The Human Touch

Some people think the miracle of "healing lepers" exists only in biblical times. But I am here to tell you otherwise. Our Stake's Young Women (along with the Relief Society) have banded together to knit/crochet leprosy bandages to be taken to Nepal, where this disease still inflicts many people. We have been told that when the bandages arrive in the field, the first thing the wounded do is put them to their noses. They love the scent of the hand cream, soap, and even perfume that the handiworkers leave on the bandages. This has proven more healing than the wrap itself; proof that healing happens best when there's a human touch.

When I was first given the assignment to coordinate this service project, I was super excited. I love to crochet and I love teaching other people how. However, after seeing the thin thread and the tiny hook needed to make the bandage, my level of excitement dropped a bit. Discouragement and a feeling of hopelessness quickly set in after I measured my bandage after working on it for one hour. Four inches! It was only four inches long! Basic arithmetic told me that one forty-eight inch long bandage would take me twelve hours. Yikes! How long would it take a new learner? Sixteen hours? Twenty?

I quickly devised a plan to hold a weekly knitting/crocheting party at my house. Meeting together as a group for the sole purpose of service has been a spiritual experience. None of us want the evenings to end. Our hands keep busy while we bond with stories and laughter. The ages range from 11-84, yet we all share a common bond. The desire to touch the untouchables has knit us all together in love.

June has been amazing! She bought a bunch of thread and hooks and crocheted the first four rows of them all for the young women. (Earlier on, we learned that the first four rows are the hardest and most frustrating). Emma is the only young woman that is consistently involved.

James and Steven even learned how to crochet the bandages. I am so proud of them. Just proves that anybody can do this.

Lisa and Sascha

Jessica teaching Emma how to knit. Jessica is super fast knitter. She's already completed three bandages and has taught me how to knit as well. The hands belong to Laura (who refuses to have her picture taken).

Michele and Steven have been crocheting buddies. Julie was a quick learner. Her bandage is proof that the wraps don't have to be perfect.

Kirsten and her friend, Jessica, didn't want to be left out of the group. So, Sascha taught them how to finger knit (it's very addicting).

The Armenian Massacre

James recently interviewed our neighbor, Mrs. Burke, for a history project. Lucy's mother and father were survivors of the Armenian Massacre in the early 1900's. I sat mesmerized as I listened to the many stories that Lucy grew up hearing at her mother's knee. One such story was about her mother's parents' business in Armenia. They owned a bank and were very affluent. When the violence towards the Armenian people began to intensify, the parents buried ten large barrels (about 3 or 4 feet tall) full of their money. They were hoping to one day return to their home with their wealth still intact to start over again. During this time of unrest, Lucy's mother was even taught to swallow coins so that she would always have money on her. Her family never returned to their homeland. The whereabouts of the barrels of money is a mystery to Lucy and her family. However, they found a much more valuable treasure. Freedom.

Memorial Day Fun

Memorial Day was a blast. We all started out driving to Colma to pay our respects to Grandma and Grandpa Weller. Then we headed into SF for some Guirardelli ice cream.

Yummm!

(Justin, Steven and Nikkaila)

We lucked out being able to spend an afternoon with the warm sun shining in San Francisco. Sitting and playing at the beach was a lot of fun. Dave-o loved watching the "pirate ships" (as he called them)

(Nikkaila and Ammon...Kirsten doesn't like me to take her picture anymore.)

(Ammon and Steven had fun catching jelly fish)

(David and Douglas...Me and David)

(Dave-o and Malena)

Vroomm

Race on over and don't be late. Dave-o is turning three, and we have to celebrate!

Dave-o was so lucky to have his Uncle Douglas and cousins, Nikkaila, Ammon, and Malena spend this holiday weekend with us. They flew all the way over here from Salt Lake City, Ut.

Dave-o's cousin Owen and Uncle Michael also came over to celebrate his special day. Mrs Burke even stopped by for cake. 

For lunch, I made pulled pork that had been cooked in root beer. It was so yummy!

Dave-0 loved his race car cake. He was excited to see that when we cut into it, it was pink inside.

I filled up some balloons with little prizes and water for the kids to hit open.

(Thanks for the idea, Mom.)

The boys had a lot of fun playing wiffle ball in the front yard and later at our nearby elementary school. Hitting the ball over the roof of our house was a home run.

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By late afternoon, both of my Davids were exhausted; David because he had gotten up around 5am to take his parents to the airport, and Dave-o because he was like the Energizer Bunny (with no nap). The rest of us (except for Justin, who had a girl over), drove to see the Oakland Temple. We also wanted to eat at Fentons (for old times sake), however, it was super crowded. Burger King was a sad substitute, but our empty tummies were by this time desperate for anything.

It was such a fun day. Having lots of family over made it extra special.

I'm Free (three)

There is no question of who rules the Zinn home. Three years ago this little guy cast a magic spell on us all. We can't say no to him. We can only love him. Kiss him. Hug him. Cuddle him. Suffocate him with our affection. All Dave-o has to say is "Please, I can!" and he gets what he wants (to a certain degree of course). He even insists on being first going down the stairs, riding his cars, going for walks, etc. Dave-o only has to utter three little words: "It's my turn!" and everyone falls in line behind him. Dave-o even has the kids' friends worshipping the ground he walks on. They have been showing up throughout the day bearing gifts for the King.

Happy Birthday my sweet free year old.

You bring joy to all who enter your kingdom.

Neck Workout

(David's high school wrestling team)

The boys love this picture of their dad.

Their comment: "His neck is HUGE!"

James was especially inspired by his father's bulging neck. He has now added neck workouts (that his dad taught him) to his routine at the gym. One of them consists of laying flat on his back while lifting his head and nodding. It is during this time that I am able to commit James to various tasks.

For example, "James, will you clean the car?"

James nods his head (while grimacing).

Moral of this story?

Children should always nod their head when their parent(s) ask them to do something.
It's a great neck workout.

"Sweatin' For Sammy"

(Justin, Becca, me, Dave-o, Josh, James, Matthew, Steven, and Kirsten)

Our family (minus David who was sick), had the honor to run in a 5k race for a little girl named, Sammy, who is dear to our hearts. Sammy was born with a very rare genetic condition: Microcephaly with Simplified Gyral Patterns Type 1. In addition to her primary diagnosis, she has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. At birth, her parents were told that their daughter would be a“vegetable” but Sammy has beaten the odds; she is walking and using her hands. She has amazed her doctors, therapists, teachers – and of course her friends and family. The money raised from "Sweatin' For Sammy" will be used to pay for a specialized therapy. We love Sammy and her family and were happy to be a part of something so grand.

Kirsten and I ran/walked while pushing Dave-o in our jogging stroller. Kirsten did a great job. She ran the first mile, then alternated between walking and running for the rest of the way. Dave-o ran with us to the finish line. He was so excited to be "running for Sammy" (who, for a little while was his nursery buddy). After the race he kept saying, "Let's run again for Sammy".

My friend Michele and I after the race.

Both Justin and Kirsten won 3rd place in their age group.

We were surprised and overjoyed to see  Elder Carlos Contreras at the race. He was one of our favorite missionaries to serve in our area. He is now going to school in the bay area. We look forward to seeing him again soon. The second picture is of the "oldest runner". He is 84 years old!!! Truly amazing!

Many people who participated in the event commented on how there was a different feeling with this race and are eager to do it again. Little did they know that what they were feeling was the love of God. The love that He has for Sammy and for us all.