First of all, Sundance is taking a break. He had some business matters to handle. This blog started on February 1, 2011, and in all that time, except for when he was on his trip to meet with some contacts, and helping out after disasters, I remember Sundance taking off a few days only one time. He went on a fishing trip and left the gals in charge. We managed not to set the Treehouse on fire, and even resisted ordering new furniture and hanging pictures.
And so, here we are, still in the same Tree.
Like most people, in November I start thinking more about things and people I am grateful for. I don’t want to do a smushy, typical post about that. Not to discount the need for, and value of, stopping to reflect on God’s many blessings in our lives.
I like stories. Indeed, I almost find them irresistible. It occurred to me several days ago, when I posted a recipe over at Stella’s Place, that I often don’t even share a recipe without a story.
I would like to hear yours today, and I think others here would too.
That is a weird, vague, and broad introduction to an idea, huh? Allow me to dial it in a bit. I started following Sundance, Ad rem, and Stella on another blog they used to run. Every day I looked forward to the posts, the comments, the ideas, and the sheer fun.
When that blog shut down, I found Stella over at Lucianne. She was looking for refugees like me, and eventually we all hooked up again. Sundance started this blog, and invited me to join the crew and become an admin.
Even though we started here in February, I always think about the beginnings, and Sundance, Ad rem, Stella, Wee, and Sharon, in November. I found them at the other place then, and the day before Thanksgiving, when I should have been cooking and cleaning, I couldn’t stop reading that blog.
Along this trip through the woods, we have become friends, the best of friends, in my book. I have found people who share my faith, my hope, my joys, and sometimes my sadness. They share foundational beliefs on right and wrong, justice, politics, and a host of other things important to me.
We have shared tons of laughs, as well as more serious discussions, advice, ideas, and, well, just life. We have been so privileged to “meet” some unique and wonderful characters along the way, including you guys.
This site, and the people here, are one of the most important things in my life, and one that I deeply value and appreciate.
You make me think, you challenge me, you deepen my understanding, occasionally you even change my mind. You pray with me and for me, celebrate with me, and laugh with me.
When my grandson Conner was a baby, you old timers were there with me as we prayed, waited, and hoped, while he had open heart surgery at Vanderbilt. You have checked in on him over the years, and shared in his stories and milestones. Probably my best loved story by Treepers was The Christmas Pumpkin, a story about Conner.
Behind the scenes, Sundance,Wee, Stella, and Ad rem have been even more supportive to me during those trials and tribulations, joys and hopes. Their support and encouragement really helped me make the leap of faith and decide to homeschool Conner (if you missed those conversations, he’s autistic and really needs extra help) when he needed it. Ad rem, the teacher, found words to help me see the potential through all my doubts and fears.
So, that’s one story about something and someplace and some people I am so very grateful for. I look forward to yours.
P.S. That’s Wee in the cowboy hat. These days she has blinged it up with tinfoil. I’m hiding in the back. I actually did have waist length dark hair at that age.
Here’s a link to a post Sundance made on the first day. Copying it from our old WordPress site to this new one resulted in some formatting issues and loss of his pictures, but you’ll enjoy his post.
Here’s another link Stella just posted in her comment. If you want the whole backstory, this is it.
LOVE those bare feet. Freedom!!
yes it was. you could do that. now it’s no shoes, no service .smh
Wrestled with whether to post this…
Anyone who has bothered to read a post by me knows it’s centered around studying the Word and how it effects us, today, even yesterday, and through all our tommorrows.
Like all folks here in their 70’s, there are many stories, but here’s my story from just this week:
My kitty Ava [17 years, come Thanksgiving] developed those tell tale signs anyone who has had pets soon recognizes. Front end is willing, back end, not so much. Could stand barely, couldn’t even walk to her bowl. Stopped eating. Stopped drinking water. Kidney’s are shutting down, we’ve all seen it. Eyes are dialated. Very faint voice. “What’s happening, ‘Dad’, why can’t I walk?”
Sure, I could rush her to the E.R., they would probably ‘buy’ her 2-3 more days with drugs. She’d spend her time away from me, in a cage, alone with strangers. Not this time! [She did not show outward signs of pain, or I wouldn’t have chosen this path.]
I wanted her to be as comfortable as possible. Carried her to the bathroom sink for running cold water [her favorite]. She drank a little. Gave her a teaspoon of ice cream [her favorite] she barely licked it. Fresh warmed chicken, [favorite] nope!
All she wanted, was to be held. In my arms for so many hours, I had to prop a pillow under them to keep her against me. She just purred, non stop. I knew she was dying, but I prayed, so much!
“Father please, 17 awesome years, if it’s time, just ease her pain. Give ME her pain, anything, don’t let her suffer, please!”
“All things in Your will and way Father. I trust You implicity! If I need a lesson from watching another pet die, I accept that, but I don’t know what I can learn from her pain.” I have empathy for every living entity. I can’t help it, I feel their suffering.
“Please, please Father, let her just pass away in my arms, peacefully.” Two days like this, off & on. No food, no cat box, no water. Just laying in my arms purring, dying. I prayed, she purred.
I had to leave. No choice, I had to take care of another responsibility that could not, would not wait. I hated to leave her.
Came home asap [7 hours]. She’s standing at the door to greet me [like always]. WTH? Oh, my gosh, are you hungry? “Yeah!” She ate tons, drank water, walked around like no problem, finally going to the box again again. Actually jumped up on my lap to see me [like always]. So what’s the lesson?
Mark 10:27 “...with God all things are possible.”
