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?

Nearly Speechless in Seattle

UW's Red Square

Baby Love

Ethan Receiving an Award

Fellow Graduate Dressed for Success

Rachel, the Pike Place Pig

Shane's Turn

Ferry to Bainbridge Island

Ferry Princesses

Snoqualmie Falls

Happy 36th Anniversary!

Yay, today's our anniversary, and Dan has the whole week off! Let's see what fun we can cook up in addition to going to Seattle this week for Ethan's graduation, and an all-around good time! We're not the mushy, sentimental type, but here's a little something we'll share in honor of our big day.

1. How old were you when you met? He was 19; I was 20.
2. Was it love at first sight? No.
3. Where did you go on your first date? To the Marriott Center for a basketball game between BYU and UTEP.
4. Do you remember what you were wearing? I wore purple bell bottoms and a white and purple sweater. Neither of us remember what he wore.
5. First kiss? On the cheek in the BYU library about a month later.
6. How long from your first date to your wedding day? Eighteen months.
7. Where were you married? In the Salt Lake temple.
8. Where was your first home together? An apartment in Seaside, CA.
9. How long were you married before your first child was born? 13 months.
10. What foods does he dislike? Garlic, onions, zucchini, tofu.
11. What are his favorite foods? French toast, spaghetti, sunflower seeds, porkchops, and fried chicken.
12. Foods she dislikes: shrimp, lobster, Miracle Whip, jalapenos.
13. Her favorite foods:: Bruschetta, potatoes, brown rice, chocolate, oranges, watermelon.
14. Who's the most stubborn? He is. She is. He is. She is. He is. She is. It's a tie!
15. Most generous? Tied again.
16. Do you both like to read? Yes.
17. The same authors? No.
18. Do you agree on money and politics? Yes and yes.
19. Do you have a special song? We did when we were dating - Sealed With A Kiss by Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Like Brian Hyland's version better now though.
20. Would you do it all over again? In a heartbeat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlVnP141-kY&feature=related

Tho we gotta say goodbye for the summerr
Darling I promise you this
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Guess it's gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I'll fill the emptiness
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
I'll see you in the sunlight
I'll hear your voice everywhere
I'll run to tenderly hold you
But darling you won't be there
I don't wanna say goodbye for the summer
Knowing the love we'll miss
Oh let us make a pledge to meet in September
And seal it with a kiss
Guess it's gonna be a cold lonely summer
But I'll fill the emptiness
I'll send you all my love every day in a letter
Sealed with a kiss
Sealed with a kiss
Sealed with a kiss

If I Were a Rich Man

Interesting proposition though that may be to contemplate, if I were a rich man, well I just wouldn't recognize myself! It is definitely a blast to have some mad money to spend once in awhile though. Last week, due to the dispersal of a few remaining funds from my mom's estate, I was able to go on a spending spree. Wheeeeee! Somewhere out there, the U.S. Postal Service is in possession of several packages laden with goodies bound for my address. Books, games, a few toys, Corelle dinnerware, red gingham acrylic tumblers, and elegant red acrylic goblets to coordinate with the dinnerware are headed my way! This week I plan to order a Wonder mill Whisper Mill The worlds best grain machine and a food dehydrator, and I'm searching for a good deal on a fire pit for Dan's rapidly approaching birthday.

On top of all this shopping, I've just finished, and begun another, wonderful book. Martha Spence Haywood's journal, written from 1850 to 1856 and titled Not By Bread Alone, was a real heart- and-eye-opener for me. Most surprisingly, some of the very ancestors and their acquaintances I've been reading about were mentioned by name, and Martha knew one of them, Benjamin F. Johnson, quite well. Benjamin was the first husband of Flora Clarinda Gleason Johnson Washburn. Clarinda divorced him and married Abraham Daniel Washburn, the first Washburn to join the church, having been taught by Parley P. Pratt in New York. Not too surprisingly, the reason for the divorce varies depending on whether you're a Washburn or a Johnson descendant. Martha often alluded to vexing differences of opinion with family members and others, without going into great detail. Ever quick to turn her trials over to the Lord, she wrote that it was her belief that they were designed to refine and fit her for exaltation. Her patience and uncomplaining nature inspire me. I learned a lot from reading Martha's words that I want to emulate, and I hope to meet her someday and sit down with her for a friendly chat. I stumbled across a talk by Elder Cook, one thought from which I'm putting at the end of this entry, because it made me think of Martha.

The other book I'm reading is about another non-complainer, Jean-Dominique Bauby. A massive stroke left him paralyzed, except for his left eyelid, completely dependent upon others for life itself. The paralysis caused him to suffer locked-in syndrome. With a mind as active and observant as ever, his wit and candor are intriguing. His remarkable book is called The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.

I am grateful for the people who strongly impacted the quality of my life last week, and I can't say thank you to any of them. Sister Haywood, Mr. Bauby, and especially my sweet, wise mother, in their own individual ways, truly enriched me, not just for last week, but for always.

Elder Gene R. Cook:
"I bear testimony that often, in the midst of suffering trials, afflictions, and discouragement, those very circumstances tutor us in developing increasing love and trust in God. Consequently, what a great blessing those trials are!"

Trudging Along the Oregon Trail

We set out this morning to watch the reenactment of the river crossing near Glenns Ferry at Three Island State Park. We found that the Oregon Trail still holds disappointment for some of its travelers when we became stuck in a three to four mile traffic jam and missed the whole thing. The park's website says,

Upon reaching the Three Island ford, the emigrants had a difficult decision to make. Should they risk the dangerous crossing of the Snake, or endure the dry, rocky route along the south bank of the river? About half of the emigrants chose to attempt the crossing by using the gravel bars that extended across the river. Not all were successful; many casualties are recounted in pioneer diaries. The rewards of a successful crossing were a shorter route, more potable water and better feed for the stock. The Three Island ford was used by pioneer travelers until 1869, when Gus Glenn constructed a ferry about two miles upstream."

The Glenns Ferry community has sponsored a crossing reenactment for 24 years. Unfortunately, this year's event was the last. Our trip wasn't wasted because Dan said he like the looks of the area and that we'll go back to explore when its less crowded. We picked up the Oregon Trail again near Boise though, hiked a little, admired the well-watered sage brush (thanks to an extra wet spring and summer), and finished off by picnicking on a round of Jack's mini sirloin burgers.

New Baby, New Calling, and New Puzzlement

Announcing the birth of our new little grandson, Zaid Andrews Washburn! You can see pics at Ethan's and Missy's blog! Welcome to the world, little Zaid. We now have five granddaughters and four grandsons, each a treasured part of the world of Washburns. We are blessed, and pray that we can be a blessing to each of them too!

Shane was ordained to the office of an elder in the Melchizedek priesthood by Colin on July 12th. I could tell that he was feeling a little uncertain about where he fit in in the ward since his graduation. Now he knows where he belongs, for the time being. I'm so happy that our wonderful ward leaders extended a call to him, seting him apart as a priest quorum adviser last Sunday!

I've been trying to solve a mystery of the Washburn family since we returned from last week's reunion. Why did Dan's great Grandfather Parley Pratt Washburn's family leave the church? It seems to have caused problems for succeeding generations, which really is no surprise, is it? As I've found snippets of information here and there on the web, I've felt such a love for them, and a desire to help turn the tide back to the way of his father, Abraham. But then I find myself thinking that if faithful Abraham and Flora Clarinda's own son somehow decided to become a dissenter from the church, is it any wonder that my own family faces similar struggles, or that prayer and study are needed now more than ever?