PRAYERS FOR MY S-I-L and little "sis"

Hey, everyone.  My sister-in-law, Laura...Dustin's wife, is pregnant at somewhere around 18 weeks.  She has had a bad case of the flu and they are assuming it is H1N1.  I don't know if they've run a test or are planning to, but this is the word I've got...most likely H1N1.  Because it is super dangerous for pregnant women to have it, as it depletes the immune system and usually causes them to get other things like pneumonia, they are pretreating her for pneumonia.  The pneumonia is what is super dangerous and life-threatening once the system is depressed and the pneumonia attacks.  SO, it is a very dangerous situation and we are asking for prayers that she regain her health quickly and that she and the baby are both alright despite the medications, fevers, etc.

Now, my sister's best friend, Bri, who has always been my other little sis, has had a very tough start to her week.  Sunday night, her aunt unexpectedly passed away.  If you've been a follower of my blog since it started, this might sound familiar.  About 2-2.5 years ago, her uncle died very suddenly.  They have both been linked to a seizure disorder.  It came about very unexpectedly both times and has been so difficult for them all.  They were the 2 youngest children in the family...though they were adults.  She has 3, teenaged children that she has left behind.  Please pray for the entire family as they deal with another sudden loss and for those kids as they go through possibly the toughest stage of life while dealing with this loss.

Thanks guys.  I'm praying for both of you, if you read this.

On a different note, Mark's painting opportunities in KC have come to an end.  He is coming home today.  We'll see what tomorrow holds......

A brief silence

I'm going to have no internet connection until Monday or so...unless I check my email at mom's or something.  SO, if you need to get ahold of me, just give me a ring.  I WILL have phone service.  I'm getting really excited as I see this new company in action.  I'm seeing people above me make money and I'm getting PUMPED!  I would be so happy if I only cycled once and got 1 $10,000 check.  More than that would just be gravy! 

Anyway, "see" y'all next week.  Peace out for now...

TVI REVIEW

Here is a link to the citizen corp review about TVI...giving them a 5-star rating.  They review thousands of home-based businesses and found TVI worthy of 5 stars!

http://citizencorps.com/tvi-express-travel-ventures-international

AMAZING opportunity that is PERFECT for YOU

Hey, everyone!  I am super excited and I want to share it ASAP with each of you.  I have signed onboard with a company that is flying into the next decade with excitement, speed, and TRAVEL!  I'm talking about TVI.  It is the new venture that I mentioned in my post a few back.  It is all about travel...the trillion dollar industry that let's us see the WORLD!  I am so excited because of the benefits of TVI and the fact that you put a little in to start and you get a whole lot out of it as a reward.  What is the "work" involved?  Talking to friends and travelling.  Seriously.  I'm not selling a product.  I'm not talking to strangers.  I'm not calling random people.  I'm talking to YOU, my friends and family, and the only thing I'm selling is FREE TRAVEL and money in exchange for you talking to your friends and families. 

I have an awesome video that I'll link to here so that you can see the information for yourself.  It is simply a $300 investment to start with the company and, in return, you get a free week of travel to anywhere you want to go.  It is SO worth the $300, as you're getting so much more than that in return!

What is the company paying for?  Word-of-mouth advertising.  They want me to promote the business to you, you to promote the business to your cousin, and your cousin to promote the business to her aunt.  If that chain continues on and on, they grow and the money that they would have used on advertising goes into the pocket of their word-of-mouthers! 

I'm sure you're thinking exactly what I thought: "Where's the catch?"  Seriously...there isn't one.  You all know me and you know that I'm a straight-shooting, Christian woman.  I wanted to fully check it out before I proposed the idea to ANYONE.  There is a company that evaluates home-based businesses.  They call this one a scam, this one not-workable, this one possible with hard work, etc.  You and I both know that there are THOUSANDS of home-based businesses out there...specifically internet-based.  Here's what is encouraging to me.  TVI was given a FIVE STAR rating by this company.  It is one of only TWO...that's right TWO five-star ratings that they have EVER given and this company earned one.  Not because they get your money and leave you hanging.  Not because they get you all amped and in the program and then let you drift aimlessly.  Not because it is a get-rich-quick scheme (though you can and most likely WILL make money very quickly).  They earned the rating because it is a business model that makes sense both for me, the promoter, and the company itself.  I'm not joking, people, they have given away YACHTS for incentives for the highly motivated. When you reach a certain point, you pick a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi and those goals are NOT sky-high and impossible.  They  are very, VERY possible.

