The Creation… Steven & Sheena Gabbard

Homes are structures that hold stories, they hold dreams, they hold memories.  This old home near my house in Lexington Kentucky has its own story to tell.  The old cliche, “if walls could talk,” came to mind as my husband and I explored the property.  Snapping photos of the broken windows, peeling paint, and overgrown weeds.  When first walking up the old driveway it looked like a house from a movie scene.  A haunted mansion or an old southern farm house.  Indeed the house was a farm house, on the property lies a sturdy old barn with multiple horse stables.  Below you will find photos of the old house in its current state.  It saddens me to see this house once filled with laughter, entertaining, and memories, now falling apart and deteriorating slowly. 

After doing some research Steven and I discovered that the house was first built in 1911.  It is just over 4,000 sq. ft.  Below you will find a photo of the house in its prime. 

We could not find information on the family who originally built and owned the house. 

The future of this house is a grim one.  It will be demolished in preparation of a new road which will go straight threw the property.  I would love to know the history of this old place if anyone has information please share! 

Anxiety is something we all face at one time or another.  It can be dealt with, and it should be dealt with!  Read the article below for more information from my favorite Doctor, Dr. Janet Maccaro.

AN ANSWER FOR ANXIETY   By Dr. Janet Maccaro

When I was a child, I lived with prolonged uncertainty about my parent’s marriage. To hide my anxiety, I tried to become the “perfect child.” This caused me so much internal stress that my immune system was weakened. As a result, I suffered from numerous illnesses: rheumatic fever, mitral valve prolapse, systemic yeast infections, gastrointestinal problems, severe hormonal imbalance, Epstein-Barr virus and more.

Seven years ago things took a turn for the worse when my father, who had left my mother 30 years before, returned to my hometown with his new wife. Within weeks he was diagnosed with brain cancer and died. Needless to say, I was devastated; this was the second time in my life that I had lost him.

Still reeling from his death, I entered a time of even greater stress in my personal life. I had an emergency hysterectomy, my brother became addicted to drugs, my husband and I had marital problems, my oldest child left for college, my middle child was diagnosed with a learning disorder, and in the midst of it all, I was working on my Ph.D. in nutrition.

My situation looked bleak. I began to experience crippling panic attacks.

One night I admitted my helplessness to God. I fell on my face and cried out: “Dear God! I am completely broken” The answer came instantly, “You must go through it to get to it.”

That night, I redirected my life to the Lord. He filled me with His peace, joy and love, and they overflowed into every area of my life. He also gave me valuable insight about my emotional, physical and spiritual health.

With a renewed spirit, I turned to the world of natural medicine. I removed all of the obstacles to healing, including sugar, caffeine, wheat and dairy. I detoxified my body using specific herbs to cleanse the blood, liver, colon and kidneys.

I drank pure spring water and ate natural foods. If it did not rot or sprout, I did without! I replaced dairy with soy or rice milk. I ate millet bread instead of bread made with white flour.

I drank a green drink each day that was loaded with chlorophyll for healthy blood and for cleaning benefits. I ate nothing that would worsen my yeast problem and used anti-fungal herbs, acidophilus, and digestive enzymes to rebalance my digestive and intestinal tracts.

In less than six months, I was glowing health. It was a miracle! I had rebalanced my body in spite of the fact that it had been weak for so long.

But I still had to find an answer for the cause of the panic attacks that appeared suddenly. I discovered groundbreaking information about the brain.

Just as other parts of our body become depleted when undue stress is placed on them, so does the brain. The brain starves because it must have amino acids, the building blocks of protein, to keep brain function optimal. Protein is used by the brain to repair, rebuild and create the neurotransmitters that dampen anxiety and curb depression.

GABA is on amino acid that is particularly important in this process. It can be used to prevent the area of the brain where anxiety is generated from overfiring and producing an excess of adrenaline. GABA is a natural alternative to anti-anxiety medications. When I started taking it, the results were no less than amazing. (I too can confirm this claim GABA is wonderful)

Today I am whole, healed and set free from the past and all its pain. My life is dedicated to helping God’s people live “totally healed” in their bodies, minds and spirits.

