Women's Facial Hair ~ There, I Said It

OK . . . Here's one of those things that you can say, "If you don't have it now, you WILL have it later". . . 

Facial hair.  

{Que the Psycho music!!}

Whether a thick patch of peach fuzz or that irritatingly sneaky long black hair on your chin that seems to pop out of nowhere ~ more women than you think have some sort of facial hair from puberty on . . . and some have even more after menopause. 

There are several products and devices that that can help get rid of facial hair. But REMEMBER ~ unless you WANT a beard like your husband's or want to join a circus as their new bearded lady ~ DO NOT SHAVE!!!! This is a lesson we should have learned once we started shaving our legs ~ once your start it gets thicker, darker and grows faster :-( 

Here are some simple things you can do:

1) Drink 2-3 cups of hot spearmint tea per day. As always, you can get the freshest, cheapest herbs in the bulk section of your local health food market or at a local bulk food store. Use 1 to 1-1/2 ts per mug, steep for 10-15 minutes. No honey needed.

**Spearmint helps to regulate hormones.

2) Take 2 ts, twice a day, of blackstrap molasses. 

**Mineral deficiencies can cause facial hair growth, especially in peri-menopausal and menopausal women.  

Now, mind you, these are NOT over-night remedies, but they have been proven to work over time. You will start to see results, IF you are consistent, in a few days to a few weeks.

If you use either remedy, let me know what you think.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

What Did You Call Me?

"A good name is more desirable

than great riches;

to be esteemed is better than silver

or gold"

~Proverbs 22:1

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." ~John 10:2-3

"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." ~Matthew 1:21 [Jesus means "the LORD saves"]

I had an interesting experience this week. I was having a conversation with a young man that I know. This young man is generally very pleasant and we have had some great conversations. However, there is something that bothers me every time he says it ~ when referring to his girlfriend, he ALWAYS calls her his "old lady." When he did it again during a conversation, I waited until he had finished what he was saying and said, "I'm not trying to be rude, but I want to ask you something. You always refer to your girlfriend as your 'old lady.' I don't even know her name because you've never said it in any conversation I've ever had with you. When you call her that, does that invoke warm, loving feelings toward her? When you call her that, does your mind and heart warm toward her and some pleasant pictures flip through your mind? Does it make you feel loving toward her in ANY way?"

He said he had never thought about it. I replied that that was sad, all in itself. 

We, then, had a good conversation about how what you call someone, or say about someone, you are SUPPOSED to care about MEANS SOMETHING. 

I love to call my husband THE Man when I refer to him, because in my life, he IS THE Man; the love of my life. There was another young woman in this conversation who is trying to decide whether or not to break up with her boyfriend because she just isn't getting anything out of the relationship anymore. When I told them that we will soon celebrate 30 years of marriage in a few weeks, they started asking questions about what it takes to make a successful marriage work.

I began by saying that a relationship with the Lord is the anchor and life's blood of our marriage. Then, love and respect which go hand-in-hand ~ and oddly enough ~ they don't always happen at the same time, THAT'S why the next thing is that HARD WORK is very important in your marriage. The "work" of the relationship doesn't end once you've married (or in some cases in this culture, you move in with each other) ~ that's only when it BEGINS in earnest. 

Something I told them that has been very important to us is touch. I can hardly walk by THE Man or our daughters without simply reaching out to touch their arm, stroke their hair . . . touch is your love made tangible. Whether you are expressing your love verbally or by touch ~ DO IT.

Another thing, which is what made the "old lady" thing grate on me, is that how you refer to your loved ones MEANS something. I told this young man that if THE Man called me "old lady" that I would be deeply offended, it would break my heart. To me, there is NOTHING loving or respectful about that name. You don't have to call your loved one "SweetieBabyHoneyPie," but little lovie names DO connect to our heartstrings. How you refer to someone shows in the tone of your voice and your body language. 

How much time did you spend on picking our your children's names? Do you know that God has His own special name for us?! 

". . . I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on on it, 

known only to him who receives it."

~Rev. 2:17(b)

This new name that the Lord has for us ~ His children, once we are with Him in Heaven ~ is SO extraordinarily special that only He and you will know what it is. God has taken time to pick out a special name JUST for His children. Doesn't that sound like a name means something? I'll bet that the mention of that name endears us greatly to His heart. 

