After cleanse day 2

WOW--what a wonderfully busy day it was yesterday. After chores I raced to Bismarck for my session with Gwen. It was so bonding as I realized that she, too, has very bad memories of her childhood in Eureka. Praise the Lord that through His modeling forgiveness for us we too can learn to forgive, which is sooooooooo empowering. Through this, plus the help of BodyTalk (BT) sessions, I have learned that these very negative emotions can be negated. As always, 2 negatives make a positive so YES, we can be free from the things which torment us in our subconscious mind. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!

After Gwen's session I went dress shopping at all of the thrift stores in Bismarck. It was a little more difficult than it was to find one for Cora's. Cora's main color was blue and Andrew's is yellow. Did you ever hit thrift shops intending to find a yellow dress in your size? At one place I found this cute little dress with daisies on it selling for the massive price of 99 cents. SOLD to the lady in love with daisies--that would be me! But, alas, it wasn't yellow or fancy so I knew that wasn't the one for the party.

When I was at SEEDS OF HOPE, I found 2 very lovely yellow dresses with roses on them but both were too small!!! It was disappointing, after working so hard to lose the 25 pounds, but then one was a size 8 and the other a size 14. Let's be reasonable here now, Dawn.

Finally I went to the Hodge Podge which so often has had "Just the thing." Actually what I bought isn't what I was thinking of buying but there just aren't that many yellow dresses. It's a very cute jumper with adorable buttons on. I was trying to find just the right shade of blue blouse to go with it but was running out of time, when I saw this very nice white blouse. Now, I have been looking for a nice, white blouse for ages so this was a bit of a miracle. I grabbed it and tried them both on. Although it wasn't fancy or anything, it was very much home schoolish and I was out of time. Both fit loosely and even I had to admit that I looked MUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCH better than I did 4 months ago when I began with the Master Cleanse.

After this I went to Chuppe's chiropractic clinic where Andrew was waiting for me. We went in to see Dr. Steve and in walked John Martins. After greeting him, I asked if Carrie was along and he said that she was outside. So out I went--into the arms of an old friend.

Carrie told me all about how Chuppes had helped their family but also that my 1 session on her had helped her dehydration problem for months afterwards. I told her that I have an office in town now and gave her my card. I hope that they'll come to see me as I have been praying for so long to be able to break into the home school community with BodyTalk.

From here Andrew and I drove out to FCS in Mandan and I signed the papers for the financing for this year. It'll be nice to get some cash flowing in again as we just made the payment on the land in April; the swather in May; and now the graduation in June-although that 's a small bill in comparison.

Then Andrew and I ran back to Bismarck to get new blades and a belt for the lawn mower. In the meantime, Robert went over to the implement lot where he signed paperwork to apply for financing on the big, square baler we hope to buy. While I did a second session, Andrew got his motorcycle spark plugs as it doesn't run very well without it. After this we went to Runnings to get some more things for the party and Andrew picked out some new wrenches which we're giving him for his graduation gift.

We next headed to Sam's club where we pulled in nose-to-nose with John Martin's van again. We all laughed so hard!!! Another neat surprise that the Lord had for us was we some of Caleb Wandington's family. Andrew enjoyed getting to visit with the twins a few minutes and they told us that they had seen us at Chuppe's too. They were playing their instruments in their van when Andrew had come out of the clinic. Caleb had gone into the back room right before we got there and left after we came out, so we missed seeing them there.

I PRAISE GOD for how He times things so that people can meet each other. Twice yesterday I found myself going the wrong way and was getting a little stressed about it for wasting time. Both times, though, I felt the Lord urging me to remain at peace that it was His will so that things would be timed perfectly. Well, I would call 2 families walking in to Sam's Club at exactly the same time as being timed perfectly. They live 120 miles west of Bismarck and we 60 miles east but God brought us together JUST AT THE RIGHT TIME!!!!!!! Now, isn't that comforting?

So we loaded up the van and headed home. Andrew had finished his last required reading for school on the way up to Bismarck. This book is called HOME SCHOOLING-THE RIGHT CHOICE! So he started working on his speech at Chuppe's and on the way home. I laughed so hard when he read to me his thank you to his mom for helping him learn to write when he hated it; for helping him to learn to read when he wouldn't sit still; and for helping him learn Algebra although some of the times he had to teach ME the lessons. What a great young man he is, if I do say so myself!!!

