Brazil and John of God

October 25-November 7, 2015

I feel like I should answer one question that is on everyone's mind right from the start.  Why did I go to Brazil?  There is not just one reason, so I will list the many reasons.  First, I wanted to see the man known as John of God.  I will explain that much more in detail as just saying the word "man" is not 100% accurate.  Second, I needed a break to get my mind and heart in the right place.  What does that mean?  Basically, it means I needed to work out my emotions.  I needed to get rid of some excess emotional baggage that I really just didn't need and that at times would just drag me down, and I was hoping that in turn would promote physical health and general well-being.  Next, I needed some real rest and relaxation.  Every mother knows what this means.  I needed and wanted to just take a break from the juicing, the food preparation, the errands, the stress, and so much more.  Last, I just needed some ME time.  Time to just sit and meditate or read or sleep or just stare off into space if I wanted.  

I left for Brazil on Oct. 24.  It took a bit more than 24 hours to get there.  I flew into Miami, and from there it was about an 8 hour overnight flight.  I flew into the capital of Brazil which is Brasilia.  My Final destination was a small town called Abadiania which is about and hour and a half southwest of Brasilia.  

Once in Brasilia, I got my luggage and found my taxi driver waiting for me with a sign with my name on it.  We walked right outside and he pulled the car right around and we were off.  It was as easy as that.  No long waits or craziness with customs, etc.  Before I knew it we were at the pousada (like a B&B).  The actual name of the pousada that I stayed in was called Pousada Namaste, but it was part of another pousada across the street called Irmoa Sol Irma Lua (traslated this means brother sun sister moon).  My room was at Pousada Namaste, but I would eat and find my group at Irmoa Sol Irma Lua.  

View of my room and a bit of the indoor courtyard and flora that is so common in Brazil.

Just inside of the front door of Pousada Namaste

Just a small flower I found in a tiny courtyard behind my pousada just steps from my door.

When I got to the pousada, I had a note waiting for me from my amazing guide Sara.  She was seeing her father off to the airport as he had been there with her the following week for his own work.  She told me to take a rest and then meet her in the lobby for lunch around noon, so this gave me time to unpack, shower and take a baby nap.  Before I was ready to head off to the lobby, she was there to welcome me.  I could tell we were going to get along great.  She was so warm and loving from the start.  I  should mention she knew my mother, and she was just as amazing as Mom and friends had told me.  

She quickly showed me the little tricks to the room and bathroom.  First, do not flush the toilet paper.  Always put it right in the trash.  There was a bidet sprayer (you know like in Europe) to clean yourself with as well.  She showed me how to get the shower temperature to work properly, and lastly, she showed me the trick with the door, key, and lock.  

We walked to the lobby quickly after the room orientation, and I met the one other member to our group.  Lorald from afar looked slightly like an old biker/medicine man.  Honestly, he looked slightly intimidating, but the moment we were introduced I knew we were going to be lifelong friends.  He took my hand in both of his right away and looked into my eyes.  I could tell see right then and there that he was very genuine and sincere.  I loved him from the start.  

We ate lunch which was wonderful.  I was pretty much vegetarian at this point.  I mentioned this to Sara when I booked the trip and she mentioned this was not a problem.  The owners of our pousada also owned a small family farm just a few miles away.  They got fresh produce from there on a regular basis.  One thing she made sure I understood was that although it was not "certified organic", it was just as good as or better than "organic".  Unless food in Brazil is grown on a large corporate farm owned by international corporations, everything was grown the good old fashioned way.  What a relief.  I had wonderful home cooked/prepared meals that I did not have to prepare, and they were all as local and fresh as could be.  

Our main courtyard and eating accommodations at Irmoa Sol Irma Lua

Waterfall/fountain in the main courtyard behind the dining tables

Fountain and ornamentals inside the main lobby of Irmoa Sol Irma Lua 

As it was Sunday and I had just arrived from a long trip, I went back to my room and took a nap until dinner time.  At dinner it was explained what to expect on my trip.  In the next couple of days I would get a tour of the small town Abadiania and of the Casa de Dom Inacio de Loyola or just the Casa where the medium John of God worked.  John of God only saw people Wednesday thru Friday.  On Monday and Tuesday we would be able to go to the sacred or blessed waterfall and have crystal bed sessions.  We would also purchase drinking water as it is safest to have bottled water there.  It was recommended to get the blessed water from the Casa as it was great for drinking plus it was blessed by the entities of the Casa.

Here I do believe would be a great time to explain John of God.  John of God or Joao (John in English) Teixeira de Faria is medium that allows spirits/entities/angels to work through him with the blessing of God or Source or whatever term that you prefer or are comfortable with to describe the Creator.  Here is a description which I found here at my guide Sara's website which was very helpful when researching John of God.

"Joao de Teixeira de Faria, popularly known as "John of God", is one of the most powerful spiritual healers of our time. Up to 3,000 people a day from 28 different countries visit Abadiania, a remote town in Brazil, to see this remarkable Brazilian man. 

For the past 50 years he has treated people from all incurable physical diseases like paralysis, mental disorders, blindness, Aids, Cancer, just to name a few.

John of God is said to be the world’s best known full trance or unconscious medium.  What does that mean?  As a full trance medium, John of God basically surrenders himself and allows very powerful Entities or Spiritual Doctors to enter his physical body and use it as an instrument for healing.  By working through him, they are able to assist people with their physical, psychological, mental and spiritual suffering.  Because John of God is a full trance medium, he has no memory of the healing work that the Entities do while they inhabit his physical form.  As he says:  “I do not cure anybody. God heals, and in his infinite goodness permits the Entities to heal and console my brothers. I am merely an instrument in God’s divine hands. - João Teixeira de Faria"

Having all this information the night before, I was ready to get out there and experience everything.  After breakfast the next day (Monday), we went to exchange money, tour the town and many shops, and get our drinking water at the Casa.

The town was quaint and definitely third world.   Sara had told me that up until just a year or two prior there were no paved roads in the town.  One wonderful thing was food was literally growing everywhere.  Mango trees especially were growing in just about everyone's yard.  I even found a watermelon plant growing in a construction site right next to our pousada.

There were also many wonderful shops on our way to the Casa.  Most of them were rock/crystal shops, souvenir shops,  or clothing shops, but there were a couple others there too.  There was even a juice bar there!  I was in heaven after finding this out!

The Casa was an easy walk (maybe 10-15 minutes away).  Sara gave us a nice tour and showed us the important things like the book store, the Great Hall, the pharmacy, bathrooms, snack bar, crystal beds, and the prayer triangle locations.  One very interesting place she showed us was the small room where they kept the canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and braces that were left at the Casa after their owners were healed.

