May 12, 2012, Book :: Aromatherapy, Book Reviews, Uncategorized
“Anyone who knows me knows that I “collect” and lot of books and use them for reference, but rarely have the time to read them cover to cover. That changed when I received a copy of Kayla’s new book, her second, and started reading it from cover to cover. It was the first time in a very long time that I have done that.
From the very beginning of the book, I believed this book was written for me. Kayla tells her story, which could have easily been my story or yours. When launching a new business we all have a starting place and have had setbacks. We also learn a lot as we go. We find ourselves becoming mentors to those starting after us who are eager to move forward in their aromatherapy careers. Thankfully Kayla has written this book which encapsulates her experiences; the good, the bad, and the lessons learned and shares them very candidly. I was very inspired, which may sound odd for a person who has been in this industry for a while.
In reading through the early part of her book, I find that Kayla and I had many things in common, but one in particular—The difficulty of letting go! It’s hard to change a business model after you’ve invested so much time, energy, and money into something. Having the leap of faith to end one thing and start another is scary. This lesson is a timeless one and can be employed at any stage of your business or career.
In addition to the inspiration I received from this book, I found it to be extremely practical and provided lots of information beyond the general basics of aromatherapy. Kayla provides in-depth instruction and information for making and labeling products. She includes sound advice on building your brand, working smart, good manufacturing practices, and how to navigate industry regulations. This book is a “must have” for anyone interested in the business of aromatherapy products, as much attention is given to the lesser discussed aspects of ingredients, safety issues, fragrance, preservatives and FDA definitions.”
Lora Cantele, Editior, International Journal of Professional Holistic Aromatherapy and owner Enhancements Aromatherapy
May 9, 2012, Pets & Purr-therapy
My childhood cat Puffy was a great hunter. She was a medium sized sleek black cat that was a half Siamese mixed breed, but she believed she was a black panther. We feed her well and yet daily she went out hunting to bring home a prize for the family. Often my childhood homes were perched at the edge of a forest or fields that provided ample opportunities for her to display her wild side.
For three years in Texas we lived on West Lake Drive, which was teeming with ample wildlife. A common sight was a triumphant Puffy carrying her catch home. My brother and I held somber funerals for all the animals. One day Puffy approached the house dragging between her legs a jack rabbit that was more than twice her size. The rabbit was huge, but Puffy thought she was a black panther so in her eyes it was tiny. (more…)
April 24, 2012, Family Life, Uncategorized
I am in awe of people who have pure servants’ hearts. You know those people who serve others with selfless motives. Last week, while I served among people with a servant heart at Camp Yamhill Outdoor School I was really struck by the sacrifice these people make for others.
I was especially impressed while we stood in the pouring rain for hours as the kids did a water study by the river. The rain was so persistent that it had defeated my raincoat and the two layers of coats I wore underneath. My feet and hands were pruned and my legs were wet and numb. I thought to myself that I’d never ever in a million years be standing in the rain watching kids at Outdoor School if my daughter wasn’t among the kids gaining the experience. And then I looked around at the Camp Yamhill volunteers who were standing out in the rain with us.
The volunteers ranged from Junior and Senior High School students to retired Senior citizens. They had no kids, siblings or grandkids there at camp, yet there they were giving their time freely to serve these kids. I had selfish reasons to be there. I absolutely love having the opportunity to be among my kids while they learn, grow and experience life with their friends. I had so much joy just watching Caiden jumping up and down signing praise and worship songs with her friends at campfire. That moment was worth the lack of sleep, work and wetness of the week.
Some people are just gifted with a servant’s heart – and I for one am in awe and grateful of them. We each have our own set of gifts and talents. While I believe these people with servant hearts serve selflessly, I do believe pure joy is found in using the gifts that God gave us. If you aren’t sure what your gifts are you can take this free Spiritual Gifts Inventory online.
