September 2017:
Today, my thoughts have been full of my oldest son launched to university residence. The night before we drove him to his new home for this school year I went into his room late at night to pray for him. There were piles all around the room in some mysterious order readying for suitcase and duffle bag. But all week, J. had been recovering from camp fatigue and didn't want to think ahead to this new step.
But there was no dodging it at this late hour.
So, I stood behind his computer chair and offered to pray for him. He visibly relaxed as my hands found the knots that were so often there on his neck and shoulders. So, I massaged and poured out a prayer for both of us. When I felt free of my thoughts, I reached back into my memory for a song I had written 18 years ago - a song just for J. - for his dedication service at church. I had often sung the first verse after bedtime prayers but hadn't sung it for a long time... but today was time for verse two and three.
1. The first time you opened your eyes to the light
The glow seemed to come from inside
The freshness of heaven hung round you
And that day a new song took flight.
CHORUS:
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na
We were given a gift on that day
We dedicate the care of your heart
To the safety of God's hands today.
2. Each day is a wonder filled blessing to me
To watch you grow and I pray
You'll find your own song someday
When you see yourself held in God's eyes.
CHORUS
3. You'll always have a home in our hearts
But may you find yourself lost in God's plan
Caught up in a vision far greater
Than your imagination could plan.
CHORUS
We dedicate the care of your heart
To the safety of God's hands today.
Trusting God's goodness before you opening the way ahead, behind you to soothe any hardships, and in you to pour beauty, patience, gentleness and care into your relating. And trusting God with us to continue to meet needs and be our peace and confidence.
xo
September, 2017
Today children, teens and young adults head into school, teachers take a deep breath and begin anew, and parents welcome routines in an act of trust.
Fall rhythms call for some physical and emotional support.
Before Nate left the house this morning, he rolled the tension roller on his neck muscles. He'd been up late at the Ti-Cat game so he rolled on EnRgee for adrenal support.
I packed the Stress Away, Valor, and EnRgee personal inhalers for James and sent him with a tension roller for headaches and muscle tightness.
Here's a few blends you might like for support today. Great places to apply are at the back of the neck on the brain stem, over heart, behind ears, along spine and bottom of big toes.
ADULT TENSION ROLLER:
10-15 drops Copaiba
10-15 drops of PanAway
10-15 drops of Peppermint
Add oils to 10 ml roller bottle. Top with carrier oil.
These next blends have ratios that are great for kids ages 6-12. Adjust the number of drops up or down depending on age (adults can make up a roller with 2-3 times the amount of oil).
PEACE ROLLER BOTTLE
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Frankincense
2 Lemon
Add oils to 10 ml roller bottle. Top with carrier oil.
BRAVERY ROLLER BOTTLE
4 drops Vetiver
4 drops Valor
2 drops Frankincense
Add oils to 10mL roller bottle. Top with carrier oil.
All we need is twenty seconds of brave to open new opportunities and friendships. Let's oil up, breathe deeply and dive in for just twenty seconds for new beginnings!.
DIY - Supportive CHEST RUB
A vapour rub that is child friendly is great to have in the fall wellness kit just in case a chest cold comes along. This year we'll be ready thanks to this recipe from my colleague, Krista! Because this is a coconut oil base, it will melt in the heat and turns solid in cooler temperatures.
...
+ 2 tbsp regular coconut oil
+ 5 drops each of Frankincense & Lemon
+ 4 drops Thieves + 2 drops each of Lavender & Eucalyptus (or R.C.)
Mix everything together and apply to the chest as needed. This recipe is intended for children ages 2 and up. For younger children, omit the Eucalyptus (RC) and begin by applying to their upper back rather than the chest.
Make up a batch to leave in your fridge 'just in case'. And then get the diffuser going with any combination of these oils and of course our favourite immune care oil blend of Thieves
September, 2017
This is the week of soccer tournaments for two of my guys. They come home with sore, tired muscles - blisters on their feet and bruises from a fall or physical contact. We have a few tools we pull out when the day is done and they are ready for some TLC.
Dad coaches and refines their skills and Mom takes care of the damage from the field. Teamwork. :)
Bath Salts:
Magnesium in epsom salts is great for nourishing tired overworked muscles. They are the perfect base for the soaking power of muscle loving essential oils. Because oil and water don't mix, the salts help keep the oils from floating on top of the water and contacting skin without being properly diluted. A safe way to soak!
Andrew's favourite mix is Stress Away (5 drops to half cup of salts).
Lavender Mint can be cooling and support respiratory system (2 drops Peppermint, 8 drops Lavender in 1/2 cup salts).
Happy Muscles Bath Salts (5 drops Copaiba, 3 drops PanAway, 1/2 cup salts).
Muscle Rub:
1/2 cup shea butter
1/4 coconut oil
10 Drops of copaiba, wintergreen, marjoram
5 drops helichrysum
Works well in a wide mouth mason jar. Just scoop out a bit, rub hands together and then rub it into sore joints or muscles
Or with your Starter Kit Oils you can use this version for a muscle rub:
8 drops PanAway EO
5 drops Peppermint EO
5 drops Copaiba EO
1/2 cup Virgin Coconut Oil (creamy kind)
Works well in a wide mouth mason jar. Just scoop out a bit, rub hands together and then rub it into sore joints or muscles.
Cuts and blisters get my First Aid Cream:
1 tbsp. Calendula lotion (look for one in olive oil or other healthy carrier - not pertroleum)
6 drops helichrysum or frankincense
6 drops lavender oil
Mix in a small container to apply to open wounds or burns.
To calm an overworked, exhausted body, we love a shoulder rub with our muscle rub or Deep Relief (a YL blend that comes pre-mixed in a carrier oil - I just add a roller top and it's ready to go for adults). This is the perfect way to help my guys wind down ready to sleep and heal to be ready for tomorrow's adventures.
I love that my guys are active! And I love that I have effective ways of helping them heal after the game is over. A win no matter what the score. :)
When the sniffles start, we have a few favourite oils to pull out!
Today, we're diffusing and rolling our seasonal blend - Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint/ Purification.
Seasonal Roller
For a 10 ml Roller:
10 drops Lavender
10 drops Tea Tree
10 drops Peppermint
10 drops Lemon
Top with a carrier oil and roll on throat, chest or under the nose to keep the scent coming. If the smell isn't helpful, roll it on the low back. If this isn't a strong enough dose to get results, the drops may be doubled for an adult strength roller.
And for the little ones: Because Peppermint is not recommended for children under 2 yrs of age, it can be substituted with Purification.
Sniffle Stick (suitable for wee ones):
+ 4 drops Lavender
+ 4 drops Lemon
+ 4 drops Purification
Add to 10 ml roller bottle and top with carrier oil.
To assist the whole room of sufferers, add 2 drops each of Lavender, Peppermint/Purification, and Lemon to the water in your diffuser.
When I need extra support, I use the dietary oils - Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint - one drop each in a large glass or stainless steel water bottle for sipping at throughout the day.
Life is better with essential oils!!