Outside the Casa gates

The Book Store and Souvenir Shop

Outside the Great Hall where one prayer triangle is located inside. (No cameras allowed inside)

Chapel and covered area outside the great hall where the other two prayer triangles are located

A close up of the covered area outside the Great Hall where a prayer triangle and a picture of King Solomon is placed

So now you may be wondering about these prayer triangles.  What are they and what is their purpose? Here is a description that was helpful to me in my research.

Historically, the triangle is one of the oldest spiritual symbols.  The hexagram--a star-like figure formed by two overlapping triangles--is associated with protection and warding off negative energy.  The symbol can be found in a number of faiths and cultures:  in Judaism, the Star of David; in Kabbalism, the Serifah; in Hinduism, the Shatkona; and in Christianity and some pagan sects, the Seal of Solomon:  where the triangles are representative of the union of opposites--the tip of the first triangle reaching toward heaven and the tip of the second grounded in the earthly plane.  In a universal sense, the triangle symbolizes the transmutation brought forth by a union of components, such as the divine masculine and the feminine.  At the Casa, it is a symbol offered to help us focus so we can readily connect with the Divine.  Viewed in this framework, the triangle is the aggregate of three principles that guide a proper spiritual life:  Love (tolerance, respect, and kindness to others), relief (caring for the community through good works), and truth (authentically being ourselves).  As the entity Dr. Valdevino has remarked, "The triangle symbolizes the sacred family, and the center is the ever-present One God."

This is quoted from the book "John of God: The Brazilian Healer Who's Touched the Lives of Millions" by Heather Cumming and Karen Leffler

One thing that I want to add here is that often you will see each side of the triangle labeled with three words.  In Portuguese they read Fe, Amor, Caridade or in English they read Faith, Love, Charity.  Another thing to mention is that these triangles are where people will place prayers and pictures of friends or loved ones.  It is said that there are many triangles similar to this across the globe and that because so many people participate in adding their prayers to them that a river of energy runs through them to add to the power of the original prayer.  Even Medium John will add his prayers to those prayers placed in the triangles for 21 days afterward.  One thing I have learned is that prayer is a powerful tool.

One personal experience that I had with the triangle was when I was sitting in the chapel with my group doing a short meditation and prayer.  As I was sitting there in the meditation, I felt a huge surge of energy coming from the triangle.  It was so strong it almost felt like it was physically moving me.  I understand why now they say a "river" of prayers moves through it.  To me it really felt like I was in that "river".

The prayer triangle and all the prayers and pictures within

After John of God was featured on Oprah's show, they had a surge of people visiting.  The whole town was in the process of trying to accommodate everyone.  This was also true of the Casa.  They have anywhere from 2,000-3,000 visitors a week from around the globe.  There were signs of construction, and they were also adding a museum of sorts.

The small room to the side of the great hall with all of the discarded canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and braces

All of the canes, etc on moving day which will be relocated to their new room or museum

Some of the gardens of the casa are seen here below:

A Statue of Dom Inacio de Loyola

Our group at the statue of Dom Inacio de Loyola

Benches and scenic overlook next to the restrooms

Scene from the overlook.  You can see the road that leads to the sacred waterfall here.

Some of the many friendly dogs that frequent the Casa and the town of Abadiania

Once we had our water, we headed back to the pousada for lunch.  After lunch we planned to go to the sacred waterfall.  The waterfall is blessed and crystals are placed in it to help create a healing energy.  I hold a belief that all waterfalls and nature in general is sacred and healing in and of itself.  When we were at the waterfall, you could feel the peace, serenity, and love created there for our healing.  It was very neat to be surrounded by the jungle.  I have never seen so many butterflies of all shapes, sizes, and colors.  This was our first of many trips to the waterfall.  Once you feel its energy, you want more.

The Waterfall rules just by the path to the waterfall itself.

The last major activity of the day was our first crystal bed session.  I have had these done back home as a friend had been to see John of God a few years earlier and she received special permission to bring one back home.  I had felt the peace and state of well being it created, so I was happy to have it done as many times as possible while in Brazil too.  For more information on the crystal beds go here or here.  

Benches and scenic overlook next to the crystal bed building

What the crystal bed looks like when on
Image taken from this site: http://www.johnofgodcrystalhealingbeds.com/

What it looks like to have a crystal bed session.  One thing to note is that the eyes should be covered.
Image taken from this site: http://www.friendsofthecasa.info/?page=crystal-beds&country=USA

I had many crystal bed sessions while in Brazil and they were each wonderful and peaceful, but at the same time not one session was ever the same.  Some sessions I felt like sleeping.  Other times I just felt completely at peace and basked in the perfectness of it.  One time I strongly felt the presence of many of my loved ones that had transitioned.  This feeling was so strong that I even felt my hand being held.  I felt like I was able to talk and converse with my loved ones so easily at this time like there was no separation or veil to divide us.  This brought me to tears as I felt so loved by them all.  The guilt I had carried at times just disappeared and was forgotten by all present.  The relief of this was tremendous, and the gratitude that poured out of me could not be stopped.  

One fun thing you will quickly find here in Brazil is the vast array of wildlife, especially bugs and beetles to be specific.  Here are just a couple:

Geckos hiding above our dining table out back

The next day was Tuesday and we had lots planned including a small exertion across the highway to a small market that wasn't quite as tourist-like as the other shops on the way to the Casa.  I was able to find some fun toys for my boys, and we also found some fresh coconuts.  I found out that coconut water has the perfect blend of electrolytes to stay hydrated, and that was good as it was a bright sunny day.  Later we would enjoy another trip to the waterfall and have another crystal bed session before an orientation at the Casa.

Sara and I at the little market across the highway

This orientation was given to help people understand how everything worked at the Casa.  It was explained that there are different lines for different situations.  There is a first time line which basically means that you have never seen the Entity before or taken and blessed herbs from the Entity.  There was a second time line for those that had seen the Entity before or taken herbs blessed by the entities.  Then there was an intervention line.  This is a line that is used for those that were either went through the first time line and got a recommendation for an intervention (surgery) by the Entity, or it is for those that voluntarily chose themselves to have one.  The last line is the revision line which is for those that had an intervention the week before. Basically, you before the Entity to see if there is any other treatment that may be recommended to complement the intervention.

As it was our first time at the Casa, we would either be in the first or second time line.  I would be in the second time line because I had taken the herbs the year before.  In the first and second time lines you are allowed to take three requests before the Entity.  They can be anything form physical requests like help with illnesses or they can be emotional requests like asking for help to let go of grief or emotional hurts.  Some people ask for help to get rid of addictions.  Some people ask for help with their careers.  Some people ask for inspiration on how to serve those around them.  I met one woman that went before the Entity to ask for inspiration on how to help all the abandoned dogs in the area.

