That is so wonderful Donna! My closet has the same problem. My closet used to shrink the clothes, now they seem to stretch. Like you say it's a nice problem to have. Have a wonderful 2005 and a great new semester. Hugs Melody

Sherrie I believe that ALL the disasters that are occuring around the world are preparing us for the second coming. One of my favorite things to do when I'm reading in the Book of Mormon is to look at the bottom of the page at the time frame and see what the b.c. or a.d. date timing is. I compare it to my life wondering when our lives are recorded what the time line at the bottom of our page will be (100 years before the second coming of Christ; 20 years before the second coming of Christ; 5 years before the second coming of Christ etc....) When I read the Book of Mormon and look at the time line especially when Samuel the Lamanite warned them of Christ's birth in 5 years I think "Why can't those people shape us so they'll be prepared?" With all the natural disasters going on in the world the same thing can be said of us - why can't WE shape up and get our lives in order? The time is coming closer, will I be ready? Change of subject now. My computer printer went caput and since I had only had it about 50 days I returned it to the store and got a different brand. I was having trouble installing the new printer so I called the 24 help line. The person who answered spoke broken english with a heavy foreign accent. During one of the times where we had to wait for the installation process to be completed I asked them where they were located. They answered they were in India. I asked them if they felt the earthquake. They answered that they did feel the earthquake but the earthquake itself wasn't the problem, it was the water. This person then told me that they lost a very good friend of theirs the day before and when I told them I was sorry they said they couldn't talk about it right now. It made the disaster a little more real to me. To use something that Donna Seamon taught me - ETTE (Endure to the end). Melody

I was just wondering if anyone else thinks that this tragedy going on with the tsunami is what is discussed in Revelations? Kind of scary - makes me want to immediately get my life in order! -Sherrie

I hope you have a great holiday season too! I really enjoyed my Christmas but I am glad its over - I gained 2 lbs this week because of all the carbohydrate rich foods that abound. I know its not "real" weight and I can take it back off in a few days but it is still frustrating. -Sherrie

I too will offer some words of encouragment. This surgery is and was my last result. I have cerebral palsy and I was at 300#. I couldn't walk and my life was not good. I was depressed and not sleeping. My pcp was relcutant but she signed off on it. I am six months post-op and I am doing so much better. My self esteem has done a complete 360 and I never felt better. My dh and my kids like me better this way. Come to think of it, I like me better this way. I know that support of family and those in my ward has been very helpful and the priesthood blessings that I have recieved have been so wonderful and good. My bishop was my confidant the Relief Society was there to support me in my quest to get healthy. I am walking so much better now. You will need a support system when you get home from the hospital. I would encourage you to tell those close to you and gain their support. It is so important to have that in place. And of course, we here will be there to support you and lift you up. I won't tell you that this is easy, but it is so worth it when you put in the scheme of things. I feared dying before I could see my kids married and have children of their own. I was not going to leave my children this soon. And I was afraid of proving my father right by dying before him. I decided that my life was more important that anything. Pray to your Father in Heaven to know just the thing to do. He will guide you in your quest. You are in my prayers. Donna