Every so often, I will post on here one of my Facebook memories that pop up so you can all see the journey that lead me to today.

Enjoy.

“God, oil, prayer, USA”

Last night I invited an elder from my church to my home. His wife and son came with him. He had stage four cancer and God cured him. I was in pain from my cancer shots, and exhausted. But I knew in my heart this was what I needed.

We talked about his path and treatment. We talked about his son’s struggles and how God is helping him.

I showed them my necklace I wear all the time that my brother Rob gave me. The necklace with Joshua 1:9 on it.

Their son?

He pulled out the same exact necklace. And his name is Josh.

I saw him rubbing it at times when speaking of his troubles. I don’t even know if he realized he did it, but I find myself holding it when I am scared, rubbing my thumb over the words.

I told Josh that I remembered one day in bible study how he sat in class with us. He teaches my daughter’s confirmation class at that time, so he is never there. (I’m usually the youngest one there… by about twenty years or so.) I remember this young handsome man saying how his friends question him why he is so dedicated to God. He said he couldn’t imagine not believing in God and having faith and hope. His words struck my heart that day.

My friend Cathy said the same exact thing to me last week.

An hour before they came to my house?

My former school nurse Jacquie types the same exact thing.

3 times.

Three has been my number, as when something happens three times, I know it’s God whispering, “This is the way”.

Three children.

The trinity.

Three wise men.

Don’s wife told me about another friend of hers who prays with her.

Her friend?

A girl I went to high school with.

This girl is also friends with Matt, a man I work with. A man whose sister was just diagnosed with breast cancer. The sister went to get chaga mushrooms and the women at the booth at the farmers market said she needed to find me. Her brother called that week and gave her my number.

Six degrees of Keven Bacon has changed to three degrees of Keri Stromski.

Either you believe or you don’t.

I believe.

My belief holds me and carries through my darkest hours.

The old Keri was resentful of the time I had to spend at church to get my daughter confirmed. Then I slowly came to love it. Then I got cancer, and now I know the devil gave it to me to test my love for God. Just like Job, chapter 2.

Stupid devil. I haven’t questioned once my love for God, or His love for me.

Nice try, Satan. Move along.

Last night, they all put their hands on me, anointed my head with oil and prayed.

When they finished, I asked if I could do the same to Josh. I didn’t know what to pray, but the words came from my heart as I spoke.

I am cured.

God knows it.

He loves me and is using me to show others how amazing He is.

Our country is so divided and full

of hate. I found my tumors the week of Election Day.

I left Sloan for good on Inauguration Day.

The darkest period of my life coincided with so much strife in our beloved country. It’s time we all take a deep breath and move forward together.

Our country needs more love, faith, hope, kindness, courage, and God.

And dancing and hugging.

We could always use more dancing and hugging.

So thank you, to this God loving family that came over to bless me and pray with me.

This was my second anointing.

I am cured.❤️

Back to present day Keri. I just left church and saw this family. We all still pray for each other.

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

I started the day sore and took my time getting up. I didnt have my sploosh because Rob had made onions and mushrooms with turmeric and I wanted to eat something hot. Sometimes a girl just wants hot food in the morning.

Then we started to clean the kitchen. We’ve been working hard on trying to finish the house. It’s been thirteen years, and some molding on a door makes more difference than you realize.

As I worked, I decided I needed to do something. I needed some kind of therapy because my body hurt so badly, and I have some gift certificates to the new salt cave on Main Street. I tried to get someone to go with me, but no one was free for the spur of the moment trip.

I stopped by the farmer market and had just missed my Chaga Island Friend, Debbie. I walked into the salt place and wouldn’t you know…

A young man who I had in first grade fourteen or so years ago works there. Made my bones feel even older.

They were booked, and I couldn’t get in. As I drove away, I felt the feeling in my heart that I still needed salt therapy.

So I went to the beach.

When I pulled in, a police officer also was walking the beach, looking like he was on a case. I think he stayed a little longer to keep an eye on the woman who walked to the waters edge and started taking off her shoes.

I dont blame him. I looked crazy. My hair was whipping with the wind and I had superhero socks on under my boots.

I pulled up my pant legs and did the Facebook live video. I went into the freezing cold salt water and prayed. I did it Love because where two or more are gathered in His name…

I know God hears all prayers the moment they are laid on the heart, but I also pictured the prayer leaving my body, floating into the water, traveling to the deepest parts of the oceans, evaporating and flying up in fog and mist, covering mountains halfway across the world, then bursting through into space and soaring to Heaven.

