ONE MISSION ABOUT OVER - AN APOSTLE'S PROMISE FULFILLED!

Ronald's mission for health & recovery continues ... As Sister Simmon'mission comes to an end

                                                     

UPDATE: Well we now have 81 days post transplant secured....WE'LL TAKE IT!!

As far as Ronald's health... he feels pretty well and have felt truly blessed not

to have ANY re-admissions back into the hospital for any complications. With that

said the latest is that his transplant team is becoming a bit concerned that has shown little to 

no signs of any Graft VS. Host (GVH) which simply is the fighting between his new transplanted cells and his own cells... which apparently they (the Dr's) feel he needs to have more of to feel

like the transplant has a good chance of fighting off a relapse of cancer! HMMMM sooo they 

made a real unusual decision to take him off of all Immunosuppressant medications (about 7 months earlier than the average transplant patient) to see if that would get thing "roaring and fighting" a bit

between the cells to prove some active fighting and protecting going on within his new system.

Kinda strange that they are trying to pretty much increase pain and uncomfortable symptoms to increase the chances of lasting change and improvement in his body!--- Just cannot help but see a pretty clear analogy or irony in that theory..... I have felt that it has been through the pain and 

discomfort of this whole journey that the Lord has helped our entire family experience change and

hopefully lasting improvements and appreciation in our lives.

With that said.....

We  have SOOO much to be thankful for and one of which is that our darling and faith filled missionary will return THIS Monday, the 23rd!!! 18 months ago when this young lady stepped into the missionary training center (just a few months following Rylan's leaving on his mission) on her way to serve in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission ... she left her dad in the middle of his first few rounds of chemo therapy and and unknown prognosis....during her missionary service our family continued to experience unexpected adventures and complications with Ronald's septic shock and coma as well as his miraculous rehabilitation, and then a few months later experiencing relapse and necessary bone marrow transplant all the while Sister Simmons has continued to faithfully serve our Father in Heaven and our family through her love, support, service, example and stunning faith. She has served this mission during months that she never knew if she would ever have the opportunity to see her dad in this life again.....

....Our Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday's will be overflowing with gratitude and sweetest joy as this faithful missionary will not only be home once again but will have the miracle granted of being able to wrap her arms around her courageous father.  We  KNOW it is ONLY through the mercy, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ that this moment is even possible. In thinking about the power we have felt so strongly and personally these past 18 months the following quote, promise really, from 
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stands strong and proven in the lives of our family:

"I promise that because of your faithful response to the call to spread the Gospel, He will Bind up your broken hearts, dry your tears, and set you and your families free. That is my missionary promise to you and your missionary message to the world."

Oh, I bear witness and personal testimony that this apostolic promise has been not only absolutely fulfilled, every whit, but powerfully felt every moment and every day that this faithful missionary has served with all of her love and all of her heart always trusting the will of our Father in Heaven!

We will post pictures and update following this sweet reunion!!

                                                               DAILY DEVO

For our thought with this entry I wanted to post Sister Simmons last and final email from the mission field... for all those who have a few extra minutes to review the 100 things she has learned on her mission...Thought it was so fun to read!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with powerful memories and unlimited love! Ours will be full of gratitude for all of the love and unlimited support that has been shown so generously toward our family and our darling missionary!!!

HI everyone!!

So if I could describe my mission in one word it would be
indescribable!!:) but man have a learned a lot on my mission that I
will keep and apply forever!! Here is a couple of things I have
learned:)

100 things I have learned on my mission
1. All you need to know is God loves you
2. The Book of Mormon is the most powerful tool in teaching
3. All that matters is what God thinks of you
4. Everyone has a story
5. Listen!!!
6. Thinking about others is what brings the most happiness
7. The Lord answers prayers and Prayers are answered specifically
8. Don't judge a book by its cover...or people by their first reaction to you:)
9. You don't need to be a scriptorian
10. Love is the way to people's heart
11. Be persistent
12. Always start your day off with scripture and prayer
13. Don't wave at motorcyclists;)
14. Laugh everyday,all day!!:)
15. Dont Stress so much you can't enjoy!
16. Whenever you have a question, always turn to the Lord first
17. Wanna love someone...serve them
18. Everyone has good in them...focus on that
19. Attitude is everything
20. I love my family!!! (these are not listed in order :-)
21. Teach with the spirit, not in front or behind it