Names mean something. They are connected to our heartstrings.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

White Willow ~ Natural Pain Reliever

In other posts, I have mentioned adding White Willow Bark to some of my medicinal teas and in my oily skin toner/astringent. So, I'm thinking that as much as I've talked about using it in different things, that it would probably be a good thing to let you know WHY I use it. :-)

 White Willow Bark (front)

and 

some of my medicinal tea

herbs

White willow bark has been used, at least, since the time that Jesus walked our earth. It is possibly the original source of salicylic acid, best known as a healer of acne AND as a precursor of aspirin. 

Bottom line ~ it is a wonderful pain reliever.

White willow bark does everything that aspirin is so well-known for ~ headache relief, back pain relief, general pain relief, reduces fever, it's anti-inflammatory, helps with arthritis pain and related inflammation. Combined with Feverfew (a.k.a. Cowboy Aspirin, as the pioneers used to call it), you may enjoy even more pain relief.

Now, just because I mentioned "aspirin," don't think that you can't use it if you are on blood-thinners. White willow bark DOES NOT thin the blood. Does aspirin irritate your stomach lining? White willow DOES NOT.

White willow is also known to reduce menopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. As it obviously reduces sweating, as mentioned above, it helps to reduce fevers.

Another great benefit is that it is highly astringent. This makes it a great additive to most homemade skin care for oily skin. I add it to my favorite toner/astringent to help with the deep cystic acne my family is so prone to . . . even me . . . as of this writing, I am 55 years old and still have terribly oily skin and, if I didn't use my homemade facewash and toner/astringent, I would still have nasty break outs. I know . . . crazy. And no matter what I might try, I ALWAYS come back to my good ol' tried-and-true homemade products. 

How blessed we are that the Lord has given us so much to use from His creation. 

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 

Word-Filled Wednesday ~#117~ Feeling Hated?

Today, I'm sharing today's Facebook post from my DD#2. I couldn't have said it better myself . . . 

I thought while I have spare time [I would] share something other than a photo today. In your walk with Christ, have you noticed how your "friends" or family members don't talk to you as much as they used to? Especially when they see that you're taking your walk with Christ seriously. Yes, I am talking to you. I want to encourage my brothers and sisters that are starting to struggle with the realization that they are not popular anymore. At least, not with the old crowd that they used to hang out with. I used make myself feel guilty when "friends" would make me feel like a goody goody, Jesus freak, etc. I have even been told I read my own Bible too much. You are not alone when you choose to pick up your cross and follow Jesus. The world wants you to think you are. That's why we are persecuted and told to shut our mouths. But how do we differ and stand out for Christ if we blend in?! If we act like the world but profess to be Christians; we are not walking like Jesus if we live that life, ya'll. Jesus calls us to be outcasts; to love the ones the world just loves to hate. Why are you scared when the world hates you? Honestly, do want to be like it? I don't. Do not be afraid to stand out; have confidence and stand boldly! I am praying for you, whoever is reading this. Shine bright even when it's raining! I want to close this with John 15:18-27 and just let this sink in when you read it. God bless your day, ya'll.

18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this, the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have known sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates My Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would not have known sin; but now they have both seen and hated Me and My Father as well. 25 But they have done this to fulfill the word that is written in their Law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

26 “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27 and you will testify also, because you have been with Me from the beginning."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
I hope you were as encouraged by that as I am.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 

Holy Basil ~ Matchless Herb

For quite a while I have taken a supplement for my adrenal glands. I started taking them to deal with the stress of my mom's Alzheimer's on top of my other family, church and job demands. Our adrenals, which sit atop our kidneys, help with that "flight or fight" response and they help us deal with the stresses of life. Depending upon the demands of your life, your poor adrenals can become stressed, themselves.

One of the best herbs to help promote adrenal health is Holy Basil, also known as Tulsi, an Ayurvedic herb used in Indian medicine. Holy Basil is wondrous in helping us deal with stress. I have often called it a tangible breath of fresh air.

