Forver young

Guess who is focusing on being forever young today?  Yes, it IS my birthday but I am feeling so much younger having peeled off many of the layers that kept me bogged down in the past.

They had a party for me yesterday, seeing as Cora is working at the nursing home today, and the guys have much work that needs doing in the shop.  It was a lovely day for me, as it was the Sabbath, and we were all lazy together. 

In the morning, we showered and had our church.  We watched the 5th of a series on Preterism and it answered even more of the remaining questions that we had about the second coming of Christ to the Earth.  Our hymn sing was mostly Christmas songs so that was nice.  Even though we no longer observe Christmas in the ways that the world does, I still love the songs about Christ coming to Earth to be our Savior. 

After lunch, Cora directed me to the living room where I saw a pile of birthday presents waiting to be opened.  The first one was a bottle of wasabi paste to heat up my life--now THAT was a surprise.  Then Jacob gave me a cute little flashlight for my purse to light up my life.  It had 2 Samuel 22:29 inscribed which reads, "The Lord turns my darkness into light."  AMEN

Next there were 2 packages from Cora which proved to be enough snowmen place mats for us all plus a snowman table runner.  I was so excited as you can see in this photo.  ;)

Cora also gave me a set of lovely cutting boards.  Ours are in terrible shape and these are so lovely.  Has anyone seen cutting boards with pictures?  These gave me hope that Winter won't last forever. 

That's my exercise ball but everyone likes to use it for a chair, stool, or coffee table.  These 2 have always been very close which brings me great joy!  Perhaps you can see that large teddy bear near Cora and Andrew? 

Well, one year when they were very small and we were nearly penniless, God had me win him in the drawing in Bismarck.  We named him Trevor and that was the biggest present these 2 had ever seen.  Trevor has been leaned on; layed on; stepped on...... for 20 years and he was very dirty.  He's been in my closet for a few years now but last week I decided to see if I could get him cleaned up.  I was so pleased to see the improvement and he's back in the living room again.  Everyone is so glad to have him back with us again.

Here Jacob is bracing himself for the hug that I gave him.  He gave me the cutest kitchen timer in the world.  There's a pasture and barn on the base and this sweet Holstein on the top which you turn to set the clock.  There are even some daisies in the grass and a butter churn beside the cow.  It is SOOOO cute!

I received a variety of awesome DVDs for our family entertainment.  Because we all love THE GIFT OF THE MAGI, it came in a collection of 5 of O.Henry's short stories.

Last year we met Mrs. Miracle in the first Mrs. Miracle story and yesterday I received the second one.  Although I liked the actors better in the first one, this one touched on the plight of military families which was just awesome.  Mrs. Miracle seemed a little more pushy in this episode but then, I'm starting to realize, sometimes love DOES need a little push to get the ball rolling. 

 I received this lovely card from my mother-in-law on Friday when we were up in Mandan celebrating with them.  You can tell that my primary love language is WORDS OF AFFIRMATION as this card is worth tons more than the crisp $20 bill that was included.  Isn't it beautiful?

On the outside it reads, "Just for you, Daughter-in-law on your birthday and always."
On the inside it reads, "Having a daughter-in-law like you makes life a lot easier.  Thanks for being there so often, so willingly, so lovingly. Thanks for being you.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"  These words mean a lot to me today as I once again grieve an absent father.

 My children are incredible though.  I had been thinking of buying a skull and/or a skeleton.  In classes, the instructor often holds up the skull or the skeleton to point out which bone we're dealing with. 

Cora and Jacob gave me this set of 4 "Puzzles" to put together and then share with my clients.  So many times I have wished that I had a visual to show where in the body we're workings.  Now I do!!!

 This is a picture of Robert and Cora.  He must have been camera shy yesterday.

Today has been a wonderful day too although I didn't sleep in.  I got up planning to start my birthday with a BodyTalk session for myself.  I've been meaning to do this ever since I got home from Calgary and "Just haven't had the time."  TODAY IS THE DAY!  I still haven't done it yet, though, as there was a kitchen to clean up and lots of other things to do to return the house to normal after our wild and crazy party here yesterday.  ;)  It IS next on my agenda though.

