Happy_Healthy_Healed and want the same for you

By Rachael Kramer

Rachael KraMer is on fire in this book, using her past experiences to drive real, actionable, and astounding methods to holistically improve your health.

When Rachael was a young teen going through her healing crisis, she wasn't sure how to heal. Without family support, she was thrown into the "system," and when that system failed her, she floundered until she discovered her path...her own wellness journey.

This inspiring, must-have book includes personal experiences and effective strategies for optimal health that are simple and applicable. The pages chronicle where she came from and where God has brought her to be after growing up in deep dysfunction and experiencing alcoholism, abuse, divorce, foster homes, homelessness, loss of a child, depression, and anxiety. One day, she found solace and safety in this verse:

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God....Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. (Ps. 40)

Rachael's journey shows us how she has experienced healing, joy, love, cherished memories, great relationships, growth, change, a wonderful husband, kids, and grandkids, and brings her to a place where she can say that "only because of the grace of God can I say I am who I am. God is so good. He can use our bad experiences and turn them into a beautiful thing. He uses our trials to teach us perseverance and strengthen us."

This book is a must-read for both professionals for use in their practices and individuals for their personal health journeys.

If anyone out there feels "I can't," I'm here to tell you God can.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798886850734

Book preview

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Happy_Healthy_Healed and want the same for you

Rachael Kramer

ISBN 979-8-88685-072-7 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89130-420-8 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-88685-073-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Rachael KraMer

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Reviews

Foreword

Acknowledgments

A Note from the Author

Introduction

1

Childhood Is a Chance to Understand the World

2

The World's Solution: Misconception

3

God's Solution: Healing

4

Tapping into the Energy That Makes the World Alive

5

Health Starts in the Gut, Brain, and Emotions

6

Essential oils (Ezek. 47:12)

7

Breathwork

8

Sound Therapy

9

Exercise

10

Body's Ability to Heal Itself: Earthing, Grounding

Closing

Appendix

Thinking Styles List: Thought Traps

References

Reviews

Trauma makes you vulnerable. You feel naked, exposed. You know it. And others sense it too. In Happy, Healthy, Healed, Rachael is naked with the reader on the other side of her trauma. She exposes that trauma can heal. That trauma doesn't have to have the last word.

Rachael shares through her life story that you can make choices one step at a time to reverse the effects of your pain physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

I love that this book can also be seen as a reference manual to practical life applications to the whole-person approach to healing—body, soul, and spirit. Much is based on Rachael's own experiences but is so much more as she adds the scientific pieces to the puzzle. It's a book you won't want to put down, as you travel through Rachael's journey to freedom. Along the way, she goes into great detail explaining the many techniques she tried and truly tested, taking most of the mystery out each one, so it won't leave you going on bunny trails to more research as some biographies often do. Tucked inside every trial is an opportunity to grow. This book is about growing! The words from Joseph's traumatic story in the book of Genesis, after his brothers sold him to slavery, remind me of Rachael: You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people (Gen. 50:20).

Rachael overcame. You can too!

—Pastor Cindy Brengosz, River of God Church, Stevens Point, Wisconsin

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read this book filled with so much knowledgeable information. One of the greatest things about this book is how the author talks about her own personal experiences. She even uses her photos and shows text messages—so vulnerable and raw. It's not a boring read, and you are able to relate. The next best thing is how the author believes that healing comes from the Lord. There are so many scripture references. If I could describe this book in two words, it would be intellectual and riveting. Worth the read.

—Lydia K., Shekinah Wellness patient

Foreword

This book by Rachael KraMer is a beautiful blend of holistic wellness that integrates healing of the mind, body, and soul. Her compelling story is shared with a raw vulnerability that draws the reader in, yet it also makes her knowledge as an RN easy to apply and understand. If you're seeking growth in physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual healing, this is the perfect book for you. As a DC, I've referred patients seeking greater levels of wellness to Rachael, and their testimonials do not disappoint. I trust her book will help the reader learn more about the multiple veins one can naturally approach healing with, ultimately experiencing greater well-being in every area of their life.

—Dr. Tony Lawther

Chiropractor at Essentials of Life, Andover, Minnesota

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I am so very thankful to the Lord Jesus Christ. God, Your name is power, Your name is healing, and Your name is life. Abba Father, You took me as an orphaned child, lifted me up from the pit of despair and out of the miry clay, and gave me a new life, a new heart, and a renewed mind. And now I can say I am a child of God. There's not enough time to talk about all you've done, but I have an eternity to try (words from A Thousand Hallelujahs).

To my husband, Tom, I thank you for your deep love and support in all things—this book, business, and in life. You are my bestest friend and the love of my life.

To my children, Mariah and McCoy, for the unconditional love. You were brought into this world during my messy years. You know many of my flaws because you were there. Eventually, it made the parent-child relationship stronger and more real, based on truth. I thank you and the Lord for giving me children to be able to give and receive unconditional love.

To my besties, Jenny and Ang, for your ongoing support and loving me through all things.