Will she make it to her 17th in two weeks? Don’t know for certain. A year, two more? Who’s to say? Father knows.
The lesson I needed; Not many outside our circle of friends will take the time, or make the effort to ‘listen’ to our ramblings if it’s always “GOD this, GOD that, GOD, GOD, GOD”. But He know, He listens, He keeps His notes in His book.
Share your faith, whenever possible, you just don’t know who you will reach, for Him. Only He can make the seeds grow.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please bless this family. Watch over, guide, and protect Sundance, his awesome admins, and the CTH ‘Treepers’ worldwide. Please let the seeds from this tree bless You in all they do. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.”
Another of her favorites; “Hey, that hot laundry from the dryer? Throw it right here.”
There that ‘dust’ people keep talking about, something’s in the air.
p.s All things in His will and way. All things for His glory. I pray ‘Thanks” to our Heavenly Father many times a day..
Thanks for life,
thanks for the greatest country this world has knowm,
thanks for family, friends, health,
thanks for our fallen soldiers,
thanks for the Treehouse,
Thanks, thanks, thanks.”
AMEN
OMGoodness KP! Bless you and your sweet kitty. Tears flowing reading your post. I pray her remaining life is filled with goodness and well-being.
God bless you.
Tears, but so much joy for a life well lived!!
Amen
✝️
I love a story with a happy ending. A few years ago I had a miracle kitty story…. my tuxie Pirate disappeared. We checked the animal shelter, and everyplace we could think of. We drove all over town looking for him. I prayed that God would help him find his way home if he was still alive, or if he wasn’t that at least he hadn’t suffered. Late one night about a year later he came strolling in through the cat door! He was clean and we’ll fed so someone was taking care of him. It was a real miracle as far as I was concerned. Our Father knows how much we need our “kids”.
Your story truly touched my heart.
Wow! An amazing story of Faith. And the humble acceptance of “Thy Will Be Done”. Your story gives me chills, which for me, means the Holy Spirit is moving powerfully in this experience. God Bless You.
Beautiful.
Tears! LOTS of tears! No words…
Beautiful.
Blasted onions
Oh, thank you so much for your story! I praise God with you that He gave Ava more time! Even a day is a blessing!
And thank you, too, for the prayers for those of us in the Treeper community.
God is good! Glad your dear little Ava is purring on!
might be a bladder infection
I had a cat that lived to 17
every five-six months she would slow down, so I would take her to the vet, and they would give her an antibiotic & a steroid, then she would bounce back
might be worth considering
when she finally passed, I realized two things:
she had shared a quarter of my lifno other cat would ever do that again
she was super special
I had a cat, really neighbor’s cat but loved by all of us. I suggested they give him ivermectin.great for parasites. In 2 days he ate, drank and was perky. Still is.
be careful with ivermectin & cats
my neighbor gave some to another cat of mine and it blinded him
it’s a known side effect with cats & overdose
My wife and I are “staff” to a 20 YO cat, who was rescued from a shelter after she bit the previous owner. She had another bite on her sheet, so we knew she was a goner unless we took her into our home. She was the ruler over all our other cats for many years. She is now blind and has no teeth but will still “gum” you if she is dis-pleased.
She visits us from her room every evening, likes to be petted and still eats well.
She will be here until she tells us it is her time. We have lost countless cats in the past and their memory still is fresh with us. We come home sad and love the remaining cats a little more.
Beautiful. God bless you and your furbaby. God bless Sundance, his crew, and all those who roost in the tree.
I cannot love this enough. Purrayers for your darling fur girl Ava. God is great!~
What a sweet tail! I hope the Lord lets you have more time with your kitty…today is “caturday”.
I’ve learned through many similar experiences that God seems to, in my circumstances anyway, grant me the greatest desires of my heart when I open my hands and let go of what I am falling on my knees before Him for.
When our cat Hunta seemed lost (she was my mom’s cat who was left outside when my mom committed suicide), it was especially painful to not find her — after losing my mom. I prayed and prayed and waited and waited, and when the time came that we needed to head to our home 150 miles away — without Hunta — instead of asking another request of our Father I instead thanked Him for Hunta’s life and told Him I knew He would watch over her no matter where she was; He sees when a sparrow falls.
Just as I opened my hands and released Hunta my husband called from the back door, ‘Honey, Hunta’s here!’
Lots of hugging and purring and thanksgiving on the 150 mile drive south that day.
Hunta died about 15 years ago. Her passing was similar to Ava’s, who by the way looks very much like Hunta, my big girl. When we knew Hunta was to the point of dying we called our vet and asked them to come to our house to end her life peacefully at home.
I will be praying for you, KP, and your lovely little girl, Ava as the Holy Spirit prompts me.
God knows when a sparrow falls and He cries with those who cry. When the time comes Jesus will be with you both, holding you close.
Peace, grace and mercy to you.
I’m sorry about you kitty, and especially your mom. I just lost my mom to cancer, and this will be my first Thanksgiving without her.
Thank you, Liz. When my mom committed suicide it seemed as though the world became quiet; people do not know how to comfort someone whose loved one killed themself, so they don’t say anything. My dad had died of cancer 40 days before my mom and well wishers were many. But when my mom fell into deep grief and lost her way, she no longer wanted to live and took the remaining pain killers meant for my dad. She neatly lie down in bed,took the pills, fell asleep and died. No note, no phone calls, no goodbye, just The Fierce Goodbye, like a poem of the same name concerning people who commit suicide. I was 35 years old at the time, and now I’ve almost lived without my parents as long as I lived with them. I am older than both my parents were when they died, and wonder what it would be like to sit and talk with them.
