Seder Dinner: A Jewish Passover Feast in November by Mormons

Seems a little strange for Mormons to celebrate a Spring-time Jewish Feast in November.

But, since I am the Seminary (early-morning bible study for high-school students) teacher,, I decided it would be more beneficial to have the Passover Dinner after talking about the Passover. So, after reading and studying Exodus 1-15 this week, we had the Seder Dinner at church with the youth ages 12-18 and their parent(s).

It was amazing! The experience I think is unforgettable. I don't know if we did it right, and I'm sure there are many Jews who would be surprised (and hopefully not offended). The amazing part is that we were able to take these symbols and rituals from the Passover and apply them to our lives, and see of their teaching of The Messiah, who we know to be Jesus Christ.

Many of the adults were really impressed with the entire service. It was not my goal to impress them, but more make an impression on the youth. I don't know if that happened, or what the one young woman or 5 young men (one of them not a member) thought about the dinner and program (I cancelled my Monday morning class since I spent all weekend getting ready for the dinner).

If the only thing the youth learned, though, is that Jesus Christ is really talked about, taught about, in the Old Testament, and that we can learn from Scripture and Truths from other cultures/traditions/religion if we are guided by the Spirit, or even if they were able to feel the Holy Ghost even a little, it was a huge success. Or, if they just realized how much we care about them, I suppose that is enough, too.

Would I attempt this again? YOU BET! I would change some things (such as asking more people to help with the set up, and maybe help cook more of the food). But, it was well worth the effort that my friend, Liz, and I went to to organize and execute this production.

Here are a few photos (courtesy of Kelly Standiford; I didn't bring a camera, unfortunately!):

The Seder Plate, clockwise starting at 12: Bowl of salt water, lamb shank, matzoh, haroset, green herb, roasted (boiled) egg, bitter herb (horseradish).

Our dinner plates, clockwise starting at 12: Roasted leg-of-lamb, latkes, roasted vegetables, zucchini-stuffed chicken.

Passover Chocolate Torte
Star of David and "Shalom" written in Hebrew are symbols of Peace.

Chocolate Torte slice covered in raspberry sauce.
Two words: Decadently Delicious

We set the tables with linens (well, some of the cloths were linens, others were polyester), wine classes (plastic), real silverware, china-looking plates (see dishes above), tea-light candles (battery operated) that had little papers with the star of david cut out of it, candle sticks, and a few other battery-operated candles. There were 6 Seder platters (only the main one pictured above had the shank bone, but otherwise the others were all the same). And each person had a program (see photo with dinner plate). The program contained the script for the leader of the service, and for the people to participate in the readings, sayings, and prayers.

We also had name plates for seating. The dinner menu consisted of those listed above. For recipes, scroll to the end of this post (I strongly recommend all three of them that I posted- they were SUPER yummy!).

Liz and I spent most of the day Saturday prepping food. People brought spinach salad and the chicken we delivered for them to cook. Another YW presidency member came made the Latkes just before the dinner. It still took the 3 of us almost 2+ hours to set up before the dinner and have things ready.

If you are planning to have one of these, budget about $10 per person (if you do everything we did) and then you might even have some funds left over. We cut corners on cost by my printing and sewing the programs (yes, on my sewing machine). I imagine if you went with a more simple dinner, maybe less meat, you'd also have a less expensive feast. Still, this food was really yummy and there was PLENTY (we ended up with lots of left overs that we divided among families).

If you are interested, send me an email  and I'd be happy to send you a PDF of the invitations (see image below) and the program in print and reading format (the print format has double-sided pages that you can print in collated form and then staple or stitch in the middle to make a booklet, the reading format has each individual page on a sheet). If you have a Silhouette cutter, I can send you the files for the "doily" to powder the cake with the star of david and shalom, the tea-light candle covers, and the place cards.

I'm really glad that we put on this program, and for the experience the Seder was. I hope it touched the lives of the youth. But, I know it made a difference in my own studies and understanding of scripture, Jews, and Christ.


