Exercise Wins!

Those who have lived with chronic illness know how nearly impossible it can become to exercise. When it takes all your strength just to sit up long enough to eat, there is nothing left for a walk.

But as I continue to heal my limbic system, I am getting back to exercise! Last Sunday afternoon I took an energetic walk down our gravel road and on Monday I attended my 4th weekly WholyFit session online. Throughout the weeks I am also reviewing WholyFit exercises whenever possible via the complementary video replays for those registered for class.

I mention this, because I want to invite you to join me (women only) for the next 6-week session of WholyFit classes available online beginning November 4th. These will be a great introduction to this Christ-centered stretching-based exercise system with 20-minute live sessions and a bonus of the video replays available for 11 weeks!

For more information or to sign up for emails about new class offerings, click HERE.

You can also email my certified WholyFit instructor, Elsa, at elsa.wholyfit@gmail.com

P.S. - Elsa happens to be my little sister who struggled with even deeper disabilities than I since an adrenal crisis and onset of complex chronic illness a decade ago. Now she is stronger than I and an amazing fitness teacher with special insights into women's physical needs through various seasons of life!

Full Days on the Prairie

Another big project is finished around here!

Dad got all the basement doors sanded and painted, as well as the bakery doors which we hadn't finished yet since building in 2010. He built a spray booth in the shed and did an amazing job!

Meanwhile, garden harvest continues (and the corn fields around us have started being harvested as well.) Maren's kids loved helping in the garden during a visit!

They also love spending time in our new basement library... still in process of being refilled.

To help me relax on Sundays, a couple of new crocheted animals have joined my baby gift collection.

And I turned some ugly apples into canned apple juice. Before skimming, the foam turned this amazing gold!

Trying New Things!

What do all these pictures have in common? 

They all show something new in my life! Some are brand new and others are exciting to get back to after a decade of chronic illness.

You can watch my "New Things I'm Trying in Life & Lemongrass" video covering all these topics and more in this weekend's Live & Learn texting event. Simply text "LiveAndLearn" to me at (218) 271-8677 to be the first to enjoy this update!

~ Hannah

P.S. - Here is more info about my events.

Summer Camping Trip Wins!

 Our annual doctoring trip turned into an actual vacation this year!

It was the first year we could really start to explore the state park where we camp.

From meadows to clifftop paths...

We climbed the bluffs on both sides of our valley on different days.

That meant more than 200 hundred steps each way, each day!

And it hasn't been that long since our 14 steps up to bed at home required several stops to rest.

We also biked 5 miles a couple of times - part of it on a narrow foot path through the hilly woods. I couldn't believe my returning balance, coordination and strength!

Back in camp we enjoyed plenty of rest in the high heat and humidity, plus some cosy campfires.

I also enjoyed my first Mac & Cheese in a decade! Still gluten-free so far, but dairy is returning.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Elsa's WholyFit Exercise Classes - Starting Soon!

Photos are coming soon of our July camping trip full of exciting wins! 

But first, let me share how my sister Elsa has completed a huge goal that would have been impossible for her a couple of years ago...

Elsa has become a Certified WholyFit* Instructor, and she is now offering online exercise classes for women!

For those women who know they need some exercise in a safe, Christian, and core-strengthening way, but don't know how to fit in trips to the gym... Elsa is offering weekly WholyFit classes online (with a video replay you can use all week) starting soon.

Click HERE for more information or to get on her email list to hear of upcoming classes.

I had the privilege of being in Elsa's test group this year [along with some mothers looking to rehab after several pregnancies], and it was so encouraging!

Want to join us next month?! I'd love to exercise and grow in strength and grace along with you!

~ Hannah

* WholyFit's mission is to provide a Christ-centered stretching based system that equips instructors and participants in biblical holistic practices for wholeness and healing. To learn more, visit wholyfit.org.

Stream Sight & Sound's DAVID for Free this Weekend!

I'm back! The past month has been filled to overflowing with camping twice and catching up whenever we are at home. It has also been sweetened with many joys and wins. 

More about that later...

Today I'm just popping on to let you know that you can watch what is probably my favorite Sight & Sound musical for FREE through August 11th. 

Stream DAVID here: https://www.sight-sound.tv/

What makes this show so special to me is all the ways the Psalms are included.  I even got the DVD for my birthday to watch anytime. If you get to watch, I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Note: This show is likely too intense for young children. 

"As They Went" - on Thoughts & Obedience

As I read Luke 17, I was once again struck by the three little words:

"As they went..."

"They" = 10 lepers, desperately sick and cut off from everyone and everything they loved.

"Went" = Following Jesus' directions to step out in faith that they would be healed, even though He hadn't come up and touched them or spoken words of assurance as in other cases. He simply sent them off to show themselves to those who could declare them all-clear to live a normal life again.

As a result, they were healed on the way and commended for acting in faith and obedience by stepping out and doing what God had said... even when it didn't make sense. 

Jesus can still do that today! Even when He doesn't heal all at once [though He does that too], He still calls us to have faith and follow His directions. Our Good Shepherd will lead us in the best paths for us when we follow His voice. 

In the words of a hymn I love... Trust and Obey.

So what are we, You and I in the year 2024, told to do? For one thing, "Take every thought captive." (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Amazingly, science is finally starting to prove what God has directed all along in His word... that our thoughts matter. We were created with neuroplasticity [brains that can change] for good reason. 

Our thoughts directly affect our body chemistry, immune systems, and so much more. No wonder God's word clearly emphasizes things like:

• Trust - Psalm 62:8

• Hope - Romans 15:13

• Be still - Psalm 46:10

• Praise - Hebrews 13:15

• Eternal Mindset - Colossians 3:1-2

• Do not fear - Isaiah 41:10 [and over 100 more verses on this topic!]

If we care about our health, we need to care about our thoughts as God has directed! When He says...

Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent & praiseworthy... think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

...He means it! 

Besides the gift of Neuroplasticity, we were given the gift of Selective Attention. When a thought is hurting us and triggering our stress response, we can choose a different thought.

Not only does God promise to take care of all that worries us when we "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33), but He has so designed our bodies that the very act of walking out this life of faith and obedience (starting in our minds) will set in motion physical processes of healing... 

As We Go!

Want to learn more about biblical and scientific Brain Rewiring? You can sign up for my occasional newsletter HERE.

~ Hannah