I wrote some words in the sand, shook off the sand, found a shell with a snail still in it, threw it back, then went home.

Grounding is a real thing. It helps heal your body. Salt is also healing. It stops decay, as it is used as a rub before freezing animals. Jesus also said we are the salt and light of the Earth. Sometimes, we need a little extra salt to bring back our light.

Then we all went dress shopping for Maddie. We stopped and took a deep breath before entering the ginormous dress store. Rob even said, “May the force be with us.”

Maddie went in and was overwhelmed.

Morgan?

She was in heaven.

Madison was specific.

No poofiness.

No sequins or sparkle or glitter.

No cleavage showing at all.

No cut outs anywhere.

No dresses that look like your naked under it with lace.

And she only wanted one color.

Which pretty much left us with only five dresses to try on in a store with thousands of dresses.

Needle in a haystack.

We were also surrounded by girls trying on prom dresses, so there was my ninth grader surrounded by bigger, older girls trying on all the types of dresses. Dads were all outside standing around looking lost and in shock at the price tags. Moms were all emotional, either saying, “Absolutely not,” or “I love it!”

I sent texts to the family showing them the dress and we picked it out. Maddie even agreed to sparkly shoes, but flats.

I cant wait for you to all see the picture Friday. We also got her a necklace, bracelet, and ring, the finest cubic zirconia that $30 can buy.

We went to dinner, then for a little treat of eyebrow grooming.

I’ve had a love hate relationship with my own. It stems from when I was a teen and my mom held me down and grabbed the tweezers. I’ve never waxed them or had anyone touch them … until yesterday.

Morgan loved it.

Maddie and I were a little traumatized. Apparently her apples fell from my tree.

I’ll let you all decide when you see me how it turned out.

In the way home, played music from my college days. I guess the dress shopping got me feeling nostalgic for my sorority formals. We played Barenaked Ladies, Pearl Jam, Paul Simons “Diamonds on the soles of her shoes”, 10,00 Maniacs “ These are the days”, and Indigo Girls.

I loved Indigo Girls because I could sing either harmony.

As we played and sang, “Closer I am to fine”, I realized it applies to me.

And as the day had gone on, I got closer to fine.

I’m fine.

Today, I’ll be fine as I go to church then cheer on Madison at her meet.

I’ll be fine as I go get more flaxseed oil at Whole Foods.

And I’ll be fine as I continue to thank God for all of his blessings, and pray for continued healing.

For all of us.

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

Another throwback Facebook post.

I’ll put one up now and then so you can see how far I’ve come.

Pretend you’ve got time travel goggles too… it’s more fun.

“Size Matters, Seeds, Inauguration”.

Today I have to take a half day and go to Sloan. I have to have my vitals taken, meet with the oncologist and go over my bloodwork, then…

Get my bone injection and my ovary injection.

Two big needles.

I mean… big.

One goes in my ass cheek, the other in my arm.

They hurt.

A lot.

They hurt going in, they hurt after, and they make you hurt and sore for days after.

Oh, and last time, I had a side effect of bleeding for three weeks with early menopause. (Sorry fellas. Gross period talk, but just keeping it real.)

I have an elder from my church coming tonight to pray over me. He had stage four cancer and cured himself. I know I am going to need God today.

More than ever.

Last night I went to see a documentary called “Seed”. I cried in the car telling Sandy and Donna about Sloan on Wednesday. I held Krista’s hand just a little for strength during the movie. I feel safe with my family and friends.

It mentioned how Monsanto owns 80% of the world’s seeds. How the chemicals they use to genetically modify organisms (GMO) cause cancer, but hey! They are making money! And the Supreme Court case that they won because Clarence Thomas voted in their favor? Judge Thomas used to be a Monsanto lawyer. The corruption and tentacles are everywhere.

Seeds are a door to our past, and to our future. That one little seed is a result of thousands of years of other seeds being planted and growing, and will carry on the legacy by producing more seeds for our future.

But we keep screwing it up.

Our new president is being sworn in.

Even if you don’t respect the man, respect the idea. I am having a hard time respecting any politician lately after my eyes have been opened to Monsanto, big pharma and medical companies. But respect for others, and gratitude for everything…

It’s everything.

I send him love and gratitude, and prayers that he goes after big pharma. Prayers he shows compassion to people like me and doesn’t put us in a pool where money is capped for our treatment. Prayers he leaves schools alone and lets us worry how to kill bears while education and celebrating growth. Prayers he changed his tone and sends out feelings of unity.

