

Then it’s time. People are just coming in. We start the first song. God always, always comes through and we sound pretty good. I try to get my mind off of where I’m holding the mic and how my body is moving and am I supposed to sing this part and oh, there’s Vinnie, and why aren’t people singing, there is a new family, and try to think about God and the words and His goodness. The auditorium is filling up. I can usually feel Him at this point. Then I see someone with their eyes closed, worshipping, maybe lifting their hands, maybe lost in the words. And I feel Him more. It is still a fight to stay out of my head and let myself get lost in the worship. Sometimes Scott messes up, sometimes he nails it, I often sing in the wrong places, but I remind myself it doesn’t matter. God loves it. People are blessed. If we can get them just a tiny bit closer to His presence then it is all worth it.

Then almost before it starts, it seems, its over. And on to the next week we go.

I’ve been a Christ follower for 35 years. Just as I get thinking I understand His ways, He takes me deeper, reveals more about myself, Himself, and His plans for me. As I learn to follow and trust and stay out of His way as he reveals more and more in me, He heals me, awakens dreams in me, allows me to shine. His story.

Since last year being diagnosed and battling cancer, retiring, God has taken me on a wild journey. A journey of healing and hope, of change and growth. First as a therapist, then as a singer turned professional artist, and as a woman.

Being a trauma therapist is amazing and overwhelming. It can be terrifying. But it is also so inspiring. I am filled with awe and wonder as I experience God healing people’s hearts and souls through the words and compassion He pours into and through me. To be able to be fully present for people so they can connect at a deeper soul level with me and with God requires vulnerability. To go deeply into people’s pain and brokenness and fears has caused me to go deeper into my own brokenness. I have had to allow myself to be fully vulnerable with God so He could reveal my fears and self doubts and insecurities left from the brokenness of my childhood. He wanted to heal those parts of me so that I could dream and shine, to be used as a therapist. But also so that I could allow Him to take me places I never knew possible.

I am part of a huge movement of God. Midwest Meets Manhattan is just a small part of what God is revealing in and to each one of us, Dave, Chad, Scott and myself. He has plans so far and above anything we could ever imagine. Dreams that will go far beyond our music. Using all of our gifts and talents, I believe the sky is the limit. It is so hard for me to believe that I sang on worldwide radio two days ago. But fame, wealth, this is only a tiny part of God’s plan. God is going to use all of this to spread hope and healing to the world. Our platform is sex trafficking. He has also called me to write a book. My involvement with Homestead is all a part of His plan. To hear the stories that scream to be told. The songs Chad is writing also scream to be heard, songs of healing and hope.

The first part of the journey involved slowing down. I wrote about this in an earlier post. Learning to be fully present in each moment and let God lead the next was step one. To learn to let go of my own agendas for each day. To be fully present in order to go deeper with others. The cancer was a part of this for me. Becoming a therapist. Learning to step out in faith as my fears and doubts about my own skills came to the surface. God showed me even more that He is in control, that He longs to write His story in me and through me to others. It is not my skills that heals people, but my ability to be vulnerable, my ability to love deeply and compassionately. By allowing God to love me this way is the only way I can love others in ways that allows true healing this deep.

From the very beginning of the journey of singing, God has revealed my insecurities, my fears, my anxieties and taught me to trust in Him. Standing on a stage praising Him is unbelieveably terrifying and gratifying. It is such an honor and a blessing. Yet so humbling. I have tried forcing things and had to lay myself down again and again. He comes through every single time. I have seen Him awaken dreams in myself and in Scott that we never ever thought possible. It took humbling myself and getting out of His way. It took facing my fears and self doubts.

I began the book, Whispers of Rest, shared with my by a friend, several months ago. God showed me how I am His beloved. He took me to places that I never let Him go before, places I didn’t even know I still carried fears. He showed me that He loves me so much, just as I am. That He will use my brokenness to heal others. That only by laying down these fears will He take me forward. His story, His voice is in me longs to be told. He is pulling all the parts of me together, singing, writing, loving, listening, healing, dreaming, and He is using me. He has only begun to reveal all He has planned for me, for us.

Whispers of Rest takes all the brain research that I have learned so much about, that resonates with everything that I believe, meditation, scripture and prayer and brings it all together. I added meditation to my self healing about two years ago. I use all of these things with clients, with the Homestead girls and for myself. The author, Bonnie Gray, pulled it all together. I send the verses to a friend in prison and she has found healing. I have purchased over 10 copies and have given them to others as led. My clients are finding healing through it.

