Instagram Fast with Bible Immersion

The 23rd Psalm says, "Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want..."

Can you even imagine???

We live in a world that constantly tells us to want.

Want more, want less.... It all comes out the same as we are conditioned to never be quite content with where we are and what we have.

We see it everyday on the little screen in our hand as the ever changing algorithm holds onto us with one more click, one more story, one more reel,.... telling us that we would be happier with more money or less weight or more clothes or less wrinkles. Maybe for you its a bigger garden or more chickens or an instagram worthy vacation.

Some of these are good things but my heart has learned that to be in a constant state of "wanting" is exhausting and it robs me of the rest that The Good Shepherd as called me to. But how do we rest from the wanting?

Only by fixing our eyes on Jesus who knows all our needs and promises to meet them according to the riches that he posses in glory. (Phil 4:19)

Only by resting in the strong arms of the Good Shepherd and finding contentment there because he is with me and his presence is enough. Enough to fill the empty spaces that all the wanting leaves behind.

I am ready for rest.

I am ready to take a break from the constant swiping and watching life go by at the speed of reels. If you too, are ready for your soul to be restored, join me in a week long social media fast where we will endeavor to replace the screen time with a massive infusion of God's Word as we listen to the entire New Testament in 7 days.

I did this "re-set" last year and it truly did restore my soul. This time I am inviting you to join me.

I will begin on Tuesday, May 27th and go for 7 full day. For me this will mean no Instagram, youtube, podcasts, facebook and any other screen apps that feel need to be included. It may be a different list for you and that is ok. During this fast, I plan to listen to the entire New Testament using the Free YouVersion app. There is an option on some of the translation version for the audible version and that makes for an easy way to fill my mind with huge quantities of God's Word every day. It should take about 3 hours a day of listening time to complete the whole thing. If your life looks different than mine and that isn't possible, come up with your own plan. Maybe for you it is just the book of Psalms or just the Gospels. But whatever you choose, go for more than you think is comfortable. You won't regret it.

The last time I did this I found myself in a constant state of thankfulness as I listened to the stories of God's faithfulness and his beautiful promises to us. My hope and prayer is that you will be refreshed in the same way.

If you would like to join me, Click here to sign up and I will send out a few encouraging emails and possibly schedule a zoom call so we can encourage one another.

Can't wait to get started and then to hear what God does in your life!

Lots of love,

Rohnda

Calming Natural Supplements

We've been at this for a lot of years and calming Jonah's anxiety has been the biggest piece in managing his behaviors. We have tried so many things... Medications, THC, supplements, and therapies. We have spent and wasted thousands of dollars with high hopes and big disappointment. I know that everyone is different and what works for us may not work for you but I wanted to get all these links in one place for those of you asking what we use. I am not partnered with any of these brands though I do make a tiny commission if you use my Amazon link but my goal here is to be helpful and nothing else.

Please do your own research and talk to those that are helping you to manage your children's (or your) health.

These are the products that we have used for Jonah and that we have purchased over and over again throughout the years.

True Calm

Product Description

About this item

• A combination of amino acids and their cofactor nutrients formulated to support the normal production and function of calming neurotransmitters in the brain*

• Includes GABA and glycine, two amino acids that promote a relaxed state of mind as well as taurine, another amino acid with calming properties*

• Blended with valerian, which is known to interact with the GABA receptors in the nervous system*

My Notes: We have used the supplement for years and Jonah takes one to two capsules, twice a day.

Orchex - 

About this item

• Encourages mental clarity, enhances the ability to relax, and allows greater adaptability to life's stresses

• Supports the balanced function of the central nervous system

• My Notes: Standard Process is a brand that I have trusted for over 30 years and this particular product is said to work like natural Xanax. We have found it to be a great addition and Jonah takes 2 twice a day.

• 
  

Pro EPA- 

About this item

• Omega-3 EPA & DHA are vital for overall health. While DHA helps keep cell membranes fluid, EPA helps counter cellular stress—particularly important for modulating behavior and mood.

