Home school convention

For as long as the children can remember, we've gone to the home school convention every Spring.  For about the first 10 years or so, that was the only fellowship that we had with other home schoolers.  Now we have the home school convention AND Prairie Days.  Being we have become more politically active, this too has brought us contact with other home school families.  In this picture, you can see Andrew visiting with the young man in front of his booth whom Andrew met at the Minot Appleseed Shoot, which is yet another way that we've met folks.  This young man's name is Jessie and he's a Rifleman already--which means that he is a VERY good shot. 

I told Jessie that I'm going to make it to Rifle woman some year and that maybe I'd try again at the one in Minot at the end of April.  He said that he's planning on doing some videoing for the Appleseed Program and I said that then I'll try for Rifle woman at another shoot.  Good grief, it's hard enough to be modest in dresses at a shoot without being FILMED!  He was a nice young man and that's his sister beside him.

Andrew was in charge of selling convention CDs and MP3 downloads this year.  During the slow time, when I was helping in another booth, I heard Andrew playing his banjo.  Somehow, it didn't seem out of place at all--in fact, it sounded kind of home schoolish.  ;)

Our friends, the Chris Stevens family, invited us to stay with them overnight on Friday and Saturday nights.  This saved the wear and tear that driving back and forth would have caused AND the hotel expense.  This is such a special family and I hope that all of you will get to know them as Chris serves as the North Dakota Field Coordinator for the John Birch Society.  Here Cora is with Liberty and Victoria.  How she enjoys spending time with girls!

                                      

This is Mrs. Stevens and the best cook that I have ever met!!!  I am serious, folks, you should taste her home-made pizza--FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS!!!  Thank you, Mirella, for all of the time that you put into making such wonderful food for us while we were in your home!!!  She even let me flake my own oat groats which was THE best oatmeal in the world--freshly flaked--oh my!

Here is little Pristine who truly IS very shy.  Cora told me, though, that after sitting by her for a few meals, those little legs reached out and grabbed Cora's leg several times just to make sure that Cora knew that she was loved.  ;)

Chris and Mirella (pronounced ME Rell A) also have a bright son named Titus.  He and Jacob took on each other in chess.  I was so happy for Jacob because he is forever begging someone to play chess with him.

Pristine isn't shy with her papa.  :)

On Friday night came my very favorite event of the year--the talent show.  I met this woman on Saturday and found her to be a true kindred spirit.  She also sang in the choir and has an awesome voice!

This woman's brother was one of the speakers at the convention.  I was VERY happy that he persuaded her to play her violin for us--it was just heavenly!

This is the Devil's Lake home school group choir.  They are directed by Lori Neinhous whom we know through the Alfred church.  What an awesome choir they'll have in a few years if they keep it up!

Now these are the moms from the Devil's Lake area and are they every good.  It is very hard for me not to salivate when I hear good singing like this.  I did get to sing, though, in the home school choir on Saturday morning but, alas, I have no picture of it because all of us with cameras were all singing in it.  I hope that Andrew posts this song to You tube as it was phenomenal!!!

Of course, one of the best parts of the convention is seeing all of the sweet babies.  During the talent show we sat behind this man who held his little one the whole hour and a half.  She never stirred and it brought back memories of Cora in Robert's arms.

I got this of Cora and Andrew as they watched the families share their talents to bless us all.  This has long been a family favorite.  You'd think that some day I'd be able to talk them into sharing as a family at the convention, wouldn't you?

Then, Cora got this one of Jacob and I.  You know, it used to bother me that I came from the family with the biggest noses in all of Eureka.  My brother they called, Hawk, because his nose got broken in a baseball game.  It doesn't bother me anymore as there's not a thing in the world that I can do except pay someone to surgically change it and I have lots better things to do with my money than THAT!  Besides, I raised 3 children who love me--big nose and all--and that's what matters.

Of course, as much as I love watching parents with their children when they're little, I REALLY like watching parents with good relationships into adulthood. What a beautiful tribute to this mother that her 30 year old son said, "Yes," when she asked him to play a couple of songs with her.  TOTALLY COOL!

                                     

Jacob was videoing our choir practice on Friday night when I looked up and saw his head close to Josiah G.  Those two were babies together--now look at them.

Here's Cora with her dear Geiger friend.  Miranda surprised Cora with a large basket of goodies in honor of Cora's 25th birthday a few weeks back.  There were treats for Cora to eat; some for her to smell; and even one for her car to smell good--when it's ready to hit the road.  We love you Miranda!!

It wouldn't be a complete summary of the convention without mentioning that Cora and I had a ball helping the Geiger family prepare for their 2 main meals--over the noon hour.  I am happy to say that we donated the potatoes for the hot meal on Friday which was just wonderful.  The Geigers are so incredible to take on preparing ALL of the food for the convention attendees.  Praise God for this awesome family!