Part One is Being the Beloved. It made me face the deep question, “Am I enough?” That I have wrestled with all my life. Having heard whispers from the enemy, from my past, deep inside myself that I was not enough, all my life, I needed these to be revealed in me to find healing. It hurts to bring these fears to the surface but is so necessary. God showed me through this book, stories of those in the Bible that also felt they weren’t enough yet He used, that I am enough. That people connect with my weaknesses. To love is to be vulnerable. To Him and to others. When I am still and rest in Him, He heals me, helps me face my fears and heals me. He reassures me that in Him, I am more than enough. I am His Beloved. I find my identity and strength in Him alone and not in what the world thinks of me. I am enough just as I am. I do not have to strive to do or say or be anything but what I am. This is what part 2 showed me. I can simply be and then choose joy and peace. He will hold my emotions when I take them and leave them with Him. To simply let Him love and comfort me.

Part three is Dreaming in Him. God knows the dreams in my heart that I didn’t even know I had. He showed me that when He first called me on the stage to sing. I have had this silent dream for years and years. And now the dream to write. I have wanted to be a writer since I was a very little girl. Part 4 is healing the brokenness that had to happen for me to be able to let Him dream through me. He showed me that He understands my fears and this allows me to step into the unknown He has for me, the to face uncertainty, to let go of control. The next part is the Daring. He is my courage and strength. Part Six is Shining. God’s love is shining and new in me. He created me to sparkle in my own unique way to share with the world.

So pray for me as I go on this journey as a therapist, a novel writer, a professional background vocalist. Pray for me to allow God to continue to heal me and use me and awaken His dreams and plans in me. To shine His love, His healing, His hope, peace and joy into this broken world.

This has been a surreal experience. Dave and Scott and I left Manhattan early Sunday afternoon after TRU.

We flew out of Manhattan into Dallas, then Nashville. We are staying at the Gaylord Opryland Resort Hotel. Whaaaaat? It is like the San Antonio Riverwalk but all indoors. Can’t wait to try out the hot tub, sauna, water park and beach, all indoors! We walked about a mile inside to our rooms. Scott and I are staying in a suite with a Murphy bed! Kid you not! We were all exhausted and Dave had a plugged ear so dinner night one was sandwiches and chips from a little shop overlooking the fountains and waterfalls in the lobby.

Day 1 has been in the studio. The studio is in Sal’s basement. It is crazy to imagine that Carrie Underwood and Kellie Clarkson have recorded in this very spot. It is homey and luxury and high tech all at the same time. There is a full stocked kitchen and a full screen home movie theater to hang out in.

We started with Sal sharing the tracks he had created from the rough tracks Chad sent. Sal has already created the most beautiful instrumentals that fully capture the essence and feeling of the songs Chad wrote. We were so amazed as we listened. Chad cried.

Dave sang first, laying the melodies. It sounds so amazing and pure. It’s impossible not to get extremely excited about this.

We finished at the studio and returned to the resort hotel. I have to admit that when we walked through with our entourage, Scott and Dave in their sunglasses, Bobbye in her gold coat, 6’4″ Chad with his boots and cowboy hat and Cody our cinematographer, we looked like stars. People were looking at us.

That night we met Brian Mays, our publicist, and ate dinner with him at a Mexican restaurant. The guys met and talked logistics while Bobbye, Cody and I mostly stuffed our faces. Brian has worked with so many stars and people we have heard of. The music business is very different from the inside. There is so much to consider and it is very hard to make money. It really is a business, not all fun and games. I’m not saying I’m not having fun, but this is going to be a hard ride. We all need to keep our feet on the ground and our eyes on God.

I slept great every night. Our room is a suite with a couch and Murphy bed, table and chairs, adjoining the other room. Here are walking tours of the hotel:

Day three we woke up and walked with Dave. I got so lost in this place looking for Dave and Scott. I found a cool older garden though. We walked and drank coffee then got ready and off for the first gig. I have to tell you a funny part. We only have 5 seats in the SUV so our cinemetographer has to sit in the way back. You should have seen the faces of the valets when we opened the back hatch and he got in or out. We joked that we should have put duct tape on his mouth and tied him up one of the times.

The first event was at CCM magazine. We just walked in, they set up, sound checks and performed for the taping.

We returned to Sal’s and Bobbye and I made a mall and food run then we all gathered around Sal’s kitchen table for Chinese food. We have an amazing rapport and it feels like family to sit around and joke and talk and eat with these people. The power was out at the studio so we didn’t get to hear the final rough tracks of the recordings til later.

Back to the hotel, rest then freshen up and a quick rehearsal and good talk in the room. It is becoming apparent that the Homestead Ministries, She’s On Her Own, and raising awareness for sex trafficking is a big part of the brand and plan. There are some really big, giant ideas flying around. We are trying to not limit God because we feel something really huge could come out of this.

