Miracles

Eight months ago when I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration I had a hard time accepting the fact that I couldn't see. My eyes bugged me all the time. The world looked "cockeyed". I was kind of dizzy all the time and I became quite depressed. My sweet husband, who is always optimistic about everything, tried to encourage me, but nothing seemed to make me feel better. I asked him for a Priesthood blessing and in that blessing he told me that a miracle would occur in my behalf. I was comforted but still discouraged.

I decided that I needed to find out all that I could about this crazy disease so I sent for several books from Amazon dot com and began my education about Macular Degeneration. I learned that you will not become completely blind---you just won't be able to see. The central vision is destroyed---the peripheral vision is still there. There are two forms of the disease--the dry (or slow progressing) form and the wet form that progresses rapidly as tiny blood vessels in the retina leak and cause permanent damage to the macula.

I was diagnosed with the dry form and the specialist told me to come back in a year. I was not comfortable with that so I went back to see my regular Opthomologist. I could tell that there were changes happening in that eye. The distortion was changing. The wavy lines were different than they had been. Dr. Alder, my regular Opthomologist examined my eyes again and immediately made another appointment with the specialist. Dr. Alder indicated that there is probably something that the Retina specialist could do.

After taking a scan of my eyes, Dr. Kwun, showed me on the picture of my eye, that there were pockets of fluid indicating that the macular degeneration had indeed changed from the dry form to the wet, or more rapidly progressing form of the disease. The good news is however, that there is something that can be done to treat the wet form. He explained that he would be giving me an injection of medicine directly into the eye. There would be a series of three injections, given at intervals of 6 weeks apart.

I have now had the series of injections and there has been a marked improvement in my vision. My right eye has gone from 20/250 to 20/100. Before the third injection, the doctor did another scan and it showed that the pocket of fluid has almost disappeared. He feels that I will perhaps need another injection in another 6 weeks. I will always have a spot in my central vision that is dark, blurry and distorted, but the peripheral vision has improved greatly.

So when Joe promised me in that Priesthood blessing that a miracle would occur in my behalf, I have seen several miracles and I'm sure will continue to see more as I exercise faith.

The first miracle is that I was prompted to go back to Dr. Alder when I had concerns about changes in the eye. If I had waited for a whole year to go back to the specialist, the damage would have been extensive and permanent.

Second, that the drug that is injected into my eye works. It is a drug that has been successful in treating uterine cancer. It is amazing that someone figured out that it would help macular degeneration.

Third, that the body has two eyes and that the brain can be programed to see out of just one eye and yet use the vision that is left in the periphery of the diseased eye.

I am so grateful for the Priesthood and the blessings of the gospel in my life. I know that I will always have vision problems. My left eye has the beginnings of the disease, but I know that as I understand my limitations, and follow the advise of the doctors and know what I need to do to preserve the vision that I do have I can continue to have a productive life. I just need to remember to take my vitamins, eat lots of fruits and vegetables, stay out of the bright sunlight, avoid eye strain and limit my driving at night.

In the meantime, if you want to know about Macular Degeneration, I have some good books that you are welcome to borrow.

Focus on the Abundance!

In his October 5, 2008 conference talk President Monson quoted a well-known author: "Both abundance and lack of abundance exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend....when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that's present---love, health, family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us happiness--the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on earth."

I have learned during the past month to be grateful for the abundance that's present and choose not to focus on what is missing!

Louise picked up our book from the printer and was delighted at its appearance. She called me and said that it is "gorgeous". I was so happy that it was finished and that it turned out so well.
Then I received a second call from her and she informed me that page 197 was missing from the book....there was simply one page that was blank. The dialogue was not there...page 196 and 198 were there but not page 197.
I was sick as I wrote an e-mail to the technical support at Memory Press and explained the situation and that we would hope that they could print page 197 and we would glue it in place. My contact at memory press said that she was sorry and that the PDF file that I had approved was also missing page 197 and so it is virtually my fault. She also stated that they would not be able to print again until after the second week in January. I typed the dialogue and we inserted it in the blank page. We will replace those pages when it is reprinted on the matching paper and print.
There were also typo's that we were sure we had corrected that were in the book so all in all, we have a gorgeous book that is not perfect!
The last week before printing was frantic as there seemed to be problems with the software program in Memory Press, but my contact person worked so hard to correct them and we felt that all was well. Too bad it wasn't!
I was assured by many that the spirit of the biography is still there and the story is intact, and the expressions of love and appreciation by children and grandchildren are priceless and so we have chosen to focus on the abundance that is present and choose not to focus on what is missing!
I have learned much from this experience!