I have a feeling curing my cancer will happen first.

(Present day Keri here… my feeling was right)🙌🏻

So today..

I will talk to my kindergarteners about the new President and hang up the poster with his picture added next to the other men.

I will dance.

I will try to breath when I pull down my pants and have drugs injected into my body in a place that makes me feel hopeless and stupid for saying “I am cured.”

I will pray with my church elder and let him lay his healing hands on me.

I will hold the seeds I was given last night in the palm of my hand. Carrots, sunflowers, and Chinese Forget me Not.

I will look at these videos and pictures and and remember…

I am cured.

I wrote this breakup letter last year on this day.

Here you go…

Dear Sloan,

I want to let you know I am breaking up with you. You’ve served your purpose, but it’s time I move on. I deserve more.

I loved my surgeon. Truly. When I found out I wasn’t a candidate for surgery, I was sad she would no longer be part of my team.

My first oncologist? The one who told me I would live only weeks or months or a year or two if it spread to my bone? I am now thankful for her. Had she not scared the crap out of me, I wouldn’t have questioned everything, researched countless hours in “Keri’s Cancer Crash Course College”. I wouldn’t have radically changed my diet and met Paula at the Giving Room. I wouldn’t have gotten over my foot issue and met Danielle at the Peaceful Scorpion. I wouldn’t have taken a chance and met a man who gave me hope and belief I am truly cured. So thank you, first oncologist. Your crappy bedside manner became my wake up call.

My new oncologist and nurse at the satellite Sloan? My new doctor is nice, and gave me a little more hope…but still gives me a funny look when I tell her I am already cured. I even made her feel my boob today to try and find my tumor, because I couldn’t just now. Plus, I gave her one last feel, for old time sake.

My nurse Sue was kind, and let me watch my kindergarten class dancing when she gave me my shot in my ass. It was a big needle. But watching them dance helped me get through it.

I am in pain right now. My arm, my ass, my spirit just a bit. I know I will have some pain in my new relationship, but I’ll take pain with a dose of hope any day.

So thank you Sloan, but I found someone else. Someone who doesn’t look at me like I’m crazy. Someone who makes me feel in every bone of my

body that I’m not crazy, but cured.

It’s not you, it’s me.

So keep doing the work you do, go see other people. Thank you for saving my Dad’s life with his six primary cancers. For that, I will always be grateful. (He is your original radical remission patient, if you would only open your western eyes and believe.)

I wish you love.

Love,

Keri

For some reason, I’m having a harder time shaking off the dark thoughts.

The bad story I tell myself.

I touched on Brene Brown yesterday and the Louise Hay quote she mentioned.

How we all tell ourselves stories all day long, and many times, the first story we tell ourselves is a “sh*tty first draft”.

I’ve been crumpling up the sh*tty first drafts non stop for the past two days.

It’s easier to tell yourself bad stories with a bad ending when your body is in pain.

“Your jaw hurts? It’s because the xgeva causes bone death in advanced stage cancer patients. Get ready for crumble jaw and slurping dinner through a straw”.

“That ache in your bones? That’s the cancer spreading to where the xgeva didn’t get to yet.”

“That headache? That’s either the chemo side effect or… it’s spreading to the brain… or brain cancer is starting.”

“Maddie has decided to wear a dress to the ball and you have to go get one today? Better enjoy it. Statistics say you won’t be here for her prom.”

See how sh*tty the first draft can be?

And that’s all my mind telling me the story.

MY OWN MIND!

ME!!!!

Then I furiously write and tell a second and third draft. But the first draft is always the bad one.

We all do it.

We all have to learn to stand up and throw it out.

I got through the day, stood up for myself and children again, and realized I’ve recently stopped letting things go that others let go. If I see something is wrong, I say something. But then I let go of the emotions attached.

We need to all do the right thing, all the time. If people become bystanders, then they become accomplices. I want to be known as the person who stands for what’s right, and speaks up and out against what’s wrong.

We came home yesterday and I went to the couch. I was mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted. Rob made a fire because he knows that even when oncology appointments go well, they are hard. I got two beautiful rocks that someone left on my stoop.

Rock on, friends.

I started the Brene Brown book, and the kids started to watch the second Lord of the Rings movie. I put down the book and was transported to middle earth. Quinn snuggled on top of me and I surprisingly stayed awake.

I think it’s because I also had Morgan laying on me and the dog up against me as well.

