Healthy is Spiritual

       I am not a health fanatic, but this year, I have learned more about my body than all of the other 27 years of my life. I have to say that I had alot of health issues this year, but through it all, I learned quite a few things. Not only do we need to work on the spiritual part of us, but we should always be working on the physical side as well. God put us down here for a reason, and we should be as healthy as we can to do His will.
       Well, I've been going to a health-food store in Martinsburg, and the one lady there has been super helpful. I can ask her any question, and she not only answers me but also shows me out of a book that was written by a doctor! Anyway, this lady has been through so much physically. She has fibromyalgia, asthma and various other problems. She told me she went to doctor after doctor and had test after test done. Then she was able to get this job at this health-food store. She said her last doctor knew what to do for her, and he was even telling her of these herbs and vitamins to take. He even suggested she join a gym to help with the fibromyalgia. At first, she was majorly reluctant, but in the end, she gave in because the pain was severe. Looking at her today, you'd never know she was ill or had a disease! She told me that she was on 3 inhalers, and now, she doesn't need anything of the sort. Also, she used to be in so much pain from the fibromyalgia that she couldn't get out of bed. Now, she walks and moves easily with no pain. I basically told her that I was done getting sick and that I needed to boost my immune system. I already kind of knew the minerals and vitamins that I was looking for, but she was able to help me tremendously.
       I've been taking Acai now since May, and it has helped me with my weight loss and inflammation of my joints like my fingers. I started taking silver yesterday. I've heard so much about it, and after reading about it and researching, I decided to try it. It's called Sovereign Silver, and it's an immune supportive supplement. It is completely natural and easily absorbed in the system. Not convinced yet? Well, I could feel myself getting sick again yesterday. Maybe I was just feeling some stress because of some personal things going on, but I was feeling pretty raunchy....I started taking it around 4 PM yesterday, and by 4 PM today when I took my third dose for the day, I was feeling very good. I don't feel sickly anymore! I can't believe it, but I am totally convinced. You can safely take it up to 7x a day, but you really don't need to do that unless you have a terminal disease. I have been taking it 5x a day so far because that's the dosage you would take if you are sick or feel like you are getting sick. I eventually will be taking it 3x a day until flu and cold season is over. Then I can maintain my immune system. I also bought a vitamin that's good for me and my kids. It's called Astragalus. This vitamin can be taken in capsules or liquid. I've found that liquid is always the best way to take vitamins because your body doesn't have to work as hard to break it all down. It goes right to your system. Astragalus is a helpful vitamin that fights against the flu. It is safe for your children to take as well. I bought the one that is better tasting for children. Also, I've started taking double and triple doses of Emergen-C. This, too, is also liquid and easily absorbed.
       Just because I take all of this, doesn't make me better than anyone else. It's not necessary for someone to do something just because I do it. I just know myself, and I know  that I need to be a healthier, better me so I can thoroughly enjoy the life that God has given me. So far, I have maintained my weight loss of 40, now 41 pounds as of this morning! I started counting my points again today, and I am so excited to be a healthier me for me and my family's sake. I teach my children to make better food choices even though they are young. I'm not a mean mom, not allowing them to have candy or chips. I do allow them to eat some junk food, but I've taught them to love fruit. Vegetables are just a common dislike among children, but I still feed it to them because it's good for them. I love it that my JW asks for a banana, and Charity is always asking for an apple! I don't allow them to drink soda very often. I really shouldn't allow them to drink it at all because it will do nothing but rot their teeth out and cause problems later on in life. Soda is like osteoporosis in a can....the carbonation in the soda whether regular or diet, has ingredients that eat away at your bones. I just found that out recently; so, I've decided to stick to my water and healthy teas!
       Yes, healthy is spiritual. There is no need to be overweight and out of control. I say this with my head held high because I am on my way to losing all of this weight! It makes me feel good about myself and confident that what I am doing is right. I don't write this to brag...I write this as an insight that I've recently discovered! Why keep all of this knowledge to myself???!!!! Why not share "the wealth?" I plan on helping as many people as I can because this is something that most people just don't know. I can in turn help someone like I have been helped!

