FEAR

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”Mark 5:36 NLT

 FEAR:  an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

 Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one! Isaiah 44:8 NLT

 You know, times right now are tough and uncertain.  This is not new news!!!  You can't avoid it, you can't ignore it.  Its EVERYWHERE you look--in the newspapers, on TV, magazine articles, ETC.  People are losing their jobs, their homes, everything.  And why?  Because its LIFE!  The Bible says that our lives will not be easy breezy and crystal clear all of the time.  But His word also says that we are not to be afraid!!! We are to NOT BE FEARFUL!!  We are to TRUST in our amazing Father God!

 Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

 Psalm 13:5

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

 Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

 Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Those are just a few of my favorite reminders about trusting the fact that my God has plans for my life.  I may not like or understand circumstances and trials and storms that I encounter, BUT, I know full well that HE is in total control of my life and I must TRUST HIM!  

Just about 9 months ago, I took a big leap of faith.  I was nervous as heck.  I was AFRAID!  In my head I struggled with 'Should I?  Should we?'  "What if it doesn't work?"  "What will everyone think of me?"  Guess what????????  Those words were totally ignored almost immediately, as they came into my head.  I never said "NO!!!!!"  Why?  Because I wanted MORE for my family.  I wanted to be able to help my family out any way possible.  I knew I felt horrible all of the time and I knew that I'd already nixed some of my hours I'd been working already.  I knew that I had to do something to gain back that little bit of income that I had forgone.  I had NO INTENTION of EVER trying any kind of MLM!  Kyle has been there done that and I told him "NO MORE!! NEVER AGAIN!!!"    

All it took was seeing just 1 video, of REAL people, just like me!!!  Those people took the same leap that I took.  I watched it, and said, "If they can do it, why can't I?"  You know what?  I CAN!!

And, I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!    

I took a leap of faith and made the decision to do something I said I would NEVER DO!  You know there's a phrase.."never say never"  Its true!!!    You will not know what can happen or what will happen unless you stop saying NO!  If you don't stop being afraid, you will not know what can happen!  You can't sit around your whole life and listen to other people tell you that you can't do it or that it won't work or that you will not succeed---that's letting FEAR take over!!! 

When I took that leap of faith, I said, "Ok, Lord, I'm going for it.  You are in control of all of this.  If its to be, its to be.  If its not, close the door."  And with that, I made the decision to step into the world of MLM.  This was not my husbands choice. I didn't ask him if I could do it--I didn't need to because he could see the excitement in my face and hear it in my voice and he could see what was physically happening to me.   It didn't take but about 3 weeks and he was ready to jump in with both feet and follow me on this journey. 
And I'll be totally upfront and honest.  I had people try to steer me the other way.  "Don't do that, you'll be sorry!!"  "Don't get sucked into that, its a waste of time and money."  "You do not want to get started in something like this...."   

I made the CHOICE to ignore all the DOUBTS that were thrown my way.  I have heard some really hurtful things in the last 9 months.  I have cried a lot of tears because of those hurtful words and doubts that were thrown my way.  And guess what?  I'm still here.  And I don't intend to go anywhere.  It has been an amazing 9 months with an amazing product and an even more amazing company--who honors the Lord in everything and gives Him the Glory in everything.  That in itself speaks volumes to me.  To see our company Presidents/CEO's pray with their consultants, personally call them and congratulate them for achieving their goals, etc--its a blessing to be a part of all of it.  God has blessed us over the last several months and we know that He will continue to watch over us and bless us even more.  

Fear--Let it go!!!!!!!  Trust in the Lord to take care of you.   Trust that He will provide for you and your family in these uncertain times.  Don't let others feed the fears you may have.  How will you know what blessings you could have coming your way, if you do not TRUST God to take control?  I was there.  And as I said, I have my own trials and storms, but I refuse to let fear over come and I have chosen to trust that the Lord will take care of my family and provide for us.  

Check it out and take the Zeal for Life Challenge today!  I have a huge incentive that is being offered--this incentive is not offered very often.  You can start making changes for you and your family today. 