• My Notes: We have used lots of other fish oil formulations in the past and never found them to made a difference but this one with higher levels of EPA has had a noticeable effect on Jonah. He started with 1 capsule 3 times a day but now only takes it two times a day. It's pricy but worth it.

Boiron StressCalm- 

provides an over-the-counter option to relieve symptoms of occasional stress such as

nervousness, irritability, hypersensitivity, and fatigue. Its blend of plant-based active ingredients reduce nervous tension, calming both mind and body.

My Notes: These are melt in your mouth tabs and they do seem to bring immediate stress relief for Jonah.

I like to keep some in my purse for when we are out.

Tranquility Essential Oil

• 100% Pure Essential Oil Blend: Tranquility combines the relaxing aromas of orange, tangerine, patchouli, lime, blue tansy, ylang-ylang, citronella, and lavender essential oils. This unique blend clears the mind while relaxing the body.

• My Notes: Jonah will sometimes ask for this and it really does seem to have a calming effect for him. I usually rub in on the back of his neck when he having a hard moment.

GABA

About this item

• NEUROTRANSMITTER SUPPORT: GABA is naturally produced in the body and its presence within the central nervous system may help promote relaxation and ease nervous tension. 

• My Notes: If I could only choose one of these supplements it would be this one. It has helped to keep our medication doses at a minimum and works well to bring calm to stressful times in Jonah's brain and body. I have occasionally taken it myself and it works well.
  

Chewable Gaba

When Jonah was younger and couldn't swallow pills, we used this chewable GABA. It is also a smaller dose and a good place to start if GABA is new for you.

If you want a list of all the supplements we have used for various health supports, you can find my Amazon Storefront here.

Again, I am sharing what has worked well for our family after years of trying different things but every person is different and will respond differently so please do your own research as this should not be taken as medical advice.

Praying God gives each of you wisdom as you navigate the storms of anxiety.

Blessings,

Rohnda

The Power of Praise

As someone who makes a regular practice of the "Note to self" application, I appreciate that the Psalmist invites us into his own inner workings.

"Why are you so downcast?" he says to his soul. "Why are you so disturbed?" If you are anything like me, you've got a list of things that you could rattle off at any given moment in answer to that question. Problems with money, marriage, health, kids, jobs, family... the list could go on and on.

This life is full of trials, in fact Jesus promises in John 16:33 that "In this world, you will have trouble". The problem comes when we take our eyes off of the Savior of the world, the one who has overcome all things and who's voice calms the raging storms.

When I gaze too deeply at the troubles that surround me, disturbed and downcast are the natural result. And so, like the Psalmist I speak to my soul and say: "Put your hope in God"

" I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart;

I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in you;

I will praise your name, O most High."

Psalm 9:2-1

Praise is how we take our eyes off the storm and put them back on the one who holds the universe together with the word of his power" (Hebrews 1:3). It is calling to mind the goodness and the power of the Almighty God and choosing to praise him through the trials.

But friend, it is hard to praise a God that we don't know. It is hard to trace his goodness in our lives when we have no idea what that goodness looks like. It is hard to look, with joyful anticipation, towards all that he has in store for you when you have never learned of his promises. If that is you, don't worry if you are starting at the beginning. Because whether you are just beginning a journey of faith or have walked this road for many years, The Gospel is the one thing that can put a song in our hearts, no matter what else we are facing.

The reality of my lost and sinful state that was redeemed by Jesus our Savior who took the sins of the world on himself and paid the ransom in full so that I could be restored to a relationship with God, how could that not make every trial of this earth pale in comparison to the hope that is before me. The promise of heaven, where every tear will be gone and every wrong made right, it lifts the weight of this world right off of my troubled heart. Fixing our eyes on Jesus and resting in his promises is what leads our hearts to joyful praise in any and all circumstances. It opens prison doors, it lifts the head of the downcast and disturbed and it puts a song on our lips.