I received my Life Application Study Bible from Bible Gateway for free to review and post. Although, I received the Bible as a gift. My opinions are my own. My Full Disclosure Policy
Years ago, I was in a Bible Study with a woman whose mother had just passed. She had obtained one of her Mother’s Bible that had her notes, thoughts, and handwritten. It was now one of the woman’s most treasured possession and the Bible she used. The woman’s mother had many Bible, so she and her sisters each took one to remember their mother. It made an impact on me, and I wanted to leave the Bible to my three girls. Since meeting that woman, I have gone through two Bibles. What I mean is that I love to highlight and take notes in my Bible after a few years, many notes and highlights can become distracting when studying. I use the Good Morning Girls Highlight guide while reading my Bible
Leaving a Legacy for my Girls
Recently, I’ve thought I need a new Bible. As I go to study the current Bible, I have read. It’s beginning to be a challenge to overlook all the notes and highlights I have made. I also realized that I get a new Bible in a new season. For the past few months, I have been feeling a new season in my life approaching. When I was asked to review the Life Application Bible from Bible Gateway, I knew it was God’s timing. I have fallen in love with this new Bible and excited to make new highlights and marks. It’s also a Bible I can leave to my third daughter once I move on. I have each of my past Bible’s to my girls. I think it’ll be a special gift I can give them prayerfully when I am living. Maybe their wedding who knows, but it’s something I want to leave them to keep with them and remember me.
A great resource to study
I am excited to explore this Life Application NIV Bible. First, it is beautiful, bound in leather with golden lined pages. Open up the pages, and it has an extensive commentary within each Book. It’s jam-packed with great resources to further your study. The Life Application Study Bible has resources, references, maps, genealogy charts, summations of events. It’s an excellent Bible for me to use in my inductive studies.
I did find that most of the pages have more commentary than the Word, which can be distracting. I wish the commentary to verse ratio were evenly distributed. It’s also a different version than I am currently studying. For the last four years, I have been using the New American Standard Bible to study. I think studying in a different version could change some of my reflections. Most people I do Bible Studies with have the NIV version, so I am curious to see how our conversation goes. I like having a different version to compare to others, but I am excited to see what the NIV brings to my perspective.
No matter the version, when I open the bounded book, the message is always what I need to hear. It’s not necessarily what I want to hear, but it’s required. It also can be different, although I read the same verse. It’s the living Word, and it can be renewed in our Spirit daily if you read it. I’m curious if the version will change my reflections.
Bible Gateway Plus
If you’re looking for a beautiful Bible to give to someone who likes to study the Word or new to studying the Word. I think especially for those new to studying. The Life Application Study Bible is a great Bible to gift or gets for your own Bible Study time. If you’re looking for more opportunities to further your study or research. I want to encourage you to check out the Bible Gateway App for free, or you can access the BibleGateway Plus to get check out over 40 Bible studies and reference books. Bible gateways give you lots of resources to enhance your study experience.
There are detoxes, fast, nutritional plans, and programs out there to help remedy a common ailment in American culture, and that is gut health but not as much emphasis on the healing foods that already exist. No one talks about the healing food that God gave us. Daily there is more and more information shared about how to heal your gut. I often have written about my own gut health journey. Four years on this journey, and I am finally at a point where I can say I have good gut health, and I want to help others.
As a certified personal trainer and certified fitness nutrition specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine, it is out of my scope of practice to diagnose or offer treatment for any gut ailments. I also out of good conscious would recommend you see a professional doctor, nutritionist, and registered dietician.
This post is to inform you of factual information on foods that can help improve your gut health. Adding these foods to your diet in proper portions have been proven to help.
My Journey to Healing
When I began my weight loss journey. I often suffered from upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, constant bloating, gas. I also had severe seasonal allergy symptoms like itchy watery eyes, postnasal drip, relentless cough. When I ate food, I would get severe stomach cramps, headaches, and lethargic. It came to a point where I didn’t want to eat for fear of the reaction.