My tribe surrounds me when it’s hard.

I realized that Gollum, the character everyone knows as the ugly, deformed, evil part of Sméagol, is the writer of my sh*tty first drafts. Gollum is always whispering, abusing, and making Sméagol miserable. Sméagol just wants to be free.

For a time he is.

Then Gollum takes over again.

My inner Sméagol is stronger.

Sometimes Gollum wins, but Sméagol evntualy takes back the pen and writes a better story.

Frodo has been given a task and is surrounded by others to help him. He doesn’t know why he was chosen, but he accepts the task and quest.

He meets a wizard, Gandalf, who also tends to show up when most needed. He imparts wisdom and strength, and when he shows up, you know all will be well, especially when he changes from Grey robes to bright brilliant white robes.

He probably felt like Mary, who instead of a ring, received the task of delivering a King.

There was a new female introduced and she wanted to be a healer. But she was also so strong. I loved her.

Eowyn.🙌🏻

My favorite character is Samwise.

Sam the Brave.

He stays by Frodo’s side, and when things get too hard, he says he will carry Frodo. San can’t complete the task, but he can help Frodo get to where he needs to go.

Rob is my Sam.

It’s an amazing movie with so many quotes. So much heartache and acts of bravery and courage.

Heroes.

Sometimes a girl needs to go to Middle Earth to remember how to move on.

And how to quiet the inner Gollum inside.

Yesterday someone emailed me and asked me to teach her how to pray. I was shocked, felt privileged, and also felt sad that someone felt they needed to be taught how to pray.

There’s no right or wrong way.

Just ask Jesus.

As for me, I am always telling God how much I love Him and how good He is. I ask for things for myself and others, and the thing is, nothing is too big for us to ask Him to do. I mean, He IS God. I thank Him for all of my blessings and even name them. It makes me realize how much I have to be thankful for. Then I end by letting God know that I am asking in Jesus’s name, because Jesus died for me, took my sins, and wants only the best for me.

So today, pray.

Don’t feel like you don’t know how or aren’t worthy.

You ARE worthy.

You ARE loved.

You ARE forgiven.

God, you are so amazing. Thank you for everyone who supports me here on Earth as I follow your will. Please help my friend who asked me to pray and teach her to pray, and be with all of those who seek good health and forgiveness and love. I ask this in Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

PS. Let today be the first of many many many dress shopping experiences with my girls.❤️

When I go to the cancer center, I always try to wear fun socks and an interesting tee shirt. It makes the ladies laugh and remember me. If I have time, I also wear my weave. It’s a Halo, and super easy to put on. I even gave it a name… Blair.

Blair makes me feel better.

I had my blood taken and gave the nurse my blog website. Then it was time to see the oncologist.

She had a young man with her, a fellow who was graduating. We updated her and discussed our concerns about the jaw pain and general joint pain. Apparently, osteonecrosis is a trigger word, and she whipped out a light and began to look in my mouth. Sometimes, the medicine can be worse than the disease. Don’t look it up, there are horrifying statistics and pictures that make your jaw drop…

pun not intended.

As for the infrared sauna we’ve built out part of our basement for, she said no. The relief I have been looking for because my bones feel like an old woman’s bones won’t be coming. You see, there’s been a little side issue of a complication with me that’s really rare and some other scientist told me that not only will breast cancer set up shop, but brain cancer and all sorts of other cancers are planning and preparing to join the party, so I have to limit all radiation.

It hasn’t been the greatest year.

Now I’ve got to call my dentist and have him check me out, but he can’t take X-rays, then maybe head to the oncologist dentist that specializes in ONJ.

The good news is as she was palpating my breasts, I was teaching the young fellow about how to never tell a patient they only have weeks or months left and my oncologist said she was still in shock that was ever said to me. I said that I actually believe I am one of the rare cases, (Because rare is how I roll), of oligometastatic disease, and she agreed. I even asked again if it’s possible, and she said yes. It’s a new term, and not many oncologists will agree to it.

Mine did yesterday.

If you look up that term, and get past the stuff that takes your breath away, they actually say that there is a chance for cure. They discuss metamasectomies, radiation, intense targeted treatments… but write the word cure. I’ll try to not think about the other treatments, look at the word cure, and hold onto that, instead of the pictures of people with disintegrating jaw bones that I also saw in my google travels.

I invited the young fellow to come feel my breasts, and he did. He gave me such a thorough exam he even brought out a tape measure to hold against my breast. I refrained from saying “Now that you’ve measured mine…”

Instead I said he was measuring the cancer carcasses.

