Vaccination awareness week, the debate.

Posted on November 1, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

The debate- to vaccinate or to not vaccinate?  There is a plethora of information available on both sides of this.  Most of it is based on preservatives and additives that are included in vaccines.  Yes that is one part of it, but I would like to share some other information I have found through my years of research, this being vaccination awareness week and all.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if your kids were not vaccinated?  Questions I have always heard were “will they be able to go to school?” (yes)  “Will they die if they get these diseases we are vaccinating against?” (probably not)  “What are the risks of not vaccinating?”  (Many less than if we do)  Here are some questions we should be asking. “why are there side effects of vaccinations?”  “Why is it considered normal for my child to scream for days, have a fever, get sick after getting their shots?”  Have you ever asked your doctor what the risks of getting vaccinations are?  What are the long term risks?  I did ask, and researched, and researched some more and for our family the risks outweighed the reward.  It wasn’t necessarily because of the questions above, it was because of the long term effects of vaccinations (or lack of research) and the long term health risks.

I came across this website which has an interesting perspective of where disease actually begins, and how the common cold and actually contracting childhood illness (i.e. common cold, mumps, measles, chicken pox) can actually save you from disease later on in life.  God created our systems to work beautifully, see how here:  http://www.vaclib.org/sites/debate/web6.html   If you really study this information, it’s amazing to see how illness as a child can actually keep you healthier as an adult.

And here is a resource page for  damage from vaccines.  http://littlemountainhomeopathy.wordpress.com/category/vaccine-damage/

Another question I often hear is “I was vaccinated and I’m fine.”  Well I have 2 answers, or questions, for that.  Number 1 is are you really?  And look at how many more vaccines there are now then there used to be.  What do you think of 74 by the age of 6, WOW!  That’s a lot of stuff to inject into those little bodies.

I have spent years reading about both sides of this debate.  When I was looking for a pediatrician when we moved I had interviewed many only to find all of them with the attitude, I’ll see your children, but I don’t support your decision.  When one told me they wanted to have a separate waiting room for patients who were not vaccinated, I couldn’t help but ask why?  And she said something that made zero sense to me, “because your kids could contaminate those who have been vaccinated.”  Really?  Did I hear that right?  Well if vaccinations worked so well, why would there be an issue?  Common sense says, there is something terribly wrong with this picture.  And I walked out shaking my head, with validation we made the right choices for our family.  I continue to do research, and continue to find more reasons not to vaccinate than to vaccinate.

Since I want to give other options, if you do choose to vaccinate, please find vaccinations that are “fresh”.  Yes there is such a thing, it may cost a little more, but it is worth it. There is validation in the effects of aborted fetus cells, mercury, and many other preservatives and additives causing neurological and other issues from vaccinations.  Just learn as much as you can then make an educated decision.  Not a decision out of fear, cajoling, or acceptance, but a truly educated decision based on due diligence you have done.

More resources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/vaccinations.html                                                       http://vaccines.mercola.com/                                                                             www.marytocco.com                                                                                  www.momvaccines.org 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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True health care instead of sick care.

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

It’s been 18 years, and no bronchitis!  How cool is that?  Within the 18 years I began to see Dr. Perkins on a regular basis.  I stayed healthy and became more educated about “alternative medicine” as a way to stay healthy instead of treating sickness all the time.  I had learned what Dr. Perkins used to find any underlying issues was called Contact Reflex Analysis (CRA), it is the way the body tells us what is wrong instead of using symptoms to figure it out.  I had learned through the years most doctors treat symptoms, as if the symptoms are the problems.  Where as the sneezing, coughing, fevers, and rashes are the body’s way to release the toxins and to fight infection.  I often see parents giving drugs to bring down a fever, or get rid of a cold, but what they are doing is breaking down the bodies natural defense against infection.  Now please understand, I have done the same with my kids, just wait until you hear the stories to come as to why I will NEVER do that again.

