Acknowledgements & Inspirations

First, we thank God and we commit our plans to Him, as we know that His plans for us are good.  Our family has been through alot but we know that our challenges have always served a higher purpose - even if we didn't feel it at the time.

We would also like to dedicate this story to April's Uncle Bob. Bob passed away on April 25th, 2009, just days after we bought this house and while initial projects were getting underway. "Bob the Builder" as he was called by the children at the day care center where he worked as a maintenance man, was a jack of all trades. Always a fixer and tinkerer of things, Bob would no doubt be helping us with some of this if he were here. I like to think he's with us in spirit and getting a good laugh at the craziness that ensues in any home improvement project, especially when it's being done by novices like ourselves!! We miss you greatly, Bob! We know you're enjoying the show :)

Our experience of the recession has been a reformation of our old ideas, habits, and beliefs about ourselves and our money.  These are some of the specific resources that we have found particularly helpful and inspiring as we've travelled along this journey:

Our spiritual community, Unity Spiritual Center, which is headed up by the lovely Rev. Barbara Winter-Martin.  Among the many treasures that can be found at Unity, every year we offer the class called the 4T Prosperity Program.  Dan took it once and I've taken it 3 times (it's that good!)  In the 4T we work on transforming our minds and hearts from a consciousness of lack and limitation to one of prosperity in the fullness of life.  It's an amazing class that is rooted in the biblical teachings of tithing (time, talent, and treasure) and it has had powerful results for those that do the work. 

For additional financial empowerment, I recommend Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover or Financial Peace University.  I also recommend Credit Info Center for how to repair or rebuild credit and to learn more about Mortgage Servicing Fraud, please check out MSFraud.org

I also want to say a very heartfelt thank you to Mr. James Arthur Ray.  Dan and I attended James' "Harmonic Wealth Weekend" in 2007 and James has been such a wonderful and valuable teacher to us over the last few years.  When the chips came crashing down, I had a quote from James on a sticky note above my desk that said "Decide to thrive.  It's not about resources but resourcefulness" and that statement was a major inspiration to us when we were picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off and deciding how to move forward when we discovered we were losing our second house in less than a year.  We didn't have much, but we were sure going to use what we did have.  With that perspective, coupled with faith, we bought this house, I started a business, and our finances are in the best shape they've ever been in.  We decide to thrive!  So James we love you, we support you, and we thank you for all you've taught us!  Stay strong our friend!

We have to also give heartfelt thanks to Shelly at Great River Federal Credit Union, for helping us rebuild our credit and complete "Phase One" of our project!  You've been amazing to work with and we can't wait to send you a Christmas card this year!

And last, but certainly not least!  Jason Pekarek of Pekarek Construction.  You helped us buy this home and now you are helping us to really make it as valuable to the rest of the world as it has been to us.  We're so grateful to call you our friend!