My doctor had said last visit she would only do breast scans, but yesterday decided she wants a full body MRI in March.

I told her I knew that was coming, as my energy worker said that would happen, but not to worry, that it would be clear. My oncologist just shook her head.

She said to us that patients who attack this with all different modalities tend to do better.

I’m planning on it.

As we walked out, the ladies at the desk said goodbye. I gave them my blog website too, and told them that what they see all day long isn’t MY story. I told them to look at my blog, I’m writing my own story.

We left, then I cried all the way home.

Confession?

I fake it all the time.

I fake feeling great.

I fake my jaw not hurting.

I wear fake hair when I can.

I stay super busy so I’m not on the couch all day like I want to be.

I fake it so no one gets tired of looking at sad sack Keri who is always exhausted and sore and constantly fighting to stay out of the dark place and hold onto the light.

Fake it till you make it.

Some days it works and I feel better.

Some days it doesn’t, but no one’s the wiser.

A friend sent me this as I was trying to breathe.

I went to my parents and picked up my kids. I took a moment to just be still.

My mom held me on the couch, I laid my head on her lap, she stroked and kissed my head, and I cried and tried to not let the kids see or hear me.

On the way home from the center I played my Jesus music. A song played and I heard it in my head as my mom held me.

“I wanna go back,

To Jesus loves me,

This I know,

For the Bible tells me,

For the Bible tells me so”.

But I cant go back to being a little girl.

So I go forward.

But I know Jesus loves me, because my mom brought me to Sunday school, even when she had to walk through the snow and pull me on a sled.

Thank you, mom. Because you did that, I’ve got Jesus in my heart.

I have to go for more bloodwork in two weeks because they said yesterday it’s like I’ve started from ground zero again in regards to the chemo. Add that and the surgery and that explain the more hair loss.

Another oncology visit in four weeks.

A full body MRI in March, with only one injection, and NOT the one that may be causing my jaw issues.

That’s fine by me.

My Chinese herbalist said he didn’t want me to take it anyway.

I know im sharing a lot.

Here’s the thing.

There’s a lot of people on here going through crap.

You’re not alone.

I’m sharing… oversharing… so you can know that you’re not alone.

We are all in the arena.

We didn’t ask to be in it, but we are.

I laid on the couch and was kept company by Kasha the wonder dog. She stayed by my side all night.

I was sent a video by Paula with Oprah talking to Brene Brown.

She was discussing rising up. She said at one point that we all tell ourselves stories, and that our first draft is a “shitty first draft”.

That’s what I did on my car ride home. The dark place is the shorty first draft where my mind tells me the nightmare story.

Then I throw that one out, keep the touchpoints, rewrite it and fill it with faith, hope, Love, and Jesus.

There’s a reckoning, then a rumble, then a rising.

Yesterday was the reckoning…again. With stage four, there’s lots of reckoning.

Now it’s the rumble.

I’m letting you all see me rumble, so you can see it as it happens. Pick up some tips. Know I’m here with you, and maybe you don’t feel so alone.

I have opened myself up here, and it’s a pretty vulnerable spot to be in, especially when already in a vulnerable and fragile place.

But that’s how we grow.

We get shaken up, recognize it, rumble, get hurt and become vulnerable and uncomfortable, and then?

We rise.

We rejoice.

That’s my plan, anyway.

I’ll head downstairs, take the first pill of the next cycle, put on a smile, and fake it. I’ll pretend my body doesn’t hurt, gently chew my sploosh, stretch, then head to work and dance.

I’ll fake it.

I’ll make it.

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

I’m SUPPOSED to start round 13 of the targeted chemo this morning.

I have always started on a Thursday.

I have always take it in the morning.

Not today.

For two reasons.

1-The very expensive drug which costs about $11,000 a month for the insurance company isn’t in stock at the local pharmacy. It needs to be called in, then mailed fed ex, and it needs to come in an”Warning! Toxic!” Bag. It also has to be called in every month, and it hasn’t arrived yet.

2-My oncologist wants to see me today. It’s been one month since I restarted it after the “pesky appendix which completely healed but was still removed”. The week I get to take one less pill every cycle can really lower a girl’s white blood cell count. I think she wants to see how I did, and I need to tell her about the jaw pain, (“Just say no to Jaw Necrosis”), entire body pain especially with the weather, and that I think this has all been a mistake, and if it wasn’t, Jesus has taken care of it and I believe we are all good.