Judge NOT

       Sometimes a person comes into your life who really believes it is their mission in life to try and change you as a person. I think at some point in our lives, we are all guilty in this area. The only thing is, if you never really recognize that in yourself, you are not only hurting the other person, you also are hurting yourself. I have had different people come into my life who thought it was their lot in life to try and change me. I can't sit here and be angry at them, but I can learn from the situation and move on in my life. I believe that I am not going to truly understand why they act the way they do, but if I dwell on it too long, I will be behaving the same exact way that they are behaving. I hate how the conversation may come up like, "I just wanted you to know I'm concerned...." or "I just want to get this off my chest..." or the classic, "I prayed about this, and now I'm talking to you...." This is unacceptable behavior as a Christian! It isn't our place to point out someone else's faults! Instead, we are to encourage and pray for people. It is our duty to LOVE our neighbor as ourselves. If we don't, we are sinning against our God by breaking His second greatest commandment! So, before you decide to approach someone and tell them what you think of their actions or way of life, think about yourself and how God died for you! I love the verse that talks about looking at the beam in your own eye instead of the splinter in your friend's. I think it's time we, as Christians, start to really and truly show LOVE. LOVE suffereth long and kind......I'm preaching to myself as well. LOVE forgives...LOVE does not approach people with the wrongs that they have done but places a loving arm around them and encourages them. So, don't judge...and you won't be judged.

He IS

        I have to say that I have really been through alot this year, 2009, yet as I look back, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God in Heaven Who has NEVER left my side. Recently, I heard a song on the radio, HE IS, and the words really spoke everything that I have been feeling. Yes, there were times throughout the year when I felt so low and down in the dumps; there were times when I felt as if no one really cared let alone thought of me. Those thoughts were not my thoughts...they were fiery darts of Satan himself. I know that God would not place such thoughts into my mind because God is the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
         I would be lying if I told you that I came through all of this without complaining once; if I came through all of this and didn't lay there and wonder where God was....but I would also be lying if I didn't tell you that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is good ALL of the time. "Even when it feels like there is no one holding me, be still my soul, be still and know....HE IS." I believe I can be a help to someone else on down the road who is going through similar situations.
        My daughter and I are getting over the swine flu, and as the news would have you to believe that it's deadly, it's really not as deadly as it sounds. Yes, if you have some pre-existing conditions, it could cause some complications. You will feel like dying, yes, because let's face it, the flu makes anyone feel like dying. I don't know anyone who has been sick that says, "Oh that was nothing." I can say that I wouldn't take the tamiflu offered to me, yet I gave it to my daughter who in turn is kicking it MUCH faster than her stubborn mom! :) People panic; that's for sure! We've had people who didn't even want my husband around because they thought he was carrying it! I laugh at such paranoia! I mean, it's me and Charity who are sick, not him! So, how could he give it to someone else! I think the news media feeds off of hysteria anymore...think about it...there have been all of these reports of deaths and complications from this swine flu, yet the whole story hasn't been told: people die every year from the flu, in general...and these people who have died had other health problems. So, there it is! We are fine! We've experienced this "plague" and have survived! :)
        My God is in control; He responds according to His spoken Word. Through all of this I have learned to draw closer to Him. He is my best friend because He has never failed me like many humans have failed me due to their sinful nature. He will always remain the One I go to for everything in my life. HE IS.
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HE IS

Father, let the world just fade away

Let me feel your presence in this place

Lord, I've never been so weary

How I need to know you're near me

Father, let the world just fade away

Till I'm on my knees

Till my heart can sing

He is

He was

He always will be

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me

Be still, my soul

He is

Father, let your Holy Spirit sing

Let it calm the storm inside of me

As I stand amazed

Lift my hands and say

He is

He was

He always will be

He lives

He loves

He's always with me

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me

Be still, my soul

Through every fear

And every doubt

And every tear I shed

Down every road

I'm not alone

No matter where I am

He is

He was

And He always will be

He lives

He loves

He's always with me

Even when it feels like there is no one holding me

Be still, my soul

Be still, and know

Be still, my soul

He is.

