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.

I need to know what you think.

From Myrna: Some of you think that Dad and I spend too much on each of you, adults, for Christmas. I really like doing what I do. I will change and give everyone the same $25 if you will all agree to do the same for Dad and I. 

You will need to let me know. I put $200 of my $400 paycheck away each month. I work at the paper because I like to spend my money on my family (and pay tithing).

Kirsten: 

Mom, 

I think that is a personal decision for you and Dad to make.  I think most of the concern is that people don't want to be an undue burden on you and want you to be able to quit the paper when you want to without having regret for not having as much to give each of us.  Know that we are happy always receiving whatever you choose to give, whether that be the amount you already send or a chocolate kiss and a hug. :)  I also think most of us feel as those President Uchtdorf spoke of during the Christmas Devotional: Grateful Recievers...  http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/christmas-devotional/2012/12/the-good-and-grateful-receiver?lang=eng

We love you!  We love your gifts, but mostly we love the gift of love and sacrifice you have given and still give to each of us and our children!

That's my two cents.

Kirsten

Kimberly wrote: $25 is more than plenty

Just a note

I have been trying to get Dr. Douglas Peterson to get me his e-mail address so I could make certain he had your right address. I have failed. I did give his receptionist this address of yours to send them to. Let me know if they arrive or not.

See you soon, Kirsten and family. 

Dad forgot to take his contact suction cup with him to Julie's house and last night could not get his contact out.  We got it out together the other nights but this time it would come out. Therefore, we had to leave Julie's last night late to head for Nephi. We had planned to stay another night. It made me sad.  I think she was short-changed on the time we gave to help her and her small family out. She is working at being accepting of the loss of what they had hoped would be another son so that Jens could have a brother. She is a giver. She  is always so willing to help Dad out whenever he needs help. Dad is having a difficult time getting the lenses out since he had his eyelids reduced. I hope the problem improves with time.

Question: If Jared extracts my tooth (wisdom tooth that came in in place of my 12-year molar which was defective) will I be of any use to you? Could we just do that at the end, after you are feeling better? Then I could just come home.

I need to know what you think.

Some of you think that Dad and I spend too much on each of you, adults, for Christmas. I really like doing what I do. I will change and give everyone the same $25 if you will all agree to do the same for Dad and I. 

You will need to let me know. I put $200 of my $400 paycheck away each month. I work at the paper because I like to spend my money on my family (and pay tithing).

To Eva

To Eva: We have been tending kids at Julie's in Mt. Pleasant. We hope that you found out where Helen was. Sorry.


I am so happy that all turned out for the best. What a good family you have. I hope you did not worry overmuch before you found out what had happened. 

It is so good that Richard got to come home and visit. I think isolation sounds terrible but I am certain that he will be able to text you as he is allowed. That will be great to keep in touch with him. 

Where is Pete from? Does he have family nearby?

Happy New Year!

stomach flu outbreak

I wasn't at the MTc and I didn't even have a connection to there but I still got the flu and I was REALLY sick also. Maybe they got it from me. ;)

MTC in Provo working to contain stomach flu outbreak
By McKenzie Romero, Deseret News

Published: Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 at 9:37 a.m. MST
PROVO — A suspected stomach flu that hit LDS missionaries in the Missionary Training Center has been nearly contained, Utah County health officials said Thursday.

Lance Madigan, spokesman for the Utah County Health Department, said samples are being processed and the department should know Friday exactly what is ailing the sick missionaries, who are preparing to serve around the world for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The health department suspects an outbreak of Norovirus, an extremely contagious and fast-moving virus with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes fever, Madigan said. Many people who believe they have caught the "24-hour flu" have actually contracted Norovirus, he said. 

"People (with Norovirus) are just really sick for 24 to 48 hours," he said. "Once it passes the system, they get over it and recover rather quickly."

Approximately 20 cases were initially reported to the health department by the MTC's clinic on Dec. 31, jumping to nearly 140 the next day, Madigan said. The number of missionaries being treated was down to about 20 as of Thursday night.

Scott Trotter, spokesman for the LDS Church, said approximately 250 missionaries were affected over several days. The MTC is working to prevent the illness from spreading, and all missionaries must be well before traveling to their assigned missions.

"Sick individuals are being treated by skilled doctors and are receiving the best care available. The MTC is taking steps to keep others from getting sick," Trotter said. "MTC officials continue to emphasize precautionary measures for staff, teachers and missionaries such as hand-washing, proper hygiene and limiting contact with others."