RECIPES:

Passover Chocolate Torte
Although not difficult, be sure to give yourself PLENTY of time (at least 3 hours from melting chocolate to being ready to eat the cake). Don't rush any of the steps. Slow melting chocolate, good whipping of eggs, and completely cooling the final torte before inverting on a platter make this flourless cake absolutely melt-in-your-mouth amazing. Liz perfectly described it as a "cross between cheesecake and chocolate cake".

1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter (not margarine)
8 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar

5 large egg whites
1/4 cup sugar

Raspberry Sauce:
12 oz frozen raspberries
1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line bottom of 9- or 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper.

Separate 8 yolks from whites, saving only 5 of the whites in a separate bowl.

Stir chocolate and margarine in heavy medium saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Cool until lukewarm.

Using electric mixer, beat yolks and 3/4 cup sugar in large bowl until pale and very thick, about 4 minutes. Add chocolate mixture in 2 additions (i.e. slowly) and beat until well blended. Transfer to large bowl.

Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites in another large bowl until foamy. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar adn beat until whites are stiff but not dry.

Fold 1/3 of whites into chocolate mixture. Fold in remaining whites in 2 more additions. Chocolate mixture will have doubled in volume and appear a lighter "milk chocolate" brown color. Transfer batter into prepared pan.

Bake torte at 350 F until crust forms on top and tester inserted into center comes out with some moist batter and some moist crumbs still attached (about 45 minutes). Top will crack. Remove from oven and place on cooling rack.

Run small sharp knife around torte to loosen. Cool in pan on rack (torte will fall and crack).

Once completely cool, invert onto platter. Can cover with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Before serving, place doily atop torte. Sift powdered sugar over doily; gently remove doily. Garnish torte as desired. (Raspberry sauce: 12 oz frozen raspberries, thawed with juices, with 1/2 cup sugar pureed in blender then strained; store sauce in fridge until ready to serve).



Zucchini-Stuffed Chicken
Not too much prep and pretty quick to stuff the chicken.

8 bone-in chicken breast halves, with skin
2 zucchinis, shredded
3 cups matzo farfel (available in Kosher section at most grocery stores)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 onion, chopped (opt.)
2 tablespoons chicken bouillon powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 dash garlic powder (or use garlic salt instead of salt and garlic powder)
1 dash onion powder (opt).

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease a cookie sheet or 9x13 baking dish. Wash and clean the chicken breasts.
2. Place farfel in a bowl and cover with hot water for 3 or 4 minutes. Drain and squeeze out water.
3. In medium-sized mixing bowl, combine zucchini, farfel, eggs, chicken bullion, onion, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place 2 to 3 tablespoons of the stuffing under the skin of each chicken piece and arrange them in pan.
4. Bake at 375 F for 40-50 minutes. Drain off fat and serve.


Roasted Vegetables
This recipe is a little labor intensive, although a food processor makes the work much easier. It's well worth the effort for a colorful and tasty dish.

1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon finely chopped capers
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon tomato paste
salt and pepper

1 red pepper
1 large eggplant
2 large zucchini, sliced
1 pound sweet potato
6 roma tomatoes, quartered

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Combine marinated ingredients in a bowl and whisk (or shake) thoroughly.
2. Cut eggplant into slices, and sprinkle with salt. Allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. Rinse with water and pat dry.
3. Cut red pepper into strips (removing seeds and membrane), peel sweet potato and slice potato and zucchini.
4. Using 1/2 of the marinade, toss prepared vegetables and coat well. Place on cookie sheet. Bake at 400 for 15 minutes, turn and coat again with remaining marinade. Cook for another 15-25 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender and eggplant is soft (not crunchy).

**If making large quantity, can roast different vegetables to desired done-ness and then combine and coat with remaining marinade and bake for 15 minutes.

Life with Strep

February- Zoë got strep throat right after her baptism.
April 29- Miranda got Scarlet Fever (strep throat with a rash)
June 5- Megan got strep throat
July 4- Miranda got strep throat

So, aside from the fact that I really think there is a strep incubator in our house (I have also had strep twice in the last year, and I think I'm missing a time or two of one of the girls getting strep), it really stinks that Miranda got a fever the morning of Independence day.