April 14, 2012, Family Life, Lessons Life Taught Me
I remember it so clearly. I must have been about 6 years old when my mother took me to the store to pick out any doll I wanted. We weren’t big shoppers so it was a huge deal to go to the store to buy a doll. I stood in the aisles searching their faces looking for the most beautiful and lovely doll of them all. Finally, I saw her. I fell immediately in love and proudly left the store to take her home.
It was the early 1970’s and we were living in Texas at the time. Sometime after my delightful new purchase my mother and I headed downtown Dallas on a public bus towards Neiman Marcus for my mom to get a haircut. I sat on the bus contently playing with my beloved doll. Soon I noticed my mother pulling me in close. I snuggled up enjoying the affection. Then later, I realized she wasn’t really releasing her grip.
As I looked around the bus, I noticed the angry faces of several of the adults around me. I was troubled and puzzled as they glared at me with hatred and contempt. I, with my blonde hair, my mother a red head and my little black baby doll sat silently on the bus. When we departed the bus, my mother explained prejudice to me for the first time.
I had lived most of my life in Japan in the bubble of a military base. I was accustomed to all colors, all races, and multiple languages all living cohesively together. I didn’t know that there was racial hatred in the world. I never realized I could be openly despised for loving my darling baby doll.
On the way home on the bus, I sat defiantly with my beautiful doll lovingly in my arms. I wasn’t going to back down or change my views based on the angry adults around me. I loved my doll, and the opinion of the others wasn’t going to take away my love.
Still today, I prefer to be hated for who I am than loved for whom I am not.
I was right to love my black baby doll when I was six. I still have fond memories of playing with her. My favorite was that my brother thought that I believed that she could talk. I carried on endless conversations with her, all of which I knew were pretend, but my brother thought I was serious. I loved to talk to her, even though she never talked back, but even more I loved listening to my brother try to talk sense into me too. There was a certain mischief in it that filled me with glee – something similar to the joy I took in being defiant on the bus with racists.
April 5, 2012, Fitness, Lessons Life Taught Me
I recently took a writing class at Multnomah University. In the class we were given the assignment to write a confession story. This story, from my life, is what immediately popped into my mind to tell.
Electronic Idols
My previously promising future appeared muted from the perspective I had on my life, while sitting in my dimly lit living room. I sat with a remote control firmly planted in my hand and my body nearly engulfed in my overstuffed garage sale couch. I was barely out of college, depressed and hiding in my apartment, which offered a much needed refuge.
Daily, after fulfilling my work obligations, I exited the gray outdoors of Portland, Oregon, to seal myself into the solitude of my apartment. The cool dampness of a late winter had caused a long-term chill to seep deep into my bones. I was paralyzed by the pressure of supporting myself, the mounting responsibilities of growing up and the terror of being stalked. Even the little stressors of life and the cheery voices of well-meaning friends threatened to push me over the edge. The walls of my residence gave me the feeling of a temporary sanctuary.
Each day when I shut the door behind me, the stagnant air of my apartment was almost comforting; it coated my frail nerves with familiarity. I had no roommates. The solitude bothered me and it didn’t, because even in a crowd I felt alone. I responded to the constant fear like a potato bug and pulled into myself. I chose to roll up on my couch and wait for the fear to vanish. (more…)
March 27, 2012, Family Life
Our family has been on several mission trips to India over the past few years. In 2008 my husband Dennis and our son Keegan went on the first family mission trip to India. After Dennis fell in love with the people of India our daughters Selah and Caiden and I accompanied Dennis back to India in 2009 and 2011. Dennis has made another separate trip as well without us. Below are the diary entries from the trips that I went on with the family to visit the mission that includes the Children’s Village and Crossroads English School with the John Gabriel Mission.