I went before the entity to ask for help in healing any and all cancer in my body at the root cause.  I don't know all that may have caused cancer to show up in my body, but I do know it is not all physical. It could be something in my DNA.  I could an emotional issue.  It could be something that I am carrying for others.  It could have just been excess stress.  I wasn't sure the cause, so asking for a healing from the root cause covered all my bases.  I also knew that it was not enough to to be healed because if I didn't ask to be healed at the root cause, it very well could come back.

Once I was before the Entity, he held his hand out for me to take.  My guide Sara was translating for me, and without even hearing everything she had to say he recommended an intervention in the afternoon session.  It is said that when you hold an intention in your heart it is not necessary to speak the reason that you are there.  He can feel it energetically.

So, I was to have an intervention. Many people may have seen the Oprah exclusive of her experience with John of God.  Some saw the physical intervention.  Just to clarify, physical interventions/surgeries are not the norm.  Usually it is just a psychic surgery.  Some need physical proof that something changed or a healing took place.  I may doubt things, but I felt that physical proof was not necessary.  I chose to just do the psychic part only.

In between the sessions, we waited at the Casa and we partook of the free soup that they provide.  This is not just any soup.  It is a soup that is carefully prepared and blessed as a sort of treatment for anyone that comes to the Casa.  It is a vegetable soup that is made weekly for all those that come to the Casa.  I have to add that it is very tasty, and it was the perfect meal just before a surgery (psychic or not).

My intervention went perfectly.  To spice things up I will post pictures of my journal entry to explain it all to you.

24 hours may seem like a long time to stay in bed, but it was needed and very refreshing.  All meals were brought to me in bed by my sweet guide Sara, and when I couldn't sleep I colored some mandalas that my mom had sent with me.  It seemed like time passed pretty quick, and before I knew it, it was time for dinner the next day.  It was nice to get out and visit with my small group, but I went to bed quickly afterwards.

I spent the next day (Friday) in the current at the Casa.  What is the current?  Here is a good explanation that I found here:

"The Current room is a place where people sit to receive and to give healing energy. Inside the Current rooms there are thousands of light beings working on people and it is a place where psychic surgeries are taking place. In one of the Current rooms you find “Medium Joao” in his chair, while masses of people walk the line to present their healing requests to John of God in entity."

To be honest, my first current session I found to be very uncomfortable.  I usually find meditation and prayer very soothing, but on this day it was difficult.  I think it was because I was letting go and working through old traumas.  The one thing that was very comforting for me was the fact that although it was more than three hours long it felt like maybe 30 minutes.  I also felt assured that I had help releasing all of my old hurts.  Sometimes I felt they were not all my own hurts but the world's hurts in general.

The next two days were spent in relaxation and contemplation.  We did take a stroll through the part of Abadiania that is more for the locals on Saturday.  Sara showed us where Medium Joao lived with his family and his free soup kitchen and free dental clinic for the locals.  She mentioned that this was just one of the locations of free soup kitchens he has in Brazil.  He is very involved in helping his beloved Brazilians.

Our group out for a stroll in the town of Abadiania

Free Soup kitchen for the community sponsored by John of God

Free dental clinic sponsored by John of God

Free dental clinic in blue and white and John of God's home in the tan just next door

Our amazing small group by the soup kitchen

After dinner later that day Sara found some live music at the local juice bar.  It was spectacular.  There were both locals and people from out of town.  There was even one man that had never sung in public before that was willing to give it a go.  I have to admit that there was some very amazing talent there, and it was so great to just sit back and listen to the beautiful music.

Frutti's juice bar with the yummiest fresh juices

Our group at Frutti's juice bar on Halloween listening to live music

The next morning (Sunday), we went to services of a sort at the Casa in the Great Hall.  It was basically just a gathering of people that came together to sing songs and quote inspirational poems, etc.  Just like the night before it was great to sing and enjoy the company of people with the same mind and spirit.  It was a great way to show gratitude and feel the Spirit of God and all the other angels and entities present.  I sat very close to a small family with two young daughters, and it was so precious to watch the girls sing and light up with the music.  It was a great reminder of the power of music in our lives.  

I enjoyed another great crystal bed session, and later in the day we went to the waterfall again.  This time I was able to really enjoy the beauty of the forest.  I did notice how the waterfall ran along and created an amazing little stream that could be tiny or very large depending on the rains.  You could often see the tangled root systems of trees, and there were so many butterflies!  I had fun watching a couple of lizards and ants while we waited for our turn there too.  It seems like the more grateful you are the the more you see to be grateful for.  

Sara took us aside after dinner and we had a good meditation and set our intentions for the next week.  The meditation was so soothing, and I chose to make my intention to really feel and trust my intuition and open my communication with my angels, the entities, and Source.  Little did I know that I would get exactly that.  It was just what I needed to really kick-start communication with all of my loved ones in the Spirit realm.  

The next couple days brought more trips to the waterfall, more crystal bed sessions, and lots of talking and befriending others that were also at the pousada.  I really was enjoying getting to know the other groups and bumping into them both at the pousada and around town.  It is really nice just meet everyone and hear their stories and feel their support.  It think that is part of the draw of Abadiania.  Such great energy from both the locals and the visitors.

Wednesday came and it was time to visit the Casa and the Entity again.  I could choose to just go through the revision line for a quick follow-up, go through the second time line to ask a specific question, do a voluntary intervention, or merely sit in the Current and offer energy and get energy in return from all of the people present.  I chose to sit in the Current during the morning session, and in the afternoon I chose to do another voluntary intervention.  I was feeling so great and the spirit was so strong.  I wanted to take full advantage of being in Brazil and to make all the spiritual progress I possibly could.  Not to mention it was my birthday and this would be the perfect gift to myself.  

This intervention was much the same as the last.  I would say the only difference was that someone's phone went off, and it scared me during the procedure especially because it had the same ring tone as my phone.  I would also have to say that my 24 hours of quiet bed time was just a bit more uncomfortable.  I had a migraine which is not something that is common for me.  It was hard to eat and even hard to sleep.  After discussing this with my guide, I thought that it may actually be my third eye opening.  I did decide to ask my angels and the entities to help relieve it, and soon after the pain wet away and I was able to sleep.  I was so grateful.  The best part was after a good night's sleep I woke up very refreshed.  

One thing that you learn quickly when in Brazil and most importantly in Abadiania is all about Spiritism or the Spiritualism movement.   Spiritism is really a belief that spirits or angels are here around us and help us and can interact with us.  Spiritualism goes even farther to actually making this a religion.  It is highly recommended that you read about Allan Kardec who is known as the founder of Spiritism to get a better idea.  There are also many books written by Mr. Kardec in his investigations and studies of the spirit world as he was a scientist and had a doctorate in medicine.  

How does this relate to the Casa?  Well here I found this explanation of Spiritism and mediums and how they play a big part at the Casa and their work.  

"The main tenet of Spiritism is that Spirits exist before and after they have an incarnate existence like the one we are experiencing now. Spiritist doctrine also states that we can communicate with these spirits.