Nana graciously said she'd stay home with Miranda while the rest of us went swimming as a family at a friends' pool, and while we watched fireworks with other friends later that evening. And, we cancelled our beach trip, berry picking, and postponed a few other things. I didn't take her to the doctor until Tuesday morning because I don't think fever=strep, so I waited a day. But, the petechiae on her oropharynx (ruptured capillaries in her throat) made me highly suspicious enough to request a nurse visit for a throat swab. It was positive, she started antibiotics, and woke up as herself on Wednesday morning: singing and conducting music, dancing, cheerful and sweet and kind and patient.

Not that she wasn't those things and a TOTAL sweetheart and so understanding that she couldn't play with friends, or go swimming. We did let her do some sparklers and watch a few fountain fireworks. But I still looked for her the entire time we were gone on Monday. I really missed her chatter and cheerfulness while we were playing at the pool and with friends. I missed her sunny and helpful kindness.

It's so nice to have my little girl back. And, once again, I pray with fervor in gratitude for modern medicine, antibiotics, and a mother's intuition to know when to take my child to the doctor.

Oh, and I am seriously going to beg my pediatrician to have us all swabbed to see if one of us harbors strep... my guess is it's 'Nica.

"This is the Greatest Day of My Life!"

That's the second thing that Zoë told me right after she got baptized. The first was that she felt "special" and really good.

We had a wonderful day with lots of friends and family. We were particularly glad that Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Becky and Nana and Grandma Winkie were able to come to Indiana for this occasion. We were also glad to have lots of friends from church, and even a neighbor come.

It was really an amazing day, as all baptism days should be. I love feeling the Spirit testify of the truth of things, and the peace and Joy I feel even more strongly on a day that I know brings joy to our Father. I am so grateful for my Savior and my Father in Heaven, that I have this Forever Family, and I'm grateful to feel the Holy Spirit and know that this Church is true, that we have the fullness of the Gospel, which gospel allows us to work to return to our Eternal Family with our Father in Heaven.

It's amazing to see my daughter grow in her own testimony, and see the strength and love she has and shares with others.

Zoë, thank you for this Greatest Day!

**Pictures coming**

FOUND!

I didn't think I'd lost my head. But when I can walk from the car, across the street to scoop up my one-year-old to take her back into the house instead of waiting outside at the bustop with her sisters in below-freezing temps, and drop all my bags, papers, food, mittens/gloves, hats, coats boots, etc. and then I realize that I can't find the iPod I just had in my hands when I was opening the door of my car after I pulled into the driveway.

Horror.

I think I've "lost" that iPod about 10 times! And each time I get a sick feeling in my gut because it's something I use DAILY (Miranda asked for about 10 songs on the short drive to take Megan to school, and I coudn't appease her because I didn't have my iPod with all the music on it).

I searched the car- in the cab, the trunk. I retraced my steps, looking with heart-in-my-throat fear half hoping not to find the little machine smashed into the snow and ground in by trucks. I looked and looked and looked. I dumped my purse out. I dug through my pockets and even the lining of my coat (one of the pockets has a hole in it). I searched my Seminary bag. I looked in the mittens I'd taken of my daughter's hands when we got home. Nothing. Nowhere.

So, I prayed. I prayed on the way to drop Megan off, asked my girls to say a prayer I'd find it this morning, and I prayed again the whole drive home.

Silly? Silly to pray for such a materialistic item? I don't think so. It's something I use. Enough that I would feel like I needed to replace it (I tried going without, and it was difficult and frustrating and I saved up and found a good deal and got a "cheap-o" that died just this week; that was my mp3 player, tho', not this iPod that was lost under a friend's couch for a few weeks).

Well, after getting back and searching the dining room and living room, I walked into the kitchen to start cleaning up. Guess what I saw, sitting right on top of the dishwashwer, where I'd probably left it after I'd dropped off some food in the fridge after I walked in the door.

Yup, there was my iPod, in plain sight!