So this is one last invitation to anyone who would like to come to the graduation, PLEASE COME! We're going to have a ball and I have planned for about 45 extra people whom I think may come but haven't said either way yet. It's at 2:00 on Sunday afternoon in the Braddock Hall, Braddock, ND.

When we got home, chores were done so I had time to exercise yet. What a perfect day it was for me. I got to see friends; I got to help 2 of my clients; we got our financing lined up, AND I got to buy a "New" dress. Perhaps the best part of it all was that I got to eat solid food for the first time in 18 days. I helped myself to half a cup of muskmelon for breakfast; an apple for lunch; and a banana for supper. WHAT LUXURY!!! The rest of the day I drank lemonade.

Now I KNOW this is the best news. This morning, when I weighed myself, I had lost 2 more pounds. That makes 15 all together since I started the cleanse this time and 27 since January. My goal is 6 more by Sunday so I PRESS ON TO THE MARK.................

Now this morning Cora and I just got in from getting the mail. It was so cute as we both got checks in the mailbox. She got paid for her 2 cakes and I got paid for my 2 BT sessions. Sometimes I just have to stop and say, "It's a wonderful life."

Will post pictures of the new bulls later.

Appleseed Shoot pictures

I don't have much time to write but I'll say that I didn't have to drive tractor yesterday as the disc needed repairs before it could go in the field. YIPEE. Although that means that I'll have to do it today. Still, I got to dig in the dirt of my garden and that always makes me happy. Cora planted the rest of the west side, including my red clover patch (long story). Jacob and I put out the cabbages, and other brassicas, and the pepper plants. We also started weeding the potatoes.

Graduation news is that 80 people have responded with RSVP cards saying that they're coming. We finished the slide show yesterday, so that's one thing to scratch off of the list. Now we need to get our menfolk in singing condition. Andrew declares that he is "Over it"; Jacob is almost well; and Robert said that his chest is much looser this morning, so all of these are good news. Please continue praying for our family during this EXTREMELY busy week. I should add that we're making the beans for the graduation and that has added a wonderful aroma to the house. We all just LOVE this recipe so it's been hard not to eat any, but I'm sure that I'll enjoy them EXTRA on Sunday. :)

If you're interested in reading about the shoot last weekend, you can go to Andrew's buddy's blog. Jonathan Bartlett posted yesterday, with some pictures, so you can learn a bit more about it. Here's the link: http://jonathanjbartlett.blogspot.com/. As usual, this young man did phenomenally well! I am so proud of him and, I believe I have said before, love him like a son!!!

Lastly is the news on the cleanse. I am officially done with it. The next 3 days will be spent in adjusting back to solid food. Today I drink, with the lemonade, any fruit or vegetable juices that I like. Tomorrow I can add fruits and vegetables; and on Thursday I can eat one light meal. After that I need to gradually add lighter foods and then back to "Normal". So far I've lost 13 pounds which puts me at 25 pounds less than I weighed in January. I patted myself on the back this morning as I pondered this fact. True, it didn't come off as fast as it does for some people, but 25 pounds less is 25 pounds less to carry around all the time. GOOD FOR ME!!! :)

Well, I need to drain the beans; put them in the freezer; and make a new batch. There are also tomato plants to set out; the door frame to be painted; and plans made for our trip to Bismarck tomorrow. Up there I MUST find myself a dress to wear to the graduation. At least now we know that it should be in the yellow family. You can see Cora's blog for details on this if you're interested in knowing how we decided on yellow. Here's the link:
http://maidenhouseofgod.blogspot.com/

Oh yes, I almost forgot. We received an invitation in the mail today to a wedding in Fargo in July. The bride is Cora's life-long friend, Kjersti Braun. As we walked in from the mailbox, Cora and I were dreaming about being able to attend. We reasoned that, being we didn't get to go to Whitney's wedding, maybe the guys would do chores so that we can go to Kjersti's. :) We'll have to talk about that NEXT WEEK!

Until tomorrow,

Dawn

Master Cleanse 2-Day 15

IT'S THE LAST DAY OF THE FULL CLEANSE!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow I will start the 3 day process of coming out of it. Actually I've been a little discouraged this morning. I only lost 13 pounds instead of the 20 I had hoped for when I had such a great start. I am stronger, though, and my brain is more clear than it has been in 3 years so these are no small matters to be thankful for. Still, when I felt led to read MORNING AND EVENING, as I sipped my lemonade for breakfast, I knew that the Lord had something special planned for me. I JUST LOVE THAT BOOK!!! I plan to read it twice a day but hardly ever manage to do it. At times when the Lord says, "READ" then I know it is EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN NEEDING!!! This is what it said for this morning. The passage is Genesis 1:5. The evening and the morning were the first day.

