New start of spring

Last night's snow dump - so pretty - cold, but pretty! And to look forward...

Nowadays the first day of spring is March 20.  I know - in times past it was March 21.  Read here for an explanation.   I know it was news to me and always confusing.

Looking for new hope

Prayers on Temple Square

Jacques Desir, left, joins in prayer for Haiti earthquake victims at the reflection pool near the Salt Lake Temple Sunday. Desir has yet to make contact with his family in Haiti. (Michael Brandy, Deseret News)

Read the story here and read here about the LDS medical teams who are heading over there. A few excerpts follow.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jeremy Booth, an emergency room doctor from Ogden who speaks French Creole, needed to place only two calls to make the select group. Provo orthopedic surgeon Creig MacArthur — who learned French as an LDS Church missionary a half-century ago — gladly accepted a surprise phone invitation to join. And Jeff Randle, a Salt Lake City doctor specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation, was a natural and willing choice, given his longtime charitable efforts at the group's destination site.

They are among the first wave of medical personnel en route to earthquake-ravaged Haiti as part of the ongoing humanitarian efforts by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, scheduled to be on the island late today.

The LDS Church's medical team includes 14 doctors and nurses and two family services specialists, most from Utah. They've cleared their schedules and made themselves available for at least a week to make up what Nate Leishman, manager of the church's humanitarian emergency response, labels as "our assess and response team."

"This is a hard trip," said Leishman of the medical team's Haitian assignment. Most members of the group are making their first foray into responding to mass-trauma, disaster situations.

It will be far from a typical week's visit to a Caribbean island.

Each member of the group was given a large duffel bag? called the "survival bag" ? that included a tent, a sleeping bag, a blanket and food for the stay. Once in Haiti, they will set up camp, so to speak, outside one of the several LDS chapels in Port-au-Prince or perhaps some at Randle's Helping Hands for Haiti clinic.

"This group is self-contained," said Leishman, adding, "there's no hotel for them there, and it's not as luxurious as camping."

Each of the medical personnel was also given a blue duffel full of basic medical supplies — ranging from gauze and bandages to stethoscopes — and an additional large duffel full of basic pharmaceuticals. Nearly two dozen pallets loaded with additional supplies and drugs are to arrive as well in Port-au-Prince.

The best of times...

Sometimes we do get caught up in our trials, troubles and challenges. 2009 has been a difficult year for me for sure and I need to take stock of the good things. Bishop H. David Burton spoke at BYU yesterday and left encouraging words for hard times. I like alliteration so I appreciated this summary,

"To find joy in hard times, individuals must remember to take sufficient time to love, listen, learn, laugh, lighten, lead and lift, he said. No matter the challenge an individual must face, the future is bright for those who are obedient and recognize the blessings in their life.

"Yes, these are the times that may try men's souls, and perhaps for some the challenges of the day may seem overwhelming," Bishop Burton said, "but for all who continue to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who, regardless of circumstances, continue to be positive and obedient, who continue to see the glass half full, 2009 and the times that follow will be the best of times."

We received good news today. The pediatrician said she will discharge little Max tomorrow. The nurses went to bat for Aubrey and him and she did a turn about. There's really no reason for him to stay and I think he has hospitalitis. He's eating well, breathing well and passed the 90 minute car seat challenge. Yay!!! The boys are so excited to see their mom again. Due to the H1N1 precautions, no visitors under 14 were allowed in the hospital.