Rest? Be Still? I Don't Understand.

Salmos 46:10 - "Estad quietos, y conoced que yo soy Dios" (Spanish)

Psaume 46:10 - "Arretez, et saschez que je suis Dieu" (French)

Salmos 46:10 - "Qquietai-vos, e sabei que eu sou Deus" (Portuguese)

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God." (English)

Finally. Plain English. My language. The message came through loud and clear. Do you ever feel this way? Like God is trying to tell you something, but you don't understand the message? Or you're too busy to hear Him above the noise of life? Or, maybe you hear Him, but you're too busy to slow down long enough to obey? No? Well, me either. So, I have this friend...

Lets recap the last two months of my friends life.

After three flat tires since May, which is excessive, my friend gets a flat tire the week of Aug 30th. She has a long list of errands to run that day, but the flat has to be fixed. While waiting at the repair shop, my friend realizes that her day will have to be re-planned since the repair takes about an hour and with a little one that still naps, the window of opportunity for morning errands is quickly closing. Frustrating.

Week of Sept 6th - Flat tire #2. Repeat week ones scenario and perfectly timed plans are changed again. Mind you this is week three of a reoccurring cough that she's finally trying to deal with by getting a much needed inhaler.

Week of Sept 13th - Flat tire #3 (this is actually flat #6 since May, two of which resulted in needing brand new tires). How is this possible?! She's wracking her brain to think of where she's been driving to keep getting screws/nails in her tires. All while vowing to never drive through another construction zone again.

Also, the week of Sept 13th - Said friend gets injured playing coed soccer and it's deemed a Bone Bruise, which is a small hidden fracture on a bone close to the surface. This injury is very painful and takes approx four weeks to heal. She's now trying to make a connection between her physical body (leg injury) and the flat tire ... is this a sign to slow down? To rest?

Week of Sept 27th - My friend has an old back injury from playing sports in college and it flares up a couple of times a year. When she feels her back starting to get weak, she goes in for a chiropractic adjustment and all is well. However, this time, it flares up right before leaving for an eight day cruise. She forgoes cramming an adjustment in the day before leaving town since she's busy packing her family for said trip. So, she takes Ibuprofen the week of vacation to deal with the disk bulging in her back, which is pushing on her sciatic nerve causing pain to shoot down her left leg. Delightful.

Week of Oct 11th - My friend returned home from her cruise, bad back and all, just in time to play her weekly coed soccer game the following day ... all while knowing that she will have to make time for a back adjustment that week to relieve her back pain. During the game, she pulls her back multiple times and is in worse pain than before. Not wise. She has two chiropractic adjustments that week that don't give much relief.

Week of Oct 18th (this week) - Having not learned her lesson, she played coed soccer again, and whatever improvement was done to her back last week is reversed and she's right back where she was a week ago pain wise. My friend is stub-born! Two adjustments this week and she's starting to feel some relief. Her doctor tells her not to play soccer for one to two weeks.

Also, this week, her husband started news hours at work that will allow him to work longer days Mon-Thurs, but be home on Friday's. This is awesome news for her family, but my friend knows this means that she can't attend Bootcamp in the early morning twice a week, which she's done for the past three years.

During this season of flat tires, leg/back injuries, and life changes, her thoughts change. Her mind starts to shift. Friends speak life into her and Rest is the underlying theme of their conversations. Rest is hard. It shouldn't be, but it is. Her friends pray over her and they speak Rest over her without even knowing all of the details of her life. Psalm 46:10 is spoken over her more than once. Be. Still. How do they know the message that shes been struggling to hear? Each conversation, each prayer, draws her closer to the message and she begins to receive it. Rest. Be still.

I'm sure you've figured out by now that the "friend" is me. I SO struggle with rest. It's not in my nature to be at ease, to be still, and to ultimately realize that what is not done today can be done tomorrow. We live in a world of haste and I'm right there in the mix ... with my foot on the gas ... setting the pace ... faster.

It was laid upon my heart weeks ago to get up early to do a daily devotional, but my schedule didn't allow it. Don't get me wrong, I love devotionals, but not now. Not with Bootcamp two mornings a week and running three mornings a week. Evenings? Out of the question. I'm busy coaching my daughters soccer team, taking another daughter to dance, teaching the Pre-School kids at church for the Christmas program, and building a business. All things that I love to do. No time.

No time for God?
What message am I sending the One who loves me so deeply that He gave His life for me?
No time for the one who listens intently at every word that comes from my mouth?
No time for the one who makes time for me every. single. day. whether I thank Him or not?
Why am I so stubborn?
Why must God physically slow me down to get my attention?

God is clearly calling me to a season of Rest. It's time. I'm striving to be obedient and to embrace this season. To be intentional about Rest. I spent a day this week shifting events on my calendar next week to the following week (baby steps) so that I can Rest. Sure, there are things that can't be changed, but I am changing the others. I also started my morning devotionals this week and I'm already reaping the benefits. I'm reading through The 40 Day Prayer Journal for the third time this year because it's that good. Or, is it that I'm that much in need of Him, again?

Sharing My Vision

This may not look like a lot of protein to you and me, but this is enough to feed 360 malnourished children. Wow! I'm excited to be sending my first shipment of protein to Jinja Town, Uganda, East Africa in May. Let me explain how this all came about...

After reconnecting on Facebook with a club volleyball teammate from high school, I noticed that she and her family were moving to Africa in January 2015 so I began to pray for them. For months, without them knowing, I was covering their family in prayer for God to use them in a mighty way in Africa. All the while, not knowing that God was working on my heart as well.

On Jan 19th, I started reading Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge from Mark Batterson. This is a follow-up book to The Circle Maker, which I highly recommend. On Jan 28th, two days before my friend and her family left for Africa, God gave me an amazing idea. I call it a God-Idea because it was way beyond anything that I could have come up with on my own, and the logistics of it were only something that He could orchestrate. 

