Why I love fitness ( and some history from the beginning...)

This has been in draft form waiting to be refined, I have decided to publish it as is with grammar, spelling and the time periods jumping back and forth.

 Why should anyone care about health and fitness? Well we live longer than any other time period in history. But I should back up and explain where my love of health and fitness comes from. It might be said I have had a love affair with health and fitness since I was young.

I was born in Virginia and soon after when I was very young my family moved back to the family homestead in Upper Michigan where my dad was born. I spent my days running through the woods and playing with my cousins. I learned to shoot a bb gun then. I still love to shoot, just bigger ones now. I was fortunate to be able to have that freedom to be as active as I wanted. I just could not seem to sit still unless I was being read to. I think that is when my mother decided she did not have as much time as I would have liked to read to me (all day). At age four she taught me to read and write. In fact, I got a spanking from my kindergarten teacher because I was reading the blackboard out loud to the other kids. It was rather frustrating because I loved words and learning. I loved a good storyline, though I did not know what that meant until later in life. We were without a tv for few years while in school, our entertainment was reading and playing games. During the summer we would check out 40 plus books a week and take them back to the library the next week. Later in life I would to check out books from the library on health and learn about different things (Novels, crafts, history, and cultures).  I would read about indians* and how they lived on the plains in grade school. In Virginia, while in middle school we studied indians in history and the about daily life. We learned how the early settlers interacted with the early Indians; in some things it was sad and then happy. I was fascinated by how they built their homes from nothing more than dirt, sticks and mud or the fact they used sticks and animal hides. I kept studying this way and learning pioneer skills. I have many books today and do like to practice some of those pioneer skills now more out of necessity now than for fun.

When I entered high school I really wanted to run cross country track. I ran and had a stellar performance puking my guts out after reaching mile 2. Needless to say I did not run cross country, because my physical stamina was not great and there was not really a safe place to run where I lived. I was drawn to books that explained how the body works. I loved biology, granted my grades did not show it. My junior year I had the opportunity to be a manager with the Varsity Football Team. This started an interest in Athletic training, which I would later go to college for in a related field.

I met my husband while at BYU, My initial degree program was Mechanical Engineering, but Calculus and I were not getting along during the Summer term. That class was my best sleep period. Honestly I did my best to stay awake for it. When the Fall term rolled around I looked into the Athletic Training Program. I switched to the program and started the perquisites classes. Beginning the Winter Semester I enlisted in the Utah National Guard and I said “Yes” to my husband for the third time. Keeping in mind I was engaged during my whole freshman year. My Winter Semester grades that were less than desirable. I had taken anatomy, physiology, nutrition science, and exercise science classes during my initial year in college. We married in April, I continued read everything I could get my hands on about health and fitness, as time allowed until August when I entered Basic Training and during training that followed. Being healthy and fit is something that is expected in the military. 

October 23, 2002 Home schooling and Nursing John-
~140# ??% Body fat

January 1, 2005-Final Prep for April BB competition
~100# ~13% body fat

I will fast forward to the period after my active duty tour, I came back to the Utah National Guard (1997). I entered Salt Community College to earn my Associate of Science (1998). I then went to the University of Utah to earn my Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science (2000). I took many classes in how the human body works. The major push for this program of study was to prepare students to take certification tests to become personal trainers or prepare for Medical School. The time between December 2000 and March 2004. I had our last little boy and some interior redecoration, this for me was sad. I would have readily had more children, but I know there are other ways to help raise children -Grandchildren. We look forward to this. I started to go to the gym and begin to shape my body. I decided to become a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer (NASM-CPT) in February 2004. I quickly decided to pick up the Performance Enhancement Specialist (NASM-PES) Certification in March. I found NASM had partnered with California University of Pennsylvania (California, PA) to offer a Masters’ Program that integrated the PES Certification. I called and I interviewed with the program head-Barry. At the end of our interview, he told me when I was ready- call him because I was in. I discussed this with my husband and we felt it was a good path to take. I entered their second cohort in July 2004. I worked and studied –usually 9 pm to 1 or 2 am, because I was still home schooling our children. It was a great period of growth and learning. That inspired me to keep learning from as many sources as possible. It taught me about how we evaluate information on a scientific basis. Honestly sometimes that is really snobbish. I have found many valid studies from Europe and abroad. Considering some of the treatments have been around for centuries and only replaced by modern medicine recently. I digress- during this time period (July 2004-August 2005-CoHort Classes) my husband returned from a deployment, I trained throughout for a body building competition, we moved, my father became seriously ill, and my husband deployed again; all while working to sell the house we had lived in. In December 2005, I went to PA to be robed and meet many of my classmates. I had never set foot on campus until this time. This degree program was completely online and a huge blessing in my life. 