OK...I'm getting waaaaaaay ahead of myself.   Here's what I'd like you to do if you're even the tiniest bit interested.  Go to this link: www.meetplanb.com/eng/ltv and watch the video.  It is 13 or so minutes long, but it might be the most important 13 minutes of your year.  If your interest is peaked, I would suggest watching it again...or at least the business model part, as it can be confusing on first glance.  I fully grasp the concept now, but it took 2 times watching and one personal explanation because I'm not business-minded.  THEN, if you're interested in learning more and/or signing up, shoot me and email or give me a call.  If you don't know my email/phone number, shoot me a message and I'll get it to you.  What I would ask, though, is that you talk to me before filling out any forms on this site.  I want you to make sure that you KNOW what is going on.  That you KNOW what you're signing up for.  Also, I need you to talk to me first so that you're put on my team when we do get you signed up.  Other than that, it's just a matter of talking to people and then watching your checks start coming in!

So, watch the vid and then I'll be waiting to hear from you!

Because CHRISTMAS is just around the corner...

[EDIT] The owners over at A New Creation have sent me a promo code especially for YOU guys to get a 20% off discount when you order from them.  When you go to check out, put HOLIDAY20 as the discount code and you'll automatically get 20% off your order.  They also have some exciting options this year including photo cards (w/ envelope), front and back flat cards (w/ envelope), and postcards.  They will design anything you can dream up and are happy to help you come up with a design to fit your needs!  Don't forget about their full-service option that I explain at the end of this post!  It doesn't get any better than that!  :)  Oh, and don't forget to comment that I sent you!  They love to know where their business is coming from!

I just wanted to send a little reminder to everyone of an awesome, Christian-owned card company for Christmas cards, invitations, birth announcements, etc.  They are a fully customizable company and love to do customized orders.  I am not compensated for my advertising in any way, I just believe in the awesome products produced by A New Creation. In case the linky doesn't work, it is http://www.makemeanewcreation.com/. They did my Christmas Cards last year. They also made the most gorgeous wedding invites, save the dates, reply cards, maps (x2), and envelopes for my sister's wedding. They were fabulous and 100% custom between the designers and my sister. Think it cost a fortune??? Think again! They were cheaper than any other that my sister found and definitely the most user-friendly, pro-customer satisfaction company that she could find. I would HIGHLY recommend you to take a look for your holiday cards this year. They also do wedding, as I mentioned, baby announcements, graduation, party, and anything else you could need in the photo greeting or regular 'ol invitation/announcement department. Ordering off of the internet is a scary business these days, but this is one product and company that I know will provide you with 100% satisfaction!

I just wanted to say, again, that I am not affiliated with them and do not get money for this post. I simply want to help them grow, and grow, and grow!

Oh, I forgot to mention their full-service option. You send them the address list and they address, return-address, stuff the envelopes, lick the envelopes, stamp the envelopes, and mail them for you! All for a very reasonable *small* fee.

So, go check them out and tell them that Devon sent you!  :)

New Venture

Hello, all.  For those of you that have FB, you've probably seen my somewhat cryptic posts and I'm here to tell you that this will be more of the same...sorta.  I am starting a new business venture that looks to be a great opportunity for just about ANYONE.  I just don't want to start recruiting others until I know how legit it is and how profitable it is, you know?  Also, I'm still learning the ins and outs of what my role will be as it is, so it would be sort of the blind leading the blind.  SO, be looking for updates on the exciting opportunity as I have more info to share.  Thanks for your support!
~Devon

8 Years

8 years ago today was when I met the love of my life.  We met over lunch after church one Sunday.  Unbeknownst to me at the time, our brothers (who were good friends) had been scheming introducing us to each other.  We hit it off right away, he called me the next night, and the rest...as they say...is history!  I didn't get a post done about our anniversary, which was last Monday (the 26th).  We've been married just over 7 years now.  Life.....is beautiful.

SWEET Poison!

SWEET POISON! A MUST READ!