Actually, it is an "adaptogic" herb, in that it adapts to what your needs are. It has the ability to protect your heart and adrenals from stress by lowering both cholesterol and blood pressure so that you can face the stresses at hand. Amazing. Another amazing thing is that it can not only calm you down, but it can act as a tonic herb ~ giving you that feeling of well-being. This herb does so much that it is called the "matchless herb" in Ayurvedic medicine.

Holy Basil is also known to help with diabetes by leveling out blood sugar. Did I tell you that it's amazing?

In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it is most well known to help with colds, bronchitis, coughing fits, reducing fevers and a general anti-inflammatory (similar to Turmeric). 

You can take Holy Basil as a capsule, gel capsule, tincture or tea. Teas and tinctures always work the quickest, being liquid. If you have fever blisters (canker sores), swish a mouthful of the tea around your mouth, concentrating on the affected area.You can also make a VERY strong tea, saturate a cotton ball and use it on skin irritations, bug bites and even ringworm. Also use the juice by applying a few drops into your ear to help with ear infections.

Here's my recent favorite "ahhh" tea ~ I drink this at least once a day and many times, after a hectic day, I have another nice hot mug at bed time. I sleep like a baby. 

You will need:

~1 ts dried Holy Basil
~1/2 ts dried nettle
~5-8 whole cloves
~1/2 ts dried Jasmine flower buds

Directions:

1) Put all herbs in a tea ball
2) steep in a mug of hot water for 10-15 minutes
3) no need for honey, the taste is sweet, pungent and soothing

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

**see the obligatory disclaimer at bottom of blog page**

Word-Filled Wedesday ~#116~ Love Like a Waterfall

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God! And that is what we are! . . . The is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us." ~1 John 3:1, 16 [emphasis mine]

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Running wild and free

You hear my heart when I call, when I call

Deep calls to deep

Your love is like a waterfall, waterfall

Raining down on me

~Waterfall by Christ Tomlin~

I am a sinner ~ a terrible, nasty sinner ~ saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, alone. 

I offer no qualms or qualifications of anything I've ever done to deserve His saving grace, His forgiving of my countless sins. All I did was react to His priceless, unmatched gift of eternal salvation ~ I accepted His free gift, asked for forgiveness and repented of my sins. 

And what did I get in return? The indwelling of God's Holy Spirit, the promise of eternity with Him in Heaven (and He NEVER lies [Titus 1:2]) and His amazing love washing over me like a waterfall. 

In 1 John 3:1 (above), John says that God LAVISHES His love upon us. Do know what that means? In the Greek, it is the term used to describe a waterfall.

Think about what a waterfall does ~ on a hot, humid day how refreshing is it to jump into some cool, clean water? 

Have you ever been under a waterfall? It runs completely over you, saturates your clothes, your hair, your skin; it COMPLETELY drenches, covers, soaks . . . it washes over you with refreshment, relief, nourishment for your parched, weary body. If you were dirty and sweaty when you got under it, you aren't when you emerge.

You stand completely DRENCHED in utter refreshment. 

Let the Lord lavish you with His love . . . like a waterfall.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<>< 

Have We Forgotten Heaven?

 "However, as it is written:

'No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those 

who love Him."

~1 Cor. 2:9

"'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of thing has passed away'

"He Who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' . . . 

"I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp . . . Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life . . .

"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and the of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face and His Name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them lights. And they will reign for ever and ever . . . 

"'Behold, I am coming soon!'"

~selected verses from Rev. 21:3 - 22:7 [emphasis mine

One of the advantages of sharing a truck with our youngest daughter (DD#2) who is still living at home, is that we get to have some great conversations as I drive her to work. There are days when we laugh so hard at the silliest of things, we enjoy simply driving through the country-side and wonder why some people voluntarily live in the city, we pray for our daily needs. We've had some serious conversations, too ~ conversations about health, family, jobs, dreams, plans, heartstrings. A lot of topics are covered in that ol' truck.

Today's topic was so interesting, I didn't want it to end. While talking about a dear young man who is very ill, she mentioned that during a recent conversation he had said that he is ready to go to Heaven and she told him she is, too. This conversation was so bitter-sweet ~ this dear young man's illness is a mystery to EVERY Dr who has seen him. He is such a precious young man of God, a true gem of a person and his health just continues to decline . . . it's just all such a mystery. But, after lifting this young man up, we got on the subject of how so many of us ~ sincere, dedicated people of God ~ have lost sight of Heaven. 

