by Kiersten Homalon | Feb 9, 2016 | Faith + Expressions
Break Though
You know when that moment is near
The voices in your head growing
The sound of victory muddled by the world around
There is power in that name
and its power will abound
Lifting up the focus for the heart that needs direction
intention is set and its beyond our own reflection
Outward vision never easy to maintain
The heart is selfish but victory is in the rejection of the vein
Breakthrough is never gentle
It comes from gripping and strain
But with that warm presence nothing can have this power detained
So set your sails and let the wind lift them up
because Victory is in you
And through the defeat it will cut!
®Kiersten H.
by Kiersten Homalon | Feb 2, 2016 | Faith + Expressions
I am a person that would most of the time seem like an open book. When I sit down with people I have a way of presenting myself as very open. However, there are things that I never really like to put out there…. and one of them is the power I willingly allow the enemy to have over my mind. Now, that may sound really intense but I bet more people struggle with this than most would think. I am one of the ones who struggle with the negative banter in my mind getting way out of hand. When I say out of hand, I mean more than allowing it to make me feel a little blue. This chatter in my mind gets so out of hand sometimes it effects every single aspect of my life. Relationships, my health, and most unfortunately my nearness to God. Even writing this out makes me my tears well up. It seems so easy to just tell myself to STOP ALLOWING THE ENEMY TO HAVE THAT POWER! But there is a lot of ME in the way, and preventing that healing and transformation to happen. That break through is so near I can feel it, and yet the chatter makes my line of sight distorted…. well enough is enough…. time to break those chains.
I realized how much I needed to ask the Holy Spirit to help me regain the ground I had lost when I heard a compelling message at our church. Some of you might be ready to tune out just from me saying that I learned something from Church, but please have some grit and press into what I am about to say. The pastor encouraged us to “Pray to be fertile soil for the Lord to plant GOOD seed.” This may seem like common sense for seasoned believers but for me this was a refreshing reminder, and what he followed up this statement with made the Holy Spirit zing all over my heart! (Thats the best way I can describe feeling the Holy Spirit Haha!) He pointed to 1 Samuel 16:11. This is a story where Samuel was searching for the one God had called to be the chosen King. Samuel looked over Jesse’s sons all strong and promising but God had not chosen any one of them, so he asked Jesse if all of his sons were present in the room and then he admitted that David was still out in the field tending to the Sheep. As soon as David entered the room God told Samuel that he was the one…. The least likely was Gods choice. Point being…. God does not overlook us. We are not forgotten. How does this tie into the negative chatter in our minds? Because I had it revealed to me that our minds are not unseen to God. We may think that we can struggle with things in our mind as if it were some abyss of heart ache, confusion and struggle. However, it is center stage for God. Our thoughts along with our entire being is not overlooked by God, and I stinking LOVE that! Don’t you? It used to scare me or make me feel ashamed, but now, I am overcome with the thankfulness that God is a God that intertwines his being within us, and that joy washing all the embarrassment away. I want God to see the inside of me. And that desire to have God SEE every little bit of me and my thoughts is my highway to having victory over this chatter.
A lot of the thoughts that I have struggled with are, in fact, generational sins and chains that have meandered their way down the line to me. The weight of the baggage was combining with my own allowances of the enemy in my mind and I got to the point where ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH. I did not want my little girl to have to go through unnecessary weight. There is enough trials in life, she did not need the past to add to that! So I had a dear friend confront me and reveal to me she could see this chatter compromising my confidence and she did what only the best of friends do. She grabbed my hands and prayed for me, then she did something even more powerful. She made me pray for myself, to break these chains. And I prayed BOLDLY and I felt VICTORIOUS over these chains!!!!
So I want you to take a good hard look at yourself and ask yourself if you are compromising and allowing the negative chattering your head to have too much space. Because if we allow God to work in our hearts, our minds, and in our souls then there will be NO room for anything else! So whats stopping us? Carpe Diem Right!? Each step is a step that the world and the enemy wants to get in the way of. Don’t let it. Keep your nose in The Word, your eyes on Jesus and your side companioned with Faithful friends and family. You are Victorious. Never forget that!
