Truly a Day of Thanks

Hello, It has been a while since i wrote. What an eventful week this has been! I am posting some pictures of our new baby, Spencer Christopher, who will be known as SJ! What a darling, sweet little baby he is. How thankful I am that I can be up here in Utah with him, Emily and Michael. I could post forever about all the cute, sweet things we have experienced...but let me just say how thankful I am for him, and for my daughter, Emily, who has just been a trooper through all of this. She had a difficult labor and has been pretty sore this week. But her love for this baby just shines through...and it is a privilege to be here with her and Michael. I love them all, and am so proud of them. They will be terrific parents--this baby is very lucky to come into this home.

In all the hoopla of having SJ arrive, I have been a little less expressive about my great thanks for the blessings of my Father to me, health-wise. It is humbling to know that I am totally clear of any cancer right now--what a tribute to the faith and prayers of so many of you. I am thankful for the mercy of a loving Father to me, and for the power of the priesthood which has blessed me incredibly through this. My healing has truly been one of the "tender mercies" of the Lord. The power of my own prayers and those of my family have been a strength beyond measure. My son, Brady, has always been incredibly positive about how things would turn out. How thankful I am for his ever-cheerful and encouraging attitude. He just KNEW I would get better. My sister, Laura, has a friend who has been battling cancer for years. Her attitude is what mine needs to be (and in fact, would be good for all of us)--where she lives life to the fullest, and makes every day count. When I found out that Emily was pregnant, I just hoped with all my heart that I would be well enough to come be with her and hopefully offer some help. I feel ever so grateful that my Father in heaven has granted me that blessing.

I want to share a couple of pictures with you. There is one with Emily and her cousin, Katherine Allen Mitchell. They have been friends all their lives...so this picture is particularly poignant to me. (In fact, I cried when I took it). My heart is filled with gratitude this morning. This day is a gift--may it be that way for all of you too. I love you very much, Louise