My God-Idea was to get Arbonne's protein to the children in orphanages in Africa. So, there I sat with this crazy, awesome idea from God and only two days to talk to my friend about it. Well, do you ever notice that when you have an awesome idea that's on a major deadline, the Devil likes to mess it up?! My friend and I tried to connect by phone multiple times those last two day, but kept missing each other. I was afraid that the idea was a lost cause, but I knew that God placed it on my heart for a reason so I kept attempting to connect with her even after they had left the country, and without knowing if they would have Internet or phone access once they arrived in Africa. Praise the Lord, we connected by email, I shared my idea, and we both prayed over it for two weeks.

In those two weeks, Mugavi of Vision was born! Here is the info on the back of the flier.

My Story

In 2004, my husband and I adopted our first sponsor child, and in 2006, we adopted our second sponsor child. Both boys live in Africa. The decision to help these children planted a seed in my heart that would start to bloom in 2015 when a friend announced that she and her family would be moving to Jinja Town, Uganda, East Africa to serve as missionaries. I had not seen this friend since high school, but I started praying for her family, and at the same time, God started watering the seed placed in my heart over 10 years ago.

In 2013, I became and Arbonne consultant. I love that this job pushes me out of my comfort zone and it allows me to help others transform their lives with our Pure, Safe, and Beneficial Nutrition and Skincare products. Our most popular nutrition item is our Vegan based Protein that is free of gluten, dairy, soy, whey, artificial colors, sweeteners, and dyes. It’s easily digestible and the most absorbable form of protein on the market. 

So, combine Arbonne’s protein with my friend in Africa and Mugavi of Vision was born. This ministry is not affiliated with Arbonne. We are simply two friends who realize that we can make a difference in the world one meal at a time. Currently, the protein is being bought by Americans who want to help the children of Africa and is being delivered through Luket Ministries. Recipients are taught to boil their water, and add this protein to it for a full day's meal. With your help, we will send bags of Arbonne protein to the Perryman family in Africa. They will deliver the protein to one of the following organizations: Amani Baby Cottages, Serving His Children, Redeemer House, or Arise and Shine so that the children can be fed a meal packed with nutrients. Our Arbonne team motto is “Bigger Than Me” and I’m grateful that God placed a vision on my heart that was bigger than me, but not bigger than Him. This vision is 10 years in the making, and I truly believe that God has perfect timing; never early, never late.

How YOU Can Help!

• You can purchase a bag(s) of protein to be sent to Africa. This can be a purchase made one-time, quarterly, or even monthly. Each bag is $55. All purchases will be placed under the Perryman's Arbonne ID which will not only help to feed the children, but it will also help support their missions in Africa.
• You can make a monetary donation for a bag(s) of protein and/or for the shipping of these items to Africa. All shipments will be taken by hand from friends/family going to visit the Perryman's so the shipping cost will be to transport the 50# bag(s) that will be filled with protein. Donations can be made via Paypal to morrison25@cox.net, or mailed to me (please contact me via email for my address).

So, thanks to God's amazing provision, my vision is coming true! There are many obstacles in the way of this vision, but God is in charge and when that's the case, nothing is impossible. If you would like to help, please contact me at morrison25@cox.net. Thank you!

Matthew 19:26 - "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

A Beautiful Beginning

Last night, I was honored to read a dear friends testimony to a large group of people. My friend lives in California and the meeting was in Oklahoma so I asked her if I could share her amazing 30 day journey with those seeking a change. I thought I would simply read the words on the page, like I've done many times, but this was different. I got choked up and I had to pause and fight back the tears twice because this is such an amazing story of change. I've known this friend for 15-20 years and I've always known her as a strong woman of God, very confident, and always willing to serve others. Here is her story and her before and after photo...

"Before I started the 30 Days to Healthy Living, I suffered with severe redness and swelling in my face. When I think back on that time, I guess you could call me the lady with the red mask. It was painful and also caused a lot of negative attention from people. People would say things to me like, "What's wrong with your face? Did you know your face is really red? Did you forget your sunscreen?" Over time I began to try to limit the amount of time I spent out of my house for fear that another person would comment on my face. I became recluse and shut the world out. I felt unattractive and ugly.

I thought that I was eating healthy. I stayed away from as many processed foods as I could....we drank Almond milk, I read labels. But nothing seemed to change with my face. Then I began to really examine my food intake and evaluated my relationship with food. I saw that food was a big issue. I would eat well for a period of time, but then in a matter of 5 minutes a whole sleeve of Girl Scout cookies disappeared. The shame and pain of my condition drove me to habits that were really out of control. I realized that something had to change.

I had tried the Arbonne protein in the past and Kristy really encouraged me to give the challenge a try. I really feel that God brought her back to me again because He wanted something better for me. He wanted me to know the value that I had in this world. He wanted me to be healthy, happy, and whole and the only way I could do that was to change my eating. So, I said ok. This was also my last resort before heading to a Dermatologist to get help, and with the fear that I would be put on pills for the rest of my life.

I began the challenge in March with the focus that 'with God, this IS possible!' I decided that I would have my son do this as well as he suffers from Sensory Processing Issues. Within the first 3 days I saw a change in him. He was more focused at (home)school, more obedient, less antsy when we sat down to dinner.....he was doing amazing. This encouraged me to keep going, because, I had not seen a change in myself yet.....but I wasn't going to give up. I promised God I would work the program. At about day 7 I was feeling a bit more energized, less foggy headed, and more focused. The naps that we normally took every day, were no longer needed because we weren't tired. My son began asking for healthy snacks instead of the processed foods we would normally eat. 

Things took a turn when I REALLY looked in the mirror at day 14. Prior to the challenge, the mirror and I were enemies. I would look in it and I would hear those people saying things, and I began to believe them. I began to tell myself horrible and ugly things. It affected my relationship with my husband, son, friends, but more importantly, God. He didn't want me to be this way. He loved me and thought that I was his beautiful daughter. Day 14, I actually saw with God's eyes what he had been telling me for so long. I noticed a significant change in the redness on my face. It was almost gone. I felt those voices, my voice included, fading into a memory. It encouraged me and I continued with the challenge and I had to share it with everyone.

