Hello Othello!

Ethan and Missy were thronged by guests this weekend, eager to attend Zaid's blessing, and Dan and Shane and I were among them. We were in Othello for only about 20 hours, but that was long enough to hold a bit of heaven in my arms, to read stories to Brooklyn and Lilly, to visit with Dan's sisters, to meet and greet Missy's side of the family, and probably to leave Ethan and Missy exhausted for a full week or more. They provided three tasty meals in a row for various members of the family, and sent us on our way at last with a bag of zucchini from their bountiful garden. Thanks, guys, it was great! -1 pound this week!

Those who were in the blessing circle

Iris, Dan, and Janet

New Email Addy

Yup, my old hot mail account was giving me a lot of trouble. I received emails ok, but couldn't send any out. They just got stuck in my outbox and wouldn't budge for the world. So after a couple of weeks of trying to figure it out, I gave up and got a new account. It's better than hotmail alone, but not as good as the outlook Jordan got me started with five years ago when I first gained computer access. If he were here, I know he would've wrangled it back into submission for me, but he's not, and I miss him so much! Not for his computer prowess, but for himself, the whole delightfully unique package that is Jordan McKay Washburn! But don't let me get started down that painful path, let me give you my new address. It's bonniebeyond@gmail.com Got it? bonniebeyond@gmail.com !

-2 pounds this week! It's going great!

My Glowing Fire

Meet our new fire pit, Dan's birthday gift from me, his fire-crazed wife. I just love it! I think he likes it too, just not as much as I do. Now we need to find a steady source of smallish sized firewood, because this little goodie is going to get a lot of use. I'd forgotten how great a simple hot dog can taste cooked over an open fire. So good that nutrition concerns are completely, albeit temporarily, set aside. We grilled vegetables too, and finished off with, what else, smores. Oh, and I made the hot dog buns, and they were whole wheat, so we didn't do too badly after all.

Your Future's as Bright As Your Faith

I'm going to go out on a limb and make a prediction. Shane will receive his mission call on Oct. 7th. There, we'll know if I'm a credible prognosticator in only three weeks. If I were the one doing the calling, where would I send him? I don't know. For Colin, I had a strong desire that he stay within the U.S., and he did. For Shane, I must be trusting the Lord more an leaning on my own understanding less, because no preferences have surfaced. Actually, it may be because I know that anywhere he goes will be too far away for me. I'd rather him go than stay home though, so I won't be trying to wrestle control over any of it from the Lord. Not that that's possible, but that doesn't keep us from trying sometimes, does it.

My new eating plan is going great! I feel more energetic than I have in a very long time. I think I lost 2 pounds in the first week, but my scale played a trick on me yesterday ()our weighing day). The day before that and today, it said I'd lost 2 pounds, but the day of, it registered only a 1 pound loss. That's ok, I'll have that scale eating out of my hand in no time. I'm eating lots of vegetables and whole grains, and a modicum of meat and fruit. I love grinding my own wheat, and then turning around and baking up a batch of fragrant, delicious, 100% whole wheat bread. The fam is loving it too. I like knowing that they're getting more fiber and nutrients than they had been getting in our former storebought brand.

Now about sugar. I spent some time this morning reading up on lots of sugar replacements - mainly stevia and agave, but also the artificial sweeteners. The latter is out. If I want to use something other than honey and sugar, I'm leaning toward stevia and grade B maple syrup. But, right now, I think I'll just limit all sweets of any kind and not worry about starting anything new. I'll keep studying up on nutrition as I go along, and make changes when I'm convinced it'd be worthwhile. I really really like how I'm feeling now though - like I'm on the right trrack. Just stay away from me, swine flu, pneumonia, and too many leukemic cells, and I'll be fine! Both my faith and my future are bright bright bright! And I pray so hard that yours are too.