Anyway, my day started with a phone call from my precious sister-in-the-Lord and heroine, Elizabeth Hanson.  She called to wish my a happy birthday which totally made my day.  Later in the morning I had a phone call from Robert's aunt who has been close to us since we lived in Bismarck.  She wished us all a Merry Christmas and me a happy birthday.  Then my brother, Russell, called for the same reason.  We talked almost an hour and it was so wonderful to have at least one family member who cares about me.  He really does and it means so much to me!

Then we had lunch; Cora went to work after we played a few piano duets; the guys headed out to the shop; and I am writing to all of you.  I must share with you about John now.  I met John in AnimaltalkMissoula this Summer and at Module 9 in Calgary a few weeks ago again.  In fact, John also wished me a happy birthday in an email this morning.  I checked my emails on my iPod first thing and found a birthday greeting from this new friend.

You know how Russell is my biological brother?  Well, I have brothers in the Lord too and they're just awesome.  Well, John is a BodyTalk brother--in other words, we speak the same language.  It is soooo nice to be able to talk to a man about family matrixes or cellular repair or active memories.............  We don't have any men BodyTalkers in North Dakota and I praise God that He gave me John as BodyTalk brother.  Actually I praise God for EVERYONE that He brings into my life and that includes YOU!

Well, it's my birthday and I'll do what I want to (how selfish, but then it only comes once a year) so I'm off to give myself that long awaited BodyTalk session.  Then I think I'll take a long soak in the whirlpool with the newly painted walls; fix us up some supper; and settle in with the guys to watch Irving Belin's WHITE CHRISTMAS which I also received for my birthday.  Oh, I forgot to say that the other movie I received for my birthday was FRIENDLY PERSUASION which was just awesome about a Quaker family.  What does thou think of this?

I WISH THEE A MERRY CHRISTMAS................

Dawn

My son, Andrew, is officially a man

*This is a reminder to register for the free BodyTalk session by the 19th by placing a comment on the giveaway post.

I can recall, like yesterday, when Andrew Robert Bornemann was born.  He came into the world at 10:54 AM on November 12, 1990 at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota. 

 It was a pretty traumatic experience for me as I had a hostile nurse.  My doctor had written in his notes that I had gone through one birth without any anesthesia so he was willing to give it a try a second time.  The nurse had another idea and she insisted that I have an IV.  I insisted that I would not have one.  She insisted more firmly and Robert said that she needed to call our doctor if she wouldn't take our word for it.

A few moments later, the nurse came in again, and started huffing around the room.  She started slamming my name labels on all of the items that I would be needing while in the hospital and I do mean SLAMMING.  What a spoiled brat she was--GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Anyway, we got through it and I can recall clearly pulling Robert's head next to mine and yelling at him, "WE GOT OUR BOY!"  The doctor laughed as he continued his examination of our newborn.  It seems hard to believe that this all occurred 21 years ago as I recall it all so vividly.

Well, last Sabbath we celebrated both of our sons births as Jacob's is on the 5th and Andrew's is on the 12th.  It was just our family, plus Jerome who is like part of the family, and we had a grand day.  We actually did cut the cake after the feast on Friday night as it was plenty big for just us.  Here are my birthday boys on Friday.  Can you believe that I did not have one single piece of their cake as I am determined to avoid starches.

Here is a picture of their father taken during the party.  Since I'm blogging, he's a little bit camera shy.  That is my new exercise ball that the massage therapist recommended to help loosen the muscles in my right arm when I'm working. 

Robert  actually did pose for me a moment later.  Here is the proud papa of 3 incredible children PLUS many others up in Heaven.

Leave it to Robert to know what Andrew would LOVE.  This is a magnetic tray that can stick to anything metal.  You can put screws, nuts, and bolts etc in it so that you don't lose them while you're working.  WHAT AN AWESOME IDEA!

