January 13, 2013‏

We had an interesting day, this Sunday. We are now called, as you know, to see to it that a sacrament meeting service is provided at the elderly care center within our ward boundaries. We have, Gramps and I, been assigning ward families to present the programs. They play the hymns and a 101-year old resident of the home leads the music. Sometimes a resident will also say the opening or closing prayer. The priesthood in the family, assisted by others as needed, prepares and serves the Sacrament. The presiding priesthood member of the family presides and conducts and other family members give two and a half minute talks. Gramps said that the Spirit there this a.m. was so very strong that it was glorious.

I stayed home to put the finishing touches on my Sunday School lesson.

In our Sacrament meeting, we had our five serving missionary's moms give reports on their missionaries. One of the Elders is serving in Africa. He is very tall, 6-foot 6-inches, and he is sometimes having to ride in a small bus with lots and lots of other people. It makes a tight fit for him. Each of the moms was equally proud of her missionary son and the meeting was full of laughs, smiles and tears as they shared the tender moments of the missions their sons are serving.

In Sunday School, Gramps and I teach the missionary preparation class. One of the young men is going to Italy. The other two are waiting their calls. It was my turn to teach the lesson and I had such a wonderful time discussing the temple with the three men. Gramps was there, of course. What a great experience it is to be with the young Elders.

Then, after Relief Society and Priesthood meeting, our ward met in the cultural hall for a snack and send event (sometimes called a munch and mingle). There were cookies and crackers for those who stayed--hence the snack. There were also tables with stationary and pens waiting on their tops. Each of us was to write a letter to each of the five missionaries. The Bishop is mailing them to the various missionaries on Monday morning.

We then came home, finished fixing dinner, and drove some of it to Julie's home. Jim is in California taking care of the bees. Julie is at home with four little kids who have had the flu. That on top of losing her baby, which was due the middle of May. I can't remember if I told you that the baby died inside her at New Years. She went to the doctor the Saturday before and the doctor found that the heartbeat had stopped. At any rate, we knew how pressed Julie was. She had to stay home from church because of the kids. She lives way out in the country with the closest neighbors a couple of blocks away. So we took dinner to them. We talked briefly and then we left. She was afraid that if we stayed we would also get sick. (Gramps got stuck in the snow and had to borrow ashes from Julie's ashes bin to get unstuck.) It was certainly cold there--12 degrees below zero at 6 p.m.

I am finally getting over the cough that went with the flu that I had just after Christmas. I think I tired to die but it must not have been my time to go because I am still here. I suppose that you heard about the missionaries at the MTC who had the flu. It was an epidemic. There were 250 of them all sick at the same time.

We do love you! We are so proud of the work that you are doing. What a great service you are performing. (One of my friends at the temple calls it "preforming." So now, every time I say the word "performing" I think of her and her "preformed" concrete. She cannot hear the difference in the two words.) ;) So keep up the good work. We so enjoy your letters and also the letters of your cousin. Who would have thought, in advance, that you would both end up in California speaking Spanish? I am happy that you did but I was surprised. Dane and Kyle are the next to go out and we could have four of you out at once. What a blessing to the family that will be. Having two of you out is already a blessing!

Take care. Know that we love you!

"The Lord has great confidence in you. He trusts you." - President Uchtdorf at the CES Devotional.

Swedish Orange Bread

Swedish Orange Bread

1/4 cup warm water (105-degrees for dry yeast)

1 package active dry yeast

2 cups scalded milk 

2 tablespoons melted butter

4 tablespoons orange juice concentrate

2 teaspoons salt

2 cups of oatmeal flour

4 cups whole wheat flour

Pour 1/4 cup water into a bowl; add yeast and stir until dissolved. Stir the butter and orange juice into the hot milk. It will help cool it. Add the salt and stir well. Stir in the 2 cups of oat flour. Add to the yeast mixture. Add the remaining flour and knead well. Use the rise and knead method: let the dough rise for 15 minutes and then knead. Do this five times. In between kneadings, place the dough in a bowl, cover and keep in a warm place. Let the dough raise a final time until doubled. Punch dough down; squeeze out air with your hands; shape into a smooth ball and squeeze dough to divide into equal portions for two loaves. Form into two loaves. Cover and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled. Put in a 375 degree oven and bake until nicely browned and just starting to pull away from pan sides, about 45 minutes. Remove from over and turn loaves out of pans to cool before slicing or wrapping.

To make into Swedish Traditional Orange Rye Bread use 2 cups of rye flour in place of the oatmeal flour. Add 2 tablespoons grated orange peel and 1 tablespoon of caraway, anise or fennel seed.

The oatmeal version made great scones.

Just So You Know

Each time one of you loses a baby, early or late in the process, it makes me really sad. I know how I felt when it happened to me--as though someone I loved dearly, for years and years, had passed on. I know the gospel. I know that there is a plan. I have faith that the best thing happens. However, I still mourn. Forgive my mother's heart. I love you all. I am glad that each of you lived, grew up and gave me more people to love and more to worry about.

To one of my least critical children, though there are several of you, thank you for your private response and your understanding.

I am actually the one in mourning. I feel very sad.