But I was the patient before I became the doctor. God allowed me to walk through a myriad of illnesses so that I would be able to understand other people’s pain.

Don’t be afraid to “go through it to get to it,” as I did. Job went through it, the disciples when through it, and Jesus Himself went through it. But there is purpose on the other side of your trial.

So keep your body nourished, your mind free from worry and your spirit fed from the Word of God. And take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus is “with you always” (Matt. 28:20, NKJV).

So this is, “where I come from.”  Time slows down, people wave Hello, and it takes 20 minutes to get to the closest grocery store. 

This mountain I call home is one of the most majestic places one can find.  Still pristine and untouched by human hands and evolvement.  This place is a  peaceful respite from the busy hustle of everyday life, nestled in the hills of Western North Carolina.

Sweet tea, apples, biscuits, and chocolate cake all Momma’s specialties.  Daddy’s hands hard at work on the farm, church hymns sung by locals at the community church, fresh air, clear bright starry nights, history, love, peace,and hard times that realized they really didn’t miss much. Aint, nabs, safety naps, hollars, a red tractor, a small friendly beagle, and yall come back now, ya hear!  A culture inspired and alive with Appalachian heritage.  Not simple minded, just concerned with the honest simple truths of life.

My Family, small in number but plentiful in love.

My Husband Steven and my Brother Jeff

My Faux Sister : )  (aka sister in law) Amy, and I

Momma & Daddy- I love you guys!

Can you guess who this is?  This was taken in December of 2000.  He is now grown up and in the 5th grade.

Here are some hints:

• He has two younger brothers he calls Blake and Austin.
• He likes to play hide and seek and is pretty good (unless he is playing against me).
• Likes to play Battlefield and Call-of-Duty.

Any ideas?  His name is Shane and he is my nephew.

PS – This post was put together to test the Polaroid effect on the photo above.

-Steven Gabbard
SSGabbard.com

I have copied this article in its entirety. I dedicate this posting to all the beautiful women in my life! ~S~ 

Beauty from the Inside Out

By Janet Maccaro, PH.D., C.N.C.

You’ll need more than cosmetics for great-looking skin and a lovely appearance. You’ll need to understand the health and beauty connection.

Beauty truly does radiate from within. A healthy, vibrant woman defies age. As a testimony and reflection of our self-esteem, inner beauty and vibrancy, true beauty is the result of inner vitality, balance, health and happiness, not vanity.

The Bible tells us: “Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (1 Pet. 3:3-4, NKJV).

The most beautiful woman I have ever known had an essence that drew men and women alike. Although her outward appearance would never suggest that she had such magnetism, her essence captured the hearts of those around her.

She was loyal, confident, strong, unselfish, dependable, unassuming, loving, a best friend, humorous, humble and gentle. She gave of herself, never sought approval, and she had faith and a sense of her true worth.

Below are a few tips Dr. Maccaro recommends:

Optimal nutrition, stress-relieving exercise and a positive frame of mind are requirements you must tote along on your continued journey toward complete balance. A balanced body and a beautiful spirit are better than the very best cosmetic application or surgery.

With proper nutrition, rest, relaxation and exercise, you can keep your body balanced, healthy and youthful throughout your entire life. Your skin can be wrinkle-free and elastic, your eyes can sparkle, your complexion can be smooth, and your face can be firm and tight.

When it comes to aging, there are two choices: you either embrace it, or you try to erase it with cosmetic procedures. However, you can begin feeling and looking better—and younger—if you’re willing to make simple lifestyle changes and adjust your health and beauty regimen.

SKIN SINS Your appearance will start changing for the better soon after you begin eliminating these harmful habits that are taking a toll on your skin and overall well-being:

Sun exposure. Nothing ages you faster and is more damaging to your skin than sun exposure. However, you can prevent sun damage by wearing sunscreen whenever you leave the house.

You should wear at least SPF-15. Wear SPF-30 if you are a golfer, or if you spend time at the beach. Sunscreen not only protects you from future sun damage, it can also help reverse past damage because, with protection, your skin gets a chance to repair itself. If possible, stay covered or out of the sun completely between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Lack of sleep. I consider sleep to be the best beauty vitamin in the entire world. Nighttime is when your body repairs itself. This includes your skin. Collagen and elastin are replaced and new cells are built, thereby erasing the previous day’s exposure to sun and environmental toxins.

