Relief Society Blessings

Tonight I had the opportunity to listen to the Relief Society Broadcast. This broadcast is held the last Saturday in September... only once a year. It is a gathering of sisters from all around the world and we each receive instruction from the leaders of the church and the Relief Society organization. It's a wonderful broadcast. How lucky we are to live in an age where we can hear these important words so easily. I am thankful to be a member of the Relief Society... the world's largest woman's organization. In 1842 the prophet Joseph Smith organized this inspired group. We continue to do the Lord's work. Indeed we are living the motto... Charity Never Faileth.One of my favorite hymns is As Sisters in Zion. It explains what we as sisters of the Relief Society should strive to do and be.
After listening to the broadcast, I am prompted to take my own personal inventory. How am I doing as a "Sister in Zion?" Am I doing all I can? Where can I improve? How thankful I am for a loving Savior who will guide and direct me as I work to do better.

Oh What a Pain in the.......

KNEE!! Poor Em. What a month it's been. She's been through so much with her body that I'm beginning to think she's about to give up. I took her to the doctor today for follow up from having the ingrown toe nail removed. While there, I asked about her knee... which is completely swollen again. I'm at my wits end because after 14 PT visits she's no better today than she was when we started. The problem isn't the therapist... she's great. The problem is the ortho doc. He pretty much wrote Emile off. Nice. So she struggles on.Basically what started last November as lifting too heavy of weights with her legs in the "fitness" center at school has now become a daily struggle to just live life for Emile. Her kneecap continues to dislocate, swell, and cause significant pain. She's been on anti-inflammatory meds for months.... I mean like since January. Now she's up to Celebrex and Vicodan, plus taping, bracing and icing the knee daily. Oh sure, nothing's wrong with her knee! Can I hear a QUACK!!!?At least Dr K. is taking the situation seriously. He checked out the knee and decided to do a steroid injection. He said the fluid looked clean.. with no sign of infection. That's good. Hopefully by Saturday Emile will have some relief. I really hope so. This is truly taking it's toll on her. She's becoming more and more discouraged.... while I become more and more broke spending money on doctors, therapists and medications. Cross your fingers.

Manhattan Temple Trip 09'

Last month the Emile and Brie had the opportunity to go to NYC for the day. It was with our church youth group... this was Em's second time going, Brie's first. They left the church at 5:30A and were in the city by 9A. They had fun seeing the sites, visiting the Museum of Natural History and St. Patrick's Cathedral, before going to the Manhattan Temple to do baptisms for the dead. It was an exciting, albeit, long day. They arrived home around 10P that night.

Both girls took some cool pictures as they went along. Our youth leaders try to make sure the experience was both enjoyable and spiritual in nature. I think they nailed it pretty good by what I see in the pictures. Don't the youth look great?! The girls said some people asked if they were Mormon kids because of the way they were conducting themselves. Pretty cool!

*If you click on either collage, you will enlarge it for greater detail.

9/11 Remembered

Another year has passed. Another 365 days for our nation to become more and more divided. Have we forgotten what happened on September 11, 2001? Have we forgotten how we felt as "one nation under God?" Can we find a way back to that place... or is it too late?

Bobbi Kauffman's Funeral

Today was Bobbi's funeral. She passed away last Wednesday evening after fighting breast cancer. She was my dad's second wife, and the mother of my brother, Corey. He did a fantastic job fulfilling his mother's wishes. The funeral was well attended, with over 95 people at the viewing last night. I'm not certain how many were at the funeral today, but it was quite a few. I never realized how many lives she touched or how many friends cared so deeply for her. She will be missed my many.

Roberta K. "Bobbi" Kauffman
January 25, 1954 - September 2, 2009

VIEWING:
Monday, September 7, 2009 from 6-8 PM

FUNERAL SERVICE
Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 10:00 AM

Services conducted from:
Chapel of Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home
Chambersburg, PA

Roberta K. "Bobbi" Kauffman, age 55, of Chambersburg, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, September 2, 2009 in her home. Born on January 25, 1954 in Chambersburg, she was a daughter of the late Robert S. and Almeta Hill McClure. She was the widow of Lester W. Kauffman, who preceded her in death on November 11, 2001.

A 1972 graduate of the Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Bobbi worked for the T.B. Woods Electrical Division for over 30 years. She was of the Protestant faith. Some of her favorite times were spent vacationing, gardening, and simply spending time with her family. She is survived by her son, Corey L. Kauffman of Chambersburg; daughter, Brenda Oxford of York, PA; one brother, Gary McClure; and one sister, Bonnie Divelbiss, and husband, Gary, of Fayetteville.

Her funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Tuesday, September 8, in the chapel of the Thomas L. Geisel Funeral Home, 333 Falling Spring Road, Chambersburg, with Rev. Ray L. Kauffman officiating. Interment will follow in Parklawns Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 PM on Monday, and one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 452 East King St., Chambersburg, PA 17201.

Band Madness

 

Here are some of our bands finest members. Aren't they cute as can be? I even got Em to pose with her very first band teacher from way back in 5th grade. Mr Meckley got her started and here she is. Sometimes the band members are treated pretty rough by their director, but they still have a good time. It's memories they'll never forget.

First Day of School 8/24/09

My babies are growing up. I know, big surprise. This is the first year I wasn't at home on their first day of school. I was so sad. The girls promised to take pics... and they did. I can't believe how old they're getting.Emile is a Junior this year. She gets her drivers permit in 6 weeks. She's playing tennis again this fall (when her knee is stable), is in marching band, and will be busy with theater, concert band, and softball in the spring. Plus she's getting a job. You go girl!Brie's in 7th grade. She's playing fall softball, is in band (even though she hates it), will be involved with theater, and more than likely she'll play fall softball. Good job, Brie!

Yep, they're not babies anymore. Keep up the great work girls, you're both doing great and I love you!!!

OUCH!

Here is the infamous toe! Poor Emile, what a summer she had with this stinkin' toe. When I took her to the doctor the first time, the toe was so infected he wouldn't do anything until she had been on antibiotics for a week. Yuck!

Alas, it's finally been taken care of and she's on the mend. (Take notice to the wicked smile on Dr. K's face. I love it!!!) Yes, it still hurts to put weight on the foot and toe, however, at least it's looking better. She actually put a shoe on last evening for an hour at marching band practice. I really hope she does ok with it on Friday evening. She'll be in a shoe for at least 6 hours that night because of the game.

Now to get the knee back to normal.This is one of the exercises Em has to do to strengthen her knee. She loves to do it.After exercises she gets to relax with some stim and ice. I actually think this is her favorite part of PT.Emile and her Physical Therapist, Robin. She's the best. I should know because she worked with me when I injured my shoulder a few years ago. Go Robin!!

Emile, it's time for you to get better. ☺