I think she enjoys our sessions.

She wanted me to hold off on taking the Ibrance until after the bloodwork today. I’ll teach all morning then head to the hospital.

I’ll make a pit stop at the high school to thank the security guard and the teacher for the hard work in recovering the phone.

Everyone said it was a lost cause.

Not me.

I knew we would get it back.

One of those whispers.

Something that was amazing was how many people questioned the actions of my daughter.

“Why did she have the phone in school?”

“She shouldn’t have forgotten it.”

“Why didn’t she tell right away?”

I did it too.

Then it hit me.

We were all victim shaming.

Only one thing mattered.

Someone stole her phone. There’s no mistake about it, as I am pretty sure she is the only kid in the whole school with our last name, as well as a very expensive EMF protector disk on the back to protect from the cell radiation the phones give our.

The only questions asked should be, “Who stole it?”

“What procedures will we now put in place to prevent this crime from happening again?”

I’m not dropping it.

Yes, we have the phone back.

But we need to stop being complacent about crime, because that makes the perpetrators more emboldened.

If someone steals your kids stuff,

Report it.

Hunt them down and get it back.

It’s not ok.

Period.

(Ok, Liam can go back to bed now).

I’m getting ready for work, then the hospital. I had a mini breakdown this morning, as I still can’t believe this is my life. Sore body, sore jaw, appointments, bloodwork… dark thoughts.

When I came home and discovered that I had apparently seventeen cases or so in a cabinet above the fridge and in assorted spots, i realized I really need to unburden myself of stuff.

Mugs ain’t the only thing I’ve collected apparently.

The good thing is all the vases are gone, donated last night.

My goal is by July to get rid of everything that doesn’t bring me joy.

Including the dark thoughts.

I read some bible study this morning to help me out. There are a lot of accounts of healing in the Bible.

I’ll share a picture or two that I took.

Today, may we all watch our words, be kind, and may my blood be so good that my oncologist says, “It is done. Go forth in peace.”

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

I worked late yesterday and left my building at 6:00 pm. It was a ten hour day. I wanted to go home and put my feet up, maybe take a detox bath.

But I ‘m a mom, and have other things to do besides doing all I can to stay in complete remission.

Like go to Target.

Maddie had been to a birthday party Friday, but instead of running and getting a gift before the party, we were at the High School and then Police Station with my inner Liam Nisson planning all sort of vengeance on whoever stole her phone.

Which means we went to Target last night to get the gift, so she could give it to the friend today.

As we pulled in, we played the parking lot game. That’s when you pull into a parking lot and say out loud, “I ALWAYS get the BEST parking spot.”

And guess what?

Yup.

Right next to the carts.🙌🏻

I said we had to get in and out and didn’t have a lot of time, so it needs to be empty.

And guess what?

The only people I saw were employees wearing red shirts and about six customers.

The gift maddie wanted to get was right by the registers, she picked it out, then…

I said we weren’t done.

I said we had to get something else, but I didn’t know what it was.

I said to Maddie, “We just need to walk. I don’t know what I ‘m supposed to get, but there’s something else.”

Anyone else get that feeling?

In Target?

We walked down the long aisle toward the electronics, past the toys, and felt I needed to turn right. I went by the books, and one jumped out at me.

It was called, “100 Days to Brave “.

I picked it up, opened one page somewhere in the middle, and said, “This is it.”

I went to walk away and stopped.

I looked again and there, I felt I had to move a book. Behind it was another book, by a woman I recently heard give a talk about boundaries.

I said, “No, THIS is it”.

I felt I was supposed to have THAT book.

Braving the Wilderness.

It’s about true belonging. There are four practices of true belonging, which doesn’t require us to CHANGE who we are, but requires us to BE who we are.

1. Be vulnerable

2. Get uncomfortable

3. Learn how to be with people without sacrificing who we are.

4. Learn how to be with people without sacrificing what we value.

As we walked toward the register, I said to Madison that someday she is going to tell her children that the cancer made her mom crazy because she walked around Target thinking she was hearing and feeling God.

She replied that she wouldn’t.

Then she saw me scoop up seven bags of Bear Naked granola in my arms at checkout.

I think she might have changed her mind.

There was a short old man who looked a little crazy at the checkout rambling, ranting and raving about the five cents bag law. He was making the young man in front of us uncomfortable as well as the young man ringing us up.

I worked on shining my care bear light at him, but gave him “the mom look” when he started to go off the environment.