Zeal Challenge

Message me for info:

otterfamilyx4@att.net

These statements have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information on this site is not intended to replace advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information found on any product label or packaging. You should always consult with a qualified health care professional before starting any diet or supplementation program, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.

Genesis of Zeal

I know so many of you who are reading this have heard of Zeal.  Its EVERYWHERE!!  Its going to continue to GROW!!  The Zeal for Life Challenge, is a movement of people who are on a mission to get healthy.  And the number of folks who are committing to take that challenge is increasing each and every day.
Why?  Because everyone is tired of feeling like CRAP!  I apologize for being blunt but its true.  Everything you eat, is processed.  Unless you already eat healthy--fruits, veggies, etc.
All I see and hear all day long is "Oh I feel like crap.  Im so tired.  I just want to go take a nap.." ETC.   Get up and do something about it!!!!!!!!!  You do NOT have to sit there in pain, and have that dragging feeling!!  I KNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  How do I know?  Because I have been there and I have done it with feeling like that.  I dealt with horrible joint pain for several years and  after REPEATED trips to the doctor and dealing with feeling like crap for years, and being blown off when I'd seek help from my doctor, all he wanted to do was  put me on pills for this and that and increase the dosage.   All that did was add to the toxins and poison in my system!  It certainly didn't do anything for me!  None of the medicines helped me.  All they did was make me MORE irritable than I already was and I  gained a lot of weight.  The only medication that did anything for me, was Ambien.  And I absolutely COULD NOT sleep unless I took one before bed.

I have been drinking Zeal Wellness since January 27, 2013.  And I drank it because someone cared enough to bring me a sample.  I didn't even ask for it!!!  She cared about me that much--and knew what a horrible time I was having and how I was feeling.  All she did was bring me a single serve bottle and said, "Try this!"  I had NO CLUE what it was.  So I asked.  And I didn't just blow her off.  I knew she was genuinely concerned and trying to help me.  I can tell you straight up I will not quit drinking Zeal.  I know and remember exactly what I felt like before she ever put a bottle of that pink/purple powder in my hand.

As I said before Zeal, I didn't sleep, without Ambien, and I hated taking it because it made me sleep SO hard that I was still a zombie when I woke up of a morning.  I would get up, go to work and work 4 hours or so and go home and take a 2-3 hour nap DAILY.  It was all I could do to walk around because my knees and my feet hurt SO bad.  My toes even hurt.  My hands hurt and ached all of the time.  I found myself rubbing my elbows, neck, shoulders all the time just to get some relief from the aches.   I would push through each and every day, to go to work, go to the grocery store, clean my house and do school with my kids. I would go to bed only to just lay there and fight the tears because my whole body just ached so badly.   I would lay there and fight the urge to get out of bed and I would usually lose that fight because I would have to get up and walk around to make that feeling like I was climbing the walls go away.  It was a never ending cycle and battle every single day.

But since I have been drinking Zeal, I noticed a change.  And once I was on it for 2 solid weeks, I could really tell a difference.  Other people were noticing the changes.  I was happier, I was getting around better, etc.  I even started losing some weight--and I didn't start using the product for that reason. In fact, its NOT JUST FOR WEIGHT LOSS!   I knew it was vitamins and new I didn't like to take vitamins(because they made me nauseated).  I had certain vitamins I was suppose to take per the doctors to help with all of my symptoms, but I hated taking them.  It was all I could do to swallow them.  Zeal Wellness and the simplicity of it, was a God send and I am so thankful that my friend Jessica took the time to share it with me. 

And that's all I want.  I just want to be able to share something with everyone else.  I know what it is, and I know what it can do.  I know it can help you feel amazing.  So many people are hurting and have various health issues going on and they are OVER MEDICATED!!  Folks I am here to tell you that if you get the right vitamins and nutrients in your body, it will begin to heal itself from the inside out.  Our bodies are THE MIRACLE created by the ONE AND ONLY Heavenly Father.  Our bodies are a temple--and we are suppose to take care of it.