In those years of being under Dr. Perkins care I learned so much about health, how different our bodies are, and how I can stay my healthiest.  I have encouraged many people to see him, including my husband who called him a “witch doctor”.  He didn’t want to go, in fact he was going to “prove me wrong”.  Well if you know me, it is very hard to do that, lol.  But he went because he was having major heart palpitations, unable to sleep, and getting sick a lot.  What he was having was anxiety attacks.  Now let me ask you, what would an MD do?  Probably prescribe a medicine for anxiety, right?  What comes along with the prescriptions?  Hundreds of warnings and potential side effects.  Then more drugs to offset the side effects.  Well Dr. Perkins found that his adrenal gland was drained, and he was lacking vitamin D, so he gave him Cytozyme-AD and vitamin D, and guess what happened? No more anxiety attacks!  And no harmful side effects.  He became a believer immediately, and began to see him on a regular basis.

If there is one thing I want to point out throughout this time, is I would use conventional medicine on occasion, only to end up at Dr. Perkins kicking myself for not going to him first.  It’s been a journey, to say the least, and I am excited to share more!

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A chiropractor or a quack?

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

Deciding to go to this doctor, Dr. Perkins at http://my-alternativehealth.com was an uncomfortable step to say the least, but I was sick again and had to give it a try.  I arrived at his office seeing all kinds of vitamins, anti-vaccine information all over the walls, and one poster that read “Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well. Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick, is to feed your sickness.” Hippocrates  What in the heck does this all mean?  Geez, this is weird.  Then I got called back to meet “the doctor”.

I cannot remember exactly how the appointment went, but something along the lines of sarcasm and intent questioning.  The good news, he was very understanding… why? Because he was use to people going to him as a last resort, with great disbelief that this chiropractor could actually help them.  I had never been adjusted before, but the more he listened the more I began to open my mind.  After we had a discussion about what was ailing me, my chronic bronchitis, he had me stand up and raise my right arm straight out to my side.  What was I thinking you ask?  Yep you guessed it “What is this quack doing?”  He put his pointer and middle finger on his left hand and touched in between my eyes (testing point), and at the same time told me to hold my arm up as he pressed my right arm down.  You know what happened?  I couldn’t hold it up no matter how hard I tried!  When he was not touching there, he would press down on my arm and I could hold it up.  Yes that was weird, odd, crazy, but true!  So what, he just must be able to use some sort of pressure point or something.  Being the cynic that I was, I wanted to see what he would say was causing my bronchitis.  In the next few minutes he proceeded to go over different parts of my body, and pushing on my arm as he asked questions.  One time, I believe he was over my stomach, and my arm dropped.  Then he finally said “you have a parasite that is eating away at the cells that fight of the bronchial infection, here hold this” as he puts a bottle in my hand opposite the one I am holding up.  He goes over the area and my arm is strong again.  Can you say WOW!  I did.  But hey I needed to see if this really worked, I bought the parasite detox and went on my merry way thinking, this is never going to work.  One thing I did that was smart (at that age I wasn’t very, I only thought I was) is I went home and followed his directions explicitly.

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Misunderstood…

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

I have been taught that if you stand for nothing you will fall for anything.  This philosophy has caused me to have pretty strong views in many areas, and unfortunately, many people do not understand why I feel the way I do.  It seems I am just one very misunderstood person.  I have been called judgmental, a hippie, over the top or crazy due to the fact that I don’t “go with” the mainstream view in many areas.  I think many of my posts coming up are going to clarify some of my thought processes of our families decision making.  It seems many may think that I just go against the grain without any research behind it.  Now mind you, I could care less what others think about how our family works, there is only one Almighty Judge, and that’s not me or you.  My hope is this may open someone’s eyes as to figuring out “why they believe what they believe”, and maybe to ask some questions they would have never have thought to ask before.  This will also give me the opportunity to share where I have gotten my information, and give others an opportunity to research it themselves.  I know this is off topic from what I have been discussing, but it is heavy on my heart to share.

