From The Outside In...

Last week I shared a video about how I have been seeing some improvements in my skin and how I was pretty sure it had something to do with being more consistent with taking care of my gut health (Eating healthier, and plant-based supplements). Well as it turns out, I was onto something and didn’t even realize it.

You know how babies have that super soft skin? You ever wonder why our skin doesn’t stay that soft?

Well turns out, there is this thing called the skin microbiome which is our body’s largest organ! When we are born, our skin microbiome is made up of mostly good, healthy bacteria that creates that super soft hydrated look and feel. Unfortunately, as we age, and our skin is exposed to the numerous toxins and bacteria that are inevitably a part of life, our skin microbes become unbalanced; the bad bacteria out ways the good bacteria, and our skin loses that beautiful glow.

To be honest, I love science, but most of it goes way over my head, so I’m just going to link this article that explains much better what I am trying to describe to you… (1)

In my health journey over the last few years, I’ve learned a lot about how the health of our guts strongly impacts the rest of our health. Through that I have mostly focused on improving what I stick in my gut via the food I eat, but what I learned today has caused me to think more about how other outside factors can have an impact on my health as well. Specifically, I am thinking about skin care products. You’ve probably heard about how the European Union typically holds higher standards when it comes to ingredients in their food and other products, well did you know that when it specifically comes to skin care, there are over 1300 ingredients banned by the EU? Did you also know that in the US only 11 ingredients are banned? I don’t know about you, but to me, that is incredibly disturbing! The second article I am attaching (2) describes some of the ingredients I’m talking about and how they can be harmful to your health.

I’m looking forward to exploring some new skin care products and practicing a more “clean” routine when it comes to the products I not only put IN my body, but also which products I put ON my body.

I highly encourage you to take a closer look at the products you use on a daily basis. Are they really benefiting your skin?

You just might be surprised what you learn!

1 https://plexusworldwide.com/sunnyshare/beauty-and-skincare/skin-microbiome-101-works-take-care

2 https://plexusworldwide.com/sunnyshare/beauty-and-skincare/joyome-clean-skin-care

How I Save BIG At The Grocery Store

If you know me you know one thing I absolutely Love is...FOOD! I love thinking about food, looking at pictures of food, watching shows about food, talking about food (Hello gut health), and most obviously, eating food. Just in case you were wondering, my favorite food is TACOS, but if you want to make me happy, any kind of free food will do haha.

which brings me to my second love... SAVING MONEY.

One way that I really enjoy expressing/utilizing my love for food and saving money is by planning and prepping weekly meals. Over the last several years I have done the grocery shopping for my family. When my mom went back to work several years ago, I began helping to do the planning and grocery shopping for our meals. Turns out, I actually loved doing it, and as time went on I found myself getting better and better at finding ways to fit within our tight budget. It became a challenge for me to beat my goal each month. Now, I've pretty much established my technique for creating well balanced, nutritional meals to feed 10-12 people for roughly $500 per month.

I get asked a lot how I do this, and so I am going to tell you. First, I must warn you, though, completing such a task successfully may require you to make some changes in your shopping habits that are not easy/comfortable. Also, these are just the steps that have worked for me and my family. prices vary between locations and so I am not promising that your grocery receipts will look exactly like mine.

Alright, lets get started.

 1: Assess Your Supplies.
Did you know, that according to the USDA it is estimated that 30-40 percent of food in america is thrown away. It blows my mind to think of all the money that is being thrown into the trash every day. As someone who has experienced what it is like to literally not know if food will be available for your next meal, I have learned to make use of every available resource. That includes the random canned goods in the pantry and the leftovers in the fridge. So before I plan any meals, or even create a grocery list, I look at what I already have and how I can use it.

 2: Create A Menu.
You can keep this step simple  (plan 1 of your meals per day) or go all out (Every meal, every day). I go all out because, once again, as little as possible goes to waste in our house. When you have little people who like to eat at random times throughout the day, its better to have an exact list of when and what to eat.

 3: Make A List and Stick To It.
Once your menu has been planned, figure out all the ingredients you will need. This can be a time consuming step, but its really important to take your time and do it right. this is where knowing what you already have comes in handy, because if you have a recipe that calls for 3 cans of tomato sauce and you already have 2 cans in your pantry... well, savings like that can add up quick. Also, while it can save money to purchase in bulk, I typically find it more cost effective to only purchase exactly what I need according to my meal plan. Extras can easily be wasted if not used in time etc. that being said, if I have several meals that include the same ingredient, I will purchase in bulk and then divide equally among the different meals.