Since that time, I have learned more through experience. I understand those that deal with chronic fatigue, digestive issues and so much more. I have been blessed with children who for a time took care of me. They fed me, took care of the house, and so much more. I apologize for judging those who suffered with those and other ailments. We moved to small piece of property to learn about homesteading. I have learned why I really need to be physically fit. I need to be able to do simple tasks of taking care of farm animals and produce items of various kinds.

I do not take any medicine at this point, because of allergies to fillers. I use supplements, herbs, essential oils, and energy work. The process of correcting issues within my body has been interesting.  I learn new things every day about essential oils, herbs and energy work. I have been blessed to have a great mentor who inspired me to dig deeper-Oliver DeMille. I will really have to dig deeper into this in another post. But it is related to recent changes in my actions and thoughts. Oliver co-authored a book with Orrin Woodward-Leadershift. Leadershift addresses the issues we are facing today with our overbearing government. Because of this book and Thomas Jefferson Education, my husband decided he needed a mentor. Through Rachel and Oliver, we received the name of an excellent mentor Ian. My husband started mentoring and within a month I saw great changes within my husband. He read more and was thinking more critically. Ian introduced us to LIFE Leadership. That has been one of the best things that has entered our life literally. For me personally, of the 8F’s Fitness of great interest, recently in February they came out with a Health and Fitness pack. My husband noticed I had bought this and made the comment-You bought that to pick it apart. Yes, somewhat I do that-but not like I used to. I like to see scientific backing for information that is given. I keep in mind that most studies are generalized and then by professionals applied to everyone. I have read books by Doctors and other famous fitness professionals, where they present ideas that they do not cite the original source. Because interpretation can be different from person to person and how the protocol may affect them can be different from person to person. I love books I can take the bibliography and read those baseline studies and see what my understanding is. This gives me a good base to discuss with other from. I enjoyed thoroughly talking to George and Jill Guzzardo when they spoke in Salt Lake City. I had listened to his CD several times and watched his video on the Library in our LIFE Leadership page several times. It felt so good to see this information from a viewpoint I could get. There are so many factors that influence how exercise and food process with in our body.

My husband and I have come to the conclusion:

-eat more minimally processed food-Fresh from the garden or frozen, home canned vs. commercial canning. I must actually cook more.

-raise our own food so we know the inputs-Raise our own animals to know what they are fed and treated –minimize antibiotic use and allow nature to take its course

-we must minimize our spending and start investing in our minds vs. things

-removing those activities in our that no longer serve us in living our mission in life

-remove things that are blocking new adventures from coming into our life

-we must build relationships to help serve others not what they can do for us

Major focus-Service to others not money.  When we are in the service of our fellowman we are but in the service of our God.

I am literal daughter of God, who has a mission and purpose in this life.

I am a wife who is married to man who loves his God and country. He serves both.

I am mother. I do my best to raise children who will preserve freedom and give proper gratitude to God for those freedoms.

I am friend. I get to know other people because of their goodness and grace.

Everything else I am falls below these three roles-

entrepreneur, home educator, veteran, volunteer, church member, community member, farmer, etc and so much more.

I shall leave off here…

* Please understand this wording (using indians versus native Americans) is from my childhood and for this story it is within context for the time period. I respect and love all Native cultures of the Americas, because they have many rich traditions and a beautiful culture over all.

Testimony

My stream of thought seems to be changing lanes and lines of thought as fast as a car zipping around others in traffic during rush hour. Here is the most important thing for today.