By day 24, I was a new woman! I was able to look in the mirror and truly believe there was beauty. I began to love myself again. I have realized there are better food choices out there for me. It hasn't been easy and people question my decisions, but I KNOW this is best for me. I know that I can enjoy food and have a healthier life by using the Arbonne supplements. I still have a long way to go. It took 40 years for me to get where I am today....it's not going to change overnight. This is a life-style change, NOT A DIET. I begin my 2nd round of the 30 day challenge and anxiously await the results. 

I praise God for my friend Kristy who loved me so much she wanted to share this with me. I too have decided that I want to share this with others because it works. I praise God that He loves me so much that He helped get me out of the way. I look forward to being able to reach my full God-given potential through my Arbonne business. If you're considering this challenge....do it. I guarantee you will be blessed. Don't walk away from this....the only thing you will have is regret if you never try. May God bless you as you begin your journey to a healthier and happier you!!!"

This is why I said Yes to Arbonne, and why Christy has joined my team. When we say that this opportunity is "Bigger Than Me" this is what we mean. Had I not stepped out of my comfort zone and started my business, then I could not have shared in this life changing journey. Had God not prompted me to reach out to Christy then I wouldn't be able to share in her journey. This business is a gift, and it's available to everyone. If you know of someone dealing with skin irritation, then please give them my info. Myself or Christy would love to talk with them about the 30 Day Healthy Living Challenge to see if it's a fit for them. 

Is Clean Eating for Skinny People?

January is one of the most exciting months for the Clean Eating Challenge because it yields the highest number of people looking for change. And, I might add, we had a very determined group of approximately 300 people this January! I'm blessed to get to share in their daily journey as myself and my team coach them through the Do's and Don'ts of exchanging their bad eating habits for good ones. I've read many life changing testimonies so it was hard to narrow it down to just one, but this speaks volumes to the naysayers of this program. In case you didn't know, I used to be a naysayer myself. Please read this testimony from someone who was presumed healthy because she was skinny...

"My detox journey was about developing healthier habits. Because the Lord blessed me with an amazing metabolism, everyone has always assumed I must be a healthy eater. But that was far from the truth. I was a serial junk food eater. My normal routine consisted of hot chocolate for breakfast, a candy bar out of the vending machine by 10:30, Sonic or Charlie’s for lunch, an afternoon snack of an entire bag of Cadbury mini eggs (yes, I stock piled these in the spring to have them all year long) and then dinner out at a nice restaurant (usually appetizer, entrée and dessert) every night. Mix in at least three (or four) Route 44 sweet teas somewhere in there. You know it’s bad when the car hop recognizes your car and usually brings the tea out to you before you even have time to place the order… My annual checkup in November showed that I had high cholesterol, we were spending an insane amount of money on food because it was a great rarity that we cooked at home and I was addicted to sugar. Or at least I thought I was...

Meanwhile, as my almost one year old was exploring her palate, I was refusing to allow her any sugar. I had read somewhere that whatever you expose them to their first year will grow to be the things they crave as they get older. I told my husband that I didn’t want her to eat like me so she got LOTS of vegetables and absolutely NO sugar. He would always ask if he could share a cookie or a drink of juice with her and the answer was always an adamant “no.” One day, he said to me, “You know, if it’s not good enough for her, maybe it’s not good enough for you either.”

Not too long after that, a friend, who I had met through a mutual friend several years ago, contacted me and asked to have lunch. We met at Chick-fil-a with our kids in tow and briefly talked about the detox program. She had me signed up a week later. My husband and I went on a cruise the first week in January so I had to start with the second group. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to go two days without sugar, much less four weeks. But I knew that I needed to try. Thankfully, while there is an abundance of food options on a cruise ship, most of the desserts are not actually that high in sugar, so it was good preparation for what was to come.

We returned on Sunday and started the detox the next morning. That night as I was menu planning for the week, my husband said, “If I’m going to have to eat this stuff for dinner too, I may as well do the whole detox with you.” And he did… sort of… he couldn’t quit the coffee, or the occasional beer, but he humored me with detox tea and spinach shakes and I packed him a lunch and healthy snacks every day. And every night we all sat around the dinner table and ate our home-cooked healthy meal. Even my daughter tried everything we ate and I’ve yet to find anything this kid won’t eat. That in itself is reason enough for me to continue with a healthy eating lifestyle.

All my life I have been a VERY picky eater. It is extremely rare that I will even try a new food. I hate spicy foods and I’m not crazy about salty things. I’m a very bland eater and once I find something I like, I don’t really vary much. I had never tried bell peppers. I purposely omitted onions from every recipe. I enjoyed squash, zucchini, carrots and sweet potatoes, but beyond those, most vegetables were just too big of a risk thanks to the fear of the unknown. I had never even considered trying spinach. But the recipes on the meal plan made me challenge myself. I committed to making each one exactly as written, with no omissions or substitutions. And I was truly surprised at how much I enjoyed some of the foods I have always been scared of. Now I eat spinach every day. Yes, every day. And I love it. My shakes don’t taste right without it and I question why I ever ate iceberg lettuce in a salad to begin with. I have easily replaced most of the candy I was eating every day with raw veggies. And I love how much better I feel throughout the day.

Another thing I discovered through this process was that I really missed cooking. I grew up helping in the kitchen and before life got too busy I used to make dinner every night. Now I know that there are quick and easy options or things I can start the night before that can still give me a chance to spend some time in the kitchen. And even the meals that take a little longer, I have fun with. It’s kind of a little form of therapy to know you are providing a healthy meal for your family. And our dinner time at our own table is a completely different experience than that at a restaurant. It’s now a time that we look forward to and cherish.

