What Did I Forget?

Before the end of 2010 I'd better post about Brie's special night. This fall Brie was a 9th grade football team co-manager. It was a super busy season and she spent a lot of time working with the guys and supporting their efforts. At the end of the season there's the annual football banquet. This year it was held on December 2nd at the Valencia Ballroom. It's a pretty big deal and includes the entire district football department. Here are some pictorial highlights.Was Brie the Bionic Woman? Some say she was as she ran water out to the guys on the field during practices and games.Was Brie one of Charlie's Angels? Perhaps... She and her fellow *angels* sure were talented!Regardless of who she seems to be, I know who she truly is. She's my pequeña hija. She's a driven, hardworking, and dedicated young lady who tries to do the very best she can.I love you, Brie. I'm so proud of you and all your hard work. Keep it up, kiddo!

Monday's Magnet

 

Today's selection is sweet and simple. It's one of my favorite pictures of Emile and Brie inside a little framed magnet. This picture was taken just before Christmas 8 years ago. Em was 9 and Brie was 6.

Merry Christmas

A little bit of this and a little bit of that from around the living room.

Another Christmas is here and it's time to share the joy of the season with my friends and loved ones. Here's our tree on Christmas Eve. Silent night, holy night....All is calm, all is bright... First thing Christmas morning a couple hours before the girls woke up.My beautiful daughters. I love the Christmas morning pictures of the girls in their matching PJ's.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
TO ALL...

Two Down, Four to Go

Yesterday was a super busy day. It began first thing in the morning with a trip to the lab as soon as I dropped the girls off at school. I had to have my 90 day blood draw to see how everything is functioning, plus have my A1C checked. As soon as I was finished there, I ran back home and picked up my paperwork for my appointment with Dr. Monk. He is the surgeon who will be doing my gastric-bypass surgery. Today was my first appointment with him for my upcoming *procedure*...

The meeting went very well. Following a complete and thorough intake and medical history, Dr. Monk did a physical exam. He determined that if all goes well, he will be able to do a Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Surgery.

I was given a packet filled with information to read as well as instructions on what I have to do to prepare for the surgery. I have a lot of *leg work* I have to do on my own. That is good though, it will keep me busy these next few months.

Click on picture to enlarge.

He also gave me a lab order which has to be done before I see him the next time. I was SO bummed since I had been at the lab 2 hours earlier. Now I have to have another blood draw... and this one is a biggie. Look at how many items are highlighted. They will be checking 13 different things. Yikes!

Following my appointment with Dr. Monk, I headed over to my second class. I was joined by my *support* person, Angie. She will be helping me as I go through this transition. After signing in I was weighed. I lost 2 pounds and my B/P was 110/68... YAY!!

The topic covered this month was about how do we (Bariatric Patients) gain control over food rather than food controlling us. What do I need to do to conquer my addiction to food? I totally admit that I use food to *self-medicate* when I'm happy, sad, depressed, celebrating, angry, frustrated, excited, etc. I love food and at the same time I hate food. It's my friend and my enemy.

We were also given a paper to complete about the specific reasons why we want to lose weight and how important each reason is to us. It's meant to encourage us to think deeper about our motivations. Some of my reasons are...

• I'll be in better health
• I'll feel better physically
• I'll have more energy
• I'll like myself more
• I'll feel more control
• I'll have more confidence
• I'll feel I've accomplished something important
• I'LL LIVE LONGER
  

There was a lot of emphasis on *mindful eating*.. in other words, why are we eating when we're eating? We are instructed to...

• Eat in one area only
• Do nothing while eating other than eat
• Think about why we're eating (hunger, stress, boredom, etc)
• Take smaller bites and chew thoroughly
• Actually take time to taste the food we're eating
• Slow down (each meal should take 20-30 min to consume)
  

In another packet we received, "Coping Skills and Stress Management," we are asked to do an inventory of pre-weight loss coping skills. I've got to say, I have to really work on this one. I'm NOT doing so well in this area... not just in eating but also in other behaviors. It's amazing what seeing things in black and white does. Thus the reason for these classes, right? Here are some of my current coping *skills*...