 4: Shop at Aldi
I'm sure there are some great deals and maybe some coupons for other stores, but honestly, you cannot do any better than Aldi Prices.

 5: Do Your Best Not To Be A Brand Snob.
This is one of those areas I warned you about that could potentially be difficult. While I understand that some things cannot be bought cheap, if you really want/need to fit within a smaller budget, you'll have to sacrifice. You may even find that the cheaper taste the same (or better).

 6: Be Creative, But Simple
While your meals certainly don't have to be boring, it does save a good bit if you plan to eat some of the same things multiple times throughout the week. This can mean recycling leftovers. leftover chicken can be used on a sandwich or in a salad. Or, you can make a big batch of something and eat it for several days that week. Also, remember that not every meal need to have meat. I usually plan to have meat for dinner, but not breakfast and lunch. This saves me quite a bit!

Speaking of meat...

 7: Stick with mostly chicken and turkey as it is usually cheaper than beef or pork. I use ground turkey in place of hamburger meat all the time and it saves me about $1 per pound. That's typically $24 off my monthly bill! Chicken is also really easy to purchase in bulk and then divide according to your meals. Not to mention, 99% of the time Aldi has some amazing deals on chicken.

Lastly...

 8: While in the store, take your time comparing prices. Take notes so that if you find something cheaper, you'll know what changes to make for next time.

Ultimately, its all about adjusting your habits and making changes that work best for your family and lifestyle.What works for me may not work for you, and there could be special circumstances such as food sensitivities that influence your personal budget. So stay encouraged, keep working to find the perfect fit for you, and feel free to share what has or has not worked!

Speaking Promises Instead of Insults

The first step to making a change is to acknowledge that a change needs to be made, the next step is to truly analize what is wrong/causing the problem. One of the biggest excuses made when people are unable to accomplish something is “Oh, well I just don’t have enough time”. I am probably the most guilty when it comes to using this excuse. “I’ve got a full time job that is almost an hour away (one way)”, “It’s too late/I’m too tired when I get home”, “I’m too busy on the weekends”, etc. etc. I knew I had to stop thinking this way, and even more than that It was up to me to make a change.

So these last couple weeks, I have intentionally paid closer attention to my daily habits and tendencies. I started to journal what my typical day looked like, and then just kind of noted things in my head as I went along throughout the day. What was I spending my time doing, and in what ways could I adjust my time to better fit in the things that would push me toward my goals.

What I found wasn’t very encouraging…

But, before I get into that I want to tell you about some other things I have learned over the last several days. I am participating in an online bible study that is based on finding victory through our mindset. Its lead by several ladies who I admire and look up to as some of the most encouraging female leaders in the world. Several times this week, it was emphasized in the study group on FB that as christians, we have been given a clean slate, that when we accept Jesus as our savior, and begin our relationship with him, there is nothing in our past that can take that salvation away, likewise, it was also pointed out that there is nothing we can do to deserve that salvation. The whole point of salvation is that it is God’s GIFT to us. I loved this because as I am moving into this new year, I know that I can put my mistakes behind me and move forward.

Another point that stood out to me, came from Jen Hawkins, one of the study leaders. She spoke about how as she was building her relationship with Christ, her flaws became more and more obvious to her, but instead of speaking those flaws out loud, she decided to instead speak God’s promises over her life. This, she said, is because we serve an all knowing God. He  knows our thoughts and desires before we ever even think them, Satan on the other hand cannot hear our thoughts. This means, the only way he can know our shortcomings is if we speak them outloud. He is constantly looking for us to reveal our weakest moments so that he can attack us and tear us down, but if we instead speak God’s written promises over ourselves, then not only will we become more encouraged, but we also create a shield around ourselves against Satan. He has absolutely no power over God’s truth.

So instead of listing all the things about myself that I found less than stellar these last couple weeks, I will focus on the promises God has written for me in his word.