I also learned that most of my sugar addiction was mental. My body didn’t need it nearly as much as my brain did. And when my brain decided that I was going all in with this, I hardly wanted it at all. In fact, last night I came home from a meeting, on the last day of detox, to find a gallon jug of Red Diamond sweet tea in the fridge with a note that said “I’m proud of you” on it. Very sweet gesture, but even sweeter was that there was not a single piece of me that had even the slightest desire to open it! 

And the water! I’ve been around long enough to know how important water is to the human body, but sweet tea just tasted so much better. But guess what? Tea is also a diuretic. So while I was taking in a ton of fluid before, I was actually not giving my body any chance to sustain itself. I was probably in a constant state of dehydration. Since I’ve started drinking a minimum of a half-gallon of water every day, I feel better, I have less food cravings, my skin is clearer and my face is fuller and shows less signs of age. I will definitely continue giving my body water. I’ve actually grown to crave water. I carry a 16-oz insulated cup with a straw in it literally everywhere I go and am constantly filling it up. It’s amazing how something so obvious was so easily ignored before. And even more amazing is how easy that good habit was to develop and how quickly I saw positive results from making that simple change.

While I did accidentally lose five pounds on this journey, that was never a goal of mine. That in itself was another eye opener for me. I will probably never be big thanks to my genetics, but I have no desire to be this small either. Just another indicator of how unhealthy I was. Now I am working to regain that weight as healthy muscle instead of junk-fueled fat. I have so much more motivation to work out and do strength training now than I used to. Once you know a 112 pound person has the ability to lose five pounds in a month just by cutting out sugar, it makes you realize how weak those remaining 107 pounds are and how much that hour at the gym everyday really helps me feel stronger, both physically and mentally.

So that’s my journey. It’s one of healthier habits and more dedication to my family through taking care of both them and myself. Even off the detox I started this day with my detox tea and my spinach protein shake. And I turned down a cupcake when I got to work this morning. Not because it’s necessary, but because I just didn’t want it. Now I am an Arbonne Consultant, mostly so I can get the good stuff at a discount, but who knows where that journey will lead. I’m excited to see what the future holds!"

If something in that testimony spoke to you, please contact me at morrison25@cox.net. I would love to share more with you about this journey to a healthier you ... and a healthier family. Together, we can break old habits and form new ones. This challenge is for anyone, no matter where you live! 

Upcoming Oklahoma Meetings:

If you live in the Muskogee area, you are invited to this event on Thursday, Feb 19th, at Hattie's House (a local boutique). Bring a friend and enjoy a Clean dinner along with samples of Arbonne's Nutrition items.

If you live in the Tulsa area, you are invited to this event on Monday, Feb 23rd. Again, bring a friend and enjoy a Clean dinner along with samples of Arbonne's Nutrition items.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

BRCA: It Is Finished!

The race started on Jan 6, 2014 and it ended on Feb 9, 2015. From the first call of my doctor telling me I was BRCA2 positive with an 87% chance of getting breast cancer and a 55% chance of getting ovarian cancer to "I don't have to see you for a year." It's been a roller coaster ride, and I'm glad it's over. 2014 was tough, but God made me tougher and for that I'm grateful. I wouldn't change one moment of my journey because I'm now in a better place of understanding to help others. So, whatever God has in store for me, I know that He has prepared me for the road ahead. 

I saw my Plastic Surgeon last week and he released me for good. I saw my Breast Specialist yesterday and she said I don't have to come back for a year. Wonderful news! I still have to rub lotion on my scars twice a day until the inner stitches are gone which could take another 3 months, and I have to work on getting my implants to shift more towards the middle ... but overall, things are good! I'll have follow up MRI's every 10 years, and I still have to do breast self exams to watch for any abnormality since my chance of getting breast cancer will never be 0%, but it is significantly lower. Like less than 8%. Praise the Lord!

The only negatives that I've dealt with from the full hysterectomy are break outs on my back (which aren't nearly as bad now as they were in the beginning) and I'm freezing most of the time due to hormone changes. I haven't lost my mind so I'd call that a win!

The #1 question that people ask me is ... "Do you love your new boobs?" My answer is that we have a love/hate relationship. I didn't want them in the first place so it definitely took some adjusting, not to mention my route to get them wasn't a lot of fun. I'm getting used to them, but I'm not at the "loving them" stage yet. They are still numb and they could stay that way for life, or the feeling could come back in 5-10 years per my doctor. I would love for it to come back sooner than later, but I'll be fine either way. 

My parents got me a massage for my birthday in December and I finally took the time to go last week. I was hesitant because I wasn't sure how I would feel laying on my chest for that long. When I mentioned my concern to the tech, she came back with this chest pillow that went under the bottom sheet of the bed. Pure awesomeness! Good old booby cutouts in a pillow. Who knew?!

Here are some pics of my Breast Specialists office. Every exam room is decorated this way and it's so inviting. I love the lighting!

And, here I am ... in my last blue cape of this journey! God is good! All the time!

Number of Doctor visits: Approx 40

Number of major surgeries: 3

BRCA Testing, Mammogram, Ovary Ultrasound, Breast MRI, Hysterectomy with Ovary Removal, Double Mastectomy with First and Second Stage Breast Reconstruction: Approx $120,000

Knowing I'll never get breast or ovarian cancer: PRICELESS

Thank you for taking this journey with me. Thank you for the prayers, meals, cards, encouragement, support, and love. My strength came from each of you, and my prayer is that God returns the favor to you like the lyrics of one of my favorite songs (More Than You'll Ever Know by Watermark)...

"You have carried me

You have taken up on a burden that wasn't your own

And may the blessing return to you

A hundredfold"

1 Corinthians 9:24 - "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize."

2014 Clean Eating Challenge Testimonials

Each month, I get to lead a new team of people through Arbonne's life changing Clean Eating Program. And, each month, I get to celebrate with my team as they change the way they look at food, lose weight, reduce or eliminate medication, start to exercise, and the list goes on. I could talk all day about the benefits of this program, but instead, I will share some testimonies that I have received over this last year because these amazing journey's speak for themselves ...

