My new favorite word

My new favorite word..........BENIGN..........so grateful...no sign of cancer, uterine or cervical.  I wanted to scream in delight when the Doc told me (especially since he found 3 growths, not just the one he was expecting).  When I got home everyone got an extra special hug, then I began the texts and phone calls....my way of celebrating!  All is good. 

My Vacation and Tomorrow

Well, our vacation to meet Leah Grace (my new Grand-niece) was full of challenges...don't be mislead, the visit with the family was wonderful (to say the least), however here is the chronological order of things:
First morning, went to leave about 4:40a and the car wouldn't start, brother came and gave it a jump...traveled well to SLC
Second morning, car totally dead.  Nice front desk guy jumped the battery and we drove to Wally World...yep new battery (can you say $$$)
Third day, beautiful morning; blessing of Leah and a nice get together (although H O T) at the house.  Get a call that evening that beautiful little RJ, son of my sweet friend Sequoia, had died in an accident and his father was injured.  The way the Lord works is often a puzzlement to me.  Instead of staying at our normal hotel we were in Murray, close to the hospital.  Mom and I got dressed and went to the hospital, just so Sequoia would know we were there and love her.
Fourth day, going to St. George to see my ex-roomate who had a heart attack a few weeks before...but first to the hospital to check on dear Sequoia, her mom and hubby....then my dear nephew and his family t-boned by a teen texting or talking on the phone driving thru a red light.  Fortunately, no serious injuries...for which I am more grateful to Heavenly Father than I can ever say.
Fifth day, my sister had emergency surgery, after being terribly ill for 9 days.  Up all night awaiting word...scary stuff.
A couple more days of really nice visit with family, then sweet little RJ's funeral on Saturday.  A beautiful tribute to his sweet and short (22month) life.
Sunday home...
a few days later I'm in a VERY small fender bender.
Tomorrow my biopsy on the uterus....can you say an emotion filled month so far...want August far behind me AND with a benign biospy report!
There must be a lesson the Lord is trying to teach me, to be more humble maybe?  I am trying very hard and the past 2 weeks have brought me to my knees for help a startling amount...I am aware that I can do nothing without his help.....I love the Lord and I know that His plans for me are for good, perhaps I need to show that more and...
Perhaps I just need reminding now and again...
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths

The "C" Word

After a bunch (A BIG BUNCH) of tests, the results were in....Gall stones, many of them-though the gall bladder itself seems ok for now; a large lesion and large cyst on my kidney (maybe from the  infection that sent me to the hospital in the first place) that might just go away; and a growth on my uterus, which may or may not be cancer.  Hearing the word cancer, immediately brought a tremor to my soul, how would I tell my mom.  Then some comforting words, even if it is cancer it seems self contained and they'd just take the uterus out!  Hey take it, I've never used it anyway.  If it is cancer they will again check the kidney (more tests ugh, but hey I have two kidneys!!! :-))))....
Brother S and Brother J gave me another blessing.  I was not in a panic in the first place BUT it's always good to hear what the Lord has to say.  It's interesting, I remember once when I was young asking for a blessing, my Dad basically said you only need a blessing if you are weak....well I now know that information is misleading.  It is the Lord's pleasure for you to have a blessing; it is a worthy Priesthood holder's pleasure to give you a blessing AND it is certainly your pleasure to have a blessing.  Bro S said we should ask for a blessing WHENEVER we feel we need one.  He also said to "please allow him to magnify his Priesthood" to bring the peace to someone that a blessing can give.  What a wonderful thing...  Bro J said yes we are weak, THAT IS WHY we MUST call on Heavenly Father for strength, especially in a blessing. If I were to say that the blessing was awesome that would be an understatement.  I know that worthy Priesthood holders would never say something that was not directed to them....Bro S said that this would be taken care and over soon.  That it would not impair me because Heavenly Father had work for me to do both in the ward and the stake AND He loved me (reiterated several times during the blessing) AND how pleased He is with me and with the temple work I do and that He did not want that interrupted!  WOW told you it was more than awesome!  Again I'm so thankful for worthy Priesthood holders and the power that God has given them!!!

