Symanzik Family Update

Five days before Jerard died was Mother's Day.
Ben's then fourth grade class prepared a gift for each of the moms of a large container of homemade pancake mix, measuring cups and spoons, and syrup for the pancakes.

Ben, along with the help of his Dad, made wonderful pancakes for our breakfast that morning.
who knows what Kurt is sticking in his ears!!!?!?!?

I thought I'd share the recipe with you in two versions...the original, and the one we've modified it to be.

Original Pancake Mix

Mix well together the following:
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 Tablespoons baking powder
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 cup powdered milk
Mix well and store in airtight container (and in ref to keep ants out!)

To Use:
1 egg
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon oil
1 1/2 cups mix
Mix well. Fry on lightly oiled pan.

We like this recipe so well we usually triple the mix and store in a large lock n' lock box in the ref since we have pancakes just about every morning. Its much more cost-effective then buying cereal here. I've also modified the recipe somewhat:

7 cups white flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 cup wheat germ
1 Tablespoon salt
9 Tablespoons baking powder (1/2 cup + 1 T)
1/2 cup sugar (brown or white)
3 cups powdered milk
Sift together well. Store in ref.

To use take
1 1/2 cups mix
1 egg
1 cup water
mix well.
I sometimes add 1 tsp vanilla and/or 1/2 tsp cinnamon.

Jerard used to love to eat pancakes. It was one of his
favourite foods along with graham crackers.
This picture was taken the day before he died. He was really
sleepy and seemed to be uncomfortable most of the day;
but laying on the floor kept him cooler and seemed to
be soothing to him.....miss you, buddy.

A good friend of mine wrote a letter to James the day his brother Jerard died. I wanted to share it with you all.

For James in the Waiting

Your brother, the one who shared your blood
and your facial features,
left his body behind today.
(Did you see his vacant eyes?)

James, did you know that he left our world,
where you used to touch him, make him laugh,
and is now in with God,
where God can touch him, make him laugh.

James, he can walk.
He has a new body.
Jerard can run.
He is ready to play with you.

But for now, in the waiting,
I'm asking our Good Lord Jesus
to give you peace and patience.
To hold your hand, your heart, your strong young body,
in His hands while you cry, or question, or are distracted.

Because when the waiting is done,
you'll see your twin brother.
And, James,
he'll finally see you.

Love you James,
Aunt Rachel

Since James was little he's always been protective and
caring of Jerard.

The petition for the adoption of James is finally in the court!
We filed 5 copies of the petition with the court today and hopefully within the next 6 - 8 months the adoption will be finalized!
Keep praying!

I'd written a song for our wedding and part of it said,

through all the changes that are bound to come our way
I vow my love to you
With Jesus as my standard, strong in HIM I'll stay
a gentle, quiet spirit, for HIM to create in my, I pray
honoring HIM and you in love

and today, I marry my best friend
man and wife, beginning without end
a three strand chord will not be broken
as we stand faithful in Jesus Christ,
My friend, I love you

Jesus has led our path through many ups and downs, challenges, trials, good times, adventures....
and I'm thankful for Kurt.
I'm thankful to our loving Father's love, mercy, and grace in our lives and marriage.

Kurt and I will be celebrating our 22nd year of marriage on Saturday July 7. This past weekend we went to Eden Nature Park for a 3 day, 2 night get away to celebrate.

We are working our way through the book pictured above. It is an excellent book for building a deeper, relational marriage. I highly recommend it to any couple interested in deepening their relationship.