Was it so even in the beginning? Did light and darkness divide the realm of time in the first day? Then little wonder is it if I have also changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in my soul concerns, I must expect at seasons to mourn the absence of my former joys, and seek my Beloved in the night. Nor am I alone in this, for all the Lord's beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of judgement and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural creation till we reach the land of which it is written, "There is no night there." What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.
What then, my soul, is it best for thee to do? Learn first TO BE CONTENT with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study next, to make the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset, sing of it, and glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour fourth thy notes at all hours. Believe the THE NIGHT IS AS USEFUL AS THE DAY. The dews of grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. CONTINUE THY SERVICE under all changes. If in the day they watchword be LABOR, at night exchange it for WATCH. Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling as the Lord's servant until He shall suddenly appear in His glory. My soul, thine evening of old age and death is drawing near, dread it not, for it is part of the day; and the Lord also said, "I will cover him all the day long.

Now I must go and drive tractor all day. Maybe Cora will get a picture of me leaving the yard that I can post tomorrow. This is my duty today although it is not my favorite thing to do. I would much rather be transplanting my plants into the garden; or editing the puppet skit for the graduation; or even finishing my thank yous for mom's funeral--maybe even butchering chickens. It usually makes my neck hurt but this is my duty and my carriage awaits, as Robert usually says when he pulls the tractor up in front of the house for me to take out to the field.

We would all appreciate your prayers for our family this week as we prepare for Andrew's graduation day in 6 days. How can it be that my little boy is now a man? This, too, I must learn to accept. Stacey prayed so powerfully this morning, when she called, so I take comfort in knowing that God will answer all prayers on our behalf and give us strength for this VERY BUSY WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My life-long favorite verse comes to mind now and I close with it. It's found in 1 Corinthians 10:13. "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God has ALWAYS made a way for me to escape yeilding to the temptation of self-pity and bitterness of heart. I am confident that He will do so again TODAY!!!!!!!!

Master Cleanse 2--Day 14

Well, this is day 14 and so far so good. Last night I was very glad that nobody wanted any popcorn. We have a tradition here that I make tons of popcorn on Saturday night and the children put all kinds of toppings on it. Then we sit down and watch an old rerun of Bonanza while we enjoy our smorgasbord of popcorn delights. I'm not sure why nobody brought up popcorn last night--maybe they were just trying to be kind to me. Cora said this morning, when I told her that this was day 14, "OH GOOD." I asked her why and she said that it's hard for her when I'm on the cleanse because she needs my opinion on what to cook and food is what I'm avoiding right now. She wants to be kind and not bring it up but we've planned our menus together for years. I was glad that she shared this with me so that I can make others award of this--when you are on the cleanse it will affect your whole family.


Now there are good affects. I feel so much stronger and have so much less pain in my neck and shoulders than before the cleanse. It seems that each cleanse must go deeper into the old garbage and cleanse at a deeper level. My thinking is so much more precise too which really comes in handy with the graduation a WEEK AWAY!!!


The weight loss seems to be stalled, so I've been praying about that. Knowing that weight gain is tied to stress (see THE CORTISOL FACTOR), I'm wondering if all of our men catching this bug has stressed me more than I thought it was. That, plus mom's death last month; the shoot; and the graduation coming up may have all caused my cortisol levels to rise more than usual. Apparently the extra stress has affected our men-folk too as they are having a much harder time than usual shaking this cough. :)


Anyway, today I made yogurt and cheese with the nice supply of goat's milk that we've been enjoying since most of our goats recently kidded. I also worked on laundry as the breeze was just great! Keeping the geese in their new pen was another project. I didn't ever find them swimming but when I do, I'll post a picture of them.

It was such a lovely day and Cora and Andrew finished with mowing and trimming up the yard across the road. We still call this "Glady's place" for the widow lady who owned the farm before us. Her son lived in this house and, when they moved to Minneapolis, they sold her modular home that she lived in over there. Some day I'd like to have a health center in that location. This has been a dream of mine every since '06 when I was so blessed to have a place to go when on my deathbed. I want to give the ill a place to go where they can have have the best alternative health care available complete with our organic beef, grains, milk, and vegetables. I will never be able to repay Paulette for all that she did for me those 18 days I lay there at her center in the Turtle Mountains. Somehow I feel that, by offering others such a place, I will be able to pass on the blessing that she gave to me during those long, weary hours. Thanks again, Paulette.