We walked down to the bottom of one part of the hotel and there was the radio station WSM. Devon O’Day was sitting in the bay window on the mic interviewing a comedian. It is a radio show that goes world wide on the internet and to 38 states on AM radio. The show airs from 3-6 daily. We went on a 5pm drive time. Bobbye and Cody did the taping and pictures from couches in the room. Devon started the interview with Dave and Chad, breaking for commercials and weather. When she said it was time to perform, I popped up from the couch and went to one of the mics. Devon asked who I was and Dave introduced me as Diane Clark, back ground vocalist. He also got to talk about Homestead, mentioned Samantha, and the song, She’s On Her Own, and sex trafficking. Devon talked about the cause and places trying to help and even talked about donating on Amazon Smile! God is so good.

Then we sang! I couldn’t hear myself well and skipped a few parts I wasn’t confident on but everyone, including Dave and Chad said we nailed it! It was so amazing! She took another break and asked if we wanted to do another song so Scott got to join us and we did “That’s Why I Like the Rain”. Dave also mentioned TRU and Chad got to talk about Ethos, his leather business. Really, it couldn’t have gone better overall.

After dinner at Crackerbarrell, Scott, Dave and Chad stayed up late to talk, make plans, and try to figure out what all God has in store. It could be way bigger than Midwest Meets Manhattan. For example, I am writing a book. There could be a music video coming. And possible a screen play. We know raising awareness for sex trafficking will be involved, and Homestead, and Sam’s story.

Bobbye, Cody and I sat in the hot tub then watched TV and checked the social media. They put me as administrator for the facebook and Instagram accounts and I am all over it! Its fun!

Today we got up and got ready and piled into the car yet again and headed off for the TV appearance. There has been lots of Nashville freeway time but lots of fun and laughter in the car.

We got the the station and were showed to the green room. They aren’t green, BTW. Dave and Chad had makeup put on and then the mics wired onto them. Our publicist arrived. Then into the studio. They were interviewed on set then played live with tracks to tape performing two Christian songs since this was a Christian radio show called Bridges on a Christian network.

After TV, we went to lunch at Longhorn steakhouse where Chad, Brian, and Dave shared memories of spending time with famous Christian artists.

We said goodbye to Brian, then Chad, Bobbye and went to the hotel thinking we were waiting to Uber to the airport. Our flight got cancelled so we we scrambled and got a new flight and a room. We got up really early to fly home.

It still hasn’t sunk in that all this is happening. I sang on worldwide radio!

I have recently started using essential oils and really like them. Over the holiday, my sister in law who sells them asked if I wanted to join her. So I did! Since then, I have been researching and learning. I’m so excited to add more and more of them to my life.

I have a therapist friend who says that many of her clients are able to stop taking their perscription meds after finding the right oils. I use oils for grounding, calming, and sleep. I diffuse them at home for us and for the dogs and also in the office for clients. I put lavender on my feet and use grounding oils in my diffuser and as perfume.

I am really excited to start using oils in my bath and beauty routines. Scott’s too! I have experienmented with adding them to Epsom salts for the bath and in my lotions. I can’t wait to use them in my shampoos, face treatments, and daily beauty routines. I am getting Scott some essential beard oil, shampoos, and oils for hair growth to replace the nasty hair growth products he currently uses. Also gonna get that snoring cured and maybe even his tinnitus!

And let’s talk moods. Oils are for much more than just calming. There are oils for confidence, motivation, wakefulness, happiness and focus. I’m so excited to try them!

I also plan to explore oils for our health and fitness. There are oils that help with breathing, energy, and for recovery and sore muscles. Young Living sells supplements that I will try too.

My introduction kit also has samples of the cleaning products I can’t wait to try.

I am impressed with the quality of Young Living products and the research that goes into them. I am learning details of the benefits to our health and well being and I can’t wait to share more with all of you!

I am not much of a sales person so don’t worry about me putting this on facebook or pushing these products. I truly think they will sell themselves. And as I get more experienced, knowledgeable and excited, I will share all that with you! I figure that the blog is the least intrusive way to tell you about the oils because you can click on the links or not!

Here are my next purchases and uses:

Digize for digestion. I plan to add it and lemon oil to water and teas. Also peppermint. These can also be rolled directly onto the tummy.

Progressence plus–natural hormones. This oil can help with the appearance of wrinkles and to balance hormones.

Valor and RC for my snoring husband. I’ll let you know if it works!

Motivation Oil for both of us.

Sclaressence and ylang ylang for libido.

Stress away, frankinscense and lavender for anxiety and stress. I’m excited to try the stress away bath bombs and the lavender bath gel (although you can make your own of these products).

Super B supplement for energy and salique essence supplements for weight control. I’m gonna try cinnamon, orange, and vanilla for cravings. Can’t wait to try the salique gum. Gonna try thieves in my tea.