First I need to Send my sincere condolences to those in the LIFE community, but most especially Bill Lewis and his Children for the passing of his dear wife Jackie. I know they will sorely miss her, but I will offer hope. She is in a place where pain does not any longer touch her. But she is wrapped in the arms of Heavenly Father's love. She misses you but is with you and watching over you. How can I understand the pain of losing someone you love? I lost someone I loved a long time ago. It was 1991, the week before my high school graduation and finals week. I got news that a young man, I would have literally done anything for, had been killed in a car accident while serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tempe, AZ. I was crushed and heart broken. I remember going to the funeral and how uplifting it was, because for we remembered Robert was joining his grandfather, Leroy who had been killed during a home robbery the year prior, doing missionary work on the other side. I do know at certain periods in my life since he has come to comfort me at different time periods and I am grateful to know that he does.

I think of when my husband lost his grandmother, Dorothy. Our daughter, Dorothy, who is named after her was so sad and cried. She asked does great-grandma feel pain, is she sad she left? The only comfort I could give her was to go to her room and pray to talk to her great-grandma.  Being a little child who had so much faith knowing she would get to talk to her great-grandma, she went to her room and prayed. She came out a little while later and was not crying or sad. She told us great-grandma said she was happy because with great-grandpa who had passed some years prior, and she no more pain. My daughter gave great comfort to the rest of the family relating that to them all.

I do have a sincere belief in life after death. I know this life is but a flash in our eternal lifetimes. I imagine a string being stretched from one goal post to another a football field. Now pick any place along the that string. Take your thumb and pointer finger- pinch the string. That is your mortal life here on Earth. The rest is where you have lived and in reality those string do not end at the goal post they go on for infinity. I know that Jesus Christ is my Redeemer and Savior. He gave his life for me that I might live again, if I would live his commands to the best of my ability. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and restored the Gospel to this earth in its fullness.  I know the Holy Bible and Book of Mormon are both the word of God. He translated The Book of Mormon through the power of God. It is a Second Testament that Jesus is the Christ and our Redeemer and Savior. I know that we have a living Prophet who is called of God; He leads and guides the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today, President Thomas S. Monson. I know that all the creation son this earth testify to there being a higher and greater power. 

I know nothing happens in life by chance. I know my introduction to Essential oils was not by chance. It helped me to be able to provide a way for my body to prepare it to repair itself. I know my introduction to Oliver DeMille and TJEd was not by chance in 2000. Because through his Daughter and Son-in-law, Ian and Emma, we were introduced to the LIFE Business May 2013. This has been life giving to my husband he has hope for a better life and being able to help others and preserve freedom. The information received through our subscriptions has been a huge it has changed the way we treat each other and those around us. I only hope I become the woman Heavenly Father wants me to be. I hope I can support and encourage my husband when he is feeling down because of his non-existent work schedule. I will do my best to free him, so he can carry out his purpose helping other people through the healing information LIFE provides. We propose to stand together to help heal marriages and families. We stand together with other religions to preserve our religious freedom. We stand to together with other religions in our belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. I leave this testimony with you. Amen

Sons of Liberty-United We Stand.

Reflecting on the Past Year 2013

Well it seems that the year has gone as quick as it came.
Where to start....

Between mid-December and the End of January I went through one major and two minor surgeries. I am grateful to the ward members who helped with meals being brought in and rides to the hospital. It was a life saver because my husband had to work. His work does not have normal schedule, you know it better than I do. He works on call (25/8/367) as a Engineer for the Railroad. Because he considers it a privilege to serve his country, He still serves in the military reserves. I tell people about his non-schedule and many just do not get it. The difference between a deployment and the railroad is three nights or days a week. Those who are blessed with their husband each and every night, I sometimes envy you. But then again I remember, it takes people who are willing to sacrifice to preserve our freedoms. I am grateful my husband does this. I do not mind the sacrifice, because I have been on the other side of the situation being deployed and know just how lonely it can be. You miss your family so much. Thank you to tall who serve and now back to the year in review.
My recovery went fast for my legs, but the 'interior redecoration' took a bit longer. I was blessed to serve with the VFW as a committee member (for UT) of the National Women Veterans Committee to help our legislators realize that  caring for all of our veterans is important and equal care means different care for both men and women. I appreciate the Gentlemen who were with me. I was bit slow but they were ok with that. I was grateful to serve for the last few years both in the Post, District, State, and National Levels of the VFW. It was an honor to serve. I realize that life is a sequence of phases. As I fade into the background to renew and rebuild, Later I will come back and serve again. With Scouting it is the same. I have enjoyed the time I was allowed to serve, but that too must be another phase. I will always support both with my time and love. They both gave my life purpose and meaning when I needed it most. Now it is a transition to another phase where I prepare to move to larger more focused service in the future and to slow down at the same time. I thank The LIFE Business for that future. They will give us the opportunity to serve and help others. I thank  my Essential Oil family, we are small but we will grow and be strong. I look forward to my future Essential Oil family members and our LIFE Business Family members.