All the Test
I also was eating healthy foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, cream of wheat, and whole wheat grains. Finally, I sought a doctor for help. We started with blood tests for multiple gastrointestinal issues. We tried an elimination diet of dairy products, which subsided some symptoms; I had allergy testing for foods and pollens. All to conclude that I didn’t have Celiacs, I was lactose intolerant, I had an allergy to wheat and a couple of pollens that were found in fruits like pineapples. Who knew?
Becoming my Advocate
Then I went on my advocacy. I attended IDEA World Blog Fest 2016, and Melissa Hartwig of Whole 30 spoke and autographed her new Whole 30 book. I began the successful September start she does every year. After ten restarts of the restrictive diet plan. I was amazed at my results. Not physical but the way my body felt. I was no longer in pain after eating. Food gave me energy instead of making me extremely tired. My mood and clarity had improved, and it felt so good. Until recently, I never realized the power of food until undergoing the almost 50-day journey. (I can be a slow adopter sometimes).
I also saw changes in my complexion, hair, and nails, and I was hooked. After the Whole 30 Program, I was aware of food effects on my body. As I added grains back in, I realized that not all foods served my body well. Other people, it’s okay, but for my digestive symptoms, it was a trigger. Here I am four years later, and I am fully aware of what I can eat and shouldn’t eat.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;
or about your body, what you will wear. Is life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
Matthew 6:25
You can’t live life on a diet.
There is so much to concern yourself with than what you are going to eat. Adding foods that are going to nourish your body and reducing or eliminating the food that is sustaining your body are two different things. Quick heat and eat processed foods are maintaining your body, meaning they are giving you calories that are needed. Food that is nutrient-dense fuels your body and gives it the nutrients it needs to be at optimal performance. Rather than keeping it fed so you can continue to go.
What I eat
I eat a lot of food but its mostly good food. The foods that I do eat include chips, donuts, french fries, and other C.R.A.P food from time to time, but I mostly eat foods that nourish my body, and that’s what I usually crave good food. I am still exploring and trying because I am just curious, but when it’s all said and done, God gave us everything we need to survive. If we eat the healing foods God gave us in the amount that we should can not only heal you, but it can help you reach your goals.
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it consecrated by the Word of God and prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4
We all know what to eat when to eat and how much, but what about the why?
Food has a purpose, and if you use it for fuel, you wouldn’t have to be on a diet. You wouldn’t crave the things that didn’t serve you because, ultimately, your cravings are your body’s way of alerting you of what it needs. Eating a nutritious diet or what I call a biblically-based diet will help you overcome your cravings, burn fat, resolve gut ailments, and honor your temple.
So, I put together six categories of foods that can help improve your adding theses F.O.O.D.S and removing C.R.A.P will help heal your gut, body, and mind. Making a lifestyle change and adding these 100 Healing foods will help you honor your temple and serve your body well.
Healing foods to add to your diet
Gut Health
Digestive disorders are prevalent but often not spoken about because we learn to keep potty talk in the potty in kindergarten. The gut is known as the second brain regulating your mental and physical health by cells found in the gut microbiome. Keeping a balance of “good” bacteria and “bad’ bacteria.
People with an imbalance of too much “bad” bacteria often are diagnosed with diseases like; Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which my blood test had ruled out Praise God. There is a link between gut bacteria and high cholesterol, which can cause heart disease. It has also been linked to kidney disease.
Gut Microbiome
The gut microbiome has also been linked to affecting the way you feel, the way your brain process information you gather from your five senses. There are currently studies being done to see the effect your gut microbiome has on diseases like autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression. It’s also being studied to see if there is an association between the gut microbiome and chronic pain. It is so important to keep your gut healthy.