• "Feeling better overall! Love the protein shakes especially after my workouts, they don't make me sick like whey and others have in the past. Cleaning up my eating has changed my daily routine for the better and now I find myself reading everything I can about nutrition. I have such an interest in nutrition now."
• "It's getting easier to choose not to give in to cravings."
• "Feeling great!!! Have not had my 4-5 cups of daily coffee. Have stuck to my detox tea and doing good on my healthy eating."
• "My main reason for doing this is to see if I can reduce the number of migraines I have (3-4 per week). While I haven't been completely pain free, I haven't taken medicine for two weeks and that's a huge deal!"
• "Amazing what our bodies can do when we give it what it needs."
• "Mom lost 10 lbs and 3 inches. Her blood sugar levels are much better. I lost 10 lbs and 7 inches and got to quit taking my medicine for stomach issues."
• "Energy was great during the challenge!"
• "My family had a reunion for my granddad's 90th birthday party. Many of the friends and relatives that came hadn't seen me for a year or more. To my surprise, I actually got quite a few compliments on how great I looked!! Now ... this really flattered me, but it also puzzled me, because I hadn't lost any weight. I didn't get into the challenge to lose weight. I just desperately wanted to FEEL better and BE healthy. And I do feel better. I feel amazing! But, since I was curious, I asked my mom to help me understand what others might be seeing. As always, she gave me some clarity. I just look HEALTHY! I don't feel sluggish, so I'm not slumping ... I hold myself higher. I don't feel lethargic, so my eyes are clear and brighter. My skin has color, instead of my usual pasty pale complexion. My hair is even healthier!"
• "Last night I put my new found stamina to the test ... I took a Spin Class at Lifetime Fitness (YIKES)! First of all, I do not exercise, nor have I ever. I am not an athlete. I was never a cheerleader. I have never played sports. When balls come my way, my instinct is to duck in fear. It was ROUGH, but I made it in one piece. I'm going back! Who says you can't be physically fit for the first time in your 30's?"
• "I've taken what I learned from my month of clean eating, tweaked it a bit for the long haul, and managed to keep the pounds and inches off. I may not be 100% 'clean' but I'm probably 80% and have made some real, permanent and most importantly, manageable changes. I'm no longer counting calories, steps or heart rates to quantify my progress. I'm making progress by the way I feel. It's very freeing to no longer be controlled by numbers and gadgets."
• "I've found that cutting gluten and dairy isn't that difficult."
• "I am an avid runner and was interested in 'kicking it up a notch' on the nutrition side (thanks to the eye opener statement of 80% nutrition and 20% fitness). So, I accepted the challenge. But I experienced results I didn't expect! I have struggled with cystic acne for over 15 years and through this challenge, I now have clear skin!" 
• "I learned to love protein shakes and rice chips and gluten free pasta. I learned that I don't really need refined carbs and sugars to be satisfied. I learned that it's ok NOT to have potatoes with every meal. I learned how to bake all kinds of gluten-free snacks and found that almonds and coconut make everything better. I learned to like hot tea in place of my evening glass of red wine. What I missed: coffee. I'm definitely taking coffee back, but not in excess. One cup in the mornings before my workout is enough. I lost a few pounds, a couple of inches, and I gained some willpower over cravings."
• "Not only are my blood sugar, blood pressure, and arthritis greatly improved ... I have been on a 3 year schedule to check my colon. Without giving too much information, I will tell you that I received a good Colonoscopy test result. I only had one polyp where 3 years ago, I had multiple polyps. I talked to the nurse when she called to check on me. She said my good eating was what helped. The fiber in the shakes and in the food we eat is making a big internal difference. I figured something was up when I was told last time to come back in 3 years (commonly you test every 5 years). I wasn't told then, but was told this time that having multiple polyps puts you in the high risk category to develop colon cancer. Now, I have been taken off the high risk notice and don't have to test again for 5 years! The benefits just keep showing up with this Life Change we have made in our eating habits."
• "My most dramatic change has been my 'mommy tummy' that I have struggled with since baby #3."

Protein Testimonials:

• "I'm a protein powder 'snob' and I've tried pretty much everything, and nothing tastes as good as the Vanilla vegan protein!"
• "Arbonne's protein powder is the bomb. No others even come close."

The holiday's are a hard time to think about changing your diet, and I understand that. But, I'm asking you to make your health a priority, and decide RIGHT NOW that you will join my January 2015 team. The first of the year is notorious for health changes so lets do this together! 

Please listen to this call to hear details about the Challenge. The call is approximately 10 minutes long and worth every second of your time.

712-775-7399 Code 807693# Reference #

Participants have access to a FREE 4 Week Menu and Shopping Guide, as well as weekly coaching calls and a private Facebook support page. We are giving away a $100 Arbonne gift basket to the winner of the highest percentage of weight lost as well as cash prizes to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners of the point tracking system, which is based on following a set of healthy rules, not weight loss! 

Arbonne has provided a handful of Special Value Packs that allow you to get the Nutrition pack for 40-50% off, but these packs will expire on Dec 31st! This is a great time to try the challenge at an amazing discount. The retail price of the package is $367, but you’ll be able to get it for 40-50% off along with a free sign up item ranging from $50-$100. All items have a 45 day money back guarantee so you can go through the entire program and return your items if you’re not satisfied. I’ve never had to make a return, but the option is there.

The Special Value Nutrition Package consists of:

2 bags of protein (chocolate and vanilla)

2 boxes of fizz sticks (citrus and pomegranate)

2 boxes of detox tea

1 bag of fiber

1 digestion plus

1 7-day body cleanse

Please email me if you would like to hear more about the January 2015 challenge: morrison25@cox.net. Orders need to be placed by the end of December to take advantage of the 40-50% discounts and to receive the kit in time for the Jan 5th start date. I can't wait to add YOUR testimonial to this list!

