Getting Out of My Own Head

Why do we as women often become overwhelmed by nothing? At times, I have been known to become over-emotional because I let my irrational feelings stew and fester until the originating culprit becomes unrecognizable. In other words, I forget what started the whole emotional roller coaster in the first place.

For some of us, we worry too much over little things, or we over-analyze situations and make something dramatic out of nothing. For others, we try too hard and become disappointed when our expectations are not met. I myself have been guilty of all of these and other self-indulgent behaviors at some time or another.

We need to remind ourselves of God's amazing love for us, and how sufficient it truly is.

         ¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
           do not let me stray from your commands. -Psalm 119:10

         14 “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;

           I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name."  -Psalm 91:14

         ³¹ My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words,

        but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are

        greedy for unjust gain. ³² Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love

        songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but

        do not put them into practice.  -Ezekiel 33:31-32

All through the Psalms, God's love for us is expressed over and over again. So how do we really learn and accept this fact so deeply that we're able to live accordingly and never forget?

1) By studying His word regularly, and memorizing such verses

2) By praying that our hearts will be open to His words

3) By writing down those verses that speak to us

4) By fellow believers holding each other accountable. In our ungrateful behavior, as well as our relationships with Christ.

So what do you need accountability and prayer in? Make an effort to reach out to a spouse, family member or friend and ask for accountability in these things.

More on India

The details of our trip are coming together easily, thanks to the efforts of the team members that have gone in previous years. As a team, we still need to raise about $5,700! God has provided sufficiently and quickly for some of us, and will provide for the rest in his will. We had a late comer to the team, so much of the funds still needed are for her. But we all have a specific role in this journey, and He has already given hints as to how He will use each of our gifts.

We will take a day trip to visit the Taj Mahal as a personal, tourist time for the team. But we will also take a 2 day trip with some of the older girls from the home, to the Darjeeling Tea Farm, by train, and will be staying overnight to visit a zoo the following day! Though I'm a bit concerned about the zoo and the conditions that the animals my be kept in a foreign country, this will be an AMAZING time of fellowship and bonding with these girls.

We leave for India in approximately 6 weeks, and our funds are due in 2! There are 9 of us going, so it is not quite as overwhelming as it sounds. Thank you so much to family and friends who have found it in their hearts to give funds for this trip. Lives will surely change, including mine. I have reached my personal goal of fund raising, but if you would like to give in support of the team and to help pay for our Tea Farm trip with the girls, please send checks payable to Victory Church with “Jamie Forberger-India Missions Trip” written in the memo line. Mail your gift to Victory Church 1827 Freedom Road Suite 103 Lancaster, PA  17601.  You will receive a receipt of your gift in the form of a Year End Giving Statement from our Finance Department.

Feeling a Cold or Allergies Sneaking Up on You?

I get a little stuffy in the morning sometimes. Or I notice that I'm sneezing a lot. Or I've got a little tingle in back of my throat.  When these bothersome symptoms make an appearance, I reach for my Neti Pot (see at left). Don't be scared, it's not even close to being a new concept, though it is foreign. It's been used in India and other regions for hundreds of years. It uses warm saline to rinse impurities and pesky cold germs from your sinuses and nasal cavity.

I know, it sounds weird, gross and unpleasant. But I assure you that it is not. I'm able to breath freely through my mouth when using it. And with a little practice, I was able to manipulate the flow down my pharynx, into my mouth to get rid of the pesky scratchy throat.

People with bad allergies have found great relief when using the Neti Pot regularly. But... it is possible to over do it. Make sure the water isn't too hot, only warm. There is also beneficial bacteria in there that you don't want to strip away completely.

This is only my personal recommendation based on my experience. If you're unsure, ask your doctor. But I've had great success with it. They come in travel size, plastic and ceramic.

Oh, and for all of you Dr. Oz fans, he recommends it as well. He introduced it to the American public on Oprah a couple years ago. Since then, it's become all the craze here.

Health Consultations

Two months ago I began my studies to become a certified Health Counselor. At the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I am not only learning to take care of myself, but I am receiving very detailed and careful instruction on how to counsel others around food and lifestyle choices.

Part of my course requirements is to perform free health consultations with other people.

I'd like to invite you to do a session with me. You'll have the opportunity to talk about your life, your dreams and goals you've always wanted to accomplish. This is an opportunity for you to be heard and to feel a sense of support in your life. I'd like to share this time with you, to support you in living an even happier, healthier life. In this consultation, we will spend an hour reviewing your Health History Form and your goals for your own health. We'll get to know each other, and get a sense of what it will feel like to possibly work together in the future, once I start seeing clients.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to share this time with you and allow you to talk about your life and health. Our time together is free and confidential, and we can speak over the phone, or meet wherever you feel comfortable.

If you're interested in sharing this time, maybe learning a little something about yourself and helping me complete my homework, send me an email at jforberger@gmail.com.

The Countdown to India Has Officially Begun

Last night was an imperative meeting for our India Missions Trip with Victory Church. We discussed our travel arrangements, activities with the girls, different ministries we will be doing,and what to pack for our trip. Pam was SOOOO excited to share what she found at the store... the Dreamie Fleece. One of the concerns on previous trips was that the conditions in various hotels were so dirty, that they didn't want to soil their clean sheets at the beginning of the trip. With the Dreamie Fleece, Pam can snuggle into her fleece pouch and cover herself with the hotel blankets on top. Pure genius. There's even a pouch at the top to hold your pillow. But I digress...

Discussing the devotion time, games we'll be playing, and quality time we'll be spending with these orphaned girls, got me so excited to get there. I don't even care about the 4 hour Jeep rides at 50 MPH on dirt roads (in case you're unaware, I get majorly car sick). It's all for the glory of God. I've never been out of the country, or on a missions trip. I CANNOT wait to see what He has in story for us, and what He teaches me through this trip.

I am still in need of about $350 to cover all of my expenses. If you feel led to give monetarily to my trip, please make checks payable to Victory Church with “Jamie Forberger-India Missions Trip” written in the memo line. Mail your gift to Victory Church, 1827 Freedom Road Suite 103, Lancaster, PA 17601. You will receive a receipt of your gift in the form of a Year End Giving Statement from our Finance Department. This will count as a charitable contribution on your 2010 tax return. All monies are due by December 15th.

Thank you again to everyone who has given so far, and those who will give now. I love you all, and appreciate your support.

Welcome to my attempt at blogging!

My hope and prayer for this blog is that it will be used to accomplish the following things...

1. To improve my writing skills
2. To inform my community of what I've been learning
3. To document my journey and the monumental changes in my life
4. To glorify God by expressing my heart and love for Him

So, we'll see how it goes.