The people who have developed the ability to communicate with these Spirits are called Mediums. There are many different types of communication and many different types of Mediums. In addition to this, Mediums are in different stages of development of their abilities. 

In Brazil, Spiritism is practiced with great discipline and devotion in many Casas or Spiritist Centers. The Casa de Dom Inacio is unique in it's size, scope and reputation. So be prepared, you are coming into a unique opportunity. We hope you will make the most of it."

One man that was a huge influence on Medium Joao and was a personal friend (and actually the man who gave Medium Joao his nickname of "John of God") is the man and philanthropist Chico Xavier or Francisco de Paula Cândido.  He too was from Brazil and also a medium of sorts.  He wrote over 400 different books as a medium in a process known as psychography.  His most famous book was "Nosso Lar" (roughly translated our spiritual home) and details the experience of a doctor's experience in life and death.  While in Brazil I watched a movie about it called "Astral City".  I highly recommend it to anyone.  

Photo of Chico Xavier found at my pousada

After my 24 hours was up post-intervention, I had to decide what I would do the next day (Friday) at the Casa.  My guide thought it may not be a good idea for me to sit in the Current as I had had two interventions in the last two weeks.  Her reasoning was that my body was working hard to do what it needed to, and the Current while it was good energy, it was often intense.  We decided to actually go through the second time line and ask the Entity if it would be okay to sit in the Current.  Sara also said while we were at it we could ask the Entity how things were progressing with my requests of healing.

Once we got to the Entity, Sara was busy translating my request, and the Entity just smiled and stopped her to say that He would see me that afternoon in the Current.  Not only did the Entity not need to have my questions translated or verbally stated, His response to me had a double meaning.  Yes I could go to the afternoon Current, and I also felt like during the Current he would in some way answer all of my questions regarding my requests.  I felt like He with the help of God and angels would too.  This trip had taught me that I can communicate without someone there doing it for me.  I am capable of this as is everyone else too.

Needless to say the session that afternoon was wonderful.  I did indeed have my question answered about my healing request.  Basically, as long as I could be patient and keep the faith I would heal 100% at the root cause.  Not only did I get that answered, but I felt like I held whole conversations with my angels and loved ones.  I received reassurance that all is well and we are all being taken care of.  Of course there is some suffering and discomfort here in this life, but it is so we can learn and progress and move on to bigger and better things.  I felt truly comforted and so special.  Which if I stop to think, my second request for the Entity was to know my own self-worth so I could live up to it, and this sure seemed like the perfect start to that request.  Current went by so fast that afternoon, but I know I sat there for at least a good three hours.

When we were finished, Medium Joao made himself available to see and meet and take pictures with some of the different groups that were there.  We were lucky enough to be one of those groups.  I saw one woman in her excitement to see him give Medium John a huge kiss.  He was so sweet and just smiled at her in his peaceful, loving way.

Our group with Medium John

The next day was Saturday and I flew out at 11:59 pm.  So basically I would leave and fly home at midnight on Sunday.  The rest of my group would do the same.  My guide Sara surprised us with an early departure to Brasilia for a tour of the Temple of Good Will which has a seven sided pyramid with a huge crystal fixed atop it.  Below the crystal is also a labyrinth for visitors to experience.  So now you may want to know what is the Temple of Good Will?  Well I found a great answer to this at the official website of the Temple of Good Will to help explain.  You can find it here:   

"The Temple of Good Will (TGW) is an ecumenical monument located in Brazil’s capital. It was conceived and built by José de Paiva Netto, President of the Legion of Good Will (LBV), who inaugurated it in October 1989. Every year it receives more than one million pilgrims, making it the most visited place in the city, according to official data from the State Secretariat of Tourism of the Federal District (SETUR). Acclaimed by the people as one of the Seven Wonders of Brasília, the TGW is part of the Legion of Good Will’s Ecumenical Complex, together with the World Parliament of Ecumenical Fraternity, the LBV’s ParlaMundi. 

Known as the Temple of Peace, it is a mystical and spiritual icon. Its doors are open day and night to serve the needs of its visitors searching for a place to pray or meditate freely, according to their beliefs. It has at least 12 main rooms that combine spirituality, culture, art, ecology, and mysticism. The distinguished architecture arouses curiosity, as it has proportions and measurements linked to the number of perfection (7) and to the number 1. The Monument is in the form of a pyramid, with 7 sides, and 21 meters high. Each detail in its plan has a reason for being." 

The Temple of Good Will

Sitting just to the side of the Temple of Good Will is the Jose de Paiva Netto Memorial and the World Parliament of Ecumenical Fraternity

Just barely visible on top is the giant rock crystal

Part of the art gallery within the Temple of Good Will

Unfortunately we were unable to take a full tour as there was a wedding taking place.  We did get to go see the natural spring that runs through the temple and partake of the healing waters and go to the gift shop and see the crystal mandalas they sold there.  We were also able to glimpse part of the art gallery from above.  As you can see even at night the building is beautiful and breathtaking.  I would love to return one day to walk through the labyrinth and see the rest of the wonders it has inside.

Overall, this trip was amazing and beautiful and very healing on so many levels.  I learned so much about myself and it is something I will never forget.  Even though I have been home for nearly two months now, I think if it daily and I am still finding little aha moments and processing the trip in general.  I can see why so many people actually pick up and move to Brazil.  I can see why they relocate specifically to Abadiania.  The people and the energy in this country are amazing and so healing in general.

If anyone is interested in learning more I encourage you to visit the many websites I added in this post and read the few books mentioned.  The website for my guide Sara can be found here at http://www.tripstojohnofgod.com/.  The book that was most helpful for me was "John of God: The Brazilian Healer Who's Touched the Lives of Millions" by Heather Cumming and Karen Leffler.  Other honorable mentions go to "Nosso Lar" the book or movie or sometimes seen as "Astral City" and the documentary "Healing: Miracles, Mysteries and John of God".  Really anything by Allan Kardec or Chico Xavier is highly recommended.  Another fun rescource is this YouTube channel  Be Happy Today with Cecelia and Philippe which you can find here.  On this channel they answer many commonly asked questions about John of God and the Casa.  

My Appointments with Dr. R

June-October 2015

So, I saw Dr. R on June 8.  Even before I had my biopsy and before I was sure there was even one lump on my neck he said something very interesting to me.  He made a statement kinda like this (but not exactly):

"Something is going to happen here in the next month or two that is going to seem quite terrifying and horrific, but from what I can tell it will be just the opposite.  It will be actually a blessing.  I want and need you to keep focused and present and keep up with everything that you are doing to stay healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."   

So, I felt like he knew something was going on when I saw him again for the first time after my biopsy.  I saw him again on August 15.  I came prepared with pathology reports in hand.  He saw all the papers that were in hand and asked immediately what was going on.  I told him about the lumps and the biopsy results, and he just took me in his arms for a big fatherly hug and gave me the love and support I needed.  It was like he knew just what was needed, and once that was done we were ready to get to work.