Norovirus is easily spread, making a community like the MTC a perfect target, Madigan said.

"It takes very little of the virus to actually pass on and make another person ill," he said. "People all kind of congregate in the same areas, eat in the same place, and it's very easily spread."

Madigan commended the MTC's efforts to reinforce precautionary measures and stop the virus' spread.

"The numbers have dropped off significantly," he said. "We think they're getting ahead of it."

More About Julie and Baby

Myrna wrote: Julie wanted the aunties and Uncle Don to know because Dad had talked to them. They have all also called and talked to him because they wanted more information than my brief email.

The only reason Charlotte was on the list was that she called and talked to Julie and I on New Year's Eve. She was, during that phone call, "Charlotte the Kind," which she can be--kind. She wanted me to call her and let her know. I told her that I would just email her. Everyone on the list had expressed concern and wanted to be called. I did not have time to call because I had to keep cleaning up throw-up messes. Little Stephanie was SO sick. Poor little thing. So I hurried a mass e-mail to all of you. I let Julie call her friends and Jim e-mailed all of his family the same information--exactly the same information. Well except, he has three doctors in his family and they got even more information because they all called him.

 Anyone who had looked up molar pregnancy on the internet had been frightened. All had expressed concerns via phone calls. David even called Julie and offered to take time off from work to help her out because Bree has been through this, he loss of a child, two times and "almost three."

We are not certain that it was actually a molar pregnancy. It may have been twins and one died causing the death of the other.

Don't worry. I don't send out anything that the person in question has not approved.

Julie and Baby

Jim called at 12:36 and told us that Julie was still groggy but was in the recovery room. Dr. Woolsey said that he had a difficult time because the "tissue was old and stubborn" but he took his time and was confident that all would be well. Julie is in for a couple of rough days but, at the end of two weeks, he thinks all will be well. Jim didn't ask if it was a complete or partial molar pregnancy. That makes a difference in whether doctors need to monitor for cancer. However, I am certain that had that been the case the doctor would have said something. The doctor said his only concern was that the tissue was old. It will likely be another hour or so before they will let Julie leave. Apparently the baby has been dead for awhile and that was why the tissue was old.

The "drat" news is that, as usual, when Grammy babysits, Stephanie woke up starving. She wanted oatmeal. She ate it and, one-half hour later, threw up. Good work Grammy. Get the kids sick.

Fast for Julie

AnnMarie wrote: I just talked to Julie and got permission to send this out to my siblings and in-laws.  She started calling you to tell you but is just overwhelmed with everything so please excuse me if this is the first you are hearing of this.  I want to be sensitive to her needs but also to call upon the blessings of Heavenly Father which He is pleased to give when we petition him in faith.  She went for her ultrasound yesterday and found out the baby is deceased.  I think she is four months. She is scheduled to have it removed at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.  I am going to start fasting for her tonight and invite any of you who can to join me.  If not, prayers and positive thoughts are still helpful.  She will be sedated and it is considered same-day surgery so I am thinking you will not be able to reach her tomorrow.  She is holding things together as Julie does, but it is so difficult and tears are quietly being shed and choked back.  I visited with her some yesterday at my home when she found out and I am going to go visit with her now in Nephi where they are spending the night. 

 

Love you,

Ams

Julie Fast

AnnMarie wrote:I just talked to Julie and got permission to send this out to my siblings and in-laws.  She started calling you to tell you but is just overwhelmed with everything so please excuse me if this is the first you are hearing of this.  I want to be sensitive to her needs but also to call upon the blessings of Heavenly Father which He is pleased to give when we petition him in faith.  She went for her ultrasound yesterday and found out the baby is deceased.  I think she is four months. She is scheduled to have it removed at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow.  I am going to start fasting for her tonight and invite any of you who can to join me.  If not, prayers and positive thoughts are still helpful.  She will be sedated and it is considered same-day surgery so I am thinking you will not be able to reach her tomorrow.  She is holding things together as Julie does, but it is so difficult and tears are quietly being shed and choked back.  I visited with her some yesterday at my home when she found out and I am going to go visit with her now in Nephi where they are spending the night. 

 

Love you,

Ams

Myrna wrote: Thank you! It is a difficult thing to go through, as most of you understand. Dad and I appreciate your prayers and the fasting of those who can join in. We love you all.

Eva wrote: I did not know about Julie. Only that she was expecting. Sorry. Eva

David wrote: I could take a few days off work and come and help Julie. Bree and I know how hard this is. I will call Julie. Love, David