I knelt down right there, tears in my eyes, and said a heartfelt prayer for something so simple (and ridiculous?) as finding my iPod. But, I am really REALLY REALLY REALLY glad to get this little machine back. And, thankful that even for silly things, the Lord still hears and answers prayers.

Bonus- I found it safe in my house and not crushed in the slushy snow-filled street.

Christmas Highlights

Usually, I will have posted pictures of our Holiday festivities. It's been TOO CRAZY this year. I hope to get to it before January, or maybe before Spring, but if I don't, know that I'm thinking about what's going on, and I am still taking pictures documenting what's happened. But, you'll have to come borrow my hard drive if you want to see them (It'll take a few hours- maybe running into days).

At any rate, the highlights of our Christmas Weekend:

Christmas Eve
morning- our furnace breaks. After much deliberation and attempts to contact our landlord, we called the emergency number for the furnace people, who showed up and said that the part couldn't be obtained until the store opened Monday morning. No heat for Christmas.
afternoon- scrambled to get space heaters; went "bum sledding" with the whole family- AWESOME! (I'll have to post pictures later)
evening- watched, listened, and read the Christmas story. Girls got a bath and ran around in towels until they could open their Christmas jammies (picture to be posted later)

Christmas Day
morning- Christmas stockings followed by crepes (egg and blackberry), and then unwrapping presents. Miranda opened everything she could get her hands on (including Veronica's presents). Veronica just wanted to unwrap and cared little for what was inside. Megan and Zo&eum; are professionals, but enjoyed each gift as they unwrapped them. Favorite gifts?
Veronica- Littlest Petshop MP3 Dog: it plays music from an MP3 player, but 'Nica loves pushing the nose to make the dog dance, sneeze, bark, etc.
Miranda- the Barbie fairies (one of which was Veronica's) and the Tree Tent (which was Veronicas). Once she opened the Barbies she left the rest of her presents sitting wrapped on the couch next to her while she played.
Megan- digital video/picture camera (child; poor pic quality) and her almost-not-quite-American-Girl-Doll that she named Daisy. The two gifts were never far from her arms the rest of the day.
Zoë- digital camera; a real one that takes better pics that mom's pocket camera. This was used on everything and every one.
Mom- toss up between wool socks, Dremmel tool, Carcassone (game) and a warm-drink cup a friend gave her.
Dad- probably the music that he got: John Williams (Superman, Indiana Jones, Olympics, etc.), Gershwin, Lewis, Barenaked Ladies, etc. Not sure if there was another favorite, unless it's the picture frames the girls made for him.
Family- Nana got us a Wii with lots of games that we had fun playing.

afternoon & evening- talked with family on Skype, roasted a turkey (which helped keep our house warm), made Chutney, rolls, mashed potatoes, and salad for dinner (YUM!) and kept warm with space heaters and running around.

The Day-After (Grandma's Birthday)
We wore our matching dresses (skirt for me) to church. The girls looked so cute! I'm glad that they still let me dress them in matching things. I even made matching dresses for Megan's and Zoë's dolls. It was definitely a "chill-out" day. I'll include a picture of them (from our Christmas Cards that might be arriving at your house sometime this week- sorry I didn't get them in the mail until Christmas Eve). We even remembered to call Mom/Grandma/Claudia and wish her a happy birthday!


The best parts of Christmas were being able to give and receive service, gifts, and all in remembrance of my Savior. I know He is mindful of my needs, and those of my families, and blesses us with what is best for us, and often with many of our wants. I am so grateful for the Peace He brings- to my heart, to my family, and to my life. I am grateful to have Christmas to remember His birth, the hope he promised- and fulfilled, and that everybody is able to be a little more patient, a little more kind, and a lot more thoughtful of others' needs and wants. I'm also VERY grateful for central heating! And, the best best part? I got to be with my husband, and share these great memories and times together.

I hope your Christmas was at least 1/10 as wonderful as mine was. And, I hope you are warm and happy with your family, too.

Merry Christmas!

