When becomming a women...

Bat Barakah meaning "Daughter of Blessing". This evening to be a "Daughter of blessing" was pure joy. I had a wonderful time, and was blessed abundantly. Right on my sixteenth birthday I was able to have the special ceremony of going into womanhood. It's a Jewish custom that our family has been taught about by several friends that practice it. It's not that it all has to be a certain way, just the idea of entering into a new stage of life, Womanhood. It's one of the sweetest things that has ever happened to me. The preparation was fun, (sometimes stressful.:) and the event very meaningful. Thank you Lord for honoring the prayer of my dear Father as He cried to you simply to bring you Glory though it all.

This was the celebration after the ceremony. It was such a blessing that the church had all the goblets, tables, chairs, tablecloths, and candles already there that we could enjoy all of those pleasures.So many people were so helpful in getting this all together.The place to put written blessing. So grateful for all of you who sent blessings even if you weren't able to attend. (Mother and Brother Eugene made "blessing" sign.)April and Alisha were so generous in helping with drinks and cleanup. Here is April from her secret place :))The desert table.My heart was so put to rest by the lovely Christmas music played by my Kindereds from Ohio that so generously made their way to N.C. for the evening. It was a joy to have them, even though it was short. They were splendid: Cherie Chloria and Christina Celisse.Brothers..,Praying at the opening..Wonderful songs lead by Galen. "BE Thou my vision oh Ruler of all..."Testimonial. :)A time for siblings to give blessings. It was so sweet. He was valiant, of course.He made me laugh, of course.He made me melt, of course.She stole all hearts, of course, as she read of her speech and blessing...as well as played piano for me.Mother was the perfect mother. :) ...her blessing was exquisite, she has taught me true womanhood, and it showed in her blessings...She gave me a Bread Book of breads from all countries. Because she knows I like such things, and she related it to them giving me back to the Lord's hands to be broken bread for others, and in physical to be a women of "good understanding" and prudent. Her blessing was out of the story of Abigail and David, it was so special.Nelson and Sarah Coblentz had a "Patriarchal Blessing". As to step into place of previous generations.It was so special to me to have them play that part.She's sweet.And then we had a time for the guest to speak blessings as they felt led...And to the dear LaVern Miller family for coming to N.C. with your darling daughters, I am grateful. And thank you Victoria for sharing.It was so great to have Marvin and Janice come for this. They were here for my baptism as well. They are like second grandparents. He gave the "Aronic" blessing from the Bible as well as their own personal words.Fathers blessing that he typed and framed. :) Giving Dad the "Key to my Heart."My heart.Prayer of blessing by Pastor Jason and group...The ribbon crossing was my favorite. A physical symble of going into womanhood. All girls 15 and under on one side, 16 and older on the other. I start on one side and cross over to the women, they all clapped, cheered and hugged and Cherie played "blessings flow".And we left the sanctuary as Cherie played "Edelweiss" to the celebration!

Marvin, Cherie, Christy and I. Menu: Cream of Broccoli Barley soup, delicious "Olive Garden" bread sticks made by Silla, and veggies. Dessert: Cappacino Muffins, Gingerbread Biscotti, "Mom's best chocolate cake. Drinks: Coffee, hot chocolate, and Pumpkin Lattes.

It was so sweet. All the gifts and presents were simply fun. Being up late with my friends from OHio was ridiculously inspirational. This night has brought me much joy. What fun these few weeks of being a women have been! :)

~Miss Deborah Isabel

Your invited to join me on my banquet tour adventures!

First I start with a few,fun, fall, home shots.

Gracie and Deborah Play Probe.While we were at a local Baptist Church to see th Collensworth family sing, we also witnessed the Church choir. I was so, so thrilled but this darling devote elderly lady (in the lavender.) that looked as though she could barely stand or sing...but she did both! :) so sweet!Notice the missing tooth and the one that looks as though it will fall out any minute. (This tooth is now missing also! :))Also notice that this girl is still in flip flops! :) She was the only one born in the south of our family, and she remains true! :)The library is one of my favorite places to be. I oft go and check out bunches of big photography, gardening, makeover, cosmetic, napkin folding, decorating, or cook books there. One of my most recent stacks: (The book at the top inspired me to the point of making avocado chocolate pudding for supper one night. You can't taste the green avocado as apposed to the dark cocoa. The boys were a bit surprised I so freely let them have the sugery sweetness. Also note that Deborah made a silly cooking mistake so didn't turn out as planned. :o)

Now we head to the western banquets...

The boys cheering Gracie on as she rode the childrens go-carts on our family day off.I also played this entertaining game for the first time with my brothers. First time: every man for himself (Note...Deborah lost dreadfully!), Second time: Derek and Kyle on a team, Eugene and I on a team. (Note...Eugene and Deborah dominated the game! :) Because of a few helpful big little brother tips. :)) It did look a bit silly though to see my white veil glowing with a gun in hand...didn't feel very Mennonite and non-resistant. ;)They often take Deborah's camera for such shots...Brother...It's amazing what you find during "sound check." :) Meagen found a sumbraro....At the beginning of this trip I purposed to collect a leaf every place we stopped. Why? To learn leaves...to have a memorie...to support I love Lucy but not put my dad through dragging rocks along in our undercompartments across the states! :) The boys put this all up and all back down every night...bless em.. On a special night, we got to stay in a motel. I enjoyed the internet time it provided! Screen reads; " Grace is loved." This was lunch banquet, which often are so fun because we are all so silly from getting up early, setting up etc. So the boys played for a few minutes during the service.You may wonder why Grace is in a robe at a banquet? I can totally understnad your question, we were just done with our "Father son" skit, and the robe is Grace's outfit.Touchdown..Grace, Meagan, and Deborah take a quick shot. So glad to have Meagen along on banquet tour. She keeps it very fun-filled and interesting.Gracie lint rolling the tabelcloths.Me and Meagen pose with the discount cart. After this two week trip I was So ready to be home! I have more pictures, but didn't put them all on. Had good times with friends and family in Ohio as well as P.A. But by the last night I crawled under the Cd table and took a nap during the service. Tired and, a but ready to be away from people. So now we are home and enjoying having my Dad's family for Thanksgiving...more on that later.

...We missed Austin on this tour. Lots of tears. Thank the Lord for allowing Duanes to Be with us in P.A. It was a blessing.

Deborah Isabel

Note: Debrorah Wrote several weeks ago...so perhaps a bit behind the times. Wanted to get this out before more come !:)