Our church schedule changed today. We go at 9 AM so everyone has to be up and organized in the morning, just like for school. David let me sleep until 8:30 AM and I got up and took my pills, had a bagel and was at church by 8:50. Our sacrament meeting was spiritual and I'm glad I was able to attend. I went home after that to take the rest of my pills and to rest.
Tomorrow the kids start their school schedule again. I'm feeling ok, just the same side effects as before, taking just the same medicine. I feel grateful the children had such a fun time this past week, playing with friends every day and enjoying every minute of their Christmas break. David did some organizing and cleaning yesterday, so even our house is in good order. Also yesterday I received a little Apollo "Go Light" which is supposed to help mimic sunlight in the winter. It is small and chargeable, about the size of a portable cd player.
Yesterday afternoon I sorted photos in my scrapbook room. Just going downstairs to look at albums and photos cheers me up, so my goal is to do a little bit each day. I'm 2 years behind on all of the albums, as I haven't felt well all year. It's hard to believe that March will be the 2 year anniversary of starting chemotherapy. In February it will have been 6 years since I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. In January, I'll have my birthday and turn 37.
I'm hopeful for the new year, but I also am feeling a lot more peace in my life as I read spiritual books in addition to the Ensign and the scriptures. I'm not as scared as I used to me. I know the Lord is watching over me and over my family. I will submit to God's timetable and make my family my priority. I will accept help and service willingly, so that others may be blessed for their service.
Emilee
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4 comments:
Our time changed too. The funny thing is, I realized I can finish making dinner, eat dinner, take an hour nap, and still wake up before we would have been out of church before - so maybe I am thankful for the time change too!
Today, I am thankful for New Year Resolutions that bring people back to church! I had TWO sisters I have been working on for years show up today determined to be active from now on. One, I only met as a ward missionary, and she is really determined to have the Lord in her life and to teach her children right. She grew up in the church, but left as a young teenager. The other was a sister I didn't get to know till she was a return missionary in our ward. She was always really quiet. She started attending the Singles ward (so we thought) and then when she was still single, but over 30 she was supposed to come back to our ward, but never made the transition. Through the years, I have kept in touch inviting both sisters to RS activites Etc, but they were not ready to come back...till now. I was just so thankful to have them there on their own. I look forward to sharing so much with them as they grow in the gosple again.
Today, I also learned of a missed opportunity to serve and will be more intune to the spirit in the future. It was just a funny thing I felt like spending time with my friend's children during the week so her baby wouldn't be afraid of me on Sundays - but I didn't call when I felt like I should. Her husband shared a testimony about her having emergency surgery and what it was like taking care of the children without her...too bad I didn't follow through on that prompting.
You have taught me to hear and respond to feelings like that. I love how joyfully you accept the service of others. It always feels good to be a small part of someone else's miracle.
I hope your portable sunshine helps a lot. I keep thinking of funny analogies - like a pocket full of sunshine, your sunshiney personality, and how nice it must be to have such light on demand through trials and darkness...you are a luck girl :) It's not very warm here this week, so maybe you have our CA sunshine on your night stand! Keep your chin up - you don't want a funny tan line...
O, that was bad. I'll stop now
Enjoy every lovely and joyful moment you can. That is how the Lord can bless you through your trial.
Be well
~Becky
Dearest Emilee,
Hey, it's hard to beat that Becky when it comes to being the first to make an entry on your blog! But we, too, LOVE her lots!
My cousins and some friends keep us in good supply with interesting, uplifting, and good snippets via e-mail. Recently one story ended with some profound insight which I also believe.
"I believe that God only gives three answers to prayer:
1. 'Yes!'
2. 'Not yet.'
3. 'I have something better in mind..'
God still sits on the throne; the devil is a liar."
Keep doing ALL you can to get better, to feel better, and to be better!
Always LOVE from DAD
P.S. I know the last of the three "to do's" is probably the hardest for you since it is admittedly very hard to improve much on nearly perfect!
Dear Emilee:
Simply wanted to wish you and your family a Happy New Year and the best life has to offer for 2009. I know that God is watching over you and your family and I am always so impressed by your great faith and love for our Heavenly Father.
I have come to learn that part of our challenge on this Earth is the fact that change is a big part of our lives. Therefore our ability to adjust and to accept change becomes critical to our happiness. You certainly have had your share of change in your life and have had to make significant adjustments and I hope that somehow you are finding ways to accept it all so you can find happiness in spite of it.
I think of you often and know how difficult things are for you and your family. I want you to know that I pray for you and am aware of the challenges life has brought your way. There is no question in my mind that life has a purpose and that challenges can be opportunities for growth and learning even when they appear to be pointless as in your case. There is no question in my mind also that God lives, is aware of us, loves us, and will turn our trials and challenges into blessings somehow if we put our faith in Him and our lives in His hands.
With love and concern for you.
Amedee
Have you read The Peacegiver yet? It is right up there with my all time favorite books. If you have not enjoyed it yet, I will send it back with your mom and dad for you to borrow.
I was just reading a post from another friend, and she shared this scripture that made my thoughts turn to you:
2 Cor 12:8-10
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
I know the Lord knows your pain, your trials, your fears, and your joys. I know you have put your hand in his and depend on his love and strength to support you and show you the way. I know that it is your faith in him that carries you through.
So, when I looked up "My grace is sufficient for thee" it brought up some beautiful scriptures.
http://tinyurl.com/8ommlf
May we all have faith in Christ and walk with him through our greatest challenges. For he alone can succor his people through any degree of pain or suffering. It is good to be His.
I put your names in Sacramento Temple again today :) I was there cleaning. What fun that was!
On a much lighter side...I watched "Horton Hears a Who" with the kids on Sunday...one of my favorite lines was "In my world, everyone eats rainbows and poops butterfiles" hahaha! What a funny place :) What is it going to be like in your perfect little world? That would be a great question for the boys!
Ho, Ho, happiness to everyone!
Luv ya
~Becky
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