Any other LDS Montanans here???

Hey Ya'll, I know, I sound more like I'm from Georgia than Montana! But hey, are there any other Montanans on this particular message board? My surgery is Monday, and my hubby and I are headed to the Temple tonight in preparation! It's nice that Conference is this weekend, that will put me in a very spiritual mind set before surgery! The only bummer is that I'm on clear liquids all day Sunday! We usually have food galore during conference! My hubby is having the surgery in June, so he's trying to get himself ready too, so there probably won't ever be the munchies there once were during conference weekend! It will sure be interesting to see how this changes our LDS gatherings where there is normally so much food! Last night, we had our RS birthday dinner. It really got me to thinking how much of our culture is based on eating!! We have the "Linger Longer" at church after fast Sunday (since we're the last ward to meet in our building) and there can't be a get together without some really awesome food! I may not even want to go to them for a while! We'll have to see! Anyway...hope you all have a blessed day... TTFN, Mari

Sorry Mari, Idaho here. Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and your journey along with your husband. You're lucky to have someone in your household who is going through the same experiences you are. Being LDS, food is a HUGE social aspect for us. We don't drink, smoke or "party" the way others do. We eat. All of our social time is associated with food. You're going to go through some "mourning" of food and some "head hunger". For me this only lasted a brief time. I'm at a point (one year out) that I can actually go to the baby showers, ward functions, Relief Society enrichment nights etc... and be around the food. Sometimes I'll take a tiny sampling and sometimes I just pack around a cup of water. You mentioned Fast Sundays. You need to be aware that we can't fast the one we were previously fasting. We need to Fast like a diabetic fasts. Partaking of the bare minimum of protein and water to sustain our health. We don't need to gloat over every one in the house that we can eat and they can't but we can observe the spirit of the fast and still participate in a special medical needs fast. Congratulations and good luck. Melody

Mari, you e-mailed me and asked me about the sacrament. The sacrament is such an important ordinance and the tokens taken are in such small amounts that you shouldn't have a problem partaking of it. When I was newly post op I took the smallest crumb of the bread and chewed, chewed, chewed. Now that I'm a year out I specifically choose a piece of bread with a crust because the sacrament is the only time during the week that I allow myself the small taste of bread. As far as the water goes, We are discouraged from drinking with our meals because it creates a "soup" in our pouch and the food in the pouch is washed through more quickly and we get hungry sooner. This doesn't pertain to the sacrament. The amount of the water taken during the sacrament is such a tiny amount that it shouldn't affect things much. Feel free to partake freely of this sacred ordinance. Melody 1 year post op and - 120 lbs.

Mari I am the futhis you could be from Montanna. But good luck on your new journey for the two of you. Just chew chew chew sip sip sip I do have a Girl friend in Mont. I have a daughter named after her Karla. She joined the church and become inactive. I dont remimber what town but I could let you know latter. Love you Saralan

Dear Mari, Hello there my name is Kathy Sparrow and I live in Kalispell Montana. I am an old timer here. I had gastric bypass surgery Jan 2nd 2002. I have lost 149 pounds and I am presently getting ready for plastic surgery I am scheduled for my tummy tuck and breast lift May 18th. I am so excited about getting this excess skin off from me. Well I need to go for now but you can e-mail anytime you want. Take care, Kathy