Now I just finished a BodyTalk session on a client; family prayers have been said; and I'm planning on giving Robert a session too. We have GOT to get rid of this cough BY SUNDAY so that we can sing our best for the Lord at the graduation. PLEASE PRAY FOR THE LORD TO HEAL US COMPLETELY BY THEN!!! If we could only find a way to eliminate stress from our lives, we'd probably never get sick. Oh by the way, so far I'm doing great in fighting off this dastardly bug so that is a BIG plus for the Master Cleanse. PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!

NEWS BULLETIN!!!

Well, what do you think of this? When I weighed myself this morning I was 10 pounds lighter than I was 9 days ago! YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This means that I am 22 pounds lighter than I was in January when I began Master Cleanse 1. I had lost 14 pounds that time but must have gained 2 back in the months between so it's good to have them gone. Now just 11 more to go until June 7th. Please keep me in your prayers.
Later

Day 8

I'm half way through!!!!! I'm going to stay on the Master Cleanse 15 days so that makes day 8 the half way point. Today I was a little bit weak around 4:00. I guess it's probably my fault as I just was NOT hungry at all and so I didn't drink as much lemonade as you're supposed to. After I guzzled some down, I felt better.

One thing that I want to share is the need for drinking water immediately after each glassful of lemonade. The first time through I didn't do this and about now in the process my throat was burnt. So this time I've been drinking water each time that I have some lemonade and my throat hasn't hurt at all.

The boys are getting excited to head up for the shoot at Chris's place this weekend. They're working on the Coleman lantern right now. If anyone would like to ride with them, let us know. There's still time to decide to learn how to defend our country, if necessary, in the future. The shoot isn't full yet so PLEASE prayerfully consider joining the men and boys as they sharpen their understanding of how and why we need to prepare. Here's the link for more information: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/

Years ago our friend, Tim Keyes, gave us this lantern but we've never gotten a chance to use it. Whey you milk cows, you don't go many place overnight. The boys are thinking it will be sooo cool to go to a place without electricity for 2 days. We'll see what they think of it afterwards. :) Anyway, here they are getting the lantern ready to go. Thanks Tim for your generosity. Oh yes, I should add that they learned how to light it safely by Goggling, "How to light a Coleman lantern." Is there anything Mr. Goggle doesn't know? :)



Kind of like staring into a campfire--they're gone.



Well Todd is here for his pet food so I need to close for now.

Blessings,

Dawn

PS. We got 40 hundredths of rain over night so we're remaining hopeful for a crop this year!!!

MC2-Days 5, 6, & 7

This came as an email forward from organic farming friends last night. We watched it over and over until our hearts were as light as theirs. I thought that I'd add it here to lighten this very imperfect blog post. This is what was said about it on YouTube. "An old couple walked into the lobby of the Mayo Clinic and spotted a piano. They've been married for 62 years and he'll be 90 this year." I feel that this is a perfect example of the thought pattern that I am trying to establish in my mind--that old age is simply a matter of attitude.

Mrs. Perfectionist is feeling pressure here because I didn't keep my word to myself to write every day of the Master Cleanse, like I did last time. I tell you this perfectionism thing is a pain in the neck--literally it causes my neck more pain when I INSIST THAT EVERYTHING BE PERFECT. I think I got some life-changing help, though, on Friday when my neighbor lady, Tamera, came to visit & to pick up Olivia's birthday cake. Cora has posted pictures on her blog of our visit if you'd like to see them (sorry Tamera--maybe the comparison will come next time.)

On Friday I was sharing with Tamera that I noticed lately that I seem to be so obsessed with little things. She, being a true friend and also a medical doctor, told me that she noticed that about me a loooooong time ago. She defined it for me as obsessive compulsive disorder. There, now I feel better that I know the name of it. She also told me that she has seen it disappearing as I get better AND that the fact that I became aware of it recently is a good sign. Usually people are totally unaware of these things when they need them for a crutch. As a person gets well, they can gradually let go of their crutches and just be happy being themselves--THAT IS THE GOAL!!!!!!!