Your skin is more absorbent and receptive at night, so it is a perfect time to moisturize and add topical vitamin treatments. Lack of sleep will cut these benefits, leaving you with dark circles, puffiness, sallowness and even pimples.

Stress increases the levels of adrenal hormones, such as testosterone, which can trigger acne. Stress hormones can also cause your blood flow to be directed away from your limbs and major organs, leaving your skin crying out for the nutrients it needs.

When you are stressed, it is harder to repair your complexion with skin care. Stressed skin simply does not respond to treatments as well as relaxed skin. Practice deep breathing, exercise and/or take a tub bath with lavender essential oils to help de-stress your body, mind and spirit.

Lack of exercise. Exercise boosts oxygen in your blood and in turn improves your skin tone. Exercise also increases your tolerance to stress and helps you sleep, which will boost your skin health as well. For optimal skin health, try to do three sets of 20 minutes of exercise each week. Try cycling, walking at a good pace, swimming and running, if your joints are healthy.

Caffeine. Every cup of coffee you drink needs three cups of water to process through your system. Caffeine is very dehydrating to the skin. In addition, it increases your level of stress hormones, which can lead to poor skin health.

Smoking is the second most damaging thing you can do to your skin, second only to sun exposure. The nicotine found in cigarettes constricts the blood vessels in your face, making your skin look gray or sallow.

A chemical in cigarettes, acetaldehyde, attacks the fiber in your skin that holds it together. Factor in the constant creasing and wrinkling of the eyes due to smoke irritation and the pursing of your lips, and you have all the ingredients for looking 10 years older than women who do not smoke. The good news is that quitting before the age of 30 returns your body to the level of a nonsmoker within 10 years—and that includes your skin.

Alcohol dilates blood vessels, leading to broken veins. Like cigarettes, alcohol also contains acetaldehyde, which attacks skin fibers and reduces elasticity and firmness. In addition, alcohol robs the body of vitamin C, a key nutrient for healthy skin.

MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE In today’s world, the skin care and cosmetic surgery industry is booming and has become one of the largest, most profitable industries in America. Like women before us, we are on a constant search for the latest and greatest botanical, liposomal, antioxidant, exfoliant or hydrator in the world to make us appear more beautiful with skin that is visibly younger and smoother.

The fact remains that even in our advanced generation, beautiful skin is so much more than skin deep. Yes, there are lunchtime peels, microdermabrasion, laser resurfacing, and other techniques to smooth and erase fine lines, but it is an undeniable fact that beautiful skin is still the result of a healthy, toxin-free body.

When we are young, our skin is soft, supple and glowing. Beautiful skin comes naturally in our youth. But, as we age, beautiful skin is a reward for taking proper care of our bodies. The skin is a barometer that reflects what is going on with us internally. Skin care is big business these days as baby boomers anxiously take part in staving off the signs of aging.

Stress, excessive sun exposure, liver malfunction, hormone depletion, smoking, alcohol, sugar, fried foods, caffeine and poor circulation all contribute to the condition of our skin. Age spots, wrinkles, dry skin, uneven skin tone, sallow complexion and acne are the result of how well our systems handle wastes.

For healthy, glowing skin, the following simple practices will greatly benefit you:

SKIN CARE THERAPY

Interviews do not get better than this.  The interview is between an Australian news reporter and an Australian Senator.

Enjoy!

I realize that it has been a very long time since we have left a post on our blog.  We have not abandoned the website – we have just been very busy.  As you can see from the time stamp, it is late due to another busy day and I must keep this short.

With that said, please continue visiting SSGabbard.com.  Within the next two weeks, we’ll have new photos and a few other things on here.

As always, thank you for visiting our site.  We hope it met your expectations.

Pucker Up!

What is a woman to do?  There are so many “lip” products on the market now days.  Lip gloss, lipstick, lip stain, lip plumper, lip lacquer.  The list can go on and on, and let’s not forget about the never ending palette of colors from, “cherries in the snow” to “bubblegum pink”!