22. It's not fair to compare
23. Finish with your torch still lit
24. Don't have to understand the Book of Mormon to feel of its power
25. There is still so much good in the world
26. There are millions of miracles everyday to further the work of the lord
27. Doubt not. Fear not d and c 6:36
28. The gospel changes lives, it has changed mine
29. It is easy to fall out of a habit
30. I need to teach my kids how to behave well...learned that at the site:)
31. People are always watching
32. The strengthening power of the atonement is real
33. When you think you have done enough...do more
34. There is help from the other side!!
35. Compromise
36. Do things for the right reasons...real intent
37. I love my Heavenly Father
38. I love my Savior Jesus Christ
39. I love my scriptures
40. The priesthood really was restored through heavenly messengers.
John the Baptist, Peter, James, and John in harmony, Pa
41. Harmony, PA is now called Oakland and Susquehanna
42. It's not important what you say but how you say it!
43. Dont Ask a single guy if it gets lonely living by himself...creeper;)
44. White people are way more scary to talk to than black people
45. People feel love differently
46. If you don't get along with someone...change yourself
47. Write in my journal everyday
48. I never have it.....humility
49. My goal in life is to be like Sam and Hyrum( both so amazing but
in the background)
50. Teach the why and they are more willing to obey
51. 70% of the Book of Mormon was translated in Harmony, PA
52. The best teachers ask inspired questions
53. Give all the credit to God
54. What alcohol smells like:)
55. Dogs are my worst enemy in more ways than one
56. The promise (Moroni 10:3-5) is real!
57. I love avocados
58. A returning less active is just as important as a baptism
59. I still hate the cold
60. Just becasue it is raining or snowing people still don't have
sympathy and let you in (don't get wet out there-when its raining or
stay warm-when it's 100 below 0)
61. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ!!
62. Russell M.Nelson is an apostle of God
63. Actions speak louder than words
64. I am not one to fight for attention
65. Exact obedience brings blessing
66. Obedience is better than sacrifice
67. I want to be a missionary for my whole life
68. The gospel is so simple that a child can understand it, yet so
complex that you can always learn more!
69. I always need to set goals for myself...goals show the desires of
your heart
70. People are hilarious....they do the funniest darn things:)
71. 30 minute prayers!
72. You can tell what someone is really thinking and feeling By their
body language
73. I don't need to be perfect...it's okay to have things I need to work on
74. I am gaining the tools for the rest of my life
75. No one can deny your testimony
76. Heavenly Father has a sense of humor!:)
77. When their is awkwardness involved you know it will turn out good:)
78. If you want to change the world you have to be different from the world
79. Read scripture in the morning
80. The power is in the covenant
81. Jump shots are the best pictures:)
82. The power of fasting
83. The best feeling ever is seeing those you are teaching understand
by themselves and apply what they are learning
84. General conference is better than Christmas!;)
85. I love talking to people!!!!
86. Be better today than you were yesterday!
87. Most of the time people won't remember  what you said but how they
felt around you
88. I don't want to live in the country country!
89. A town can consist  of one street and one stop light...Susquehanna
and great bend:)
90. Want things to change...change your mindset!!
91. The power of a song
92. Make no excuses
93. People are more important than plans
94. Keep the sabbath day holy
95. Those in spirit paradise cannot be tempted by Satan...shout out to Rylan!!
96. I am not patient
97. Invite missionaries for holidays
98. Fellowship!! Know everyone in the ward by name:)
99. How to work effectively in calling and Ward councils
100. I love being a missionary. I am forever a missionary!

I love you all so much!!!! Thanks for all your support!
Love!
Sister Simmons

WE CHOOSE TO TRUST GOD AND BELIEVE IN GOOD THINGS TO COME!!

                                                             RONALD UPDATE

I am so sorry we have not posted lately... The reason we haven't is actually do to the great news that
Ronald was finally able to leave Huntsman and move into his temporary apartment (which we feel sooo unbelievably blessed to have been given the opportunity to have - we have been sooo incredible blessed and know the Lord is so aware of our every need and has truly inspired hearts to provide for us in a multiplicity of ways).  He will have to wait out the remainder of the 100 days near the hospital while  he is very immune compromised!!... the apartment we are is not able to receive internet at this time and so we may not post quite as often but if there is anything overly exciting or concerning arrises we will get the news out ASAP!
For now.... Ronald is on the right train going down the right track... is how it is being put! He had difficulty eating, takes around 40 pills a day to keep system in a good enough balance and is weaker and tired much more than he would normally be... BUT with that said we are sooo grateful that all of that is 100% expected and on course, in other words... right train...right track!! His superhero strengths continues to include.... taking those 40+ pills a day, daily infusions and blood draws, listening and talking with me through all my thoughts, helping me plan my seminary lessons, eating as much as he possible can (every bite counts)and he walks about 1/4 of a mile every day which include a VERY steep hill and he is such an inspiration to me every time I see his commitment to reach the top each day!! We are so grateful for General Conference this weekend as is NEVER EVER EVER fails to bring us EXACTLY what we are in need of to move us forward and rehydrate our spirits!! We love you and love to hear from you by email, text, phone anytime!! Happy OCTOBER!!


