Blog Post to Seth

I usually copy my latest blog posts for Seth, too, so I'm going to write this one in letter form:

Dear Seth,

Hi!  How are you?  Did you get back to go back across the street (he got moved):?  I hope so!  I know you wanted to go back there so much.  And thank you ahead, if you will mail Mrs. C's letter back to us.  Sorry for the mix-up!  

We are fine.  Still applying for jobs.  It really feels like things have been held back for a reason - maybe to get our emergency supplies organized (which is almost done!), to wait for the best job, to be free, for if something does happen soon, or maybe just to be with our same ward, as they fasted and prayed these past 3 months, over Bishop Baird.

Yesterday, he attended fast and testimony meeting~ he still can't walk, though he looks great, just skinnier.  He said he's very weak.  First, he met in the Primary room with the kids and youth.  I went in early and said hi.  We had to use hand sanitizer and put on surgical masks.  It was so great to see him!  He talked to the kids a moment and then they all sang Primary songs.  He told them that, when they first fasted and prayed for him, when he was really bad, he was shown each one of the little children's faces, one-by-one, and asked if even one of the children's faith wasn't enough to heal him.  He knew it was.

Then, in the fast mtg., he bore his testimony first.  He said how wonderful it was to see all of us, and he thanked us for our prayers and fasting.  He said he could feel them helping him when he needed strength to go on against the terrible pain.  Sis. Baird also bore her testimony and thanked us and Heavenly Father.  They both emphasized the reality of the Godhead and how they work together for us, all the time, on a personal basis.  He had experiences that confirmed this to be true, while there in ICU.

He's expected to walk again, and we're still praying for his total recovery.

It was such a wonderful thing to witness his return to his ward!

I was thinking of how we often have to lean on other's testimonies until we grow a strong one of our own.  It says in the scriptures that some people's gift isn't to know, but to believe on others' words.  It says that this is the greater gift: to know without seeing for yourself.  

Many people have strengthened my testimony, people I have admired, respected and loved.   I think of the Andersons, Sis. Davis, the Hendricksons, Grandma Wakefield, my parents, President and Sister Hinckley, the Weatherbees, Sister Kline, the Sheets family, the Olivers, the Bairds, the Wheatleys, the Murdocks, the Harts and the Shulls and the McEvoys and the Leirheimers, and on and on.

I also have witnessed so many miracles and answers to prayers, and I have felt the Spirit and know what a difference it makes in my life;  I will have to write more on my blog, about some of those hundreds of miracles I've experienced.

I just finished reading a book, Little Bee, and now am going to finish The Folded Earth.  I'm  also making little things for the kids, and Mark is baking some.  He made peanut butter cookies the other day, and also beef jerky.  I thought it was delicious, but am now tiring of it.  It's supposed to be to store, but I don't know if it will make it!

We had Ben and Linda's kids over for a while last weekend.  Josh ate a giant peanut butter cookie, and he watched My Neighbor Totoro, and The Polar Express.   Beth was happy snuggling Tut while Mark kept him occupied.  She loves animals and music!

Thursday we head down to Utah for our friend Julie's wedding, and on the 12th I have cataract surgery on one eye.  Later on they'll do the other eye.  They're just day surgeries.

We'll be rather busy, for us.  

The weather is sunny and cold today, and windy.  Mark was sitting outside with Leto when Leto ran off.  Mark searched around in the car, till he got a call from our vet's office.  They were called by a man who has a female German Shepherd Dog at an apt. in the area.   Leto ran over there and the man called the vet's number on Leto's dog tag.  He was only gone about 15 mins. in all, but, sheesh!  We have to keep him on the leash, even if we're sitting right by him!

Saturday we picked up his dog treats at the pet store; well, Mark did, while I looked at Porters.  It was really busy in there!  So Leto is happy to have his chicken-flavored dental treats, and we are happy, because now his breath is good.  : )

I'll close for now.  Please take care and know that your family loves you, and Heavenly Father does too!

xoxoxo,

Doc and Tut and Mommy and Leto