I imagine you are going through great trials right now, both within and outside of yourself dealing with the loss of your mom.
I am sorry for your loss, and this first year of going through all the very important days you’d spent together. First Thanksgiving, first Christmas, first Mother’s Day, first day of her birthday or your birthday, or the day you remember crying together, laughing together, or just sitting and enjoying each other’s company. I am sorry and sorrowful for these valleys you will go through.
I hope and pray you have friends and family who give you grace and comfort as you traverse this painful landscape. I pray people will not expect anything from you for the way you grieve or the time it takes you to open your hands and let each day go. One day at a time, one step in front of the other, while giving yourself tenderness and grace. I pray the Lord surrounds and comforts you every day, Liz.
Nice. Amazing post. Amen to your comment about people not knowing how to comfort those that have lost someone to suicide. There is simply nothing else like it.
As well the comment to being w/folks that are experiencing their first of important days. We have had several of those this year in our family, and Thanksgiving will be yet another one. It will be hard, but we will power on. It is all we can do. I know far too many families that this year will be the first for them. I pray for them all because I know how hard it can be, I feel especially for those that have to endure the dates alone. Some want it that way by choice, but others do not have anyone to be w/them and that makes me quite sad.
Can’t help crying as I read this post. We have a big old Golden Retriever that is in a similar stage of life. Can hardly get around. It will be a sad, sad day when our Lord takes him home. Yes, I do believe our pets will be in heaven with us some day!
So glad you did post this! I’m sure most, if not all, of us have been there. Some many times before…
We lost our Albert only 2 1/2 years after we adopted him at age 7. He was missing teeth, malnourished/underweight despite being in a shelter for five months, and had the saddest eyes we’ve ever seen in a cat. We felt he had given up. We took him home…he seldom came out for a month except to eat.
His first vet visit showed severe dental issues and a tumor in his ear. After having his teeth cleaned, and eventually all removed, he had to have a Total Ear Canal Ablation, fortunately the tumor was benign (that time). He then went on to have the best year of his short life (our assessment) as he was happy, putting on weight, playful. In other words, a typical cat.
Then devastation. His annual check up revealed a bb sized lump below his jaw. It was tested, turned out to be cancer. Where the cancer was located, there was an excellent chance it could not all be removed and could come back. To further complicate matters, the cancer was growing into his lymph nodes and facial muscles. This meant there could be facial nerve damage and a host of continuing issues.
Based on Albert’s previous struggles over the past few years, we opted to take him home and let him live out his life happy and loved. Within a months, a second lump developed on the opposite side of his jaw.
Albert crossed the Rainbow Bridge Sep 1 and his cremated remains are on the shelf with all our other furry babies who have gone on before.
Thank you again for your story, it jogged so many beautiful memories (not to mention a few tears) of our previous pets this morning!
My condolences on the loss of Albert.
Thank you for posting this!!
It’s SO dusty, but tears of joy for God’s blessings! Only He can give time and true love. Thanks for sharing.
Coincidentally, the sermon at my church today was an encouragement to PUSH, ie, pray until something happens.
https://firstshreveport.com/media/traditional
Thank you so much! I am a very similar situation w/my beloved awesome cat. I have said these exact prayers every day, except mine has been for 13 years.
“Father please, 17 awesome years, if it’s time, just ease her pain. Give ME her pain, anything, don’t let her suffer, please!”
“Please, please Father, let her just pass away in my arms, peacefully.” Two days like this, off & on. No food, no cat box, no water. Just laying in my arms purring, dying. I prayed, she purred.
The other night she got out of her bed, took a few steps and simply fell over. I thought I had just watched her pass. She got up and went back to bed. She was diagnosed w/2 forms of cancer Christmas Eve last year and given 6 months to live. I went to a homeopathic vet w/the hopes of finding something to make her end days more comfortable. That vet says she doesn’t have cancer, so I don’t know. I just know my bestest and sweetest girl, Queen of the House is sick. She is half her body weight, nothing but fur and bones. She eats but can’t keep the food down.
I so desperately want her passing to be at home w/her other animal companions and myself w/her, but as they say we can’t control the weather. It is in God’s hands. I take each day I have w/her and I appreciate so much every moment when she is on the bed w/me snuggled up and purring. Not sure where she gets the strength to jump on the bed, but she does. I appreciate every single moment I see her doing an action of her old self. She has been an avid reader of the Treehouse. I am going to miss her so much.
Anyway, I love and appreciate your post. You have helped me immensely. Thank you.
OMG, I know how painful this can be for you. My prayers will include you and your Queen of the House.
God bless you all and may He ease your pain.
I mentioned on the Sunday Open Thread, how I don’t want to dominate a thread [here] all about just 1 pet, so I haven’t responded to each post here. It is supposed to be about GOD and His glory and forgiving grace to us.
I intend however to post an update on Caturday after Thanksgiving. Please look for it, and add an update about your Queen. Love to you and yours, KP.
p.s. They can leave my da*n guns alone too! 🙂
Thank you for your prayers, they are appreciated. I will be looking for your post!
That was an AWESOME post and I can TOTALLY empathize with you. I went through two of my beloved cats dying. It was a very painful experience as with ANY death of someone close. However, the saving grace is KNOWING one day we WILL all be together with our loving God! Thank you for sharing!
Wee weed….. wee as in little….. * slaps forehead *
Was always trying to reconcile in my mind a “little bit” pot smoker with the comments…
I was a bit confused and amused by that…. but see it in a whole new light. Lol!