BRCA: Return to Normal Activity

"Return to normal activity" were the beautiful words I heard today! I had my 5 week post surgery follow-up with my Plastic Surgeon and I'm released to resume normal activity. I do have to be cautious, but I'm FREE!!! I had to celebrate with a delicious Mocha Rockecchino from Rocket Brothers. Yum!

As I went down the 10 flights in the elevator, my eyes filled with tears. Released.  I've waited to hear those words for 11 months ... and 10 days. It was that long ago that I got a call from my OB saying that I had the BRCA2 gene. Life would never be the same. What a year it has been. I still have a follow up with the Breast Specialist in January and a follow up with the Plastic Surgeon in February, but no more surgeries or lengthy healing times. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm blessed. This journey has opened my eyes to a LOT of things. I've grown in my faith. I've grown in my compassion toward others. I've grown an inner strength that I knew was there, but it was never tested to this level. I've met some amazing women on a similar journey as mine. Overall, my life is better!

Highlights from today's appointment:

• I'm RELEASED!
• I had some inner stitches make their way to the surface of both breasts so those were removed. Why is it that every time that happens, it's on a part of my boob that has feeling as opposed to a numb spot?! Ouch! The rest of the inner stitches should dissolve over the next 6 months, but if more surface, I'll go into the office to have them removed.
• I have to continue rubbing lotion on my scars at least twice a day, including the 4 scars I have from the drains after the surgery in July. The drain areas were tender for months so I'm just now able to work on them. The purpose of the lotion is to keep scar tissue from forming under the incisions that are healing. 
• I have to keep pushing my implants toward the center to get them to loosen up. They're in the right spot, but they need some tweaking (per my doctor). Seriously, pushing them to the center is the last thing on my mind so I'm letting gravity do it's job when I sleep on my sides at night. So far, so good!
• Over the next few months, I could start to feel shooting pains, like needles, in both breasts. This process won't be comfortable, but it will be a sign that feeling is returning to the breasts. There's a chance that it will only come back a little, on one side and not the other, or not at all. We shall see. I'm praying for complete restoration of feeling because having a numb chest just feels weird!
• Per my doctor, I can't wear an under wire bra because I can't feel parts of both breasts and he doesn't want the wire rubbing a raw spot since I can't feel it. Makes sense. 
• I can finally wear my seat belt the correct way! Since my surgery in July, I've had to put the shoulder belt behind me in case I was rear ended and the strap did more harm than good. 
• I can slowly return to soccer, boot camp, and running. I know that I will be exhausted since I haven't worked out in 8 months, but I'm VERY ready to get back in the swing of things. 

To my family and friends: THANK YOU! Those two words don't seem adequate enough, but they're very heartfelt. Thank you for taking care of me, my kids, and my husband. Thank you for babysitting, for bringing us meals, for cleaning our home, for sending us gift cards, for driving me to appointments, for listening to me complain and rejoice, for gentle hugs, and for surrounding us in prayer. We were overwhelmed with support this past year, and we are forever grateful for the army that God placed around us to endure these last 12 months. You're kindness was not overlooked and it will never be forgotten. 

Luke 1:49 - "for the Mighty One has done great things for me - holy is his name."

BRCA: Final Surgery - Bringing Home the Twins!

Monday, November 10, 2014, is not a day that we will soon forget. This was the day that we brought home the Morrison twins. They were born somewhere between 12:30-2:30pm and they weighed the exact same. Just like any proud mom, I was up all night and unable to sleep a wink the following day. We were happy to have them home, but we didn't officially meet them until Thursday. OK wait! Let me rephrase all of that...

Last Monday was my third and final cancer prevention surgery. This was the second stage to my breast reconstruction and I couldn't wait to have all of these surgeries behind me. The uncomfortable- invasive- no longer welcome breast expanders were finally being replaced with silicone implants. It was a glorious day!

The Saturday before surgery, I noticed a white spot on my right breast near one of the stitches from my surgery in July (the internal stitches would eventually dissolve around 6 months). By Sunday night, the spot was much bigger, and looked infected. On Monday, the day of surgery, the spot had opened to a small hole, but no longer looked infected. Thankfully, my doctor didn't seem too concerned with the spot and he stitched it closed during surgery.

While being prepped for surgery, I was told that the IV would go in my foot again. This grossed me out before my last surgery and it grossed me out this time too. Not to mention, when my doctor came to visit before surgery, he told the nurse that the foot IV wasn't necessary, that it hurts, and that they should have called him first. Either way, it was in and it wasn't moving. This picture is for my squeamish friends. You're welcome.

Speaking of nurses, my two Pre-Op nurses were amazing! Would you like to know the most valuable info that I learned from those ladies? Q: Why can't we wear panties/underwear in a surgery that has nothing to do with our lower half? A: They're unsanitary and if you poop/pee on the operating table then you have nothing clean to wear home. Touche!

I'm grateful that my husband and uncle were there to keep me company and to pray for me before and during surgery. I'm also thankful that our pastor and a church friend stopped by to pray for me as well. 

The best news that I received after surgery was that I did not have any drains! Not one! This is very uncommon and was a true gift from God. I didn't like the four drains I had after my last surgery and I wasn't looking forward to them even though I was told to expect at least one drain on each side. My chest was wrapped up and it would stay that way until I went to my followup visit on Thursday. By Tuesday, the wrapping was driving me crazy. It was itchy like a cast and I wanted to rip it off. Seriously. Driving. Me. Nuts. This picture was taken on Tuesday (after being awake most of the night and all of the following day). I forced a smile for one of the pics, but the one on the right is a true indication of how I felt ... like I could fall over asleep at any time. 