Time as Tourist in Delhi and the Taj Mahal, JANUARY 1, 2010
Dennis and I are in India right now on a mission trip with our church. We all left Portland, Oregon the morning of December 28th and arrived in Delhi in the early morning hours of December 30th. The first impression of India hit my nose as we stepped off the plane and into the walkway – the overwhelming aroma of smoke has been present every moment of every day since we arrived. When we stepped into the airport we could see the air thick like a constant fog of smoke and pollution.
There are a total of 18 of us traveling from Portland together – 5 out of that group are children. Everyone has been memorized by the view outside of our bus windows as we tour around town. We have been in Delhi where the population is 22+ million people. We have passed them as cars, buses, trucks, pedestrians, bicyclists, horse/camel/cow drawn-wagons, rickshaws that are motor/human/bicycle powered all share the same roads. Cows, goats, monkeys, blue cows, peacocks and dogs have free reign walking in any direction on the roads with the traffic. (more…)
March 24, 2012, Devotionals, Surviving Grief
Dennis and I have been taking a Sunday school class taught by Pastor Tom at our church Pastor Tom on the book of Philippians, which is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Last week to illustrate a point, Pastor Tom shared the story of the carrot, egg and coffee beans. I loved the story and just had to share it with you. What a great lesson and illustration!
The Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee Beans, author unknown
“A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me, what do you see?” “Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied. (more…)
March 20, 2012, Family Life, Fitness
My daughter Selah has presented a new challenge for me this year. She has asked me to climb Steeple Rock with her in Montana when we go there in August. I have a history with Steeple Rock, memories that make my first instinct be to say “no thanks” to Selah, but I want her to have the experience of conquering Steeple Rock. Let me share my experience to better explain the challenge I have ahead.
August 2008
While we were in at Clydehurst Family Camp in Montana, I simply could not resist climbing up Steeple Rock. Every day there was a different group hike and I was excited to take part in all of them. But I was personally compelled to conquer Steeple Rock, which was being billed as the hardest and most dangerous hike of them all.
This to me sounded like a great challenge and something I could not resist taking on. Keegan and Dennis said no way, have fun. Dennis had climbed Steeple Rock 18 years ago and declared that once in a lifetime was enough. Keegan had heard the tales of Steeple Rock and thought I was simply crazy. Selah and Caiden were simply too young for a hike that was being hyped as this difficult. (more…)
March 16, 2012, Blog, Family Life, Music
What in the world is my husband Dennis up to these days? Well, these days that can be a hard question to answer. Since we sold Essential Wholesale Dennis has been free to pursue new dreams. He has started the Christian Classic Agency which represents classic Christian musicians and promotes concerts. He is super busy growing and nurturing his new business.
If you want to catch up with Dennis someplace in America, there is a good chance you can find him at one of the Sandi Patty & Friends dates next week or one of the upcoming Christian Classic Tour dates.
The Sandi Patty & Friends Tour includes Clay Crosse, Wayne Watson, Larnelle Harris and 4 Him. They will be in Bartlett, TN on March 23rd, Birmingham, AL on March 24th and Little Rock, AR on March 25th.
The Christian Classic Tour with Steve Green, Wayne Watson, Twila Paris and Michael Card will be in Champaign, IL on March 29th, Franklin, NC on March 30th, and Fayetteville, NC on March 31st.
Currently the Christian Classic Agency represents both Wayne Watson and Clay Crosse. You can find their tour dates by clicking on Clay Crosse and Wayne Watson.
In Dennis’ free time he serves at Crossroads Music Ministries at our church. This weekend Crossroads will be hosting the Deeper Heart Tour with JJ Heller and Audrey Assad. Also at Crossroads, Don Francisco will be with us for Easter Sunday on April 8th. Steve Green and Michael Card will be giving a free concert at Crossroads on April 28th.
As you can see, Dennis has been busy and that really isn’t even the half of it. In the past few months he has traveled to the Philippines, Prague and India on a combination of mission trips and music ventures.
What a joy it is to see my husband fulfilling his dreams and chasing after his passions. I hope you have an opportunity to be blessed at one of the concerts he is hosting.