During the final weeks before Christmas my eyes began bothering me, especially after working for long periods of time at the computer. I noticed some blurring in my right eye and after checking my vision on a chart that my eye doctor had given me because I had been diagnosed with the beginnings of macular degeneration, I recognized that the lines on the chart were wavy and distorted. At church, when I closed my left eye, the faces of the people on the stand were distorted and blurry so Monday morning I called my Dr. and he sent me to a retina specialist and we discovered that indeed the macular degeneration in my right eye is getting worse. It seems that all that can be done is to take mega doses of "eye vitamins" and come back next year for further evaluation.
WOW!! once again I am learning to be grateful for the abundance that's present!
How amazing is the human body. We have two eyes and somehow the body compensates for what is missing. I hope that there will be some way that a new prescription in my glasses in the right lens will be able to help the distortion some...but I don't know.
In the meantime I'm so grateful for the vision I do have and there will be some way that I can prepare for the time when I lose the vision in both eyes. I wonder if there is such a thing as "Blind School" where I can go to learn braille. Our daughter in law has offered to train a service dog for me and in the meantime I'll be looking for good books on tape.

We are so blessed to have a living prophet to guide us in all the concerns and problems that we have and help us to be happy and live abundant lives!

It's Finished!

Our parents' history book is finally finished!

It took many hours and much cooperation

from members of our extended family.

I'm sure our parents will be pleased as we read

about their lives, their testimonies and desires for their posterity.

I have felt so close to them as I've worked on the book.

It is truly a miracle through the use of computers

and the internet that we can publish a book from our home.

We look forward to seeing the finished product in a couple of weeks.

Thanks to everyone for your contributions!

Aloha`oe...Until We Meet Again

Max and Sarah Olsen

Married February 22, 1927

I have recently been busy compiling the history of my parents to be published in a book. With the help of my brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews we have come up with a wonderful history of their lives and the influence these two humble people have had on the world. Mother wrote her own history up to a point and my sister Louise recorded dad's history on a tape recorder in response to questions. We have their missionary journals, their Patriarichal blessings as well as written memories from their children and grandchildren. We have titled the book "Aloha`oe....Until we meet again" because they met in the mission field in Hawaii in 1924.
We hope to have the book ready for publication for Christmas.

Max and Sarah Olsen

1959

Max and Sarah Olsen

February 22, 1977
We have a great heritage and we're excited to share their story.

A Reunion full of Surprises!

Our reunion at Bear Lake couldn't have been better. Julie and Ray and Andy and Julie were in charge this year and they left no stone unturned to make it special in every way. Joe and I were kept in the dark as the plans progressed. We didn't have to do anything except be there. It was great! On Sunday we attended Sacrament meeting in the Paris ward. We increased their numbers by about 45 extra bodies. After Sacrament meeting we met at the Paris cemetery to visit the graves of Grandpa and Grandma Andrew Barfuss. This is the same cemetery where Grandpa Joe and his brothers helped their dad mow the lawn and care for the cemetery.

Brady and Grandma are having a reading lesson together.

The "family feud" game on Saturday evening gave everyone a chance to get to know each other better. The Barfuss' are such competetors!!!! It was pretty wild!

The planning for this reunion was as much a part of the reunion as the reunion itself. The committee went all out in bringing everyone together to put together special tributes for Grandpa and me. The above picture shows every one of our grandchildren and great grandchildren with a message of love for us. Nick, our missionary in Switzerland is also there. What an amazing age we live in with the technology to have pictures and messages from around the world! We have this special picture hanging in our living room!

A wonderful scrapbook was put together for Grandpa with each of the kids, their spouses, grandkids, and greatgrandkids each telling of a favorite memory of Grandpa, what they learned from Grandpa and why they love grandpa. This was presented on Saturday night.



Sunday night was reserved for a "special family home evening". The room was set up for a dignified evening with everyone sitting quietly and then a video was presented of my life with tributes given by each of my brothers and sisters as well as from each member of the Barfuss family. It lasted about an hour and a half and everyone, even the little ones were quiet as they watched themselves and their cousins tell about their experiences with Grandma Sally. I was overwhelmed to say the least. I felt that I had just attended my own funeral! Ray Beck will need to add "Movie Producer" to his resume`. It was so professionally done!

I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people to love and who love me. I am still basking in the love that I felt that night. Thank you, Thank you!