He asked me about what I planned to do, and I told him about all of my decisions (diet, scans, Brazil, etc.). He just nodded and then began asking lots of questions about my procedures/biopsies, and then he started on some muscle testing.  He tested me for different therapies including laetrile or B17, vitamin C, and Bach's Flower therapy.  I wan't really strong on either the B17  or the vitamin C therapies, but I did test strongly for the Bach's flower therapy.  

What is Bach's flower therapy?  Here is what I found to help you understand from http://www.bachflower.com/original-bach-flower-remedies/ :

"The original Bach Flower Remedies is a safe and natural method of healing discovered by Dr. Bach from 1920 – 1930’s in England. They gently restore the balance between mind and body by casting out negative emotions such as fear, worry, hatred and indecision which interfere with the equilibrium of the being as a whole. The Bach Flower Remedies allow peace and happiness to return to the sufferer so that the body is free to heal itself."

Well for me I thought this was great.  I already felt that a lot of my diagnosis was emotional or at least not totally physical.  I really feel like my emotions, belief systems, cultural/societal/religious beliefs, play a huge role in my health.  I know this is true for others too.  For example, holding onto anger can raise your blood pressure and lead to heart issues.  This is widely accepted in the medical community.  It made sense to me to do something to alleviate emotional issues to heal my body.  

Dr. R himself did not do Bach's therapy, but one of his partners did.  I will call him Dr. D.  He was able to take a break in between patients and do some tests on me to see if this was really something I could use.  He did his own form of muscle testing and Dr. D came up with the same conclusion as Dr. R.  Not only that, but he taught me a method to help drain excess lymph fluid from my armpit and chest wall area on the left side where I had had 31 lymph nodes removed.  We made an appointment for a few weeks later to figure out the Bach's therapy for myself.  

Before I left the office I reminded Dr. R what he had told me at our last appointment about something happening that would seem horrible and frightening but would actually be a blessing.  The funny thing was he didn't remember.  I thought that interesting, but I did not dwell on it too much as this has happened to me with him on more than one occasion. I left feeling good and positive and very much at peace.

Just before I left for Brazil I saw Dr. R on Oct. 20.  I left for Brazil on Oct. 24.  He usually asks me at the beginning of our appointments if there is anything new to discuss.  There wasn't, and so he proceeded onto his muscle testing.  On this visit he was asking my body questions about why the lumps had shown up and what my body was needed to heal.  He always asks my body the same question in many different ways to see if the answer stays the same.  He commented that no matter which way he asked the question he came up with the same answer.  He said that as far as he could tell the cancer had been sitting in my neck in the lymph nodes since the time of my diagnosis.  He mentioned that he believed it was in sort of a dormant state.  He said that the lumps formed because my immune system had detected the dormant cancer and started the immune response to heal and protect.

One thing that I learned while at the Gerson clinic in Mexico was that the immune system will often start it's work my causing swelling or inflammation.  It is true with most types of infections, etc.  With the swelling a person will often have fevers and redness while the immune system does its work.  From my experience I found this to be true as seen with the lump in my armpit.  That lump started out looking and feeling like an upright barbell.  My body then seemed to put a hard, protective covering around the inflammation.  Over the past two years it has shrunk and has turned from almost two separate lumps into one solid mass.  Little by little it seems to get just a bit smaller and smaller.

This was nice to hear for sure.  It was definitely refreshing news to take with me to Brazil in a couple of days. Before I left, Dr. R gave me something to take along with me to Brazil.  It was a beautiful crystal (I believe aqua marine).  He told me it was mine to keep and that I should keep it with me the whole time I at the Casa of John of God.  Once again I left his office feeling at peace and full of love, optimism, and hope.  

Decisions, Decisions...

August 2015

The day following the biopsy, my sister got preliminary results.  I received the news in the presence of my husband and my parents.  I felt horrible for putting my sister in this situation, but I couldn't take it back, and at least she was understanding and sympathetic to all of my wants and wishes.  She was great and positive even in the face of news that most people would feel were horrible.  

At this time she recommended that I get another PET scan or at the very least have some thermography testing done to detect further evidence of metastasis.  Thermography is an alternative test to normal medical imaging, etc. to find abnormalities/tumors in the body.  Recently I have seen a lot of advertising for breast thermograms in place of mammograms.  It is basically the mapping of heat distribution in the body.  Tumors need extra blood vessels to survive, so it is easy for the thermogram to detect that extra heat.  

She also recommended I do some real research on cannabis.  I lived in Oregon now, and not only was it legal for medicinal purposes with a doctor's prescription, but it soon would be legal for recreational use and growing on your own not just through a medical dispensary.  She explained that recently even the U.S. government and other major scientific journals were admitting that cannabis is great at healing cancer and a myriad of other medical conditions including epilepsy, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and the list goes on. 

Lastly, she told me to really consider traveling to see a man in Brazil that people refer to as John of God. If you have not heard of him, look him up.  He has been featured on Oprah, and more than one documentary has been done on him. This isn't the first time I have heard of him or even considered going to see him.  Dr. R recommended I see a local friend of his and do some sessions with her on a special bed that John of God uses on a regular basis.  Dr. R's friend was given special permission to use this bed and bring one back to the States.  He Muscle tested me on our first appointment together and it was determined it was a good fit for me.  Remember just because one treatment works well for one person doesn't mean it will work well for another, thus the purpose of muscle testing.  (If you are not familiar with muscle testing, look it up.  It is very interesting and helpful especially in my situation.)

Once I had met with Dr. R's friend for a session on her bed, she also recommended that I consider taking John of God's blessed herbs (passion flower).  She explained that all I needed to do was write a description of my issue (cancer diagnosis) and take a picture while wearing white clothing.  Based on the photo and the problem you needed help with, he will bless some passion flower herbs specifically for you and you alone.  I did opt to do that about two years ago, so I was very familiar with John of God at this time.  (If you are interested in learning more about John of God consider going to the YouTube channel "Be Happy Today with Cecilia and Philippe" where they answer FAQ on John of God.)

So it was time to make some decisions about what I wanted to do.  I first of all was going to do another cleanse.  Basically, this meant that I would clear my body of all toxins and poisons by eating only fruits and veggies for a week or two.  I already ate quite a bit of them, but this also means that for a week or two no dairy, gluten, or most all animal products.  I would still allow myself my morning yogurt.

