On Friday, August 16th I had a yard accident.
It was just two days before I was heading up to Silver Lake Youth Camp to lead worship and session for the week. Lance and I had already crafted the drama and recruited our acting team to spark conversation and session content. Plans were in place. I just wanted to leave our home in good order before I left.
I was out in the yard trimming the bushes on our property. A tall branch had sprung up higher than the round bush I was focused on. It kept bending when I tried to cut it with the power trimmer. I decided to hold the branch steady and try to trim it with one hand on the trimmer controls. The blade bounced off the branch and hit my index and middle finger on my left hand. The cut was jagged and deep. I knew I was in trouble.
I squeezed my hand shut tightly to put pressure on the wound and took the trimmer with me into the house. I ran my fingers under the water to try to wash away the blood to see the wound, but it was impossible to get a look at the cut. I reached for geranium oil, which I keep by the stove for accidents. I knew it could help get the bleeding under control. I started applying the roller to the wound while rinsing away the blood. Within a minute, the bleeding was under control and I could clearly see the cut. It was going to need stitches.
Now that the bleeding had stopped, I applied a regular bandage to both fingers. I felt the adrenaline coursing through my body as I tried to figure out what help I needed. I communicated what happened to my guys and they responded quickly with clarifying questions and sympathy. They fueled my courage to keep taking the next step. I drove to the urgent care clinic but forgot to bring food and water for the long wait.
Because the bleeding was under control, I waited five hours for stitches. An x-ray confirmed that there was no damage to the bone. During the wait, I started to feel cold, thirsty and hungry. Shock was slow to hit because blood loss was minimal. Lance arrived and found a nurse to provide a warm blanket and water. I started feeling better with some attention to basics. The doctor gave me three stitches in one finger and two in the next to help the cut to heal quickly.
I used a roller with Helichrysum, Lavender and Frankincense with Coconut oil on the wound each time I changed the bandage. Rose ointment created a great barrier to keep the cut clean and promoted faster healing. By day three, I had the bandage off whenever I wasn't actively playing piano or using my hand. The roller and ointment moved the healing along quickly. I had the first stitch removed by the camp nurse on day eight and the rest out on day nine before heading home to Hamilton.
I am convinced that geranium essential oil should be a staple in everyone's kitchen and first aid kit.
My hand is almost fully healed. The skin is thick with scar tissue where it knit back together but there was no nerve or muscle damage. The body's ability to heal is amazing - and I love having the right tools 'on hand' to support it.
Finding ways to adapt favourite recipes to avoid inflammatory foods or sensitivities can be tricky. But here is a family-approved version that we all enjoy together without making two different pancake batters.
2 Flax Eggs - (2 tbsp flax meal with 6 tbsp of water - let it sit while mixing up other ingredients)
2.5 cups Buttermilk (use any non-dairy milk and add 2 tsps of Lemon Juice to make it into Buttermilk
2 tbsp Melted Butter or Coconut Oil
1 tbsp molasses or honey
1.5 cups Buckwheat Flour
1/2 cup Millet Flour
3/4 tsp Baking Soda (corn-free)
3/4 tsp Sea Salt
Butter or Coconut oil for cooking
1. In a large bowl, whisk together flax eggs, buttermilk, melted butter/ oil, and molasses.
2. in a separate bowl stir together buckwheat flour, millet flour, baking soda, and salt.
3. Sprinkle over the buttermilk mixture and stir just enough to moisten.
4. In a skillet, melt just enough butter/ oil over medium heat to coat the surface of the pan. Cook batter - 1/4 cup for each pancake for 1.5-2 minutes or until bubbles on top break but do not fill in. Turn pancakes and cook for 30-60 seconds or until they are golden brown.
Makes 16-20 Pancakes.
For crepes, thin out the pancake batter to desired consistency with water.
Try adding frozen or fresh blueberries, diced strawberries or chocolate chips to the batter for different flavour options.
Enjoy with real maple syrup or top with fruit.
Here are some family favourite recipes that avoid these sensitivities:
In a recent blog post, the author discusses their journey with autoimmune issues and the shifts in thinking that have occurred along the way. They share their personal story, emphasizing the importance of supplements, cleansing, and identifying food sensitivities. The author also highlights the need to listen to our bodies and seek guidance from different types of doctors.
In another blog post, the author focuses on the impact of inflammatory foods on autoimmune conditions. They delve into the subject of reducing toxins and explain why it matters for our overall health. The author expresses admiration for Young Living's high standards and references the Environmental Working Group as a valuable resource for reading labels and making informed choices.
Yay! This is a special day.
I heard from my publisher that my book is live in their bookstore. They are drafting a press release to share the book with other sellers including Amazon, but when you buy directly from my publisher's website, my royalties are higher since we don't have to pay the middleman.
I've been working on this for over five years and have written the book at least three times. I almost feel shy as it finally lands out there in the world and out of my hands.
My prayer is that my journey to grow, heal from trauma and find Mr. Wright can inspire and encourage others with laughter, hope, insight and the power of redemptive grace!
Here is a sneak peek at one of the interior photos!
It was a great adventure in Thailand, but I also love to come home!
Lance picked me up at my Mom's in Brantford after a great night's sleep. We went directly to the dental office to have his sore mouth looked at for infection after his gum graft surgery last week. The roof of his mouth was too sore to talk or eat. The dentist assured us that all looked healthy but the roof of the mouth had the first healing layer of skin sloughed off to make it an open wound. No wonder he was experiencing so much pain.
We got home to James on the couch having not eaten for three days because of a stomach bug.
Lance thought he had the stomach bug because he felt queasy, but I removed the prescription Advil since it creates stomach irritation and switched him to Agilease and Tylenol. I used some copaiba and rollers along the jaw and on his abdomen to ease symptoms. He hasn't been getting enough water and food since it hurts to put anything in his mouth. I worked at increasing his intake and easing symptoms.
I didn't even feel the jet lag as I started taking charge of caring for my guys and our household. I made nourishing smoothies and soup for both. And James managed to keep down an egg and toast by evening.
I ran through all the laundry and dishes, unpacked my things, and put them away. Cleaned surfaces in the kitchen with my Thieves cleaner. Got my diffuser running with Peppermint and PanAway to ease stomach queasiness and muscle aches. Walked the dog and fed him after a good cuddle. Then I saw my plants were all crying for attention. Hopefully, I can save them. 
Andrew got home from school and I loved hearing about his weekend away with Young Life and about how he managed his round of the stomach flu the week before. He was helping James think through things to take to ease the irritation. Honey to settle the irritated stomach, flu tubes to fight the virus, rollers to apply oregano in our raindrop roller to the spine and Digize on the abdomen. They were doing a lot of the right things. But I was glad to be home to troubleshoot with them.
I was concerned about dehydration for James since he had been losing water at both ends. I added electrolytes into his water with our Vitalyte drops. He was feeling stable by bedtime after we enjoyed a family movie night.
If my guys wanted to make me feel needed, they succeeded. I'm glad to be here to care for my family. That is ministry, too!
