Papaya to the Rescue!

     One of my most favorite natural cures came to our rescue a few weeks ago.  We made a quick trip out of town to take some time off and enjoy some shopping and museums in the big city.  On the way down, my husband started complaining of very bad stomach cramps. By the time we arrived at the motel, he was doubled over and in extreme pain.  I was discouraged. I imagined him huddled in the bathroom all night and one by one, the rest of us in turn.  So, I turned to my favorite magic tummy cure: papaya enzymes.

     This is one of my favorite cures because it works almost immediately. We had a friend that worked for us.  He arrived at work one morning and was doubled over with stomach pain (of course the donuts and mountain dew that he had for breakfast had nothing to do with it!!).  He took 5 of these pills and was better immediately. He was amazed and called them "magic pills". 

     The papaya contains natural enzymes in the form of bromelain that aids in digestion.  However, fresh papaya is hard to come by these days and very hard to carry around with you!  These pills solve the problem. When there is an upset in the digestive juices in your stomach, the outcome is a stomach ache.  Adding more digestive enzymes helps to restore the balance and take care of the problem.  Raw apple also works, but papaya pills are more concentrated.

    

 

     I purchase these at Walmart.  They are not very expensive and a good thing to keep around.  They taste great and are easy to chew. My kids think they are candy. Sometimes I wonder about their complaints about tummy aches.....they love having papaya and when one child gets some, they all get some!  When there is real stomach trouble, it works immediately to soothe the pain.  When we eat at a restaurant or have some meal that is hard to digest, I pass around the papaya to everyone as a preventative measure. I have jars of these pills stashed everywhere around the house in strategic places.  I carry a constant supply in my purse.  My husband, who doesn't do a lot of natural stuff, swears by them and carries a supply in his lunch bucket.

 

 

     This is another version that I like to use.  These are mint flavored and available on eBay.  They are different in that they have a slight mint flavor, which is good at comforting an upset stomach.

     In this season when stomach trouble is rampant and the flu bug is just around the corner, stock up on some papaya enzymes.  You may be able to ward off the  impending virus by adding some enzymes to your system.  I usually let the kids eat 2 at a time, but when there is a serious problem, you can take up to 5 every hour.  My mom insists that she kept a violent stomach bug away by taking papaya every hour when she first felt sick!  It's worth a try!

     Well, the papaya rescued our family vacation. Within a few  hours, the couple of doses of papaya pills did the trick and my husband was better and eating supper!  Thank you, papaya!!!

Happy Birthday, Truly

An open letter to our daughter, Truly, on the occasion of her 5th birthday.

Dear Truly-
     Today would have been your fifth birthday.  I cried my first tears today thinking of the wonder and excitement that a 5 year old would have on her birthday. We would have woken you early in time to open your gifts before Daddy left for work. You would have come down the stairs in your jammies, with sleepy eyes and messy hair to see your place at the breakfast table all decorated with streamers and balloons and our special dishes.  I can just imagine the delight in your eyes as you opened your gifts.  A 5 year old girl would most likely love princess stuff and anything pink and sparkly!
     Turning 5 has always been one of those milestone birthdays when a toddler suddenly transforms into a child. You would have started school this fall and would most likely have already known your alphabet and numbers from watching and playing with your siblings.  You would have started taking on some new chores, like helping sweep the kitchen and learning to wash the dishes.  Your sisters would have loved helping you learn and teaching you how to fix your own hair and pick out pretty outfits. 
      Your exit from this life left quite a hole in our hearts.  When your brothers and sisters are playing, I often look around and think, "Who's missing?"  Then, it dawns on me, that it is you.  Your siblings often mention you in passing.  Charity seems to be the most sensitive about your death, coming to me in tears saying that she misses you. We all do.
     When I read in Hebrews about that "great a cloud of witnesses", I wonder about how much of what  is going on down here on earth is visible to you in heaven.  We often wonder about how "old" you might be in heaven, or if you look like us, or what you do. No matter what "age" you are, you will always be a baby in our hearts!  The kids and I were discussing the other day about eye color and they asked about yours. I told them that you never opened your eyes here on earth, but most babies eyes are blue.  I think about the others that I know who are in heaven.  Perhaps you have spoken to your great grandma and grandpa Yowell today, or great Grandpa Tate or great Grandpa Deatrick.  I don't know a whole lot about what goes on in heaven, but when I read about all the celebrations that God designed for the Israelites, surely heaven must be full of celebration.  I hope they are celebrating with you today!
     We are not going to sit around and mope today.  Today is still a celebration.  We have designated this date on our calendar to decorate the house with our Christmas decorations.  The kids are excited to finally get the tree decorated and get the stocking hung and the greenery around the house. We will bake a cake to celebrate the day, just because we love having a reason to make cake as you surely know!  We will also go out to your gravestone and place some flowers there in remembrance.  Though we know it is just your body that is there, I think it helps the kids to see the flowers there.  We all take comfort in knowing that you are with our blessed Saviour!  We can't wait to see both He and you someday!
     Your short life on this earth taught us so much.  I thank our heavenly Father over and over for His wisdom in giving you to us for such a short time.  We learned so much about His goodness and grace through all of that time.  We love you, Truly Hope. 
                                                                   Lots of Love,
                                                                                Mommy



*To read all of Truly's story click here