I am motivated to put my best foot forward everyday, knowing that God is doing great things in my life.  "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."  - 1 Corinthians 15:58

I am brave enough… “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” - 2 Timothy 1:7

I am diligent and trustworthy “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth”. -Proverbs 10:4

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. -Luke 16:10

I make good use of my time, and do all that I do to glorify Him. “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do” -John 17:4

“She sets about her work vigorously, he arms are strong for her tasks” - Proverbs 31:17

I have the ability to make good choices. “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” - 1 Corinthians 10:13

I encourage you, if you are feeling less than, or inadequate in any area of your life, look it up and see what promises God is speaking to your life…  

Many blessings

Sarah

A Different Perspective

Warning: LONG post ahead...

So it’s the close of 2017, and I've been reflecting on all that has happened in my life over the last 12 months. It’s a lot! There have been a lot of changes, and changes always throw me off a little. This post is my raw thoughts regarding some of the changes that have taken place, so bear with me as it may seem long, and very messy.

First, I have a confession to make...

I am a control freak. I like to know the answers before the questions are even asked. When I was little, my mom would give my siblings and I these "pre-test" spelling quizzes "Just to see how much we knew" I HATED IT! My heart would race and I would get super stressed out because I had no clue what kind of words she would ask me to spell. The idea of being asked to spell a word I had never seen before, terrified me. 

I still struggle with this today. No I don't mean that my mom still throws spelling pop quizzes at me, a 22 year-old college graduate lol. However, I do still like to have my day organized and planned, I have this "need" to know exactly how my day, week, month, year, etc. is going to unfold. I like to do things on my own because, after, all, "If you want it done right, do it yourself"... yeah, not proud of that... When something unexpected happens, like those darn spelling quizzes, I get all stressed out.

Lately, I have become overwhelmed by this stress. To be honest, my life is going pretty great right now, but I'm not where I want to be in the big scheme of things. The opportunities I've been given are amazing, but they're just stepping stones and patience is NOT my strong suit.

Now, here is where I put the raw truth out there...

This is hard to admit, but despite all these great changes, lately I have been struggling with God. I'm discontent and restless what seems like all the time. My biggest struggle has been with feeling lonely. Anyone who knows me personally knows what a big advocate I am for being single and loving your individualness (No. that is not a real word). I love being single, I love doing things on my own, but let’s be honest, I'm not getting any younger, and in that life plan thing that I was talking about earlier, I at least knew a potential somebody by this point. 

What's worst though, is that it’s gotten to the point that other people are noticing my singleness too. In the last several months, I've repeatedly been asked by friends, family, co-workers, etc., "So have you met anyone special?" At first, it became sort of a joke, like, "Nope, special certain someone is taking his good old time" or "No, he's busy getting rich" or just laugh at myself while saying something along the lines of, "How could I meet someone, I never go anywhere!"

It's getting harder and harder to laugh about it though, and somewhere along the way, this little thing called bitterness has crept into my heart. instead of a joke, the questions become a constant thought of my own. Even though so many things have been going well for me, I haven't been able to feel completely happy about it because my mindset has been stuck on missing out. I think every girl and maybe even guys too can relate to that desire to have that special someone that you share all your triumphs with.

There was one day in particular, a few weeks ago, that I was especially down and out in my thoughts. I just couldn't get rid of that feeling that I was missing someone whom I don't even know! I started talking to God, asking why I was feeling this way. What happened to me being okay with my singleness? When was this special someone going to show up anyway? What was he taking so long for? He must have things to get through in life, he's just not ready yet, what my initial conclusion. But ya'll, as soon as I had that thought; it was like a giant bolder just landed right in my path. My thoughts came to a screeching halt! Suddenly, a new thought crossed my mind. I'm talking complete 180^, total game changer. God said, "You aren't ready"

😲😲😲 WHAT????

Umm, hello, I'm the one waiting here, what do you mean, I'm not ready? Yet this terrifying feeling of urgency began to fill my entire body. It was almost like a panic attack, but I could breathe just fine. I knew right then, I was wrong. all this time I had been thinking something must be keeping HIM from showing up in my life, but what if it’s me that is causing the hold up? I've got all these expectations for what he is going to be like and what our life together will look like, but what about the expectations he has? What are the characteristics that God plans for me to fill as a spouse? 

