So Today's the Day

So today's the day you all start finding out my news because it will be announced in church. I've kept it quiet up to this point because I don't like sharing news like this until I have all the facts and know what I'm dealing with. We notified all the family a couple days ago and asked them to keep quiet until today. It's strange knowing information like this when no one else knows. But it's also a sacred time. A time between you and the Lord.

Sometimes as I drive down the highway and pass a car I think, "I wonder what their story is. Are they heading to a chemotherapy session or to see a loved one at the hospital." You never know what someone is going through. Each of us has our own "Gethsemane" moments in life. "Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -Marjorie Hinckley

Shad and I received the phone call we'd been waiting for yesterday. We got permission to speak to our son, who's serving a mission in Africa for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and tell him the news over the phone. Just getting a hold of him was an interesting experience. You don't have a phone number for your missionary, just an email address that you use once a week on P-days to send them a letter. But I wanted him to hear the news from us before he read it from someone else on P-day, so we decided to make a phone call. There was a process to that but a huge thank you to our Stake President and Caleb's Mission President to help make that happen. Hard to do when they're on a remote island in the middle of the ocean, as his Mission President stated. I love hearing that! That he's on a remote island. Anyways, I won't go into a lot of details about that phone conversation, but know that I think my son's amazing! I can't imagine being so far away from home and getting news like this. We had a very loving, spiritual conversation. I am so thankful that he has had this opportunity to serve his Heavenly Father. He has learned so much and will continue to learn as he continues to serve and teach the people of Cape Verde. He has an understanding of the gospel that he could not have learned in other way.

I'm sure you're wondering how my family is doing. This is hard news for anyone, let's just be real. The kids are sad, everyone is sad. I'm not sure what else to say, but we move forward with faith. The doctors say it's terminal. That now it's about diagnosing which cancer it is so we can decide which treatment to use to prolong my life a little longer. But I also said to the doctor, it's about faith. And he said, "Yes." And I still believe in miracles and the power of the Priesthood which is far better then any medicine they're going to give me. But I also know that this miracle can only happen if we ask and if it's Heavenly Father's will that I be healed. So this is what I'm asking to anyone that reads this, please pray for me and my family. My family is going to need prayers just as much, if not more then I will. Pray for a miracle. Pray for a miracle of healing if it be Heavenly Father's will and pray that I and my body will have the strength to handle the pain and meds that come with this diagnosis.

For those who want to help in other ways, I'm sure there will be things that come up as time moves forward and as school starts. For now, we are good. We will let you know as things are needed as we move along, but for now we are good. This could be a long road and we don't want to exhaust your help before we truly need it. You know me from last time, I will ask when it's needed. But for now, please pray. Pray with every good intent of your heart because I will be pleading to stay with my family.

I know that God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ live. I know that I am his daughter, a daughter of God and because of that, Jesus Christ is my brother. I know that because of Jesus Christ and his example through Ordinances and Covenants made here on earth, such as baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and Atoning for my sins, that if I do all that I can to follow him, I will return to live with them again and be with my family forever. There is nothing that I want more. I love you all💗and thank you!

My Eternal Family

Love Grandma and Grandpa's house in the back of this one.