An Unhealthy balance in your gut has been associated with heart disease, obesity or weight gain, kidney disorders, depression, and anxiety. So feeding your gut healthy foods can help your overall wellness. Reducing and eliminating processed food that has artificial sweeteners, flavors, colors, and adding gut-healthy foods can begin the journey to improve gut health.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is the way our bodies’ immune system defends itself. Without inflammation, our organization would not fight off diseases and treat wounds. The problem is not the initial inflammation. It’s the prolonged inflammation or if there is inflammation in the body that is not needed. Chronic inflammation can lead to severe diseases like stroke, heart diseases, autoimmune disorders like lupus. So reducing the unwanted inflammation is ideal. Many of the processed foods that we consume cause unnecessary inflammation-reducing these healing foods, and adding an anti-inflammatory diet can help.
Prebiotics
I am all about Prebiotics this year since learning of the necessity for optimal gut health. Prebiotics are fibers that the body cannot digest, but they are food for probiotics that help support gut bacteria. Think of prebiotics as probiotics food. Adding these healing foods to your diet can be beneficial to feed the probiotics in your body.
Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria that serve your gut to help it digest well; they are considered helpful in the digestive process.
Hormonal Balancing
Did you know that we have over 100 hormones in the body that are constantly checking and balancing each other? The American lifestyle is wreaking havoc on our hormones. It is so involved, and you have to consider what you eat, the chemicals you put on your body, or use to clean your surroundings, your stress level, and contraception methods. All are factors in a balanced hormone. Hormone imbalance can affect you in so many ways. Your sleep, skin, energy level, digestion, brain clarity, mood, weight, appetite, headaches, mental health, aging process, and so much more. Hormonal balancing takes multiple steps and has so many contributing factors, but one unanimous suggestion is diet change helps balance hormones. Removing sugar and adding these foods into your diet can help you to better hormonal balance.
Thermogenic
There are foods that you can eat that can naturally increase your metabolism and burn fat. “Diet-induced” thermogenesis is, which is the process of the body utilizing the food that it has eating and converting those calories to heat. It’s a tiny percentage, but it’s an additional boost to your physical activity calorie burn by eating the right food. Post or pre-workout is also another consideration for the timing to eat these foods.
Healing Foods
Foods can be your friend or foe, but ultimately, what you put in your body affects how you feel. I would encourage you to add a few, some, or all of these foods to your diet. They will ultimately help your body operate at its best. I wouldn’t try to do all 100 foods at once but check off the ones you do eat and eat more of that and then add a new food every week. Some you will love, and some you will detest, but at least your making an effort to be well.
What is the most shocking food that you see on this list? Do you think you could add some of these foods to your diet?
My two favorite foods are Sushi and Pizza. I can eat both anytime of day with anyone but since learning of my wheat allergy and lactose intolerance. I try to stay away from all wheat which has made eating pizza hard. I’ve tried the cauliflower crust but I guess I didn’t wring it out enough (I’ve tried three time) but it takes a lot of time to make Cauliflower crust and it also turn out soggy. When I discovered this Quinoa Crust recipe I was so excited. After a few tweaks I look forward to Pizza night every week.
This recipe is really easy and it’s only 4 major ingredients. There is no kneading or letting the dough rice and it’s a nice thick crunchy crust to hold everything you want to put on your pizza.
Quinoa is also a great source of iron and has many other benefits.
High Content of Antioxidants Phytonutrients
Anti-inflammatory phytonutrients
Contains Higher Heart Healthy Fats content
There are so many toppings that you could use for this here are 10 Healthy Topping options:
Spinach is your best choice for a pizz topping. It has 13 different nutrients that you get in one serving. Spinach mostly contains concentrations of vitamin K, which helps you with effectively blod clotting. It also has over 13 different flavonoid compounds that contribute to preventing the condition of cancer
Broccoli is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Vitamin A and folate. It is another wise choice when picking toppings.
Mushrooms only contain 15 calories per cup and they are made of over 50% protein which is 2g of protein. It also contains a high amount of selenium which protects us from free radicals. This would be in my Top 3 for great choices.
Diced Chicken Breast is a great high protein low fat choice. This is also a great option to add to your pizza for some extra protein.
Garlic sliced, minced, crushed no matter how you cut it Garlic is delicious on pizza and oh so good for you. It also benefits your health it helps to support good cholesterol and helps to decrease the risk of heart disease. Although, too much can have it cswaeting out of your pores at the gym this week.
