Rejuvenating Bath

Let me start by saying that I am not a bath person. The last time I remember taking a bath was in 2003. Lying in water while watching my skin get pruney is not my idea of a good time. Besides, I would need to thoroughly clean and sanitize the tub before I'd consider sitting in it, which is way too much work.

However, after a weekend getaway and lots of time sitting in the car, my body ached. My neck felt like someone had twisted it all the way around, and pain was shooting down my right arm.

I had heard about the power of Epsom salts.Scientists have proven that your body actually soaks up the magnesium in Epsom salts when you bathe in it. So taking a bath in them can soften your skin, detox your system, lessen wrinkles (by regenerating skin cells), relax you, soothe aching muscles, and reduce swelling.

I had experienced the effectiveness of YL Peppermint Essential Oil for muscle soreness as well as Lavender for relaxation. So I decided to try an experiment. And as fate would have it, my wonderful husband had just cleaned the tub after an "incident" with our 2-year-old.  (Trust me, you don't want to know.)

So as I filled the bathtub with water, I added about 1 cup of Epsom salts. (I didn't bring a measuring cup into the bathroom with me--just eyeballed it.)

Then I added about 3-4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. This made the bathroom smell like a spa...super relaxing.

I read that you are supposed to soak in the Epsom bath for about 15 minutes, so I laid my head back and relaxed. The warm, salty water did feel good on my sore muscles, but the tub is entirely too small for a tall woman. (Note to self: Need bigger tub.)

After what seemed like an eternity, I glanced at the clock. Two minutes had passed! This relaxing/soaking thing was really hard. But my trusty husband came to my rescue once again. My Kindle! I could read in the tub! Perfect. Before I knew it, 15 minutes were up, and I was ready to start the Peppermint phase.

As the water drained from the tub, I took a wet washcloth (I used an old one just in case it got stained) and sprinkled about 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt on it. Then I added 2 drops of Peppermint Oil and gently scrubbed my shoulders and neck. Oh.My.Gosh. Heavenly. The Peppermint has anti-inflammatory properties, and about a minute after hitting your skin, your skin feel really cold. Kinda like an Icy-Hot, but all natural.

I ended this experiment by rinsing off in the shower, patting myself dry with a big fluffy towel, putting on a warm fleece robe, and drinking a glass of water (to continue the detoxification).

Wow. I felt like a new person. I highly recommend this for relaxation and muscle soreness.

Recipe for Bathwater
1 Cup Epsom salt (I used a generic brand; it cost $2.75 for a 1/2 gallon.
3-4 drops Lavender oil

Recipe for Muscle Scrub
1 Tbsp Epsom salts
2 drops Peppermint Oil
Wet washcloth

Homemade Lavender-Lemon Liquid Laundry Detergent

(If you want to skip the commentary and go straight to the recipe, scroll to the bottom.) 

 

I used to see posts on Facebook about people making their own laundry soap. Usually these friends were more of the granola-homeschooling-gardening-types. My first thought was, "Who has time for that?" quickly followed by, "And they sell pre-made stuff at the store. In pretty boxes and bottles!"

But a few months ago I started also seeing posts about the benefits of essential oils, so I thought maybe I would try some lavender to promote a peaceful environment. I figured if nothing else, it would be useful as an air freshener in my 2-year-old's bedroom. (Boys are so stinky, plus he's not potty trained yet.) So I stopped by the nearest health food store and bought a no-name brand of lavender oil.

When my sister Ruth found out, she was horrified. Unbeknownst to me, she had started using and selling essential oils--real essential oils--by a company called Young Living. She quickly educated me about how some oils are really just glorified perfume, while Young Living products are therapeutic grade pure oils from various plants. And that started my journey into Young Living oils and DIY home projects that smell really divine, have therapeutic benefits, and are fun to make.

One of the first things I wanted to make was my own laundry detergent. I did a lot of research and solicited the advice of many of you on your experiences with DIY detergent. Based on all the input, I came up with a recipe, tested it out, and will share it with you today. I call it Lavendula Laundry Soap. ("Lavendula" is the scientific name for lavender.) 

Did I like it? Will I continue using it? Will I make it again? Keep reading...