Guess that says a bit where I am from…. Haha
Figured Wee Weeed was into gardening. 😜
The Lightbringer gave me that name personally ( as a mere peasant amongst others, don’t get me wrong) for being opposed to his assumptions that we all live to work/pay/bow to his guidance and ambivalance. Without dissidence. I did not agree.
What Does ‘All Wee-Weed Up’ Mean, President Obama? (nymag.com)
That is AWESOME. Well played.
thx for the citation with backstory, WeeWeed
I had always assumed it was a Palindrome (a Sarah Palin-ism)
typical of democrats, they’re always just makin’ sh1t up
Nothing to do with “grass”.
WeeWeed is the name that resonates the spirit of the Treehouse.
Thrive where you land.
Like a dandelion in the cracks of the sidewalk. A Weed. Throw poison at it. It remains.
Like a burst of sunshine in the sea of grey concrete.
Well i gotta make a comment here bout that name…
I accidentally made a typo to a post and didnt get moderated and thats when I considered WeeWeed my friend.
Boy howdy 😛 this whole crew puts up with alot of nonsense from me and I really do appreciate what they have overlooked 😛 I still have memories to chuckle about from a whole slew of posts. 😇
One of my grandson’s is also autistic. My daughter homeschooled him (along with his two brothers) and … he’s in his second year of college now. I credit her homeschooling with everything good for him. There have been some funny moments, like someone saying to him: “What are you on, dude?” because he is a little different. He responded, “The spectrum,” which shut them all up. I obviously still laugh about that one.
Reading the Treehouse is my reward every evening. I’m so glad I found this place.
He responded, “The spectrum,”
Haha!!! Too funny. He is so much richer and better off than most of his peers because of all the love. Job well done! I salute all of you for your effort and success. Such an inspiration for us all!!❤️❤️❤️
How delightful! I remember once telling my son how odd he was. He looked at me with all sincerity and said, ” of course I’m odd, mummy, I’m only one person. If I were two people I’d be even.”
My grandson was just tested and labeled as autistic.
Most handsome man I’ve ever seen , from the moment I laid eyes on him .
Thank you for sharing.
I remember Connor
2011? Wow!
I’m not sure exactly when I tripped over my own feet and landed here, but I sure am glad that I did.
I hope SD’s break isn’t all business, and that he comes back refreshed and energized. I’m so grateful for his efforts!
Likewise. In my mind I was “guided” to this wonderful refuge.
I started with American Thinker in 2012. Election year, I had lost my mother in a house fire, left my job and almost lost my life..my husband bought me a new computer for Christmas 2011.. I kept hearing about this Sundance Guy so occasionally jumped in. 2012 to 2016 were tough times, losing my brother, father and my two beloved dogs…Election night of 2016 was so sweet!!! I wished my dad would have made it a few more weeks!!
You’ve been through a great journey together, all of you. And God works in strange ways as He shuts one door and opens a greater one for us to enter.
Stay close and let’s all enjoy our time together on this superb blog. Best to Sundance.
A story it is – one written years ago about God’s love. Apologies for its length.
The Angel and the Nest
One bright spring morning a young man was mowing his lawn, which had become quite long, for the first time of the year in the back of his house. As he turned the mower one time, when about 2/3rds of the way done, he noticed a dark spot in an area already mowed.
The first thought that came to his mind was that a snake lay coiled there in the grass. For some reason instead of staying on the mower and riding over to the spot, he stopped the mower, got off, and walked towards the dark spot on the ground. He would later remember that and wonder why he did such a foolish thing with the thought of it being a snake and why the usual concern wasn’t present. As he got closer to the spot, it began to look less and less like a snake and more like a nest of small animals. Initially he conjectured it was a nest of rats or mice, appearing to be so dark.
As the young man got close enough, he could tell that it was none of the dark creatures originally thought of, but was in fact a nest of very young bunny rabbits. The baby bunnies weren’t more than a week old with their eyes still tightly shut and their bodies covered with moisture, making them appear darkly colored. The nest they were in was made of a slight depression in the ground lined with downy fur from the parents. The length of the grass that had been there had provided perfect cover for the nest, hiding it from predators and helping to keep the babies moist and cool during the heat of the day.
As he looked at the frail baby bunnies, examining their little bodies with ears much too big, he also noticed that the nest itself was totally undisturbed and none of the bunnies were hurt in any way. He paused and said a small prayer thanking God for protecting them, amazed when thinking about it that they had not been killed when the riding mower had gone over the spot. Not only had the length of the grass helped to protect the babies from nature, but it had also been the reason that the blade was set higher than usual preventing any harm from coming to the bunnies, even when the mower had cut the grass down to just an inch above their sleeping heads.
The day was to be a hot and bright sunny day and the young man knew that the baby bunnies would never make it through the rest of the day with the heat from the bright sun and being exposed in the open now that the grass was cut short all around. He also remembered from when he was a young boy a lesson his mother had taught him. Once when quite young he had found a nest of baby birds on the ground after a storm. His mother had told him how if he touched it, the parents would be able to smell him and would abandon the baby birds.
So he refrained from touching the bunnies or the area immediately around them and tried to think of what he could do. He knew that the nest needed protection from the heat and from the many birds in the area that might see the bunnies as a meal. After rummaging through the shed, an old plastic 5 gallon bucket was found that would be just the thing. It was even white, so it would help to reflect the sun’s heat from the nest. The bucket was quite old, so he was able to break out an area in its side like a dog house door for the parents to have access. The pail was turned upside down and set gently over the nest, positioned to provide the most shade in the heat of the day that was to come and the opening turned towards the direction of the woods, where the parents most likely were.