Cora and I left for home around 6:00 on Saturday to help Robert finish up chores.  The boys stayed and helped people pack up and they enjoyed the potluck that night.  Thanks, ladies, for sharing your left-overs with my hungry boys.

It was a wonderful get-away and I want to publicly thank Robert for doing the chores 5 times by yourself so that we could spend some time with others who love the Lord and serve Him by home schooling their children.

Did I say that I may have persuaded the fellow at the filling station in Jamestown to home school next year?  I was just so excited that it showed so we'll be looking for him next year.  How about you?  Did you ever think about home schooling your precious gifts from God?  Hat's off to those of you who do!!

God bless all who love the Lord,

Dawn

My incredible blessings

Hi everyone,

 Being I find myself alone this afternoon, I decided to post a nice, long narrative of the things that I'm most thankful for.  Cora has been doing this every day this month, which is a lovely thought, but it's been impossible for me to accomplish. 

I'm starting with Thanksgiving day which began very early for me.  Cora had to work in the afternoon which meant that the 15 pound turkey had to be tender by noon.  I am humbled to admit that I used Stove Top Stuffing as Robert and I had made a late trip to Bismarck the night before to pick up building materials for the shop. 

 When we had entered Dans, I said to Robert, "I'm not even sure if we have any bread at home to make stuffing with."  Being I don't eat bread any more, I don't pay that much attention to it nowadays.  "Better buy some Stove Top Stuffing," he had said, so I did.

It smelled wonderful as I forked through it after the 5 minutes of it setting in the boiling buttered water.  I stuffed the turkey in the usual places; buttered the breast with salt and pepper added; protected the wings and thighs with tin foil; and slid the whole mass into the oven by 6:30 AM. 

Being I was pretty sore from so many sessions last week, I took a wonderful soak in the whirlpool as the rest of the family woke up.  Then Cora and I got to work in the kitchen and did we ever have fun! 

The staff at the nursing home always has potlucks on holidays and Cora had decided to make a Thanksgiving table cake as her contribution to the day.  You can see her turkey here and, if you look closely, you can see that she stuffed hers too--wonder if it was Stove Top Stuffing too!  You can see a picture of the completed cake over at her blog.  The next day she shared all of the wonderful responses to her cake with the cutest one being, "I ate 2 plates." 

 Here is a picture of my darling daughter with the cake in the foreground.  She made a lovely table runner too.

 I'm not much good at cake decorating but, when I saw that Cora had a little bit of red fondant left, I said, "Why not make a big heart out of it."  Cora took my suggestion and, when I saw that there was a small bit of green fondant left, I made a great big B out of it and put it on top of the heart.  Four Bornemanns shared the fondant treat at lunchtime but I passed as I am trying to minimize sugar too.

 When I was out at chores that morning, I took a few pictures of things that I'm thankful for.  Here are our 2 dogs, Millie and Lady.  After goats, I'd have to say that dogs are my favorite animals.

 Jacob said, "What are you taking a picture of, Mom?"  "The alfalfa," I answered.  Being our small grain crops were poor, we especially appreciate all of the wonderful alfalfa the Lord blessed us with this year.  Further, he's opened up doors for our hay to go to Texas and to Oklahoma, so now we have the money to work on our shop!  PRAISE THE LORD!

 I think everyone has posted about the shop project.  We've been wanting to do this ever since we moved here 8 years ago.  However, funds are always tight, but it's also a big chunk of work.  Now that Andrew is into buying cars that need work; repairing them; and then reselling them, he has a need for a warm shop too, hence the work is going forward with gusto. 
Thanksgiving afternoon, Jacob and I painted the side of the wall which will be heated while Robert and Andrew finished putting the chipboard on the other side of the wall.  There will be cold storage on the other side of this wall now but this will leave plenty of room to get a tractor and some smaller vehicles in here to work on.  It will be nice to have the feeding tractor in a heated area this Winter too. 

 Those are the only pictures that I have from Thanksgiving Day, but when I looked through the November pictures on my computer, I found these to share with you.
 
Have you been to Scheels in Bismarck lately?  If so, it would be impossible to miss the tribute that they have made to freedom.  Jacob and I were so impressed as there were these life-sized statues of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ronald Reagan. 
You know how the ACLU is saying that we can't have the 10 Commandments etc on public property? 
Well, this just goes to show that human ingenuity CAN win over bullheadedness.  Jacob and I were so thrilled as we read on the placards beside our former presidents various of their quotes.  There were statements like, "A nation without God is doomed for failure,"  "We need the Bible to guide us so that we can please our God who formed this great nation.................... 
I was so thrilled to see God honored in this way, that I asked Jacob to take my picture beside this statue of one of the greatest minds to ever live.  Long have I admired Thomas Jefferson--don't we look good together?