I was telling Tamera that earlier in the week we had had pizza for supper. There were 3 pieces of pizza left on the pan when everyone was full. Two were facing one way and the other was at a very odd angle to them. In my mind I could see that everything would be just "Perfect" if SOMEBODY would slide that 3 piece of pizza into the other 2 so that they would fit together nicely on the pan.

I was getting stressed about this. Why couldn't anyone else see that the piece of pizza needed to be slid into it's "Proper" spot? That night I had finally laughed at myself and explained to my family that I couldn't have peace until the pizza pieces were all lined up correctly. You should have seen the looks I got

Tamera explained to me that the best thing for me to do, now that I can see this as "ODD", is to just go ahead and "Fix the problem" right away. She explained that if I had just slid the pizza piece in it's "Proper" spot as soon as it bugged me, I would have been able to lower my tension level immediately. I wouldn't have had to drag my family into my "Plight" at all and tensions would never have mounted. WOW. Thank you, Tamera, for helping me to see myself more clearly here!!

Since then, I've straightened out my bedspread even though my family was waiting for me to go to Eureka. By doing it right away, it no longer had the power over me to whisper all day, "I'm wrinkled--you're a poor housekeeper." WOW--that was a major de-stressing victory for me yesterday when I had enough stress to deal with just going to the graduation and my brother's house for the reception.

So Friday we cleaned the house; made the feast; visited with the neighbors; and I resolved not to be so PERFECT that it KILLS me if everything in the world ISN'T perfect. That resolution came in handy when we were in Eureka.

First I should say that we most likely would not have gone to my nephew Dylan's graduation in Eureka if my mom hadn't died. I knew that I needed to go and check on dad so we headed down there--it's an 80 mile drive. Andrew was excited to go pick up his new dirt bike that Uncle Ronald brought down from Fargo for him. It helped to have him along--at least somebody was excited about going to Eureka.

Anyway, it was a typical graduation except that they had it out by the lake. It really was a gorgeous setting and the weather was perfect. We got to sit by our home school friends, Donald and Roxanne and their 2 children. I was glad that we were sitting by them when the valedictorian very crudely snubbed home schooled students. We were all shocked!! Apparently the home schoolers keep beating their team at the state level in the brains' division. She thought it a good time to vent her anger about that and neither the Gills nor us were impressed. Robert did say on the way home that we should take it as a complement that the school system HAS noticed home schooling as an effective form of education.

The cool part is that Dylan included me in the list of ladies he honored with a rose. I was pretty surprised but pleasantly so. Also I was so happy that the Lord provided a nice tray of fresh fruit at Duard and Sharel's house. I was dreading going to the reception as it feels plenty silly not eating with my family here at home, but going to a party and not eating would seem "Ungrateful." With things not being good between our 2 families for decades I just did not want to make a scene by not eating. Having to say something like, "I'm on the master cleanse and am not eating anything for 15 days didn't seem like much comfort either." So, when I saw all of the wonderful fresh fruit, I delighted myself. This IS allowed under the phrase in the MC book, "If you simply MUST eat something, eat fruit." I just don't want to get in that habit because I WANT TO STAY TRUE TO THE PLAN AND LOOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT AS I POSSIBLY CAN." Any time a person on the cleanse eats, it slows down the detoxifying process and that is not the goal.

Speaking of this, I should say that yesterday morning I decided to weigh myself and found that I'd lost another 3 pounds in those 2 days. So far then, I've lost 9 pounds in 6 days. I decided to pat myself on the back when I was telling Robert about it and he chuckled. Knowing that the cleanse is working made it easier to sit and watch my family eat their fruit, chips, sandwiches, taco salad, and cake. TACO SALAD TOO--I LOVE THAT STUFF!!!

Well, today is 2 weeks until Andrew's graduation and I want to be the best that I can possibly be, so I press on. I didn't weigh this morning because I don't want to know if the fruit changed anything. How's that for denial? Truthfully, it takes a lot of prayer to prepare food for my family and know that I will have my lemonade for that meal while they enjoy the results of my labor. Friday night feast was the worst but maybe this week I'll have some fruit. :)

Well, we're going to plant the rest of the garden this afternoon; Spring clean the whole house; and take a nice leisurely nap so I'd better close. Then I wonder why I get stressed when I set such unrealistic goals for myself. OH GOD, HELP ME TO FIND THE BALANCE THAT WILL BRING ME TO TOTAL WELLNESS.