The Power of the Priesthood and Sisterhood of Relief Society

Over the past two weeks (since I was VERY briefly in the hospital) I have witnessed and felt the spirit, first hand, of the Power of the Priesthood and of the Sisterhood of Relief Society.  When my friend Denise, thankfully, goaded me to call my Home Teacher and ask for a blessing I did.  I'll insert here that my former HT had just moved to another ward, so my new HT (though I do know him) hadn't even had the opportunity to visit me yet.  When I called his home, his wife answered the phone (at that time it was close to 10p) she said she was on it!  Boy was she, within the hour her husband and another Brother from church were at the hospital giving me a blessing.  They hung around (taking care that I was being cared for) until probably 12:30a or so (even though I kept trying to get them to go home to their families)...The Spirit I felt when hands were laid on my head and the blessing began was one of total peace, I KNEW then that regardless of what was found everything would be fine.  I know when such blessings are made promises are only given by direction of the spirit, and I was promised that I would be well and home soon!  By the many pauses in the blessing I knew that Dale was being directed what to say, not just saying "something"...it occurred to me then that the awesome power of the Priesthood is so definitely a gift from God, and something to be nurtured and held with the highest regard and reverence.  
Then we come to the Sisterhood of Relief Society.  I was so blessed on Sunday to have many sisters visit me, in the early evening when I was finally starting to feel better.  Mom left around 2 and I tried to get some rest...the visitors started at 4:30 and last ones leaving a little before 8...
Sometimes when you are unmarried and have no children there can be moments of terrible loneliness...usually my kits fill in those spots at home...but they aren't allowed at the hospital (LOL) so it was wonderful to feel that sisterhood, as I'm sure this the what the Lord intended...Charity indeed never faileth, to bolster a woman's (or man's) soul!  So thank you Lord for the lessons learned by this brief, frightening experience....perhaps that is why this happened...to bring new/renewed reverence for the power of the Priesthood and love for the Sisterhood of the Relief Society.....THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Been toooooo long

WOW, it's been far too long since I've written here!  What's up with that, busy, busy, busy!  Busy at church, at work, and at home.  Teaching the 4 year olds in Sunday School....the first Sunday I was spit on and pinched by the same little boy...the next Sunday kicked by him...the next Sunday he was totally disruptive in class...hasn't been there the past 3 Sundays...been very peaceful and quite in class and sharing time!  My dear, dear neighbors Lue and Gabe are moving to Reno down the street from their daughter.  BOY am I gonna miss them.  They are so sweet, but totally understand why at both of them nearing (or he may be) 90 why they would want to be in a smaller home with less yard, etc for her to care for.  So i'll just have to drop by and see them once in a while when I go to the temple on Friday's.  Love getting the updates from Meg on her mission in Korea...she's quite the special one! (of course all my nieces and nephews are)...well better get to work.  I'll try to come up with more this week.  Need to start writing about some of my experiences to put together for my someday demise, so I can leave something behind for the nieces and nephews I love so much! xoxo til later

Humble Ourselves before the Lord

As I was writing this to my niece a little while ago I decided to add it here....I was reminded of something in Sunday School a few weeks ago....the Lord not only invites you but WANTS SO MUCH for you to ask HIM for help in tackling the difficulties of your goals; but we must ask.  I remember someone in class saying, but I hate to always bother HIM with my "little" issues...HE wants us to ask.  It is important to HIM, and to us, that we humble ourselves enough to ask for HIS guidance and assistance.  The first week teaching my primary class was a trial in magnitude (I was pinched and spit on by one particularly trying young boy)...then I read something last week that if you can't get the children to behave, or be reverent or whatever it may be, then just love them.  I prayed all week to that end and yesterday my class was, for the most part, reverent and other than a couple of outbursts (and the same little boy insisting the window sill was his seat) calm and went well....the difference was more me than them.....