This is an email that I received that I've heard much about...that is TRUE and has been studied by many organizations.  I will be having Mark read it carefully, as he drinks crazy amounts of Diet Coke.  We've read similar things before and he's tried to stop, but after reading this, I feel that it is IMPERATIVE that he quit!  I had a conversation 2-3 days ago with a friend of mine *ahem* about her diet drinks.  Hopefully this will help you all to see that, #1, it has been proven that it is POISON and #2, it has been proven that diet drinks actually can make you GAIN WEIGHT!  The OPPOSITE of what you want!  I'm allergic to the stuff, so I don't have to worry about it myself, but I DO worry for the people that I love!  Perhaps I'm just sensitive to the POISONS and not actually allergic???  Please read!
FROM AN EMAIL:  In October 2001, my sister started getting very sick. She had stomach spasms and she was having a hard time getting around. Walking was a major chore...It took everything she had just to get out of bed; she was in so much pain.

By March 2002, she had undergone several tissue and muscle biopsies and was on 24 various prescription medications. The doctors could not determine what was wrong with her. She was in so much pain, and so sick she just knew she was dying.

She put her house, bank accounts, life insurance, etc...in her oldest daughter's name, and made sure that her younger children were to be taken care of.

She also wanted a last hoorah, so she planned a trip to Florida (basically in a wheelchair) for March 22nd.

On March 19, I called her to ask how her most recent tests went, and she said they didn't find anything on the test, but they believe she had MS.

I recalled an article a friend of mine e-mailed to me and I asked my sister if she drank diet soda? She told me that she did. As a matter of fact, she was getting ready to crack one open at that moment.

I told her not to open it, and to stop drinking the diet soda! I e-mailed her the article my friend, a lawyer, had sent. My sister called me within 32 hours after our phone conversation and told me she had stopped drinking the diet soda AND she could now walk!  The muscle spasms went away. She said she didn't feel 100% but, she sure felt a lot better. She told me she was going to her doctor with this article and would call me when she got home.

Well, she called me, and said her doctor was amazed! He is going to call all of his MS patients to find out if they consumed artificial sweeteners of any kind. In a nutshell, she was being poisoned by the Aspartame in the diet soda...and literally dying a slow and miserable death.

When she got to Florida March 22, all she had to take was one pill, and that was a pill for the Aspartame poisoning! She is well on her way to a complete recovery. And she is walking! No wheelchair! The article saved her life.

If it says 'SUGAR FREE' on the label; DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! I have spent several days lecturing at the WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE on 'ASPARTAME,' marketed as 'Nutra Sweet,' 'Equal,' and 'Spoonful.'

In the keynote address by the EPA, it was announced that in the United States, in 2001, there was an epidemic of multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus. It was difficult to determine exactly what toxin was causing this to be rampant.

I stood up and said that I was there to lecture on exactly that subject. I will explain why Aspartame is so dangerous:

When the temperature of this sweetener exceeds 86 degrees F, the wood alcohol in ASPARTAME converts to formaldehyde and then to formic acid, which in turn causes metabolic acidosis... Formic acid is the poison found in the sting of fire ants. The methanol toxicity mimics, among other conditions, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus.

Many people were being diagnosed in error. Although multiple sclerosis is not a death sentence, Methanol toxicity is!

Systemic lupus has become almost as rampant as multiple sclerosis, especially with Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi drinkers.

The victim usually does not know that the Aspartame is the culprit. He or she continues its use - irritating the lupus to such a degree that it may become a life-threatening condition. We have seen patients with systemic lupus become asymptotic, once taken off diet sodas.

In cases of those diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, most of the symptoms disappear. We've seen many cases where vision loss returned and hearing loss improved markedly.  This also applies to cases of tinnitus and fibromyalgia.

During a lecture, I said, 'If you are using ASPARTAME (Nutra Sweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc.) and you suffer from fibromyalgia symptoms, spasms, shooting pains, numbness in your legs, cramps, vertigo, dizziness, headaches, tinnitis, joint pain, unexplainable depression, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, blurred vision, or memory loss you probably have ASPARTAME poisoning!'  People were jumping up during the lecture saying, 'I have some of these symptoms.  Is it reversible?' Yes! Yes! Yes! STOP drinking diet sodas and be on the alert for Aspartame on food labels!

