PUTTING A VISUAL ON IT!

SO.... to put kind of a visual on our last post as well as how we continue to try to visualize each new day (hopefully for all of us) I wanted to post a few pictures the one of the left my sister sent to us this week and it feels SO literal to us! Hopefully this is how we all can see the Savior's place in each of our lives in respect to any given circumstance we are finding ourselves in!

       Although we may not physically see Him, He is there... He is absolutely, undoubtedly there!.. As well as smiling supporting angels all about us..if you look closer with your heart you can see them there!- This is not wishful , fantasy filled thinking... it is the reality of the Savior's matchless love in the details of our lives!!..This I know!

WE MUST NOT FEAR, THE LORD IS ALWAYS NEAR!

                                                              Ronald Update:

Ronald continues to do fairly well.... he does continue to deal with some stomach pain, platelet and blood transfusions about every other day all of which are to be expected with this chemotherapy regimen. His E coli continues to be treated and looks as thought it is responding to the chosen treatment. He also has been continuing some heart palpitation irregularities for reasons that haven't been able to be specifically identify yet... possibly just residual from the chemotherapy agents or the infection but they are keeping a good eye on that and it does not seem to be concerning Ronald too much right now. This may not seem to correspond with the health category of "fairly well", but overall we are so grateful that Ronald is doing as we'll as he is as it could have been much more uncomfortable and worse so far with the Chemo they have had to use this time. Ronald continues to get up several time day for walks with me outside (masked and protected of course :-), talking about seminary lesson plans, sporting world updates, skyping with the kids, listening to books on CD, doing medicine CME, and is now half way through memorizing The Living Christ... so... he continues to be very alert, mentally active and VERY FUNNY. Ronald really wanted me to let you know how very thankful and touched our family is for all of the fasting, prayers, thoughts, texts and emails he has received for his wellbeing... he truly feels so blessed and feels very loved!  We  hope all is well with you and your families and would love to hear of anyway we can be of help for you.... we may not seem too available to help, support and contribute right now, but you would be surprised..... WE ARE!... so please let us know what you are all up to and may be in need of - We love you!!!!

You can email us anytime at committed7@gmail.com or text us 423-736-2026/801-388-0060 (may not answer phone calls but will get all text sent)

                                                                  Daily Devo:

I came across this quote by Elder Jeffery R. Holland this past week in some studies and it broadened my understanding and perspective in regards to how disappointing is must be to the Lord when we lose confidence in his abilities by allowing fear to override our trust in Him to direct our daily concerns and adventures...He has PROMISED to give us HIS peace, He keeps EVERY promise he makes... why do we forget that sometimes and allow ourselves to block access to that precious promise of peace?

"On that very night, the night of the greatest suffering the world has ever known or ever will know, the Savior said, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you... Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.' President Holland continues.... "I submit to you that this maybe one of the Savior's commandments that is, even in the heart's of otherwise faithful LatterDay Saints, almost universally DISOBEYED; and yet I wonder whether our resistance to His invitation could be any more grievous to the Lord's merciful heart. In that same spirit, I am convinced that NONE of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when He finds that His people DO NOT feel confident in His care, secure in His hands, or Trust in his commandments."

This quote made even more of an impact on me when I thought how difficult it would be for me personally if any of my brothers, sisters, children, friends had challenges and concerns they were going through and when I tried to help they informed me that they felt they just could not trust me enough to help them and would rather suffer without my offered comfort and support..... I just haven't looked at 'giving fear more power than the Lord's peace' from that perspective before..... Thank's Elder Holland for informing me once again how it really is!... I am going to work on that for sure!!


                                                                 Daily Chuckles:

“The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache.” 
                                                                                                    ― Marjorie Pay Hinckley
                                                                                                                                               (MAN!.. I love this lady!)

Why is England the wettest country?
Because the Queen has reigned there for years!

                                          HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY!!! WE LOVE YOU!

HUMOR CAN BE GREAT MEDICINE!

