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90 Minutes in Heaven (Phenomenal Book!)

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90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

My youngest daughter recently gave me a copy of 90 Minutes in Heaven and I read it within 2 days. It was THAT good.

Well – no…. it’s actually better. Much better.

Book Description:

The mega bestselling book that started the heaven publishing phenomenon is now a major motion picture starring Hayden Christensen and Kate Bosworth and produced by Michael Polish. Don Piper’s incredible true story continues to expand its reach to more people than ever before.

After a semi-truck collided with Don Piper’s car, he was pronounced dead at the scene. For the next ninety minutes, he experienced the glories of heaven. Back on earth, a passing minister felt led to stop and pray for the accident victim even though he was told Piper was dead. Miraculously, Piper came back to life, and the pleasure of heaven was replaced by a long and painful recovery.

This special edition of Don’s life-changing story includes a new preface from Don about the making of the movie, plus a personal update on the impact the book has had on him, his family, and the millions who have already heard his story. It also includes a note from the publisher, stories from readers, and Scriptures and quotations on heaven.

Don Piper’s account of his accident and recovery are incredibly compelling and packed with emotion. You find yourself caught every now and again between a laugh and a cry. When a book is able to move your emotions like this, it is extra special.

The most beautiful part of the story is, of course, his description of Heaven as he encountered it when he died.

When writing book reviews, as I’ve often said, I detest the thought of giving anything away. I want the reader to discover each emotion and uncover each hidden jewel as I was able to – on their own. So, yes, this book review is incredibly short (no one needs to hear me ramble on and on and on anyway!), but I do not in any way want you to misunderstand how much I want you to read this book.

I simply don’t want to give anything away because this real life story, as it is told is one of the most beautiful I have ever read and I desperately want to see it in as many hands as possible.

90 Minutes in Heaven is a book you will read cover to cover, probably more than once as you cherish the words and glimpse of Heaven forever.


90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

Fun Website for Dog Lovers

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Quote About Dogs

I talk a lot about animals on this self help blog. They star in my quote graphics, they’re featured on Self Help Daily’s Twitter page frequently (as well as my own personal Twitter page). There are three reasons for this…

  1. The human on this side of the blog absolutely loves animals to distraction. I just get totally lost while looking into the face of an animal, bird, dolphin, shark, or even spider. Yes… I love spiders, too. Phenomenal little workers!
  2. Animals are, bar none, the best therapists on the planet. I recommend rescue pets so often in my articles you’d think I WAS a rescue pet. Whether it’s loneliness, empty nest syndrome, grief, or simply a case of pursuing more happiness…. very, very, very often animals are the answer and the question is irrelevant.
  3. The more attention we animal lovers bring to animals, the more we can help them. While they certainly have voices (my cats particularly love proving this around 3:00 am), they don’t possess the vocabulary to tell humans around the world that they deserve to be treated with love, kindness, and respect. They don’t have the words to say, “If you let me into your life, I’ll give you more joy than you ever thought possible!” They rely on us to get the word out!

Abraham Lincoln said it best, “I care not for a man’s religion whose dog and cat are not the better for it.” Love that!

I’d love to tell you about a website for dog lovers – Diamond Pup.com. The website covers dog food, health, grooming, accessories, apparel (you won’t believe how adorable the pictures are!), breeds, behavior, training, bedding, supplements, and a lot more.

Recent articles include…

Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?

Tips and Tricks to Make Being Home Alone Less Stressful for Your Dog.

How Your Dog’s Behavior Can Change with Age.

Teach Your Dog to Stop Begging for Food.

What is Small Dog Syndrome and How to Deal With it.

10 Oldest Dog Breeds in the World.

Do Dogs Feel Guilt? Everything You Need to Know.

It’s just a really well-done website for dog lovers and I know you’ll enjoy it.

See Diamond Pup.com for all the dog information and adorable dog pictures you can stand! ~ Joi

 

Quote Graphic About Spring (Cat and Flowers, What More Could you Want?!)

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Quote About Spring

Four things I am BEYOND obsessed with are cats, flowers, laughter and spring…. so the graphic and quote above? It’s so “me,” I may as well be the cat!

Spring is a perfect time for cleaning out the cobwebs, and I don’t mean just the ones in the corner on the carport. Although they have got to go.

If spring were a holiday, she’d be New Years Day, for sure. It’s a time of cleansing, reevaluating, and, for lack of a better term, coming back to life. Everything comes back to life in the springtime – trees, yards, flower beds… even songbirds suddenly remember they have a song to sing.

The same can be true of us as well. Things we’d like to change? What better time to attack them?!

If we’d love more happiness in our lives… what better time to invite it right in?!

Take this spring and make it what you want it to be. It’s yours after all.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

What to Expect from an Online Nursing Program

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With hospitals and clinics around the world experiencing nursing shortages, now’s the best time in history to become a registered nurse (RN). Like most other aspiring nurses, you’re probably interested in taking online courses to earn your nursing degree and certification. While each nursing program will vary in its curriculum and requirements for enrollment and graduation, generally speaking, most online schools offer a similar experience across the board. Here are a few things to expect when you enroll for an online nursing program:

Educational Prerequisites & Admission Requirements

The educational achievements and credentials you’ll need in order to enroll for a program will depend on the academic standards of the particular degree you’re in pursuit of. The names of nursing degrees can be confusing if you’re just starting to research the topic, but essentially, you’ll need either an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree to enroll for a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). These prerequisites can come as a surprise to students who are looking into an online nursing program for the first time. Fortunately, there are ways to get started as a nurse with only 24 months of online education, and from there you can continue advancing your career with higher-level degrees.