Many products are fortified with it! This is a serious problem. Dr. Espart (one of my speakers) remarked that so many people seem to be symptomatic for MS and during his recent visit to a hospice, a nurse stated that six of her friends, who were heavy Diet Coke addicts, had all been diagnosed with MS. This is beyond coincidence!

Diet soda is NOT a diet product! It is a chemically altered, multiple SODIUM (salt) and ASPARTAME containing product that actually makes you crave carbohydrates.   It is far more likely to make you GAIN weight!  These products also contain formaldehyde, which stores in the fat cells, particularly in the hips and thighs.  Formaldehyde is an absolute toxin and is used primarily to preserve 'tissue specimens.' Many products we use every day contain this chemical but we SHOULD NOT store it in our body!

Dr. H. J. Roberts stated in his lectures that once free of the 'diet products' and with no significant increase in exercise, his patients lost an average of 19 pounds over a trial period.

Aspartame is especially dangerous for diabetics.

We found that some physicians, who believed that they had a patient with retinopathy, in fact, had symptoms caused by Aspartame. The Aspartame drives the blood sugar out of control.Thus diabetics may suffer acute memory loss due to the fact that aspartic acid and phenylalanine are NEUROTOXIC when taken without the other amino acids necessary for a good balance.

Treating diabetes is all about BALANCE. Especially with diabetics, the Aspartame passes the blood/brain barrier and it then deteriorates the neurons of the brain; causing various levels of brain damage, seizures, depression, manic depression, panic attacks, uncontrollable anger and rage.

Consumption of Aspartame causes these same symptoms in non-diabetics as well. Documentation and observation also reveal that thousands of children diagnosed with ADD and ADHD have had complete turnarounds in their behavior when these chemicals have been removed from their diet. So called 'behavior modification prescription drugs' (Ritalin and others) are no longer needed. Truth be told, they were never NEEDED in the first place! Most of these children were being 'poisoned' on a daily basis with the very foods that were 'better for them than sugar'.

It is also suspected that the Aspartame in thousands of pallets of diet Coke and diet Pepsi consumed by men and women fighting in the Gulf War, may be partially to blame for the well known Gulf War Syndrome.  Dr. Roberts warns that it can cause birth defects, i.e., mental retardation, if taken at the time of conception and during early pregnancy. Children are especially at risk for neurological disorders and should NEVER be given artificial sweeteners.

There are many different case histories to relate of children suffering grand mal seizures and other neurological disturbances talking about a plague of neurological diseases directly caused by the use of this deadly poison.'

Herein lies the problem:
There were Congressional Hearings, in the USA, when Aspartame was included in 100 different products and strong objection was made concerning its use. Since this initial hearing, there have been two subsequent hearings, and still nothing has been done. The drug and chemical lobbies have very deep pockets.

Sadly, MONSANTO'S patent on Aspartame has EXPIRED! There are now over 5,000 products on the market that contain this deadly chemical and there will be thousands more introduced. Everybody wants a 'piece of the Aspartame pie.' I assure you that MONSANTO, the creator of Aspartame, knows how deadly it is. Isn't it ironic that MONSANTO funds, among others, the American Diabetes Association, the American Dietetic Association and the Conference of the American College of Physicians?

This has been exposed in the New York Times. These organizations cannot criticize any additives or convey their link to MONSANTO because they take money from the food industry and are required to endorse their products.

American Senator Howard Metzenbaum wrote and presented a bill that would require label warnings on products containing Aspartame, especially regarding pregnant women, children and infants.

The bill would also institute independent studies on the known dangers and the problems existing in the general population regarding seizures, changes in brain chemistry, neurological changes and behavioral symptoms.

The bill was killed.

It is known that the powerful drug and chemical lobbies are responsible for this, letting loose the hounds of disease and death on an unsuspecting and uninformed public. Well, you're informed now!

an update of the mundane

Nothing new or interesting here.  We're just doing our thing...day by day.  We've done over 2 months of Mark working in KC now.  We're making it, but it's been rough some days and not-so-bad some other days.  The kids are good, though Conrey has had a nasty cold.  We've got a sassy 3-year-old and a stubborn 17-month-old.  Those of you who have older kids probably experienced the fact that the "terrible 2's" actually start between 15 and 18 months.  That is certainly the case here.  The cold has just tripled that.  Also, you probably know that the terrible 2's turn into the "Trying 3's."  We're definitely in both of those stages.