Miracles

I have seen and felt the hand of God in our events this weekend. In addition to being able to attend the temple on Saturday, we also had little miracles happen as Megan and I headed for Indianapolis. I cannot thank all of you enough for your thoughtfulness, your prayers, your thoughts, and for fasting. I am humbled, full of gratitude, and so grateful for Prayer, Friends, Family, and God.

Not 30 minutes into our drive, Travis called saying Ronald McDonald House said they had a room open up for us. This is a place that is run by volunteers and donations to provide a room, a common kitchen, laundry, bath, etc. for families with children in the hospital. For $10/night. I had just made reservations at $116 for a hotel, not a mile away from the hospital, that should have been fine, but was something I was not planning on keeping each night. Now I know I can go back to a room and shower, keep extra things locked away, and make myself some meals without having to worry about paying a hotel bill.

When we arrived, we were offered a full turkey dinner (mashed potatoes, stuffing, salad, gravy, raw veggie platter, cookies and brownies). We ate our fill and were then checked in. Apparently, this is a more self-serve sleeping place and normally they leave the bed linens folded on the bed for the family to make when they arrive. Well, we'd had some college boys who were volunteering that had actually made the beds! Rather impressive, and so very kind since we didn't get into our room until nearly 9pm. I let Megan stay up and we ate popcorn, snacked on some other treats somebody had left outside our door, and watched movie.

Check in was uneventful, until it was time for Megan to head back for the surgery. She was crying, and very upset. I know part of that was because she was up so late last night. Another part because she's in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar people, going in to something she knows is supposed to be scary.

Now, I'm sitting in the waiting room, wishing I had my cup of steamed milk and homemade wheat bread with fresh-ground peanut butter (instead I spent $5 on a cup of semi-warm, sickly sweet soy milk cocoa, ugh), and trying not to chew my fingernails as I wait semi-patiently for the doctor to come out and tell me that everything went perfectly.

I also found out that, although Veronica did rather well last night, Miranda woke up nearly every hour. Huh? No, I didn't get their names mixed up. My two-year-old has felt my going to Indy very acutely, and has not be pacified that Nanaunt was there for her. Miranda really, really wanted to come to Indy with me. Hopefully tonight will be better, and she'll settle in with Nanaunt and have a lot of fun with her.

Oh, and because I had the car with the tell-tale bike rack, the seminary students didn't know that the teacher (Travis) was waiting for them in the classroom. Many of them waited in the parking lot for 15-20 min until finally coming in to check things out. One student, at least, headed home because he thought nobody was there. I did tell them they were having a sub! I even told them it was Travis. Hopefully tomorrow they'll all show up!

I'll update the blog again as soon as I can. Hopefully shortly after we get Megan into her room and settled. Here's hoping it's all good news.

Riley Hospital for Children

Megan's surgery is scheduled for Monday, October 18th at 7:30 am EDT.*

She and I are driving down to Indy Sunday afternoon and will head over to the hospital early Monday morning (and here I thought with this trip I'd get to sleep in!)

Travis and I were blessed, through the assistance of a wonderful friend who watched our daughters and an understanding aunt who was willing to be greeted at the airport by the same friend instead of being picked up by her niece, and we were able to spend the day at the Chicago temple. It was wonderful to be able to go through an endowment session together, be the witness couple, and then get to be there for some amazing friends of ours who were baptized last year and were sealed together and to their daughter today. Such a wonderful day, and such a good way to fill up my cup in preparation for this week.

I will try to send updates to immediate family about Megan's surgery, and will probably post a note here after things get settled down (which may not be until I get back from Indy on Wednesday night).

Thank you for all your prayers and thoughts. They are most welcome, and much appreciated. Thank you for your faith and love- I can already feel it!

Here's hoping everything goes perfectly!

*I originally sent out an email to some stating the surgery was at 10am EDT, but Riley Hospital called me about an hour later and said her surgery was moved to the earlier 7:30 slot.

Listen to the Still Small Voice; Listen, Listen!

As I was gathering my things for church yesterday morning, I included the Seminary Kickoff bag that had my "lesson" tucked inside. I was thinking maybe I'd run into someone who might not make it to the meeting later that night.