Our thought, feelings, beliefs are shaped from experiences that happen in our life.  Some may have never had any discouragement, issues, or problems so they have never had to examine the things I have had to (or there is major denial going on).  When I was 13 my father died of a massive heart attack. Unfortunately this could have been avoided had the medical doctors put my dad in the hospital immediately after the stress test which showed issues or even checked further into his heart issue a year prior after his first heart attack.  I tell you this because this is where my doubt and questions came towards the medical field.  We were never a family who “ran to the doctor” when we got sick.  I am not sure if it was because of our insurance, finances, or beliefs at the time, but I was never in the habit of this.  Then I was getting bronchitis at least four times a year, I would be put on antibiotics, and then I would get it again a month later.  Why?  I couldn’t figure out why my doctors never found the cause, or even asked why it kept happening, they would just send me home with a prescription antibiotic.  There has to be something internally not right, that this keeps occurring, right?  Seems like an obvious question, that I never got an answer to, at least not from an MD anyway.  I was about 18 at the time, when my aunt begged me to go see this “alternative” health doctor.  I came up with every excuse, “I’m broke, he’s a witch doctor, he won’t be able to help me, I don’t believe in what he does, he’s a quack!” Then she said he was doing a canned food drive, and I would get a free visit just for bringing one in, also pointing out what could it hurt?  So I went, and that one visit has changed me, and our families health care, for the rest of our lives!

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The wilderness before the promised land…

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

In one of the bible studies I am in we are discussing the wilderness that God led the Israelite’s through.  Instead of taking them a straight short path directly to their destination, he took them a long way around and through the wilderness.  Of course God had a wonderful reason why (to avoid a war), which the Israelite’s couldn’t see at the time. Instead they asked why, complained along the way (even though God was there in a cloud or by fire all the time), and were discouraged.  I have felt that way so many times, asked the same questions and thought the same thoughts on so many things.  As I have been studying these lessons, I have seen others in my class, finding their promise lands.  It has been a beautiful and amazing thing to watch God work.  But I have been like those Israelite’s, and thought what about me?  What about all the wildernesses’ I am going through right now?  God will you help me to my promise land?… Please?

In doing this blog thing, I have been able to verbalize some of my thoughts and frustrations, especially about one major wilderness our family has been in, and that is finances.  God had been in a cloud or fire right in front of me sending Manna and I still complained, ask why, and got discouraged.  It did strengthen my faith in Him for sure because I had no choice but to rely on Him.  I am realizing that is what He wants from me, my total Faith in Him and His good works.  He WILL take care of us, and will answer our prayer because “He has plans for us”.  He will give me more of what I need, because He knows what that is, I surely don’t (even though I think I do).  He honors commitment, and puts us through things to teach us so we can handle more.  That is the wilderness I have been going through financially, God has kept us here for us to learn, exactly what we needed, to grow and prosper.  It has been a very hard road, especially where I came from, and it feels like it’s been close to a 40 year journey. (Okay, I am not old enough for that… maybe it’s been 5 years)  But I am seeing the promised Land, (Financially) and I am so excited because I know God has major plans for us!

I would just encourage you, whatever wilderness you’re in right now, know God is there, sending Manna, wanting the best for you, and shaping you into a better person.  But you have to ask, in prayer, with a heart that knows God wants the best for you!  Who knows what great things you will do with Christ helping.  If you didn’t die today, God is making you a stronger part in His army!

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Shepherding a child’s Heart

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

The other day I was speaking with another baseball mom whose teenage son did not “want” to come to his little brothers baseball games even though his presence would mean the world to the young boy.  This bothered me for a while that day because when I asked her why, the response I got is one I hear all too often, “Oh he’s just a teenager”.  Have you ever used the words, “well she’s only 2,  he’s a teenager, or she’s 6” as an excuse for an unwanted behavior in your child?  Have you ever asked yourself why you said that?  Or wondered if maybe there’s another explanation as to why your child did what they did?  Some people use this as an excuse for years!  Just change the number!  I know I have, on numerous occasions, I have tried to explain away behavior by using any excuse that may be suitable at the moment, and I know others have as well, because I’ve heard it all too often.  I am one who asks a lot of questions, as a matter of fact I probably put many on edge because of my curious mind, but I don’t ask just to ask, I am seeking true answers.  So what is the answer to the question “why is my child acting this way, and what can I do to change it?” or  “How can I get away from making excuses for them, and get real answers?”  Excellent questions, and I just might have some answers.