Don’t mess with my trees, herbs and mushrooms.

He walked away, and I said to the two young men that he must be a lonely old man with no one to talk to, and keeps warm in Target.

Also, he may have been a South Pole elf.

They laughed, and we all went our way.

I realized that Target got me again.

I went in for one thing, and came out with two books and seven bags of granola.

But it’s all good, because God told me too buy all of it.

(How many husbands are ok with that, I wonder?)

Today I am praying for a dear friend who had surgery yesterday that she has a quick and easy recovery, and for a former students father who is awaiting heart surgery, as well as all of the others who have asked me to pray.

Today may we all speak up when needed. Stop hiding and brave the wilderness with integrity and authenticity, with courage and kindness, and make wherever you are a sacred safe place for everyone, especially yourself.

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

Yesterday I went to The Giving Room for a class on how to stay healthy and boost your immune system.

It was a one hour master class full of tastings, knowledge, and breathing. When Rob asked me about it and what I learned, I told Him I mostly learned that everything I’ve been doing is right.

Affirmation is a good thing.

Somehow, during the past year, all of the information has come to me.

But I also seek information.

You have to look in order to find.

So here are my cliff notes. If you have questions, use the Internet and find further information. That’s what I do. Plus, I’ll be teaching five year olds all day after a three day weekend with a hint of snow on the way, so I’ll be a little busy.

-Turmeric, garlic, ginger, cumin, curcumin. These all help your immune system and inflammation.

-Inflamation is the root of all evil in your body. Knee pain? Cancer? Inflammation.

-Gut Health. Get yourself a good probiotic. They’ve discovered your gut has its own brain, in a way. Keep it healthy and trust your gut. Switch the brand and the billions every so often to keep your gut on its toes.

-Eat the rainbow. Be sure to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. I do that through juicing. Paula and her staff make an amazing “Flu Shot”. Pineapple, lemon, cayenne pepper, Manuka honey, garlic…

-Manuka Honey. KH16! There are companies realizing how powerful this stuff is and are making honey but without a high enough KH factor. Research it and see why it’s so powerful. I use it in the Budwig protocol along with cinnamon. You can put it in tea with cinnamon or even coffee. Manuka is synergistic with cinnamon and together they are stronger.

-chaga tea. This is a very powerful mushroom that you make tea from. It literally has no taste. I had some moms try some from my crockpot and they were shocked. My kids take it to school now every day. I get mine from Chaga Island.

-wheat grass. We tasted it in test tube shots. Yes. It’s tastes like grass. I even mooed like a cow after. But it’s amazing for you. Oxygenation, people!

-Fermentation. Eat fermented vegetables. Sauerkraut. Good for the gut.

-flaxseed oil. I use it every morning in my sploosh, the Budwig protocol. Paula made it in a vitamix and mixed the berries in with some chocolate protein powder. Wow!

-BLACK SEED OIL!!! This has been found in Cleopatras tomb. I cant even write all the benefits. I take a spoonful mixed with honey. Synergy. I’m working up to two spoons a day, one at night and one in the morning. It tastes bad, you burp motor oil, but it’s beyond amazing.

-Essential Oils. (EO). I use Frankincense topically, as well as on the roof of my mouth. (Blood brain barrier). Bottom of feet is good place. I’m no longer using lavender as it is estrogen based and the cancer fed on estrogen. Thieves is great for boosting immune system. Throw it in your diffuser.

-SLEEP. Look at the video I posted yesterday by the sleep scientist. You need it. European countries have the right idea with siestas.

-Breathing. Look up pranayama breathing. See if you can do a four count in, stay at the top of the breath and float it, don’t hold it, for a two count, then slowly exhale for four and float at the bottom of the breath for two. Try to see if you can do five breaths in one minute.

-Meditation. There is an app. “Insight timer”. Clear your brain and focus only on the breath. If you can do that for one breath, congratulations! You meditated. Do it again. Breathe. Yay! See how easy?

-Stress. Make boundaries. Don’t allow your emotions to change from outside influences. I did and knew I had to get rid of my inner Liam Nisson when someone stole my daughters phone. I’m now breathing again. Cool, calm, and collected. (But I’m also still intent on finding the little motherf… crap. Breathe in. Breathe out.)

-Hydrate. Drink water.

-Detox. Tongue scraping, epsom salt bath, baking soda bath, oil pulling,

-sweat! Exercise! Get that lymph system moving. Look into dry brushing too.