          

Ingredients:

• 2 gallons + 1 quart Boiling Water
• 1 bar Ivory soap grated
• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda (not Baking Soda)
• 3 gallon bucket/garbage pail
• Empty containers to store the detergent
• Funnel
• Mixing Spoon/paint stick
• Blender
• An empty gallon-size milk jug (if desired) 

Instructions:

I was really excited to start, so as soon as I put Jackson down for his nap, I announced to my husband that were were GOING TO MAKE OUR OWN LAUNDRY SOAP! He wasn't nearly as excited as me, but having a science background, he was curious about the chemical/science part of it. (You really don't have to be scientific to make this; it's very straightforward. Please don't tell him.) So yes, we were going to do a SCIENCE EXPERIMENT!

I headed to the kitchen with my supplies, but to my dismay, there was a sink full of pancake batter bowls. (Yes, homemade pancakes and detergent in the same day, Oh my!). I could not make a cleaning product in an un-clean kitchen. So, I spent about 30 minutes washing dishes, cleaning and sanitizing the sink, wiping down the counters, and I even swept the floor.

Now that the kitchen was clean, I was really ready to start. I unpackaged the bar soap. (Dr. Brommer's Lavender bar soap is supposed to work really well, but I couldn't find any, so I got plain old Ivory. I think it was about a dollar for three bars.)

I'd heard from numerous sources that grating the bar soap was the most time consuming part of the Science Experiment, but I had a shortcut: my super-duper NINJA that my amazing MIL bought me last summer. We make smoothies just about every day in it, but I wasn't sure how it was going to handle bar soap. So I started by chopping the soap on a cutting board.

I added the chopped soap to the mixer, said a quick prayer, and pushed the button.

Presto-Magic!

It worked! (And my Ninja has never been cleaner.)

Then I started boiling one gallon of water. I used a clean milk jug to measure the 1 gallon since I didn't have any measuring cups that large, and I didn't want to do the math. I thought my large sauce pan would be large enough, but no, I had to get out this monstrosity.

While the water was boiling, I mixed the Borax and Washing Soda in a large bowl. Note: These are both available in the detergent aisle of your grocery store. I got mine at Ultra. I purchased "20-Mule Team" Borax, which I had heard was a good brand, and Arm & Hammer Soda. But be careful, Washing Soda is not the same as Baking Soda.

When the water had come to a nice boil (took forever in that huge pot), I poured it into my bucket, added the borax and washing soda, and stirred to dissolve into the water.

Note: Although I do not consider myself a weakling by any means, pouring a gallon of boiling water is not really a one-person job. Thankfully, my in-home Scientist was more than ready to assist.

Next, I boiled 1 quart of water and added the grated soap to it. I stirred it for quite a while with a whisk until the soap was completely melted with no chunks.

Then, I poured the melted soap into the bucket with the already dissolved borax/washing soda mixture and stirred.

I added the last gallon of boiling water to the bucket (it was really full) and mixed it all together.

I let it cool down for just a few minutes and then added 12 drops Young Living Essential Lavender oil and 6 drops Young Living Essential Lemon oil. This is where I was a little unsure. Should I have added more? Less? Keep reading.

I put the bucket in a safe place (out of reach of the now-awake toddler) and let it cool for about 2 hours. It started getting a little jelly like, so I stirred it up, and The Scientist helped me pour the gel into some empty containers. (I bought the two jars on the left for less than $5 at Savers, a nearby thrift store.)

I use between 1/4 and 1/2 cup of the detergent per load. It has a very jelly-like consistency.

And now the most important information....How did it turn out? Did it clean our clothes? How did it smell? Is it really cost-efficient? Was there anything I wish I had done differently?

Yes, it turned out great. Yes, it cleaned our clothes. The scent was very, very mild. I wish I had added more of the essential oils, but until I make more detergent, I will add a drop or two straight to the washer when I add the detergent. It was also very inexpensive to make. I saved the receipts so I could report exactly how much it cost, but they got lost in the bottom of my purse. Next time I'll try to do better. But believe me, it was cheap. (If you have any questions about Young Living Essential Oils, please let me know because I'm now a distributor.)

(That's not really my laundry basket. I totally stole this image off the Internet. My laundry never looks that nice.)