Dear Father,
I want to ask forgiveness for allowing the enemy to take up
space in my mind, please forgive me for letting my eyes slip from you
to the troubles in my mind. Thank you for being my ever present help in my time of need. Lord I
bind any generational chains from me and my children. I bind the enemy from my mind
and I pray for you to take up residence fully in my mind.
Lord I ask for your Holy Spirit to flow freely in my thoughts Lord God keeping them in
line with your word father. The generational sins and chains stops with me!
Reign in my life! Help me to gain ground Lord! Thank you for
your grace and forgiveness!
In Jesus Mighty Name Amen!
by Kiersten Homalon | Jan 28, 2016 | Family + Relationships
I LOVE being a mom. Its something I always knew I would do. I grew up baby sitting all the neighborhood kids and lasted all the way into college! I was the “Go To Babysitter”. I assisted my mother in her In Home Day Care and I worked in various Day Cares separate from hers. I love children! I always thought I would be a teacher one day because of this passion!
I ended up never becoming a teacher because God had other Plans for me, and I am thankful that His hand on my life has led me down the path it has. I am a young mother married to a man I prayed for, for many years, and God answered my prayers ten fold. We are just starting out but thankfully God has blessed me with a business I can run from my home and help women transition from birth into motherhood with community and support! I love what I do and I love that I can be home with my two year old while I am at it! My daughter comes with me on all of my outings. She’s amazing and helpful during prenatal visits and client meet ups, then I am blessed that my husband watches her when I met clients postpartum to honor their sacred space.
My daughter is amazing. Patient, kind, and scary smart!! But with all of that said, she is also 2…. and that presents MANY challenges.
Now that she is getting closer to the age of 3 we are embarking on much more mental break downs, tantrums, and….. ATTITUDE!!!!
I was not prepared for this! ATTITUDE!? I always was on the other end of the “TUDE” but now I am getting a small glimpse of the maternal side.
I know just about every mother goes through this. And there are about a million “How To” books and Blogs and such on how to cure them and treat them, and thats great. But For me they stress me out… and confuse how I feel my daughter should be parented. Or they might intimidate me! But the point is…. Sometimes, my frustration with my daughter gets the best of me, and I sacrifice my influence as her mother for selfish reactions that are always based out of the wrong place.
I have experienced a number of times where, I “snap” and then as soon as it starts, its over, and then my conscience weighs on me, along with the shock in my daughter’s face. This has taken many forms, but they are all ugly, and solve nothing.
Finally, one day it happened again. I lost it…. and It sent my heart crawling back to The Lord for guidance. I am thankful for His forgiveness, and his mercy because clearly I need it. Then it hit me. How God parents me, is exactly how I should be parenting my daughter, with Grace and Mercy. And then a Daniel Tiger Episode popped into my head. “When you’re feeling mad and you wanna ROAR… Just take a deep breath… and count to four…. 1…2…3…4!” Yes there are lessons in cartoons for adults as well it seems!
At that moment I realized that I was in a position to teach and simultaneously learn and hone in the skill of patiently parenting. Firm and strait forward, but full of Grace and Mercy. So now when my daughter loses her cool in the parking lot and everyone is starring at me and her…. I’ll run the Daniel Tiger song through in my head, and then say “Ok God…. guide my discipline here, help me to parent her firmly in the way she needs me to Father.”
At that moment I am WAY more effective as a mother than I was before and instead of two people in shambles, there is one guiding the way for the other, and showing my daughter what is appropriate by treating her appropriately.
I am in NO WAY a parenting expert, but this switch flipping in my head has already really changed the atmosphere in our home, even my husband noticed it! (It could be also that I get gym time ALONE now… Thank you Jesus!) But I know that this change too is contributing to a better vibe to our home. I heard it said before that women are to be the Thermostat in the home….. NOT the Thermometer. And I really keep that vision in the for front of my mind as well….
So when you’re about to lose it…. Flash forward a few years and see how your influence now in guiding your children in their emotions will benefit them… For me it really tugged on my heart strings…. and got my mind turning. Use your unique set of Mommy Sense that I believe God gives the each of us…. and keep your cool momma!
You GOT THIS!
Have Grit Sweet Ones,
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in Truth.” 3 John 1:4
by Kiersten Homalon | Jan 28, 2016 | Family + Relationships
Many by now have heard about the new craze of Essential oils. Its easy to dismiss something that seems like the latest fad. However, the science behind how Essential Oils work makes it undeniable that these oils effectively protect and heal our bodies in multiple ways! On top of that, the usage of Essential oils extends all the way back to the beginning of the Bible! That says something about their power! With the wide variety, there is literally an oil that can be used for every single situation in life.
