To be honest I was a little reluctant to listen to the podcast but I did take the time this week and listened. Thankful that Holly challenged us to actually review what we really belief about death and how we can respond to others when called upon. As a born again Christian I am thankful that I have Hope and the assurance of eternal life, I know this because in John 10:28 Jesus said I give them eternal life and they shall not perish……. And John 3:16 also confirms that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have every lasting life because of God giving his one and only son to save us. There is a section in the podcast that talked about “brain dead”. In 1992 my Dad had a massive heart attack while wintering in Arizona and he was declared “brain dead”. I was able to fly down to be with my Mom as we decided to take my Dad off of life support. I remember holding my Dads hand and said “Dad don’t worry about Mom, we will take care of her”, soon after this my Dad took his last breath and I remember the peace there was in that hospital room. The question being, was my Dad actually dead with no brain function? I feel his soul was alive and heard my words so he could leave and be at rest. In 2020 my Mom passed away, although I was not beside her when she passed the Nurse who happened to be a Christian was sitting with my Mom when she took her last breath. The Nurse told us there was an incredible presence of peace in my Moms room that night when my Mom went to be with the Lord. Both of my parents were born again Christian’s and had the hope and assurance of eternal life. I believe that when we die we enter the presence of Jesus in heaven BUT since moving to Bonnyville I have heard from a Pastors perspective of soul sleep. Honestly I have searched the scripture and can see both sides and am not going to get caught up in what is right or wrong about this. We are guaranteed to die and by asking Jesus into our heart and believing in him we have hope and assurance of eternal life.

Sometimes I wake up with racing thoughts or worry. It has helped to read before I go to sleep. For example last night I woke up and had this thought about an email, I came out and wrote down what I was thinking about then went back to bed to sleep When I really struggled with racing thoughts/ anxiety I would keep a pad of paper and a pen by my bed and when the racing thoughts came during the night I would write it down to deal with the next day.

I have noticed that I get a better sleep when: 1. I have exercised and had more movement throughout the day. 2. Not having coffee after lunch and the remainder of the day has also helped in having a better sleep.