Diane, God bless you. # 7 WOW !!!!! You almost have enough to play every sport with a full team. Just think how great your family get togethers will be when the kids are grown and with their own families. It will always be like one big family reunion. There will be more cousins than stars in the sky. My mom and dad had five of us and all of us are building our own families. When ever we all get together, like now, it's like one giggle after another. The kids just form this close bond right from the start. Playing in the living room you hear them laughing, in the kitchen a couple of us are laughing, and down the hall in the computer room, still yet more laughter. IT"S SO GREAT !!!! Love ya Kimmie

This story happened on July 9, but I counldn't figure out how to send it to you all. It has such a miraculous ending, that I wanted you all to read it, so I'll keep trying to send it. Hi momz, > > Yesterday a very sad thing happened in our ward and our neighborhood. One > of our great families in the ward, who live just down the street from us > had just left to go on vacation with another great family in our ward. At > about 2:00 pm for some reason, the father swerved off the road and down > into the river off the side of the road (the other family was driving > behind them, saw them swerving, tried honking to get his attention, but it > was too late). He was killed on impact. The mother, my friend, broke both > her legs, her jaw, and her elbow. Their 2-year old son was in the front > seat and has been brain dead, but kept alive on machines so he can donate > his organs. The mother has regained enough consciousness to make that > decision and has been told about her husband as well. The other three > girls in the car (two of which belonged to the family behind them) had > injuries and surgery, but will be okay. They had a boy in the other car > that is 11 and must have seen the whole thing happen. They also have a son > who has been on a mission for about 8-9 months in South Africa. I can't > imagine what Julie (the mother) must be going through. They are in a > hospital in Reno. All will be coming home, except Julie tomorrow. They > will wait for the funeral until Julie heals more and Todd, their son on the > mission can come home. Pray for their family and especially Julie. They > had some life insurance, but that's it. He was a self-employed contractor. > We hope to raise enough money to pay off their mortgage so they can live > off the insurance money until Julie gets on her feet. Thanks for your > prayers! --LA > Sisters, This was supposed to be sent to you a while ago, but I don't think I sent it right. Anyway, the good news is that a real miracle happened. After the accident, the tests showed that Julie had considerable brain damage, and they really didn't expect for her to live at all - and if she did live, she would have severe brain damage. Then after she received a blessing and a few days, they repeated the test, because she was responded more than they expected. Are you ready for this, her brain was completely normal and working fine!!! The doctors were dumbfounded and most of them were LDS. One of the doctors was so excited he started jumping up and down, giving high-5's. Trent, who would have been three tomorrow, did die. Through a series of one miracle after another and to make a long beautiful story short, she was transferred from Reno to St. George in time for the funeral, as was her wish (the means of getting her there happened within an hours time at which time her son and a doctor in the ward were in a sealing room at the temple, kneeling in prayer for a way to be made so that she could come for the funeral). She is now home, not in the hospital, but at home. She is sitting up, full mobility, walks with a walker, talks - it is a real miracle. Another miracle - her son was able to come home off his mission in South Africa - and when missionaries come home for these kinds of things, they almost always do not return to the same mission - well he did. He left for South Africa this morning to return to finish his work there. While he was here, he convinced a friend who was not going to go on a mission, to go on one. Sisters I know miracles happen all the time, but it has been so strenghthening for our ward family and our community to see this great miracle happen. God lives and is aware of us and blesses with miracles and answers! Sorry this turned out to be so long, but wanted to share it with you. Update: It is now August 15, only one month after the accident and Julie is still doing great. She feels that the love that surrounded her has healed her.

Please remove from the list. I enjoyed many of the inspirational messages etc. but the amount of mail involved is just way too much for me to deal with. Teresa

Hey everyone, please respond with personal messages to just that person, i know everyone is having to sit and read mail for awhile when they sign on, thanks

I am extremely stunned to say the least right now... After all that Dianne has done to help out this group lately, and now she has left... I guess that i just don't much care how exactly someone feels, i never worry about another's decisions in life IT IS THEIR LIFE... the live it how the Lord feels fit to see THEM LIVE IT. It is by no means OUR decision to tell someone that they are wrong for not wanting/having children, it is between them and the Lord ONLY!!!!!!!!!!! We know how we feel about having kids, and i'm sure that those that don't, are happy with or HAVE DELT WITH not having kids, I can't believe that we can't just love one another unconditionaly... That is what the gospel if for, NOT FOR US TO JUDGE EACH OTHER. Please keep this in mind always, so that this doesn't happen again love faith

