BEFORE SEPTEMBER ENDS

My sister-in-law reminded me that I hadn't posted in September so even though I have book club in a half hour, I'm going to hurry and get a posting done. I also realized that summer has fled and autumn is upon us. We've had such a summer that I can only describe it in one word--challenging! We had our trip, reunions, and then we began to get our papers together for our mission! Whew! We're not sure yet if what happened next was a blessing or a curse. Actually, I shouldn't say that--as several people mentioned our mission has already blessed us and we haven't even left yet.

We both failed our required treadmill test and had to take an angiogram. Some time if you're overly curious, I'll tell you the whole gruesome story. I waved goodbye to Garth in his little hospital room as they took me to have the procedure. I got to go home that night (Sept. 11) but he didn't. They operated on him the next day for a quadruple bypass and a valve replacement. We were totally shocked. He's had his ups and downs in his recovery, but I think he's weathering well and will be up and about soon.

We're so eternally grateful for our good family, good neighbors, old friends, community members and on and on. Everyone has been so wonderful. We're grateful for each other. Just to show you how unprepared we were for the operation this is what Garth did the day before the angiogram.

Hopefully we'll get this made into rhubarb syrup for pancakes!