If you want to copy and paste the recipe without all my commentary, here it is:

Lavendula Liquid Laundry Detergent

                                               

Ingredients:

• 2 gallons + 1 quart Boiling Water

• 1 bar Ivory soap grated
• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda
• 3 gallon bucket/garbage pail
• Empty jugs to store the detergent
• Funnel
• Mixing Spoon/paint stick
• Blender

Instructions:

1. Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil and pour into the bucket.
2. Add the borax and washing soda and stir to dissolve into the water.
3. Bring 1 quart of water to a boil and add the grated soap to it. Keep stirring (whisking) until the soap is completely melted with no chunks.
4. Pour the melted soap into the bucket with the already dissolved borax/washing soda mixture. Stir very well.
5. Add the last gallon of boiling water to the bucket and stir to mix.
6. Add 12 drops Young Living essential Lavender and 6 drops Young Living essential Lemon. (I would add even more next time!)
7. Let the detergent cool down a bit (about an hour or so).
8. Using the funnel, pour the detergent into your empty jugs.
9. Use between 1/4 to 1/2 cup per load, depending on size of load and filth-level.

 

Won't you be my neighbor?

A few years ago I was going to a leadership meeting at my church. As I walked from the parking lot to the building, I spotted a man about my age who was in the public eye at church. I'd admired him from afar because he was smart, talented, good-looking, and shares deep and profound truths. I didn't know him personally, but I was very impressed with what I'd observed.

As we approached the first set of double doors leading to the church, I was one step ahead of him. I held open the door for him, said good morning, and he said thank you.

As we approached the second set of double doors, he passed by me and was a few steps ahead of me. I've seen men do this before--usually because they want to be a gentleman and open the next door. He did open the door, and just as I was opening my mouth to say thank you, he let go, kept walking, and the door slammed in my face.

"Wow," I said to myself. "He must be really lost in thought to be so rude." But no, right then a friend of his called out his name, and he returned the greeting with a hearty hello.
---
A few days later, I went to the beach. It was a perfect beach night, and I had a lot of things on my mind. Something about the water and waves and sand always helps to clarify my thoughts.

Near where I parked my car, there was a man and his wife who were sitting on a bench. The man had only one leg, and his crutches were nearby. They were sharing a cold one ... and did not look much like the people who attend my church.

On my way down to the water, we exchanged a polite nod, and I quickly averted my eyes from the missing leg--and also from their faces. The second time I passed by, after returning to my car to get my beach chair, I again averted my eyes, but the lady said hello. When I left the beach about an hour later, they were still there, and they struck up a conversation with me. The man told me his name was Steve, and reached out to shake my hand. The lady's name was Telly, and she told me they had just moved to Ft. Lauderdale from Massachusetts. After talking for several minutes, I packed up my car and drove off, my heart strangely and unexpectedly warmed.

I wonder…who loved their neighbor as themselves? The man I worshiped with every Sunday and looked to for insights on God’s Word? The beer-drinking, rough-looking couple spending their Saturday night at the beach? Or me? 

I know it wasn’t me.

As-Is

I have a dog named Lucy. She is a 10-pound, champagne-colored, Maltese-Poodle mix. Her favorite activity is sitting as close as humanly (or doggy) possible to me. She has no sense of personal space, so if given the opportunity, she will choose to lie directly on top of me. Every day. All the time. Even when I’m upset with her and have scolded her.

I don’t know if Lucy believes in God, but if she does, I’m fairly certain she equates me with God—or at least His right-hand woman. I can do no wrong in her eyes. Whenever I leave, whether it’s for five minutes or five days, I am greeted with a welcome that rivals a ticker-tape parade. I can ignore her for hours and she never gives up on me; she keeps trying to wheedle her way onto my lap to show me love.

So I had to laugh when I saw this quote on a church sign near our home: “Be the person your dog thinks you are.”

There’s no way I could ever be the person Lucy thinks I am. It would be an impossible task. I’ve thought about that church sign a lot. I wish it had instead said something to the effect of, “God loves you even more than your dog loves you.”

You see, while our dogs may think we’re perfect, God knows how very imperfect we are. And while our dogs think we’re God’s gift to this earth, God sent His Son to be God’s gift to this earth. We don’t need to be the person our dogs think we are. God loves us as is. And that, my friend, is true love.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 (NLT)

Deaf in One Ear; Can Hear Out of the Other

"Hello? Hello?" I was trying to answer the phone, but I couldn't hear the caller. Finally I concluded we had a bad connection and hung up.