How can we all see someone hurting so and stand by, not offering a hand to hold on to? This is our SISTER! Come on girls-do what we LDS women are famous for. I hope we can all show love, service and caring to everyone. I for one love you ALL, no matter what your decisions in the past may have been. All the experiences in our lives help us to grow and to become more of who we are. Even the ones others may not agree with. We each have our own lives to live and fought hard for the chance to make our own decisions. To my special sister who wrote this, whoever you may be, know there is someone in the south who loves you and would do anything to help you! Have a wonderful day, centered in the gospel and the love of Christ! Kimberly (kKymmers

DITTO!

hey - please don;t quit the group! I can't be the only person who understands your side of it! I talked to Saucyee about it tonight and told her that I thought that lady needed to get over her tragic life and not tell such things to a group of women who are HAPPY to be moms. Deb

Please somebody help me. I don't know how to read the mail, once I've down loaded it. Please just send me a letter to just me or I will never get to read your instuctions. Thanks for your help. Patti

Good Morning Sisters (and I do mean morning!) I am so excited to be back with the group after having to change to Netcom. I have literally been in withdrawl for not being able to receive my e-mail. I am so thankful for this group and for all of you loving and caring sisters. Now, back to the question at hand. Who am I? My name is Gwen Stone (my screen name is [email protected] I was born May 25, l949 (yes, I am 48 years young!) Now let's hear it from all of you who are soooo old! (LOL). I was born in Monterey Park, CA and I currently live in San Juan Capistrano, CA. I have 2 wonderful sons, Kevin who is 29 and Keith who is 27. Both of them are married and live in another state. I feel that I truly have been blessed because Heavenly Father not only gave me two of the greatest children ever, but he blessed me with 2 of the most awesome daughter-in-laws anyone could ever ask for. I also have 2 really wonderful grandchildren. A granddaughter and a grandson. You know what? I just figured out that 2 must be my lucky number!!! I am in the process of getting a divorce. #3 to be exact. Geez, you'd think I'd get it right once. I will be relocating to the Oregon area some time in the very near future. I am a credit/collection manager for a sunglass manufacturer here in Calif. My hobbies are tole painting, crafting and raising birds (Cockatiels). Currently I have 9 adults and 7 chicks. I also raise parakeets, but I only have 4 right now. My church callings consist of church librarian, building librarian, and visiting teacher which also keeps me extremely busy, but I love it!!! I really enjoy being a part of this group and look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you better as time goes on. Well sisters, I guess I've prattled on enough for one night, or should I say morning. I need to close and get some sleep. 5:30 a.m. will be here before I know it. Love to you all and have a great day! Gwen

Thanks Audrey. I agree. We should not judge another.

Sisters, here is my little page all about me. My name is Deidre Byrd Screen name-gdbyctylf birthday 6/17/63 I live in Lewiston, Idaho (small town of 28000) I grew up in Southern Calif (a beach baby) I married Keith 11/91. We met writing letters while he was stationed in the Gulf. I have a daughter 11, Michelle, from a previous marriage (Keith is trying to adopt her) and she is a wonderful girl. Beautiful inside and out. She is always thinking of others and I have never really had to tell her to do anything more than once. My son Zachary, is 16 months and a real handful. He is our miracle baby. We were never suspose to have him. I know that Heavenly Father has great plans for him. At this time I dont have a church calling. I used to be on the Activities committe but asked to be released while I was pregnant. I sure miss it. We have 3 wards in this town and our ward was known as the "party ward" My hobbies are many. I am a girl scout leader for 4-6 grades, I enjoy crafts of all kinds, cooking (just look at my dh waistline) and my new love is canning. Im on full disability for narcolepsy, and even tho Im on meds I take 2 to 3 naps a day. When the baby sleeps, so do I. I have only made it in the chat rooms one time and sure enjoyed it. I never seem to be on line when the rest of you are. I could probably ramble on forever but I wont. Deidre