When I got to Relief Society I was so excited, thinking "Finally! I can sit through a lesson and be taught and enjoy the meeting in its entirety" and "Well, Sis F- will be leaving to go teach singing, soon." The first counselor in the Relief Society (RS) presidency stood up to open the meeting (after looking around frantically to see where the other RS presidency members were) and she was a little surprised that she was a one-woman show. She got started and then realized, in front of all of us, that there was no teacher. NO TEACHER! How often does that happen in RS??? "We'll have a practice hymn, and then we'll see what we do about a lesson" is how she concluded for the moment.

She sat down and the new RS Secretary (as of a few hours previous), popped out of her seat and came up, offering to help teach something. Another sister came over and offered a Conference Report Ensign. I sat there a moment, thinking... is it covered? and then walked forward and whispered to the counselor that I had a lesson all ready for Seminary Kickoff about President Thomas S. Monson, and would she like me to teach that for RS?

I was impressed, as she was, by the offers of so many women to help and step in at (literally!) a moment's notice! I was grateful that I'd listened to the Spirit and had prepared my lesson and packed it with me to church-- not even considering I might teach Relief Society!

Even better was the Spirit that joined us in that Relief Society room. The sisters participated, gave thoughtful comments. There was laughter, and a few tears, and I really think some people were edified. I know that it was partly my preparation, but it was mostly the Spirit of the Lord that taught that day. I know- because I taught the same lesson later that night, and it didn't quite have the same impact and presence (although the Seminary discussion went well).

I know that teaching Seminary is going to be a mixed bag. I was praying this summer about assistance with making daily scripture study part of my life. I don't know why it's so hard for me to do that, but it seems it's almost impossible for me to reach for my scriptures and study, let alone read! I was also begging the Lord for help (or release) from my then current calling, Ward Employment Specialist. I cannot think of a calling in the church more frustrating or depressing than trying to help people find a job (I never got to taste the reward part- not one person found a job with my assistance while I was in the calling). I'm almost laughing at the answer to my prayer! Yup, teaching Seminary will definitely fulfill those two requests in spades. Yes, even in my prayers, I think I also asked for help about having a better sleep schedule.

And so, I will be diving in the Doctrine and Covenants and Church History this school year. I just hope and pray that I'll have a few more lessons like the one I taught in Relief Society today- one where the Spirit is present; we're all edified and touched; everyone participates. And, of course, I hope that the testimonies of the students are strengthened and help them face the daily difficulties they experience at school and in life.

Megan's Medical Update

We spent two days in Indy this week. We got an Indianapolis Zoo pass so that while Megan and I were at the clinic having tests done, the rest could enjoy the animals. But, since Megan and I didn't want to miss out, we came down a day early and spent the afternoon at the zoo, the evening swimming*, and then got up for the medical stuff the next morning.

Megan was a trooper! She was a little nervous, but did great through everything. Thankfully, there were no needles involved! She was a happy drunk when they gave her the medicine for the VCUG (if you don't know what that is, you don't need to; if you're super curious, email me and I'll share the details). After all the tests were done and said, we headed over to see Dr. Cain, the pediatric urologist.

He didn't have great news for us. It seems that one side is worse, the other still appears problematic. And, this year's tests show that there is probably damage done to one of the kidneys (could be from birth on, but most likely not since she's been on prophylactic antibiotics this past year). He said that she now has a 15% chance of growing out of this. And, he wants to get a scan to test her renal function. If the kidney(s) is(are) looking bad, then he'd do surgery pretty much right away. Otherwise, he'd be OK with watchful waiting, meaning we could put off surgery to see if she might grow out of it.

So, we will be getting a lot of mileage out of that zoo pass! And, we're hoping that Megan's kidneys are fine and she'll outgrow this so we won't have to have surgery.

I don't know which way they'll go in to do the surgery (laproscopic or through the back), but a description of one of the possible surgeries is below:

Surgical Correction
Correction of reflux (called ureteral reimplantation or ureteroneocystostomy) is recommended for high grades of reflux (because they are unlikely to resolve by themselves), for reflux that fails to resolve on its own despite monitoring over several years, and for patients with breakthrough infections.