Cora is our movie giver.  I don't know where she finds them all, but she certainly broadens our horizons.  We watched one last night called, FOLLOW THE RIVER.  It was too scary for me but I do realize that movies must have some suspense or people will get bored.

Jacob loves hot chocolate so I got him a big variety box of unheard of blends.

Andrew just HAD to have a case of root beer for his 21st.  He has never had any desire to drink alcohol but he sure does love a good root beer once in awhile.  Isn't he a handsome young man?

Here we are--the proud parents of that handsome young man.  Robert is such a goof at times.

Jacob got Andrew good.  He put Andrew's gift in one of these little boxes but which one is THE box?

After digging awhile, Andrew found this cute little package from his younger brother.

Can you guess what was inside of it?  You are looking at the proud owner of a lighted hockey puck.  We've been talking for years of building a hockey rink around the farm here and it looks as though this is the year for it.  Now we'll be able to play in the dark too!!!

Robert and I gave the boys new Bibles.  We had bought them King James Versions over a decade ago and they were falling apart--literally.  I prayed a lot about which kind to get and was very happy with my choice when Jacob and I checked it out.  It's called THE EVIDENCE BIBLE:  Irrefutable evidence for the thinking mind.  There are many tools included to help my boys lead people to Christ.  What could be a finer gift for any birthday?

Cora followed our lead and bought both of the boys new Bible covers to protect them.  Their old ones were cute about 10 years ago but not too manly.  Now, that problem has been rectified and Jacob no longer carries around a big frog with FULLY RELY ON GOD emblazoned on the front.  How do like this one?

Andrew's old Bible cover was a cute dog with floppy ears and the words, DEPEND ON GOD, on it.  Here is Andrew's new version compliments of his sister.

Cora and Jerome were enjoying the gift opening too.  Like I said, Jerome is like a brother to Robert and is almost part of our family.



When Cora and I were looking through the CBD catalog, I decided to buy Andrew a tie for his 21st birthday.  I think it's nice when men were suits and ties, at least for funerals, and I wanted to make sure that Andrew would have a good reminder of God's love every time that he wears his.

The verse on his tie is Isaiah 40:31:But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.  What an incredible promise this is to us to stay calm no matter what life throws at us. AMEN?

Cora and I also gave Andrew the expansion to the birthday game that we gave him last year--Agricola.  You can see that Andrew is delighted as his incredible mind continually seeks harder and harder games.  Goodness, I can't imagine how they can possibly make these games any more complex but he just loves it.

The group decided not to dig into Andrew's new game, though, and ended up playing Jacob's new birthday game which is called AUTOMOBILE.  This, too, is a complex game and IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT, I won the first game and Cora the second.  HMMMMMMMMMM



Well, that's all folks.  It was a great day and now we're going to watch one of Andrew's new birthday movies. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SONS!

Love to all,

Dawn

"A day to honor freedom" giveaway

I know that many people are spending time honoring our veterans today.  This is such an important thing to do seeing as these folks have placed their lives in danger so that we can continue enjoying our freedoms, and way of life, here in this great country.  May God bless each service person who is doing so today and may He bring them safely back to their families ASAP! 

I am also thankful today for another type of freedom.  For now anyway, we are still free to express ourselves through our blogs.  I know that there are people tucked away in secret who are reading and listening to all that we do and say.  GOOD!  That means that every time they come to a believer's blog, they can hear the truth that God loves them and sent His son to die on the cross for them.  Even government spies are loved by God, although it seems hard to imagine at times.

This is a special day for me as it is my third blogiversary.  It hardly seems possible that 3 years ago, as I made supper for my family, Andrew set up this blog for me so that I could "Speak my mind" when I could no longer hold in my thoughts.  I can recall him saying, "You need to start a blog, Mom.  When you have something to say, you need to say it so that everyone can hear it."  So I did and, yes, I know that this is NOT a complete sentence, but sometimes fragments can say a lot. 

Yesterday I worked with a new client who is a fellow BodyTalker.  As she paid for her session, I handed her one of my cards and said, "I have a blog where I write about my life and this is the address."