 Now we're jumping to Fargo where Andrew and I attended the delegates training workshop.  Here we met Robert Brown who is the branch supervisor over our area in the John Birch Society.  Mr. Brown did a wonderful workshop on economics and he honored Andrew with a picture.

You must imagine our surprise, when we looked up towards the end of the day, to see Dr. Ron Paul in the room with us.  I shook his hand, as did everyone else within reach.  When he permitted pictures to be taken with him, Andrew didn't wast much time taking his turn.  As I snapped this picture, I remembered the Dick Van Dyke episode where Rob's uncle had his picture taken with Abe Lincoln before Abe was our President.  HMMMMMMMMMMM.

 Later we went to the Fargo Civic Center and heard Dr. Paul speak about his views of how to save our country.  He painted a glum picture, to be sure, but with God's help I know that we CAN turn this country around again.  This was such a special day spent with Andrew!

 We were so happy to see some "Old" friend there too.  This is
Tim and Louisa Stegman and below is Tim's brother, Andrew
with his little cutie, Carrie. 

I'm not sure why my computer is being stubborn and won't let me move my pictures back in order but that's how it is sometimes. 

I'm very thankful for these young people who are serving the Lord and are building their homes upon the principles of God's word.  I'm also thankful that my children plan to do the same when their time comes.  As you can see in the picture below, my Andrew is celebrating his 21st birthday by going bar hopping.  He laid out a bunch of bars on the ground; asked Cora to come out and take his picture; and then proceeded to jump over the bars.   He came into the house laughing and said, "I've always wanted to go bar hopping and now I have." 
Praise the Lord for helping us to raise 3 people in the next generation who will not waste their money, and their health, on alcohol!

 Here's another one.

 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future," Jeremiah 29:11.  Praise God that He is leading our lives and he's guiding us to raise our children to receive the blessing of God in their lives.

 As I looked through some more pictures from the year, my mind was opened to see other blessings that I am thankful for.  I dearly love acting in Godly plays and it gives me joy that my children have picked this up from their mother.  I'm sure that you all remember Barney from the Andy Griffeth show.  Well, we have our very own Barney now.  :)

 I'm also thankful for the Appleseed Project which is helping folks all around the country learn how to shoot and defend themselves if need be.

 I'm very thankful to know how to operate a radionics instrument.  I'm also thrilled to know those who make them AND teach others how to use them!

 I'm thankful for the annual Prairie Days celebration at the Dagley farm and the friends that we meet there.

I'm thankful to be an organic farmer/rancher and that the cattle are home for the Winter.  It always feels so much more homey when they are nearby.

I'm thankful for a husband who can build anything.  We were just talking about the huge number of building projects that he's taken up in our 31 years of marriage.  Here he is on top of the Quonset on Friday afternoon cutting the hole for the stovepipe.

Here are my 2 sons holding the ladder for their papa.  If ever 2 sons were opposites, it's these 2, but I love them both with all my heart!  Andrew, so assertive and brave, and Jacob, with such quiet strength, how proud of them I am!  How happy I am that they are brothers and that they can help each other through life--each one strong where the other is weak.  Isn't that like the Lord--putting us together in families so that we can learn from each other and ALL can become better people IF we are willing to let Him change us.

I guess I could talk all day about how much I love my family and how happy I am that we are Christians, Americans, North Dakotans, Organic farmer/ranchers, Sabbath keepers, home schoolers, Birchers, energy workers, gun owners, dog lovers, gardeners, car restorers.....  However, somehow it seems most important to say that I am happy that we are lovers. 

Over the years, many folks have had supper at our house and left with lighter hearts.  Many have spent the night with us and woke to the sound of our roosters calling, "It's a beautiful morning."  Many more have come for tea and found themselves smiling and laughing and, even sometimes, throwing dinner rolls in a food fight.  My heart grows happiest at the thoughts of those who have come burdened down with cares of this world, and who have left knowing that SOMEBODY cared about them, and knowing that this somebody was our family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As the love chapter says in I Corinthians, all that we do is for nothing if we do not have love.  I'm reminded of the numerous times that we dear friend, Sarah Keister would say, "Your children are so warm, Dawn--indeed, your home is so warm." 

Now THAT is what makes me the most thankful of all as I ponder the hatred that I inherited.  Only God could reach into such a war-torn heart, and produce a legacy of happy hearts coming out of my home.  Praises to the King who has healed my wounded heart and placed there instead a heart of compassion for the sick, wounded, and hurting.

 

Say there, want to come over for tea?

 Eternally thankful for God's love in my life,

Dawn

Our first radionics class

 I believe that I posted this picture once before but, seeing as this is a post about our radionics class last month, I thought that I'd start at the beginning.  Ed and his office manager, Cathie, sent up all of these boxes for the class.  Some of them were teaching materials; and some were demo materials; and some were the rental machines for the class. 