When I picture our household with teenagers, I don’t see the “normal” view of the disrespectful son/daughter, the slam my door stay in my room situation,  all I want to do is hang out with my friends, or the argumentative time.  I picture my 3 kids all wanting to be together as a family, supporting each other in whatever they do, and prefer spending time with our family than  friends.  So I know some of you reading this (if anyone is, that is), are snickering at the thought that this could “actually” happen.  I mean this doesn’t even happen on TV!  But, aha my friends… I have found a family who has this as their family life.  And they happen to share “how” in the book “Shepherding a Child’s  Heart.”

Tedd Tripp states “our culture has lost it’s way with respect to parenting”.  And I agree because I see it.  We try to learn so much about correcting behavior, but where does that behavior come from?  The answer… our child’s heart is where we need to set things straight, not the behavior.  The behavior is just the “effect” of the “cause”, the hearts true feelings.   Just like our excuses are an “effect” of the “cause” behavior.   Tedd does a wonderful job in explaining our job as parents to help shape influences with our children and the responses they should have to those influences.  He says we need to work backwards, from the behavior to the heart and he uses God’s word to explain everything we need to know to have obedient children with willing hearts.  When children are obedient to us as parents, they will be in good graces with God, and obedient to him as well.  It also puts a lot on us as parents to be the example of obedience to God, by praying, reading and applying His word.

This book has been a real blessing to me, and my understanding of what God truly wants from me as a parent.  I have seen a tremendous difference in my kids throughout this process of learning obedience, even though it continues to be a daily struggle (I am still learning obedience as well).  They show more love to me now then they ever have, and I know God is blessing my efforts and using me as an example to others.

Let me know your thoughts!

 

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It’s fixed!!!

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

I should know by now to be careful what I write, and maybe wait and see how God will play things out.  My last post was about how we may be down to one car, okay, so it was a little premature.  We have an awesome mechanic!!!  What a blessing he has been.  C and C Auto on Reinhardt College Pkwy in Canton/Waleska has worked on our cars after we were obviously ripped off by another car repair chain.  We have been so blessed by his honesty, integrity, and great heart.  We thought our car was done for, yes it is still horrible, but is able to be driven and is fixed at hardly any cost at all!!!  I just had to update on this situation and how prayers (begging), and how God will work his magic through others.

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Problems? Who do you turn to?

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

There are many things I struggle with daily from having patience to fighting my own mind. Sometimes I get overwhelmed and cannot explain why, then God acts, and shows me how He is working, whether I like it or not!

Our car, yes the one that the key is stuck in the ignition and the windows are glued shut, and only 1 wind-sheild wiper works,  finally completely broke down today.  It had a free ride to the shop to see what the damage may be, or if it will go to “car heaven”.  My husband is a little frustrated, to say the least.  Going back to “bad” decisions we have made in the past, we CANNOT get another car at this time.  What does that mean?  One car for a family who is used to having 2, a change in scheduling, and waiting to see what good the Lord will bring from this.  Life can be so frustrating at times, and my tears showed it.  My poor chiropractor had to hear my woes.  I don’t think I was that upset about the car, it was more about how my husband is taking it.  Why is it that he works so hard, and has to deal with a company that treats him like crap?  Why is it, that he does what he needs to do to take care of his family, and stuff like this still happens?  Why can’t he see how great he is, and how much we love him and appreciate his sacrifice?  Why can’t he accept that?  I know I can’t change how he is feeling, but I do know someone who can, God and prayer!

God has been showing me a major weakness in my life, my prayers (that is just 1 of many!).  My chiropractor shared from a book he was reading about praying and how God has a plan and may not answer with what we think He should.  Isn’t that always the case, I think I know what’s best, ha, that is so funny to say out loud!  We all have to live in this world, and just because I am a Christian, does not mean my life is going to be easy… in fact it’s quite the opposite.  God puts us through these down times I believe for a few of reasons.  Number one is to help us grow and shape us into what He has planned for us, number two is to learn how to ask God for help through prayer, and number three is to give God the Glory no matter what.  As I write these, I am reminding myself that this life and all it’s challenges are a part of His plan.

