All gluten-free -- Ahhhhhh! (& HLA DQ2 & 8 testing)

Today I went to a celiac conference! Although I don't have a definite diagnosis of celiac disease, I learned more today about the disease and about the gluten-free diet (which I've been on for almost 2 years now). It was an encouraging day and ALL of the food there was gluten-free. Lots of samples and a buffet afterwards! It was wonderful! I didn't eat the veggies or salad -- I figured I can (and do) eat those a lot at home. I tried new breads and buns and goodies, and various dishes, all made without a bit of gluten. Whoo-hoo! (only someone on this diet can truly understand how exciting this is!)
Annette Hamm from CHCH TV hosted the day and did a great job! It felt strange to go to a conference by myself but I did meet some new people (the couple that I sat with was from the same town AND have the same gastro doctor as I do!!)
The speakers were Bev Ruffo from the Canadian Celiac Association, Dr. Elena Verdu MD, PhD at McMaster University, Shelly Case, Registered Dietician and author of "The Gluten-Free Diet" (I highly recommend her book -- I've been using it as a resource for a while now and it's great!), and on the panel discussion were Valerie Fines, Dr. Robert Issenman (along with the others). A wealth of knowledge!

The best part? The gluten-free buffet! There was quite a stampede to the buffet table which was kind of funny to me!

*****

RE: HLA DQ2 AND DQ8 TESTING: in January I was told by a staff member at the MDS Laboratory in town that they do indeed do the HLA DQ2 and DQ8 blood testing. By that time, however, my requisition form was out of date. (I've been in the process of acquiring a new one from my doctor.) At the conference on Saturday they mentioned that this testing is not yet available in Canada so I was curious about whether my lab gave me incorrect information. I went back to the lab today and asked them again. This time I spoke to a different woman, who checked the computer database and told me that no, they DO NOT do this testing. Ugh.

Celebrating 20 years!

Today is our 20th wedding anniversary and it's been a great ride! Although Andrew & I are opposites in many ways, we are also very much alike in many ways. He inspires me and makes me laugh -- and makes me so thankful to have him in my life! I don't like to think about life without him.

Over the past years we have seen quite a few marriages around us crumble and succumb to divorce. We've also seen marriages that are obviously a facade for 'good marriage'. Recently someone said to me that 20 years of marriage is 'nothing' and I have to disagree. No it's not major milestones like 25 years or 50 or 60 years, but in this day and age, every year of a successful and happy marriage is a testament to the Lord's goodness in our lives. And it should be celebrated! For a long while I've longed for a marriage mentoring ministry (where older married couples mentor newly married couples, couple to couple) and maybe one day I will be involved in one. I think that encouragement for marriages is so necessary and sorely needed. And often absent, especially when so many newly-married couples come from broken homes and have not seen a solid marriage at work -- first-hand anyway.

I don't have the answers to what exactly makes a good marriage and a lasting one, but I do know that it takes hard work, patience and a genuine concern for the other person in the marriage. There isn't any room for selfishness or a me-attitude. And having the Lord as the center of everything changes how we view each and every situation that arises. I've told many young couples that marriage can be as good (and I think better!) than those pre-marriage dating days -- when you can't wait to see or hear from your beloved! It's true!

Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox for now and share some photos with you. I was hoping to don my wedding dress today but the weight loss didn't come as fast as the anniversary did, so maybe next year! Here I wore my dress on our 10th anniversay (the kids called it our 'second wedding' back then! LOL).