Robert and Emmy's Wedding!

Wow, what a party! The Bairds all gathered to celebrate Robert and Emmy's marriage. What a wonderful posterity. Louise made dresses for all the "Pink Angels". I think all of Provo came to wish them well. The kids especially enjoyed the dessert refreshments, including ice cream, sugar cookies, chocolate milk, mini cup cakes, cream puffs, cheese cake, fresh fruit, and tons of candy of every sort. I'll bet there were more than a few tummy aches that night.

It was especially fun to become better acquainted with Louise's darling grandchildren. Her quiver is full!
They were eager to have their pictures taken.

What a sweetheart!

A great send off for Robert and Emmy!

Our Patriotic Duty!

Our new refrigerator....a gift from President Bush!

I don't have to stand on my head to find something in the fridge.

The freezer compartment is in a drawer on the bottom of the refrigerator.

We have always had two refrigerators. A 30 plus year old one in the garage, that just kept running and running (kind of like the Energizer Bunny), and a Whirlpool in the kitchen with the freezer on top and the fresh food compartment on the bottom. I have had to practically stand on my head to find anything in the fresh food compartment!

When I first saw a refrigerator with the freezer in a drawer on the bottom I knew that someday I would like to have one. But, with the Barfuss philosophy being "wear something out before we replace it" I would probably never get my wish.

And then President Bush decided to send us all a bonus just for being good citizens so I decided that it was my patriotic duty to buy that new refrigerator and help the economy get back on it's feet. So now we have a new fridge! We not only got it free from the government, but we will get a $65.00 rebate for the delivery, a $20.00 rebate from the power company for buying an energy efficient refrigerator, and $30.00 from the power company for letting them come and pick up the old garage refrigerator for recycling! WOW! What a deal!

"The More We Get Together"

Stacie came to town so we took the opportunity to get together for a bite to eat and help Julie celebrate her birthday.

Jess and the kids dropped by and Max is showing grandma how well he can read. Our grandkids and great grandkids are the smartest in the world!

It was good to be with Vic and Mary for their grandson's wedding. What a handsome twosome! Grandpa and his brother have always been close. You would never guess that they are both in their mid eighties.

All's well in Arizona

I attended Nate's Graduation from BYU on Thursday after we came home from Arizona. This is how the Marriott center looked from where we were sitting.

"Congraduations" Nate!

The Lythgoe and Barfuss Brethren with Bishop Menlove

We had a fun family home evening around the firepit out by the pool.

A great accomplishment for Jake and his folks.

Tory and Luci's favorite pastime. Grandpa had fun with them.

Grandpa and I had a great time with the Lythgoe's in Arizona. Jake was ordained a priest, had his Eagle court of honor and was one of the leads in the school musical "Grease". He did a great job. Courtney sang a solo for the special fireside honoring graduating seniors. What a talented family!

This time of year is georgeous in Arizona! This is the time to visit!

Cousin's Reunion

We held our annual Mitchell Cousin's reunion at the Wilkinson Center at BYU. As long as Cec is the President of BYU we will probably hold it there. It was good to see everyone. Carol and Barbara are on missions and had sent letters. Of course the center of attention was our sweet Aunt Alice who will turn 100 years old tomorrow on the 14th. She is an amazing lady. Her mind and wit are as sharp as ever. We all just hope that we inherited the same genes that has kept her so sharp all these years! She has numerous aches and pains and is really ready to move on to be with her beloved Jay again. She says that he's too busy to come for her--"he's probably in a meeting." He was Bishop and Stake President in Orange County and later in the temple Presidency in the Los Angeles temple so he most always was at a meeting.

Saturday we went back to Orem where Aunt Alice's family had a wonderful openhouse for her. The day was perfect and they were able to hold the party outside. Grandpa and I drove down early and met Kandis for lunch. We went to the Olive Garden and enjoyed being together. Of course it was hard for Grandpa to find something that he liked to eat.

Conference Weekend

We love conference weekend. The Lythgoes came from Phoenix and it was great to have them stay with us. The ladies gathered at our house Saturday evening during the Priesthood session to chat and eat. It was quite a gab fest. It was hard to get a word in edgewise. It is obvious that our family members like being together.

The "boys" came after the Priesthood meeting for our traditional banana splits. Kimmy and Natalie begged to sleep-over with Tyler so we spread out our emergency sleeping bags and they had a great time together.