-Love and laughter. Do what you love. Be with people who love you. Give your love freely. Laugh often.

So, that’s it.

Your “Keri’s Cliff Notes”.

I’m no doctor, so look it all up yourself and do what feels right.

Today, may we all boost our immune system, lower our inflammation, use the Internet for information to better ourselves and others, and may the phone turn up, not only for Maddie to see that sometimes people do the right thing, but for the person who stole it. He will learn about forgiveness instead of the wrath of …

gah! Liam!!!!

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri

This is me and Paula. Synergistic!

Wonder twin immunity powers activate!

I had a lovely day yesterday. Church was great, and the sermon was all about hearing your call from God, and what happens when you choose to ignore it or follow it.

It can be hard to follow what He wants us to do.

Last weekend, I was exhausted from the now infamous, “Mug incident”. Then I heard the whisper.

“It’s time.”

I felt it in my soul and heart and spirit that He wanted me to start the blog. Put the book aside and write.

I was tired. I mean, did you SEE the mugs?

But I followed Him and his whisper.

As of today, one week in, I’ve had over 4,000 “hits” on my blog, from all over the world.

Which means His word and my testimony are being spread far greater than my voice can carry it.

I’m not doing it for fame or money.

I’m doing it to show people the way.

Hope, faith and love.

I am just a vessel, a reflection, to show and share His message.

Then I hosted Dungeons and Dragons. For over six hours, I had fourteen teenagers, young men and women, all laughing, whooping, cheering, working together, discussing strategy, and NOT on their devises.

Actual conversations in 2018.

A miracle!

I loved hosting and serving them water, Pizza, snacks, desserts, and keeping the fire going. I gave my “Safe Space” talk, and they all listened. Kids like to hear firm rules and boundaries, when it comes from a place of love and with a slice of pizza.

Today is Martin Luther King Jr Day.

When I was teaching my kindergarten students about him, I learned two new facts.

1- He was born and named Michael, but when he was five, his dad was in Germany and became impressed by the works of the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther. He changed his name and Martin’s name. (Hey! I’m a Lutheran!!🙌🏻)

2-Martin was SO SMART! He skipped the ninth and twelfth grades and entered Morehouse College at the age of fifteen. Imagine if we still had gifted and talented programs? It makes me sad that typically only the rich districts have them, and districts in poverty areas and areas of much diversity don’t. There are a lot of children not getting opportunities because of the their economic status and where they live.

3-I also learned that Martin survived another assassination attempt almost a decade earlier. He was at a book signing when Izola Ware Curry walked up to him, said she had been looking for him for five years, then plunged a seven inch letter opener into his best, narrowly missing his aorta. In true Martin fashion, he continued to affirm his belief in non violence and felt no ill will to Izola.

(Me? My inner Liam Neeson would have come out.)

4-Tragically, his mother died from a gunshot wound as well. While she was in church, a man stood up and shot and killed her. He said he had wanted to kill Martins father, but his mother was closer.

The things you learn when you look.

Today’s bible study in my “Love God Greatly” focused on the book of James. The blog response had this…

“I know when you are going through a trial, it feels like you are the only one who has ever experienced anything this hard, this hurtful…this intense. But let me reassure you…you are in good company! In almost every story in the Bible, whether it’s Ruth struggling to make ends meet, Abraham clinging to God’s promises in the midst of the waiting or Moses trying to lead a group of reluctant followers through the desert, as a daughter to the King of Kings…you, my dear, are part of an amazing lineage of overcomers! “

So, in this day where we celebrate a man with a last name “King”…

And a weekend where I was with my best friend and her family whose last name is also King…

And where I hosted many children and showed them about kindness, conversation, and pretended to be the Queen Mother of the Dragons…

And a weekend where I worked hard to show my daughter how a stolen phone can teach us lessons and I worked hard to tame my inner Liam Neeson who wanted to use violence against the person who I now think stole her phone…

I’m reminded that I am the daughter of a King.

I’ll straighten my crown, go learn about how to strengthen my immunity at the Giving Room at 12, and walk forth in grace, love, light, and peace.

May we all remember we are the children of THE King.

We all have chains that hold us down. Mine was cancer. Self esteem. Worry about what others thought of me. Taking on other’s pain. Holding onto anger. No faith.

Shake off those chains of bondage and let freedom ring.

I’m free at last!!!!

Free at last!!!

Thank God almighty, I’m free at last!!!

In Jesus’s name, amen.

Xoxo

Keri