Nuturing our Souls
Let us sit a while to quiet our souls
and listen well to the rhythms
of life, light & love
Nuturing our Souls
Let us sit a while to quiet our souls
and listen well to the rhythms
of life, light & love
Poetic Voices from the Refreshing Garden
Faith-Hope-Love
Hello friends. Welcome to the Refreshing Garden!
Let us sit a while, with teacup in hand, and listen well to the rhythms of life, light and love. Just as we take time to rest, inhale and enjoy an outdoor garden, here we will spend time reflecting on and nurturing our inner gardens. We will be inspired and encouraged through People, Proverbs, Poetry and Prayer.
I'm so glad you've joined me!
Today's fragrant word for our inner garden is Hope.
Let's begin planting seeds of hope within our hearts and water these seeds well, until we're flourishing!
"The Lord will guide you always, He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land, and you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Isaiah 58:11
*Listen to my audio on the topic of "Hope" by clicking the video (coming soon!)
How do we walk in Faith, Hope and Love?
Healing Hope
Many have asked me how I walked through a year of healing transformation in 2024. Here you will find Resources that gave me insight and options as I navigated the best path for my treatments and ultimate recovery. I hope you find these resources helpful.
After much prayer and researching, I chose an Integrative approach of restoration for my body, as it offered many benefits for the whole person: my physical and emotional health and well-being. I received a personalized protocol that corrected deficiencies and optimized nutrient levels to stimulate immune function to work more efficiently. I'm grateful for the options I discovered on my personal journey, and I found this integrative approach to be valuable and effective for my own body.
The body-mind-spirit connection treating the whole person became vital for me to address. I spoke with my oncologist, a naturopath and a functional MD, and I believed there was a way to build up my immune system to function better.
My faith in God was my strength and courage, and I embraced Hope as my anchor throughout my journey and spent many quiet moments in prayer.
The 130th psalm of the Book of Psalms. Psalm 130 v5 "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word, I hope; 6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”
Hebrews 6:19
"We have this HOPE as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain ...."
Prayers & Friendship
The gift and beauty of Friendship, Prayer & Support
What a gift it is to be purposeful in developing beautiful friendships; to enjoy the dance created by uplifting, joyful interactions with others. - Michele
The power and beauty of Prayer
I am forever grateful to all my family and dear friends, neighbors, business colleagues, and everyone who so lovingly prayed for me!
Praying friends are such a gift! I am blessed with close friends who called to pray over me daily for healing. You know who you are! I thank God for this treasured gift from above. I couldn't have walked this road in courage and strength without your daily kindness and wonderful prayers and support!
My husband, sons, mother, brother, sis-in-love and other family members prayed for me daily. I'm grateful to my "chef hubby" for his culinary skills; creating delicious homemade soups, salads and more! Thank you! All of you have loved on me with care and grace and you've given me support in my healing journey! I am blessed.
My precious girlfriends who went above and beyond to encourage me! Even taking turns to sit with me during my 2-hour IV sessions, keeping me company with stories and laughter. Each of you are very dear to my heart. Thank you!
My two amazing friends, who drove from Florida to Georgia to cook for me! Your passionate hearts of caring are an incredible testimony to God's kindness and goodness! Thank you for sharing your wealth of knowledge, experience & healthy recipes with me and my family. I am so grateful for your love and kindness, support and prayers.
My Manna Family, led by Arthur Farr, prayed for me every week, as we got together via Zoom. Thank you to all 8 of you! For your prayers during the entire year; I couldn’t have kept strength of soul and mind in this journey without your beautiful prayer support, encouragement and love. Thank you!
Our sweet friends at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Thank you all for your caring and faithful prayers.
To all my special neighbors and kind friends: Beth and Don, Mish and Bonnie, Colleen, Laurie and Mike, Nancy and Chris, Wendy and Dale, Jill, Jacquelyn; each one of you stood by my side & hoped for healing with me and you smiled when noticing the different ribbons I tied to our neighborhood bench, as faith markers when I prayed! Your sweet check-ins, gifts and love expressed many times over, have been such a joy to me. Thank you!
