Selfless acts

I have a friend who has always been one of those people who would do anything for someone she loves. Joanna is the type of friend that sees a situation full of difficulties and immediately finds a way to help. She may not solve the core problem, but her attention always seems to be focues on what SHE can do to be the most effective in the situation.

Joanna's introduction to my family happened in the middle of preparations for my sisiter Bethany's wedding. Joanna and I walked in the door after driving from North Carolina with everything she owned shoved into the back of her Volvo to find a typical scene at the Rutherford/Jardine house: Chaos. Bethany's wedding was only a couple of days away and in typical family form, there was a month's worth of work being accomplished in 48 hours. Joanna introduced herself to my mom and then, without even missing a beat, stepped in and took over the ironing of about 100 chair covers. By the end of the day, Larry's new name for her was established: Number Ten (referring to her being the long-lost tenth child in our blended family).

Over the years, this is the Joanna I've come to know and love and call best friend. But nothing she has done can compare with what she is about to do tomorrow. In the early hours of the morning, Joanna will be wheeled in to surgery at the University of North Carolina to donate her kidney to a friend.

My selfish heart's first response to the news was, "You've got to be kidding me! What if one of your kids needs a kidney ... what if I need your kidney?!" Over the past few months, JoJo reassured me serveral times that she feels like this is what Heavenly Father wants her to do. She's sure if she's willing to do this and somewhere down the road someone closer to her than her kidney recipient needs something, it will all work out. Where did she find that faith?

I've been praying for Joanna this week and can honestly say that she is the most selfless person I know at this moment. I know she'll read this and roll her eyes at me and remind me of all the things she's done that could be called selfish, but I'm thinking the kidney is pretty much going to put her in the black for a real long time.

So, if you have a minute or two on Tuesday, please say a prayer for Joanna and the lucky recipient of her kidney.

The simple things

Sometimes it is the simple things that make me smile big.

Last Saturday morning Brianne called me at 8:30 dreaming of "delicious homemade onion rings and guacamole." Now those two things don't usually go together, especially not at 8:30 in the morning. But just hearing the excitement in Brianne's voice made me smile.

Brianne and Brandon came to Utah to go to the BYU game (a birthday present for Brandon) and Brianne and Leslee planned a BBQ for after the game.

In honor of both Brianne and I being in Utah on the same day, we pulled out all the stops and whipped up amazing (if I do say so myself) beer-batter onion rings and guacamole to go along with Brandon's amazing hamburgers and hot dogs.

Brianne, I'll make delicious onion rings with you any day!

Freedom in Never Again?

My friend Anne is continually coming up with amazing ideas. I'm usually awed by her creative genius in all things design, but the other day, she got me thinking about something more philosophical than normal.

A while ago, Anne decided to make a Never Again list. She's decided some things she just doesn't ever have to do again. Some things are on the list because she doesn't like them ... others are on the list because they aren't good for her. For instance, she says she never needs to eat fettuccine alfredo. She says that she never enjoys it as much as she thinks she will, so why keep eating it. Another Never Again for Anne: Diet Coke. Now this one, I think might be a bit harder for her. The other day I was sucking a cold one down right under her nose and I think she almost cracked. But, Diet Coke isn't good for the body, so it's on her list.

Anne says one of the benefits to having the list is people understand her refusals when she says that "x" is on my Never Again list.

While I don't think Diet Coke is going to make any sort of Never Again list I make, but I think the theory of the idea is valid.

I think I'll tip-toe into the list. Never Again #1: Spaghetti-Os. This will be an easy one. I don't ever eat them, but I can definitely go the rest of my life without those ghastly little paste donuts touching my tongue. What will be #2? I'll have to think on it.

What would be on your Never Again list?