I saw exactly how He works today, through encouraging us.  Some friends of ours have had some down luck with health issues.  So I took a meal to them today (I was supposed to take it last night but that didn’t work out, I KNOW God had something to do with that.)  In our conversation I found out that they have only had one car, that they have shared, for a family of 6, with a lot more to do than we have.  I don’t think they know what an encouragement to us that little piece of information was.  They had held back sharing this prior, but God has his perfect timing.  You never know how God may use what you may be going through and how it will help someone in the future!

I know, woe is me, we may only have 1 car, boo hoo…  Many people have a lot bigger problems than this, and trust me I am very thankful for the blessings we have.  In sharing, my small problem, I pray this may encourage those with bigger issues.  And how they can find their answers and peace through prayer and knowing everything God does is for good.

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My world has gotten crazy

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

So it seems my world has gotten crazy… Do you ever feel like you have taken on the world, only to get caught up in the busyness of it all?  I am at that point right now.  My parents had come for a visit, we packed the week with 2 days of travel, regularly scheduled events, baseball games, an all day fall festival (to sell jewelry), dance class, shopping, date night, AWANA and bible study.  I had promised a friend I would finish a project, and I couldn’t come through.  I hate it when I do that!  She was forgiving and understood, but I am a stickler for following through on what I say.  I believe, my word is my worth!  I wish more people felt the same way.  I have seen many people make commitments, with no intention of following through on too many occasions.  It has soured my view of the world, that I automatically assume people aren’t going to follow through.  I know, wrong way to view it. Give others the benefit of the doubt, seek first to understand, and don’t judge.  I am still working on all that.

Okay, I will get off my soap box now.

We did well at the festival selling jewelry, what I mainly was looking for was to get some ladies to host parties for me.  At least when I do parties, there is a specific intent of those coming to know what they are buying.  Maybe think of what you have to offer, crafts or whatever, maybe you have friends who are willing to open their house so you can sell your goodies.  This time of year is the best for that because people are looking for Christmas presents, and are also looking to support an individual.  It doesn’t hurt to ask!

There is also another consignment sale coming up this weekend…. not sure if I am up to it.  My mom brought a bunch of girl clothes that I let someone borrow.  Hmm we’ll see if I can come up with the time and energy!

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Self fullfillment, but I’m still hungry!

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Andria Dowie Truth & Wellness

In the process of going through some very old boxes to find stuff for my garage sale coming up, I came across many sales receipts, paperwork, cards, etc. that took me down memory lane.  I worked in corporate America for 13 years prior becoming  a stay at home mom.  I was great at what I did, but immature, and bull headed, a deadly combination.  I was chasing the almighty dollar for years gathering so much “stuff” and wasting my money and time in local adult beverage “establishments”, it makes me sick to think about it now.   I can’t go back, but I can say to those who may read this, and are a few years my junior, please take heed, and learn from my mistakes.   If there is one piece of advice I can give, it’s to live on less money than you make, and have as little debt as possible, and that means no car payments either!  Give a lot away and save the rest.  It seems these principles were lost in my generation, or I was too bull headed to listen. (probably the latter)  Because of this ignorance, we are in this predicament.  In that time of my life I was looking to be “fulfilled” by stuff.  Only to continue to want more… of everything.   Nothing could fill the voids in my life, no matter what I tried to use.

Than something changed…

I began to chase the Almighty!  He is the one who can fulfill every need and void, I needed to be broken, obviously, before He could create a masterpiece through me.  I had thought a lot about the stupid stuff I had done, that I am paying for now, because I made bad choices. (hint, hint, another lesson)  But at least this time I see a light at the end of the tunnel, I know with God’s help and faithfulness, He will make things happen, and I will make sure different decisions are made.  It is no longer about the type of house, or car (okay, maybe we need a new one of those since ours is falling apart), or vacations, but serving others to Glorify God.  It’s stepping out of my selfish self, putting myself out there even though I may get hurt, with the faith in knowing everything else will be taken care of.

I have finished our churches website, check it out at www.hickoryroad.org I am excited to see how God is going to use that tool and me now and in the future.

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