To my in-laws, Vern and Jean, you've been an example of what aging gracefully looks like using natural medicine and an example of a marriage that prays together, stays together. Susan Merril stated on a blog, Here's some shocking statistics: while 50 percent of first marriages end in divorce, and 78 percent of second marriages end in divorce, less than 1 percent of couples who pray together daily end their marriages. You two have demonstrated that well.

To my friends, patients, and social media supporters, you have provided many blessed relationships, and I thank you all for that.

To Megan of Christian Faith Publishing, you took my book on when other companies were going to make me use a pen name.

To Brianna, who graciously offered to read my manuscript and provide editorial support.

Thank you to the people who took time out of their busy days to leave reviews and a foreword: Dr. Tony, chiropractor at Essentials of Life in Andover, Minnesota; Pastor Cindy of River of God Church in Wisconsin; and Lydia, a patient of mine, who took the time to read my manuscript while breastfeeding her newborn.

A Note from the Author

I am so thankful for my trials. Sounds odd, but I can now use my trials to glorify God and show others His power and healing. Just like in Genesis 28, when Jacob was sent away—such a hardship in life—he was in a desolate land but realized God was there with him, and he woke from his dream and said, How wonderful is this place.

My growing-up years were filled with dysfunction—divorce, sexual abuse, physical abuse, abandonment, alcoholism, homelessness, and foster homes. Being exposed to this lifestyle led me to similar bad relationships in my teenage / early adulthood years. But this isn't my story. My story is a story of God's love, mercy, patience, and persistence in saving His beloved children. My story shows what God can do in winter when you turn your heart to Him.

Many years ago, I was doing a Joyce Meyer Bible study, and my big takeaway was this: You may separate from your family and your past with the hopes to build an empire, a different and better life than you've known up until this point.

This transition may prove to be more difficult than you thought. You may not have the skill sets, knowledge, or decision-making abilities to bring this dream into fruition, leading you into a feeling of failure. I want to remind you that God sometimes chooses to do things in steps and stages. First, you plant, then you water. Then you harvest. Our calling may have been to only start building the empire and allow the future generations to build the rest. Sometimes, our most valuable contribution is just to lay a strong foundation with good soil. We may not ever get the gift of seeing it all come together, but that is okay. Laying a good foundation for future generations is a gift in and of itself.

Introduction

Hello, my name is Rachael KraMer. If we've met, you may already know a few things about me, like I'm a holistic health practitioner (HHP) and a registered nurse (RN). I have a wonderful husband, 2.5 kids, and a dog. I live in a suburban neighborhood and have thirty acres of wetlands in the backyard. I love springtime when the windows can be opened and when the crickets are chirping and the birds are singing. My backyard sounds like a nature CD. I have a private practice as a HHP out of my home, and I make and sell My Goodness! Kombucha at local farmers markets and events.

Many people that have been in my home comment on the peaceful and healing presence that can be felt. Our home is decorated in an eclectic style, most of the artwork is a collection of memories in picture form from past travels or local trail rides. Most updates on our home have been done ourselves so it feels uniquely ours. Here, let me take you on a tour…depending on the season as you walk up to the door there may be flowers, pumpkins, and haystacks, or winter arrangements probably collected from our trees from the backyard. As you walk in the front door, one of the first things you may notice is that most pictures hanging on our walls are pictures we have taken with our camera phone and blown up to display as art. I'll greet you in the entryway, where there are pictures of the kids when they were young and one of the trips to Mexico we took together. Take off your shoes, hang up your coat, come on in. If it's a sunny day, it will be glowing through our white curtains to the sound of the waterfall fountain on my husband-made shelf. If it's a fall day, our living room will be radiantly lit by the glow of the tree in our front yard. If you come at a certain time of day, you'll notice the sun creates a spotlight on flowers displayed on the sideboard.

Come on into my kitchen; let's chat over a cup of tea, healthy coffee alternative, or glass of kombucha. I'm sure it won't take long to notice how custom our home is. My husband constructed electricity to go through a log that hangs our mason jar pendant lights, and he drilled holes into the lid for ventilation. Our cabinets are a two-toned espresso color that we stained. I couldn't decide what color I liked best, so I tried them both at the same time and then decided I liked it that way. Stepson brought the hinges to my husband's shop to sandblast the gold finish and spray-paint them brushed nickel. We were too frugal to pay the price of new hinges. They were $5 a piece! That would've added $10 per door, and I'd rather have another DIY project!

We may sit in the den with the fireplace on in the winter or in the spring or summer; we may sit on the patio under the pagoda with the twinkling lights and maybe even enjoy a fire in the chimney. We can listen to the sounds of nature and watch the dog play and chase wildlife, or these days, she'll sit right by us and watch wildlife as we do. We live in a typical suburban neighborhood in Andover, Minnesota. Our front yard has lots of activity and our backyard has seclusion as we are surrounded by wetlands that we don't pay for and will never be built upon!

Most people that know me know these things and not much more. They think I have things all together and have the perfect wonderful life and the perfect wonderful marriage. This is the image most who know me have, but this wasn't always the case.