Hello Sisters: I am leaving in the morning and still have some things to do, but just took a few minutes to read my mail and wanted to share a few thoughts with you. As I was reading the mail - the letters that were attacking in nature made me feel really awful - just a bad feeling inside. As I got to the ones that people wrote and said that we should not judge Dianne or others because we don't know what they have done or tried, I felt the spirit come into my heart. I just couldn't be quiet. I think there has been some terrible misunderstanding here and I am APPALLED by some of the reactions. I hesitate to say somethings, cause I don't want to step on anyones' toes but I feel very strongly that I need to say something. Let me share an experience that my family had several years ago. We had some friends who had a child that had problems - let's just say behavioral problems - we offered to have the child stay with us for a while to help out and give their family a breather. I am not even sure what this family had tryed or what they had been challenged with, just wanted to try and help. Our children were around 15, 14 and 3 at that time. Our youngest changed almost overnight from a very sweet, sharing and affectionate child into a frustrated and striking out one just because of the influence of the child that was staying with us. It really broke my heart. (Of course, our child didn't continue to be that way once our guest left.) But I remember the answer I got when I prayed about it.... Even God had to choose between 2 sons and had to cast one out, but that was partly because that son willingly chose to go the other way also, but don't you think it still hurt our Heavenly Father very much? And if you turn to the scriptures, even Lehi had to choose between his children. And why did they have to make this choice? For the welfare of the others in the family and Sisters, WE are part of the reason that Heavenly Father chose to cast Satan out! He did that for OUR welfare, no matter how much it broke his heart to lose that son. Our friends finally had to make the decision to have their child live somewhere other than at home with them for their family's welfare. And it was not easy for them at all - they probably were criticized by some - but I KNOW that they did what they knew to be right for their family's welfare, and I know this because I prayed about it and was answered. I also know that it still wasn't easy for them and still isn't but they have done the best that they could and I am sure that Heavenly Father does not think that they cast a child back at him! Now we are just mortals on this earth faced with many things and many trials... and the decisions that we make may seem harsh to others, but we have no right to judge anyone! I just checked my mail again and there were more responses to this subject and I agree with KmbrlyDwn's reply. There seems to be a misunderstanding by some that AZ DEE (Dianne) was bashing children and didn't like them - I would encourage you to go back and re read her letter if you have it - She did not say anything like that!!! she said that she loved children and that her friends who have been able to have their own make sure that they keep her surrounded by them. Dianne could have sat back and said nothing - but someone asked what we ALL thought of the survey that her mother had told her about people not wanting to have children and she answered it. And gave us all another perspective to think about. Maybe I look at things differently...... But I thought that our purpose on this life was to try and become like our Father in Heaven - He looks down on all his children on this Earth and loves All of them - and he sees things that we don't even want to think about but he still loves.\ If we ever want to go and be like him someday - we need to practice on this earth. I hope we can all strive in this group to not only be uplifting to each other but to support others and not judge. Love, Sonya (Saucyee)

OK, I'm sorry, one more thing. LIke I said I have two kids. I love my two kids. Yes, things would be easier and less hectic without them, but not better. I put all my energy into my family and I don't regret a minute of it. But that is my decision. This is what works for me. It is to presumptive to judge others decisions. What works for me does not work for everyone and vice versa. Families are alot of work and for me it is worth it. Like I said before, I don't dare force my views on others. Just my opinion. Love, Kim (KimbrlyDwn)

OK, well I am sure you all know way more about me than you care to know (LOL). Anyway, here is a little more. (Last thing from me tonight I promise) Name: Kim Screen name: [email protected] Live: Flagstaff, Arizona Married: Yes to Paul Kids: Yes 2. Milo 9 and Erica 7 Birthday: April 20 I was born in Amarillo TX but have lived in Arizona since I was 5. We came to Arizona because I had severe asthma and had to get way from the wheat and head crops in TX so I could breath. I met my husband in high school and we started dating when we were seniors and we've been together ever since. We were married in the Arizona Temple on May 31, 1985. We have lived in Flagstaff for 11 years. My husband is a police sergeant at the university here. He coaches baseball and does construction work on the side. He just remodeled my kitchen. In spite of his inactivity, he has truly been my dearest friend and a special gift in my life. I believe Heavenly Father prepared him just for me. He can almost read my mind at times and knows exactly what I need. We have two children. This is as big as our family will get. I almost died having Erica and my doctor told me if I wanted to raise the two children I have that I should not have any more. We talked and prayed about it and felt strongly that these two are our main responsiblity and I cannot do anything to threaten their well being. We almost lost both of our kids when they were born. It is truly a miracle they are alive and healthy. We could not risk loosing a child so we are thankful daily for the 2 we have. Milo is 9 and in the 4th grade. He plays football, baseball and is in the children's choir. He is truly a special child. He loves everyone and can't stand to see anyone play alone or be sad. He never lets us go to bed without saying family prayers. He is an excellent student and loves to read. Erica is 7 and in the 2nd grade. She is a very special spirit. She plays baseball and is a cheerleader. She is a fiesty little thing. Very strong willed and stubborn. She is a natural leader and wants to make sure everything goes her way (she's alot like her mother). She loves her family and is completely devoted to her brother. No one can mean to him (even if he is older). I'm sorry to carry on so, but I can talk for hours about myself and my family. As for me, I work part time in the hospital here. I do medical transcription for the pathology department. I am also a part time student at the university in Photography with a minor in business. I am currently the primary teacher for the 8 year olds. I was the primary secretary before that and a primary teacher before that. No one really knows me except for the primary teachers. My hobbies are: cross stitching, reading (love John Grisham) and I love the Phoenix Suns, all basketball season we wear our purple and orange around our house. Mostly I don't have alot of spare time. Well, I'll hush now. I'm extremely proud of my family and can go on for hours. Love, Kim