• Yelling/screaming
• Eating more
• Crying
• Sleeping too much/not enough
• Worrying
• Isolating from others
• Avoiding responsibilities
• Overspending
• Becoming depressed or anxious
• Being irritable
• Inactivity

Just lovely, isn't it???? This is really painful to admit. Again, this is part of the journey and I must remind myself that these are the steps to becoming the healthy person (obviously physically and emotionally) I want to be for the rest of my life. If it were easy it wouldn't last.

And finally, this months goals...

• Practice mindful eating at least 1 meal a day
• Decrease 1 fast food/restaurant meal
• Take a multi-vitamin each day
  

Monday's Magnet

Even though this is not the best picture, you can tell that you're looking at a moose head from Alaska. This was given to me by John. He picked it up while traveling in Alaska this past summer (following Lesa's death). As one can tell, I'm bouncing back and forth between "hot" and "cold" magnets these past few Monday's. For the record, it's still burrrrrry cold here in PA. They're predicting snow on Christmas Eve. I hope so.... I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

The Legend of the Poinsettia

A charming story is told of Pepita, a poor Mexican girl who had no gift to present the Christ Child at Christmas Eve Services. As Pepita walked slowly to the chapel with her cousin Pedro, her heart was filled with sadness rather than joy.

"I am sure, Pepita, that even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes," said Pedro consolingly.

Not knowing what else to do, Pepita knelt by the roadside and gathered a handful of common weeds, fashioning them into a small bouquet. Looking at the scraggly bunch of weeds, she felt more saddened and embarrassed than ever by the humbleness of her offering. She fought back a tear as she entered the small village chapel.

As she approached the alter, she remembered Pedro's kind words: "Even the most humble gift, if given in love, will be acceptable in His eyes." She felt her spirit lift as she knelt to lay the bouquet at the foot of the nativity scene.

Suddenly, the bouquet of weeds burst into blooms of brilliant red, and all who saw them were certain that they had witnessed a Christmas miracle right before their eyes.

From that day on, the bright red flowers were known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or Flowers of the Holy Night, for they bloomed each year during the Christmas season.

Today, the common name for this plant is the poinsettia!Now all I have to do is find a copy of this book to add to my Christmas storybook collection.

Xmas vs Christmas

The Greek symbol chi-rho is represented in the X for "chi" and the rho for "r" to combine the word, "Christ."

For the longest time, I've held a dislike for the use of Xmas rather than spelling out the word Christmas. I thought it was an act of either laziness or disrespect. That is until last year when a friend of mine posted something on her Facebook page about what Xmas really means. Until that time, I never knew what it truly represented. So here goes.

For some, Xmas is a dreaded four-letter word that reemerges every holiday season. The phrase is literally and symbolically distasteful, according to its critics. Not only does it "X" out Christ, the religious figure at the heart of the holiday, it also represents a secularization of Christmas, what some see as focusing more on the presents under the Christmas tree and less on religious observance and the birth of baby Jesus. Other Christians, who feel that Xmas takes the "Christ" out of "Christmas," believe that the letter X is used because of its resemblance to a cross, or to avoid the proclamation of Jesus' name. This modern trend, they say, must be bucked, so that people can be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas.

But it turns out that "Xmas"­ isn't a modern convention at all. It was used commonly in 16th-century Europe, when many people began using the term "Christos," the Greek translation for Christ, to refer to Jesus. The letter chi in the Greek alphabet is symbolized by an X and translates to "ch." So along with the Greek letter rho for "r", the term Xmas was used to refer to the birth of Jesus as an informed abbreviation, not an offensive one. Xmas was a way for Christian scholars to refer to Jesus respectfully in an ancient language -- not to disrespect his name with a harsh symbol. In fact, variations of "Xmas" date back to 1021
While I still prefer seeing and writing Merry Christmas myself, I will no longer be offended or worried about seeing Xmas either.

Monday's Magnet

 

As many people know, I prefer winter over summer. I appreciate the cooler temperatures and I truly enjoy snow... seeing it when it's falling, the quietness... and I love how everything looks so clean the first few days. What I do not like about winter is the brutal wind. It's been super cold and terribly windy for days now. Even I'm feeling like I need a brief reprieve. Thus the reason for today's magnet selection. If I sing Christmas carols in the summer to make myself feel cooler, perhaps if I think of the beach in the winter I'll feel a bit warmer???? Perhaps???

Thank you, Emile. She brought this to me after a week long stay with a friend at Bethany Beach.