Thanks for your prayers and support as I continue on my journey towards wholeness and balance. If others have ideas to share about keeping positive along the way, please let me know.

Love to all,

Dawn

MC2-Day 4

Today was the worst day yet. I was achy, grouchy, tired, and anxious. Still, we got the newly-planted grass covered with a layer of straw; another area planted and covered; my winter clothes put away; and 2 chores finished. Every good thing is worth working for. Please pray for me. Now Robert is ready for his haircut.

The work is never finished on a dairy farm and there is no such thing as a day off. The milking MUST be done twice a day no matter what the weather is and no matter what you are feeling like. I have had to learn to take little siestas wherever I can in order to keep myself going. Sometimes it's a soak in the whirlpool; sometimes a piano duet with Cora; sometimes writing on my blog; often it's doing cortices; and most of the time it's talking to my Heavenly Father who never gets a break either.

I wish that I had known, early in my marriage, that it's important for me to nurture myself in these little ways throughout the day. I thought that I was more "Christian" if I just gave myself away and never expected anything in return. That's the kind of thinking that landed me in bed for months with shingles on my brain. That's not the answer either. I have come to see that true health only comes from achieving balance between serving the Lord; serving others; and meeting my needs. The order of priority here changes from day to day, or from hour to hour, but I have come to see that I MUST make my needs a priority somewhere in the midst of the busyness of EVERY DAY!!!

I have come to appreciate the Reiki principals, which I recite to myself every day. Reiki is the laying on of hands, as spoken of in the Bible, where God's power flows through the person to bless others. I've added a few words to the last one as a reminder of my need to value myself. This is how they go.

Just for today, I will be thankful for my many blessings.

Just for today, I will not worry.

Just for today, I will not be angry.

Just for today, I will do my work honestly.

Just for today, I will be kind to my neighbor and every living thing,

(This is where I add) and to myself.

It's amazing how these simple thoughts have guided my thinking in the past half a year. You see, I used to think that I had to change my whole life before I would be acceptable to God and to myself. I'd give up in despair because how can anyone change their whole life in just one day? Now I see that I only need to be in control of myself ONE DAY AT A TIME!!! Taking control of every day, one day at a time, IS changing the rest of my life. Thinking this way has removed the burden of "Tomorrow." It isn't resting on me today making the burden impossible--all I have to do is live today well and then tomorrow will be well too! :)

This reminds me of another treasure I have to share. These words hang on a plaque in my bathroom and have blessed me immeasurably too. It says, "Today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope."

We only have today to live well so let's pick ourselves up; dust ourselves off; and get up in the saddle again dear friends. HAPPY TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought that I'd mention that we reached 50 on the head count for Andrew's graduation today. Please keep the RSVPs coming as I plan to order the food next week.

Master Cleanse 2-Day 3 summary

Day 3 didn't go as well as day 2 did for me. We learned that organic friends of ours lost their 13 year old son, Jacob, in a 4 wheeler accident. Their Jacob was friends with our Jacob, so it was hard here. Stress like this makes my pain worse. Usually stress likes this makes me EAT too. I really was tempted last night when all-beef fry sausage and potatoes cooked with it was on the menu--this is one of my favorite meals. I thought of the graduation coming up, though, and hung firm. I couldn't watch my family eat this, so I kept picking rocks in the playground where we just planted the grass. Then Ben Dagley came for organic feed for his broilers. He brought me some plants for my garden so that was really nice and took my mind off of eating.
After chores last night, Robert and I soaked in the whirlpool so that took the bight off of the pain and I slept well. This morning I decided to step on the scale. WAS I EVER SHOCKED. I lost 14 pounds over the 15 days that I did MC 1, so I wasn't expecting much. Here in 3 days time I already lost 6 pounds!!! How's that for a reward for passing on fry sausage and potatoes? I am REALLY fired up to keep going now. Is there anyone out there who would like to join me for a day or 2?