                                                     EXTRA GREAT NEWS!!!
Ronald's mother received her Mission Call to serve in the Nauvoo, Illinois Mission and she leaves
in March!!! What a wonderful call to such a wonderful woman! She is going to be so amazing!!

                                                                      DAILY DEVO
Just a thought today that I was reminded of during the General Womans Meeting  this past Saturday.... I think I can say this can apply to all of us:

       “Don’t give up,- Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.’”

I deeply believe this!! GREAT THINGS TO COME... we've just got to give the best we can.... somedays we have more to give than others right?! But all that is required is that we do not quit, do not give up.... JUST KEEP TRYING!!!



                                                                                   DAILY CHUCKLE

                                                    What do you call a crushed angle?
                                                                      A RECTangle
                What happened to the wooden car with wooden wheels and wooden engine?
                                                                 It Wooden Go!!!

A TIME TO CELEBRATE GLORIOUS RESTORATION!

                                                             RONALD UPDATE!

SO.... Ronald has had some pretty rough days this week with a bit of a cranky temperature and
 some vicious mucositis ( the painful inflammation and ulceration of the mucous membranes lining the mouth, throat and often times digestive tract, usually as an adverse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer.)but at this point appears to be staying pretty confined to his throat YEA!) His energy is pretty down and obviously not eating too great because of the throat ulcers as well but...........

Looks like a bright RESTORATION of some health and strength is beginning as his ANC has taken a huge jump to 500 and his platelets to 200!!!!... This is significant for a few reasons:
1. This is wonderful timing as this means his body is now regaining the function of fighting off this painful inflammation and doctors are thrilled that his levels are restoring earlier than expected and in time to hopefully not allow the mucositis to spread throughout his digestive tract!!!
2. This is a marvelous and strong sign that the bone marrow stem cells are engrafting 
which is exactly what we have hoped for!!

So in Summary... Ronald has been truly living the principle that "Their must needs be that there is opposition in all things".. For Ronald...the great pain of mucositis  yet the glorious joy of restoring priceless immune system to fight off the pain!! Thank you for your constant prayers, concern and unbelievable support and love!! OHHHH his feels it and truly, truly feels so grateful and magnified by it all !

                                                                DAILY DEVO

For today just wanted to let you all know that the PRIESTHOOD RESTORATION SITE and VISITOR CENTER in Pennsylvania will be dedicated this Saturday!! Many of you may already know that our darling
missionary, Sister Selleka Simmons, has currently been called to serve at this site as part of her mission. She already has had some extraordinary experiences while serving there and will be able to personally take part in the events this weekend. For all interested the dedication will be aired live on LDS.ORG at 9:00am MST and 11:00am EST... I am posting a link to that information as well as the information and history behind this glorious restoration site. 
I know for  myself that the power and authority of God has been restored and given to man to serve and perform the Lord's purposes on the earth today. I know that is only in and through this power available through Jesus Christ. that Ronald is sustained and is capable of having his physical health restored at this time. It is only through this power that our family is united eternally through sacred covenants that we made with the Lord in His Holy temple, and because such, our love and relationship with our sweet son, Rylan, is not only alive and well, but we can also look forward to being reunited with him again!! .... and, it is only through the priesthood power of the Lord,  that the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ has absolutely been restored  on this earth and continues to allow us to progress and ultimately realize Eternal Life with our Father in Heaven! The priesthood power governed by our Savior IS REAL and has been restored to this earth, I bear personal testimony of this!

https://www.lds.org/church/events/priesthood-restoration-site-dedication?lang=eng&cid=email-shared

https://history.lds.org/subsection/priesthood-restoration-site?lang=eng

I LOVE THIS!!  https://youtu.be/8233mUFFYB0

                                                DAILY CHUCKLE
 (just want to thank my Uncle David again for never forgetting to send these opportunity for laughter our way... every day... seems like a small thing but has meant more than he knows!! Sure love you David and Bonnie!)

            Did you hear about the astronaut who stepped in chewing gum?
                                               He got stuck in ORBIT

                      What do you call a musician with problems?
                                                  A TREBLED man

MAN DOWN....SWEET INSPIRE SOLDIERS OF HONOR TO THE RESCUE!