As women our smiles can light up a room, our kisses can calm a crying baby, and our words can kill.  Yes, you read that last part right, our words can kill.  James 3:8 states that, “…no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil full of poison.”  We must pick and choose our words just as carefully as we pick and choose the lipstick color we select for the day before us!

Give these verses some thought:

“The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance.” Proverbs 25:23

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:21

“People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and their lips from speaking deceitful things.”  1 Peter 3:10

“An evildoer pays attention to wicked lips. A liar opens his ears to a slanderous tongue.”  Proverbs 17:4

God’s Word has countless verses regarding the significance of words that pass by our lips.  We can build people up or create false notions; we can bring a smile to a face or bring burning anger to ones heart.  As women of God we must place high importance on picking out the words we choose to say!  Kind words should flow out of our mouths that paint lovely images, lift others up, and leave a smile on someone’s face!

I can guarantee that your choice to speak kind words can only enhance your ever important choice of lipstick color.  Give it a try, my guess is it may become your new favorite accessory.

All too often, I find myself asking, “What is the Lord’s plan for me.  What path does He want me on and how will I get there.”  I don’t know the answer to those questions as I feel His plan has not been revealed to me, but I do feel as though we are prepared in advance so that we are ready when His time is right – not ours.

During my early years of college, public speaking was something I enjoyed and looked forward to.  As time went on, it became something I feared.  I’m not sure when or how I made the change from one extreme to the other, but it happened.  Now, I’m too young and have too much in front of me to fear public speaking.  It’s something I do often and something I know I will do more and more as time goes on.  So how do I get over a fear that is holding me back and keeping me from being my all?  I face it head on and that’s exactly what I have done and what I plan to continue doing.

The other day I received a call from the National Association of Home Builders requesting me to speak at the International Builders Show in Orlando on February 14th.  At first, the fear of public speaking tried to drive my answer to a “No, I can’t do it”, but I recognized this internal attack early on and was able to accept the invitation.  I was nervous about the seminar the week leading up to it, but then something amazing happened.

The support and encouragement started with my wonderful wife, Sheena, but it didn’t end there.  After reading Exodus 4:10 that night, it was as though I was echoing the same words Moses did 3,400 years ago (give or take a few).  Moses was chosen to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and in order to do so, he must get permission from Pharaoh.  Getting permission meant speaking.  When the Lord told Moses what He wanted him to do, Moses was anything but happy.  It was as though Moses was saying, “Lord, hold up!  You’ve got the wrong guy.”

Moses response to the Lord’s request was where I found myself earlier that day.  “O Lord, I’m not very good with words.  I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me.  I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
This is the part that hit me like a sack of bricks and made me realize this opportunity was part of His plan and in order to perform His plan later, I must prepare today.

Then the Lord asked Moses,  “Who makes a person’s mouth?  Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see?  Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”

WOW!

Talk about a revelation.  For a moment I had almost forgot that the will of God will never take us where the grace of God will not protect us.  From that moment forward, all of my fears were washed away.  I put all of my trust in the Lord and know I was where I needed to be and most importantly, I was protected by His grace.

-Steven Gabbard (SSGabbard.com)

 Being like most humans…a creature of habit, I have always been comfortable in my distinct bare French Manicured fingernails.  Perfectly happy and content with the simplicity, cleanliness, and neatness of the white tip in all its glory until one day, I took a step outside the box, and went with RED. 

Red fingernails are a bit flashy, a bit foxy, and in a weird way a bit empowering.  As I dawned my newly painted red fingernails to the rest of the world I slowly began to grow quite fond of them.  I in some arbitrary line of thinking began to read deep into the brilliant rich red fingernails.  The red hue so illuminant, bright, strong, and bold….it reminded me of courage.  I then began to think about courage.  Where does my courage come from? 

This question brings a very pleasant thought to mind, my courage comes from the Lord.  The deep red color splashed across my fingernails now reminds me of the price Christ paid so I can have a relationship with him.  The crimson on my hands now demands my attention when I am nervous or unsure reminding me of Joshua 1:9.  “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Being a daughter of the King I have the power and majesty of Christ at the tips of my fingers!  Fingers turning through pages of the Bible, fingers clenched in Prayer, and fingers with fingernails now drenched in my new color of choice, courageous red.