Talk about a scary thought, I was terrified. I don't know anything about being a wife! I've always known that marriage is a very serious covenant, but it has lately been emphasized for me just how serious. God created marriage to be a reflection of our relationship with Christ. When I really think about that, I realize that I don't even have a full grasp on my relationship with Christ as an individual, what in the world makes me think that I could make a marriage reflect the depth of what Christ has done for us and the love that he has for us as Christians? I'm the one that is not ready. 

Maybe my future spouse isn't ready yet either, but that's not important. Right now, my focus needs to be on me. I want to pursue a relationship with God that is so strong, that these moments of doubt and feelings of bitterness are not able to creep into my life. God knows when I will be ready, but that's never going to happen if I don't focus on his will for my life.

So these last few weeks, I have been thinking and praying for God to change my heart and mind. I've been asking him to give me direction as I move into this New Year.  As usual, whenever I am dealing with something in particular, I usually find a way that the solution applies to all of life. I's easy to lose sight of where we have come from, sometimes we are distracted by the things we don’t yet have. Truth is, we probably aren't ready to have those things. So if you are feeling like you have been waiting forever, asking God to give you something in your life, maybe it’s time to take a step back and look at any areas that you can improve.

I don't know that I have a particular word to focus on as I've seen some people doing lately, but I know that this is my opportunity to refocus on my own personal growth, not just spiritually and emotionally, but in all aspects of my life.

Another thing I know is the desire to write that God has gifted me with, and I believe that that is going to be used in a huge way somehow. I keep letting my writing drift away to the back of my mind. But that is going to change. This year it is my intention to do a detox of sorts; to remove the toxic thoughts, etc. from my life while refocusing on the more important aspects.

It’s scary, yes, but I'm all for doing things afraid. If any of this sounds similar to where you are at personally, feel free to get in touch, I could use the support, and I would certainly love to support and encourage you as well.

Many blessings

Sarah

60 Days of Healthy Living: Supplement Right

60 days of healthy Living - Day 5, and still going strong.

At the end of last month, the company I work with (Plexus) announced a huge program that would be hosted for the new year. This program known as the Plexus 60-Day Trim Up Challenge, is what originally inspired my decision to try the Whole30 diet, and really focus in hard on my health. I've been with this company for over two years now, and absolutely love what the products have done for me. Before starting the products I was dealing with a whole host of health issues, that honestly I didn't realize were such a big deal until they were no longer a problem. I was struggling with extreme heartburn, frequent headaches and migraines, constant exhaustion, and just feeling overwhelmed all the time. After being on the Plexus products for just a short time, i discovered that many of these "little issues" were no longer a problem. I could finally eat without being in pan, I was no longer falling asleep while driving home at night, and that feeling of overwhelming worry was gone. I began to feel happy and comfortable with myself for the first time in a long time. 

This is when I began to do my research. I was seeing more and more about gut health, and its effect on the body as a whole. My mind was blown at the ways in which our bodies have been so carefully designed to heal themselves. You see, our gut is, very literally, the core of our being. All of us are born with bacteria in our guts known as candida. This bacteria is meant to aid in digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as in the decomposition of our bodies when we die, but is is only supposed to exist in a very small amount. Unfortunately, many of the foods we eat, as well as the chemicals we ingest on a daily basis feed this bacteria and allow it to grow way to big, causing what is known as Candida Overgrowth. As a result of this growing "bad" bacteria in our gut, the benefits of the "good" bacteria are basically canceled out. What does this mean for the rest of our bodies? Well the gut happens to be where 70% of our immune systems lies. It is also where certain chemicals such as serotonin are produced. If you don't already know, serotonin is a chemical that contributes to balancing one's mood, as well as serving various other purposes within the body. The human gut plays a huge role in making sure the body continues to function properly, its like a filter, and when the filter isn't clean, the rest of the unit is not going to work.

This is why I love my Plexus products, and why they are so beneficial to overall health. Plexus focuses on gut health, and makes it a priority to use all natural ingredients, because they know how important it is what we put into our bodies. Our three biggest products, in particular, focus on addressing core issues. Plexus slim is a powder that you add to water and drink once-per-day, 30 minutes prior to the meal of your choice. Originally formulated to help regulate blood sugar levels for those with diabetes, the Slim has also been known to help with managing cravings, and balancing cholesterol and lipid levels.  Focusing more on gut health, are Plexus Probio5 and BioCleanse. The Probio5 contains 5 strains of probiotic bacteria which helps provide a healthy balance to the gut flora. It also has an enzyme which helps in the break down of the bad bacteria in your gut, such as the candida overgrowth. The BioCleanse, then serves a s gentle way to remove that built up waste in your gut. It also has magnesium, which as I mentioned in my last post, is a needed mineral for our bodies to stay well oxygenated. These three products, sold together as the Triplex Combo, work perfectly together as tools to help in regulating the body's natural functions.

