Kidney Transplant for Steve

I decided to post this email I received from my Mom's cousin Mike. Steve is his nephew. He has been updating us concerning the need for a transplant for Steve. If you you these last few emails you will see that Steve did receive the transplant and is progressing with his new kidney. If you are able to be prayful or help financially I know both areas would be appreciated. ~Jennifer



Dear Friends,

Good news. It seems the kidney is starting to work!! It is not yet fully functional but the doctors feel good that it will be soon. They said the body is showing no signs of rejecting the kidney so everything looks positive. Steve will continue to be on dialysis however until the kidney is fully functional. While Steve and the family are optimistic they all will breathe a sigh of relief when the kidney is fully functional. Let's hope it is soon. Don't stop praying!

Many of you have gotten back to me saying that although you couldn't donate one of your kidneys (because of having the wrong blood type, or couldn't get time off for work, etc) you did want to know if you could help out financially. The answer is YES.

Last year when Jim donated his kidney to Steve, Jim had put away $10,000 to cover the costs (hotel, food, transportation, etc.). It wasn't enough. They are still in debt from that experience. Now with this transplant occurring without warning only 1 year later, there was no time to save to get ready for it. Again, since it is out of town, the family has hotel, food and transportation expenses. So they definitely will need help. I think Insurance covers 80% of the medical expenses but that's all.

If you can send anything at all please send a check to:

Jim Scarduzio
4 Crofton Commons
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

Please include a note that you are a friend of mine so they will know where you found out about their need.

Please forward this to your distribution list. They have been through so much and if a lot of people can send them money it would sure help.

Thank you so much for your help.


A. Mike Segalo



Dear Friends,

Late Monday afternoon my brother Jim got a call from New York (he lives in the Philadelphia area) saying that there might be a possible match for a kidney for Steve!! They said the kidney is coming in from another hospital and they think it might be a match. They said to get up to New York as soon as possible. They said you can't wait until we know for sure. You need to start coming up here within the hour and we will call you in your car to let you know whether to turn around and go back home or whether to continue coming here.

Steve was actually in dialysis at the time of the call so they had to wait until he got home before they could head up to New York. As they were driving they were told to keep coming because everything looked good. When Steve got to New York they took a blood sample and then they had to wait a couple of hours to see if the test showed that it was a match. The test came back positive! Then they decided that since Steve has been through so many situations where things have gone wrong they would do another test on him and the kidney. They were told that this would take 5 more hours. They just wanted to be absolutely sure. This test also came back positive!! It was a perfect match. So they took Steve into surgery around 8 AM Tuesday. They told Jim and Flori that they were going to take their time and make sure every possible thing was done to make this a success. The surgery normally takes about 5 hours. It actually took a little over 7 hours.

Now the next step of course is that the kidney needs to start working. Sometimes it starts right after surgery and sometimes it takes a few hours and sometimes it takes a few days. It is now about 22 hours after the surgery and the kidney has not yet started working.

Obviously we are all sitting on pins and needles right now. Please continue to pray for Steve that God will bless him and start the kidney so that it will work perfectly and for many years.

I will keep you posted on the progress.


Mike

Snow and more Snow

Last weekend was the ice storm that hit the Midwest. Being out the country with no ice salt or plows I end up stuck for a few days. My Mom has learned the value of a food pantry. She has enough food on the shelves to last a week or more. I find it funny to go into the city right before a storm and see how busy all the stores are. People seem to be in a panic at the idea of being caught at home a day or more.
The ice storm was a lot of fun since I was at home. Across the road is some property that has been divided into 3 acre lots to be sold. The gravel road through the development has been laid but none of the lots have sold yet. One section of the road goes down a good hill that my brother-in-law called Thunder Mountain. When Thunder Mountain is covered with ice I can tell you it is a lot of fun to go sledding down! We all had a blast though it is difficult to get up the hill again.:-) I’m looking forward to sledding down Thunder Mountain tomorrow evening.
The ice was not gone yet before our snow storm last night. We got 6" of snow where I live. I tried to get out of the driveway this morning but the snow was too deep. It is gorgeous. I love being in the country after a snow storm. I went outside and took pictures. We don’t seem to get a good 6" snow like this very often. The bad thing is church has been cancelled 2 weeks in a row due to the weather.