No Mandatory Login or Study Times

Some online classes will require you to log in at specific times to take part in virtual classes on a set schedule. Most online nursing programs are very lenient in terms of letting you log in and do the work whenever you want. That means you can expect to have full flexibility in your scheduling and career commitments because you can still work a job full-time while working towards your degree as you see fit. Nursing programs also give you plenty of time to earn your credits, so you can work at your own pace without any fear of failure – just know that the less you study and work towards your degree, the longer it will take you to start your career as a nurse.

Clinical & Residency Coursework

Despite popular misconception, there are some offline steps that you’ll need to take in the course of earning your nursing degree. As you reach the advanced phases of your education, you’ll begin to encounter classes and events that require you to participate in face-to-face, instructor-led learning sessions at hospitals, clinics, universities, and other medical and academic establishments. Clinical coursework is designed to give you formal practicum experience in a professional setting, so it’s somewhat similar to an apprenticeship in that you’ll be following along in real medical cases.

A Variety of Career Paths and Degree Options are Available for Registered Nurses

In closing, regardless of your experience level or familiarity with the field of nursing and healthcare in general, there are numerous entry-level certifications and degrees you can start working towards. As long as you have your high school diploma or GED, you’re ready to start taking steps towards becoming a licensed nurse practitioner or registered nurse within just 2-4 years.

Flu Season Isn’t Through With Us Yet… Don’t Drop Your Guard!

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A month ago, I had Flu A AND Bronchitis (I guess my body couldn’t decide between the two and went with both). It hit me like a semi truck!  I tend to get bronchitis any time I get a cold, so I knew what that was. However, I get the flu vaccine every single year (including this year), so having the flu was an unpleasant surprise.

Fortunately, since I’d had the vaccine, the duration for my flu was shorter than it typically would’ve been. I still swear by the vaccine – I have gotten one, annually, for over 12 years and this is the first year I’ve gotten the flu.

I’ll take those odds.

I’ve noticed a lot of people seem to think that flu season is over and that the risk of getting the flu is non-existent if you’ve had the flu shot. That’s the kind of thinking that’ll lead you to the ER.

The flu season is still in swing and, to be honest, may even be more easily spread since so many people are dropping their guard.

Make sure you (and everyone you care about) are still frequently washing your hands and practicing excellent flu-prevention habits.

Always wash your hands after you’ve touched anything handled by others..

  • grocery carts
  • ATM machines
  • You-Scans
  • pens
  • card readers
  • etc..

Below is a news release that will really drive the point home. The flu can be extra dangerous for children, people with pre-existing diseases or conditions (asthma, diabetes, heart disease..), and the elderly.

Be cautious and stay well! ~ Joi

St. Jude flu expert and WHO vaccine composition team member encourages everyone to get the flu shot

Dr. Richard Webby of St. Jude still advocates for everyone to get the flu shot— it’s not too late

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its most recent Weekly Flu Report, indicating that flu activity remains high across the nation, with nine new deaths of children and over 321,000 flu-related deaths between October and March.  The report also indicates that there has been a shift to the more harsh H3N2 strain of influenza in the Southeast.

Richard Webby, Ph.D., a member of the Department of Infectious Diseases at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, again urged all Americans to get a flu shot and that is it not too late.

“The most effective public health tool available to protect individuals from the flu virus is taking the necessary steps to receive the vaccine.  It is not too late to get a flu shot and the vaccine remains fully effective even at this late date. The more of the public who receives the vaccine means a greater reduction in overall influenza illness.

“The vaccine is not perfect, but it remains an extremely effective and life-saving public health tool.We all must do our part to protect ourselves and our neighbors, while looking out for the most vulnerable members of our society – and that begins by getting the flu shot,” said Dr. Webby of St. Jude Children’s Hospital and one of a select group of scientists responsible for making recommendations on the composition of flu vaccines each year.”   

Dr. Webby recently penned a guest column in Newsweek encouraging the public to get the flu vaccination – it’s not too late.

Many pediatric patients at St. Jude are at a greater risk of getting sick from influenza (flu) and other viral infections because of their diseases and treatments. Therefore, helping to disseminate lifesaving educational information about flu prevention techniques is of paramount importance to the St. Jude Infectious Diseases Department. November through February are peak flu months, and last year’s flu season was one of the deadliest in history.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Infectious Diseases Department has released a fact sheet with useful tips on prevention titled “Controlling the Spread of Colds and Flu.”

In addition to receiving the flu vaccine, there are also additional simple and effective prevention tips to protect you and your family.

Some of these include:

  • Cleaning your hands often with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Staying home if you’re sick.
  • Covering your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze. Also, washing your hands after coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoiding touching your nose and mouth.