I’ll put lemongrass and peppermint in my morning bath to wake me up.

Thieves roll on my feet nightly for immune support.

Lavender for facial toning and hair. Also lemon on the roots to manage oil. Gonna add spearmint or rosemary in my shampoos and conditioners. Also frankincense for wrinkles.

Diffuse lavender and cedar wood for sleep. I already put lavender lotion on my feet at night.

Eventually will get breathe again, RC, motivation, en-r-gee, lemon, and peppermint for workouts. And Panaway for sore muscles.

I’ve been putting tea tree oil in our laundry soap to freshen towels and remove the musty smell.

Rose water in a spray bottle to freshen and set make up and as perfume.

Gonna get our romance on with ylang ylang, cinnamon and orange in the diffuser, ylang ylang, release and joy in the bath.

For overall happiness, valor on the wrists, joy over the heart, harmony on the trunk, and white Angelica on the crown of the head-all applied topically.

So let me know if you are interested and I will be happy to place an order for you! Happy oiling!

2018 was a big year for me. If you know me, you know I don’t do change. Same husband, job, house, church for 30 years or more. This has been a year of change for me. This time last year, I had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is hard to even wrap my brain around this. There is nothing like cancer to cause you to reevaluate life. It caused me to think about what is really important in life. For me, this means people. And rest. In 2018, God has taught me that being present in this moment is important. Being present in this moment and let God lead the rest. I have given him my daily to do list. If you know me, you also know how big this is for me.

2018 was about change but also about growing my faith. God is so good. His goodness overwhelms me. Cancer was hard to go through but His goodness and love for me were so apparent. My faith grew and I grew. He brought me through this and healed me completely. I had a completely clean slate at 6 months. It has been a hard year for health issues overall, but He continues to be faithful. Cancer definitely brought about big life changing decisions.

Retiring from USD 383 was a huge change. It was hard and so necessary. My ability to handle stress has changed so much along with my appreciation for sleep and rest. It was hard to leave my Eisenhower family and friends and I still miss them terribly. But I don’t miss the job, the stress, the frustrations, the pace. I can’t even imagine how I got up at 5:30 every morning and hit the ground running by 7:15 not stopping until at least 3. Now I start my day no earlier than 8:30, most days waking up without setting an alarm. And I have 4 day weekends every week.

The pace of being a therapist is a better match for me. I’m not saying that it isn’t challenging or exhausting because many days it is. But it is amazing. And right where God wants me to be. I love being able to pray with clients and share what He has done for me and all He can do for them. He loves through me. Connections heal people so it has been incredibly meaningful and inspirational to be a part of His healing for people. I have had to learn to trust His plan for each client but also for the ebb and flow of practice overall. I lean into Him hard for all of it. I am trying to be only as busy as He wants me to be. And of course, I love doing clinical supervision. I have a group of 4 ladies I meet with weekly and another gal I meet with about monthly. The plan is for me to move more into this role going forward.

It has been a year of growth and change for us with TRU church also. This year God did such cool things in Scott having him be a part of the board and the plans to build a building for TRU. And to bring him onto the worship team! I am still blown away with gratitude and joy when I peer across Dave and there is Scott singing his heart out on the stage with us. It is fun to practice here with Scott and Dave and to sing in the car with Scott. Our friendship with Dave continues to grow and we are so very blessed to have he and Mel in our lives.

Which leads me to MMM. I have always said that God knows my heart. Proverbs 3:5-6 says if we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our hearts. God knew that I love to sing. My heart is so full of excitement and gratitude that we get to be a part of Midwest Meets Manhattan. What an unbelievable opportunity to sing professionally. We are just on the cusp on possibilities with these amazing people and I can’t wait to see what God is going to do with this.

Homestead continues to be a big part of my life. This has been a tremendous year as we continue to pour into the girls He brings through Homestead. Whether they stay and complete the program and graduate or move on, He plants and we water. I continue to be so blessed knowing every one of the women in Homestead. Right now, we have a whole group of gals ready to graduate and many of our current graduates have stayed in town and are part of my life.

Grand babies. This year our smart, precious Emmet turned 2 and we added adorable spunky Henry to the family. I love every moment I get to spend with these boys and their parents. I love having them live so close that they can come here and I can go spend a day whenever I can. Retirement has made it so that I rarely have to go more than a month without seeing the boys and Leah. Love them so much.

Hannah has continued in PT school and plans to marry Kent whom we love. And Joel started dating Molly, whom we also love and are looking forward to getting to know more.

Having Fridays and Mondays off has given me precious time to rest and to enjoy life and friendships. I have added meditation and essential oils to my daily regiment. I continue to work out and set fitness and health goals. I get to spend really good quality time each morning in gratitude, worship and prayer.

I am so excited to see what 2019 brings.