Allergic to Air

My dear Watson went to the allergist last week.

This is what he's allergic to:

Corn. (This happens to be corn straight from our garden!) 

Peanuts

Eggs

Peas (but we already knew that)

Oats

Almonds (we already knew this too)

Chicken

Seriously?  Sheesh. He might as well starve to death.  It turns out he's the MOST allergic to almonds, then peas.  Everything else  scored low on the allergic-to test, so the doc said he could go on a diet totally clean of all those foods if he wants, then slowly introduce them back into his diet one at a time. This would just help him see if he can pinpoint one that bothers him more than the others. His allergies to these foods might be linked to his eosinophilic esophagitis and the esophageal spasms he has had for much of his life.

He already decided what kind of diet he wants to go on: no rye.  He thought that should be easy enough.

The doc is pretty sure the crazy allergic episode my dear Watson had last month was due to the infection from strep throat. It won't happen every time he gets strep, his body just reacted weird to it this time.  We probably don't even need an epi pen.

Good news: beans are grouped with peas since they are all legumes, but the doc said he could slowly start introducing beans back into his diet if he wants to!  I don't know if he does because beans, beans are good for you heart, the more you eat em the more you.....you know.

Weary Not

Our stake president spoke at church today. He works for the LDS Church doing something or other that allows him to be in close association with many of the Apostles and General Authorities. He was asked to provide some consultation on the musical selections for President Monson's birthday celebration which happened last night (Aug. 18th).  He asked President Monson's secretary of 40 years and other office staff if there was a favorite song of President Monson's that he absolutely loved.  All the secretaries smiled hugely and said there was one song that he loves so much that all his office staff had to learn it, because whenever he is feeling down, or sometimes when someone is visiting or just for fun, he'll call in his secretaries (mostly all older women) to sing this song....."and we can't sing" they said.  They knew he would count it a special blessing to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing it at his birthday celebration.  The song comes from the old Deseret Sunday School song book, and these are the words:

If the way be full of trial; Weary not! 

If it’s one of sore denial, Weary not! 

If it now be one of weeping, 

There will come a joyous greeting, 

When the harvest we are reaping—Weary not!

Do not weary by the way, 
Whatever be thy lot; 
There awaits a brighter day 
To all, to all who weary not! 

(“If the Way be Full of Trial, Weary Not,” Deseret Sunday School Songs (1909), no. 158)

Hearing the words to this favorite song of our Prophet, was an answer to a prayer I've had in my heart lately.

My sister had a miscarriage at the beginning of the year, and then got pregnant again and just learned she's having twins! She's told me that before she found out about the twins she was praying that no matter what  happened she would be okay with it and know that it was Heavenly Father's plan for them. She was saying this prayer thinking she might miscarry again....she had no idea the prayer would end up needing to be said to help her cope with the news of twins! 

I've been thinking about that a lot lately and how strongly she prayed to accept whatever happened as Heavenly Father's will. I often find myself pleading with the Lord...okay, almost begging, that something I want or hope for will come to pass. They are always righteous things mostly dealing with our future as a family.  I realized I pray very seldom that I will understand that whatEVER happens is Heavenly Father's plan.  I already know that He won't leave us hanging. He'll provide a way for us and a good life for us full of blessings if we are righteous and faithful.  

Hearing the words to this hymn helped me remember that I have no need to weary when things don't go my way or the way I hoped. Whatever my lot is, a brighter day awaits me if I'll weary not. I've been trying to remember to pray, like my sister, that I'll know whatever comes our way is Heavenly Father's plan for us. 

Our first harvest of the season!

My office won our division Olympics. The flag is in honor of our boss Bill who has a mustache. This is my co-worker, Jenny.