                                                                Ronald Update:

Ronald seems to be doing good- found the right antibiotic for his infection yesterday and temperatures, blood pressures and labs are doing much better. He is experiencing times of STV's (racing heart rate) which they are keeping an eye on. Other than that still waiting and watching and enjoying spending time with my personal super hero!

                                                        Daily Devo:

                        Proverbs 17:22A merry heart does good, like medicine

Laughter also has extraordinary healing power. When a person laughs, blood pressure decreases, heart rate and respiration increase, the body releases endorphins, and depression declines. After the laughter subsides and you relax again, that good feeling has a lasting effect, even until the next day. Not many medicines will do that.

...On that note we've decided to include a daily joke (courtesy of my Uncle David who has sent us a joke daily while in the  hospital since Ronald was first diagnosed with cancer.... we have LOVED it and felt it was certainly time to start sharing his uplift strategy with you all) SO...

                                                        Daily Chuckle:
                             What is the difference between a guitar and a fish?
                                                    You can't tuna a fish!!

                                            What do you call a fake noodle?
                                                         An Impasta!!

                                                Have an AWESOME day!!

"THESE THINGS I KNOW"

                                                              Ronald Update:

Had  somewhat of a crazy day yesterday.... found out early in the day that some cultures taken had come back positive for that  pesty  Ecoli Bacteria he has gotten before. Thankfully it was detected much earlier than before (since in the hospital) so they started him on some different antibiotics and treatment immediately. Also later in the day he was REALLY sluggish so they checked  more labs and found out his hemoglobin was extremely low, soon he had to get a bunch of blood and fluids in him so his pressures, heart rate and oxygen could improve. So... he had a pretty uneasy night but this morning he is feeling much better and looking stable!!! 

                                                    Special Thought for the Day

We would like tot lovingly dedicate this thought to our beloved friends, the Currie Family. Taken from the poem written by President Boyd K. Packer, and shared again at his funeral services yesterday, we wanted to include the last several stanzas of his poem as we feel these word also represent the beautiful spirit, heart and testimony of our dear President Currie-  One of his great legacies most certainly is that THESE THINGS HE truly, deeply, and eternally KNOWS and lived and continues to live by every word!

I now can say with all certainty

That I know and love the Lord.

I can testify with them of old

As I preach His holy word.

I know what He felt in Gethsemane

Is too much to comprehend.

I know He did it all for us;

We have no greater Friend.

I know that He will come anew

With power and in glory.

I know I will see Him once again

At the end of my life’s story.

I’ll kneel before His wounded feet;

I’ll feel His Spirit glow.

My whispering, quivering voice will say,

“My Lord, my God, I know.”

(for the full talk and poem https://youtu.be/ZmVXta7YVlQ and for poem https://youtu.be/Q2_WDSEggmg)

WHAT A PAIN IN THE STOMACH!!

                                                         Ronald's Latest Update: 
Day 11(days start the first day he started Chemo again, and will start again the day he receives his bone marrow transplant)
Doing well, but developed an intense pain in his upper gastric area yesterday morning that was pretty painful and after talking with the doctor they believe it to be a form of mucositis. Mucositis is like little ulcer sores that can develop shortly after strong chemo like Ronald's has been administered and his has developed a bit in his esophagus area. Apparently this is not uncommon and they are treating him with a few meds and he is more comfortable today and sleeping a bit better. Other than that he is just moving along by listening to books on CD, memorizing The Living Christ, and loves taking the time to teach and educate the nursing staff whenever he can ;-) They get a kick out of him trying to lead his own treatment plan!!! Some of you may be able to picture this scenerio better than others but it is fun it watch !! He feels a bit disconnected so feel free to email or post anything that you and your family are up to and involved with these days whenever you get the desire! Sure love you!

                                                                   Daily Devo: 
Comes from President Ezra Taft Benson:

"To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength is all-consuming and all-encompassing. It is no lukewarm endeavor. It is total commitment of our very being—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to a love of the Lord....Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."