We have continually been amazed, in awe, and inadequately thankful for the many ways that God has blessed us.  We have learned a huge lesson lately.  We have learned that God will bless us in whatever ways He chooses.  We have learned to not limit His vehicles.  We have learned that blessings come in all shapes, sizes, and packagings.  God will provide always and He has and will continue to do so.

One thing that I will share.  We had a tough decision to make.  That stinkin' mortgage needed to get paid and the money was not in our account.  However, we DID have money sitting in a nice little IRA that Mark started when he was 20.  Pretty impressive for a 20-year-old to start an IRA and to have built up as much as he did in that time.  He was proud of himself, as well, for storing away for his (now our) future.  Well, we have had to withdraw from that account 2 separate times now.  It was a tough decision because you know that you're stealing from your future in order to take care of the present.  However, we spun our view of the whole situation and are much more content with how we now understand it.  First of all, the Bible says don't store your stuff up in barns to keep for the years to come because God takes care of the little birds each and every day and doesn't let them go hungry.  Therefore, how much more will He be mindful of ME to take care of ME!  Secondly, we have looked at the fact that the money is there differently.  Mark started his IRA way earlier than most people.  As a result, 10 years later when we were hurting for finances, that money was there waiting for us...right when we needed it!  What a blessing that we had that money available rather than turning to debt to get us through.  Hallelujah for God's wisdom and provisions!  Ten years ago, Mark would have never dreamed of touching that money until retirement, but God set it aside for us for such a time as this.  We still have a sizeable amount in the account and we pray that we don't have to drain it before Mark gets another job, but we know that God will show us His will and will provide for us both in the present and in the future.

We've filled out a bazillion applications and we're just waiting to fill out the right one that God has planned for us.  We've been so blessed by the friends and family that have taken care of us emotionally and physically as we've been in this holding pattern.  I recently told someone (I'm not sure if I blogged this or not), that I know full well that God has a great plan for us and we just need to wait patiently...I just wish that I had the Cliff's Notes to that plan.  :)

Oh, before I forget.  I have a funny Conrey story for you.  My sister's, sweet, sweet mother-in-law quickly became "Grandma Pat" to my kids.  They go to church with us and Cassie really enjoys giving her hugs.  She watched the kids for me Thursday night while I had a fellowship night with my Bible study girls because Mom was out of town and Dad was busy.  Our smoke detector had been chirping off and on throughout the week and started again while Pat was here.  It was still going strong at bedtime and I was frustrated.  I would have changed it, but it was way up high.  Anyway, I said, "Well, should we go see Grandpa?"  Cassie said, "YES!"  Conrey nodded and then ran off while I called my dad.  He came running back with his little hand up above his head holding my car keys!  I started cracking up!  I couldn't believe it!  I guess that was a "YES!!!"

Halloween was kind of anti-climatic.  Conrey was sick, so Mark stayed home with him Fri night and missed our Fall Festival at church.  Cassie had a blast (even though we (she and mommy) hit her forehead really hard with some ghosts).  Saturday, Conrey was still sick, so our day was pretty boring and then we dressed up our little kitty and our Blue's Clues and went to my parents.  We left Con there and took the kitty trick-or-treating for an hour or so.  I said, "You're not a kitty cat, you're a cutie cat!"  She sighed and said, "I know......"  She called herself Maggie all night, which is my dad's cat.  She loved T-or-T-ing and is already excited for next year.  Little does she know how long a year is to a 3-year-old...  :)

Well, I guess that's about it.  See?  Our life isn't entirely mundane!  Shame on me for thinking so!  :)  I will get some picture up when I'm able.  For now, I want to leave you with some old pictures.  Mark and I were looking through our computer archives on our computer and found some precious ones!  How blessed we are to have our beautiful children and all 4 of us being healthy!

This is my favorite picture of Cassie when she was little bitty!  Such a sweet face!

This is Cassie with a really cheesy grin when she first started crawling.  LOVE the little bracelet from her Grandma!

These 2 black and white pics are from Conrey's newborn picture shoot.  So sweet!

This was when Conrey was a CHUNK!  I love that it looks like he has a little haircut!

This picture was just too precious to me!  Look at those teeth!

PRECIOUS Sibling Love