As mothers, it is no secret that we need to be equipped… for EVERYTHING! All mothers know that the inevitable not only is possible, but it WILL, at some point, happen! This is why this new year, I encourage you to revamp your Diaper Bag, Purse, Snack pack, and Beach Bag with a few oils that are a necessity for those rogue moments!
There are 5 Oils that you cannot go without…
The first Oil that MUST be with you at all times is Melaleuca (Aka Tea Tree Oil).
Melaleuca’s Benefits Include:
-Cleansing and renewing benefits to Skin
-Boosts Immune Functions
-Protects against environmental threats
Awesome Ways to Use This oil:
-Diaper Rash Creams
-Sanitizing Hand Sprays
-Cuts and Bruise Spray
-Mixed with a Carrier Oil (Fractionated Coconut oil, and Almond Oil are my favorites) and used topically for warts, blisters, rashes, and infections.
Another Oil that is a MUST for Mom’s is Lavender.
Many people just flat out love the smell of Lavender and savor it solely for that! However, Lavender is a powerhouse when it comes to using Essential Oils.
Lavender Benefits Include:
-Aromatherapy- Calming, Stress and Anxiety Reducing, and Sleep Aid
-Topically: Bee Stings, Insect Bites, Minor Burns, Cuts, Eczema, Dry and Chapped Skin, Dandruff, and Cold Sores
-Also helps with: Fever, nosebleeds, Nausea and Motion Sickness
Ways to Use Lavender:
-Diffused: In the car or in the home, Great for fussy restless babies, Tantrum prone toddlers, and grumpy over worked Husbands…. and ladies, when you can’t take anymore, drop a few drops of lavender in your palms rub them together and take a deep breath….. (I call this the “Chill Pill” ) It works.
-Topically: inflamed skin, cuts, burns, eczema and more (Paired with Melaleuca these two are a healing power house!)
-Motion sickness and Nausea: A drop on the tip of your tongue (Only use Pure therapeutic grade essential oils internally) Also Pregnant women should refrain from the use of Lavender internally and in some cases topically.
-Nose Bleeds: Using pressure point on the top lip directly under the nose and put a drop or two of Lavender on the tissue or rag you’re using to catch the blood.
-Cold Sores, and Distressed Lips: Chapped or cracked lips are desperate for some relief and lavender is just the thing to soothe them. Cold sores can be healed from putting Lavender EO directly onto the sore.
-Taste Buds!: Not many would think of Lavender as a tasty flavor but Lavender can be added to many recipes to add a unique and absolutely DELICIOUS flavor! My favorite is Raw Lavender Cheesecake….. Yes Its possible, and goodness its tasty! And Healthy!
The Next oil is Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus Benefits of use are:
-Anti-inflammatory
-Decongestant
-Deodorant
-AntiBacterial
-Anti-fungal
-Stimulating (Mentally)
Uses for Eucalyptus Include:
-Massaged onto the chest and back helps to soothe asthma, and congestion. Diffusing this oil also helps with these respiratory problems
-A few drops in warm water gargled for sore throats
-Diffused and topically placed at the base of the back of the neck to treat mental exhaustion as well as mental disorders, the cooling effect of the oil is refreshing and helps to remove the mid day fog…. (For children who have learning disabilities, behavioral differences, or when your coffee has worn of in the middle of the day this is a powerful oil to always have on hand!)
-Massaging into skin with a carrier oil for sore muscles and joint pain. (Growing pains are the worst…. this will give your child relief!)
-Mixed in your tooth paste! Helps to prevent cavities and gingivitis!
-Dropped onto the scalp to treat lice! (Every mom’s fear!) Eucalyptus is a natural pesticide!
-Placed on the bottoms of the feet, paired with peppermint to break fever (Fevers come out of no where sometimes so its really important to keep Peppermint and Eucalyptus on hand)
www.organicfacts.net
That leads us into our Fourth Essential Oil that is Essential…. Sorry I couldn’t resist…Peppermint
Peppermint Essential oil Benefits:
-Antiviral
-AntiMicrobial
-Anti-fungal
-Antioxidant
-Radio-protective
Ways to use Peppermint Essential Oil:
-Tummy Aches: can be taken internally in tablets (DoTerra carries peppermint tablets) or a drop under the tongue will do it.