I was told that my lack of sleep was because of the steroids and anesthesia that I was given during surgery. However, I did sleep great Tuesday night (thanks to my Arbonne Sleep Spray) and all day Wednesday. Unfortunately, the napping on Wednesday made me miss that I was having an adverse reaction to my pain meds. I had a dull headache all day that would get worse when it was time to take my meds. At first I thought it was just the medicine wearing off causing the headaches until I woke around 4:30am Thursday morning with a terrible, terrible migraine. I knew right away that it was from the medicine and I stopped taking it. I've only had Tylenol since and it seems to be keeping the pain under control. 

I officially met the twins on Thursday when the bandages were taken off at my follow up appointment. I was thoroughly impressed with how "real" they looked. Honestly, they were nothing like I envisioned. My best friend drove me to the appointment and she was also impressed with their "realness." I know that I will like them more as I continue to heal, but for now, I'm still pretty impressed. They don't look exactly the same, which makes them perfectly imperfect. My biggest fear was that I would have "Hollywood boobs" and they don't look that way at all. I look like I was born with this set so my doctor gets a big high five for listening to my concerns and delivering a product that I can be proud of!

Results so far:

• Goodbye rock hard expanders with zero movement.
• Hello gel like silicone implants that are soft and move like real breasts.
• My right breast scar was re-opened the whole way to allow for the trade off in the back half of the breast, but also to fix the open hole in the front part of the breast.
• My left breast scar was only opened on the back 2/3rds. 
• I can't wear a bra for a month to allow things to settle properly. 
• My breasts are sitting close to where they will be for the rest of my life. I expected them to be high and swollen, but I was stretched so much that it allowed the implants to sit at just the right spot after surgery. So I guess being majorly uncomfortable the last 4 months with the expanders was worth it. 
• I'm sore, but it's manageable. 
• Ice packs definitely help the soreness.
• I go back next week to have my outer stitches removed. The inner ones will dissolve in 6 months. 
• I'm back on no heavy lifting and workout restrictions for 4-6 weeks.
• I should be healed and good to go by the end of the year. Praise the Lord!
• A special thanks to my parents for taking care of our girls (even sick Lou) the whole week, and to all of our friends/family that are bringing us meals, cards, gifts, prayers, etc. We are loved!

1 Peter 5:10 - "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

BRCA: Terrible Day?

We had a SUPER busy weekend. Like in bed after 11pm on Friday, company picnic and then drove over 4 hours to TX and in bed after 11pm on Saturday, drove over 4 hours home on Sunday, made it back in town just in time for my husbands soccer game, then quickly home because our neighbors daughter stayed Sunday night with us since her little sister was having surgery Monday morning ... Busy! 

I loved every moment though because I was able to meet new friends and share Arbonne's amazing Clean Eating Challenge at a party in Bixby Friday night and then at a party in Richardson, TX, on Saturday night. And, of course, the girls loved having their friend stay the night on a school night! I can't remember a weekend where we crammed so much into such a short amount of time. It was fast and fun!

Back to today. I had to get four little girls (ages 2-6) up and ready this morning with three of them going to school. Everything was going smoothly. We all got strapped into my SUV, I turned the key, and ... nothing. Click, click, click. Nothing. Click, click, click. Nothing. I called my husband and he came straight home from work to drive the five of us to two different schools in record time. We got to the first school right on time (like to the minute) and we arrived at the second school with one minute to spare. Whew.

We came back home and my husband jump started my SUV and advised me to go to Goodyear to have the battery checked. He went back to work and I was incredibly grateful for his help, and the fact that his office is only 15 minutes away. Good thing I took my car in because the battery had a short in it and needed to be replaced. $130 later I was good to go. Ugh. This was not an expense we had planned for. 


Today could have been terrible because: 

• My SUV was dead and we were on a strict schedule to get three little girls to school.
• My attitude went down hill when I wasn't sure if the girls would arrive on time. We needed to be at two different schools, in two different directions, at approximately the same time. 
• The new battery was expensive.
• My schedule was thrown off and I missed an important conference call this morning.

However, I counted my blessings because:

• The dead battery made sense after I recalled having trouble setting my cruise control on the turnpike driving home from my Arbonne party late Friday night. But, I made it home safely.
• The dead battery forced me to go to the auto shop. I've had to air up one of my tires twice in the past couple of weeks from what I assumed was a slow leak, but I had not stopped to take it in for a check up so I had it looked at along with the battery. Come to find out, the tire was coming off the rim. It's rare, but it happens. I wonder what could have happened if I kept driving on it?!
• The cruise control issue and leaking tire kept me from wanting to drive my car to Texas and back so I didn't argue when my husband wanted to take his truck even though our bags, etc would have fit better in my car.
• The battery was expensive, but it was on sale which saved us $20.
• Super dad (my husband), got all the girls to school on time. 
• Thankfully, his job is only 15 minutes from our house. Last Spring, he applied for a job that was 45 minutes away, but he didn't take it when he was offered his current job while waiting to hear back from the first job.
• The conference call was recorded so I listened to it when my two year old took a nap. 

To top it all off, during my daughters nap time, I received a delivery from the Susan G. Komen foundation and Panera bread. Here is my Facebook post from October 14th about this delivery.

"I had a voicemail from Susan G Komen when I got home from picking up the girls. The lady said that a small handful of survivors are chosen to receive a Panera basket for surviving cancer and that she'll deliver it next week. When I called back, I asked how I was chosen because I did the preventative surgeries and never had cancer. She said that was part of the criteria. I don't recall specifying any of that info when I signed up to do the walk last month. I certainly didn't choose the survivor box on the application. I told her that it's just another sign from God that I've made the right decisions, and she replied that I'm the 4th recipient to bring God into the conversation so she knows I'm the perfect person to receive this blessing. To God be the glory!"

The two ladies that delivered the basket were amazing! We connected right away and talked on the porch for about 15 minutes. I had completely forgotten about the basket coming this afternoon because my morning was such chaos. I was blessed and honored to receive the basket of "survivor" items. 

Yup, I'd have to say it was a good day! 

