A Pleasing Herbal Tea

Since early this year, I have been doing correspondent studies from The Herbal Healer Academy on natural methods of healing. I first took their course on homeopathy, seeking a better understanding of the remedies my family has been using for the past several years. I enjoyed every moment of the learning experience.  Homeopathy, the potentization of a particular substance, is truly one of the safest and most effective forms of natural medicine available to us.  It's made a huge difference in the health of each member of my family.  In past years, my dad suffered from severe bronchitis annually, and of course the rest of my family fell victim to colds and flus on a regular basis.  Since using homeopathic remedies, our immune systems have been strengthened and we are far less susceptible to viruses. Additional nutritional adjustments to our diet, such as using whole wheat flour and eliminating junk foods, plus a consistent intake of supplements have yielded further beneficial results. We do not take good health for granted--we thank the Lord!

As I resumed my correspondence Bible college studies (from Landmark Baptist College) this fall, I made the decision to also further my education of natural healing methods.  I am now thoroughly enjoying the process of learning how to use herbs!  I am very excited. =)  There are 22 lessons in this particular course and, much to my delight, each lesson includes a hands-on herbal project.  Project #1 was a hydrotherapeutic bath composed of rosemary, basil, thyme, sage, and lavender (it was wonderful).  I'm currently on the second lesson; its project is four different herbal teas.  The first one I did was Indian Spice. The six ingredients were cinnamon, fennel, anise, cardamom, cloves, and peppercorns.  I think I let it steep too long.  It was STRONG. (gag)  I thought extra honey might help.  Quite the contrary.  I got half of it down, anyway. (chuckle)

My second herbal tea, Forever Fruit, was much better.  In fact, it was delightfully pleasing! As you can see from the photo, the tea contained rosehips, lemongrass, hibiscus, orange peel, and peppermint. Below is a clearer picture of the herbs. The large orange-colored pieces are orange peel and the red pieces are rosehips. The thin herbs are lemongrass and the rosey-hued fragments are hibiscus petals. Finally, the more rounded leaflets are peppermint.
 

I later did some research on the properties of these herbs. I was very amazed by the information I found!

Needy Hearts

Here are the three final pairs of mittens I made for the Moldovan orphan children. These were fashioned for tiny hands (between five and eight inches in length). In all, I was able to knit fifteen pairs in all different sizes and colors. Fifteen... so few among the 300 children. How I wish there were some way I could have knitted enough mittens to warm each and every pair of hands!

This week, we received a current prayer letter from the McCurdy's, the missionary family in Moldova that we support. I love reading missionary letters! There is no excitement equaling that of hearing of the Lord's work in different countries, of the souls that are being saved and of the lives the Holy Spirit is changing. The McCurdy's told of their plans and preparations for the Christmas program they will be doing at the orphanage next month. Many of the teenagers in the orphanage will be a part of the play which they will be putting on. They included several photos taken during last year's Christmas program. It was sobering to actually see how many needy children there are in that single orphanage. So needy for daily comforts we take for granted. So needy for family and security and love. Because of the McCurdys' faithful outreach, they are being told of the Savior's love and how they can be adopted by the most wonderful Father there is, a Father to Whom they can go to for every need and in every circumstance! If you think to, please keep the McCurdy's and their orphanage ministry in your prayers. Especially pray that the Lord will work in many hearts during the Christmas program.

Entrance to One Door

"Often at the beginning of a new life we attempt to forecast the work that we hope to accomplish. We take into account our desires and aptitudes, our faculties and talents, our birth and circumstances. From these we infer that we shall probably succeed best along a certain line of useful activity. But as the moments lengthen into years, it becomes apparent that the door of opportunity is closing in that direction. It is a bitter disappointment. We refuse to believe that the hindrances to the fulfillment of our cherished hopes can be permanent. Patience, we cry, will conquer every difficulty. The entrance may be narrow, but surely it is passable. At last we shall reach the wide and large place of successful achievement. ... It is only after such a period of disappointment that we come to perceive that God's ways are not as our ways, nor are His thoughts as our thoughts, and that He has other work for us to do for which He has been preparing us, though we knew it not.

"Not till long years have passed have we realized that the Lord's plan was much wiser and grander than our own. Then suddenly we have awakened to discover that while we were desiring to do one thing, God was leading us to do another and that what we have counted secondary was primary, for His glory, and for the lasting satisfaction of our own heart.

"Whenever you are doubtful as to your course, submit your judgment absolutely to the Spirit of God and ask Him to shut against you every door but the right one."

-- F.B. Meyer
from his book, The Life of Paul

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,

We must wait for God to open the one door of entrance to His course for our lives. His will cannot be forced or hurried. If we miss that one door, we miss His perfect will in the succeeding steps, and that is something we cannot afford! His plan is so much grander than our most excellent goals--exceeding abundantly grander. Where we are presently is truly the place He has chosen for us to work and to wait. It does not pay to fret impatiently against His purposes, perhaps growing so restless that we feel we have no choice but to launch out foolishly on the path we believe to be acceptable.

May our hearts take faith and delight in the Lord Jesus, fully believing to see His goodness fulfilled. When at last we see the door of opportunity begin to open, with God's hand extended lovingly toward it, how complete will be our glad thankfulness... knowing the wait was worth every moment.

"Trusting Him whate'er befall,
Trusting Jesus, that is all."

Information concerning paintings:

1) "At the Garden Gate" by Charles Lidderdale
2) "At the Cottage Door" by David Woodlock