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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Last Tuesday's Miracles...

I get comments from people that say we are "amazing" and "strong"...most the time I don't know how to respond. I feel that I cannot take credit for my strength-- it comes directly from a source greater than me.  No lie, there are days I feel like I don't have strength or energy left to give to this crazy life I lead, but then Heavenly Father sends me another miracle/tender mercy that gives me the boost I need to continue putting one foot in front of the other.

Here is one example of those "miracles" aka tender mercies:
Last week Bridger had three different appointments scheduled up north with his specialty doctors.  There was no way Cade was able to come with, nor could my mom.  So, it was just going to be me and the little guy.  Let me try to even put into words how much time and effort is involved in planning and carrying out these trips north. (which are usually around twice a month)  It can be life altering to make these trips work ....literally!

Just the phone calling to coordinate multiple appointments on the same day about does me in.  Then there is all the arrangements for where my other two kids will go, where Bridger and I will stay the night, all the packing involved with all his endless medical supplies, formula, g-tube equipment, emergency kits, etc...  On average, it takes around 1-2 hours for me to get everything loaded and packed for the both of us so we can roll out.  And I cannot forget to mention making sure I've got all  my teacher duties and pillow peep jobs all completed before I need to leave.

I try and coordinate our travel time with nap time, so he can sleep and I can drive without worrying about him throwing up, needing entertainment, etc...  Sometimes, it cannot be helped and we do have to make lots of stops due to crazy vomiting and crying.  These are the trips that can be the toughest- when he struggles in his car seat during travel time.

So---prior to this last trip and as with all my trips north, I prayed multiple times, pleading prayers for heavenly angels to be with us as well as earthly angels to be aware of struggles we may encounter and help we might need.  And let me tell you, the flood gates of heaven were opened.  So many kind people saw our needs, even before I did at times, and through their words and actions, it confirmed to me over and over again of how Heavenly Father can use the holy ghost to inspire others to be available to help us in our times of need.

At one point, I was approached by the sweetest woman while Bridger and I were in Zupas eating lunch.   This woman had tears in her eyes, embraced Bridger and I and shared some very kind words.  At one moment, I felt as if my dad were talking to me, through her.  She spoke words to me that I have heard my dad say before....

I kept myself composed until I got to the car and loaded Bridger.  As I got in the driver seat, the tears came pouring from my eyes and I openly weeped.  I couldn't help but offer up a prayer of gratitude for all those sweet angels here on earth that had touched my heart during this trip.

On this trip, we met with his ophthalmologist who said she does think the cataract on the left eye will need surgery within the next year and that we should probably look at surgery to insert a plastic lens in his right eye very soon.  His GI appointment led us to scheduling more testing from a sleep study to an upper GI.  And then lastly, he had his GJ button switched out.

We do make the most of these trips and I love spending one on one time together:


And we always have our dinner date at the OG!  (and only Bridger can get away with putting his feet on the dinner table in the restaurant!)
Bridger has major aversions to all foods---except the Chicken Gnocchi Soup at Olive Garden!  Which, by the way, happens to be my dads most favorite soup, too.  I  can only imagine my dad whispering to Bridger to try it....so he does.  And he keeps his mouth open showing me his love for it!  It is one of my most favorite things to watch!

So, if you ask me, do miracles happen everyday?  My answer: YES!  I am a living testimony of this to be true.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The Miracle of the Resurrection

General Conference 2016:

There is always one talk that seems to be just for me each General Conference.   Elder Paul V. Johnosn spoke right to my heart as he reminded us of the 'Miracle of the Resurrection'.

Elder Johnson recently lost his daughter to cancer almost one year ago.
His daughter had researched the survival rates for people with the same cancer she suffered from; she found the results unsettling.

She wrote, "But there is a cure, so I'm not scared.  Jesus has already cured my cancer, and yours....I will be better.  I'm glad I know this."  


I felt so much peace and comfort a I listened to his perspective on the resurrection---namely for TWO reasons:

1. My dad: Oh, how I miss him!  There is no doubt in my mind he has been called to a greater work.  A work that we cannot even comprehend with our earthly minds.  This talk reminded me of what I already know to be true- I will see him again; because of the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

2.  My son:  A chosen and righteous son of our Heavenly Father who came to earth trapped in a broken and pain filled body; enduring daily physical battles.  He will be cured!  This earthly experience is temporary; because of the atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

The miracle of the atonement is REAL and it is available to each and every one of us...

Monday, April 4, 2016

Do You Believe in Miracles?

I did not witness the parting of the Red Sea, I have not seen 5,000 fed from a few loaves and fishes; but I have witnessed daily miracles in my life..
My testimony of this- the reality of miracles of God- has been strengthened during the course of my life here on earth, but even more so these past couple years.  Also, my awareness of those miracles has caused me to focus on scriptures that remind us: God does many marvelous works.  He performs mighty miracles; but he also performs simple miracles. These are the quiet, gentle acts of a loving, gracious Father, and can sometimes go unnoticed.

Just this past week alone, we have been blessed with multiple miracles. Couple that with several different experiences that have prompted me again and again that I need to document them.   As President Monsen has frankly put it; "Never postpone a prompting."

One of those prompting experiences occurred this past Friday night.  Cade and I had gone out on a 'date' night to the movie, "Miracles from Heaven," based on a true story.  During those two hours, I felt a part of my life unfolding on the screen.  As I watched Christy Beam (played by Jennifer Garner) go through the struggle of having a child with a rare disease, it was as if I was watching part of our daily battles play out on the big screen.  In the end, the underlying message of this movie is that of hope; that of miracles.  Miracles surround us daily.  All we need to do is LOOK UP!  In our time of trial, in our time of challenge, LOOK UP!  

This blog will be a constant reminder to me, my family, and anyone else that may happen to read it, to never forget to LOOK UP!
 
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