Next, I decided that I would not do a PET scan or thermography for the time being.  After speaking with a dear friend and family practice doctor that also helped me with meditation, etc., she reminded me that doing this creates a lot of fear in my body.  One thing I know about myself is I don't do well when living in fear, and my body tends to feel more fatigue and drop weight quickly when in fear.  It is hard for me to stay in a healthy place when living in fear rather than living in love.  She did ask me if I would change my treatment options depending on what the scans revealed, and I replied that it would not make a difference.  If it didn't make a change on what I would do with treatment, was it really necessary to put myself through it?  Especially if I was just going to expose myself to caner causing radiation to get these results that would not affect what I would do.

Next, I did decide to try the cannabis oil.  I did research along with my sister and brother, and we found a source for high quality FEMCO.  FEMCO stands for full extract medical cannabis oil and there are high standards for the best results possible.  It is made to have both the THC and CBD (which all the research we found stated you needed both to get the desired results), and it is made with a solvent that is safe for the body.  In the past the solvents used for cannabis oil were in fact cancer causing themselves (although they did often see great results for example with the Rick Simpson Oil or RSO), so we were careful to find a good reliable source.  The best part was the testimonials they gave us access to and the daily guidance on how to use it, etc.  Someone checked in with me on an almost a daily basis, and anytime I had questions or needed assistance, they were there to help me.

For me this was a hard decision.  I grew up here in the States, and I was taught that cannabis/marijuana was a horrible drug that was for the most part very illegal everywhere.  I have never used drugs (legal or illegal).  I have never even been drunk before.  Now whether it was right to make cannabis/marijuana legal or illegal was not really the issue.  The issue was more the brainwashing that I received about it.  It was a belief system of mine to not use "drugs", and so it was very difficult to change this belief.  On the other hand, I had read so many studies and spoken with and followed stories of so many people that had been healed with cannabis oil that I just thought it was something I should start.  Another issue was money.  As insurance does not pay for any of this "alternative" treatment, my parents were very supportive and helped me out with it.  (One thing that every cancer patient needs is a great support system, and I have the best one around.  Whether they agree with my choices or not they are supportive of my decisions.  I am so blessed.)

So now my last decision was to whether or not to go to Brazil.  I, of course, really wanted to go, but there was once again the issue of money.  Not only would it be nice to see John of God, but I felt the need for rest and relaxation.  It would be wonderful to focus on me without the need to to take care of my other responsibilities whether it be juicing, food preparation, taking care of kids, etc.  After discussing things with my parents, it was decided I would go.

My mother knew an acquaintance from her Rapid Eye classes that is a guide to John of God.  The best part was that her friend was born and raised in Brazil.  Not only did she know the language, but she could really help immerse me in the experience of the Brazilian culture and help me with all of the paperwork that was needed.  I was so excited for this.  I felt like for me that this cancer was not 100% a physical issue.  I really felt like it was more of an emotional/spiritual issue that I just needed to resolve, and I felt like this was the perfect opportunity.

New Developments

June-August 2015

So....where to start...I will try at the beginning...

In early June I found a tiny bump on the left side of my neck just on top of my trapezius muscle.  The next morning when I went to look for it again, I could not find it, so I thought it was just a swollen lymph node that had resolved and was no longer an issue anymore.  

One week later (June 8 to be precise) I went in for a routine check up with my awesome doctor Dr. R.  Now, he does muscle testing and a bit of energy medicine with his conventional doctoring, and after a bit of the muscle testing he made a comment that sounded somewhat like this:

"Something is going to happen here in the next month or two that is going to seem quite terrifying and horrific, but from what I can tell it will be just the opposite.  It will be actually a blessing.  I want and need you to keep focused and present and keep up with everything that you are doing to stay healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually."

So, this was unexpected, but very intriguing to me at the same time. In the back of my mind I wondered if it had anything to do with the small bump I had felt on my neck, but I pushed that out of my mind.  I promised myself I would keep an open mind, and I went about my business as usual doing my juicing, meditations, EFT (tapping or emotional freedom technique), prayers, etc.  

Now, fast forward to mid June.  Once again I find the lump on the left side of my neck in approximately the same place I thought it had been before, but I can't be for sure.  Anyhow, I freak a little bit forgetting what Dr. R had told me, and I went to my father to check it out as he is also a doctor albeit an OB/GYN.  He felt it noting that it was was very soft and mobile.  He really felt the mobile part was a positive thing and reassured me of this, so I allowed myself to relax.  

After about a week of observing it, I made an appointment for it to be looked at.  I chose to go to my amazing sister as she was local and I wouldn't be able to get in to see Dr. R for another month or so.  So on July 20 I went to Dr. Sister's office for my appointment.  I told her what Dad had said, and she agreed adding that it felt a lot like a lipoma which is a benign tumor of sorts involving fat tissue.   Just to be on the safe side and based on my history of breast cancer, she wanted to get an ultrasound of my neck.  I agreed to it and left feeling better that I had made the appointment to set my mind at ease.  

On the same morning as my ultrasound (Friday, July 24), I found another smaller lump just below the first one.  So I was ready to get this ultrasound done with and get the results back.  Whatever it was I needed to figure it out.  My mind would often wander to dangerous territory, and it was uncomfortable at best.  I also knew that the power of your mind is a powerful thing.  Have you ever heard the phrase "thoughts become things"?

The ultrasound was quick and easy, but I did notice that she took some extra time to make lots of measurements, etc.  As a CT/x-ray technologist I had helped with and chaperoned with a lot of ultrasounds, and I knew what that could mean.  It was usually a measurement of some abnormality or another, so it did make me slightly uneasy.

On Sunday morning while getting ready for the day my fingers wandered to my neck, and I found another small lump just above my left clavicle.  This was something I needed to let my poor doctor/sister know, so when i saw her for a family dinner at my parents', I gave her the news.  She said she hadn't gotten the results to the ultrasound, but she would look first thing the next morning at the office.

The next day was my son's 4th birthday.  I did my best to have an awesome day.  I decorated and made treats and did some fun things throughout the day.  Once Nick got home my younger brother came and took the kids out to have some fun, and lo and behold my sister and mom show up and gave me the following news.  Below is the report.

So, I won't lie.  I freaked out a bit again.  It is never fun to be given unpleasant news especially if it drags up a person's cancer fears, and this certainly did.  I did work hard to keep positive and keep up the healthy routine and lifestyle.  A biopsy was scheduled for the next Monday, and the wait was not fun.  

To make the story short and sweet, the biopsy was performed by a kind radiologist.  He did both a few core biopsies and also a few fine needle biopsies.  Here is the report for the core biopsies: 

I somehow did not get a copy of the fine needle biopsy, but when/if I do, I will post it here.

Here are the reports for both the core and fine needle biopsies:

Frequently Asked Questions

The last few weeks have brought quite an influx of questions my way.  They have come in the form of email, text, and even a few in person.  They have come from friends, family, acquaintances, and even a couple strangers starting their own journey with this thing called cancer.  So I figured why not do a whole blog post with all the questions I have gotten lately?  Well, here it is.