-Rubbed onto the chest to decongest and reduce inflammation for those who suffer from Asthma
-Added to bath water for sore muscles or over tired bodies ( it happens to all our kiddos at some point and this is a great way to lead them into a deep sleep to recover from a long day)
-Diffused: Helps to increase emotional comfort and reduce stress and nervous system overstimulation….. Need I say more?
The Last Essential oil is Actually one of my absolute favorites! And I think you will see why!
Frankincense Essential is not only AMAZING to smell but it is a POWERHOUSE Essential oil!
Benefits of Frankincense Include:
– Antiseptic
-Disinfectant
-Astringent
-Digestive
-Diuretic
-Sedative
These are just some of the many uses and Medicinal benefits of Frankincense! Some others that cannot go with out mentioning are:
-Immune Boost
-Oral Health
-Emenagogue (Encourages regular and healthy Menstruation)
-Carminative (Eliminates gas in the body and prevents gas build up) -lets be real Ladies, No one wants Gas build up
-Cicatrisant (Fancy word for Miracle Worker…. Anti Aging and encourages healthy glowing skin… More on this later!)
-Digestive (Again a miracle worker in the speeding up of digestion and helps with indigestion!)
-Stress and Anxiety
Ways to Use Frankincense:
-Diffused with Other complimenting Essential Oils such as Cypress, Bergamot, Lemon, Lime , Orange, and Sandalwood! This is a Great way to combat stress and anxiety, as well as treating nervous system ailments.
-1-2 Drops under the Tongue: Momma’s this one is for you. This is a great way to keep up immune functions and over all health to make sure you’re the best mommy you can be and feel great while doing it!
-Combined with a carrier oil and rubbed onto the bottom of kiddos feet and the sides of their spine (Immune Booster Roller Ball Recipe to follow!)
-Mixed into lotions, lip balms, body wash, and fragrances (The ultimate secret weapon when it comes to Beauty Regiments!)
*Applying Frankincense to the skin encourages regeneration of healthy skin cells and encourages the tissues to remain healthy! Using this oils will help remove sun spots, scars, acne, wrinkles and tighten your sin wherever you apply! Like is said…. MIRACLE WORKER!
** This is an oil to refrain from during your pregnancy… But use it on your kiddos still!
Using Essential Oils may seem daunting at first, but once you know your main Oils to have in your arsenal you’ll be a Essential Guru! And then you can branch out after you further your own research!
Happy Essential Oiling!
Immune Booster Recipe
12 Drops Frankincense
10 Drops Melaleuca
5 Drops Oregano
10 Drops Lemon
Have Grit Sweet One,
by Kiersten Homalon | Jan 28, 2016 | Family + Relationships
After a full year of day to day hard ship, going into another year is easy to feel many emotions. However, the other morning I got up early while my baby girl was still sleeping to seek time with The Lord. In that time I was just praying and thanking God for the HUGE amount of GOOD He did in this last year in the midst of the hardship. In that moment, a domino effect happened. My eyes somehow were opened to the realization of all the break throughs last year had, the victories, the blessings…. Oh the Blessings! It made me recall a short quote I wrote when I was a Senior in College.
“Music… Vibrational reassurance that beauty is not always tangible, and that melody will still thrive in dissonance.”
God is the music in our lives, and He is Thriving!
I think a lot of us make it to the end of the year huffing and puffing, I know I did. And seeing another year coming strait at us seems like endless waves crashing overhead. But I encourage you sweet one. Stand yourself strait up, Hunt for the Good, and the Good will drive your life forward. Going into a new year, after coming out of a hard year, is a wonderful position to be in. Why? Because you are stronger! Because you overcame! Because you are on the hunt for Good! And Because you are choosing to propel your best into this next year!
CHOOSING to brush off the year that past and look head on into what is to come is invigorating and requires BIG Faith! But I know we all can do it! So, Cut your hair! Dye those locks and get that gym membership you’ve been putting off, but above all, focus on the Good! This is my challenge to you!
Have Grit Sweet ones,
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