Why is it so hard for everyone to realize that its simple nutrition.   You quit putting garbage in your body and put the things in it that it NEEDS and you WILL FEEL BETTER!! You feel better, you want to get up and do more.  You give your body the proper nutrients it needs and it ends up having the natural fuel for energy that it needs.  Its not hard to comprehend.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.  You know how you feel.  You know what you want to do.  You know if your sick and tired of being sick and tired.  You know if you want to just get on a road to better healthier nutrition and a healthier life-style.

I could have tried this product and flat said no.  But I didn't.  I NEVER SAID NO!!  I said "YES" from the first time I tried it.   Why did I say yes?  Because, as I said, someone else CARED enough to SHARE it with me.  Giving it a try was the least that I could do.  And it has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made.

If you are ready to give Zeal Wellness a try, fabulous! I'd love to help you!  Just click on the link and check out my website.  If you have any questions, all you have to do is ask.

Here's a video on the Genesis of Zeal--you want an idea of what is in Zeal--this video is the one to see: Genesis of Zeal

Take the Zeal for Life Challenge: HERE
Contact Lesley Otwell
 These statements have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information on this site is not intended to replace advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information found on any product label or packaging. You should always consult with a qualified health care professional before starting any diet or supplementation program, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.

Journey

Kyle and I made the choice a few months ago now, to step out on faith and start a journey, that I honestly NEVER thought I would ever choose.  You have to understand, that I have seen my husband want to work from home for most of our 19 years together.  I've heard him say, "This one is going to work!"  "Well, that was a totally different thing, I KNOW this one will work this time."  I have had to bite my tongue, HARD to avoid telling him, "I told you so!!!!!"
This time its different.   This time, it was actually MY choice.  I can tell you straight up that I would NEVER have thought about doing this if I didn't believe in the product, or the company.
How many companies have the core principles like these:
1) Create a company that glorifies God
2)Create strong humble leadership
3)Create an environment where people can win at every level

We just attended a conference this past weekend and I can assure you that our company is indeed founded on the principles listed above.  They gave credit to the Lord EVERY single chance that they got.  Grown men stood on stage in front of 1800+ people and cried, and thanked their company leaders for the humble leadership that they see daily.  Those same grown men, show their own humble leadership to their teams each and every day.  They are not money hungry and greedy.  They want to HELP other people and help their families!

People making the CHOICE, to start a journey, stepping out on faith that the Lord is going to be there with them, guide them, and take them where ever He will take them.  

We heard so many amazing and wonderful stories at this conference.   And its REAL LIFE stories, not a load of crap that just made up to make someone look good.  People who started out on this journey with NOTHING.  People who simply started the journey to help their family out with finances, and have an extra $500/month.  They have been tremendously blessed!!!!!!!

I know everyone gets sick and tired of hearing Kyle and I both talk about what we are going.  But, here's the deal.  We made the CHOICE to start a JOURNEY, and we are on this journey TOGETHER, with the LORD right by our side!!!!!!!!   We feel in our hearts that sharing with everyone, as we have been doing, is exactly what He wants us to do.  If we don't share it with others, then essentially, we are being selfish!

We have pretty big goals and dreams and we do not intend to over look them.  We have trials we've been through.  We have dealt with hardships.  We deal with storms each day just like the rest of the world.  But we are making the CHOICE to make some changes.  I don't expect everyone to understand where we are coming from in what we are doing.  But I do expect respect for OUR decision in what we are doing.  Don't sit there and tell us we are stupid, or crazy or wrong.  Course, if you do tell us that, your just fueling our fire to get up and get out and continue the road ahead of us on the journey we chose to be a part of.

You  can make the same choice.  I know there are a lot of you reading this, who are just like a lot of folks.  Your struggling with finances, you don't feel good-your exhausted--physically and mentally.   And the bottom line is that you can continue to sit and do nothing about it and whine and gripe and complain about how you feel, and about your job and how much you hate it, or you can get up, do something about all your gripes and make changes happen!!

