Days 8, 9, and 10

Day 8 was Sabbath which was a blessing.  One does not have as much energy on the cleanse and I keep pushing pretty hard.  Like I said before, I know that I could not be pushing this hard if it weren't for Dr. Mercol's wonderful whey protein powders which I take when I get weak.

Day 9 was an exciting day as it was the house meeting in Napoleon which had gotten postponed in January.  9 ladies came and we had a ball.  I got 2 ladies to book sessions and sold 3 sleep machines.  The best part about the day, though, came when Shawn told me that Jackie had told her, "I just came from Dawn's house and she's loosing so much weight.  I'm afraid that we're loosing OUR Dawn."  I laughed so hard.  THEY NOTICED!

Yesterday was the first rough day.  It seemed odd that it didn't come sooner but it was very interesting.  Being I know how to do biofeedback I did what Cora keeps advising me to do, "ASK YOURSELF." 

When I tuned in to my body, I got an answer that I had not been expecting.  I've wondered why I don't loose weight on the cleans (or any time) like other people do.  I end up feeling better but it took me 4 cleanses to loose 40 pounds.  Cora lost 16 in one and many people loose 20 or more on it so this has been a source of discouragement to me.

What was revealed to me is that all the years of swallowing my buble gum has plugged up the works.  I mean I swallowed a LOT of bubble gum.  It's taken all of the former cleanses to get down to the level where we can work on this and now it has begun.  I'd say, "YEAH" except that I felt like I had the worse flue yesterday and wasn't too excited about that.  I REALLY felt awful--so I babied myself.

I only had one session and that was with my best friend who prayed for me and we visited again as long, so that helped.  The rest of the time I slept, soaked, or sat in the bathroom--it was BAD!

I kept praying, "HELP ME LORD, I HAVE A FULL DAY TOMORROW!"  He did, I feel lots better today and so I press on.  I had decided to do 12 days this time as I'm up against the home school convention.  I'm still not positive if I'm supposed to go through that or not so I'm praying about it.  I'd kind of like to get 15 days in now that this OLD bubblegum has started to move out.

I'd appreciate your prayers today.  It's going to be full with 5 clients; a BETAR meeting tonight; plus I keep looking for a cabinet for my office.  It needs to be large enough to house my health library which I plan on sharing with my clients; the BETAR units; our farm's organic wheat; and what ever else comes along.  It has to be nice looking but inexpensive; large enough but not taking up too much space.........  you get the picture, it has to be just right.

Gotta get going but I thought that I'd bring you up to date.  I covet your prayers as I finish out the cleanse!!

Keep warm,

Dawn

PS.  I forgot to say that Andrew helped me design my new business cards yesterday.  They have my new Bismarck office address; my new email address; my picture; the BodyTalk logo, PLUS a place on the back to write down the next session time.  We finally got around to doing it on the day that VISTA PRINT sent out an email saying that they were having 90% off of Premium business cards.  I'll be getting 1,500 of them so that should last for awhile and they said they will arrive before we leave for class.  No why do you suppose that I'd want them before we leave for class?  ;)

Ercp

Well, now I FINALLY know what they did that saved my dad's life in Sioux Falls. My sister-in-law, Sharel, called this morning to say that she and Duard brought dad home last night. He is much better than he's been in a long time.

Dad had told me that they put him under and stuck a tube down his throat to see what was going on. I suppose that's what he could grasp of it when he was in so much pain. He actually DID have a surgical procedure called ERCP. I copied the information that I found on Goggle below for those who may be interested in such things.

The reason that they couldn't deal with the stones in Aberdeen is because they were blocking the bile duct. They're still saying that there were stones in the liver, but I've never heard of that. So what they did was put this tube down dad's throat and used a balloon to break up the stones. They sucked the one out that was in the bile duct and put 2 stents in between the liver and the gall bladder. This is so that the crushed stones can pass out in the bowel movements.

Sharel said that on the 20th of July, she and Duard will have to take dad down to Sioux Falls again for an examination and to have the stents removed. This works out ok for them as their youngest son will begin school in Sioux Falls soon and they have things to do with that down there now too. So as they say, "All's well that ends well."

I'm off to Bismarck today. I need to take Rick the camper; do some sessions at the office; and see my chiropractor for this aching back. I wonder what he'll say as I was supposed to come in last week, but finances wouldn't allow it. Now today, the trucks are coming to take our organic oats to an organic mill in Iowa. Finally we will have the money from that crop after waiting all winter. I'll tell you, I believe in growing organically with all of my heart, but it's a little bit frustrating sometimes waiting for a buyer to come along. Praise the Lord that part is behind us. Now the only thing left to wait for is the check!