A short while later, after finishing mowing for the morning, the young man went inside to cool down and get something to drink. While sitting there his thoughts again turned to the baby bunnies outside and the dangers they now faced, wondering what else he might be able to do to help protect them. His eyes happened across a cloth angel that had been given to him as a gift by a someone special in his life and the thought of its protection came to his mind. When that thought crossed his mind God also touched his heart with a finger of pure love bringing tears to his eyes and the young man knew without doubt what he must do, having felt that same finger many times before.
The young man took the cloth angel and went back outside, walking to where the old white plastic bucket sat turned upside down over the nest. He knelt down on the side opposite the opening and gently placed the angel on the top of the bucket. It covered most of the top, helping to further block the sun and he thought it might act as a scarecrow to keep birds away. As he knelt there, he put one hand on the special angel, one on his heart, and said a long prayer, asking God to watch over these little creatures of His. After a few minutes he went back inside to take a shower.
Late that evening, shortly before the sun was to go down, the young man decided to go out back and check on the nest of baby bunnies. He slowly approached the bucket in the backyard praying that the bunnies were still okay. When he looked inside the crudely made opening in the side of the bucket, all the baby bunnies were gone! Remembering how they didn’t even have their eyes open yet and how one had been barely able to slide along a few inches when they were first found, he knew they couldn’t have left themselves. He carefully removed the angel and the bucket and looked closely at the nest and ground around it. There were no signs of struggle, no blood, nothing – not even the down lining of the nest had been disturbed. He felt no doubts that the parents had come and rescued their babies and moved them to a safer spot and a new nest. He knelt down and said a heartfelt prayer of thanks to God for protecting the baby bunnies. Then he put the old pail back into the shed and took the cloth angel back into the house, returning it to its previous spot.
One evening a few days later the young man was sitting on the top step of his front porch, enjoying the serenity of the late evening around him before the sun went down. As he sat there, out of the corner of the eye his peripheral vision picked up movement from the side of the house. As his eyes turned that way, there was an adult bunny which stopped and sat frozen. He thought instantly of the young baby bunnies and even though he knew the adult bunny wouldn’t understand a word he said, he hoped that it would sense their meaning somehow and so gently told the adult bunny, “It’s okay, you know that I won’t hurt you.” The parent (which is what he thought of the adult bunny as now) turned its head slightly and looked hard at him through its big brown eyes and sniffed the air.
After a few moments it turned and continued to hop forwards, stopped in front of the stairs just 4 feet from the young man, and again sat and looked up. Both the parent and the man sat looking at one another for a minute or two. He wondered if this was indeed one of the parents of the baby bunnies. As it sat there looking at him, he wondered if it was trying to tell him thank you. He thought to himself, “You’re welcome, any time.”
Then the parent bunny started hopping off again, moving across the yard towards a tree and stopping a 3rd time just before reaching its low hanging branches which almost touched the ground. It looked back towards the steps one last time for a minute, then hopped into the shadow and protection of the tree branches. The young man wondered if that where the new nest was, but decided against looking so as not to disturb it if it was.
That Sunday, during a phone conversation with his mother, he relayed the entire story of what had happened without additions, pure and truthfully just as he would later write it. When he came to the part about using the cloth angel to try to protect the babies he told her, “I hope you don’t mind that I did that with the angel.” There was a pause for a few moments. Then she said something that told him she didn’t mind, “You’re heart is too big.” He reminded her as he always did when she said that to him, “No Mom, it isn’t. It is just filled with a touch of God’s love. Even though it may bring deep sorrow at times, I will gladly accept any sorrow or sadness it brings so that I may feel His love so strong.” He then told her that the angel too was ok and had not been harmed during the experience.
On particularly rough days he still looks at that angel and remembers the events, as well as wonders how he could forget sometimes. He also remembers how God’s love feels and that God is always there if we will only remember and that helps him through the day no matter how bad it is. It was just such a day, a particularly terrible day when he was hurting greatly, that he finally wrote down the entire story from beginning to end. Afterwards he said a prayer of thanks to God for giving him that day. The thanks were not only for the help it would later bring, but the help it provided in another way the day it had actually happened.
https://books.google.com/books/about/Healing_the_Symptoms_Known_as_Autism.html?id=1HYonwEACAAJ
Kerri Rivera has successfully reversed the symptoms of autism in her son. Maybe she can help yours.
I have been blessed by the work of Dr Amy Yasko. (Dr. Amy has a PhD in Microbiology/Immunology/Infectious Disease from Albany Medical College, along with multiple postdoctoral fellowships including Yale Medical center, Wilmont cancer center URMC, and Pediatric Infectious Disease at URMC.)
Looking back at my life were I a child of today I would likely been labeled as low end/high functioning autistic. Perhaps it shows in some of my comments LOL! Consider reading her book Feel Good Nutrigenomics
For some just finding the correct supplements make a huge difference.
Autism & The Genetic Pool
According to current statistics, the rate of Autism ranges from 1 in 35 to 1 in 59. In other words, there is the potential that every one of us has a relative that may be on the Autism spectrum. Dr. Amy believes that Autism, as well as other chronic conditions such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, ALS, MS, among others, are multifactorial conditions. Underlying genetic susceptibility, along with exposure to infectious agents, toxic chemical and the stress of lifestyle all contribute to complex health issues. As such, Dr. Amy believes that it is important for anyone on the Autism spectrum to focus on The Methylation Cycle along with assessing microbial and toxin imbalances in the body. Understanding the contributing factors gives you the information needed to pick the right tools to get back on a path to health and wellbeing.