I am using these three products specifically during the next two months. These last several months, I have lagged behind in staying consistent with my supplements, and as a result, my body was not functioning at its best. I'm really excited to take this 60-day challenge as an opportunity to get back on track. In addition to the TriPlex Combo, I am also taking Plexus Block. This product is an added bonus as it helps to regulate the body's production of glucose, blocking 48% of the carbs and sugars you consume from converting to glucose. 

I encourage all of you, if you haven't already, to do some research of your own. Google "candida" and then add in symptoms that you deal with. For example, type in "Candida overgrowth, migraines", and see what you find. You many just be surprised. To me, the Gut is one of the most fascinating aspects of creation, and it just blows me away that our bodies have been designed so carefully. With the right nutrition and supplementation, we can take control over our lives and live to the fullest like God intended. 

Blessing,

Sarah

60-Days of healthy Living: Eat Clean

Last Sunday, I began a 60-day trim-Up challenge to reach some specific health goals. I am super excited to have my mama joining me in this journey, and wanted to share my experience with all of you, mostly as a way to keep myself motivated and accountable, but also to help encourage all of you readers as well. Obviously, January is like the number one time to make resolutions and set goals, but sticking to those resolutions, and actually achieving those goals is a whole different story, So consider this a journal blog, Over the next two months I will post about my progress as well as information on the tools that I am using.

My number one goal is to get healthy. Over the last couple months, I have noticed that I feel more drained, and heavy. Knowing what I do about gut health, and how the things we expose our bodies to every day have such a huge impact on our health, I knew that getting my gut balanced would be the key to feeling better. To do so, I am using three main tools: Nutrition, Supplements, and Exercise.

"Eat Clean, Train Dirty, Supplement Right" -Letty Patino

Today, I would like to focus on the nutrition.What we eat is so very powerful. Did you know that sugar has the same effect on our brain as cocaine? Yeah, now think about how much sugar you consume on a daily basis. In case you didn't know, breads break down into sugars in our bodies, so every time you eat a sandwich, even if it is the whole wheat "healthy" kind, that is still sugar. Also, so many of our foods have been genetically and chemically altered, that they no longer contain the beneficial nutrients that our bodies need. In an effort to make healthier choices that will truly benefit my body, and help me balance out my gut, I have decided to try Whole30 to kick start my journey to health. Food is meant to be a source of life. Often times we think of food as an enemy, and our appetites tend to be seen as something to suppress. In truth, cravings are the bodies sign that some nutrient is missing. for example, when you crave chocolate, you may actually be craving magnesium, as dark chocolate is a good source of magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral in the body that helps to keep our bodies oxygenated, thus promoting healthy blood flow and function of the muscles. Think about it, how many times have you wanted  some chocolate to help you get through a long day? As you may guess, most Americans are deficient in magnesium.

Whole30 is a program built on the idea of using food to our advantage. Instead of listing a bunch of things that you cannot eat, you are pointed toward exact foods to eat, and the best ways to prepare meals. I personally love vegetables and high protein foods, so using the Whole30 plan is a great fit for me. Mom and I are currently on day three of this program and are loving our colorful meals! I will admit, getting creative with ingredients is a key aspect of eating a healthier diet, but oh it taste so good! Below is our week #1 menu. 