On Sunday, June 26th Jacob and I drove to Bismarck to pick up Ed from the airport.  How wonderful it was to see him again.  We brought him to the farm to meet the rest of the family and to discuss final arrangements for the class.  That evening, Ed took apart some of our instruments and showed our guys the working parts of a wonderful KRT instrument. 

 Here is our classroom with all of the machines set up.  We had 10 students.  With Ed as the instructor and myself as the instructor in training, there were 12 us in the class.  It was a major thrill for me to have my entire family taking the class from Ed.  It was a wonderful 3 days together!
 Did I mention that we held the class at the Kelly Inn?  I thought that was so awesome how the Lord welcomed Ed Kelly to North Dakota by having us hold the class in the hotel with the same name.  I discussed accommodations with Ed after the class and learned that he loved everything there!  The staff was very friendly and helpful; the classroom spacious and well lit; the food was great; and his hotel room was nice too.  Ed said that he would definitely hold his classes there in the future so I was so thankful that he was happy with the arrangements that I had made for our class!

 Here is my wonderful family all studying radionics together.  It was so wonderful to have everyone learning the same thing at the same time.  Here Andrew is asking Ed a question. 

 Our wonderful instructor and new friend, Ed Kelly.  How can we ever thank you, Ed, for coming all the way from Georgia to teach us?  What a great instructor this man is.  He listens to our questions and explains everything so patiently.  I couldn't ask for a finer man to study under. 

Our family had lunch with the group at Minervas the first day of class so that we could get to know the other class members a little better but after that we packed our lunches.  What interesting meals these were as we all discussed what we'd been learning and how it can apply to our farm's needs.

 Forever a preserver of memories (I think he got this from his mother), here Andrew was catching some shots of class.  How I love this awesome young man with his curious nature!

 Right before class ended, one of the members treated us all to this birthday cake in honor of her friend.  That was soooooooo cool!

 Here is a photo of most of us in class.  Two of the group members decided that they didn't want to be photographed so they opted out.  Notice how my children cosied up to Ed.

 This was taken during one of our snack periods.  I'll say again how wonderful it was having my family all together during these awesome 3 days!

Right after our class had ended and Ed was making his final sales, I headed over to my office to work on a client.  When I was finished, I went back to the Kelly Inn.  The children had headed for home to take care of the farm chores and I found Robert and Ed visiting.  It was so wonderful to watch these 2 men throughout the class time, from way different backgrounds, learn from each other.  Robert gleaned radionics information from Ed and Ed grasped agriculture concepts from Robert.   Both have such marvelous minds that I was happy to see them getting to know each other.

Ed, Robert, and the children had everything boxed up that we'd need to return to GA.  Thankfully there was only about half the number of boxes that needed to be returned as all of the rental machines were sold to those who used them in class--it was GREAT!!!

We were all 3 tired so we sat and visited for a little while about the class.  I was surprised when Ed looked at me and said, "We're partners now."  I stuck out my hand and we shook on it.  Robert said, "I want to get your picture together before we leave."  Here is the result.

 Did I mention that Ed offered me the opportunity of becoming a dealer of his incredible KRT instruments?  It's kind of a joke in the family as I am the person who has the least bit of technological knowledge and he makes ME the dealer.  I know that it's because of my being an energy worker but truly I do view my dealership as a family dealership. 
I got Robert and Ed's picture then too.

After we took all of the boxes out to our car, we decided to take the time to eat together at Minerva's.  Actually, I was STARVING and the guys said that they were hungry too.  We had a wonderful time discussing plans for future classes over our meal and I took this picture of the information board as a remembrance of our wonderful time together.

All 3 of us were tired then and we still had an hour's drive home.  Ed needed to get some sleep as he had a long flight home the following day.  A part of me has always dreaded departures as the sanguine part of me aches to be with people as much as possible.  When you live in North Dakota on a farm, there really are not that many opportunities to spend time with people, so I treasure times with others. 

This was when Ed gave me probably the greatest gift that he ever has.  How I dreaded seeing him leave and the class that I had worked so very hard for to be over.  I could feel the sadness creeping into me as Robert and I moved towards the door and Ed started going towards his room. 

I was trying to think of how to say, "Goodbye" to such an incredible person.  This was when Ed turned towards us and said with his big booming voice and his big grin on his face, "See you soon." 

I could only smile then as I knew that it would be at least a year until we would see Ed again.  Still, I saw the wisdom of his closure and I gulped out a returning, "See you soon," and left the hotel with Robert.

I wrote to Ed later and thanked him for this wonderful gift.  I meant it, for as I learned from Anne Shirley, true friends are always together in the heart.  THANK YOU, ED, FOR ALL OF THE WAYS THAT YOU BLESSED OUR FAMILY! 

God bless all who read my ramblings and who bear with my melancholy times.  I love you all!  Have a great week in the Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dawn