She got a big smile on her face and said, "I know, I've been to your blog." 

That's all that she said but it gave me a warm feeling to know that there truly are people out there who are reading what I write and getting some measure of blessing out of it.  It was the smile that I tucked into my heart to pull out when gloom sets in.

Now, those of you who have been with me since the beginning of A RAY OF HOPE, may recall that I said, "I will give this thing a whirl and, if there seems to be someone actually reading this, then I will continue."  So I will.

In honor of 3 years of sharing here, then, I will again give away one free BodyTalk session.  If you are interested in winning this session, just leave a comment here sometime in the next week.  I'll pick the winner on the 19th and let you know who it is then.  Keep in mind, that I've had the training to do remote sessions so you do not need to be able to come to my office for the session.

Well, tomorrow we are having the boy's birthday party here.  Jacob turned 16 last Sabbath and

Andrew is turning 21 tomorrow.  The party will be much smaller than in years past but we will celebrate with as much gusto as usual--perhaps more. 

God has been faithful to help us raise our sons for Him.  At times like this, I think of our many children who are living with God now.  I wonder how old they'd be and what their names are and if they ever think of their mother who misses them still.  It is good to know that they are happy living with the King over there! 

Oh my, how I ramble sometimes.  Drop me a note if you want to qualify for the free session in honor of  my 3 years of blogging.  That's the gist of it.  Cora and Jacob both said this morning, "I'm sure that Kimberly will try to win it, Mom!"  I wonder who else will have me put their name in the hat............

Happy Sabbath to everyone.  If you're in our part of the world tomorrow, feel free to drop in for a piece of birthday cake.

A happy mother,

Dawn

A day with Andrew

I am so excited as tomorrow I will be spending the day with Andrew.  It kind of bothers me, because it will be Jacob's birthday, and I have never been away from one of my children on their birthday.  However, Jacob said that it's ok because it's for, "A good cause".

It also helps that I spent all day with Jacob yesterday in Bismarck so I feel a little bit less guilty.   I saw clients, while he studied in my other office room, and then we took care of ourselves.  He went to Dr. Faye for a cranio-sacral treatment and I went for another massage with Jessica--can she ever give a massage.  I'll share what I learned about feet and shoes from her another time--after I have some good results to share with you.
Anyway, Andrew and I are going to be spending the day in Fargo tomorrow.  The North Dakota Home School Association has been encouraging people to take the training over there to become delegates to the Republican convention in Bismarck next March. 
Our family has been pretty politically active since 2002 when we had to try to save our organic farm from Monsanto's unwanted GM wheat.  However, this will defintely be taking activism one step further.  By attending the training, we'll learn how best to influence the political process for God in the choosing of those people who run for office. 
The John Birch Society will have a training time as well.  Robert B., who is the supervisor over our state, will be speaking on the Consitution.  I guess we will get to learn more about how to get our Representatives and Senators to vote according to their oath to uphold the Consitution of our great country.
Then, for the grand finale, we will get to hear Ron Paul speak.  Andrew and I heard him in Bismarck when he was running for President last time around.  We were so encouraged to hear someone speak about morals as being a priority for the leadership of our country.  WHAT A NOVEL IDEA!!!!!
Here are the links for more information if you are feeling led to join Andrew and I tomorrow for this inspiring day.  The Campaign for Liberty people have a 4 hour delegate training, which includes lunch, that costs $15.  Then the John Birch Society will have their talk about the Consitution which is free.  Lastly, the North Dakota Policy Council is hosting the Ron Paul talk which can cost anywhere from $35 to $500 depending on how VIPish you are feeling. 
  http://www.campaignforliberty.com/usa/ND/#cal12601                              
  http://www.policynd.org/
Lastly, I want to pass on this email from the home school office.  If you are feeling the nudge to attend the trainings tomorrow, then you will want to take the time to read this as it has vital information for you to ponder.  If not, then just skip it.
It would be wonderful, if everyone who is concerned about the direction that our country is going, would take a few moments to pray for the meetings tomorrow.  The forecast doesn't sound very good, so please pray for safety on the roads as people travel to and from the meetings.  It would be even more wonderful if you could all join us over in Fargo. 
HERE'S TO FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dawn

Dear home schoolers,

It is vital toward home education freedom to get pro-home schooling candidates on the ballet, not just candidates that say that they support home schooling, because they all say that they support home schooling.