Learning from Thomas Edison

Last night I watched a DVD that was a biography of the life of Thomas Edison. I love history and learning about the lives people have lived intrigues me. As I was learning more about Thomas Edison several things came to me about his life. This man certainly had a gift from God. He was brilliant as an inventor. Thomas Edison was a hard worker with a spirit of endurance. He used failures to learn and apply to new inventions. Once he was working on a storage battery. He had experimented with this battery 10,000 times. Imagine being so persistent you continue trying at your goal 10,000 times! A friend was trying to encourage Thomas Edison after he had reached the 10,000 time. Thomas Edison replied, “I haven’t failed. I have simply found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas Edison became very wealthy, he was internationally famous. He had 3 months of formal schooling then was homeschooled by his mother the rest of his school years. Later in life he was given honorary degrees from several colleges.
For all the good things I could see in his life, such as perseverance, as I thought about Thomas Edison one scripture kept coming to mind. “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and loose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? “ Mark 8:39 Thomas Edison was a man who made his work his life. He most certainly lost the hearts of his children. One of his daughters was 6 before she said she truly realized that yes, she did have a father. I have not found any indication that Thomas Edison was a man who walked with God. He gained everything men dream of in this world, only to loose it all when he stepped into eternity. To me that’s the most important lesson to learn. Intelligence without out God is like a piece of paper blowing in the wind. While you were holding onto it and able to read the paper you thought it was worth everything, once it blew out of your hand you were left with nothing. That’s what the things of this world bring. Happiness (so you think) while you are holding it. Once you step into eternity it’s gone and nothing will bring it back.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza-Yummy!

Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Spinach Alfredo base:
1 ½ cups light cream
¾ cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. oregano
2-3 oz. fresh spinach leaf, chopped
1 pizza crust already baked ¾ time needed
The cream is heated to boiling then turn down to a simmer while the other ingredients are mixed in. Remove the mixture from the heat when it begins to thicken. Lightly coat 2 boneless chicken breast, cut into slivers, with flour and fry it lightly in olive oil and about 2 cloves of minced garlic. Spread a thin layer of Alfredo spinach sauce onto the pizza crust and top with thinly sliced tomatoes, garlic chicken, and mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15 minutes at 475 degrees.

The Everything History of the Bible

I found a neat book at the library on the New shelf. It the "The Everything History of the Bible" by Jeffery Donley. It was a fascinating book covering topics such as: uncovering Genesis, Dead Sea Scrolls, Archaelogy and the Crucifixion, the Mystery of Miracles, and Founders of Modern Science.

Throughout the book I learned a lot of things I didn't know anything about. In the modern science section I found it amazing once again to think on the modern philosphy concerning science. In modern thinking it is taught you can't have a brain, think, and be a scientist if you are a Christian. I guess only Darwinian scientist are the real brains capable of reason and discovery. Or so I've heard. The Modern Science chapter is an amazing rebuttal of that idea. Starting with the Scientific Revolution of 1600-1775 brief bio's of devoted Christian Scientist are given. These men were filled with a desire to discover the world and the laws ruling that world which they believed God had created. Some of the names you may well recognize: Johannes Kepler, Galieo Galilei, Sir Frances Bacon, Issac Newton, Blaise Pascal, William Herschel, Samuel Morse, Michael Faraday, Louis Pasteur, and Joseph Lister.

The short biography of Blasie Pascal gave a note about his famous challenge "Wager". I have never heard of it but I would like to try and find it. I have thought a lot about this challange he gave and can't find anything more worthy to think on than this.

"His famous challenge encourages individuals to consider that if one chooses to believe in Chriostianity and it is false, nothing is lost. But if one chooses to disbelieve in Christianity and it is true, then everything is lost."

Full Circle Herbs Review

Review by Caroline Allen
Full Circle Herbs

Full Circle Herbs sent me some samples to try of their fantastic herbal
products. The diaper powder I was sent is made with herbs that are gentle to
babies skin and helpful with clearing diaper rash. Use with each diaper
change or simply as needed. This powder helped clear up a nasty diaper rash
my son had. I like all the natural indredients, there us no talc! Contains Pau d'Arco Bark Powder,
Slippery Elm Bark Powder, Plantain Leaf Powder, Red Clover Herb Powder,
Lavender Flower Powder, Comfrey Leaf Powder, and Kaolin Clay. $7.00 for 2.00
dry oz.