Extra Tomato Sauce is an easy way to get lycopene into your meal. Lycopene has been discovered to prevent cancers of the lungs, stomach and prostate gland.
Low-Fat or Vegan CheeseI have a cheese addiction and provolone and mozzarella mixed pizza cheese is my all time favorite BUT I am lactose intolerant so have to sub for vegan cheese and sometimes goat or feta. My favorite Vegan Cheese is Go Veggie for their taste but it doesn’t melt like provolone or mozzarella. It’s a trade off for digestive comfort for me.If you get to enjoy cheese than I would go with a low-fat cheese because it’s a higher source of protein not for the lower fat. Just go easy on it
Pineapple You Hawaiiain pizza lovers you can still do you thing. Pineapple is an okay sweet addition to your pizza. It’s a awesome source of maganese, Vitamin C and E giving you support for your eyesight, immune systems and eye sight.
Parmesan Cheese I love Parmesan cheese because its one of the only cheeses’s I can consume. It also is a great source of protein and lower in fat. It makes thing crunchy or can make it goeey.
Ham is a great, flavorful option. You can also do a lower fat sausage. It’s lower in fat than pepperoni, sausage and bacon.
There are so many tasty options you can choose you just have to try new flavor combinations and discover the world of FaithFueled Foods.
Usually, when I come back from blogging conferences like 2019 Shift Con, I typically have information obesity. My intention is always to “do all the things,” but my life and self-discipline usually fail. It’s been a few weeks since I attended Shift Con. It was a great conference that I got to experience with three of my good friends.
The first week I needed to process mostly, because I won the 2019 Best Fitness Blogger. Winning was a shock and a fantastic experience. I thought I knew which direction I wanted to go when I left Shift Con. I was at peace on the plane ride home, reflecting from the weekend. The most memorable part of the entire experience was the influencers who attended Shift Con.
I met influencers that are doing amazing things for people and our environment. I never considered using my voice and influence to provoke change. I have used it to inform, but there are people out there changing laws, demanding better for everyone, and they are using it through their Eco-Wellness Influence.
Information Processing
I needed to process all the info on lifestyle changes. I would consider myself living green, but I realized that I could be doing better. In all things, we should strive to do our best, and when you learn something new, you have to apply it, or what’s the point in learning? I went to Shift Con with no expectations than attending another conference, and I left changed as the fantastic Ari Adams spoke, “we need to Shift!” and that exactly what I experienced at 2019 Shift Con.
7 Shifts from SHIFT Con
7. Community exist
Meeting other bloggers in the wellness and sustainability community was refreshing to see other influencers who had the same concerns about ingredient labels, food quality,household toxicity, and water quality. As well as the education and knowledge I received on how to take actionable steps to change.
Still Reeling from the Community of Shift Con
It took me days to process the Shift Con community. They were so encouraging, helpful, genuinely trying to collaborate and help each other succeed. I’ve been to other blog conferences that have been motivating and empowering. I have never experienced the authenticity and kindness like the Shift Con community. That made the difference for me for Shift Con and other influencing conferences. Everyone was so giving, kind, and eager to help each other. It was such a connecting atmosphere, which is what you expect from the events but don’t often receive.
Learning from your Peers
On the last day, we had a Bloggers Round Table, and it was hard to choose because each table had a skill I need to improve. I got to two tables, and because I had to split my time, I got as much information as I could, and it was info overload. They were giving us exactly what we needed to do to improve.
Meeting New People
Meeting so many new people would usually have me anxious, but I was pretty peaceful the entire weekend. Usually, I’m an anxious traveler. I felt completely comfortable, and I know its due to the people and the atmosphere. I also have many new influencers to follow and grow my awareness of sustainability.
6. Personal Responsibility
You don’t know what you don’t know,
BUT,
when you learn something new, then you have a personal responsibility to act. #CommitActImpact was the theme of the OCS2 Network. The Organic Sustainable Community is a community of thirty-two sustainable leaders who work together to have a positive effect on the natural products industry and our environment.”