We need candidates that understand Biblical and constitutional freedom and are willing to fight for both in the context of home education as well as other areas.

Practically speaking, to get such candidates on the ballet means that home schoolers with Biblical and Constitutional convictions need to be the ones selecting the candidates.

There is a training session for you to learn how to become a delegate on November 5^th in Fargo. Please attend if you can, if you can’t, train yourself and be a delegate from your district anyhow. A few of the details are below.

Thanks for seriously considering this important political involvement! Details below…

How do you defend liberty and control government?

Become a Delegate!

How do you ensure the right people are elected to office?

How do you secure the rights of the unborn from an ever growing and powerful government which is controlled more and more by officials who don’t share your beliefs, don’t represent your values and are working against our inalienable right to life?

By voting in the November election? NO, November is too late! 

If you want your vote to have the biggest impact; if you want to actually have a part in determining your choice of candidates - you need to be involved in your legislative district and become a delegate to your party’s convention. It is the delegates that determine which candidates name gets on the ballot for the November election:

At the district level:

• The candidates for the state legislature are chosen.
• The delegates to the state convention are chosen. And it is these delegates that determine which candidates will be elected in the fall by choosing who will be on the ballot.
• Becoming a delegate usually involves nothing more than applying and singing a sign-up sheet. If more people apply to be delegates than your districts can accommodate, then there will be a vote. This where you need to be familiar with your district’s by-laws ahead of time to be sure everyone is given a fair opportunity to become a delegate.

What does a Delegate do?

A Delegate to the State Convention represents (in fact, determines) the will of the party, and carries the voice of the grass roots. The Delegate helps direct the path the party takes by deciding who will be the party's candidates in state and federal races. Delegates to the State Conventions choose the Delegates to the National Conventions where the presidential candidates are chosen. All the debates about who is the best candidate and how much support will go to each candidate are all really decided at the district level and then at the State Convention. After that, voting on Election Day is little more than as a rubber stamp for what others have already decided.

How to become a Delegate in 5 easy steps:

1. Find out what Legislative District you live in and who Chairman is for your Legislative District. 

Here is the interactive map of North Dakota’s legislative districts: http://web.apps.state.nd.us/hubexplorer/legislativedist/viewer.html

For the ND Republican Party: http://www.northdakotagop.org/about/district-chairs/

2. Attend your Districts Reorganization and Nominating Convention.

Contact the Chairman of your Legislative District. Ask them when they will be holding their Reorganization Meeting (district officers will be elected during you reorganization meeting – you must be there for this one-time meeting) and their Nominating Convention. Mark these dates on your calendar and attend. 

3. Read and understand your State Party and Legislative District by-laws.

These bylaws will determine how candidates and delegates will be chosen. You need to make sure that you have complied with those rules in order to become a Delegate.

The ND Republican Party by-laws are here: http://www.northdakotagop.org/rules-and-mode/

Your Legislative Districts will also have their own version of these by-laws. You need to get a copy of your Legislative District’s by-laws from your district chair.

4. Actively participate in your District Nominating Convention.

It cannot be emphasized enough: Attendance at these meetings is vital! There is no substitute for your attendance. There is no other opportunity to have your voice heard. Once decisions are made at the District Convention, it’s final. 

Choosing Delegates to the State Convention: It is only at your district nominating convention that delegates to the State Convention are chosen. The process for choosing Delegates depends on:

• The District's bylaws
• The number of people who attend this meeting
• The number of delegates your district is allowed
• The leadership style of the District Chairman.

5. Attend the State Convention

The State GOP state convention will be March 31 and April 1, 2012 in Bismarck at the Bismarck Convention Center. Almost all of the significant voting will occur on Saturday, March 31^st.

