Capital Self & Capital Work

Two important questions:

1. Who are you? Not as self but as Self?
2. Why are you here? What is your Work not work.

The small "self" and the small "work" will answer these questions in terms of what you have accomplished. Example: I went to bible college for a year, did missions, worked at a shelter, worked at camp, helped my impovershed neighbours...OR...I am a mom, I am a teacher...

The capital "Self" and capital "Work" have to do with the grounded and rich Truth of who you are in the eyes of God and your "Work" naturally flows out of this. This "Self" and "Work" are generally not your vocation and resume, but are something your deepest parts know you are called to. Often, it takes periods of silence, prayer, and reflection to answer these questions.

For myself, sitting with these questions has been incredibly powerful and difficult. On one hand it is freeing to learn that my worth and life's work are beyond performance, but on the other hand it takes discipline to change my thinking in terms of my true identity and work.

For example: Part of my life's work is to be interiorly quiet, to abide in Christ, to speak the Truth, and to be a fresh lens for others to see God through. As I sat with this, it felt wonderful and inspiring. However, this requires a shift in my day to day life. If my life's "Work" is to be quiet, I must make such a priority. So before baking tonight, I must first practice this silence and right now this looks like Centering Prayer.

How 'bout you?

May we have the courage to ask these questions, and to live out of our true selves as we do our true work.

Adapted from Ron Martoia's blog post http://velocityvortx.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/living-from-big-s-and-w/

Calendula Salve & Vanilla

Vanilla Extract: Slice the vanilla bean in half
Stick vanilla beans in jar and top up with Vodka. Shake jar everyday for 4-6 weeks and voila --your very own vanilla extract!

Vanilla Body Oil: Chop up vanilla bean and fill jar with jojoba oil. Let it sit on a sunny windowsill for about a month. Done and done.

Pictured below: Calendula flowers in Amy's garden

Collect the flower heads.

Simmer in olive oil for about 20 minutes.

Add beeswax and you have a salve that is handy to put on sensitive skin, minor cuts, bruises and bites. You'll often find Calendula in soaps and moisturizers for skin that is easily irritated.

This was my favourite body recipe because we were able to grow & harvest it ourselves. I did an experiment with the salve where I only put it on the mosquito bites on Luke's left cheek (at bedtime) and sure enough, the next morning they were less inflammed than the ones on his right cheek. Since then I have used it on blistered fingers and scrapes. So far so good! Fun to know the stuff actually works.

This post is dedicated to Naomi Kroeker's fiance Tim. Tim I have never met you but thank-you for support and excitement as we try to make our own natural body products!!