One more thing before I go. Have you checked out Jacob's newest blog post? I challenged him one morning to write with the promise that I wouldn't complain if he posted that goofy picture of me. It was done by noon that day. HMMMMMMMMMMMMM. Is it that he really doesn't like to write or is it that he needs some ideas of what to write about?

Happy today and happy growing. I urge you to check out Sonic Bloom's website in your spare time--it'll open your eyes to the possibility of unprecedented garden yields. If you can't eat all that you produce, you can always give some of it away. Think of the blessing THAT would be to you now and throughout all eternity.

This seems like a good place to share one of my favorite verses from the Bible. Luke 16:38 says: Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosum. For with the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again.

I wonder why you don't hear that verse much anymore?

ERCP is a diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedure that examines the bile duct, pancreatic duct, and gallbladder using a lighted flexible tube and x-ray. A catheter (small plastic tube) is inserted into the opening of the ducts located in the duodenum. A dye is injected slowly and with the aid of x-ray, the biliary and pancreatic ducts can be visualized for any abnormalities.
Patients who have pain or abnormal laboratory tests may be advised to have an ERCP to diagnose possible biliary or pancreatic disease. ERCP can be useful to determine whether or not surgery is needed. Patients who are jaundice (yellow discoloration of skin ad eyes) may be advised to have an ERCP to diagnose the cause. Some patients may have stones in their bile duct, strictures (narrowing) of the ducts, or tumors.
Therapeutic techniques can be used during ERCP to treat some problems. Stones can be removed from the bile ducts using small balloons or through lithotripsy (crushing of stones). Strictures can be kept patent (open) by placing stents (metal or plastic drainage tubes) in the ducts.

Update on Dad

I have only a few moments because I should be working, instead of reading blog posts, but I am so draggy today. We got home from the rodeo last night at 1:30. The rodeo ended about 10:00 and then there was a rancher's rodeo which was VERY interesting. These were real farmer/ranchers and they did great. After this was the $10,000 Burlinton/Northern fireworks display and we then visited with the Geigers for about an hour. Miranda was home from Texas so it was hard to tear the 2 girls apart. The one comfort they have is that now they can get back to emailing as Miranda will spend the rest of the summer at her aunt's house where there is Internet access. All in all, it was a wonderful time and the weather was perfect.

I should mention that, on the way up to the rodeo, I read some more of Erling the Bold and on the way home, I finished reading it. We're all kind of lost now that the book is complete and wonder what we could read that would make as much of an impact on our "Self-defense" thinking. I so admire Erling that many times, when he could have killed, he didn't because he respected the life of even his most dastardly enemies. I encourage everyone who is seriously concerned about the state of our country to read ERLING THE BOLD!

I talked to my dad this morning and he sounded much better. He said that they finally decided that there was NOT a stone at all, but just a massive "Sore". I could let that word take me to all kinds of stressful locations, but I won't. I find it hard to believe that my father almost died because of a "Sore" on his liver. He said that they are doing further tests but I'm just going to be thankful that, for now anyway, they have said that there will be no surgery. I'll keep you posted as I hear of further developments.

Well, I should get to work. Our new friend, Bob, brought my garden-size Sonic Bloom kit on Friday night and I have been eager to get the CD playing out in the garden. I have been playing the cassette that came with it to my house plants and I am impressed with how much more alive they look. It's like they're standing at attention--they look so much more "Happy" and that's without the mineral supplement which makes the sounds work even better. I read about this years ago but it was quite a bit more expensive then, so I am excited that the Lord has now brought Sonic Bloom into my life. Now all I have to do is figure out how to get a boom box out to the garden.... Here's the link for more information just in case you too want to start adding sound therapy to the lives of the plants you love. http://www.real-sonic-bloom.com/

Exasperated

Right now I am so exasperated!!! This is the 3rd straight day that our cows have gotten into the neighbor's sunflower field. Yesterday morning, when he called me, HE was exasperated. Robert and Andrew went up right away then and chased the cattle back in; fixed the fence; and talked to the neighbor about our frustration. The cattle are standing belly deep in grass but they insist on going into this field--if it was corn I could maybe understand. Our guys then hot-wired (strung electric fence) around the edge of our pasture which borders this field. Usually this is enough but not with these hard-to-please critters. UGH!!!!!!!!!! So now, being Robert is baling trying to beat the rain, the children went up to chase them in.