NOVEMBER 5^th Delegate Training

Pro-life supporters and homeschoolers, ask yourself, honestly, how much of a difference do you think you've been able to make in our state government? Do you have enough legislators who address your concerns, who support your position? How many times has your legislation been stalled, amended, killed? Do you feel like you are swimming upstream and what little progress you make comes at great cost? Do you think we have candidates who will promote and protect freedom?

The problem isn't your issue or your passion for that issue. The problem is, you are playing by the wrong rules! You are playing by the rules they taught you in High School. But the reality, politics has a whole different rule book that they want to keep hidden.  

If you want to be effective, you need to learn how to play by the real rule book. Armed with the real rule book, you can become a force for change. You can literally change the political landscape OVERNIGHT. Don't wait for 2014 or 2016. Don't work on a 4-year or 10-year plan. Make changes NOW, today. 

Come listen to special guest speaker and successful activist Jeff Greenspan, who will teach us how to bring the Republican Party back to its conservative roots and become the activists that will restore freedom.

Training will begin at 10:00am and go until 2:00pm, with a break for lunch. It will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 201 5th St. N in Fargo, right across the street from the Civic Center where the NDPC event will be held later that evening. The cost is only $15, which includes lunch and all materials. 

 Jeff knows how the political system works and what it takes to change it. He will give us some great schooling on how to be effective activists. Jeff has been an activist since 1988. He was a precinct committeeman, county delegate and state delegate in the Utah Republican Party. Jeff was a precinct committeeman, state committeeman and state delegate in the Arizona Republican Party, serving as Vice Chairman for the Maricopa County Republican Committee, the 5th largest county Republican party in America, from 2007-2009. Jeff worked for the Ron Paul 2008 presidential campaign as the southwestern United States campaign director. Since then he has been state coordinator for the Arizona Campaign for Liberty. Jeff is a political activist who has changed the direction of the GOP in Arizona.

The training will cover these topics:
     Principles of Liberty
        What We Are Up against
        Nature of Political Power
        Mechanics of Local Political Involvement 

You do not want to miss this training.

This is a great deal for anyone who wants to see North Dakota politics change. Even better, college students who take the training will receive a free ticket to the Free Market Forum with Congressman Ron Paul and conservative commentator Jack Hunter that evening.

Don’t miss the Delegate Training and the Free Market Forum on November 5th, and look for additional news regarding other events on that day.

Happiest birthday yet!

What an amazing birthday I had this year! For those of you who don't me, I will say that I turned 53 years old on December 25, 2010.

I used to hold to the principle, "A woman who will tell her age will tell ANYTHING!" Then, at age 48, I lay on my deathbed and now I praise God that He saved me from an early grave. I am HAPPY to say that I am alive and well and, as I age, I will rejoice more every year that He spared my life. Besides, age is a matter of thinking and each day I'm thinking younger and younger since I'm shedding the old self-destroying habits that made me feel old even in my 20's.

So here I am on the last day of age 52. Robert had gone to town that morning and I was pretty sure that it was, at least in part, to get me a birthday present, as this has happened before. When he got home, he was empty handed but I know better than to ask questions. When I got out of the bathroom, I was surprised to have this picture snapped of me as I entered the dining room right before lunch.....

but then I saw this in the center of the table. PRETTY AND IT SMELLS SO GOOD TOO!!!!!!!!!!!

The only sad thing about that day is that Cora had to go to work. She just couldn't find anyone to work for her on Christmas Eve--aren't you surprised? This is what our Sabbath table looked like with one place setting missing. ):

Robert had bought 3 bottles of bubbly at Sam's to celebrate my birthday. We decided to crack one open, even though Cora was at work, as there were still 2 left for my birthday. This is apple juice with FIZZ. Ask Jacob how he liked a great, big swig of this. :)

Robert breaking the seal before the feast of Sabbath.