I literally NEVER thought I would do anything like I am doing now.  But I am, and Im glad I listened to my gut when I decided to go for it.  I've made a lot of new friends, that are essentially just like family when you sit down and think about it.  

Where do you want to go?  Are you ready for a new journey?   The choice is yours--don't  wait for someone to make the choice for you, b/c it will never happen!  Only YOU can make the choice to change.

Feel free to contact either of us:
Kyle
Lesley
Zeal Challenge
These statements have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information on this site is not intended to replace advice from your physician or other health care professional or any information found on any product label or packaging. You should always consult with a qualified health care professional before starting any diet or supplementation program, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.

Loss

I am almost at a loss for words.

Every single day I hear 'I hate my life!'

'I hate my job!!'  'I am broke!'  ' I'm so bored with life...'

You know there IS a solution!!

Get up and do something about it. You are the one who can change it. Not your spouse, best friend, parent, etc!!

That unhappy in your current job? Do what it takes to change the situation. Quit and move on to something new? No--b/c if you quit once you will quit over and over and over again.   Simply make some changes and improve the situation!

Not enough $ for the month? Do something!!

How about your health? Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired? BEEN THERE DONE THAT!!!  I was there! SICK of feeling like crap. Did I stick my head in the sand? No! I kept going and pushing myself and working anyhow. And I'm so glad I did! I made up my mind that I may have fibromyalgia but it didn't have me--it didn't months ago and it certainly doesn't  now!!

So what can you do? There's a whole works of things that can be done if you just give it a chance!

Skepticism--I am a HUGE skeptic! 

Had I not just tried something I never would have known what I know now.

If you are ready for that change, and you are ready to get up do something about making changes, CONTACT me!!

Stop and think. Do you know me? I mean do you really truly know me?

Am I going to share something with people and get excited about it if I didn't believe in it?  No-I'm not. I can't tell you something is amazing and just make it up.

Ill just be honest. I'm tired of people thinking that my business is a joke.

It's not. I've been in it since February and I have to say...WOW!

Zurvita is a Christian company with core values. Godly Christian Leadership!

They pray for their employees.  They come together and rally around and help those who have lost their homes due to tornados in Oklahoma!

It's absolutely amazing!

They have an awesome product that can improve your health AND if you wish--it can help you out financially as well!

Quit worrying about what someone else might think about you if you decide to check something like this out. You will never know if you can do it unless you try!  No one can do it for you. You have to decide for yourself if you want something to work and if you want to see changes.  

I was ready for changes. Are you?! 

www.lesleyotwell.zealforlife.com

Changes--They Only Happen If YOU Want Them To!

I hear it every day.  "I'm sick of my job!"  "I hate working here!!"  "I just don't have any time to spend  with my kids, because I'm always at work."  "I feel like crud."  "I'm so tired and have no energy..."  
If $1 for every time I said  that I felt horrible, and was tired, and that my joints hurt, I'd be rolling in the dough by now.  Because I was TIRED.  Kinda hard to not be tired when you have chronic fatigue syndrome!  Kinda hard to get around every single day at when your knees hurt so bad it feels like they could just shatter and explode with the slightest pressure.  And yet I still got up each and every day and did what I had to do to make it through the day.  Why?  Because I REFUSED to let my health issues keep me from helping to provide for my family.   That was a CHANGE that I made.  I did have days that I didnt want to get out of bed.  I didn't want to get up and go to work, I didnt want to get up and do school with the kids.  I just didnt want to get up and do anything.  But I knew that something had to change and that I was the only one who could make that change for MYSELF!  It was not easy to do.  But I made up my mind that I was going to do it.  But I decided to make even more changes in January of this year.  
I decided to make some changes for myself health wise.  I was sick and tired of being sick and TIRED. I was sick of taking numerous medications to help me sleep, and keep me from having migraines, etc.  I tried a neat little product called Zeal Wellness.  I had no idea what it was.  I'd seen it, but I didnt know what it was.  I tried it, I liked it(Just like Mikey!!!) and that was the beginning of LOTS OF CHANGES for my family!
Choices.  You have a CHOICE to CHANGE things for the better.  Stop making excuses.   Pretty sad when my 8 year old can even say that.  "Just quit making excuses and just DO IT!" per Tobi K. Otwell
Don't sit around and listen to what everyone else says.  Don't listen to all of the what if's and buts, etc that come from everyone else.  Make the decision for YOURSELF!!  You can not change anything unless you WANT things to change.  Plain and simple!

