Taking a Journey

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Wonderful Season

Sun going down slowly
Faster through each time
Beautiful skies starting to show
Throughout this wonderful season

Celebration of Stone’s Life

The following was borrowed from Jerry Lee’s facebook note – I thought all would enjoy this.

What a wonderful celebration of Stone’s life we had yesterday. After several days of gorgeous, warm, spring weather, we awoke to a beautiful blanket of snow. Conditions worsened throughout the day, and by the time we left for the memorial service we were dealing with a blizzard. Even so, the service had to be delayed, not because of the weather, but because of the long line of people waiting to sign the guest book. Almost 400 people braved the storm to pay their respects to the family and honor Stone.

We began by watching a very touching slide presentation of Stone’s Life. Preston Silcox, a long time friend of Paul and Vanessa’s, said a prayer. After that, Vanessa’s father, Benton Allen, Jr., read the obituary, followed by the eulogy, which was drafted by Paul and Vanessa, and presented by Paul’s father, Jerry. The eulogy began by pointing out the gifts of life that Stone donated to others: his bone marrow, his eyes, his skin and his heart valves. He also used Stone’s favorite verses to illustrate each point. Jerry pointed out that just as someone will draw strength from Stone’s bone marrow, Stone drew strength from God (”with God all things are possible” Matt 19:26). Just as Stone’s eyes will help another have sight, we should have eyes that see God through His Word (”thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” Psa 119:105). Just as Stone’s skin will help a burn victim regain the sense of touch, others should feel the touch of God through our compassionate hands (Matt:25:34-30; Luke 10:30-36). Finally, like Stone, we should have the heart of God. We should lay up our treasures in heaven (”for where your treasures are, there will your heart be also” Matt.6:19-210). Also, we should “be kind one to another, tenderhearted…” Eph. (4:32).

Paul closed the service with a heartfelt prayer. The line again was long as people waited to speak with the family before braving the storm to get home to places as far away as Grand Junction, Longmont, and Boulder. A delicious meal was then provided by many of the community for the family and close friends. Today the remaining out-of-town guests and and family members will begin the journey home to Denver, Arkansas, Memphis, and Florida.

We want to thank all of you for the thousands of e-mails, messages on fb, cards, calls, and especially the prayers you have offered to God on our behalf. Please continue to pray for Paul, Vanessa and Alahna in the weeks and months ahead. We love you all!

Daddy’s Home

It has been a l-o-n-g 11 days. He is doing good – I will update more later – we are all tired.

Have you scheduled your colonoscopy yet?????

Daddy’s Improving

Daddy was moved to a private room late Thursday evening. Mother was glad since she will get to stay and care for him. I was able to convince Mother to get a room Mon-Tue-Wed nights it was a Big help. We started the days off at the 5:00am visiting time and ended the day with the 9:00pm visiting time. We would spend the non-visiting times running errands and eating. I tried to keep Mother busy so that she would not dwell on the situation.  Wendy’s, Cracker Barrell, Ray’s PeGe, Picadilly  are a few of the places that we ate at. We shopped at Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart, Stage, Wal-Mart, Books-A-Million, Wal-Mart- do you see a pattern here? Mother and I talked and discussed everything that we could think of.  Mother said that Daddy was able to walk around the unit three times today. He is able to rest more on his own today. While he has not taken much pain meds, he does take about half the dose at times. He is NOT a big fan of pain meds.  Mother said that Dr. Marx came in this afternoon and told them that his lymph nodes were cancer free. However, the complete path report is not complete at this time. They have sent it to LSU for futher testing. We hope to know more next week.  I am thankful for each of you for saying a pray for Daddy and Mother at this time.

Mother just called to say that they moved Daddy to another room. Room 370 same floor- she said the room is not as nice or big, but they would make it. I tolded her it was for a reason, maybe the nurses there would be nicer!!!!

PLEASE  schedule your colonoscopy soon if you have not already done so!!!!

Update on Uncle Buck

I just received a text from Martha.  Uncle Buck is out of surgery.  The surgery went well, but it was a very LARGE tumor.  They will not know if he will have to have Chemo until the path report comes back…typically 3 days to get those results.  He will be in ICU for the next 48-72 hours.

Martha is there and is currently trying to talk Aunt B into getting a hotel room across the street.

Will update when I hear more.

Paula’s Recipe of the Month: March 2010
Beef, Sausage and Cheese Manicotti

I’ve really been wanting to make a stuffed pasta dish for some time.  I found this recipe for manicotti the other day, and I knew it was going to be good.  I made a few modifications to it, so I’ve written it the way that I made it.  It was AMAZINGLY GOOD.  It was like eating at an Italian restaurant, but at a fraction of the cost.  We had this with French bread and Caesar salad.  Can’t wait to have the leftovers tomorrow!

The next time I make this recipe, we’ll be having my Deep Dish Mocha Tiramisu for dessert.  Maybe that will be next month’s recipe.  :)

Ingredients

• 4 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 1/2 lb Italian sausage
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 14 (8-ounce package) manicotti ***
• 1 (15-ounce) container whole-milk ricotta
• 3 cups shredded Italian blend cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves or 2 tsp dried parsley
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 cups marinara sauce (I used Prego Traditional)
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

***The filling actually makes more than enough to fill 14 manicotti shells, so I’d cook an extra 4-5 shells.

Directions

Heat a heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the olive oil, onion, garlic, ground beef and sausage. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, and cool.

Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet. Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti from the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.

Meanwhile, combine the ricotta, 1 1/2 to 2 cups Italian blend cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and parsley. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Brush the remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 13 by 9 by 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1 1/2 cups of the marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups of  Italian blend cheese, then the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with the butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.