Now this is Christmas day with our sweet Cora at home with us. I'm not sure if I've shared why we don't celebrate Christmas anymore, but we are all happy that we have a birthday in the family to celebrate instead. These are the precious people who made this my happiest birthday yet. I'm not sure why Andrew was making such a goofy face, but he makes me chuckle many a time with his comic expressions.

Here I am in my new birthday dress. I have avoided red clothing for years (a long story) but I sure felt special in it this day.

We decided that whomever gave me a gift would come and sit by me and tell me all about it. Cora bought me a new piano solo book by someone she has admired for a long time. Lorie Line arranges hymns and patriotic songs in the most lovely fashion and then plays them on the piano with such heart that it is impossible not to sigh with delight--but I'm getting ahead of myself.

Here Cora was giving me the piano solo book, THE HERITAGE COLLECTION II by Lorie Line.

It is full of WONDERFUL arrangements which, I might add, we have both enjoyed already. :) Thank you, Cora dear!

Lady was not at all interested in what was going on--she was just happy to be inside on such a cold day!

Jacob was next. When he gave me this package perfectly wrapped with a kittie on the front, I couldn't help but wonder out loud. "So Jacob, is this Mylo?"

He hesitated but said, "No." Then after I opened it he burst out laughing, "It's Clyde Bauman."

It was Mr. Bauman's brand new serious CD called PRAIRIE MEMORIES which I have been pondering buying. It is JUST WONDERFUL--such a special tribute to life in North Dakota! Thank you, Jacob!

What do you suppose he is thinking?

Yes, Andrew came next with a gift to help my office in Bismarck run more smoothly. He bought me a brand new microphone and a mini hub. After a translation from our resident TECH-SPERT, I got excited.

You see, although I've been enjoying recording my sessions on my iPod here at home, Robert
could see that it would be much more simple if I give the session report to my clients before they leave my office. Then when the session is finished, it's finished, and I don't have to think about it all the way home.

Andrew set to work to make it happen. He found a place where I can buy bulk MP3 players at a very reasonable rate. This plan is very simple if one has the equipment and now I do thanks to Andrew! God bless you, son, for bringing me up to date with technology. Although I really only enjoy it for how it blesses people's lives, if it weren't for you, I'd not even know what tools are out there to make that possible.

Once I understood Andrew's gift, I was VERY grateful. He must be getting older as he didn't even mind my motherly love and Cora got it on film.

Then Jacob came back again and, by his smirk I was almost positive that this package WAS Mylo Hatzenbuhler in CD format. YUP--I now own, I'M BIG-TIME NOW!!! Oh my, who could ever forget, "Born at the PCA," or "The Ballad of New Salem," or "In the Coop," or "Send in the Cows......" Who could ever be depressed with Mylo and Emma in this world?

After that Cora came back over to me with this very large box! I had thought it was from Robert earlier in the week when she had set out all of the birthday presents. However, when she wrote her name on it so I knew it was from her. What could she have gotten me that was THAT big, I had wondered for several days before this. What indeed!

It was 5 of Lorie Line's CDs from her heritage collection. Look how my clever daughter packaged them all. That foam strip had protected my SunSplash when it came from Dr. Mercola. All she did was cut slits into it and slid the CDs into the slits and put them in a big box. WOW!

Who is happier?

Then it was my sweetie's turn to sit in the hot spot.

In the box I found these old dishes. Jacob and I both dug through the box again and carefully inspected the stuffing for clues, but this is all there was. Three old dishes but then we found that big metal thing on the bottom of the plate and had to wonder if that wasn't part of the clue.

Cora was splitting a seam, trying not to give away the secret, when the phone rang. It was a favorite aunt who called to wish me a happy birthday. I visited with her while the boys figured it out in the living room and large sighs were heard from them. I tuned them out and enjoyed my phone call but returned to the living room VERY curious.

I don't know why but I kept thinking that the metal ring was a gasket. All of a sudden, when I picked it up, it ran through my mind that it was a washer. I looked at Robert and said, "Dishes and a washer." Then it clicked and I asked him, "A dishwasher?"

