Family, Friends and Support

It goes without saying that this is a tough time in my life and although I am faring fairly well from a health stand point my emotions keep caving in. Part of that could be from some of the drugs, part of it could be that I am more tired and weaker to resit
the torments (fear)that Satan tries to throw at me but what ever the reason(s) may be Heavenly Father has blessed me with wonderful friends and family that love me unconditionally and help to bolster my sagging spirit. I want to share two items that I received from both family and friends that have bolstered my spirit today.

The first is from a dear friend in Utah. Her name is Diane. She is able to locate some of the best humor around and pass it on to me, it really brightens my day. I am so blessed to have her as a friend!

I think we all know the true story of the Creation but this little story probably is a good example of why we shouldn't be greedy and try to strike a bargain with the Lord, who knows so much more than us

On the first day, God created the dog and said:

'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.'

The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?'

So God agreed.
On the second day, God created the monkey and said:

'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.'

The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?'
And God agreed.
On the third day, God created the cow and said:

'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.'

The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?

And God agreed again.

On the fourth day, God created humans and said:

'Eat, sleep, play, marry and
enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.'

But the human said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?'

'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.

So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family.. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

The second item was received through an e-mail from one of my gems( my daughter-in -law Kim). I love her so much and although she is miles away her love reaches through the internet and wraps me in warmth.


I have been reading this book we got for our wedding called Covenant Hearts by Bruce C. Hafen. It's been a pretty informative book about the sacredness of marriage, but the part I want to share is a story about Neal A. Maxwell and his views of when he was diagnosed with Leukemia.I believe the author of this book wrote a biography of Neal A. Maxwell, so it's a personal narrative. I'm just going to quote it word for word and I hope it will help to uplift your spirit.

"When he(Neal A. Maxwell) and his wife, Colleen, first learned that he had Leukemia in 1996, his prospects were very bleak. He had worked for years on making himself "willing to submit" (Mosiah 3:19) to the Lord's will. So in his desire to accept whatever the Lord allotted him, Elder Maxwell felt he had no claim to a special miracle. If it was time for him to face death, he didn't want to shrink from drinking whatever bitter cup was his. But Colleen thought he was too resigned and ready to yield. Speaking directly, she told her husband that Christ Himself earnestly pleaded first, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me." Only then did He submit himself with, "nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39). Elder Maxwell saw her doctrinal insight and agreed. As a result, they energetically looked for and willingly accepted a new cancer treatment therapy. They continued pleading together for his life, as divine intervention spared him for several more years."

I know that this is hard for you. I wish I could make it better for you. But I truly think that you will get better. We pray for you daily and we're looking forward to May when we can (hopefully if we have enough money) come out to visit. Have a great day and we love you!
Kim

My third blessing comes from a neighbor and friend. Her name is Molly. Molly has been a huge support to me! She has brought in meals and has come over to talk to me to help calm me. She is a very dear Christian friend and has helped me tremendously.
She has been taking me to and from my appointments. I cannot thank her enough for all that she has done for me. She has kept me accountable for making sure that I get to them. There have been days where I have felt like giving up and she has kept me going.

I have many blessings in my life but perhaps the biggest blessing of all comes from all the prayers that are being offered on my behalf. God hears every one of our prayers and He answers them in ways that He knows are best for us.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. He is with me and watches over me daily. I love Him so much and He is so good to me! He has blessed me beyond measure in my life, even though I might not always deserve those blessings because of some crazy temper tantrums that I throw. I am grateful that through the atonement of Christ I can repent of those things which I do wrong and can once again find favor in the sight of the God. I am grateful for His forgiveness and that He does not hold grudge matches or I am sure that He would have volumes against me by this time. How grateful I am for His willingness to forgive and forget and I hope that I can always emulate that wonderful quality in His life. The Lord is a wonderful example to follow!