Back in the Saddle

I just want to give a tremendous shout out to all of you who stuck with me over the last year through my website redesign and other personal challenges. Lots of changes have taken place - mostly the new website design - but lots of little mental, physical, and emotional baggage that has kept me from giving you my best. A wonderful week away at Trail Days in Virginia - more on that later - has helped me to put things into perspective.

For twelve months I lost a desire to write, as my website was a mess, the death of several loved ones zapped my emotional tank, and author events demanded what energy I had left. There was very little time or fortitude for anything else. I pleaded for a vacation or even just a day to regroup - but it didn't happen.

My body began to break down last fall as I fell ill to cold after cold, then the flu. This is out of character from me, as I go years without getting so much as a sniffle other than allergies. Then an outbreak of Shingles Easter morning had me questioning, what the heck is going on!  I was so exhausted, I was sleeping late, taking naps, and going to bed early. I barely had the strength to do what was needed to get through the days. And if I did have a commitment, it took so much out of me, I needed a day or two to recover, and I never really recovered fully.

Bruce and I had a trip planned to Virginia for Trail Days - a 3-day hiking festival in Damascus, leaving a week early to camp & hike. I was so exhausted I didn't want to go but our booth space was already paid and non-refundable. We usually rough it, but I just couldn't fathom doing that with how tired and sick I had been. Trail Days is fun but exhausting. I couldn't go into it tired. So we cancelled the pre-week camping part and went just to Trail Days.

You have heard me say it before - I have the best husband in the world - he talked me into going and splurged for hotels as needed instead of truck camping most of it. I am so glad we went. It was just what the doctor ordered. Our schedule was extremely busy, but we had a room to retire to each night with a shower and airconditioning. Being back with the trail community reignited my love for why I am so drawn to giving back to it and strenghtened my conviction to focus my attention to my ministry there.

That conviction starts with taking care of me first. I am so good at giving advice that I should be listening to myself. I was giving a talk Saturday evening and I almost stopped dead as the words - you can't take care of others unless you take care of yourself first - came out of my mouth. Throughout the rest of the weekend, I kept hearing my own words of advice and started devising a plan to take back control of my health - because frankly, the last several months I have been wondering how I can go on with how poorly I have been feeling physically. I finally have been in a great head-space, but my body started failing. I need the two to work together. Thankfully, spiritually I have been well. Thank you Lord for that.

I truly believe that we are all called by God to use our gifts to help others. He puts desires in our hearts and gives us strengths and abilities to fulfill the tasks he asks us to do. He never said it would be easy. But I have found the more I try to follow my own ways and less on His ways, the more difficult accomplishing things are. But when I discern the difference between what I think I should be doing and what He wants me to do, there are fewer obstabcles or I can more easily discover ways to overcome the hurdles in my way. It may never be easy, because all great things done for the glory of God are hard and just for the simple reason the devil doesn't want us to succeed. But I do find when I am doing what God wants me to do, I seem to have the strength and skills to navigate the course.

So, on this wonderful Wednesday following Trail Days 2025, I am armed with a new vigor to get back in the saddle to use my God-given gifts the way He wants me to. That may mean I have to give up some important things I am doing. But a wise person once said, "In order to do great things, sometimes you must give up doing other good things."

Today also happens to be Wellness Wednesday. I dubbed this middle of the week to be health related last year when I was posting regularly - but I gave all that up because I was too busy doing other good stuff. What better way to get back in the saddle of a healthy life then to start with Wellness Wednesday, so I will end this post with two recipes I have been using for a few weeks and we love them. We start our day with these two beverages and I will say, they have become something to look forward to each morning.

Vitamin & Hydration Drink

1 Scoop of AG1 Daily Foundational Nutrition

1 Scoop of UNMATCHED Electra Shred Advanced Hydration - any flavor

8 ounces of water

2 ounces of orange juice

1/2 cup ice

Add all ingredients to a shaker cup or container with a cover. shake vigorously to mix well. "Hello Energy, Goodbye Bloat" - AG1 tag line from their website drinkag1.com

Protein Breakfast Smoothie

1 Scoop of UNMATCHED Isolate Strawberries & Cream protein powder

1/2 can of Nature's Promise unsweetened coconut milk

1/2 banana

1/4 cup frozen Maine Blueberries

4 frozen tangerine wedges

4 frozen grapes

4 frozen strawberry slices

Add all ingredients into a smoothie maker or blender and process until desired consistancy. Enjoy.

These products work for us, but, please remember to follow your doctor's advice when using any supplements. Also, skip the email signup and for 10% off any UNMATCHED order use code PATCH. My son will receive a kickback, he is a brand ambassador. But the kickback is not why we use this product. Yes, he introduced us to it, but we love it. It's the only protein product I have ever tried to use that doesn't upset my stomach!

Happy Healthy Wednesday. Follow on my socials and comment with any wellness tips that work for you. And remember, you can't take care of anyone else unless you first take care of yourself.

Happy Hiking,

Emily