Moving on-Spiritually

I will admit that my previous calling at church (until yesterday) as the Singles 31+ Rep was the most challenging position I've ever held.  I worked to refine a list that I was given.  Contacted people, sent out notices and letters...only to receive 2 (yes count them TWO) replies.  One from someone saying that she'd been married for 30 years, but "thanks anyway" and one that might be interested.  It became disheartening.  I prayed for strength to fulfill and magnify my calling, then began to pray to be released....well I was released yesterday and am now in Primary.  OK I'll admit I was praying for a RS position, but still here I am.  I might be co-teaching the 4 year old children.  Everyone knows I LOVE children.  I did teach primary for a number of years so I was hoping for adults, but I also know that the Lord knows just what I need and He will support me IF I do my best.  Primary has changed a great deal since I was a teacher, but I will enjoy the children.  I WILL, however, miss terribly my Gospel Doctrine class....I still need it so much and was so EXCITED to be studying the Book of Mormon this year.  I will also miss RS so very, very much.  I so love the interaction with the sisters and the love that is in that room, I was just getting to know them all...such sweet spirits. 
Already missing Sister Shaffer...she and her husband Steve were assigned to the Walker Branch (an hour away) and their records will also be transferred there, but she'll go to the temple with me on Friday's once in awhile. 
Beautiful talks yesterday on Personal Revelation, I love Sacrament Meeting. 
Well back to work....check out the "Spiritual Directory Assistance" and the "Conference Talks Spiritual Directory Assistance" lists...some good stuff there.

Discouragement

When I was a teenager someone wrote a note to me, as follows....wish I had read it over and over during some years, but now I can post it here and consistentlly remember...

"Discouragement, of course, is the devils principal tool. TAKE IT AWAY FROM HIM! Don't let him use it. He tries it on each of us....Have FAITH. The Lord, when we put our trust in Him, will see us through any dfficulty, BUT IT IS UP TO US to place trust in Him and exercise courage and faith. We must also do our part to move forward, difficult as it may sometimes seem."

This was an Institute teacher of mine, Ronald W. Walker (I believe he is now an author as well!)

From July 2011

From an e-mail I sent my Ute families last July...was getting ready to delete it and didn't want it to go away so I could remind myself about it!

• July 27, 2010

  • D & C 93
    Oh what beautiful words I studied for about an hour or so last night from D & C 93!!! (so of course I want to share...I tell you I feel like a babe in the woods just realizing the truths of all I'm studying) It really brought home the potential to me AND as I first started studying with the professor's at BYU (on TV, lol) they made a statement that struck me....Christ knows our capacity and IT IS MUCH MORE THAN WE BELIEVE OUR CAPACITY TO BE! WOW!
    -------
    12 And I, John, saw that He received not of the fulness at the first, but received grace for grace;
    13 And He received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until He received a fulness;
    14 And thus He was called the Son of God, because He received not of the fulness at the first.
    15 And I, John, bear record, and lo, the heavens were opened, and the Holy Ghost descended upon Him in the form of a dove, and sat upon Him, and there came a voice out of heaven saying: This is my Beloved Son.
    16 And I, John, bear record that He received a fulness of the glory of the Father;
    17 And He received all power, both in heaven and on earth, and the glory of the Father was with Him, for He dwelt in Him.
    18 And it shall come to pass, that if you are faithful you shall receive the fulness of the record of John.
    19 I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in My Name, and in due time receive of His fulness.
    20 For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of His fulness, and be glorified in ME as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.
    -------
    WOW what a promise huh! ( I will admit I went through and capitalized the he, him, his and me...just doesn't seem right that, proper English or not, that any reference to HIM or HIS FATHER should ever be lower case....I'm just sayin')
    Love ya