The person rang me again, and for some reason, I put the phone to my other ear. I could hear him perfectly. I switched the phone back to the first ear—nothing. Something was wrong with the hearing in my right ear.

In the months that followed, I visited several doctors and tried various treatments. Nothing worked. A virus had attacked my right ear, making me completely deaf on that side. Noisy environments became a challenge; conversations were hard to comprehend, and I often felt left out.

During that time, a friend said, "I know what you're going through is tough, but you have a couple of options. You can be a half-deaf person who complains about your loss and feels bitter, but nobody is going to want to be around you. Or you can be a half-deaf person who responds with grace and dignity, and your friends will still enjoy being with you."

The choice was mine. I didn't have control over a lot of things, but my attitude did not fall into that category.

Are you going through something unpleasant and feel helpless to change the situation? The Apostle Paul tells us to stay positive, to think about things that are good. Why? Because everyone suffers when you're in a bad mood—most of all, you!

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change what you can—your attitude. How? By meditating on things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, 

and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that 

are excellent and worthy of praise."  - Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

Rules For Life

Be alert.

Be self-controlled.

Encourage one another and build each other up.

Live in peace with each other.

Warn those who are idle.

Encourage the weak.

Be patient with everyone.

Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always.

Pray continually.

Give thanks in all circumstances.

Hold on to the good.

Avoid every kind of evil.

Learn to control your own body.

Lead a quiet life.

Mind your own business.

Work with your hands.

Never tire of doing what is right.

Do not share in the sins of others.

Keep yourself pure.

Turn away from godless chatter.

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments.

Don’t quarrel.

Be kind to everyone.

Be hospitable.

Be self-controlled.

Be kind.

Be busy at home.

Slander no one.

Be peaceable and considerate.

Show true humility toward all men.

Avoid foolish controversies.

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him

Fix your thoughts on Jesus.

Encourage one another daily.

Approach the throne of grace with confidence.

Throw off everything that hinders and the sin that entangles.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Endure hardship as discipline.

Make every effort to live at peace with all men.

Keep your lives free from the love of money.

Be content with what you have.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come near to God, and he will come near to you.

Do not slander one another.

Rid yourselves of all envy.

Rid yourselves of all hypocrisy.

Rid yourselves of all malice.

Live in harmony with one another.

Be sympathetic.

Love as brothers.

Be compassionate and humble.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,

Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.

Be self-controlled and alert.

Cast all your anxiety on him.

Set your heart on things above.

Clothe yourselves with compassion.

Clothe yourselves with kindness.

Clothe yourselves with humility.

Clothe yourselves with gentleness.

Clothe yourselves with patience.

Bear with each other.

Forgive grievances.

Rid yourself of anger.

Rid yourself of slander.

Rid yourself of filthy language.

Devote yourself to prayer.

Let your conversation be full of grace.

The Race

A few years ago I participated in a 5K race. I am not a runner, but I like to pretend I’m one. Plus, competing in a race gives me excellent motivation to exercise beforehand.

Unfortunately, my plan didn’t work out. I failed to get in shape before the race, and I had trouble running the 3-mile course. Truth be known, I walked most of it. But as I neared the finish line, 48 minutes and 30-odd seconds after starting, crowds of runners who had already finished were gathered alongside the track and were cheering for me and the other stragglers.

“You're almost there!” one said. “Keep going! You're almost finished!” another shouted. Their high-fives and encouraging words gave me the strength to finish what I'd started.

Most of these folks didn’t know me; I was just a fellow runner in the race. I started to fight back tears. It reminded me of what heaven will be like, and of the crowd of witnesses who has gone on before me. I imagined them waiting for me, cheering me on to finish the race of life with endurance, and ultimately welcoming me with open arms.

The Bible tells us that because Jesus died on the Cross for our sins, our entrance fee to Heaven has been paid in full. However, how we get there will depend on how we run the race. Some believers will breeze into heaven, like a friend of mine who runs marathons without breaking a sweat. Others will be tired, but will be grateful for the training they endured. Others will pass the pearly gates limping, red-faced, and unable to speak because they'll be so winded. But however one gets to heaven, I'm confident it will be a time of celebration, a wonderful homecoming filled with sweet reunions. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses… let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)