My children have grown a lot. John being the youngest has been  my greatest joy to be able to see him grow. He has graduated from Primary to Young Mens and ordained a Deacon. To watch him Pass the Sacrament was a joy, because reminded of my other sons who did the same. He is growing into a young man who is service oriented. I am proud of him.

Edward has grown bunches and is 6+ inches taller than me. He has grown in his character and knowledge. He is still all boy though. He has become a great servant to others. He can be a very good example of how to treat others. I am proud of him.

Dorothy, our rose among the thorns, has turned 18. We are now doing background checks and fingerprints on prospective young men. Just kidding, because she would be upset with us doing match making. We will let the Master Match Maker take care of that. I mean he did set my husband and I up. It has worked out for the last 22 years of our honey moon. She has been blessed  with long lasting friendships because of her trip to Europe summer of 2012. She learned and grew so much. We are blessed by sensitive and kind heart. She will make a wonderful missionary and later a wife and mother. We are proud of her.

Hyrum has been working hard to turn his life around working 2-3 jobs to take care of his obligations. We have not had contact with him since summer 2012, but have had reports from his grandfather and My Aunt Kay. We love him and miss him. He is always in our prayers and will never leave them. WE are proud of him for turning things around and taking responsibility for his life.

Joseph has about 6+ more months on his mission in the California Los Angeles Spanish speaking. We look forward to his call Christmas day. It is not too much longer. The time has flown. I only wish I could describe how growth through the time before his mission and during his mission. We know he has a purpose and mission that is bigger than he even knows. We look forward to watching as his story unfolds.

To watch my husband David has been so wonderful. To see the light in his eye burn brighter. I give thanks to Oliver and Rachel DeMille, Ian and Emma Cox, and The LIFE Leadership Business. The change in our family is amazing and I hope will begin to show in how we act, behave, and interact. I know David will succeed and we will be debt free and able to be a blessing in many lives.

Now I want to wish you all a very
MERRY CHRISTmas
and a
Prosperous New Year.

October the Month of Conventions

It is the first full week in November, and I am recovering. I have been so blessed in my life. In January 2010 I was invited to the Metabolic Blend Launch at Noah's. This one event has affected my health in a very great way. I waited until the end of February to sign up and begin experimenting with essential oils. I knew of essential oils and had used them on  and off along with herbs. I still do. My past experience had not boded well, because I had used other essential oils with out success. I know I had been approached by more than one company but did not 'feel' right with the approach. I did not want to actively sell something I did not believe in or could not use myself. During the time between February 2010 through October/November 2012. I began to progressively use more of the essential oils, though I was not very experienced, only knowing I could use them topically and aromatically. I started looking at our situation overall. I did notice some subtle changes. It was a very stressful time in our home. One of our older sons had made choices that made his life and our life more difficult, during that summer he went to find his path. We pray he is happy where ever he is and in whatever he is doing. Our oldest left on his LDS Mission serving in California Los Angeles Mission Spanish speaking. That left three kids. 22 Chickens, two Nigerian Dwarf whether goats, two cats (in the garage) and two dogs at home. In November my desire to share what I was learning through the internet became stronger. I found a local Wellness Advocate/IPC and asked if I could join her group. I did. I was an Orphan IPC it was simple. I was then linked to (now a very good friend) Lillian. She has been mentoring both my daughter and I in using the oils. Her wisdom is beyond, what I can describe and I learn something new from her every time we meet. She has given me gentle correction, as needed (sometimes often). She has been a listening ear helping me see the something I missed. She has helped our knowledge grow about the essential oils-It is phenomenal. Her coaching has given me the confidence to share what I am learning more. I attended my first Essential Oil Convention October 2013. WOW. 12,000 people tickets sold out in less than a month. Then they brought in the live stream because of demand for the knowledge that is gained, there were 6,000 plus who watched the general sessions at home. Next year 2014 this Essential Oil company has both the Energy Solutions Arena (the old Delta Center) and the Salt Palace Reserved for convention. I did my ticket already. But guaranteed they will sell out again. Well my head was swimming from that one and I was ready to go share some more. There was a period of just over two weeks and it went by fast and off to the next convention. It was for LIFE.