I was also sent a tea for Nursing Mother’s to try. For someone that doesn’t
like tea I was actually able to get it down. It didn’t taste like
poison to me, so it must be great!! A tasty blend created to help the
nursing mother gently increase and maintain her milk flow. It aslo includes
several herbs to help decrease gas and stomach upset in the baby. Try to
drink 3-4 cups throughout the day. Because new moms don't have a lot of free
time, try brewing a quart for the day and keep in the refrigerator. The tea
will keep for 24 hours: reheated or drink cold. Contains: Fennel, Spearmint,
Lemon Balm, Raspberry Leaf, Blessed Thistle, Borage, Nettle and Catnip.
Packaged in a nice reusable container with brewing instructions included.
$7.00 for 2.50 oz.

To buy these great products, and many others visit Full Circle Herbs today!

Gehman's Country Fabrics

Review by Crystal Paine of BiblicalWomanhoodonline

Gehman's Country Fabrics

Okay, I have a really big confession to make here... I'm a procrastinator. I always have great plans and it seems that I get so distracted, many of those great plans never happen.

I had promised a review of Gehman's Country Fabrics over 4 months ago and here I am, just finally doing it. Now granted, I have been quite backlogged on getting things posted on my blog and have a large file of stuff waiting to post, however, that is still not a good excuse. The real reason it hasn't gotten done is because they sent me this gorgeous fabric to make a skirt with, and, well, um... the skirt isn't done. Dare I tell it isn't even cut out? Yes, that's right folks. So anyone who still has some crazy visions of me being some "superwoman" can go up and knock me right down off of that pedastal you put me up on.

I'm not superwoman. Instead, the truth is that I'm really and truly a procrastinator. I kept saying I'd sew that skirt this week, or tomorrow. I kept moving it from my daily to-do list to the next day. I finally decided that the skirt would probably fit Kathrynne by the time I actually got it done, so I'd better just do the review, skirt or no skirt. So, here goes the review, with my great apologies to Gehman's and sincere thanks for your wonderful patience. If I ever do finish the skirt (which I'm sure I will now that I've embarrassed myself so much about it!), I'll post a picture!

I was incredibly impressed with Gehman's Country Fabrics, not only the fabric they sent, but the people themselves. Owned and operated in rural Pennsylvania, the Gehman family is committed to providing fabrics and more to women who desire to dress modestly. Their fabrics are very high quality and their customer service is above par.

Gehman's offers a wide variety of fabrics - from Tropical Breeze fabrics, to Country Rose fabrics, they are constantly adding to their stock (Take a peek here at their new fabrics for this month). They also offer custom-made cape dresses, modest slips, sewing notions, baby items, and more.

So, instead of being like me, don't procrastinate - visit their website today! You can also print their catalog right here, if you'd rather print and peruse their selections off-line.

The Grocery Shrink ebook Review

Review by Caroline Allen

The Grocery Shrink
I was given a copy of “The Grocery Shrink” ebook to review, and was quite
impressed with what I read! For anyone who is wanting to lower their
monthly grocery bill, this e-book gives wonderful ideas on how to do that.
Here is a quote from the author, Angela Coffman:

“This book gives the story about our family and how we won top ten in a
national radio contest hosted by financial counselor and best selling author
Dave Ramsey. It gives the method I used to feed my family for less than $250
a month. No coupons required! You will receive the complete method including
printable charts and planning sheets, data tables, and my favorite recipes.
All persons buying my book will also receive an exclusive invitation to join
my Grocery Shrink e-mail group to get even more money saving tips and be
able to ask questions. You will receive this book in the mail on CDRom.”

Some of the things you will learn from this e-book include: Making menus,
Planning a pantry, Keeping a price book, how to calculate recipe costs, how
to navigate through the stores, sample menu plans, and my favorite part:
page after page of many yummy recipes! I learned a lot from her advice on
how to shop with cash, and how much money it saves you. It motivated me to
start trying that myself. She also clearly explains how to calculate how
much your recipe cost, with clear simple steps.

I would definitely recommend this e-book to anyone I know, and the price is
great! You get complete method including printable charts and planning
sheets, data tables, and her favorite recipes. All persons buying Angela's book
will also receive an exclusive invitation to join her Grocery Shrink e-mail
group to get even more money saving tips and be able to ask questions, for
only $9.99! That is a wonderful deal!

