Finding God's Goodness

  

By:  Executive Dir.,

Summertime for my family is a happy place.  Life slows down a bit, grand kids come to the farm to visit, and Farmer Dean is found outside, working on his gardens and mowing his 6 acres!

When life slows down, at times, we can catch up.  And at other times, we stop long enough to realize that something isn't right.  We've been running so hard and fast that we didn't even realize that something was amiss!

Last Friday, I slowed down long enough to drive downtown Minneapolis for a doctor's appointment.

While there, they took my blood pressure and told me that I was in a very serious state with my blood pressure registering at 227/186.  The norm is 120/80.  They told me I was a walking heart attack or stroke and they were taking me to the ER.  

It ended up that I didn't go to the ER, but instead drove to Target pharmacy and was put on meds. Since last Friday, I have completely overhauled my lifestyle!  

Thanks to Dr. Chandra and Dr. Justin Hildebrand (daughter and her spouse), I am on an anti-inflammatory diet.  That means ... no gluten (breads or pasta), no dairy, no sugar, and no foods that are inflammatory.  Chandra described my body as "a house burning down." 

I thought I was doing so well!  Racing to this meeting and that one.  Reading scripture, pouring over people's needs, serving at the Church in the Grove, writing books, blogging, babysitting grandchildren.  But when it all stopped, I found out that I had taken time for everyone ... but me.

It seems selfish to care for ourselves.  And yet, if we don't, we can't care for others.  

So, yesterday, in the calmness of the afternoon, I walked outside and thanked God for the warning.  I am alert and awake now and caring about my own body.  I am watching my diet, I am walking, and I'm managing my stress level.  I've said, "No, I'm sorry, I can't," many times in the past 4 days.  The things that were on my schedule that weren't necessary were taken right off of my plate.

The diet has been hard.  Managing stress has been tricky.  But to serve God with all I have ... that is my number one objective.  And the only way to do that is to take care of my body.  It's the only one I've got.  

Now ... I'm back on track!

Happy Summer!  Slow down.  Take long walks.  Enjoy grilling out.  Meet with friends you haven't seen for awhile.  Read a new book.  Listen to some classical music.  Drink herbal tea.  And explore the world of no packaged, no processed, fresh food.

God's goodness is all around us.  Let's live and enjoy it!

Blessings!

Kathy  

 

Exec. Dir, Kathy Weckwerth

 

 

 

 

  

 For more from Executive Director, Kathy Weckwerth, you can read her blog at http://bestlifeministries.com/best-life-lifelines/  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying Life 

BEST LIFE'S Summer Hitpick List

 

Music:  "Open Up the Heavens" With Meredith Andrew's lovely voice and meaningful lyrics, this song will be sure to become one of your new favorites.  Worshipful, great beat, and encouraging!  Purchase yours at itunes for $1.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tea:  Luzianne!  With a rich, deep, black tea flavor, this tea makes a wonderful iced tea. Add some lemon wedges and head for the backporch!   $3.98 at Walmart.  Add mint leaves for a fresh taste!                                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magazine:  (other than our own BLM issues!) we love REAL SIMPLE.  Grab a copy of this and get decorating ideas, tips on what to wear, recipes, and fun articles.  It feels good in your hands, it's reasonable, and it's always fun! On stands for $4.99 and worth every penny!

 

 

  

 

    

Favorite Devotional:  Sarah Young's Jesus Today

Filled with inspiration and hope, just like Christ is talking to you, it starts or ends any day with a perfect peace.  Purchase yours at Walmart for $10.30.

Favorite Candle:  Scentsational natural Soy Candle in "Clean Linen" is absolutely delightful!  You can pick these up for $5.99 at TJMaxx.  Yummy and smells like clean laundry.

Favorite summer snack:

8 large strawberries, cut into pieces

1/2 cup blueberries

1 banana, cut into pieces

1/3 cup ice

Throw in your blender, put into a pretty glass, add a straw and now who's feeling happy?  YOU!  And .... you saved $2.50.

Favorite Summer Setting:  Outside

It's the goodness of God to see the beauty outside your front door.  Take a minute and walk through your yard.  

Best Life's Favorite SUMMER VACATION

.....to Dubuque, Iowa

When asked to attend a wedding, Farmer Dean & I made our way down the northwestern parts of Iowa and found ourselves in a little taste of Heaven.  Here are some suggestions for a fabulous trip!

·       Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, Burr Oak, Iowa

Dean and I love history!  As a little girl, my favorite show to watch was "Little House on the Prairie."  This museum offered lovely sites at an old hotel where the Ingalls lived.  Travel a little over 2 hours and you'll be at the overview, high up on a hill, to see the great Mississippi River and Dubuque.

·       Bed & Breakfast

Although it was a bit undone on the outside due to some restoration in progress, The Richard's House was the place to stay!  Built in 1883 by B. B.Richards, a banker, we enjoyed our huge bedroom and bathroom, and met some fun people while staying there for 2 nights.  Our room was $60.00 per night, and included a delicious breakfast each morning at a huge old table with french toast, eggbake, cinnamon cake, bacon, coffee and juice. We even had our own bathroom.

·       Fenelon Place Elevator

Once we drove around a bit in Dubuque, we were able to drive up a steep hill to this old elevator.  It takes you to the heights of the town and the view is breathtaking.  $3.00 will give you a ride down the hill in an open trolley.  At the bottom of the hill is a lovely antique store with new and used items, various shops, and an ice cream parlor.  Of course we enjoyed that!

·       National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Because we love museums, this was very fun!  Take a stroll through the "Rivers of America" exhibit, and find all kinds of history about the life of the river, riverboat gamblers, and boatbuilders.  Cost is $15.00 a person.

·       Dubuque River Rides

After a lovely time at the museum, we headed out to take the 2 hour cruise up the Mississippi River.  Tickets were $28.00 each.  The boat offered food, snacks, pop, and tea at your own cost.  We sat at a table overlooking the sites and enjoyed each others company and the beauty of the day!

 

We spent several hours just walking and looking at the lovely architecture and enjoying the views of steep hills, rushing water, and sunshine.  

 

Vacations are the best!

Fenelon Place Elevator

The Richard's House Bed & Breakfast

Architecture

View from Riverboat Cruise

There is still time for a fall conference and we have openings in Sept & October!

We are also beginning to book conferences for Spring 2015 with our topic: 

Get on track for the Ride of Your LIFE!!!

For more information, log onto www.bestlifeministries.com