On Prayer
C.S. Lewis quotes:
"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done."
"For prayer is request. The essence of request, as distinct from compulsion, is that it may or may not be granted."
"In silence and in meditation on the eternal truths, I hear the voice of God which excites our hearts to greater love."
"I pray because I can't help myself. I pray because I'm helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn't change God. It changes me."
Psalm 121
My help comes from the Lord
A song of Ascents.
Trust
Nurturing trust within our beings ---
"God is within her, she will not fall, God will help her at
break of day." Psalm 46:5
"In quietness and trust is your strength..."
Book of Isaiah 30:15b
Acknowledgment of gratefulness to my doctors:
Real Health Medical - Functional Doctor https://realhealthmedical.comThank you for your integrative healthcare knowledge and integrity. Your kindness & encouragement have opened my eyes and spurred on my faith to be responsible for my health.
My personal, customized protocol overview: low dose chemotherapy/red light therapy/hyperbaric chamber/high dose vitamin C IV & customized additions. Ivermectin and Mebendazole/Fenbendazole.
RightWay Health & Wellness https://rightwayhealthandwellness.com To every one of you on this caring Team, I am forever grateful for your knowledge, tender care, wonderful therapies offered and the warmth & love you all exude. Thank you for believing with me and building up my courage on this journey. Thank you for teaching me to listen to my body and trusts my instincts more. Such a gift! My personal, customized protocol overview: Lymphatic Therapy/Emotional therapy via EVOX and the ZYTO Bio Survey
Atlanta Gastroenterology www.atlantagastro.com Thank you, Doctor, for your professionalism, honesty and great communication at every visit. Thanks also for sharing in my joy at these wonderful results! I am blessed!
Dr David Jockershttps://drjockers.com Thank you for answering my note and advising me to visit RightWay Health & Wellness. Your recommendation came at a pivotal point in my decision-making journey! Thank you also for your resourceful website and all the knowledge you carry within on many subjects in natural health and wellness. You are a Godsend.
Cancer and Blood Specialists of Georgia American Oncology Partners (Johns Creek,GA) www.cancerbloodspecialistsga.com Thank you, Doctor, for your kindness, professionalism, knowledge and thoroughness in my continued care, surveillance and good health. I appreciate you!
WellStar Cancer Center Oncologists and Surgeons. Thank you to you and your teams for your care and support during my initial weeks of radiation treatments, and with every lab check-up on this journey of recovery.
Dr. Colleen Coetzee (Hematologist/Virologist/Nutritionist) living in South Africa. How amazing it has been to connect with this woman of faith, strength and integrity. Dr. Colleen, you were my first line of support as I was researching integrative options. The excellent medical studies you shared with me were so reinforcing to my heart and mind, as I was deciding the best path for my complete treatment. Your weekly (and often daily) ongoing encouragement and Words of Truth shared brought me peace of mind during my “bumpy road” moments. You were my angel with skin on throughout this past year. Your heart is huge, and I am grateful for knowing you dear friend.