Happy Ramahanukwanzmas

In the spirit of political correctness, I decided to wish all my friends a Happy Ramahanukwanzmis. It covers all the celebrations through out the "holiday" season. And since so many people are forbidden to say Merry Christmas for fear of offending someone, I figured I'd have my bases covered this way. Good thinking, right? Kidding aside, I decided to learn a little more about each of the celebrations covered by my greeting.

Ramadan...

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Islam uses a lunar calendar-that is, each month begins with the sighting of the new moon. Because the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the solar calendar used elsewhere, Islamic holidays "move" each year. In 2010, Ramadan begins at sundown on August 10.

For more than a billion Muslims around the world-including some 8 million in North America-Ramadan is a "month of blessing" marked by prayer, fasting, and charity. This year Ramadan precedes Christmas and Hanukkah. But while in many places these holidays have become widely commercialized, Ramadan retains its focus on self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah (God).

FASTING
Muslims practice sawm, or fasting, for the entire month of Ramadan. This means that they may eat or drink nothing, including water, while the sun shines. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars (duties) of Islam. As with other Islamic duties, all able Muslims take part in sawm from about age twelve.

During Ramadan in the Muslim world, most restaurants are closed during the daylight hours. Families get up early for suhoor, a meal eaten before the sun rises. After the sun sets, the fast is broken with a meal known as iftar. Iftar usually begins with dates and sweet drinks that provide a quick energy boost.

Fasting serves many purposes. While they are hungry and thirsty, Muslims are reminded of the suffering of the poor. Fasting is also an opportunity to practice self-control and to cleanse the body and mind. And in this most sacred month, fasting helps Muslims feel the peace that comes from spiritual devotion as well as kinship with fellow believers.

EID AL-FITR
Ramadan ends with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which in 2010 occurs on September 9. Literally the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," Eid al-Fitr is one of the two most important Islamic celebrations (the other occurs after the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca). At Eid al-Fitr people dress in their finest clothes, adorn their homes with lights and decorations, give treats to children, and enjoy visits with friends and family.

A sense of generosity and gratitude colors these festivities. Although charity and good deeds are always important in Islam, they have special significance at the end of Ramadan. As the month draws to a close, Muslims are obligated to share their blessings by feeding the poor and making contributions to mosques.

Ramadan Dates (beginning at sundown on the evening before the date given)
2010 August 11
2011 August 1
2012 July 20
2013 July 9
2014 June 28
2015 June 18

Hanukkah...

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar.

In Hebrew, the word “hanukkah” means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.

THE HANUKKAH STORY
In 168 B.C.E. the Jewish Temple was seized by Syrian-Greek soldiers and dedicated to the worship of the god Zeus. This upset the Jewish people, but many were afraid to fight back for fear of reprisals. Then in 167 B.C.E. the Syrian-Greek emperor Antiochus made the observance of Judaism an offense punishable by death. He also ordered all Jews to worship Greek gods.

Jewish resistance began in the village of Modiin, near Jerusalem. Greek soldiers forcibly gathered the Jewish villages and told them to bow down to an idol, then eat the flesh of a pig – both practices that are forbidden to Jews. A Greek officer ordered Mattathias, a High Priest, to acquiesce to their demands, but Mattathias refused. When another villager stepped forward and offered to cooperate on Mattathias' behalf, the High Priest became outraged. He drew his sword and killed the villager, then turned on the Greek officer and killed him too. His five sons and the other villagers then attacked the remaining soldiers, killing all of them.

Mattathias and his family went into hiding in the mountains, where other Jews wishing to fight against the Greeks joined them. Eventually they succeeded in retaking their land from the Greeks. These rebels became known as the Maccabees, or Hasmoneans.

Once the Maccabees had regained control they returned to the Temple in Jerusalem. By this time it had been spiritually defiled by being used for the worship of foreign gods and also by practices such as sacrificing swine. Jewish troops were determined to purify the Temple by burning ritual oil in the Temple’s menorah for eight days. But to their dismay, they discovered that there was only one day's worth of oil left in the Temple. They lit the menorah anyway and to their surprise the small amount of oil lasted the full eight days.

This is the miracle of the Hanukkah oil that is celebrated every year when Jews light a special menorah known as a hanukkiyah for eight days. One candle is lit on the first night of Hanukkah, two on the second, and so on, until eight candles are lit.