Breakfast

Monday

• ·         Boiled Eggs
• ·         Sausage
• ·         Apple Sauce

Tuesday

• ·         Fried Eggs
• ·         Zucchini
• ·         Tomatoes

Wednesday

• ·         Boiled Eggs
• ·         Fruit Smoothie

Thursday

• ·         Scrambled eggs
• ·         sausage
• ·         mushrooms
• ·         spinach

Friday

• ·         Boiled Eggs
• ·         Fruit Smoothie

Saturday

• ·         Cauliflower hasbrowns
• ·         Scrambled eggs
• ·         Peppers

Sunday

• Boiled Eggs

Lunch

Monday

• ·         Chicken Salad
• ·         Spinach
• ·         Mandarin Oranges

Tuesday

• ·         Turkey Roll-ups
• ·         Carrots
• ·         celery

Wednesday

• ·         Squash, zucchini,
•       peppers, mushrooms,
•       broccoli, spinach
• ·         Roasted Chicken

Thursday

• ·         Fruit Salad: Apples Oranges Bananas Grapes

Friday

• ·         Spinach bacon Quiche

Saturday

• ·         Veggie soup

 Dinner

Monday

• ·         Roasted chicken
• ·         Potatoes
• ·         Green beans

Tuesday

• ·         Salad
• ·         Raw Veggies
• ·         Chicken Nuggets

Wednesday

• ·         Zucchini spaghetti
• ·         Meatballs
• ·         Homemade spaghetti sauce

Thursday

• ·         Kale Chicken Potato Soup

Friday

• ·         Lemon roasted fish
• ·         Roasted asparagus
• ·         Squash and zucchini

Saturday

• ·         Turkey Burgers
• ·         Guacamole
• ·         Sweet Potato fries

Sunday

• ·         Pot roast
• ·         Carrots
• ·         Celery
• ·         Red Potatoes

As I mentioned above, I will also be using supplementation and exercise over the next two weeks. My supplement are completely plant based, and have no artificial ingredients, but I will share more details on that in a later post. Feel free to ask questions and if you are on your own health journey, please share what tools you are using, as I would love to encourage and cheer you on as well!


Blessings,
Sarah

Let's Get Real

It's time for me to get really real with ya'll. I haven't blogged in a long time, and to be honest, I don't really feel inspired to blog right now. That is, after all supposed to be the point of my writing; to use words to inspire and encourage others, to provide some sort of enlightening thought or idea. The thing is, Lately, life has been a real struggle, and I feel like I'm just going through the motions of everyday just making it. No more, no less.

How can I encourage others when I myself don't feel encouraging?

I set a goal for myself back in April, but I didn't make that goal, and since then I just feel like nothing I can do will work.

Last week, my plexus team hosted an informational meeting, and at the end, we had a short training exercise. My aunt asked each of us to fill in the blank, saying

"I could work this business but..."

I started thinking of all the reasons I've been thinking to myself why I had failed, why I couldn't be successful, etc. Not just with my business but in life as well.

You see, although the exercise was done with our businesses in mind, it really applies to all of life in general. Satan is the master lier; the prince of deception. He is the one who whispers these thoughts into our hearts and minds. "You can't do that because...(fill in your own blank)". We then start comparing ourselves to others, and it's all down hill from there.

Usually I blog after I'm no longer struggling with a certain thing, after I've made a change and can look back on a situation. Not this time though. I'm still very much struggling. I'm still having those annoying thoughts of "I can't do this". My "but" is still a huge obstacle, and likely always will be. However, I'm working on remembering another 3-letter word, and that is "why?"

In order to keep going in the direction of success, you have to remember why it is that you are doing what you do. Where did you begin in the first place? As Christians the gospel is our why, and the foundation of our testimony. As a college student, my why is earning that BA degree, and continuing my career as an author. As a plexus ambassador my why is the health I've gained, and the passion for bringing awareness to mental illness.

These last several months I've watched my mom struggle to do everyday things. She feels very broken, and because simple tasks now take a lot of effort, it is difficult for not to think, " I can't do this, it's too hard". When these times hit hard, she has to be reminded of where she was in the hospital, and how far she had come since then. This is where her why comes in. She could have died back in October, but she wasn't ready. As a mother, she had to stay and see her children grow up. She had to finish raising us, and so she fought her way back. This continues to be her why, and everyday she wakes up, and is reminded to keep going; to never give up.

Your why most likely looks very different than mine or my mom's, but it is still the foundation on which you must build your success. Yes the "but"  will always threaten to stand in your way, but if you always remember your "why", then the "but" doesn't seem so big.

I hope and pray that you know your why, and always keep it in your heart and mind. It's a real struggle, but I want you to know that we're all in the same fight. If you need a friend to fight with you, I'm here.

Many blessings
Sarah