In addition, family members should realize that those genetic susceptibilities are inherited, meaning that you may carry that same genetic pool of information. As a result, it is also important for family members to think about their own Methylation Cycle. Even if those same related genetics are not manifesting as Autism, they may be a factor in Parkinson’s, CFS, MS, Lupus, or some other inflammatory condition. It is important to recognize that this is not just about Autism, rather it is about how the genetics are inherited in a familial pattern, meaning every single person in today’s society needs to be thinking about charting their personal Roadmap To Health.
Dr. Amy’s journey into the field of Autism was an organic process that evolved over time. While she began in adult neurological inflammation, life took her in the direction of Autism. Dr. Amy did not plan this path but is so grateful that it found her. She has spent over a decade working to help restore the health of those with Autism and she continues to research in that regard. While there are many children who have benefited from The Yasko Protocol, Dr. Amy feels her work is not yet complete. There are still those with severe apraxia that do not yet have the verbal communication skills she would like to see for them. Dr. Amy continues to read and delve into pathways to look for any pieces of the puzzle of Autism that may have been missed.
While this program has been extremely successful with Autism, it goes beyond autism and is actually about overall health and wellbeing. The Yasko Protocol is based on The Methylation Cycle, which is a nutritional pathway that is important for all of us. Imbalances in The Methylation Cycle can lead to a host of health issues that impact individuals of all ages such as heart disease, miscarriages, and longevity, to name a few. Dr. Amy truly believes that everyone should have the ability to understand The Methylation Cycle so that each individual can make informed choices to support this pathway in their own body. Since The Yasko Protocol is personalized based on each individuals biochemical and nutrigenomic data, this program can be applied to a range of health conditions.
Kerri Rivera primary uses diet & chlorine dioxide. Her son is about 90% back to normal. Autism has a very strong parasitic element in addition to heavy metals that have to be dealt with.
She was just a mom with an autistic boy who wouldn’t take “no” for an answer. So, she did her own research and came across Jim Humbles work.
Kerririvera.com
Wonderful!
What ever works 😉
Have to check that out, thanks !
You tell beautiful stories! I enjoy your writing and I appreciate you sharing the early days with us!
I stumbled across The Treehouse back in 2015. I had somehow found Patriot Soapbox back then, and one day someone on one of their programs mentioned The Treehouse. Intrigued, I searched and found CTH, read a couple of the blog posts and I was hooked! You’ve been a part of my life ever since, and I share CTH with like-minded family friends whenever possible.
It’s difficult to describe the connection I feel to this site. These are the posts I look for with my morning coffee (oh, and I miss the Saturday barns and sharing morning coffee over stunningly beautiful pictures!) and at the end of the day I make sure to check for any updates.
I had never been politically active, and I have participated in Sundance’s masterclass these years, learning how the government really works, and what is really going on, many times with mouth agape.
I started a spreadsheet to try and keep track of who is connected to who and what, because unlike Sundance and many of the “Treepers” here, I simply cannot keep all the connections together. I can say the education I’ve received from CTH University is invaluable. Sundance’s masterclass has has kept me grounded.
These past years have been tumultuous, and just when I feel like we, as a country, have reached new lows, Sundance has been there with explanations and words that help me take a deep breath and know that while our situation is dire, there are solutions and actions to take, and better yet, that I am not alone.
While Sundance is taking his much deserved break (I do hope he’s off fishing with buddies, but I suspect he’s heavily involved in helping lead and illuminate important people in this time of crisis), there are blog posts that I never found the time to go through in the archives.
I plan on visiting various older branches there, and trying to catch up on some of the things I missed – way back when. I will still be looking forward to hearing from you all, and if I can help with anything at all, just say the word!
Take care
Thank you, Menagerie, for the very delightful post.
I have a story, or part of a story, I hope some will enjoy.
In February 1986, [most of us] in our very small “House Church” had an opportunity to take a trip to Israel. There were so many meaningful events and wonderful experiences in the land of the Bible, and actually walking in the places where Jesus walked; but I’ll share just a few that I think meant the most to me.
Well, first of all, since none of us were rich, and a couple of us really had absolutely nothing to pay our way; I took out a loan from the local bank, (with our Pastor vouching for me with the Bank Manager), and taking the whole next year to pay it off. There was a very nice Travel Agent we met who took care of everything for us, the flights, the hotels, the guide and the driver; and she even arranged for our guide Ezra to come to the house ahead of our departure, to talk to us about our upcoming trip, and answer any questions.
We took KLM Airlines, with a stop only in Amsterdam, and then on to Tel Aviv, eleven hours from CA to Netherlands, and then another five or so hours to Israel. Of course the long flight was not so dreadful on account of the excitement of such a journey; and the meals in flight were really pretty good as well 🙂
The first thing that really struck me, when we were flying into Tel Aviv, coming in over the coast, it was about 4:30-ish in the afternoon; so there was a beautiful golden glow from the west, a couple hours before sundown; and this deep feeling of coming home filled my heart. Now I am half Jewish from my mother’s side; which I believe was a big part of that: but also because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in my heart, the significance could not be compared to anything I ever felt about ANY place before or after.
When we landed and disembarked, I remember how amazed we all were with the atmosphere at the Ben Gurion Airport. There were of course IDF soldiers conspicuously keeping a close eye on everyone, and everything going on; and all the different kinds of people from what we were used to . . . it was intense, in a way, but we felt very safe.
