About a month ago, I wrote this post about all the pressure a mother has in this chemical-filled world today to make a healthy environment for her family.
Our friend Sarah took pity on me, and scooped up this overwhelmed little bird, and took me under her wing. She wrote me the kindest e-mail, telling me that she, too, had been there, and while giving me a few tips, encouraged me to take ONE. THING. AT. A. TIME.
She went even further than just an e-mail, and offered a visit. Doug and Sarah live two hours away, so this was more than generous. They brought their girls, and we all had a fun time visiting. It was especially nice for the old college chums (Doug, Sarah, and Brian) to be together again.
Sarah very generously gave me some of her supplies: the herbs you see above (and she put them in the jars for me also), a Kombucha mushroom, some soap nuts, shea butter, and zinc oxide. She also brought me an herb dvd, which teaches about the basic herbs and their uses.
Now, I'll just confess right now that I won't attempt to do any new research until the new year (can I say that Christmas shopping is enough to deal with right now?), but I am so grateful for the tips she gave me and for these herbs. In the new year, I'll be taking a look at the dvd she gave me and start trying to figure out how to use some of these things.
Sarah's visit was like a breath of fresh air, which I really needed. In today's world, it is such a challenge, because our country has put so many chemicals into just about everything: food, medicines, detergent, cleaning products, etc. that it is a wonder we all aren't walking around with a disease. I have been so bogged down with things I've read on various websites, that my brain was about to explode at one point.
I'd like to include here something she wrote to me after her visit, because it brought me such great comfort, and it is far better than anything I have to say:
Rest easy. God is most certainly in control of everything...our health, our children's health. We do the best with what is in front of us and leave the rest up to Him. This includes or ignorance of things in times past. A friend of mine was lamenting over the years of processed foods and hydrogenated oils she was putting into her children (and herself). She rested in the fact that she was doing what she thought best (what the Dr.s were telling her) and that God would be gracious in protecting them. That faith gave me comfort and encouragement in my own past decisions. God doesn't expect us to know everything right off the bat. He would much rather see a family eating all kinds of junk, yet happy, joyful, and living for him than and up-tight, stressed-out family who is eating and living "healthy."
Thank you, Sarah! I am so grateful... now prepare to be peppered with questions in the new year ;)