Master Cleans 2--Day 2

I didn't get to post last night and have wanted to write a little about yesterday, so here goes.
Day 2 on the MC this time was very different than the first time. I can recall that last time the first 3 days were TERRIBLE--lots of aches and pains. The pain was so bad on those days that I had to soak in the whirlpool during the daytime. I LOVE soaking in the whirlpool at night, at the end of a busy day when my neck and shoulders hurt the worst. Usually if I soak during the day, though, I feel so lazy that my internal stress overcomes the benefits from the whirlpool. Still, when the pain is terrible, I soak during the day.
This time there was hardly any pain at all. I think it's because this time I am doing the Core exercises that strengthen the mid-section. On days that I don't do the core program I hurt a LOT more than other days so dah, do the exercises. It takes all of 15 minutes.
So today I am going to share about Peggy Brill PT, which stands for physical therapist. She designed this exercise program for women that REALLY works no matter how out of shape a person is. I ought to know. Being laid up for 1 year and a half did not do my body any good. I gained 30 pounds and couldn't lift or carry anything without extreme pain so I didn't have much hope of getting back in shape. These exercises are so easy to do that anyone can learn and do them AND they require very little time. The payoffs are great--less joint pain, less shoulder pain, less neck pain, less hip pain. You get the picture.
In Peggy's book, THE CORE PROGRAM, she explains why each exercise is useful for strengthening saggy muscles. There is even one where you stick your tongue out--REALLY--and it's GOOD FOR YOU!!!
I encourage anyone who wants to start a simple exercise program to get Peggy's book. She was 4 1/2 months pregnant in the pictures and I would salivate to have her waistline. Peggy says that exercise is the way to keep old age at bay. I suppose that's why Cora and I redecorated my blog this morning--because I finally have hope of recovering the years the shingles stole from me. Through Peggy I have come to see that exercise really is a good thing and it really is possible to start at any age or physical state. She says that she has women in their 80s doing the Core program every day. I'm sold, ladies, and I encourage you to go to Peggy's website to check out the details of how she is helping women all around the country to reverse the "Inevitable" affects of aging. COOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL. Here's the website link:http://www.brillpt.com/
I'll write about day 3 tonight--at least that's the plan. I want to share with you the best place to buy the organic Grade B maple syrup. We shopped around last cleanse and found this really great buy on it. A person has to save every place we can.
Just a note to say that my dad is doing much better. Thanks for all of your prayers for him and us.

BIG DAY

Well, today is the big day that I have been waiting for these past 3 months and preparing for these past 3 days. It's the day I start the Master Cleanse for the second time. I am excited that enough time has lapsed (2 months) for me to be able to go on the cleanse again. I know that this probably sounds really weird to most people, but when a person has been on the brink of death it is a joy to know that there is something to do about poor health which is so simple and cost effective. All you have to do is drink this lemonade all day; drink TONS of water; and use laxative herbs to get the body to start cleansing. During the first 3 days last time I had some aches and pains, but today I've felt great so far. It is a blessing to know that the whirlpool is available if I start to REALLY hurt!

A little book I have called CLEANSING OR SURGERY explains on page 52 the main benefits of following the Master Cleanse (MC) which they call the lemonade diet. The main purposes that people go on the MC for are: to dissolve and eliminate toxins and congestion that have formed in ANY part of the body; to cleanse the kidneys and digestive system; to purify the glands and cells throughout the entire body;to eliminate all unusable waste and hardened material in the joints and muscles;to relieve pressure and irritation in the nerves, arteries, and blood vessels; to build a healthy bloodstream; to keep youth and elasticity regardless of our years. WOW--I want every one of those benefits!!!!! To think that I have to do it only once and get ALL of them is a true marvel.

Under the section called WHEN TO USE IT I read: when sickness has developed--for all acute and chronic conditions; when the digestive system needs a rest and a cleansing; when overweight has become a problem; when better assimilation and building of body tissue is needed.

AND HOW OFTEN? Follow the diet for a minimum of 10 days or more--up to 40 days and beyond may be safely used for extremely serious cases. The Diet has all the nutrition needed during this time. 3 to 4 times a year will do wonders for keeping the body in a normal healthy condition. The diet may be undertaken more frequently for serious conditions.

HOW TO MAKE IT.

2 Tbsps lemon or lime juice (app. 1/2 lemon)

2 Tbsps genuine maple syrup (not maple flavored sugar syrup) This must be Grade B as it has the nutrients left in.

1/10th teaspoon cayenne red pepper or to taste. If you get the REALLY hot stuff this is enough--otherwise I'd add more.

water--medium hot.

Combine the juice, maple syrup, and cayenne pepper in a 10 once glass and fill with medium hot water. (Cold may be used if preferred).



For a pitcher (I drink a pitcher every day) I use my blender to make it. Add the water and 1 large lemon or 1 1/2 medium sized lemon. Add 3/4 cup pure maple syrup; i8 cups of water; and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Again use more if your cayenne isn't VERY hot.