Our driver and guide were waiting for us, to take us to where we would be staying for the first week, at the Nof Ginosar Kibbutz/Hotel, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee: actually the site of the ancient town of Ginnosar, or, Gennesaret, where Jesus taught the crowds from a boat a little ways away from shore, while the crowds all sat and stood on the shore. Our guide, Ezra, was a transplant from the US, who moved to Israel and changed his name to something Hebrew. Our driver, Moshe, was a native Israeli, who was a tank driver in the Sinai during the Yom Kippur War. They loaded us onto a mini bus, something like the ones used by Dial-A-Ride, and we headed across the country roads, until we came out at the southern edge of the Sea of Galilee. We stopped of course to take pictures and soak in the moment, before heading north up the western shore to our hotel.
After we got all checked in, and had a little free time before dinner; so some of us started exploring, and came down to the lake, where there were a couple of guys with metal detectors, who had found something very interesting. They had found the outline of a small ship buried in the sand. They had started digging away part of it, but had to quickly stop and cover it back up with the wet sand, because as soon as the air hit it, it just dissolved. So they dug out leaving about a foot and a half of the sand/mud still encasing the boat (maybe about 12-15 feet long). They also found a cooking vessel and a lamp, which they dated approximately to the time of Jesus; so it was aptly named, “The Jesus Boat.”
Meanwhile, they had already begun construction on a Maritime Museum not far from there; and so it worked out perfect, that they could enclose the whole thing in a special foam, and float it down to the Museum; where they put it in a bath of chemicals, which would replace the water, and preserve it like a fossil. What a wonderful happy and exciting surprise from the Lord, the first night we arrived in Israel!
There were of course many, many amazing things; but you know, the first time being there, seeing the places we read about in the Bible, and where Jesus walked; it was really a lot to process; especially with such a short time. Anyway, all I can say is, that sure, there are some spectacular and amazing places in the world, that are truly breathtaking; but there is no place like the Holy Land, the land of the Bible, the land of Israel! And nowhere else in the world, can the physical surroundings more bring to life spiritual things, than the land of the Lord.
We don’t know exactly how things are gonna go in the world these days; but have a general idea from what is written in the prophets. In one way, there is really, REALLY no place in the world I would rather be, than in Israel: and the LORD has said many times in the Scriptures, that He will gather together all the outcasts of Israel, and would leave none behind. Whether that comes only after He returns, I don’t know: but He has evidently began doing that, since He made the nations give them back their land!
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall proper that love thee.”
I have been only reading and commenting here for about 3 years, so in one aspect, I am still a newbie. Being able to type what is in my head without recrimination is a fresh spring rain watering the front yard.
My Dad passed this summer, I have rarely mentioned it online, a few of my 3% friends in the blogosphere know of it. Knowing this is our promise at birth does not make it any easier. Casting Crowns has been a good musical friend for the last several weeks.
Once again I say, “Amen,” and it’s still raining. . .
I am so sorry you lost your dad, Grog. I pray the Lord will comfort and guide you as you continue to walk through the valley before you.
Thank you, Raven.
Hey Grog,
Dealing with loss is not one of my strong suits. I’m sorry for your loss. Becoming the first generation did some crazy thing to my head. I hope you have a healthier approach.
My dad was a vet and carried guilt for the scroll of medals the AF gave him. “When your shooting at things from 3 miles away your not sure what your shooting at until the Rangers go in and take pictures.” I found some of those after action pictures after he died and there was a heavy weight to them.
He passed from a very treatable form of cancer that he left untreated for 20 years seemingly as some kind of penance. Agent Orange payments were a joke. My brother and I fought with the VA to get him treatment at the end. He seemed to appreciate the effort though I’m sure he knew the outcome.
My mentor and friend passed from Covid. I’m angry about the lies told to justify the Covid profit center. The hospital got paid for positive tests, ventilators, and then the “Covid” death. I wish I didn’t miss him so much.
Leaving the losses in God’s hands has been a journey all by it’s self. Celebrate Recovery has been a place where I’ve found love and acceptance even in the loss.
Thank you, Robb
I lost mine two years ago. Like so many Vets of his Era leukemia took him down.
Condolences on your loss.
Thank you, Liz.
I never tell this story because people don’t believe me, nor do they really “get it” as in the power of prayer, but since it is Veterans Day I will share. It is a long story, so I will give the wind up.
One evening walking my dog at sunset, a beautiful, beautiful spring evening, I prayed to God. I said, “God, I love what I do, but I am tired and need help. If you want me to continue on then I need your support. I could use $20,000 dollars”. I then changed my mind and said “God, no, I need $50,000 if I am to keep doing this work in support of the troops”. I thought to myself what a ridiculous prayer and didn’t give it another thought. Me and my old gal kept on walking soaking in the twilight of such a glorious night.
The next day at 3:00 pm I received a call saying that a check for $50,000 was on the way. I still get mind blown when I think about it. Many, many deployed Veterans in the war zones received a piece of home and had a moment of happiness in the most chaotic of times from that prayer. I will forever be grateful that I got to be God’s tool on behalf of others that needed some love. For me, my faith was renewed, never again will I doubt that God does not hear me.
Thanks for the update, much appreciated!
time off is important to not only prevent burnout but to open doors to new thoughts.
thank you Sundance for all you do. Thank you MORE to those who help support Sundance and this endeavor to help resurrect our Republic.
I first climbed into the treehouse back around 2011/12 timeframe and it was my best find ever. What a great bunch of treepers and Sundance is by far the most awesome researcher/prognosticator/ analyst anywhere. How he sees things so far out from when they actually happen just boggles my mind. Thank you Sundance and all those who work with, support or follow because we are all better for our collective experiences meeting here.