We are consuming our natural resources at such rapid rates without replenishing them that they will run out. We have to learn and try sustainable practices to live productively in this world. I learned so much at Shift Con Eco-Wellness, especially in Climate Control, and I have some things I need to change. They are supporting businesses like those of the OSC2 Network that are making a positive change outside their own companies and creating powerful communities to thrive on their own.
Lotus Foods part of OSC2 Network supports More Crop Per Drop Program
My family’s impact may be small, but that’s why I blog. Sharing what I’m learning on this journey to help others hopefully is a personal responsibility. As well as who I collaborate with is my personal responsibility. Considering my impact on this world and how I can do more was a significant shift and Shift Con.
5. Be a Voice
I can be somewhat ditzy sometimes, and I had a moment at Shift Con, so please don’t judge me for my ignorance. One breakout session that I didn’t mean to attend probably gave me one of the most significant “Shifts” in my perspective at 2019 Shift Con. The title was “Being a Budget Activist” I didn’t read the description, but I’m really trying lately to budget to went in completely naive and walked out inspired to make a difference.
Within minutes I realized that I had joined the wrong class. It wasn’t what I was searching for, but it’s what was needed.
Leah Segedie, Carissa Bonham, and Moderator Paige Wolf are three inspiring women and Eco-Wellness Influencers. They don’t sit back; they take action, and the three were leading the room and sharing the gifts of how to take actionable steps to create change in our legislature.
What kind of change?
An Influencer in the audience got a crosswalk sign put up in her town after her daughter was hit by a car in the same area.
Leah worked on labeling for Genetically Modified Foods in California, Oregon, and Washington. I am still working diligently in the green sustainability movement.
Carissa worked on Medical freedom in Oregon.
Paige was the catalyst for removing toxic floor cleaners and wax in Philadelphia schools have.
These women have all taken a stand to make change happen, and because of their compassion, things are better for everyone, especially our children.
Using our voices as Influencer and being an activist for what we believe was a massive shift in my thinking.
4. Quality is more than essential its critical
I have never been so comfortable around a group of people. I have been called an ingredient snob on more than one occasion; In several different ways, when it comes to my food and cleaning products. Recently, I’m turning my nose at conventional health and beauty products.
Our shelves are overstocked with chemicals that are harming us. There is little to no regulation, and the company complete disregards humane practices for the sake of mass production. The inferiority of our products should be concerning and voiced. I often get the response, “we’re all going to die from something,” but why accept if you know there is something better.
We deserve Quality
Mindset shift at Shift Con on the quality of all of my products, not just-food. I want to be more intentional about all of my products. I am pretty green in the cleaning and food but still working on my makeup and hygiene products. That would be my next Shift at Shift Con.
Working with Green Brands and Services
I have been searching for an Aluminum-free Deodorant that lasts for longer than two weeks and doesn’t make me stink. So far, I am liking Type A Deodorant. I love the application; it’s not abrasive. I like most of the scents their not overpowering. It doesn’t go on chalky, and I don’t have to reapply as often as other natural deodorants. I have tried so many in the last year but feeling satisfied with TypeA Deodorant.
I learned about companies like the Environmental Working group and products with EWG Verification. EWG is creating an education platform for consumers to know what products are clean. Unfortunately, as consumers we must be our best advocate.
3. Knowledge is Power
My shameful confession is I live in a bubble when it comes to the worldly news. Whether its local politics, state, federal, or international news, I have no idea what is happening. For the last three years I have intentionally removed all access to local and world news.
Filtered Perspective
I choose what I see in my Social Media feed. We stream television, and I don’t watch tv. So, unless I intentionally check out the news, which I don’t, I have no idea. Except for my husbands’ occasional rants of social and political injustices.
Shielded from Reality
I am shielding myself from reality, but I really need to know what is going on. Balance is a continual struggle for me and something I need to work on for all things. That is a constant shift that I am working on.
