Children leaving home...

Sorry- it's been a while since I last posted.

Life has this way of filling up your days, and extra activities tend to overflow unless we dam them up and keep them in check.

Since I last wrote in here, we have taken our daughter Patricia up to the University of Utah. I felt like a small piece of my heart was torn out for many days; our home was so quiet, and her cheery spirit was not here any more. It's still quiet but that's because school has begun for Katie too. I've shed many tears in the past week or so but the hole in my heart is healing and the wonderful thing is, that I know she is where the Lord needs her to be.

My heart breaks every time a child leaves home.

As I turned from Patti when we said goodbye, the tears began to flow, and my heart began that heavy, painful 'throat-aching' pain, knowing she needed to go, but wishing it was not so hard to say goodbye. And as my heart ached terribly, the Spirit whispered to me that He had felt the same way, as He sent me down to earth.

I know Heavenly Father feels that way about all of His children as we come to earth.

So, my work has really started at Church now, as the "Logandale NV Support Specialist for Seminary and Institute". We have been registering teens all week, updating files, ordering items needed to teach then the New Testament this year, and more.

I am still feeling like a fish out of water, terribly some moments, wondering WHAT I am doing. The financial things are way out of my element, but I am learning and doing a ton of praying for strength and help to do the best job I can for the seminary and institute teachers. They are just the cream of the crop.

I will be starting to help my husband in the office in another week, as he needs someone to do clerical work there. Talk about putting cement boots on a fish and then removing it from water... that's how I feel about it right now, but I am so looking forward to spending time with Mike, learning and helping him.

RECIPES
Bev's QUICK SHEPHERD'S PIE
1 lb hamburger
1 large onion- chopped
2 cups frozen green beans
3 cups mashed potatoes
1 cup grated cheese
Salt, pepper

Brown hamburger with onions- sprinkling salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the green beans. Dump this into a casserole dish and spread mashed potatoes over all. Sprinle grated cheese on top. Bake in 350 F oven for 20 minutes.

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INDIAN PUMPKIN
(my friend Carron Moneyhan's recipe)
1 small sugar pumpkin (abt. 3.5 lbs)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 medium onion chopped
1 lb ground beef
3 eggs, beaten
1 c. cooked rice
3/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 c. water
Cut lid out of pumpkin and scoop out seeds. Prick inside of pumpkin with fork and rub with salt and mustard. Brown meat and onion. Cook till done. Cool a bit; add egg, rice and remaining seasonings. Blend together and stuff pumpkin. Top with lid. Place pumpkin in shallow pan (brownie pan is good). Add water. Bake at 350F for 1 hour 30 minutes or until pumpkin is soft and tender, might need to add more water to pan. Serves 6.


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BEV'S PROJECTS...
I am currently knitting a sweater for my grandbaby Jackson, the WONDERFUL WALLABY. It's a pattern I had to purchase but it's going to be wonderful for many grandkids to come! It comes in size 2- huge adult! =)

I also started working on rewriting a pattern for a crocheted baby sweater.
http://tinascrochet page.blogspot.com/2008/06/hexagon-baby-sweater.html

I am using a size G hook, and am changing the pattern to make it easier to write out.

LDS Humanitarian will need these soon enough for all the little orphans who will be so cold without them. My first one will likely be for my little Jackson, but I am not certain on that yet. I have one side completely done, and the 2nd started. I will let you know when I get my version posted online.

HUG THE ONES YOU LOVE!!

Bev