My Transformed Life-Part I

When our sixth blessing was just one month old, I was hit hard with a burning desire to help people. I knew in the depths of my heart, I wanted to reach out and touch lives. But how? I knew my plate was already full and I hardly did much outside my home, church, and grocery store runs. My identity and all I knew was wrapped up in my home life. I had started my blog (WHY JOY?) because I wanted to encourage others. But I wanted to do more and I just couldn’t figure out how?  I was racking my brain trying to figure out how I would have the time or even the energy to reach out and make a difference in this world. For months and months, I prayed and prayed asking God for direction and wisdom on how I could help people. I prayed:

“Delight myself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

At the time we had been using essential oils and I was watching the transformation in my family. I began creating DIY recipes, blends, routines, and educating myself in essential oils. As I learned more, I wanted to stock my house up with more essential oils and continue removing toxins and chemicals from our home. That included our diet. In addition to our gluten-free lifestyle, we took our eating to the next level. We have always made it a priority to eat all-natural foods, but occasionally we would have some treats here and there (gluten-free of course). When we discovered that multiple people in our family didn’t do well with dyes, colors, perservatives, etc.  we removed ALL items with artificial colors, flavors and preservatives that had snuck into our pantry! BOY, WHAT A DIFFERENCE! We were on a mission to clean up house!

So I continued to pray. All the while, I was slowly building up my essential oil inventory (but trying to stay within our budgeted line item for essential oils–yeah…we are all about Dave Ramsey :)). Then one day I asked my husband if he would be up for me working on generating an income to cover my OILY ADDICTION and cover the cost of our essential oils that we use daily for our family’s health and wellness. He was on board!

And that, my friends, is how it all began!

What started out as a opportunity to cover the costs of my oils has transformed into a beautiful blessing that has allowed me to personally touch lives, pray for needs, care, share, and love others. God opened doors for us to help others grow personally, provide education in using essential oils for health and wellness, generate an income for their families, and be a light of Christ to others.

Through my experience with Young Living essential oils, God has answered my prayers. He has blessed me with the desires of my heart which was to help others while still being a full-time homeschooling mom, raising my six children, a Proverbs 31 wife for my husband, and holding down the fort!!! I am still in awe of our Savior right now as I write this. I am amazed at my transformed life. Everyday I wake up with His mission on my heart not only for my family but for the world.

You may wonder where I have the TIME to do it? With prayer and some brainstorming with my wonderful husband, we came up with a plan that would work for our family. Something had to give, and for me that was less baking, less cooking, less house work (aw shucks) and the kids spending more quality time with Daddy. We still prioritize our weekly FUN NITE and Family night. We still do our sports games as a family and our family church activities. And most importantly, we still keep our Sabbath Day as a family. For me it was a win-win because now I have QUALITY time with my family AND I have more time for friends and the people God puts in my path.

Through all this, God has stretched me. Some days I have to function in a very messy home which is something that has been very difficult for me to do. But I have grown through it and remained focused. God is faithful, and when there is a will, there is a way! My family stepped up to the plate and started taking on more to help with what I had to give up. My oldest helps with dinner, my three-year old has become a super power cleaner, my 6-year old cleans and organizes, my 8-year old likes to help with breakfast, my daughter can now make a batch of cookies with minimal help and she can put our baby girl down for a nap, she cleans the kitchen until it is sparkling clean, and my husband comes home and does my usual things while I care, share, love, and educate and others. It has been such a rewarding experience and truly a FAMILY TEAM EFFORT.

I want you to know that when you pray, unceasingly, God will answer your prayers (even if it is “no.”). It may not be what you expect, or even what you may want, but it may be BETTER THAN YOU COULD HAVE EVER EXPECTED! When I had that burning desire in my heart, in my flesh it was not possible. But with God, all things are possible.

I am on a mission to encourage those who think they can’t do it, think they are too busy, or who feel guilty taking “time away” from their family. I want you to know that YOU can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. And when you do it for Him first you will succeed! I love my transformed life. I feel closer to my family, stronger as a mom, and stronger in my walk with Christ. When the challenges come, and believe me they have already hit hard, I stand firm in Christ believing in the mission He has set before me! I feel balanced. I feel fulfilled. I feel J.O.Y! (Jesus-Others-Yourself).

Stay tuned for Part II.

Let’s talk

Do you have a burning desire in your heart? Have you brought it before Christ in prayer truly seeking His direction? Do you believe HE can make a way when there seems to be no way?