The timing of Michael’s zoo and cake celebration on 31st January was providential. Although my Dad breathed his last on the 7th in America, it was the morning of the 8th, Michael’s birthday, here.

Michael enjoyed opening gifts and playing with balloons on his actual birthday. We thank God the split celebration worked out so well in this season of sadness.

I have wept and wondered and prayed and it’s still not completely real that I won’t give my dad a hug again, see his comments on this blog, or hear his wonderful laugh any more in this life.

At the same time, I have incredible peace that DaD is in God’s hands, that everything happened so quickly he didn’t really suffer, and that God is working good even in this horrible situation.

For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].
- I Corinthians 13:12 AMP

We successfully applied for David’s Aussie citizenship certificate and passport today. Two trips to the immigration office, two trips to the post office, two visits with our very gracious and helpful lawyer (who is also our friend), and six hectic hours later, he’s official… or at least he will be when we receive the paperwork.

Ben and I signed our wills and enduring power of attorney documents this morning. We already had valid American passports for the whole family, and tomorrow we will meet with immigration officers to apply for David’s Australian passport. We will also transfer proof of our Australian permanent residency status from our expired US passports to our new ones.

I try to think in an organised way about packing for winter in the US. Likely I’ll throw a bunch of irrelevant items in a suitcase at the last minute.

Prayer and phone calls are now the focal points of my life. Sometimes I weep, and I talk with the kids about how it’s OK to be sad. It is a comfort to me and my children that Jesus wept after he was told that Lazarus had died, even though Jesus already knew he was about to raise his friend from the dead.

We are praying for a similar miracle, while at the same time turning our fierce attachment to DaD over to God and saying, “not our will, but yours be done.”

Thank you to everyone who is praying for and hoping with us for my parents’ full recovery.

We have some very good news today for both my parents! My dad is taking some breaths and my mom has walked a few steps!

In order to keep everyone updated efficiently, we have created a website that you can log into if you would like to receive updates.

Thank you to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and encouragement at this time. Your support and love mean so much to us.

Thank you for your prayers for my family.

My journey away from aluminum-laden but very effective anti-perspirant/deodorant began in Egypt when I had some lumps under my arms checked out by a doctor. He diagnosed blocked sweat glands and advised I stop using anti-perspirant.

Until I had blocked sweat glands, I had never considered what it meant to stop my body sweating by using chemicals.

With no feasible alternative (I did try skipping antiperspirant/deodorant altogether for a day or two, with the smelly, soggy results you would expect) I decided to continue using my favourite brand.

Then we moved to Australia, and I finally got down to the last antiperspirant/deodorant stick I had imported from America. I also fell pregnant with David. I decided to save my stick for emergencies and purchase a natural chemical-free deodorant without antiperspirant.

During the winter the purchased deodorant was fine, and I noticed my body adjust by sweating less over time. However the deodorant couldn’t handle summer heat, so I was uncomfortably smelly last summer.

As the weather heated up again this year, I searched once more for an effective natural deodorant. When I read Wellness Mama’s struggles with the same issues, I decided to buy shea butter and essential oil and give her recipe a go.

I have now been using Wellness Mama natural deo in high heat, occasional humidity, and often with a baby on my back for over a month this summer. I can tell you, it works for me.

NOTE: After a year without chemical antiperspirant, my body was already used to sweating less, so I don’t know what the transition directly from a commercial brand antiperspirant to this recipe would be like. But if you want to give chemical-free odour protection a try, this is the recipe to use.

Here is how I make my Wellness Mama natural deo:

Need:

     * 3 T Coconut Oil
     * 2 T Shea Butter
     * 5 T Baking Soda
     * Essential Oil (optional)

Do:

1. Gather supplies: an old deo stick and press’n'seal (if you don’t have those, use a small jar), shea butter, essential oil (I bought both here), coconut oil, and baking soda.