September Surprise

September has got to be one of the very best months of the year. Strung upon its golden chain of days like sparkling charms, are the birthdays of Dan, and three of our sons, Ethan, Greg, and Shane, and of our first grandchild, Jaxon. With all the cake and ice cream this calls for, one might think it's a terrible time to begin a whole new way of eating. But I say, along with my super secret society of supporters, that it's a great time to start a fresh approach to nourishment. I'm blending elements from several books together to come up with what I hope works best for me. I will let you know how it goes! Wish me luck.

Shane had the worst birthday of his life last week, but in typical Washburn fashion, he was able to laugh about it. He spent the day driving from one clinic to another, getting his mission medical papers filled out. At one clinic, he received an MMR and a TDAP vaccination, and was sent to another for a hepatitis immunization. . There was some confusion on which vaccine to give him, and he was given the wrong one, B instead of A! The first clinic called him and told him of the other clinic's error, and instructed him to return, assuring him that he'd receive the correct vaccine free of charge. But when he arrived at the second clinic for the second time that day, they wouldn't give him the vaccine, and said they didn't know anything about it being given for free, either. In the midst of all this running between clinics, he also went to his dentist's office to get a form filled out, but the office was closed. We called the dentist, a friend, and he told Shane to come right over to his home and he'd fill it out for him, which he did.

Next morning, the first clinic called to say Shane could pick up his papers. When I told the nurse that he'd been unable to get the vaccine the evening before, she called the clinic in a bit of a huff, I suspect, and they called us right away to apologize for the previous day's events. As it turns out, Shane won't be able to get the correct vaccine for 4-6 weeks, but he can still turn his papers in without it. And, ta-da, he turned them in yesterday at church. Now he's working on getting an appointment for an interview with the stake president. Go Shane go! No, don't go! Yes, do go, but your Mom is going to miss you soooo much.

We didn't get to do the shopping we'd planned to do what with all the hither-and-thithering, so Shane's birthday dinner and cake were delayed until Saturday. Finally, we got it altogether, and he was semi-properly honored. His gift is still pending, because I thought it best if he chose it himself. It'll be a camera to take with him on his mission. And thus we see that September's surprises begin to unfold. He may even have his mission call before the end of the month, and I may have lost a few pounds to boot!

Zach, and Nick, and So Many Others Needd Our Prayers

Zach McCulloch is 19 years old. He has been battling rhabdomyosarcoma for three and a half years. His care has just been changed from curative to palliative, meaning nothing is being done to stop the disease, only to alleviate symptoms. His father, Kevin, writes with such hope that another treatment plan will come along. I can't tell him, but I don't think it will.

Nick Raitt is 20 years old. He was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma about two and a half years ago, just before his high school graduation. Like Zach, he has relapsed, and will begin a year of treatment next week, including chemo and six weeks of radiation.

Treatment is tough! Ending treatment is even tougher! I remember being where Zach's and Nick's families are now. They are clinging to hope just the way I did. Hope can be a warm blanket that shields us for a time from the bitter, cold reality of losing a child. There are so many desperate struggles for life going on that we know nothing of. Oh, dear Father in heaven, teach us to cherish one another while we can! Heal those who are sick. But if not, then please wrap them in that soft, fleecy blanket of hope. Comfort them, dry their tears, mend their broken hearts, we humbly pray. Give them patience for those who do not/cannot understand their extreme pain, and who inadvertently hurt them with words that are meant in kindness but are like daggers to the hart.

Stacie, a CLL friend, was diagnosed at age 33, when her oldest daughter was 12 and her twin daughters were 11. That was 13 years ago. She has had many close calls, and seems to be entering another one, which could very well be her last. I pray that she can spend many more years with her family here on earth! Her first grandchild, Colton, is only a year old, and she is blessed to have a close relationship with him. And yet, through it all, Zach, Nick, Stacie, and many, many others are thankful for every blessing, enjoying each moment of life they have, and doing little to no complaining at all. Now really, in light of their courageous example in the face of real adversity, and for so many other reasons, I think the majority of us can afford to up the gratitude factor quite a bit, as well! Let us focus less on ourselves, and more on reaching out, and showing love and respect to all who need it! .. and isn't that not just ourselves but everyone?