1.  How are you doing?
I have to say I am doing very well.  Physically I feel stronger and healthier than I have for a long time.  (Not that I ever really felt sick to be truthful.)  I have started a new exercise routine that includes not only walking and yoga but also high intensity intervals, jogging, cardio-dance, muscle strength exercises/kickboxing, etc.  Mostly I do this with help from a DVD (Erin Stutland's Shrink Session DVDs).  The wonderful thing about the DVDs is that while doing them, you are also incorporating in affirmations and mantras, and they always end with a short meditation.  It is really uplifting and helpful.  She includes a CD with meditations as well.  She has a very soothing voice, and no matter the time of day, the meditations are a great way to focus more on the moment at hand.  (If you want to hear more about the DVD, check this website out: http://shrinksessionworkout.com/.)

I will admit that I have days where my emotions are all over the place.  One friend put it this way, "Isn't it a roller coaster?"  It sure feels like it some days.  On those days, I just do my best to stay in the moment.  If need be, I do some extra breathing exercises, and often I increase my meditation and prayer time.  Often times, I just need me time.  Actually, I have to have alone time on these days especially.  I know for sure I will usually get at least three 15-20 minute breaks.  (My coffee breaks are my alone time. Haha.  The things we look forward to, huh?)

2.  Have you had any new tests or scans done lately?
No.  My last PET scan was over a year ago (December of 2013).  My last blood draw was February of 2014.  I have not felt the need for further testing, and my local doctor has agreed that it is not necessary at this time since my lump currently is easy to follow and I am not showing any signs of metastasis.

3.  Are you free of cancer?
I don't think so.  For me to qualify as cancer-free I suppose that I would have to go in and have some testing done (PET scan for sure and maybe a couple blood tests).  I still have a lump in my left armpit that we have been keeping a close eye on for over a year now.  It is very superficial and easy to feel.  It is easily measured and therefore easy to see what it is doing.  It originally was shaped like a dumbbell standing upright.  In the last year the lower portion has shrunk significantly, and when last checked by my local doctor, he felt that it no longer was connected to the underlying tissue.  It feels just like a small, hard sliver under the skin.  The top portion too has changed.  It used to be an irregular, lumpy shape, but now it is smoother and more bulbous to touch.  It too seems to be very free floating and if still connected to the underlying tissue, it is not much at all.

4.  Do you still follow the Gerson protocol?
I can't say that I truly am doing the Gerson protocol anymore.  I would say it is more a modified Gerson protocol.  I still eat lots of fresh and cooked fruits and vegetables.  I do now eat nuts, farm fresh eggs from my parents' farm, and also chicken, beef, and small bits of pork from the farm.  I only eat this meat because I know exactly what they eat and consume.  They are all pasture fed or free range animals free of antibiotics and growth hormones.  If my parents cared to take the time to certify it as organic, it would be.  I still make most everything from scratch, and occasionally I will go to a local organic restaurant.

5.  Do you still follow up with the Gerson doctors?
I don't really follow their protocol to the letter, so I don't follow up with them anymore.  It seems silly to call them just to disregard what they recommend.  That is not to say I don't appreciate all they have done for me.  My body needed those 10 months of pure Gerson therapy.  It needed a good cleanse, and I definitely needed to detox.  I got what I needed, and I am thankful for the knowledge I gained from them.

6.  Do you still juice, and if so, how much do you juice?
I do still juice.  It has changed though.  I no longer do juice on an hourly basis like I used to.  Mostly it is because it is so time consuming.  I now do 2 green drinks worth of juice just after breakfast, and then I make 32 oz. of carrot juice with one apple in it.  I drink the green juice immediately as it oxidizes so quickly, and then I drink the carrot juice slowly over the next 4 hours or so.  I then do this all over again in the afternoon once my carrot juice is all gone.  Soon I will decrease the amount of juice I take.  I will always juice though, so I am glad to have the experience and to feel like it is doable on an ongoing basis.

7.  Do you still do coffee enemas, and if so, how many?
I still do them.  I have decreased them to just three times a day.  They are not always enjoyable, but as I said above, they mean quiet, alone time for me.  Plus, they continue to benefit my body and clean the liver.

8.  Would you do it all over again (treatment and surgery) knowing what you know now?
Yep.  I would do it all over again.  Every single choice that I have made.  I have learned so much and feel so great.  I have learned to find answers for myself and go with what my heart tells me is right for me.  The choice to do the mastectomy and my choice to treat the cancer with diet, etc. was the right choice for me, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Don't get me wrong.  I sometimes mourn what I had.  In fact. for the first year after my mastectomy, every time I saw a mother with a baby, or more specifically a breast feeding mother, I would break down in tears.  I knew I would never be able to do that again.  I still miss my breasts occasionally today for more cosmetic reasons, but it doesn't change that I would do it all over again.

9.  Are you enjoying life on the farm?
I really enjoy living here.  It is fun to have the birds singing outside the bedroom window every morning and to hear the coyotes howling occasionally at night.  Sometimes we even see deer, pheasant, and quail wondering around the property.  It is fun to see things grow from seed and watch the animals change before my eyes.  It is great to see my boys explore and learn things here in nature.  It is especially gratifying to watch all the cousins together.  It has been wonderful for my husband as well to get to know the family better and to find his passion in nature.

It has been an adjustment for me in other ways though to be sure.  I was used to living just a couple blocks from the grocery store and other conveniences, so that was and still is a big change for me.  I sometimes miss the hiking and jogging on the green belt or in the foothills.  I miss being close to friends and some family as well, but it just makes going to town all the better.  I feel like I appreciate things a bit more when I do have the opportunity to make the trip.

10. Are you growing most of your own produce?
In the summer we do grow most all of the produce that we need, but in the winter we do have to go shopping.  We have some plans to build an underground greenhouse, and that will make it possible for us to grow our own produce year round.  We are super excited to make this happen.

11.  Why haven't you posted lately?
This is a good question, and it has many answers.  I stay quite busy all the time.  I spend the day preparing food from scratch for myself and my family, juicing, coffee breaking, taking care of my kids, and I now help out with school as well.  We decided to home school our kiddos and the rest of their cousins with the help of their parents.  We all took different subjects, and we all split the work up.  We have a fourth grader, a second grader, and three kindergartners. It has been great (and sometimes very challenging) so far, and all the kids are learning and growing in leaps and bounds.  I am teaching Latin (thank you medical terminology) and science.  It does take time to plan the classes and make lesson plans.

I also haven't had any tests done for over a year and don't have a lot of change to report.  I don't feel the need or push to do so right now.  I have learned to trust my self more and worry less about what the tests and doctors say.  For me, this feels right.