Andrew said that they'll have to hot-wire the west end of that cell too if we are to have any peace tomorrow. This means that Jacob will drive the Ram Charger; Cora will push in the electric fence posts about every 20 feet; and Andrew will string the wire. The distance is about a mile so it's going to take them some time. Then they have to unplug the charger; hook the new wire to the one the men strung yesterday; and turn it on again. If any grass or weeds are touching the wire, it won't spark and they'll have to cover the whole distance again looking for what is touching the fence. So do you see why we're all exasperated? This is on top of my dad's situation. Here's the news on that.

Sharel called this morning and said that dad had another acute attack of pain a few minutes earlier. The doctor had just been there and told my dad that this is very serious!!! He is very concerned about doing the surgery without a heart specialist's approval. My dad is "Old"; he smokes; has high blood pressure; and is a diabetic. Basically, then, they won't do the surgery
until a cardiologist approves of it. This means more testing today and they probably won't get "Around to it" today at all.

I had a good talk with Sharel as she was concerned about leaving dad when he is so sick, but she needs to get home for a wedding tomorrow. She said that she just couldn't imagine leaving her dad alone if he were that sick. She was hinting that it would be good if one of us would come to Sioux Falls (about 7 hours away) to stay with him. This was when I told her of the facts of my life. I told her that I lay on my deathbed for 18 days and neither dad (nor mom) called me; visited me; or even sent a card during those 18 days. Her mind was just reeling and she gasped, "I'm trying to wrap my mind around this." She said, "I've been trying to figure out your family dynamics for over 25 years and it just baffles me." So I helped her out a little.

I told her that my dad's cruelty is nothing new. When I was a newlywed, I had pneumonia and was hospitalized for 5 days right there in Eureka--blocks from his home. Not once during that time did my dad send his concern for me in any way. My mom said that she told him to come and see me but he was "Too busy farming". I told Sharel that my dad has been "Too busy farming" all of my life and that now he is reaping what he has sown.

I encouraged her to leave the hospital but she felt that somebody should come and stay with him. I said, "Once a year our family has a big treat and that is on the 4th of July. We already have our tickets and we ARE going to the rodeo in Mandan tomorrow night. If he dies tomorrow, then I guess that he will die alone as he has lived--WHICH WAS HIS CHOICE!!!!!

I encouraged Sharel to keep her family her priority and leave my dad to the Lord's will. She said that Duard had just told her the same thing but it REALLY helped her to hear ME saying so too. I encouraged her to head for home ASAP and she sighed a deep sigh of relief and said, "Thank you".

She told me that it was so strange that on her trip down yesterday, NONE of my dad's children called her to see how my dad was doing. Her brother called her to see how she was handling it all. Her mom called her AND her dad called her to see how the trip was going for her and my dad (she drove dad down to Sioux Falls). I told her that I had been praying for HER all afternoon and she said, "Well, he did sleep most of the way so I'm glad about that." YEAH GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So Sharel is leaving my dad's hospital bedside and nobody is filling her spot there because we are all "Too busy"--just like he was for us all of our lives. Now Rick just called cussing a blue streak because Dad isn't in the Bismarck hospital where dad's sister and Rick live--plus it's a lot closer for our family. I said that I guess we should have thought of that yesterday but Dad was seen by a visiting doctor from Aberdeen in the ER in Eureka. This doctor thought that the surgery could be done in Aberdeen which is about a 2 1/2 hour drive for us. When they couldn't deal with the stone, because of it's massive size, they sent him to Sioux Falls where we know absolutely nobody. The Lord always has a reason, though, and I trust him to see us through this mess. Already last night, our friend Ellen Johnson wrote that they have a friend who visits the hospitals in Sioux Falls so dad may get one Godly visitor yet. What a mess!!!!!

Always I am blessed when I read from the book MORNING AND EVENING. This morning was no different. I share the passage first and then Mr. Spurgeon's thoughts. Genesis 41:4 THE ILLFAVORED AND LEANFLESHED KINE DID EAT UP THE SEVEN WELLFAVORED AND FAT KINE.