Hanukkah Traditions

Every community has its unique Hanukkah traditions, but there are some traditions that are almost universally practiced. They are: lighting the hanukkiyah, spinning the dreidel and eating fried foods.
* Lighting the hanukkiyah: Every year it is customary to commemorate the miracle of the Hanukkah oil by lighting candles on a hanukkiyah. The hanukkiyah is lit every night for eight nights.
HANUKKAH MENORAH ~
It is customary to light the candles from left to right, with the newest candle being in the leftmost spot. This custom arose so that the candle for the first night would not always be lit before the others, which might be taken to symbolize that the first night was more important than the other nights of Hanukkah. It is also customary to place the lit hanukkiyah in a window so that passersby will see it and be reminded of the miracle of the Hanukkah oil. It is forbidden to use the light of the hanukkiyah for any other purpose – for instance, to light the dinner table or to read by.
* Spinning the dreidel: A popular Hanukkah game is spinning the dreidel, which is a four-sided top with Hebrew letters written on each side. Gelt, which are chocolate coins covered with tin foil, are part of this game.
* Eating fried foods: Because Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of oil, it is traditional to eat fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot during the holiday. Latkes are pancakes made out of potatoes and onions, which are fried in oil and then served with applesauce. Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) are jelly-filled donuts that are fried and sometimes dusted with confectioners’ sugar before eating.

Kwanzaa...

Here are the different symbols, and their significance associated with Kwanzaa.
1. TABLE CLOTH/ THE BLACK NATIONAL FLAG (BENDERA).
2. MKEKA - Straw Mat/ Symbolizes our African traditions and history.
3. KINARA - Candle Holder (for seven candles)/Symbolizes the continent of Africa, our place of origin and roots. When putting the candles in the Kinara, the 3 red candles are placed on the left side. The 3 green candles are placed on the right. The single black candle is placed in the center and is the candle which will be lit first. On each day of Kwanzaa a new candle will be lit as a symbol of the Kwanzaa Nguzo or principle of that day. The candles will be lit in alternating colors. First the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red candle, then the farthest right green candle, then the next red, then next green, then the last red, and then the final green.
4. MISHUMAA SABA - Seven Candles (1 BLACK, 3 RED, 3 GREEN)/Symbolize the seven principles of Kwanza.
5. MAZAO - Crops/ Symbolize the historical roots of Kwanzaa as a harvest-type/first fruits celebration.
6. MUHUNDI OR VIBUNZI - Ears of corn (at least one)/Symbolize the offspring the children.
7. KIKOMBI CHA UMOJA - Unity Cup/Symbolizes the First Principle of Kwanzaa and is used for pouring libation.
8. NGUZO SABA POSTER - The Seven Principles Poster/Symbolize the key role they play in kwanza.
9. ZAWADI - Gifts (African history-cultural books and/or heritage symbols) Symbolize the key role of education and culture in Kwanzaa.