Pants from Aikacircle.com use “faithfueled” to get 20% off
2. People are listening
I started writing this blog five years ago because I love to write. I always have since I was a little girl. I wrote many “novels” in my younger years.
When I was introduced to blogging, I had lots of time on my hands. I needed a creative outlet. I started writing about Christian parenting. Then I began my weight loss journey and seeking information.
It was on my mind, so I shared it with you, and to my surprise, every month, people are reading the things I have to say. Then I became convicted to share the gospel through my journey.
Memorable Moments at Shift Con
At Shift Con, it was refreshing to have people tell me they followed me as I follow them was mind-blowing. Or meeting people that I have been following for years but never thought I would fit in real life. Like the Crunchy Mommy, I have been following for over five years since Mimi was a baby. Sharing the stage with Aaronica as an award winner was crazy! When I share, I’m usually talking out loud, and it’s good to know people are listening.
Ari Adams CEO of Shift Con, Aaronica Cole of The Crunchy Mommy Pants from Aikacircle.com use “faithfueled” to get 20% off
It’s not the first time that someone has told me they’ve read my blog. The difference since Shift Con is I am ready to own it. I work hard, and I am passionate about what I do! I am grateful it is appreciated. I am even more appreciative that people still read!
1.Chosen
First, can I have Hallelujah, Praise God and Thank you, Lord moment. Honestly, without God, I would not be at this point in my life. The opportunities that I receive are nothing but a blessing and a light on my path. I am beyond grateful but trying to remain humble. My mission and what I always set out to do in FaithFueled Mom is for His glory — not my own. I am really psyched and appreciative to receive the award and just in awe of God and His grace. It was obviously the highlight of 2019 Shift Con for me and a shift. That I can be exactly who I am and share what I believe and still be recognized by my peers is an honor. Next, I want to thank everyone who nominated and voted for me. I appreciate you.
Ephesians 1:3–6 (NIV): 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
FaithFueled
There are a lot of fitness bloggers out there, but we’re not all the same. Although, my message is to move and fitness is a method of movement. My ultimate message and the one that Shift Con made me realize I need to get out. Is to honor your temple!
Take care of what God has given us from your body inside and out, where you physically live, and how you treat this earth God gave us. There are so many facets of honoring your temple, and fitness is just one of them. I want to other wellness.
I introduced to Shift Con two years ago, another blogger friend Aida of Girlfriend with Goals, told me I needed to attend. Two years later, I did, and she was right. I’ve been to many conferences, but none that made me want to make a change and serve others more passionately than Shift Con.
Next year, Shift Con will be in Irvine, CA, on October 8-10, 2020. Inform yourself and learn more about Shift Con. Why did it begin? What is eco-wellness and see if you would like to join me.
There are so many little details I didn’t recap, but I did on my Instagram Stories Highlights as I walk you through the three Days of Shift Con. Hope to see you there so you can shift stuff in your life too. Do you ever attend bloggers conferences?
Every time I think that I have this Christian walk thing figured out God gives me another challenge to master. Not that I think that I could be perfect and walk like Jesus, but I make a conscious effort to live and abide in Christ. There are so many challenges that I face in my attempts but this one in particular keeps coming up in many different ways. It’s something that is multi-faceted but people seem to pigeon hole in one or two areas; grace.
My understanding of grace is God showing unmerited favor to us in the form of blessings. A pretty generalized idea that can be applied in many situations right? Yes, so with that interpretation I never realized how much grace God really does show us daily. There are the obvious, and there are the not-so-obvious ones that we take for granted and then there are the really big ones.
Different types of grace
1 Corinthians 15: 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
The obvious graces that I recognize and give praise to God daily for: I woke up this morning, food to eat, clothes to wear, home, healthy family, great husband. There are the ones that we take for granted but still are His grace nonetheless. These are the ones that I never praise Him for nor do I recognize as grace but I should and need to work on. The tedious tiresome task of our everyday life is God’s grace too. For me being a stay at home mom’s those are the ones that I tend to complain about the most. I am grateful for God’s grace I am able to stay at home. I am grateful that although I complain and behave ungratefully; he still shows me favor. Things like laundry, dishes, bathrooms, and kitchen floors (to name a few). These are the ones that I am still trying to master and he is challenging me with everyday.