After reading these beautiful thoughts and memories tonight, I am renewed with gratitude for this patch of freedom in the modern world. A patch where the everyday experiences of life bring us joy, learning, growth, ambition, triumphs and even failures to reshape our life, and above all else, hope that no matter what outside forces the radical world may try to unload on us, there are incredible friends and family that we can rely upon and find shelter from the storms of life. God bless all of you who create, share and add to this wonderful site. It is my daily anchor and it restores us with proof of the power and assurance of our faith in the Almighty. God bless you all and may your upcoming day of Thanksgiving be focused on this great gift from our God!
Thank you for telling us Sundance is just taking a break. We worry sometimes when he goes silent…
Thank you for this nice little post. I always love back stories. I really love this site.
Lately though, I have stopped getting my daily emails, making it necessary for me to visit the site by typing it into the search bar in order to keep up. I worry that I’ve missed out on some of the stories. I’ve tried twice to resubscribe, but when I type my email in it won’t accept it; just keeps saying “please enter a valid email”. Did I do something bad? Am I now in the “Conservative Dog house”?
Can someone help me out here pretty please?
I’m not a Mod here, but have you double checked the email spelling? I have seen people hit the comma key instead of the dot key
I was getting the same thing then I noticed that my spell checker was adding a space to the end of my e-mail address.
My family, too, has been impacted by Autism. I have two first degree relatives with ASD (my youngest brother and my son), with me and my father presenting non-clinical levels of the same traits. To young me, nature and machines made sense, so I earned degrees in psychology, trauma and human learning, to better grapple with a world that sees things different than I do. Now I feel I know more than I want to. lol
I am from Generation X, the day I was born Watergate was still front-page news. To me, life is a long series of events and experiences where we can choose to inquire/act, tuck our heads down and carry on or if unrealized, go on blissfully unaware. Some comes via hindsight, like when I realized my fun summers in the Ozarks was wildlife training; my grandfather was convinced in my lifetime there would be the Great Depression 2.0 and he wanted us kids to know how to feed our families. He was raised on a cotton sharecrop farm in rural Texas during the Depression and later the Pineapple Army, Air Corp stationed near Pearl Harbor when it was bombed.
I am Daddy’s girl, and rather lately I had to confront a strong belief, rooted around age 3, that my dad was a superhero and that he would never die. That belief was at the foundation on which my life was built. One of the events of significance occurred when my father handed me a military patch for a war that that not occurred yet and told me to hold on to it. It was then I started to understand the full scope of how things were not as they appeared. A few years later, approx. 1991, I was sitting in a club in Frankfurt with some friends and I was introduced to a guy calling himself Mario. Later in the night, he told me that he was the last living person in his family and that everything the family had was sold to get him out of the country and to Frankfurt. This was the first I heard of what was going on in Croatia. I was gobsmacked.
At that time, I only had a vague idea of what the job was but later I understood he worked in energy logistics, sourcing oil for the military and federal employees in the Middle East. He traveled to many of the embassies that were being bombed and attacked and for many days I waited by the phone for his call that let me know he had made it out alive. So much of my adult life I carried a weight of worry, that only fell away after he retired. At his memorial, many of his colleges attended. One story they told I remembered well; people had been trying to pressure my dad to take a job that was more political and more____ than he wanted. So, my dad demoted himself and took an assignment on the other side of the world. At the time there was a full range of strong reactions, as you might imagine, but it didn’t surprise me or others close to him- was a very dad thing to do. His colleges laughed uncomfortably after the story, and one painfully said they got him in the end; he retired out of Mc Dill.
For years I went to my dad to find out what was really going on; he retired about the same time I found the Treehouse in 2011. Now I come here. I have no words to express how much I appreciate the Treehouse community, although this is only my second post. What I didn’t want to face in the 1990s, but did, is how little the powers that be value life other than their own. This made me very careful online, for I figure I am a known quantity. I still have my DOD id from Germany, as a keepsake but my green passport was swept to sea during Hurricane Ike with a lot of my vial documents.
eh 2023 and spellcheck still blows
I meant to say my father’s colleagues when speaking of his memorial.
Just want to say Thank You.
God bless you all my Treehouse friends, posters and fellow lurkers.
What a neat picture. Thanks for everything you do, Sundance.
That photo would make amazing Christmas cards
Thank you dear menagerie
I’m glad Sundance has you on the the (our) team !
Love reading your posts as well.
You “guys” are heroes.
Vince
Gorgeous children
wanted to say…am so blessed to have found CTH I am pretty sure from El Rushbo …Lordy you are so missed,Maha I must remember to remove my mascara before I start reading..sniff…..!!!
In my years in the Treehouse this has been an ongoing blessing. Recently, when Sundance posted the Check Yourself, Suejeanin shared her Hallelujah prayers as she and her Mother cared for her Dad. My family has similar care for my Mom. Her sharing that was an encouragement. This is my experience. A treasured blessing to read and pray with orhers.
When I understood Cold Anger, wow! The constant narrative outrages ceased and I was able to stand and stop spinning. The strings became clear and I heard what those in power said and watched them do the opposite. Remember ” give us the House” (blaming us in their cunning way), oh must have the Senate, then we will remove Obamacare, wait, we need the White House then we will rid it. Exposed as frauds and liars. No forgetting Benghazi or what was allowed to steal our election and persecute President Trump, his family, and really all who support him. Agreed, he is our weapon.
I love the unique care as human beings instead of a cold institution. Thank you.