The Seven Days of Kwanzaa and their meaning.
Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)
~~~~~
UMOJA
Umoja (ooh-MOE-jah) means Unity, and it is the principle for the first day of Kwanzaa. Our families and communities need unity in order for them to be productive and to survive. On this day, we pledge to strive for -- and to maintain -- unity in the family, in the community, in the nation that we have helped to build, and with our PEOPLE.
~~~~~
KUJICHAGULIA
Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) means self-determination and is the second day of Kwanzaa. On this day, we pledge to define ourselves, to NAME ourselves, to create for ourselves, and to speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named by, created for and spoken for by others. On this day we design for ourselves a positive future and then vow to make that prophecy -- that DREAM -- a self-fulfilling one.
~~~~~
UJIMA
Ujima (ooh-GEE-mah) is the third day of Kwanzaa and means "collective work and responsibility." On this day we celebrate working together in the community to help others. For Ujima, we pledge to rebuild our communities and to help our people solve our own problems by working together to do it.
~~~~~
UJAMAA
Ujamaa (OOH-jah mah) means cooperative economics and is the fourth day of Kwanzaa. On this day of Kwanzaa, we pledge to develop our own businesses and to support them, to maintain shops, stores and industry that contribute to the well-being of our community and to drive out businesses (boycott, etc.) that take FROM our communities and give nothing back.
~~~~~
NIA
Nia (NEE-ah) is the fifth day of Kwanzaa and it means "purpose". On this day, we pledge to build and develop our communities, our schools and our families. We also pledge to provide a strong communal foundation from which our children can develop into strong and productive people.
~~~~~
KUUMBA
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) is the sixth day of Kwanzaa, and it means "creativity." On this day, we pledge several things. We pledge to do whatever we can to make our communities and homes more beautiful and better than we found them. We also pledge to use our creative talents and energies to improve young minds and hearts.
~~~~~
Imani
Imani (ee-MAH-nee) is the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa. Imani means faith. On this day, the beginning of the new year we pledge to believe with all our hearts and minds in our people, our parents, our good and dedicated teachers and leaders, and in the greater good of the work we do with and for one another, for the community
and for the PEOPLE.

Christmas...

Christmas is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

While there are many symbols for Christmas, here is a little explanation for the most common... And Santa whispered, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas…"
* The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ago- The shining hope of mankind.
* The Color Red: The first color of Christmas, symbolizing that Savior's sacrifice for all.
* The Fir Tree: Evergreen- the second color of Christmas shows everlasting light and life. The needles point up to heaven.
* The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold, signifying that all are precious in His eyes.
* The Candle: A mirror of starlight, reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem.
* The Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever.
* The Candy Cane: Represents the shape of the shepherd's crook, used to bring lost lambs back to the fold.
* The Wreath: A symbol of the never ending eternal value of love… having no end.

Pearl Harbor Day

I have been doing some reading about Pearl Harbor Day over the past several months. I am humbled when I think about the sacrifices made by so many young men.When you think of Pearl Harbor, the image that comes to mind is generally the USS Arizona. Here she is leaving New York City.And here it is on the morning of 7 Dec 1941. What a terrible day in the history of our nation. Officially commissioned on Oct. 17, 1916, the USS Arizona became the final resting place for 1,177 crew members. Contrary to popular belief, the USS Arizona is no longer in commission. She is, however, an active U.S. military cemetery. As a special tribute to the ship and her lost crew, the United States flag flies from the flagpole, which is attached to the severed mainmast of the sunken battleship. The USS Arizona Memorial has come to commemorate all military personnel killed in the Pearl Harbor attack.To this day, oil can still be seen rising from the wreckage to the surface of the water. The oil seeping is sometimes referred to as "the tears of the Arizona" or "black tears."As many are aware, the USS Arizona Memorial was dedicated in Pearl Harbor on 30 May 1962. The memorial is visited by more than one million guests annually.One of the reverent points I discovered (which I had not known) is that of Manning the Rails. Every United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine vessel entering Pearl Harbor participates in the tradition of "manning the rails". Personnel serving on these ships stand at attention at the ship's guard rails and salute the USS Arizona Memorial in solemn fashion as their ship slowly glides into port. More recently, as foreign military vessels are entering Pearl Harbor for joint military exercises, foreign troops have participated in the traditional manning the rails.As I get older I recognize more and more the sacrifices men and women in the military have made for me. I get a lump in my throat as I see these aging veterans marching in Memorial Day or Veterans Day celebrations. Whenever I talk to one of them... or say "thank you for your service," their eyes well up with tears. They gave their all for me and my posterity. I cannot say the same... I have never had to put my life on the line for another human being. And so, perhaps you can see why I say I am humbled and truly grateful for those who died as well as those who survived.... for those who still serve, and for those who will someday serve. Thank You.

