Inspiring Videos

These two videos have really inspired and encouraged me lately. Both are by two super talented artists who obviously have huge hearts for God. Enjoy!

"TheGoodNews" by Propaganda

P4CM Official Poet Janette

"I will wait for you"

Hydrotherapy & Aromatherapy

This past week I officially started at Northwest Noetic School of Massage! It started off a little boring as there was a lot a basic hygiene and school procedures we needed to go over, but we also had our first weekend class and it did not disappoint!

All day Saturday was devoted to lecture. It was fascinating to learn the history of both these fascinating forms of therapy!

Image found here.

Hydrotherapy is simply defined as the 'therapeutic use of water' and for thousands of years different cultures have been using this method for healing since ancient Greek and Roman times to Native American sweat lodges. We learned techniques from using hot and cold compresses to hot stone treatments to ice massages to saunas. It's amazing how extensive this topic is and I feel like we barely touched the surface!

Image found here.

Aromatherapy is the art and science of using essential oils for the purpose of detoxifying, rejuvenating, and enhancing/amplifying the body systems; with the intention of creating change. Now this was a topic I was a little more hesitant about and not very interested in, but I found it fascinating in the end nonetheless! Our teacher had degrees in natural medicine and had established her very own apothecary so she was clearly passionate about the topic! She got a little technical with some of the botanical and distillation details, but I love that I now know how to make my own massage oil!

All day Sunday we were given the chance to put into practice what we had learned the day before so we spent 8 hours giving each other spa treatments. It was a great weekend and I learned so much!

This is a steam cabinet we used. Basically it's a portable sauna and you can see the steam coming up from the opening at the neck! So cool.

Happy Birthday, Grant!

Today is my little brother Grant's [a.k.a. Granite, Grantie Poo, Bamper-head] Birthday! Though he turned 22 today, in my mind I still tend to think of him at this age . . .

. . . and he still loves fishing! Though he's obviously grown up quite a lot he still has the softest heart of anyone I know. He's extremely intelligent and hard-working and I'm so proud of him and the man he's become!

Happy Birthday, Grant!!!

Nostalgic Memories & New Beginnings

I can't believe it's been over six months since I left Africa! I'm always amazed at how quickly time moves and lately I've been reminiscing about these past few years and how life has changed so drastically.

This time last year, I was traveling to Zambia with the DTS. I spent 24hrs on a crowded bus with my friend Keri and saw Victoria Falls! Life looked so different just a year ago than it does now. In a few days I start Massage Therapy School and while I couldn't be more excited, I can't help missing the beauty and excitement of Africa. I can't help missing my friends, my dog, and my favorite coffee shop.

So here's to the next chapter of life [which after six months I feel is finally starting!]. Here's to nostalgic memories and new beginnings. I'm so ready.

Craft Fun

Last Friday was my mom's birthday and I wanted to give her something unexpected and special. While surfing Esty.com looking for that perfect gift I saw something fun and thought 'I can do that!'.

I had so much fun working on this and stretching my creative boundaries and I think it turned out pretty awesome!

My Spasms

For the last few years, I've experienced what I thought were panic attacks. They had all the classic symptoms of a panic attack. Pressure in my chest, shortness of breath, etc. It always kind of bothered me as I'm not a particularly anxious person, but I really didn't think there was any other explanation.

Well, yesterday I went to the doctor for a completely unrelated matter and casually mentioned my 'panic attacks'. The doctor was interested and asked me to describe them. So I told her how painful they were and how it felt like my ribs were being squeezed together in a vise and how whenever they hit me I would be curled on the floor in pain for at least a half an hour. She then calmly told me that, no, those weren't panic attacks, they are what is called 'Esophageal Spasms'. Which is exactly what it sounds like- when your esophagus seizes up.

Now there really isn't a lot they can do about these spasms, but that's okay cause I walked out of that office with this huge weight off of my shoulders. It changes my view of myself and how I handle life and I really wish I'd asked a doctor 4 years ago rather than self-diagnosing!

Cooking Light

Tuesday is my day to cook in the Deniston household and I love the opportunity to try new recipes and experiment. One book I've discovered that I love is The Best of Cooking Light. I've loved every recipe I've used and have a list going of the ones I still want to try.

[Warm Apple Buttermilk Custard Pie. Sooo good!]


[Smoked Gouda Macaroni]