~Mark Schultz~

In Loving Memory

       I received this poem yesterday. It was written by my father-in-law in honor of his daddy who went on to Glory just a few short weeks ago. It's been a while since I've heard a poem that brought tears to my eyes every single time I heard it. I had no idea that my own husband's dad could write poetry; when I found out, it did my heart good because I am writer, a poet, an artist at heart. I thought I would post this poem for all to read. The words are powerful, the message is clear, the flow is smooth, and the meaning brings tears. Enjoy.

In Loving Memory

William Darrell Hamm, Sr. 

1930-2009

Oh hands so big and arms so strong

That swung the hammer and pushed the saw

And many a structure his skill made known

Provided on earth for us a home

Same hands have held the sacred book

And turned its pages to take a look

And built a home in glory land

Following the blessed Saviour’s Plan

Oh feet so sure, Oh legs so stout

Has followed the path the Saviour laid out

And climbed each mountain though tall and steep

Has crossed the valleys some long, some deep

So many have followed his steps so clear

And found the Saviour he loved so dear

They climbed the hills and crossed the plains

And to the cross, so glad they came

Oh arms so long and shoulders broad

Have reached around and hugged us all

And carried our burdens to throne alone

To give them to Jesus who helped us with love

Oh mind so keen and eyes so bright

That voice so gentle so strong and right

Has guided many to the Saviour’s love

And told us all of heaven above

So rest now body, so frail so weak

You housed a soul and spirit so meek

Now gone to heaven and there to stay

But someday return a dawning of day

So sleep now body beneath the sod

It won’t be long from heaven above

A Shout! A Trumpet! Will sound the call

Awake, arise to meet us all

That day to heaven take thy flight

In honor and power, in strength and might

To live forever with loved ones dear

Who trusted in Jesus, His salvation so clear

W.D. Hamm, Jr, his son

The Biggest Loser

    I thought I would give an update on my weight-loss journey. I have come a long way, but I couldn't have done it without the help of my Father, Jesus. I have struggled for years with my weight, but it became worse once I had both of my children. Then my gall-bladder slowed my whole system down. Now that it is removed, everything is recovering and starting to work properly. To date, I have lost 44 pounds. I cannot give myself the credit, for I could never have come this far without my God, my husband, my parents and my friend, Tanya. All of this support has given me the strength to continue; that and the fact that I was really sick for 10 months and knew that my way of living had to change. I still am working on this every single day of my life. I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I not only feel better about myself, I feel better, period. I am not on a diet; I have changed my way of eating, totally changed. People may make fun of me for eating veggie burgers or they may try to get me to eat things that are not good for me, but I continue to stay strong in my resolve. In the end, I am THE BIGGEST LOSER...I am strong, and I will continue to fight and I will win.