We enjoyed General Conference and especially the Solemn Assembly. When President Monson spoke yesterday we both had the Spirit witness to us of his Prophetic calling. The mantle of Prophet has visibly rested upon him. His messages were different than in times past. We are so blessed to have a living Prophet to guide us.

The Tourists

The outside has been cleaned up and repaired

We took a morning to take a self guided tour of the newly renovated State Capitol. They are still working on some of the finishing touches including the landscaping. They have done a wonderful job of cleaning it up and refurbishing everything to its original glory besides making it earthquake safe.

It was well worth our time to take a look!

Swept Out To Sea!

A sad thing happend in our extended family on Saturday.
Grandpa's brother Vic has a son David, who moved to Beaverton Oregon last year. He and his family were staying at a friend's cabin on the beach. It was a beautiful sunny day and the kids were having fun in the water and on the beach when they heard a boy in the water screaming for help! Ross, 16, Lance 15 and their friend started into the water to try and help the boy, who was a stranger to them. Lance and the friend realized that the boy was too far so they went back to the beach. Ross was almost to the boy when a huge wave swallowed him into the ocean and nobody has seen him since.
The Coast Guard searced until dark Saturday night and David's friends from the ward searched up and down the beach on Sunday and Monday, but there was no sign of him. Yesterday the family gathered with David's Bishop and other family members and dedicated the spot as the final resting place for Ross until the time that the Lord sees fit to bring him forth.
How grateful we are for the love and support of family and the knowledge that we have of the Plan of Salvation, the resurrection and the eternal nature of families!
David's advise is, "Never let your kids out of your sight without telling them that you love them!" Ross was a good kid who was a friend to everyone and he died helping a stranger.
Once again we learn how fragile life is.

Fogy Field Trip

Erica's field trip to the acquarium in Sandy piqued our interest so we went to see what it is all about today. We found ourselves among "thousands" of kids with their families. It is a great place to go for families and is amazing the way they put it all together. We were especially interested in the information on water conservation. We didn't know that Utah is the second driest state in the nation! We really do live in a desert!
We also thought we would drive up to the capital building to see the newly renovated building, but we decided that one field trip in a day is enough for a couple of "old foggies"! We both had to have a nap when we got home.

Grandpa's Birthday Suit!

Doesn't he look handsome?

Grandpa got a gift certificate for a new suit for his birthday

from his adoring children!

A gift card from Mr. Mac's forced him into a trip to the store.

He says that next year, when anyone asks him what he would like,

"Just tell them a big hug!"

Haircut for the apple tree

Before trimming
After trimming

We love the shade that our apple tree provides but we don't need the apples and they are so much work for grandpa to spray them every ten days during the summer months to keep them from being wormy. So we decided to have a professional crew give it a pruning job to give us plenty of shade and few apples. It is supposed to be pruned so that it will be like a canopy. We'll be anxious to see how it turns out. In the meantime we have fun watching the little birds come for breakfast at the bird feeder. We've seen a pair or robins already so I guess spring is on it's way even though it is snowing tonight!

The publishing bug!

We've started working on a new book. My sister Louise and I are compiling the history of my parents. We're inviting all the grandchildren to contribute memories if they would like. Publishing on the internet is a slick way to go. The only problem is that I have a one track mind and can't seem to get anything else done so the housework will just have to wait.

Grandpa is diligently pulling together material for his history. Don't you think he was a cute little boy? Just a preview of more to come!

Bear Lake Reunion

We made another installment on our housing for August first, second, and third 2008.

The Inn at the Lake is a wonderful accomodation. There's a pool, hot tub, and plenty of room for fun and games, besides all the fun that goes with the lake.

The Becks and the Andy Barfuss' are in charge this year so you will be hearing from them.

We look forward to having a big group---the more, the merrier!

The Big Snow

We were delighted to wake up to about 8 inches of snow this morning. We were glad that it didn't come yesterday as predicted so that we had no problem getting up to the Curtis' for Brad's ordination.

Grandpa went out and cranked up his trusty snowblower and was plowing out the driveway when Nate Beck called and said that he would be there in ten minutes to help.

Grandpa was grateful for the help especially since he has a couple of home teaching families that he usually plows out. It was amazing to see Nate work. What energy! He was half way down the street, plowing all the neighbors out before Grandpa could catch up to him!

Everything worked out great. As soon as all the walks and driveway were finished the city snowplow came by and filled up the driveway into the street so Nate was able to help shovel that out again!

I was busy inside making a pot of Taco soup for the shovelers when they finished. It was good to have Nate with us for a while. We do love our Wilfardos!