Some people don't seem to even want to go! At least, not anytime soon. As DD#2 was saying, "they want to wait until they graduate from college, they want to wait until they get married or have a baby. . ." People simply don't realize what they're saying . . . we are so earth-bound in our stinking thinking. 

Heaven is our reward! Heaven is where the Lord is! When we are in Heaven, we will be enjoying the richest communion, the longings of our heart and soul will be realized with the dearest, deepest fellowship ~ the ULTIMATE, PERFECT Father/child relationship! 

And oh, the sights we will see ~ the things we will know. I have often wondered how we will handle being in Heaven when so many of our loved ones and friends who never accepted Jesus as their Savior, will not be there . . . for eternity. I wonder ~ will we understand the depths of sin so completely that we will simply understand what free will has wrought? Will we understand eternal reward for obedience and punishment of sin in such a complete way that we will praise God as we live the fulfillment of "Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known"? (1 Cor. 13:12) If there are no more tears, then we will truly understand God's utter hatred of sin and the full depths of our salvation by His grace, alone. 

But the BEST part of Heaven will be that JESUS will be there! He will be waiting to take us to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb . . . and WE are His bride! Man, woman or child . . . WE will be His bride and Jesus, Himself, will our Bridegroom! He has spent eternity and paid the precious, costly price to make you and I ~ those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord ~ His spotless bride. Instead of a ring, He will bless us by putting His Name on our forehead. NO ONE will be a wallflower, NO ONE will be unknown to Him, NO ONE will be unloved. We will all be eternally blessed. 

The whole of it all, as I once heard someone say, will be a worship service that lasts for eternity. 

Hallelujah~  

"He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus." ~Rev. 22:20

And I haven't even mentioned being reunited with loved ones who have gone before us! 

Oh, I want to go there. I'm ready. Are you?

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><

**All art work by Ron DiCianni**

Agrimony ~ Gentle Healer

As I try to grow in my knowledge of useful medicinal herbs, I am constantly astounded at how good the Lord is to have given us so much as a part of His good earth. So many things are good for . . . well . . . SO MANY THINGS! :-)

One of those multi-use herbs is a bitter herb called Agrimony. This lovely yellow plant caught my eye, as yellow is my favorite color. Once I started looking into it's uses, I was even more pleased.

Agrimony contains a goodly amount of tannins which are good for drying things up ~ think of the astringent that a person with oily skin uses to dry up their oils and heal their acne. They are also used to tan hides. Tannins in plants help to stop bleeding, tighten "lazy" tissues and help heal. So, it's not surprising that using merely a poultice made from the dried herb will help stop a a wound that's bleeding and help with forming a clot/scab. Agrimony tea also helps with heavy menstrual bleeding and varicose veins.

Being a Bitter Herb, it makes a great remedy for digestive issues, for everything from a daily digestive "tonic" to stopping diarrhea, helps liver function and the gallbladder. 

It is also VERY gentle, so gentle that it is often used to help children with diarrhea and bed-wetting. And while we're on that subject . . . it helps greatly with adult incontinence and cystitis. 

Agrimony is such a diverse healer ~ you can make a very strong tea (steep 1 TB of the dried herb in 1 c of water for 20-30 minutes, strain, use the "tea" as a skin wash for eczema, psoriasis and other dry skin areas.

2-3 cups per day of Agrimony tea (1 to 1-1/2 ts per tea cup or mug), as mentioned above, can help with adult incontinence (or a cup before bedtime for a child) and can even be used as a sore throat gargle. Add a little bit of dried raspberry leaf to the Agrimony tea for heavy periods OR use it by itself. You may even like it with a little bit of dried rosehips for the added vitamin C. Combine with a small amount of cornsilk or horse chestnut to help heal varicose veins.

What a wondrous herb. What a great Creator we serve Who takes such good care of us by giving us such great, useful gifts from His creation.

Blessings from Ohio . . . Kim<><
**See the obligatory disclaimer at the bottom of the blog page**