Then there are the really big ones, those are monumental moments in my life that I can pinpoint the effect His grace had on me. It was by God’s grace that I married my husband. The house that we live in was definitely through His grace and direction. One that really stands out in my mind lately and I don’t really think I have thoroughly processed is the birth of my third daughter.
Life changing Grace
My youngest one was what would be refer to as an “accident.” We weren’t intentionally planning to conceive her and I was in complete denial that I was pregnant in the beginning. All the signs were there but I was passing them off as other things. Until, I was unbearably sick for days. So, took the test, came out positive and headed to the doctor. Went through all the general procedure and had an ultrasound to measure the baby. At the ultra sound found out that “Yay! ( a little sarcasm) not only did we accidentally conceive one child but there were two in there.” Have you ever seen the commercial where the dad passes out over learning of triplets? Imagine my husbands face just before he passed out but didn’t actually fall to the ground. I wasn’t exactly thrilled but I was ready for whatever God had given us.
We continued to live life and scheduled another ultrasound appointment 3 weeks later. Still unbelievably sick to the point I had lost 10 pounds in three weeks. Was very weak, tired and couldn’t get much accomplished. Went in with my little sister and soon to be middle daughter for the ultra-sound excited to see how my two lil ones had progressed in the 3 short weeks. At 11 weeks, I went in for the next ultrasound; Get in, lathered up, after a few swipes the ultrasound tech brow furrows, a few more swipes and she says, “I will be back I have to go talk to the doctor.” Hind sight, I should have known something was wrong but dealing with a curious 5 year old and chatting with my sister I didn’t pay attention. The doctor comes in,introduces her self and after few swipes regretfully tells me,”I am sorry but “Baby A” no longer has a heart beat.” Seriously, how do you react to something like that? You only have had 3 weeks to process that everything will be multiplied times two and just as quickly as you come to terms with that; you subtract it back down to one. I am not a very emotional person and I admittedly can be slow some time so it took me a long time to process that, honestly I still am working on it.
Ephesians 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—.
We left and I had the mommy task of answering lots of questions that I couldn’t answer myself. Got seen by my doctor the next day and she explained to me that it was probably the best thing that “Baby A” didn’t make it. It probably had some “cell abnormalities, defects, they were fraternal so that should have no effect on Baby B, blah blah blah,” doctor talk. The gist is that then I was on bed rest for 6 weeks, lots of doctors appointments to make sure that “Baby B” would be okay. Fast forward 6 months and I had a wonderful, natural delivery of a 7 lb 8 oz. healthy little girl who was perfect in every way. Her name is Milah and she is my happiest child, super intelligent and a weird and funny fact was born with four nipples. We jokingly say in remembrance of her twin but there might be some truth to that we have yet to find out. (Insert twilight zone music now). Through God’s grace he had spared her from her siblings fate and she is now our little happy survivor. Her middle name is Taryn-Grace and every day I am reminded of God’s unmerited favor of not taking both babies but sparing me one. There are days that I look at her and think, “What if there had been two?” and there are others day that I look at her and think, “What would have I done with two?”
Depths of His Grace
Just as God is infinite with His love for us, I find He is even more so with His grace. Every day at every moment we are walking, talking, breathing and basking in His grace. The birth of my daughter was death of me relying on the world, it strengthened my faith and made me the strong Christian woman I am today. That in itself if you knew the path I was on is God’s grace. Seeing this perfect little person that from the very beginning before she even came to us God showed favor. That was more than enough proof that my God is an awesome God. Every day when I sit and reflect on the grace that He shows me in the obvious, the routine and the really big ones. (Not every day but some days there are those neon light big moments) Where not only He show me faith but glimpse of the immensity of His love for me through His grace.
How has God showed you grace today? Yesterday? In a big way?