DAILY HABITS TO STRENGTHEN MY BODY-MIND-SOUL. Being purposeful in how I think and talk to myself. Books and Resources I found helpful:
"Stand in the roads and look. Ask for the ancient paths - where the good way is - and walk in it. Then you will find rest for your souls." Jeremiah 6:16
Books I enjoyed reading in 2024:
- The Book of Psalms (Bible)
- The Weekly Habits Project (A Journal to reflect, and make tiny changes for big results (by Zondervan)
- Gracelaced : Discovering the timeless truths through seasons of the heart by Ruth Chou Simons
- Springs in the Valley (Devotional - L.B. Cowan)
- The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, L.Ac., FABNO and Jess Higgins Kelley, MNT
- Chris Beat Cancer by Chris Wark
- Dr. Jen's Plant Based Diet
- Bone Broth Breakthrough - Dr. Josh Axe
My current Book List to read in 2025:
- The Book of Proverbs (Bible)
- Reclaiming Quiet by Sarah Clarkson
- Good Energy by Casey Means, MD
- Streams in the Desert (Devotional - L.B. Cowan)
- Continuing renewal in reading:
- Gracelaced : Discovering the timeless truths through seasons of the heart by Ruth Chou Simons
- The Healthy Mind Cookbook by Rebecca Katz with Mat Edelson
- Supercharged Food: Heal Your Gut by Lee Holmes
Health Resources from Books/Articles/Websites
(that I gleaned valuable information from):
The Metabolic Approach to Cancer by Dr. Nasha Winters, ND, L.Ac., FABNO and Jess Higgins Kelley, MNT
Chris Wark: Chris Beat Cancer
Becoming Cancer Free by Nathan Crane
Hydr8Me for their Sauna (Detox) | https://www.woodstockivhydration.com/
Dr. David Jockers DNM, DC, MS | https://drjockers.com
Search for these articles on Dr. Jockers website:
5 Healing Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
Full Moon Phase Parasite Protocol
Red Light Therapy for Healthy Mitochondria, Skin, Inflammation & sleep with Scott Chaverii (Podcast # 78)
How to Use Castor Oil packs to help you Detox
Thankfulness, Forgiveness & Healing
Thankfulness and Forgiveness
Healing for the Body-Mind-Spirit
Giving Thanks!
I am filled with gratitude in all I’ve learned during this healing journey. I’m so very thankful to my husband and sons: David, Jordan, Matthew for walking in strength alongside me every step of the way! Thanks for encouraging and loving on me, for cooking healthy meals for me ‘Chef Dave’, and for being so patient as I determined, with God's help and guidance, my best path forward to restoration.
For my Office Team of leaders and colleagues; thank you for granting me a leave of absence from work. This proved to be essential in my healing, allowing me full focus on treatments and the ability to enjoy the least amount of stress in my daily comings and goings.
For Dave’s wonderful Company, who have stood by us with strengthening support and encouragement throughout everything. We are so thankful to you all!
For my dear family who live in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada; your messages and prayers lifted me up regularly and sustained me.
There are so many others of you who gave your encouragement to me, sending texts, emails and encouraging words. Thank you for your daily words, moments of medicinal laughter, and the sharing of wisdom from the scriptures, so I could hold fast and walk in His sustaining power.
Arthur & Rachel; for blessing me abundantly with frequent retreats to FarrBee Farm, in order to rest and recover. Such precious times spent with you both. I’m forever grateful. www.arthurfarr.com
Don & Carol, your kind dinner dates and check-ins of concern and love have meant so much to us! Thank you for your faithful prayers and support on this journey dear friends. We love you.
To Scarlet, Bridget, Betsy & Joy! Thank you for your precious friendship, your time, prayers and love given and your supportive presence as you kept me company during my IV infusions. Priceless.
For my Manna Prayer Family: Arthur, Mike, Marianne & Randall, Duane, Bob, Azizi, Kita; what can I say that lets you know just how much your weekly prayers & encouragement kept me strong! I hope your joy is full in knowing your prayers are answered! Blessings.
Blessed by Dr. Tom Theocharides, MD (Real Health Medical) who prayed over me during some of my IV therapy visits. What a blessing you are!
To everyone: my hope is that you in turn, are greatly strengthened by my story and the resources I've included here.
With all my heart I give my loving thanks to my Lord Jesus, who guided me and gave me His strength on the journey.
May you walk in good health dear friends.
Michele
Joy
Joy comes in the morning ......
"The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him."
Psalm 28:7
Thank you for joining me here! I hope you receive encouragement for your own pilgrim journey. May you be blessed with quiet confidence and trust in the One who knows you best. I love sunflowers- they are simply the most cheerful faces in the garden! They remind us to keep our eyes of faith on the Son, just as they follow the sunlight daily. These amazing flowers wake up watching the sun rise in the East, and they move their faces to follow it's light, as it crosses the sky and sets in the West. No matter the weather, the sunflower turns her face upwards; she knows where her growth and nourishment come from. Let us do the same! - Michele