Monday's Magnet

 

In honor of our burrrrrry cold temperatures right now, here's this weeks edition of Monday's Magnet. With flurries swirling around, cold winds blowing, and falling temps, it is indeed beginning to feel like December. Now for our first *real* snow fall....

Pittsburgh Visit

Early Friday morning, Emile and I headed to Pittsburgh for her tour of PTI. She drove the entire way there.. and did very well I might add. We arrived at PTI at 1:15pm and here are some of the highlights.The campus is open and accommodating. The tour was about two hours and during that time we got a lot of information. Above are some pictures showing a portion of what goes on in the Criminal Justice training program. I was truly impressed by the qualifications of the staff and members of the advisory board. The curriculum is solid and I'm certain Emile will get a great education.PTI provided us with overnight accommodations at the Comfort Inn. It was very nice. We were able to have a great breakfast Sat. morning before heading home. I was pleasantly surprised how good the complimentary breakfast was.Before leaving Pittsburgh we had to drop down to the North Shore to see Heinz Field, home of the Steelers. Em was thrilled to say the least! It's amazing how big the stadium really is.Emile and I saw lots of fascinating sites as we traveled together. There was plenty of snow in a few places, we were able to spy some of the riverboats in Pittsburgh, we passed several huge wind turbines, and went through 6 tunnels. Did you know that Pittsburgh has the most bridges of any city in the world? There are over 467. I never knew that. And finally, the thing I found most interesting.....The Duquesne Incline. It's amazing. We weren't able to ride on it this visit, however, we want to the next time we head up. It only costs $4.00 for a round trip ride. For locals who have a transit pass, it's a free ride. How cool is that? Here are some interesting facts.

The Duquesne Incline

Opened to Public: May 20, 1877
Cost to Build: $47,000
Length of Track: 794 feet
Elevation: 800 feet
Total Rise: 400 feet
Grade: 30 degrees
Degree of Slope: 58.5 percent
Speed: 6 miles per hour
Passenger: Capacity 23 per car

And there you have it. In February we can go back up for a housing tour so we can see what her dorm options would be. With the exception of the cold temps, I really think Emile likes the school and the opportunities it will provide her with. There is plenty to do in the city as well. Looks like she's found her school.

Justice vs Forgiveness

Over the past several weeks I've been following news stories from Salt Lake City, UT in reference to the criminal trial of Brian David Mitchell. This monster has been charged with kidnapping Elizabeth Smart on June 5, 2002. At the time, Elizabeth was just 14 years old.As details have been disclosed during the trial, it is even more appalling and heart breaking to hear the terror and suffering Elizabeth endured during her captivity. She was found alive nine months after disappearing, on March 12, 2003, in Sandy, Utah, about 18 miles from her home, in the company of Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Ileen Barzee (his wife), who were later indicted for her kidnapping. How on earth does a person become so evil as to commit the horrific crimes against innocent children? I will never understand this.Obviously his defense team is trying to say he's mentally ill. According to a report filed by Jennifer Dobner with the AP, a Utah State Hospital doctor says he believes the man charged with the abduction of Elizabeth Smart suffers from a major psychotic illness. Forensic psychiatrist Paul Whitehead testified that he believed Mitchell needed anti-psychotic medications, but added that Mitchell refused all treatments. Gee, I wonder why. I don't believe for a minute that this man is mentally ill. I believe he is EVIL and knows exactly what he's doing. He's manipulating the medical and justice system to try and get away with the crimes he committed against Elizabeth.Elizabeth is actively participating in the trial against Mitchell. She has repeatedly stated that she wanted to be heard and let everyone know how EVIL this monster is. Even his wife, who is serving a 15 years sentence for her involvement in the kidnapping has testified against him. Jeanette Moses, with TIME Magazine, reported that Brian David Mitchell's lawyer may be pushing an insanity defense in the self-proclaimed prophet's trial for kidnapping Elizabeth Smart, but there was no assistance from Mitchell's accomplice, his wife Wanda Barzee. "He's a great deceiver," she told the jury last week, after testifying that Mitchell was a manipulative and calculating man who used blessings and the word of God to intimidate those around him — beginning with herself. Again, this is an EVIL person. He's vile to the core.

I've always struggled with people in and out of the LDS faith who say we're to forgive and turn the other cheek. I've seen too many people who have watched their children be abused (emotionally, physically, and sexually) while they do nothing. I have known spouses who were battered and raped by their husbands who stayed in the marriage because of the misunderstood "knowledge" of forgiveness. Never were we told to put up with abuse. Never. There are people who are truly evil and will do everything in their power to destroy those around them.... in the name of God. Since when does a vile act come from our loving Heavenly Father? Think about it.

Are we too judge? No. Are we to just let a crime go unpunished? No. That is what justice is about. It's time to put these monsters away for good. People like Mitchell and Barzee should never be allowed to walk free in society ever again. Unfortunately there are many more out there just waiting for an opportunity to strike.

Bottom line. I hope Mitchell has every conceivable guilty verdict leveled against him. I hope he dies in prison.

As for Elizabeth. She is a strong and courageous woman now. I pray for her continued growth, peace, and happiness as she goes through her life. I'm certain great things are ahead for her.