LIFE? I meant to say The L.I.F.E. Business. (Living Intentionally for Excellence). Background to this is I have home schooled my kids using the canned ham method. I got a program for math, science, etc. worksheets-ugh! Then I discovered the 4-year-plan I rotated Science-Literature-History on a 4 year cycle.
I had a list of suggested books to read with my kids. We loved doing the Science experiments and reading and acting out history. Reading books was hit and miss with which one s the kids liked. During this Iw as also working on my Bachelors Degree. Yes going to college by day and homeschooling by afternoon or night. It took lots of work, but I had the frame work. Thank goodness. During my last term in school via the Salt Lake Home Educators Group I learned about Thomas Jefferson Education through the Face-to-Face with Greatness seminars sponsored by George Wythe College from Cedar City, UT. I attended all three of these seminars. The last one was had the most impact though it was the weekend after 9-1-2001, For me because I an a veteran and my husband stills serves now. The friends I got to know over time in those seminars-Dr. Shannon Brooks and Oliver DeMille, I consider to be friends who helped me turn down a very different path. They opened education up for me in way I had not thought of-I read a lot of books anyway but to direct the what I was reading int the way they were suggesting was short of mind-boggling. I took what was suggested to heart and I combined it with the four year plan. I was able to get fresh new books and perspectives for myself and my children. Now you are wondering what does all this have to do with a convention.

Welll... the beginning of this year my husband and I began discussing our future, our grandchildren, and the radical changes being made in our country. It is not the same one I grew up in. My husband had reread my TJEd Library and figured out he needed a mentor. I told him to write to Oliver and ask for advice. Well he waited and waited and waited. So I finally did what any good wife would do and contacted Rachel (Oliver's wife) I explained the situation and we discussed back and forth. Once I had done this I let my husband know what he needed to do. He wrote an email to Rachel who discussed it with Oliver. They in turn recommended and excellent young man whom they knew personally was receiving great mentoring-Their son-in-law Ian (married to Emma). David and Ian had meetings as regularly as the Railroad would allow. Oliver and Orrin Woodward had released Leadershift. David and I attended a seminar at which Oliver presented the 9th Key and signed books. My husband finally met Oliver and he was intrigued the spark of light went from a small flicker to a full flame. About a month later, Ian closed out one of his sessions asking to meet with both David and I-we agreed. As the week progressed we discussed back and forth what the meeting was about. Many theories abounded-we will not expound on those now. But the day came and Ian Introduced us to the Life Business. At it's core and center is building community, That community works together to live principles that are natural law. Those principles are discovered through reading, studying, and then associating one with another, edifying and learning together. This brings us to convention the end of October.

Fall Leadership Convention was totally awesome! How inspiring well worth the ticket. To learn about the humble beginnings of all of the founders and those who are Roundtable and Policy Council Members. My head is so full. I can't wait to get the recap. Especially Tim Marks-'There is a bat in your bathroom.' The big take away was dream the impossible and it is possible as long as you work toward it. The materials have a life changing effects on lives of individuals, marriages, and families. Focusing on the 8 F's -Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Freedom, Friends, Following, Fun. I will try to discuss this more later.

Hopefully it was interesting til next time.....