2010-02-28 Footsteps in the sand

This reminds me of the story of the man who felt as though the Lord had abandoned him in a time of trial. When there was only one footprint in the sand it wasn't the man walking alone, but rather, the Lord was carrying him.






These are Brian and Greta's footprints.

2010-02-23 Grant is stillborn

After the baby was born Natalie and Brian had time to hold him, then Grandma and I were invited in to hold him. Afterward, Melissa, Elsa, Ava and Greta were able to hold Grant. We felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost during this trial. Brian and Natalie named him Grant Daniel Heath - after Grant Woodruff Heath and Daniel Ludlow, their grandfathers.

Brigham Young said of stillborn children, “they are all right… and nothing in the way of sealings or ordinances need be done for them.”

-Bruce R. McConkie, comp. Doctrines of Salvation, 2:281

Joseph Fielding Smith wrote his feelings about it. “There is no information given by revelation in regard to the status of stillborn children. However, I will express my personal opinion that we should have hope that these little ones will receive a resurrection and then belong to us.”

-Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:280

Brigham Young said, “When the mother feels life come to her infant it is the sprit entering the body.”

-Brigham Young, Journal of Discourses, 17:143

“A miscarriage is delivery of a dead fetus, before it is viable—that is, before it could have lived on its own outside the mother’s womb. A stillbirth is delivery of the dead fetus that has developed to the point where it would normally have been viable, but for some reason is born dead. The line between a miscarriage and a stillbirth is not clear cut, and sometimes there is a question as to whether the fetus was viable. In this case, the decision to record or not to record the name on the family records is up to the family. The family may give the stillborn child a name for recording purposes, if they desire, and funeral services may even be held. But such children are not reported as births or deaths on Church records.”

-Val D. Greenwood, manager of special services, Temple Department, “I Have a Question” Ensign September 1987, p. 27-28

2010-02-16 At the hospital

I'm waiting at the hospital for Grandma. I was surprised that the camera on my phone was working - it's been broken for a while. This photo looks like I'm laying on the ground, but the decor of the hospital is 'carpets on the walls'. Huntsman's decorator must have been on a budget.

2010-02-19 Asparagus Soup

Fresh asparagus is available from California, and I bought some at Reams. I have a great memory of being in Switzerland with the Jensens during the asparagus season there, and having asparagus in a variety of ways. There's a lot you can do with asparagus besides just eating it steamed for five minutes with a touch of lime or lemon, or - if you've got nice, fat stalks - roasted (even on the barbecue).

I made soup today and we really enjoyed it.

When cooking asparagus, you must first break off the tough stem ends by bending the stalk. Save and simmer the ends to make a delicious broth. (In traditional Indian and Chinese medicine, the ends are commended for their diuretic properties and used to "strengthen" the reproductive system.)

The tender, edible part is an excellent source of vitamin K, folate, vitamin C and vitamin A, as well as a very good source of a number of other nutrients, including tryptophan, B vitamins, manganese, dietary fiber, phosphorus and potassium. All this comes in a very low-calorie package: there are about 40 calories in a cup of cooked asparagus.

Puree of Asparagus Soup
By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN/ from the NY Times

For the broth: 1 medium onion, chopped/ 4 garlic cloves, halved/ Green of 1 large leek, cleaned and chopped(optional)/ Salt to taste (1 tsp.)/ 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper/ Trimmed stems from 1 pound asparagus, cut in 1-inch lengths/ 2 quarts water. Combine all of the ingredients for the broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Strain and set aside.

For the soup: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil/ 1 leek, white and light green parts only, sliced and cleaned (optional and left over from the broth)/ 1 medium onion, chopped/ 2 garlic cloves, peeled and halved/ 2 medium-size russet potatoes, peeled and diced/ Salt, to taste/ 1 1/2 quarts asparagus broth (you just made this)/ 1 t. of thyme/ 1 pound asparagus, woody ends snapped off (used for the broth), sliced into about 1 inch lengths, plus 12 whole stalks, woody ends snapped off, for the garnish/ 2 teaspoons fresh lemon or lime juice/ Freshly ground pepper/ chopped fresh herbs such as tarragon for garnish (optional)

Heat the oil in a large, heavy soup pot over medium heat, and add the leek, onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook gently for five minutes, stirring often, until the onion and leek have softened. Add the garlic, stir together for a minute, then add the potatoes, broth, herbs and salt to taste. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add the chopped asparagus (not the 12 spears), and simmer 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Let cool for a while.

Puree the soup with a hand blender or, working in 1-1/2 cup batches, ladle the soup into a blender. Place a towel over the blender, and pull it down tightly to prevent splashing. Blend each batch, then (whether you pureed the soup in the pot or in a blender) put through a medium strainer, pushing it through with the bottom of your ladle or with a spatula (straining the mixture is optional; I didn't do this today). Return to the pot. Heat through, and add the lemon or lime juice and salt and pepper to taste.

Meanwhile, steam the 12 asparagus spears for four minutes, until just tender. Refresh with cold water, then slice about 3/4 inch thick.

Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish each serving with a handful of sliced asparagus, sprinkle with tarragon and serve.

Yield: Serves six

Advance preparation: Soup seems better if make it ahead of time, let it cool and then reheat for the meal. You can make the soup a day ahead and reheat.

2010-02-09 Melanie and Michelle turn 31

We enjoyed a weekend with Michelle and Melanie as a pre-birthday celebration. Jeff and Hans took over family responsibilities allowing them to ski, party and shop with their sisters. We had a wonderful time. Fortunately I was not coerced into yoga.

2010-01-29 Stella returns

Jack called to tell us with great enthusiasm that Stella showed up at their door following their family prayer. Stella had been missing for 3 days causing considerable emotional distress for the Ford family.