After really thinking about this though I did come up with another answer.  This past year or two has in some ways been very difficult with the passing of some great friends (some just friends of friends or acquaintances or just people that I follow as well) and watching them and their families struggle.  I also have seen so many other people diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses, and it is very hard to watch at times.  Recently, I have also seen many pediatric cancer patients being diagnosed and treated, and that in itself is very hard to hear about and witness.  I know it seems strange, but I almost feel guilty about doing so well physically when others seem to really be struggling and sometimes losing their fight.  I know it is irrational, and so now that I have identified it, I am working on it.  I am a work in progress for sure.

So, if there was an answer that you had that I didn't get around to answering, just leave me a comment.  I will do my best to get it answered for you.  Also, if you have some ideas on things you would like to see me post, feel free to leave a comment on that as well.  Thanks!  Love you all!

From Surviving to Thriving

With the two year anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis (March 19 to be exact), I have been reflecting a lot on my journey.  Wow.  I have learned so much.  I have come a long way.  I am doing this.  I remember about a year ago on my one year anniversary thinking this same thing.   Who thought that I could still have the capacity to learn and grow even more?  And in such great big leaps and bounds?  It reminds me of the famous quote by Aristotle:

Or the one by Albert Einstein:

My life will be forever changed by my diagnosis.  I will never live life the same way again.  I will always juice, and I will always be very conscious about what I eat.  I will always meditate, and I will always do my best to live in a more mindful and conscious way.  This is okay.  It is even a good thing.  It is better than that.  It is a great thing.  Sometimes I forget how great it is...

I have a great group of friends who ask thoughtful questions or give you a thought to ponder on a weekly basis.  A couple of weeks ago the question/thought was:
Notice how it feels when you say "I have to..." versus "I get to..." about commitments, work, events, etc. Then take note about the results in an area of your life where you find yourself saying "I have to...".  Do you feel a difference?

That was a good thought for me.  I thought and pondered on this for a long time.  I often find myself saying on quite a daily basis "I have to juice." or "I have to make dinner." or "I have to go to school.", etc.  Which after I thought about it, what I was really saying was, "I don't have time for these other things because I have to do this stuff."  I was completely focused on the not so fun part rather than the complete opportunity and privilege that I have to care for myself and my family.  I have the ability to stay home and lovingly care for myself and my well-being and to prepare delicious and nutritious foods for me and my family.  I also am privileged to be able to help with the education of my children and nieces.  I completely lost focus and forgot that not all people are able to do this. What an aha moment for me.

And so I realize that as much as I have learned since my diagnosis, I am still learning.  I will never stop learning and growing.  I am a work in progress.  It just keeps getting better and better.  I now realize that it is not just about surviving my monotonous every day life.  It is about taking that life and making it beautiful and noticing the everyday miracles.  It is about those wonderful aha moments.  It is about living fully and sometimes that means changing your perspective to see all of the amazing-ness (maybe this is not a word since my spell check is alerting me...) that surrounds me.

So I have decided that I am no longer just going to survive.  I have decided that I am going to go all out and thrive.  I am going to enjoy the small things.  I am going to love the journey.  People go along in their everyday lives and they just try to get through their days.  They want to get through their week and to the weekend and then through the holidays and then onto vacation, etc., etc.. Somewhere along the way I think that we forget to truly live and smell the roses and to enjoy the beauties and miracles of everyday life.  At least I do.

So now my goal is to live life to the fullest.  I shall now leave you with a quote from the beloved Maya Angelou who says things so beautifully and whose words explain exactly how I feel.  What a great example of humanity and true beauty.

Thank you Maya.

Life On the Farm

12/15/14

I would have to say the most common thing I am asked about my new life on the farm is "How do you like it?' and the second most common question is "What is it like?"  Well, I like it just fine, and well it is different.  I used to live in a very quaint little neighborhood in the middle of a small city.  If I needed to go to the grocery store it took me all of three minutes to get there.  If I wanted to spend the afternoon at the park with the kiddos and go for a play date it could be done with just a small bit of planning.  At times I get lonely, but I'm not exactly sure why.  I have my family close by and am surrounded by a great support group near and far.

On the other hand here on the farm, I am free from the traffic and bustle of a city. It is so peaceful to be right in the middle of nature and to hear the birds outside my window (and at times coyotes and other hair raising creatures).  It is amazing to see the wildlife from my front door whether a flock of geese, squirrels, pheasant and quail, or even very occasionally a deer or two.  It is so fun to watch the boys with the cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and turkeys.  (The turkeys are no longer with us since last month at Thanksgiving, but they sure did taste good.)

What do I do on a typical day?  Well, my day is almost the same as it was before I moved.  It is just a bit different with maybe a thing or two added in.  I still juice, coffee break, cook my special meals, and the rest of my schedule.  Of course I still run my household and take care of the kiddos too.  I still meditate daily, say my prayers, and do affirmations and read or listen to uplifting books.  Occasionally, I help out with the pigs, but mostly daddy does that.

So what is different?  My oldest is in kindergarten now, and that is sure fun and challenging and amazing to see him grow and just "get" things.  To see that light bulb just turn on with understanding is awesome.  Kids truly are sponges.  We did choose to home school, so that is a bit different, but luckily I have help.  My sister with three girls and my brother with one daughter are also doing this.  This allows me to teach my subject (Latin!) just two days a week.  My sister, her husband, my sister-in-law, and another brother (who kindly volunteers his time) teach the other subjects (reading/language/literature, math, geography, and history/civics).  We do school Monday through Thursday and then save Friday as the "Fun Day" with activities that include (but not limited to) art, spirituality, science, cooking, recycling, and more.

Another change for me is that I have started to exercise more than just my gentle yoga and walks.  I have now started some heavier cardio like jogging and kickboxing.  I don't overdo it, and it feels good to workout and sweat a little bit.  I take it easy for the most part and listen well to my body and stop if I need to.  Everyday that I work out I can do a couple more minutes easily.

Many ask how my health is, and I have to say that I am great!  I feel amazing.  I am healthy and free from sickness and bugs.  I have good energy when I go to bed on time.  My family practice doctor, Dr. R., just saw me last Thursday (after three months since I am doing so well), and he is very pleased.  The small growth we have been watching in my armpit for over a year seems smaller!  It was the shape of a dumbbell that was standing upright, and on this last visit the lower part had shrunk quite a bit.  It moved easily and did not seem to be attached to any underlying tissue.  The top part also was improved.  It had moved easily in months past, but in the back it still seemed to be slightly attached to the underlying tissue.  On this visit he said if it was still attached it seemed so little he could not tell.

It is not all rainbows and butterflies of course (I have some major mood swings and can go from happy to sad to mad to frustrated in about two seconds), but life is good.  We are blessed and in a good place.  We learn so much from day to day and grow on all levels at an amazing rate.  My hubby has a job that supports us (even with the one hour drive there and back), and we have the best support system out here.  We have all that we need.  Thank you to all of our friends and family everywhere that help us even if it is just with well wishes and prayers.  We feel them, and they are appreciated.