Various Thoughts on Life

       I found the song, "Go Rest High on That Mountain" a little over two years ago when Mamaw Hamm went Home to Glory. It only seemed fitting that the song was sung when Papaw went to meet her. I sit here tonight and listen to it and cry.
       I was told that Grandma Wetzl's apartment was packed up a few weeks ago, and that she even forgot who my mom was when they went to visit her not long after. My, I must say that I treasure life more now than ever as I get older. I never knew my Grandpa Wetzl as he passed away when I was only a year old. I am forever grateful that I will see him someday even though my memories of him down here are not there; I only see pictures of him holding me.
       I am missing my family something terrible today. I talked to my brother, Sam, online last night. He had just gotten back from a mission over there in Afghanistan. He's coming home on November 15, and I will be there to greet him in person...life is too precious to waste time with excuses. Grab the one next to you and hold them tight. Hold close your little one; laugh and play...it doesn't matter how old you are. You'll always have that kid in your heart somewhere. I talked to my daddy for over an hour this afternoon. He is so wise; he is constantly teaching me something new in my life and I owe so much to him. I may be rambling on and on, but sometimes my mind goes so fast that my fingers have a hard time catching up! :) Anyways, I miss my sister too; she is so easy-going and laid back. I think she'd love it if she went with me sometime further south in the mountains of WV. It'd be a new place for her, but she loves adventure. I just know that she would have something to say about all of the "rednecks" as she calls most people with cowboy boots and hats! I must say, all of us, Wetzls, haven't been in the same place together since Thanksgiving 2003! That's way too long if I do say so myself! I plan on making an extra effort to make it so we are all together this November! We are going to take pictures and make memories because life is too short to waste just saying you miss someone...you must go and be with them!
       I have to go and see my grandma too...I miss her so much, and it makes me sad that I just can't call her old number anymore.  And my Grandma Tirado is going to Puerto Rico for the winter; I can't wait to see her as well! I miss her, too, so much along with Grandpa Tirado...I miss my aunts, uncles cousins, etc. I miss the tree-lined streets of McDonald, the simpleness of the area...the slow-paced driving as compared to the fast-paced recklessness in this area...I miss jumping in the car with my dad and going to IGA for something my mom forgot to buy. I miss their dog, Jack...he is so full of character, it's almost as if he's my little brother! Seeing that the fall is my favorite season, those tree-lined streets will be beautiful! I have friends ask me why I miss Ohio...I must say it wouldn't be the same without my family there, that's for sure. It's where I grew up; it's full of memories of my childhood. I love walking to the park and sitting in the gazebo where I spent hours writing and thinking as a teen, the same gazebo where we had our wedding pictures taken. I miss walking up Pennsylvania Ave., passing the Dairy Queen and thinking of the LARGE butter-finger blizzard my brother always bought and gulped down as we walked down Ohio Ave! :) I miss my bike because it was the way that I got around town and knew every nook and cranny of our town. I miss the tennis courts where me and my sis, JoJo, attempted to play tennis many a summer afternoon or evening after work. I miss sitting near the fire-station and being scared out of my skin as the horn went off to alert the volunteer firemen! I think I miss all of the winters as well because we don't get as much snow around here! I never was aloud to drive in it when I did live in Ohio; so my brother and sister have something over on me! I just miss Mill Creek Park where we went to that giant hill, sled down it for hours and barely made it back to our cars because we were so stiff and cold!
       These are just a few of my various thoughts these last couple of days. I plan on picking up my guitar and piano again really soon. Music is apart of my life as well as my writing. I'm finding time these days to do the things I love...spending time with my children and my husband. Life is good, and I am blessed.

Legacy

       Pastor William Darrell Hamm, Sr. was born on May 24, 1930 and went home on September 6, 2009. He was a pastor for 45 years of his life, and he served our country in the Army fighting in the Korean War. On September 8, 2009, we laid him to rest at the top of a mountain right next to our Mamaw Hamm. The sun was shining as if God was smiling down, and as we reached the top, we saw a deer off to the side. It was a tear-filled memorable service not only honoring a veteran but also a great preacher of the Word. Uncle Mitch sang, "Go Rest High on That Mountain" as we cried tears of sadness and rejoicing. I lost it when I saw the Christian flag draping the coffin because that was Papaw...a true Christian in every sense of the word. Then, right beside his head was the American flag; his hands were clutching the old black Book that he preached from for years. I have to say that Papaw Darrell was one of the best Christians that I have ever met in my whole 29 years of life. He knew what the word "LOVE" meant; he also knew what it meant to live by example. I kept thinking that I am forever grateful that we named our little boy after him, Joseph WILLIAM DARRELL. Papaw left behind a legacy to not only his grandchildren but his great-grandchildren and generations to come. I am blessed to have known him and to have the memories that I do. I am thankful to be called his grand-daughter, even if it was by marriage; he treated me as if I was his own. I love you Papaw Darrell; your legacy will live on in my life and I will be sure that your great-grandchildren, Charity and JW will know about you and Mamaw. "Go rest high on that mountain until we meet again in glory..."