The traditional surgical approaches have high degrees of success and usually involve opening the bladder and creating a new, longer tunnel for the ureter to pass through the bladder wall. If the ureter is very wide due to high grade reflux, it may need to be narrowed to make a successful flap valve with at least a 4:1 ratio of tunnel length to ureter width.

So, we'll be heading back to Indy in a few weeks (depending on when they have time available). Thankfully, Megan is totally unfazed by all of this. She's good with doing these things (maybe it's because she gets my undivided attention?) She wasn't even all that sad that she didn't get a second day at the zoo (until she saw pictures and then she asked if we could go back).

Walking through Riley Hospital was humbling and gratitude-inspiring. Yeah, Megan isn't perfect and might have to have surgery, but she can walk, talk and breath on her own, unlike many of the little children I saw being carried, wheeled, or pulled in wagons by patient and loving parents and caregivers. My heart went out to them, and my prayers are with them. And, my heart is lifted in gratitude for the four beautiful blessings we have!

I'm also very grateful for good medical insurance.

*Pictures forthcoming! I might just have to put together a slideshow of the favorites, because between Becky and I, we had six cameras (SLR, digital, pocket digital, iphone, digital, pocket digital)! Oh, and I'm becoming interested in an SLR after using her camera. Bulky? yes! Fast pics? YES! Hmmm.... well, not in the budget just yet.

Again? What's with the Ear Infections?

OK,

So now four of the five girls living in our house are on antibiotics.

I had Strep last week.

Veronica woke up Sunday with pus draining out of her ear (EW!). She's still only marginally better and I can only tell that, not because she isn't smiling, but because she doesn't want to go to sleep.

Does this look like a child with RAGING ear infections in both ears?

Zoë had a well-child checkup on Monday (only the 40% for height! I guess she takes after her mom in that department) and got her Hepatitis A vaccination (she didn't even cry! although she was NOT happy to have a shot).

During dinner last night, Miranda said her ear hurt. I took a look, scooped out some hard wax, and then thought, "Uh, oh, that doesn't look good". But she stopped complaining after I cleaned her ear out, so I let it go. Did I mention that Travis stayed home with Veronica and Miranda on Sunday because Miranda had a fever on Saturday afternoon?

Last night, at 12:15 am, as I was trying to buy airline tickets and reserve a rental car for Travis to head to Houston for a funeral (more on this later), Zoë came downstairs, crying and holding her ear. I took a peek and she had a BRIGHT RED ear drum. I gave her some motrin and sent her back to bed after letting the medicine take effect.

I checked both Zoë's and Miranda's ears this morning. Zoë's ear was a little red, there was more fluid behind it, but it didn't look nearly as bad as it had at midnight. Miranda's appeared to have even more pus behind the ear drum, but didn't look terribly red. *sigh*

I called and got an appointment for Zoë, debating if I shouldn't just get Miranda an appointment, too. We headed to the doctor's office. When we got there, I asked if the doctor would please check Miranda's ear, too. Our sweet doctor! He said Zoë's ear didn't look too scary, but with her throat being red too, he was willing to treat her with antibiotics. He then said that Miranda had a raging ear infection. I said I'd be happy to pay the co-pay since I'd snuck Miranda in under the radar, but he just waved me off! I was VERY grateful.

We stopped at the dollar store and I let the girls each pick out something. Miranda went over to the sunglasses and tried on a pair.
I guess she looked very entertaining with her white tutu, a Princess balloon in hand, and adult sunglasses on her face. A gentleman saw her and started laughing- one of those belly laughs.


We made it through (Megan picked out some foam, Zoë got a recorder flute, Miranda a princess balloon) and at the checkout, this same gentleman brought Zoë and Megan princess balloons, too! Then he took the girls over and picked out some sunglasses for them. I was so humbled and so grateful! My heart was in my throat as I said thank you. I was grateful for this man, who probably had no idea what a crazy couple of days/weeks I'd been having, but his kidness to give my girls some silly toys and brighten their smiles made my day better (in the face of no sleep, three girls with ear infections, husband going out of town for three days). I am so thankful for the Lord's servants, and that people would do good things for others.