Z4L

“You say that you want things to change for you and your family, right?”
“the only way things are going to change for you is when you change. What are you going to change that will in turn change your life? If you keep on living like the way you are now, you will continue to produce the same life that you already have. That’s the way it works.”

Excerpt From: Jim Rohn & Chris Widener. “Twelve Pillars.” Jim Rohn International and Chris Widener International. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/twelve-pillars/id459855496?mt=11

Changes....Its Time

 There is a time for everything,

   and a season for every activity under the heavens..Ecc. 3:1

Everything happens for a reason.  Everything happens when its supposes to--there are no accidents.  Everything happens, in God's timing.  

We went to see Colton's new Endocrinologist on Thursday.  What a way for Colton to spend his birthday--at the doctor's office.  We were there all day.  And that is not an exaggeration.  His appointment was just after 1pm and we left at 5pm.  

They did his height, weight, blood pressure and his A1C(average of his glucose levels over the last 3 months).  It was 8.3%.  Not the worst number it could have been but certainly not the worst either.  Typically, for Colton's age, his A1C needs to be in the 7's.  When he was diagnosed, it was 14%.  We slowly over the years, got it down--and it was actually in the 7's.  However, that short time he was in public school--his average went back up. And it went WAY up--back up to 13.  I was NOT a happy mom with those results.

They got us back in room and we waited for what seemed like an eternity.  It was a LONG 30 minutes before anyone ever came into the room.  Dr. Copeland's assistant(I can't remember her name! Im horrible with names!) came in and started going over Colton's history and asked him several questions.  When she started asking him questions about his diabetes, thats when things started 'getting good' in my opinion.  The fact that he does not always bolus or check his blood when he's suppose to-----put it this way.  For someone we do not even know, for them to look at him and say, "Well why wouldn't you do that?  You HAVE to do this stuff...."  That was awesome!

Someone who KNOWS what will happen if he doesn't do what he must do.  Someone who UNDERSTANDS the consequences if he doesn't do what he must do every single day.  Now, thats not to say that his previous doctor didn't know or understand.  I guess it was just the way she said it to him--he needed someone OTHER than Kyle and I to get really stern with him.

Finally, Dr. Copeland came in and introduced himself to us, as well as the clinic's dietician, Amy.

They were all very thorough throughout our visit with them.  Here's the thing--I really feel like they are the change we have needed for some time now. 

Dr. Copeland laid down the law so to speak.  And he told us that he wants to work with us and that he wants to do everything he can--but that Colton MUST do his part.  He can't expect Kyle and I to do things for him.   He must 'man up' and show responsibility and maturity.  There is NO reason or excuse for anything that he has been blowing off or trying to ignore.  Its not going to go away.  No matter how much he wishes it would just disappear...this is his life and he MUST take care of himself.

He has ONE month before we go back.  So, thats ONE MONTH to straighten it up and do everything he's suppose to do.  Now, when we go back in a month, if he's not doing everything he's suppose to do, Im not sure what will happen.  I have an idea...but Im not totally sure it will actually happen.

Changes were made while we were there.  This is where my heart just sank as I listened to Dr. Copeland.  I have made it no secret that I have felt like things were just blown off so to speak or brushed off the last couple of years when we've gone to his check ups.  But to hear the words that came out of Dr. Copeland's mouth at one point...as a mom, its not something I wanted to hear.  It broke my heart, it made me angry and it was all I could do to fight back tears.  

