child abuse – watercress words-exploring and sharing the HEART of health

Here’s the post I wrote to introduce part 2 of the guest post I did for Let’s Create.

I hope these posts illustrate that creativity isn’t limited to the arts-music, drawing, writing., sewing.

We use creativity anytime we plan and set goals;

when we try new things , or change the way we think .

Meeting new people and forming friendships and collaborations is creative.

Anytime we find new and better ways to do things, we have created.

We can create a life that matters.

Create the life you imagine

Arriving home from an evening out to a movie, I opened my email and found one from Kathleen of Let’s Create; she wrote that part 2 of my guest post had been published.

The timing was both amusing and amazing. My husband and I had just watched the movie I Can Only Imagine. The film portrays the story of singer/songwriter Bart Miller who wrote a best selling song of the same title. The single has sold 2.5 million copies, making it the best-selling Christian single ever; it has had over 2 million digital downloads.

Bart Miller-I Can Only Imagine

As a young boy and teenager, Bart endured the pain of physical and emotional abuse but survived by imagining a far different life. He dreamed of a successful career which seemed impossible, but with the support of friends and a mentor he saw those dreams unfold in ways he never anticipated.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM(affiliate link)

And by coincidence, that is what part 2 of my guest post is about- imagining, dreaming, achieving.

Reading-the fastest way to everywhere (part 1)

In part 1, I told you about my childhood dreams and those of country music legend Dolly Parton. In part 2, you’ll learn more about where our imaginations led us.

Every person is creative. We have the ability to be creative as we live our daily lives. Some from a young age have been encouraged to develop their creativity and so it comes easier for them to think outside the box. Often the fewer resources we have the more creative we become.

Enjoy the conclusion at

Real Life Creative Lessons – Let’s Create.

And by the way, this post was one of the most viewed at Bloggers Pit Stop

Oklahoma’s Official State Inspirational Song

Bart’s band, MercyMe, lived in my home state Oklahoma for a few years and the movie was filmed here. So, Oklahoma’s governor has proclaimed “I Can Only Imagine” as our official state inspirational song.

Representative John Paul Jordan, the author of the bill, said,

‘This song has its roots in Oklahoma and in the midst of these troubling times, what better time to focus on a song so full of hope? It represents our faith, our hope and where our peace can be found.’

Here’s the whole story-

Imagine This: MercyMe Hit Now an Official State Inspirational Song

Don’t miss Bart Miller’s life changing song.

Bart Miller tells his story in this memoir I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

(This is an affiliate link, meaning if you use it, you’re supporting this blog in a financial way, for which I thank you. )

Bart’s memoir is published by Tyndale Publishers which offers My Reader Rewards Club

As a member, you’ll have access to inspiring literature, Bibles, special promotional offers, and much more. Earning points is easy—you’ll receive 25 points just for signing up!

WHY BECOME A TYNDALE REWARDS MEMBER? — tyndalerewards.com

You can also earn points when you:

Shop at Tyndale.com or NavPress.com
Refer a friend
Write reviews
Take surveys
Sign up for e-newsletters and e-devotion

My Reader Rewards Clubis a great way to earn free books and Bibles for yourself, friends, and family! Your journey to earning free faith-based products starts HERE.

(By your signing up through these links, I can earn free books that I may review for this blog.)

Thanks for joining me to reflect on my dreams and those of some interesting people.

I hope it has inspired you to imagine and keep exploring your dreams.

Always exploring the HEART of health. Dr. Aletha

This week I’m sharing my top 5 most viewed posts of 2016. I’m not surprised that any of these were the most popular because a couple of them are among my favorites too. (Well, ok, they all are.)

This post is number 5- a story about a special week I spent with some special kids. It’s the

Week that makes me glad I am a doctor

For one week I was the doctor at an exclusive summer camp for children ages 7 through 11 years. Only a few children are accepted to this camp from those who qualify. There are strict requirements for admission, but once a child qualifies, they can return every year until they reach 11. Both boys and girls are recruited to attend.

So exclusive is this camp that the ratio of staff to children is almost one to one. Some activities are done in large groups; others are done in groups of four campers with at least 2 adults. There were adult staff in charge of leading music, teaching crafts, hiking, fishing, swimming and drama presentations. Additional staff came each evening for special programs and a birthday party for everyone. Since we were there the week of Independence Day, there was a fireworks show one evening.

Three hot meals, served all-you-can-eat style, and snacks were provided daily. Assisted by a registered nurse, I oversaw treatment of any injuries, assessed illness and dispensed medications. The campers slept in air-conditioned cabins with full bath facilities, supervised by adult staff.

The total cost of running this 5 day camp is in the tens of thousands of dollars; the cost to each child’s family-nothing.

Sound wonderful to you? The kind of camp you would like to send your child or grandchild to? No, it isn’t.

basketballs and volleyball court

This camp is exclusive but you can’t buy your way into this camp. It is not for the children of the rich and famous, celebrities, entertainers, politicians, or doctors.

This camp is reserved for children who are in the foster care system- children who have been abused, neglected and/or abandoned by their parents.

By sponsoring these camps Royal Family Kids has been

confronting abuse and changing lives since 1990 .

The camps are staffed by local people for children in their community, usually affiliated with a church. All are volunteers. Funds to pay for the camp are raised by individual and corporate donations, grants, and old fashioned fund raisers like pie auctions .

Child abuse is a preventable, treatable medical condition- and a crime.

The American Academy of Pediatrics calls it “a public health problem with lifelong health consequences for survivors.”

The World Health Organization calls it a “global priority” due to its potential impact on social and economic development.

All organizations that deal with child abuse agree that prevention is much more effective than treating the effects of abuse.

Child abuse is underrecognized and underreported but estimates are that as few as 4% to as many as 30% of children worldwide experience some sort of maltreatment- physical injury, emotional abuse, neglect, sexual assault or exploitation.

Many of these children land in the foster care system which can be another form of abuse. Foster children may be shuffled from one home to another without warning, separated from siblings, leaving behind personal possessions like clothes, toys, books and photos. They have few opportunities to do normal kid activities like summer camps, family vacations, play sports and music lessons.

That is why our camp is so important. For their week at camp, each child gets caring attention from safe adults, many of whom return year after year. The goal of the camp is to create positive memories for kids who have few. Each craft is carefully packed to go back with the child, as is a small photo album filled with pictures of their activities at camp.

For the sake of their privacy and protection, I cannot show pictures of the children to you, but these photos from the camp give you an idea of the fun things they did that week. Most important, they are taught that their life has value and that they can overcome the challenging situation that has brought them here.