Not wishing to seem presumptuous, Jacob and I went and looked in our old dishwasher which hasn't been in working order for almost a year. Now THAT was the only unpleasant part of my birthday. YUK!

Finding nothing there, I picked up my courage and asked Robert, "Are you getting me a new dishwasher?" He smiled and said, "YES." Here are my clues....

and HERE is one happy wife!!!!!!!!!

Robert explained that he has been observing my life getting more busy as my business expands. Also Cora is working at the nursing home 3 days a week so that takes both women away from the kitchen sink.

"I don't have it picked out yet," but I want you to know that I think it's time that we get a dishwasher again." I couldn't agree more!!!

Tomorrow they will look while I'm with my clients in Bismarck so that is VERY exciting. I'm never been all that excited about comparing features so I'm going to let my men-folk do that for me. Whichever one that they pick will be just perfect!

After that I asked Cora to take some pictures of me while I was all dressed up. I've been wanting to take a new picture of myself. Since I am now a practicing member of the International BodyTalk Association (meaning that I have a BT practice working with the public), I can put my picture and story on the IBA website.

These are the photos that my daughter took of me on my 53rd birthday. Perhaps I should ask you all to share which one you would pick. Go ahead, cast your vote by leaving me a comment. I'll number them for your convenience. This is just spur of the moment but it should be fun to get every one's opinion.

#1--Me with the birthday centerpiece that Robert gave to me.

#2--Me with the most intriguing gift that I've ever received. Cora gave these to me for an office warming present. They're hand made somethings from India and I'm not sure yet what I'm going to do with them. Someone suggested buying a huge, clear bowl and putting them in (these are about half of them). Someone suggested stringing them together and hanging them on the wall. Someone suggested stringing each one individually from pretty ribbons and suspending them from the ceiling. Someone suggested putting them over a fan and blowing them in a case so that people can be entertained as they wait for their turn for a session. WHAT WILL I DO WITH THESE? HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

#3 Me in my mother's chair that I bought at dad's auction.

#4--Me in front of my piano and the book which I gave Robert for our 30th wedding anniversary called, THE STATION--A REMINDER TO CHERISH THE JOURNEY! You are all welcome to come over and read it as it is a phenomenal reminder that life is PRECIOUS!

#5--Me in front of the little Winter display that Cora made to spruce up the place.

There were many more but these were the only ones that I had considered for this post. Please feel free to let me know if you think any of these would make a good impression on my new bio page on the IBA website.

Well, that was almost all of my delights that I experienced on my birthday--almost but not quite. How can I help but cry tears of joy now as I recall the phone call that I got that morning from my brother, Russell.

I'm sure that many of you can grasp what this meant to me. For the others I will simply say that my brother has NEVER done anything to acknowledge my birthday before. Well, we had just sat down for a breakfast of nice warm oatmeal with apples cut into it--just the way I like it best. Thank you Cora!

The timing wasn't the best, but when my brother started singing, "Happy birthday to you..." I didn't mind missing my birthday breakfast, as you might imagine. We talked for about half an hour and, for the first time in my life, it didn't matter that my dad doesn't love me.

You see, Russell and I decided a while back that we would be unloved children together. Somehow it doesn't matter so much now that I'm not alone. Of course my dad did nothing for my birthday, but it didn't matter. He's emotionally retarded and one mustn't expect too much of someone like that.

My brother Russell actually called me and wished me a happy birthday and that was the start of one of the most wonderful days of my life!!!!!!! He actually told me that he loves me and there are no words to express my joy at that moment. One would have had to have been starved for brotherly love all of one's life to be able to grasp how his words touched my heart!

I am NOT alone any more! I may be alone in a lot of ways from here on out, but I am no longer alone without someone from my family of origin to truly care whether I live or not! I am speechless with delight as I leave you with that wonderful answer to prayer.

Many of you deserve thanks for your prayers that led to that moment with my brother so this post is full of my heartfelt thanks. I love you all! Thanks for being there and thanks for caring!!!!!

Truly happy,

Dawn