He told Colton, rather frankly, that he felt like Colton's previous Dr had given up on him.  Thats right, given up on him.  Colton's basal rates were maxed out--twice what they should have been for a kid his age.  The basal rate is the continuous insulin going through his system via his pump--just like a normal working pancreas would produce.  That was 1 change that was made.  Instead of getting several units in a 24 hour time frame, he will now get a much smaller one.  This may result in some higher readings--but that is to make sure he focuses on checking his blood when he's suppose to, instead of going 5 or more hours in between times.  He's suppose to check himself before he eats ANYTHING.  That means breakfast, lunch, dinner(3) morning snack, afternoon snack, bedtime snack(3).  Obviously its NOT hard to do the math--thats 6 times right there from the time he gets out of bed.  And obviously, there may be a few other times throughout the day when he will need to test.   Sick days--glucose levels are always checked more on sick days.  Thats something for a whole other blog though.  Getting sick and diabetes are NOT friends at all.

Colton has been on a pump since Tobi was born in April of 2005.  Before he got on the pump, he was getting about 6 shots a day.  His pump is now his pancreas.  Instead of checking himself, and getting a shot, the pump does it for him.   That just means that he checks himself, adds up the carbs he's going to be eating and then takes a bolus of insulin with his pump.  IF he does NOT bolus, then his blood sugar rises and thats BAD BAD BAD. 

Put it this way.  If we go to Sonic, he usually gets a diet coke or a diet dr pepper.  If they screw up and give him REGULAR soda instead....and this has happened before....his glucose levels will shoot up VERY quickly.  And I mean HI.  In fact, if he checks himself, HI is what his meter will say and its not saying "Hello"  HI on his meter means that his glucose is over 600.  That can be lethal.

Any time Colton check's his blood, from now on--anything over 150 will be considered 'high'. His new 'target' range is 80-150.  If he tests, and he's 78, thats considered low and he is to have a snack to treat it.  Anything over 150 is considered high and he will need to give himself a bolus of insulin to bring the number down.

Infusion sets: This is what he uses with his pump--its how he gets his insulin.  Typically, when he was getting shots still, we would give him his shots in his arms, legs, or his booty.  When he started pumping, we would put his infusions in his leg or his booty.  Then it went to just his booty.  NOT ANY MORE!  He can NO LONGER use his booty for his infusion sites.  Dr. Copeland told him he MUST use his tummy, or his upper thigh.  I have asked over and over and over and OVER again in the past about him continually using his butt for his infusions.  I've done the research and I've read lots of stuff.  You MUST rotate and change where you put your infusions or take your shots or it does NO good--b/c scar tissue develops and the insulin can't get through like it needs to.  

We are excited though--he's decided to try a new infusion set, and we will be checking it out this week!  Its called a Mio: http://www.minimed.com/products/infusionsets/mio.html

Self Discipline: He HAS to prove and show that he is in control of his diabetes.  Not me.  Not Kyle.  Not my parents.  Just Colton.  He has to prove he's capable of doing exactly what he's suppose to when he's suppose to.  He either has to write down each and every blood sugar in a log book, or he will have to download his meter to the computer and then we'll have to print it up, and take it with us when we go back to the doctor in a month.

I asked Colton earlier this morning when he got up if he checked himself and what he was and as I did, something said "Nope, don't do it.  Don't ask him.  He's gotta prove that he is capable of doing stuff!!!"  So at that moment, I made the choice to not say a word to him.  I will NOT ask him if he's checked his bs; what he was, or if he bolused.  

Im not sure what they will be, but Im sure there will be consequences when we go back to see Dr Copeland in a month.  

So, changes are coming, at least thats what I feel.  And its indeed time for changes.  If changes are not made, and made for the better, I don't want to think about what the consequences could be.  

What I do know, is that it was not an accident, or a 'chance' thing, that we heard Dr. Copeland's name within 2-3 days time.  And I was also told by a dear friend, that she had been specifically praying that we would somehow make a change in doctors.  You know who you are--thank you for your prayers and your sweet friendship.