I am STRONGLY urging you to consider joining me for 1 day as I go on this journey. You will feel so invigorated and think so clearly that you will understand why I am soooooo thankful that the Lord led me to the Master Cleanse. Also, don't just take my word for it, check out the website here:http://mastercleansesecrets.com/. Many, many people are taking charge of their health in this way. I am praying that the Lord will stir up any readers to join me so I can share in your joy in a special way.

Another reason that this is a big day for me has to do with my exercise program. I've been doing the Core program for several months now. It's the kind of program that people who can do who are in pretty rough physical shape. Well, there are 3 levels which you stay on for 3 weeks each. I just finished the second level so today I get to start the advanced Core program. WOW--I never thought that I'd ever be excited about exercising but it firms so quickly that it keeps me coming back for more.

I told Robert the other day that I want to be as beautiful as possible by Andrew's graduation, which is now 3 weeks away. He said to me, "You know what Dawn? If you weigh 125 pounds and are a grump, you will not be as beautiful as if you weigh 180 pounds and have on your gorgeous smile." Now there's something to ponder. :)

Breathing

Good morning,
Earlier this week I mentioned that I am going to go on the Master Cleanse again for 15 days. I would REALLY like everyone to consider joining me on this journey. It would be so awesome to know that people were giving the master cleanse a chance to work it's miracles in their own bodies as I'm experiencing them in mine. A person could do it for only 1 day and experience cleansing. I would encourage you to do it for at least 3 days to begin with. Many people have had their health restored to them as a result of doing the Master Cleanse. I gained so much strength the first time around that I am eager to go on it again. I'll probably have to do it 4 or 5 times to have the kind of health that I have always dreamed of having, but so what. Now I know that it IS possible, through the cleanse and BodyTalk, to regain what has been lost over the decades. PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER JOINING ME ON THIS CLEANSE. Even if all you do is pray about it, you will be that much closer to doing it yourself. Maybe you'll be ready to join me in a few months when I do the cleanse again.
Anyway, I went to the Master Cleanse blog just now, which I have listed on my sidebar, and found something really interesting. I have had experience with a similar breathing technique. It was the third time that I was going into shock and Robert was urging me not to use the epipen if I didn't have to. That time I again took cayenne pepper tincture. I prayed for a way then to not have to use the epipen and I felt the Lord urging me to use this breathing technique that I had learned in the Core program (which I use for exercising). Well, it worked!!!!! By concentrating on my breathing, after I took the cayenne, I was able to stop the convulsions!!!!!!! I've gone into shock several times since then and each time I've been able to stop it with cayenne; the same breathing technique; and BT. So I know that breathing properly is very important.
This morning I was praying for strength to begin the cleanse again--the hardest part is getting going. So I went to Raylen's blog and found that he had posted a video of a man talking about the way breathing techniques can transform our anxious states into peaceful ones. I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS!! If I had known this when I was sinking into the despair of shingles on my brain, who knows what agonies I could have been spared?
So here is the video on this breathing technique. I'll take some time to check out the sight Raylen took it from to see if I recommend it. It's just so amazing to me that God is bringing me all of these natural ways to deal with my health. Who would think that breathing could make that much difference?
Happy pondering,
Dawn

Master Cleanse Time Again

Is there anyone out there who would like to join me as I go on the Master Cleanse again? I'm planning on starting next week but a person needs to lead up to it for a few days. I felt massive improvements in my health last time and I want to press on towards my goal of total wellness. A person could join me for a day; 3 days; a week; 10 days; or all the way through to 15 days. Many people do it the first time for 3 days, but even a day is great. I'm doing it today as I am concerned about my health with all of the stress and all of the food I've been eating as a result of Mom's death.
It would be neat to have some companionship along the way. The cost is very minimal--certainly less than the cost of the food you'd be eating otherwise. The benefits are great. If you feel the Lord urging you to join me, please see the links to the Master Cleanse website and the Master Cleanse blog listed on the sidebar. May God bless each of you as you ponder this decision.
I'm heading out to plant the potatoes with Cora and Jacob. Last winter I thought that Spring would never come and now it is here. :) Robert put 2 loads of manure on the garden yesterday , after Cora and Jacob cleared it off, so it's ready to go--what a treat that was to come home to. I'll try to get some pictures.
Love to all,
Dawn