To Breath Again

Since last Tuesday I have been sick. It started out feeling like a sinus infection then the fever and coughing arrived. Then more and more coughing! I had bronchitis 4 years ago and have I been a little paranoid I was getting it again because of all the coughing. With the bronchitis it took me 3 months to stop coughing! I can’t stand being sick. I know I’m supposed to slow down and rest, but sitting on the couch in the middle of the day makes me feel lazy. I have a thankful list thought up from being sick. I like to stop and make thankful lists on days I'm grumbling. It gets my attitude put back where it should be, along with prayer. Try it and see if it help you!

Thankful List
1. Every time I get sick it reminds me of how blessed I am to be healthy a good portion of the year.
2. I don’t have to buy this many Kleenex’s next month.
3. I may be having trouble breathing, but other people can’t breath well all year.
4. I get to eat Campbell’s Chicken & Noodle soup.
5. When I am well I will be able to sleep lying down in my bed again.
6. This reminds me I need to take my vitamins, daily, not monthly.
7. This too shall pass.
8. I’ll be able to eat dairy products again.

Election Results

This was a disappointing day. After listening to last night to election results in Missouri, and other national elections, many races were so close there seemed to be hope for Republicans to keep their seats. I woke up to find Jim Talent had lost, the Stem Cell measure had passed, and a lot of Republican seats had been lost. I heard a talk show host on the way home talking about what happened with the elections. He said if you look at the ballet initiatives in the various states the majority of what passed was conservative both socially and fiscally. He said the Republicans aren’t living up to those conservative standards. They are talking a talk but aren’t walking the walk. I have to agree. There seems to be many empty promises made that conservatives aren’t forgetting. I think it’s time for a 3rd party in this nation. I’m tired of business as usual and corruption in Washington. The other option is to have people of real character run for Republican offices. Hint to any future candidates: Try watching Mr. Smith Goes to Washington with Jimmy Stewart. Then act accordingly.

Some favorite recipes

Chicken Casserole
Cook a chicken- cool, then debone it. Put in bottom of 9x13 pan. Add: 1 can mushroom soup and spread over it. Sprinkle: 1 and ½ cups self-rising flour then pour 1 ½ cups milk, 1 stick melted butter, 1 ½ cups chicken broth over it all. Bake for 1 hour at 400 degrees.

Spinach Balls makes 50
Wonderful because they can be made ahead and frozen-just bake as many as you need at a time. You can double and triple this recipe.
2 pkg. frozen chopped spinach
4 beaten eggs
2 cups herb stuffing (packaged or homemade)
½ cup Parmesan cheese
1 garlic clove, minced
1 chopped onion
1 ½ tsp. thyme
¾ cup butter, melted
Salt & pepper

Bonnie’s Zuchinni Chocolate Cake
½ cup butter
½ cup applesauce or oil
2 eggs
1 ¾ cup sugar or sucanat
Cream together
1 tsp. vanilla
2 ½ cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. cloves
4 Tb. Cocoa
Mix dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture with:
½ cup sour cream or buttermilk
Stir in 2 cups shredded zuchinni
Pour into a greased 9x13 pan top with ½ cup chocolate chips.
Bake at 325 degrees in glass and 350 degrees in a metal pan for 40-45 minutes.

Freezer Meals

About a week ago my Mom and sister Caroline decided to have a freezer meal day. I was baby sitting Mosiah and Israel and getting my own work done. They went out in the morning and did the grocery shopping. They came back and fixed 2 chicken devan meals, 2 chicken pot pies, and 2 creamed chickens. The next day they made 2 stockpots full of beef stew, more meatballs than I could count, 2 muffin mixes, 2 pancake mixes, and 2 meat loafs. We want to start doing this together once a month! I would like to see how much we can do with 3 of us working and watching the boys. They had a lot of fun, had plenty of freezer meals made, and will have the convience of prepared food at a late time. We want to do this for a friend who is expecting her 3rd child. What a wonderful gift for a new mom!

Quote for the day

God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so we can listen twice as much as we speak.

Vote On Tuesday!

A friendly reminder- Please exercise your responsibilty and rights as an American citizen and vote on Tuesday. Let your voice be heard!

Quote for the day

" I am not what I ought to be. I am not what I wish to be. I am not even what I hope to be. But by the cross of Christ, I am not what I was. "John Newton of the song Amazing Grace