Blessings in the Fall

Last night I was really having trouble sleeping. It was one of those nights when your mind just races, and you can't do anything to calm yourself. It was then that I "wrote" (in my mind) my blog entry. I felt deeply grateful and wanted to give the credit to my Savior, Jesus Christ. Health has always been something I have kind of taken for granted--I just never was sick. Then 5 years ago I got cancer--we got through that, and now we have been facing some more health challenges as a couple. (It still always surprises me). I have felt richly blessed by the Savior, and wanted to pay tribute to Him tonight. I also want to share my thanks for the tremendous amount of people, both family and friends, who have been an incredible support for us. SO this is what happened. About 10 days ago we were going to the doctor's for Spence to have a colonoscopy. I started getting some cramps and pains in my abdomen. This has happened before to me--we have had it checked out, and nothing could be shown to be wrong...so we just take some advil and wait for a few hours...and the pain passes. Well, this time that did not happen. The pain came and wouldn't go away. We went to the doctor, who ordered a cat scan, but the pain continued. Finally, Spence said that we couldn't wait for the cat scan--that we needed to go into the emergency room, and find out exactly what was wrong. It turned out that I had a twisted bowel, and the possibility was good that it could have cut off blood to my intestine, and have a fatal effect on me. I cannot describe in words how grateful I am to Spence, for listening to the Spirit and being guided by our Father--so that my life was spared. Now I know that sounds pretty dramatic, but I KNOW that Spence was guided on that decision...and I am thankful to be married to a man who takes his relationship with his Heavenly Father seriously. I had emergency surgery on Thursday, Nov. 5th, and got out of the hospital on the 10th. I am actually doing pretty well, but I just felt like I should share this--and bear my witness of the power of prayer, of our need to be in tune with our Father's spirit...and also to keep ourselves ready at all times to be worthy of His guidance. I truly felt like I was preserved. I also felt such a kinship with my Savior last night. I know that He has suffered for all our afflictions, and our sicknesses and our sins.I felt so deeply of His love, and for His incredible compassion for me. I just felt so loved--and have felt that in the days since the surgery. It is amazing how much He has suffered to be a Savior and Redeemer for all--that is love that is impossible to comprehend...but still we can be thankful that He loves each of us so deeply. And that's all I know today--thanks to any and all of you who have helped, loved, prayed and supported. I am thankful for the many people who help to carry my burdens--you are gifts from a loving Father.

Spring Sentiments

Once again--my "best intentions" have gotten the better of me. I intend to do good things--to keep consistent in this blog, etc. WOW--it's amazing how I DON'T do the things I hope to do. So once again, the saddest things in life bring me back to writing in here. I am thankful for my personal journal where I record things more regularly! Yesterday a good friend from our ward, Rob Rivera, passed away. He and his family live in Utah, and have had a tremendous support system up there...but they also have a lot of fans and friends down here in Arizona. Rob was a super nice guy--very friendly, very interested in other people, and a wonderful member of our church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had converted to the Church, and was one of the best Gospel Doctrine teachers we ever had. He truly believed and lived what he knew to be true...and his testimony and feelings about the Gospel touched each one of us. He was a terrific example to all who knew him--and touched many lives through his life's work as an eye doctor. He has the sweetest family--a beautiful woman (both inside and out) and 3 great kids. He will truly be missed, especially by his family...but the wonderful news of this Easter season is that he will live again. Because of what Jesus Christ did through His atonement, we will ALL live again. What a beautiful hope that gives to all of us. I am so grateful that all of us will be able to see our friend, Rob, again. I invite all who read this to go to #Because He lives, and see a beautiful video, testifying of the reality of Jesus Christ, and what He has done for us. May this message resonate with all of us--and help us to reach out to Him, and to find the peace and comfort and strength that comes through knowing Him.

In the last few months there have been many ups and downs in our family, as I'm sure there have been in yours. It is not always easy to keep the right perspective, when you or your loved ones are going through tough times. However, it seems even more obvious to me that if we trust in our Father in Heaven, and try to let Him guide our lives, we will be filled with more assurance that in the end things will be all right. That may not be "all right" according to what we initially want--however, if we seek to do the will of our Father, then we will have His spirit to guide us...and to help us choose that "better part," which is always what is right in His sight. It is hard to go through tough times, but if we can encourage each other to build our faith in Jesus Christ, He will give us strength to make it through.

My youngest child, Brady, has received his mission call for our Church. He is going to serve in the Nampa, Idaho mission. He is very excited, and so are we. We thought he might be going a little further away, but it really doesn't matter WHERE he serves--he will be serving our Father's children there, and will hopefully touch the lives of people there. He is such a good young man, and will be a blessing wherever he goes. I am super proud to be his mother.He is a great example and friend to all who know him. I love him a lot.

One last thing--last night I went to the Easter pageant, held each Easter on the temple grounds of our Mesa Arizona temple. It was a beautiful night, and there was such a powerful spirit there as they enacted the events of the life of Jesus Christ. We brought 2 of our friends, and it was so awesome to share that experience with them. I am so thankful for the Gospel--for this weekend when we can hear from inspired leaders and prophets...and for all that I've been blessed with. I truly have so much to be thankful for. Happy Easter to all of you! I send this with so much love. :)

Some Thoughts for the New Year

Well, it is now the middle of February...and the last time I wrote was in December--so much for writing more in my blog. I have been inspired this week by the story of Stefanie Nielsen. She is the mother who was burned like over 80% of her body in a plane crash...and it is the story of her recovery and painful coming back to a very different style of life. She had 4 children at the time of the crash. It is heart wrenching to read of the tremendous pain she went through...and the very difficult task of trying to recover just basic skills. I haven't finished the book, but the thing that has touched me the most is her realization that there was purpose in her having this experience and that she was to share her journey with others. She has kept a blog for years, and it has been the source of inspiring MANY others. It made me realize that there is a purpose for all of us in this life...and that as we go through difficulties and personal adversity, that as we learn from those things, we can be a light to others to help them through their own personal challenges. It made me think of the great blessing that I received to be healed of cancer and to continue living. I need to be more grateful--I also need to realize that for whatever reason Heavenly Father spared my life--I need to be reminded of that often, and seek to know what He would have me do for Him to repay Him for His amazing mercy to me. How can I best serve Him? Who do I need to reach out to to bless the lives of others? It is pretty humbling to think of all I need to do to thank Him for sparing my life, and allowing me to be here with my family and many dear friends. I am able to serve in the Church, and spend time, hopefully helping others along their life paths. I am able to work out, and go on walks...and make cookies with my grandchildren. I am able to laugh and have fun...and have tender, spiritual experiences as well. Maybe we all can take a little time today, and ponder our purposes here on earth--whom we can bless, whose lives we can touch...and ponder the great gift of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and how we can best follow Him. I am thankful for this new day, and for new days every day that give me a chance to try again, to be better, and to love more deeply. I am thankful for countless people, whose faith has been a beacon for me...and whose love carries me through, when life seems too hard. Happy Day to all of us!