Pharaoh's dream has too often been my waking experience. My days of sloth have ruinously destroyed all that I had achieved in times of zealous industry; my seasons of coldness have frozen all the genial glow of my periods of fervency and enthusiasm; and my fits of worldliness have thrown me back from my advances in the divine life. I had need to beware of lean prayers, lean praises, lean duties, and lean experiences, for these will eat up the fat of my comfort and peace. If I neglect prayer for never so short a time, I lose all the spirituality to which I had attained. If I draw no fresh supplies from heaven, the old corn in my granary is soon consumed by famine which rages in my soul. When the caterpillars of indifference; the canker worms of worldliness; and the Palmer worms of self-indulgence lay my heart completely desolate, and make my soul to languish, all my former fruitfulness and growth in grace avails me nothing whatever. How anxious should I be to have no lean-fleshed days, no ill-favored hours! If every day I journeyed towards the goal of my desires I should soon reach it, but backsliding leaves me still far off from the prize of my high calling, and robs me of the advances which I had so laboriously made. The only way in which all my days can be as the "Fat kine," is to feed them in the right meadow, to spend them with the Lord, in His service, in His company, in His fear, and in His way. Why should not every year be richer than the past, in love, and usefulness, and joy? I am nearer the celestial hills, I have had more experience of my Lord, and should be MORE like Him. O Lord, keep far from the cures of leanness of soul; let me not have to cry, "My leanness, my leanness, woe unto me?" but may I be well-fed and nourished in Thy house, that I may continually praise THY name!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't that incredible? You know, even though my earthly father was one of the worst examples of what a dad should be, ALWAYS I HAVE HAD MY HEAVENLY FATHER SHOWING ME THE WAY TO PEACE. HE continually reminds me to take a look at MY responsibilities. He says, "What good does it do to look at your parents failures, because then you will make them your pattern. No, keep your eyes on ME and stive to be like ME!" Thank you, Lord, for seeing me through all that has come before this day, for I know that you will see me through this day too!!!!! I love you, my God and my King!!!! Thanks for being a perfect father to me all the days of my life!!!

Frustrated and Farming

This is ridiculous. I have been feasting since Sunday night after half a month of fasting on the Master Cleanse. This means that in the past 48 hours I have had several white flour buns; lots of our baked beans; plenty of tortilla chips with salsa and hot cheese dip; 1 glass of punch; and 3 pieces of cake. Today I have a sore throat. How can that be? I fought off Robert's bug for almost a month as long as I stayed off of sugar and white flour. Now just a few "Cheats" later, I have a sore throat which is how Robert's bug started. ): I guess I just cannot handle sugar and that's that. Of course, I also know that stress plays a role in weakening our immune systems and I've had a little of that this weekend too.

Then today I GOT to drive tractor most of the afternoon. I was complaining to Robert that I kept picking up rocks in between the disc blades. This means that I had to take the 100 pound (only a slight exaggeration) disc wrench out to the disc. After using leverage to pry the rocks out, I had to drag that thing back to the cab; hoist it up to the floor of the cab which is about 2 feet above my head; climb back in the tractor; and then lift it over the seat as it rests behind the seat. Robert told me not to complain about being held up with all of this because, when I was finished discing, I get to pick rocks. LOVELY!!!!!!!

I finally got the field finished about 4:00 and then did some deep reciprocals while I waited for Cora and Jacob to pick me up with the 9030. Jacob drove and Cora and I picked rocks until 7:00. It was cool and damp and miserable and my throat started to REALLY hurt. This was when I decided that I better get back to placing my health as a priority.

So I'm going in to my room to exercise. According to Peggy Brill, the author of the Core program, you should never skip more than 2 days in a row or your muscles will start to go backwards. I didn't do it last night because I wanted to finish my post about the graduation party. I didn't exercise for 2 nights before as I was at the graduation party or preparing for it, but now I am going. My neck and shoulders really ache and that is the best antidote, so I'm going now. :)

Can you tell that I'm trying to talk myself into this? Why is it that I never need to talk myself into eating sugar or white flour, when I know that they are bad for me? Why must I talk hard to convince myself that it is time to exercise or mix up a new batch of lemonade? I suppose the reason is that I am a sinner and like Paul says, "That which I would not, I do; and that which I would do, I don't." Sometimes I get so sick of the sin in me that I could just scream, "Why didn't anybody love me enough to use the rod on me when I was little?" Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." Now I am stuck as an adult, with all of this foolishness in me, and I have to wait until God can get through my thick skull to prune it out of me. PLEASE FORGIVE ME, LORD, AND DO YOUR GOOD WORK IN SPITE OF ME TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!