Philippians 4:4-9 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

BRCA: Fill Check-Up & Final Surgery Pre-Op

Last Friday (Oct 3rd), was my four week (post final fill) check-up and the Pre-Op for my next surgery. Everything looked good and only a few adjustments need to be made in the final surgery to complete this year long process. I was told at my last fill that if all looked good at my 4 week check-up then I could have my final surgery anytime up to two weeks after this appointment. Well, that would be great except that my doctors' schedule is booked up until early November. It's a little discouraging knowing that I have to wait another 6 weeks before my final surgery, but I fully trust that God has a plan so I just need to be patient. Romans 12:2 - Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 

Here's the game plan for November:

• The final surgery is to exchange the expanders for the implants.
• I have some tight tissue toward the bottom middle of both breasts that needs to be "released" to make the implants settle better so my doctor will take care of that in surgery. 
• The expanders take about 3 minutes to remove, and the remainder of the surgery is countless adjustments to make things even. 
• Surgery is outpatient.
• Healing is 4-6 weeks of light activity.
• I was told to expect drains on both sides after surgery, but I won't need them for two weeks like last time. I do NOT like the drains!
• The pain level after the next surgery should be minimal compared to what I've already been through. Praise the Lord!

I often get asked how I'm feeling and I always reply with "I'm good!" Honestly, I am good considering my journey this year. My chest is still sore at night and when I first get out of bed, but it's fine during the day. Once or twice a week I feel tightness in my chest, but most days I don't feel anything significant. I still don't like wearing a bra because my expanders are filled to the max and nothing is comfortable, but I know that it could be worse so I'm not complaining (very often). I can't say enough about the all natural *Arbonne Sleep Spray that has helped me get a more restful sleep since my discomfort makes me toss and turn all night.

The evening before my appointment, I felt the need to run so I laced up my shoes and ran two miles. I had not run since before my hysterectomy in April so my time was super slow, but I did it and it felt good. My chest area was sore the next morning so I'll keep the running to a minimum, but going out now and then will be good for me. Don't worry, my doctor approved running (of course, I didn't ask until after I ran because it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right?!). I would love to play soccer, but the fear of getting hit in the chest (and the fact that my husband won't let me play) is keeping me off the field. I'm glad that he's looking out for my best interest because I tend to push the limits in an effort to return to normal. 

*Click Here to read more about the Arbonne Sleep Spray, and please let me know if you would like to try it. It's great for nightly use, those that travel, or anyone that just has trouble falling asleep. I highly recommend it!

BRCA: Growing Boobies (Part 3)

Today was my FINAL fill! Yay! I had hoped that this would be the last one, but I wasn't sure until I consulted with the doctor. In his words, my expanders are "filled to the max" to stretch my skin as much as possible for the implants. In my words, "I'm at maximum discomfort and my clown boobs are even bigger." Awesome. For my medical friends, I'm at 550cc's per boob. That sounds ginormous to me since my friends with implants have around 300-350cc's (along with their own breast tissue), but I have to keep in mind that I started from scratch and that I'm currently stretched bigger than my final implants will be.

I'm a little sore, which I anticipate to get worse over the next few days, but so far I'm on par to feel like my last fill which was much easier than the first one. The worst of the soreness comes at night when I'm laying on my back, and when I get up in the morning. Right now, my skin is shiny from the stretching, and my boobs look like they're about to pop, but I will focus on the positive. No more fills! 

What now?

• I have to continue to apply lotion to both breasts multiple times a day over the next 4-6 weeks to prepare for my final surgery. The lotion will help the skin stretch and it will help to soften up my scars. 
• My next appointment is in 4 weeks. At that time, my doctor will check the skin stretching progress and we'll go from there. I've set a tentative final surgery date in early November, but that date is contingent upon my progress at the next appointment.
• I have a stretchy band that I'm suppose to wear 2-4 hours a day to push my expanders down and help stretch the skin. My doctor said that if my skin starts to stretch well, then I can stop wearing the band because he doesn't want my boobs below my ribcage. He's a funny guy!
• The final surgery will be a lot like my first one with 1-2 drains after surgery that I'll have for 7-10 days and a healing time of 4-6 weeks. I'm not looking forward to starting the process over, but I know that I'll be encouraged by being in the final stages of this process.

AWESOME GOD MOMENT ALERT!!!

This was my first appointment that I went to alone. When we scheduled it two weeks ago, I had to take whatever was available or wait an extra week. I wanted to get this over with so I took the 2:15pm time slot even though I knew that meant that I would go alone because most of my friends would be picking up their kids from school at that time or soon after. My parents offered to take Parker for the day and to pick up Lou from Pre-school at 2:20pm. So, I went alone. 

While sitting in the waiting room, a woman checked in and started looking through her notes and a book similar to the one that I received on my first visit with this doctor. I felt compelled to talk to her, but I hesitated. Then I clearly heard God say, "don't let this moment pass you by." So, I reached out. I asked, from across the waiting room (we were the only ones in there), if she was there for breast reconstruction. Talk about a shot in the dark. She could have been there for any number of procedures, but I've learned to obey when God talks. She replied that she was considering a prophylactic double mastectomy with breast reconstruction because of a history of breast cancer in her family. I told her that I just went through that, and we became instant friends. I moved to the seat next to her and we talked. I gave her all of my contact info and answered her questions. These were the same questions that I had in the beginning so I was blessed to be able to share my experience with her. I then asked if she would like to join me during my appointment and see my fill. So, we checked with the doctor, he agreed, and my new friend got to see a first hand procedure that might be in her near future. God is good!

This divine appointment time that didn't work great in my everyday routine worked perfectly for His plan. The fact that I was alone in the waiting room and not busy talking to a friend worked perfectly for His plan. This entire process that I've gone through since January, that hasn't always been easy, worked perfectly for His plan. My BRCA gene. My life. It's bigger than me. I'm blessed that He chose me to be His servant through this journey. I'm still in awe of Him. I'm thankful.

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."