In a message dated 97-08-15 00:53:27 EDT, [email protected] writes: << I cannot believe that someone would take such a survey, and worse yet, that people would actually would feel that way! >> SURVEY? WHAT SURVEY? I think I am missing a vital part of this puzzle - can anyone clear up this mystery - or am I better left in the dark?

Pam (C2liter) Thanks for the letter. It seems to be an overwhelming consensus of the group that nagging won't work. Thanks for the encouraging words. I really appreciate it. Love, Kim (KimbrlyDwn)

it is me again (KimbrlyDwn). I seem to just be full of it lately. I had to tell Robyn (RMaughan) how much I loved her letter. This is exactly why my husband has a problem with mormons. He feels alot of mormons put the church in front of everything else. I have been raised mormon. But my parents have always put church first. Church callings were done before anything else. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents and I am sure they were doing what they thought was right. But while the church is important, it is not the most important thing in our lives. It is put here to help us return to Heavenly Father, not to cause stress and discontent. Thanks for the letter Robyn, I really appreciated it. Love, Kim (KimbrlyDwn)

Today I tried the Cake in a Jar recipe. It seemed to work really well. = It has a shelf life of one year. Anyway here's the recipe: APPLE CAKE IN A JAR 2/3 cup shortening. 2 2/3 cup sugar. 4 eggs. 1 tsp cinnamon. 2 tsp baking soda. 1/2 tsp baking powder. 1 1/2 tsp salt. 3 cups flour. 2/3 cup water 3 cups grated, peeled apples. 2/3 cup raisins. 2/3 cup chopped nuts. Mix the ingredients together in the order given. Sterilize 7-9 wide mout h pint jars and lids. Grease them with shortening. Fill jars half full and bake on middle rack in oven. Bake for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. As soon as cake is done, remove the bottles from the oven one at a time. Wipe the rim of the bottles clean with cloth and put on the hot sterilized lids. Screw down the bands and let cool. IMPORTANT: Do not use small mouth jars. Do not add any other ingredients.. As the cake cools in the sealed jar, it will pull away from the sides of the jar and come out easily when ready to serve. Slice and serve with lemon sauce, or a cold glass of milk. LEMON SAUCE 2 Tbls cornstarch. 1/2 cup sugar Pinch of salt. 1 cup boiling water. 2 Tbls butter 4 1/2 tsp finely grated lemon rind. 2 Tbls Lemon juice. In pan, thoroughly stir together the corn starch, sugar, salt. Gradually stir in the boiling water, stirring constantly to keep it smooth. Continue stirring and cook over moderate heat until boiling. Boil gently for about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, add butter, lemon rind and juice. Stir thoroughly. Serve hot over apple cake in a jar. Makes about 1 1/4 cups.. Sauce is thicker and more tart than the usual lemon sauce. This is a neat idea for gift for the sister's you visit. Or food storage who want's to eat wheat forever. Although a year's supply of this could be really expensive.

Cheri, Our situations are alot a like. I am the one who brought this up, but I an surprised how many of us are in the same boat. I am in N. AZ, we should try to get together at the temple some time. I haven't been to the temple in over a year and before that it was about 5 years since I had been. Even if your dad can't go, there are always nice sisters there who would go with you. When I get my recommend, I'll let you know and if you'd like, we can meet there and do a session. I know it would make me feel better. Alot of sisters have told me the same thing. It is not your responsibility to change him. You do what is right and the turn your husband over to Heavenly Father. He can do way more than we can and that way it takes alot of pressure off of us as wives. Hang in there, I am. All the letters have been great. Love, Kim (KimbrlyDwn)