With smiles on all of our faces, we headed out to the van. As we navigated getting three huge Mylar balloons into the van, and juggling buckles, and bags, this same sweet gentleman came trotting after us and brought three bears (dark brown, light brown and pink) for the girls. So sweet!

So, we will enjoy our balloons and sunglasses the next few days. I will smile every time I think about that kind man, and about my girls' smiles. I will (someday!) laugh about how so many of us were sick at the same time.

And, I will continue to thank my Father in Heaven for all His help that lets me get through weeks like these last few, and for sending me wonderful friends, doctors, and even strangers to help bring a smile or lighten my load.

Listening to the Spirit

I know that Our Father-in-Heaven hears our prayers. I also know that when we Listen to Him, we can be instruments for His work.

A couple of weeks ago, amidst the flood of illnesses (we've really only had 3 days when somebody in our house wasn't sick, and two kids were on antibiotics those three days!, since Christmas), I got a phone call while I was out shopping with the two younger kids. It was Megan's preschool saying she had a fever (the second Thursday in a row!) and she needed to be picked up.

On the drive to get her, my grocery shopping left unfinished- meaning a night trip (which I really HATE, even more than dragging the kids shopping with me), I burst into tears and prayed for some help and support. I was just SO TIRED of sick kids, and sick adults, and sick, sick sick of SICKNESS.

I scooped up a very ill Megan (she ended up having an ear infection and was started on antibiotics) . As I came home I noticed there was something taped to my front door:


Well, I smiled, and chuckled. I pulled off the paper, hauled the three girls in the door and opened the paper.

What I read inside made me smile and laugh.

Then I burst into tears.

Click for larger view

I called Travis to see if he'd spoken with the Missionaries, thinking he might've asked them to do something nice for me. He hadn't talked with them at all. This little note was really just because these young men, who work hard to serve others and follow what they feel is right, had listened to the Holy Spirit and answered a prayer that I'd sent Heavenward in frustration and desperation.

Thank You, Elders!

I believe in the power of prayer! I am so grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears my prayers, and answers them. I don't always get such instant answers, nor so directly! But, this isn't the first time that someone has acted in His proxy to fulfill a need/desire and answer a prayer.

It is my hope, as well, that I live my life in such a way to Listen and be an instrument in helping His children, too.

Namaste

So, I've plugged exercisetv before. It's a great place to find free workouts that can be streamed to your computer (you can purchase them, too). There are TONS of different workouts, and all of varying length (2 minutes to 2 hours!).

Meaghan Townsend is a yoga instructor that has some free full-length yoga workouts. They are amazing great for getting your heart rate up, but also stretching. I really feel like my body is warm and limber after her workouts, and I love that I still feel like I've worked my body as hard as some of the floundering workouts I've done (Have I mentioned that I frequently feel like a fish flopping on the floor?)

At any rate, at the end of her workout, she says that it is customary to say "Namaste". She defines this as meaning, "All the goodness in me salutes all the goodness in you."

Although Wiki states that the translation really means "I bow (reverentially) to you."

There's something to saying that at the end of a workout. Maybe it's the subjecting the flesh to the control of the spirit- making my body do things it doesn't necessarily feel natural doing. Maybe that control allows my mind to be more open to other Spiritual things, and I am more comfortable greeting the goodness in others.

Or maybe, I'm just hypoxic from the workout.

Still, I know that frequently I feel like praying at the end of a workout. Not just the, "Thank you, God, that is OVER!" but more along the lines of prayers that are full of gratitude. More gratitude than requests, with which I frequently feel my prayers are overweighted.

I feel more settled in my mind, and although I am tired and probably sore, I'm ready for the next thing in life (hopefully a shower!)

And, as a Child of God, with you as my brothers and sisters, I love that at the end of a workout I am better ready to great all the goodness in you.

Namaste, my friends!