I love the power available through this principle and promise!!...Personally I visualize this principle like placing it all on the altar and allowing the Lord to magnify and glorify whatever efforts we are making anyway he chooses to do so, AND in the timing that He chooses to do so...and He will! Much like the Brother of Jared bringing the stones to the Lord and placing those stones before the Lord - asking and allowing him to touch those useful, yet dull stones, knowing that the Lord's touch can turn them into literal LIGHT!!- At times it may feel and appear as though there is NO WAY that glory and light can arise from such difficult and painful circumstances... well, we just need to press on and wait on the Lord a bit longer - glorious light will most certainly appear to illuminate not only our journey forward,  but literally our hearts as well !  I testify this to be possible and to be true!! 

WE LOVE YOU PRESIDENT CURRIE!

Today we just ask for tender thoughts and faith filled prayers for our beloved friend and his dear family! As the veil is thin for them at this time we want them to know of our deepest and most unconditional love. This great man was not only our stake president for the majority of the years we  have lived in Utah, he has also stood as a stunning example of true friendship, compassion, love for family, and community, commitment, and unwavering testimony and faith. He is firmly rooted in his covenants, and love for the gospel of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father's glorious plan of happiness! He is a tall, strong man yet it has always been absolutely evident through his gentleness and kind eyes what love he has for others and has always been genuinely concerned for the individual and well being of others. He and his dear wife stand as stunning examples of companionship and service not only deeply to each other but to all those they come in contact with. Our stake and all around community has been truly elevated through this great disciple, his family and his unwavering commitment to our Savior Jesus Christ! We so deeply want to express our sweetest and most profound love and respect for this dear brother of ours. Oh, we love you President Currie and we pray for our Father in Heaven's sweetest peace and love to envelope you and your family at this most tender time!!

**We wanted to add another thing that President Currie has shared so profoundly with our family....  his love for good music and his extraordinary talent of singing and sharing such music. One of our personal favorites in this area is when we heard him express his love for one of the Forgotten Carol songs, by Michael McClean,  "I Was Not His Father, He Was Mine" and then he sang it in one of our sacrament meetings! The spirit of that song was felt so strongly and yet so tenderly-- I remember our sweet Rylan in the congregation just smiling and soooo happy through it all! So much of this great man's life is such a continued blessing to so many. I've attached this song for those who may know what I am talking about!
We LOVE you Currie Family!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTtpvUROKgE

DOING WELL !!!!

Ronald Update:  Doing well!! Kidneys held up GREAT during week of Chemo...looks good and not needing to be connected to any meds now while we wait on his superhero body to respond to all that was put in it last week. Since his levels are all down he is weaker and more tired but still eating well and goes on a few walks down the hallway throughout the day!! Sure appreciate all that have been so interested and concerned.... just excited to see how the Lord is desiring for each day to unfold! So thankful he is the captain of this adventure....Just so thankful!! Have an awesome day!!!! We love you!

Ronald received a few surprises from his niece and nephews (including his brand new nephew just born last week!) THANK YOU DARLING DIBB KIDS.... Ronald loves them... and YOU!!!

DAILY DEVO!

So we were thinking while we have this "waiting period" where hopefully all stays pretty uneventful... we could just post a daily devotional from Ronald when able or something we are learning from this experience.... feel free to text or email us thoughts and feelings we could include in these and we will post them too!! SOOO... today we thought we would post a thought from our darling missionary daughter that she sent to use in her letter yesterday! For those of you that may not Know Sister Selleka Simmons is serving in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission and most currently in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania at the new Priesthood Restoration Site to open in the next few months!! She is full of love and joy for the work she is so thankfully involved in!

Family and Friends,

I love this quote i read from an Ensign article about the pioneers. Talking about one of the faithful pioneers it says, "Such unwavering faith in times of trial creates steadfast men and women and gives , sure, steady direction when potentially disorienting storms rage. One of the fruits of such faith is that those who possess it will be in a position to nurture, rescue and bless others."

At this time in my life those words mean a lot to me. My Heavenly Father is molding me into a steadfast women and hopefully i will in turn be able to nurture, rescue, and bless others and i know i am getting a huge opportunity on my mission!

Love, Sister Selleka Simmons