In fact, for a period of time, I did foster care as a means of giving back because I, myself, was a foster kid. I had household rules in place that they weren't used to, and by that time, I had developed healthy lifestyle habits in our home that they definitely weren't used to. Many of them thought and even said, Who are you to understand what I'm going through? You have a perfect house, perfect marriage, perfect kids; this is what they saw in their eyes, but I saw their hurt. I myself was a foster child. My hope in doing foster care was to give them hope for a better future.

There was a piece of me that thought, Why write a book? Why expose my past hurts and dysfunctional circumstances? I've spent my whole life desiring to be and be seen as normal, I've finally arrived at what I once thought that was now. Why would I give up the presence that people see me as and allow them to see a part of me that could easily be kept hidden? I'm writing this to tell you that I may not be who you perceive me to be.

Over my life, I've learned to cling to Scripture and believe it to be true whether I can see it at the time or not. I know God can make good out of bad: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Rom. 8:28 KJV).¹ I know He can take a horrible thing and make it beautiful give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified (Isa. 61:3 KJV). I also know the importance of meeting others where they're at, as done by Phillip with the Ethiopian eunuch. There have been many days I've sat across my desk from someone and they tell me of their loss, their struggle, and their trial I am able to say, Me too. There's great comfort in knowing someone else can truly empathize with you, knowing someone has been on a similar path, and overcome the obstacle. Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive (Gen. 50:20).

This book is about healing and finding ways to bring different kinds of healing to different kinds of problems. In doing so, it walks through my traumatic life events and looks at the various modalities that brought healing. It is not in a linear order because events and healing are not always an orderly thing. In fact, after the outline was written, I began writing the book in part 3, section 1, God as my Father. I wanted to have Him as my starting and ending of the book. He is my anchor.

Back to my earlier proposed question, Why write a book? I wanted to share my story as a means to help others. I thought about taking the angle "I knew someone who ____, I worked with a patient who ____," but I knew that isn't what God wanted. It wouldn't have been as impactful to think all these events happened to different people. I wanted to help others discover how they can use their trials for good. Once they discover this, they will find healing and can give the glory to Christ and His healing power.

It was important to me to make sure that scripture is the foundation of my business. Anytime I have a question, I turn to scripture to see how it's supposed to be done. I dedicated my business to the Lord, and am reminded of the passage in Joshua 1:8 that says if we meditate on scripture and are careful to do what it says, then we will be prosperous and will have success. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success (Josh. 1:8 KJV).

To me, success is helping other people overcome the adversities in their lives that are holding them back, and bring them to a place of healing. When I started my business, I founded it on a simple truth that I found in Ezekiel 47:12 that says, The fruit will be used for food and the leaves for healing. This verse helped me to understand that God knows what He is doing in advance, and we need to know His ways in order to get things right. You will notice that I refer to scripture and God's ways often in this book.

I am at a good—no—I am at a great place in life right now. I love my life. I enjoy life. I also love and enjoy my husband and kids, but it was a long, hard journey; and the purpose of this book is to give you hope for healing. My hope in writing this book is to give others hope for a better future.

I have endured many struggles and hardships, but as I sit across the table and relate to my patients' pain, I inwardly smile and thank the Lord for my trials. They have created in me an endurance and hope for my next trials that will allow me to continue to help others. In my private practice, I use some of the same modalities that helped heal me.

Come on in. Let's chat.

1

Childhood Is a Chance to Understand the World

I find it a bit odd that when I think of my childhood; on one hand, I think that I had a pretty good childhood while on the other hand, I realize I've probably had the most dysfunctional childhood of anyone I've ever met, especially of any functioning member of society. People with my upbringing are not typically functioning members of society, They're prisoners. Whether they are literal physical prisoners as the path they've taken has led them behind bars, or prisoners of their mind because of PTSD. Most know that all of the research out there clearly states that the first five years are the most important, but are those first five years strong enough to negate what happens after that? As an adult, I've often wondered, were my formative years really all that great or was I simply too young to really know what was going on? I'll never know. What I do know is that it's only by the grace of God and love of our Father that I am who I am. I am a child of God.

So get ready; here's what we're in for. This is a list of a few of my childhood major events: generational alcoholism, observing physical abuse, divorced parents, long history of generational sexual abuse, and moving constantly. As a child, I was often being evicted from apartment buildings, receiving welfare, homeless, and struggling with an eating disorder. Eventually I moved in with an older sister and her abusive husband, followed by life in several foster homes.

So yes, you bet I was on the wrong path. This was the path I knew, so how did it not feel normal to me at the time? After all, isn't normal just what you know and are used to being exposed to? According to Wikipedia, Normal is a behavior that can be normal for an individual when it is consistent with the most common behavior for that person. Normal is also used to describe individual behavior that conforms to the most common behavior in society. For me, there will be no new normal for many reasons on many levels. Normal will always be what I learn from scripture and the Holy Spirit.

I was raised child number 3 out of four girls. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, and my dad was self-employed in the construction industry. When I was young, we never had packaged foods, only homemade meals, and we couldn't afford to eat out or have convenient type food. My parents worked hard. My mom took care of us girls, the house, as well as the typical husband-type