I'm so grateful for modern technology - even though I am one of the least skilled at it.  I've been thinking about the inventiveness, the ingenuity, stick-to-it-ivness, determination of the men and women who have brought these wonderful advances about and the spirit of the Lord that brooded over them so that His purposes could be wrought.  Today I had the opportunity to talk to and play with each of my children and even some of my grandchildren....  What a blesssing.  I'm old enough to remember that the only way we used to have to communicate was through very expensive long distance and snail mail...yet today I talk, facetime, and play games with them and I seldom really face the reality of the thousands of miles in separation.

Today Cherstin called to talk about her worry and frustration with Ellie.  At two, she is very, very, very busy and often into things that could prove disasterous for her and others.  By noon Cherstin was facetiming me with evidence of her concern - Ellie had put her hand on the burner of the stove and her little fingers were blistered.  A trip to the dr, some silverdene creme and lots of gauze to keep it clean, with a follow-up appointment in a week were prescribed and she is doing better tonight.

In the meantime - Emily has learned to play "Draw Something" on her iPod and she and I have been playing.  It has been so much fun to watch her draw, reason, and spell.  I also play games with Rebekah, Rachel, Mary, Ben and Sam...I just love having these connections!  I wish I had these connections with each of them - in due time I guess.

Wanda and I had a chance to talk today as well - about Nauvoo and ways to involve temple aged kids in preparing names for the temple.  I've been so impressed by Elder Bednar's talk about this subject from October's Conference that this seems like a particularly wonderful opportunity to involve the kids in the work...but I haven't yet figured out how.  Wanda suggested I email each of them and give everyone assignments and homework...I think I will but I'm just trying to figure out how and what to involve them with....  It is just a little over 90 days until we'll be there so I better make some decisions quickly!

Tomorrow is my last synvisc injection.  These have been particularly difficult.  Perhaps I am getting to the point that I will just need to have the surgeries...so much for hoping to not have to have them!  Hopefully tomorrow's will be better than the last two which have left me immobile for 5-6 days afterwards.  I have been swimming the last two evenings and that seems to have helped a little - at least it seems to have loosened the joint up.  But - I will be honest - I'm dreading tomorrow.