                                                             RONALD  UPDATE:

So Ronald on his 13th day post transplant, is a man down on all his numbers, his strength, his
calories, his ability to eat without throwing its up, his ability to walk very much with out getting pretty tired or even watching another absolutely GREAT BYU game without napping throughout it :-) BUT he is a man still up in spirit, prayers, faith, desire, hope, endurance and through the rooooooof up in friends and family willing to see this through with him/us all the way... and that is not only obvious but proving to be even more powerful that any downs he is confronting!!

Although Ronald has and is working through some real physical weakness and now a bit of a rising temperature issue (reason not identified quite yet) the medical staff here continue to be very pleasantly surprised at how well he is pushing through this and the "no show" of many multiple common complications and discomforts that often accompany this type of transplant.  We feel extraordinarily blessed to be allowed this time of sustaining (not knowing what may be in store the coming days and weeks) and truly find great sweetness and gratitude in these powerful tender mercies from the Lord. We know it is only in and through our Savior that such respite and comfort is even available and we are limitless in our gratitude for His compassion and mercy as well as all of the unmeasurable amount of love, fasting, faith filled prayers and support that is consistently expressed in a multiplicity of ways on Ronald's/our families behalf!! It is with that deep gratitude in my heart that I have drawn my thought for the day from...

                                                             DAILY DEVO:
    (taken from the talk "Man Down" by President Henry B. Erying,  A true Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ)

Almost all of us have seen a battlefield portrayed in a film or read the description in a story. Over the resonating  of explosions and the shouts of soldiers, there comes a cry, “Man down!”

When that cry sounds, faithful fellow soldiers will move toward the sound. Another soldier or a medic will ignore danger and move to the injured comrade. And the man down will know that help will come. Whatever the risk, someone will run low or crawl to get there in time to protect and give aid. That is true in every band of men joined in a difficult and dangerous mission which they are determined to fulfill at any sacrifice. The histories of such groups are full of stories of those loyal men who were determined that no man would be left behind. Out of loyalty they felt a duty to stand by their fellow soldiers, whatever the cost. The courage to act and their selfless service and sacrifice. came from feeling that they were responsible for the lives, the happiness, and the safety of comrades. Some of these such soldiers are given the "Congressional Medal of Honor"- Medal of Honor is the United States highest military's high honor , awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty whom have truly deserved such a powerful award.

Ohhhh my dear friends and family... it is exactly this level of rescue effort that we have been the the daily recipients of! Although in the context of this talk, President Eyring made great reference to our fellow SPIRITUALLY fallen soldiers during our consistent and real battle with the adversary, we have witnessed some of thee most stunning "rescue mission" responses as we have had 'our man down" battling daily a more PHYSICAL war!  We continued to have countless fellow soldiers sacrifice , in extraordinary ways, willing to run and/or crawl to get something, or someone to us to bring aid, stand by our fellow soldier, (and his grateful family) and have truly felt the love, responsibility, happiness and safety of a fellow comrade that is "down".  These past few weeks again. we have been so emotional as well as empowered by such unexpected and unbelievable sacrifice in our behalf as the Lord continues to inspire and lead such soldiers desiring to come to our aid. Some of these such fellow soldiers are literally unidentified soldiers that we may never  have the privilege in this life (with overflowing hearts and tears ) express our gratitude, but for now our truly humbled and tender hearted family wish that we could  award our own Medal of Honor to you all!  On the military service medal of honor, the citation reads that what they did was “above and beyond the call of duty.” We place that same resonating citation on our's as well as the Lord has deeply blessed us in battling  our war with some of thee most stunning, inspired and selfless soldiers, rather fellow comrades, that continue to go astoundingly ABOVE THE CALL OF DUTY!! Please know that we pray daily that the Lord will magnify the blessings of all such soldiers and their own families throughout the world who continue to serve and sacrifice for the  safety, freedom and security of others as well as those on the front lines succoring the week, lifting up the arms that hang down, strengthening the feeble knees and infusing heavy heart with genuine love and joy. You deserve something more valuable than a medal, and we pray daily that you are blessed with exactly it is that you and your family may stand in need of.

                                         Ohhhhhhhh, we deeply love and appreciate all of you!!

                                                     DAILY CHUCKLE

                        What do you call and elephant that doesn't matter?
                                                 An Irrelephant!
                       What do you call the new girl at the bank?
                                                   The Nutella!

                       HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL,SAFE AND HEALTHY WEEK!!

***For those interested I've posted the link to President Eryings origional address of "MAN DOWN" as given in the April 2009 General Conference: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2009/04/man-down?lang=eng#watch=video

5 days down, 95 to go.... and a AWESOME BYU finale!!

                                                                   Ronald Update:

                 5 days post transplant and Ronald is holdin up well ... some nausea and tired but
                 still able to eat a bit, exercise a bit and spirits up!! The transplant mile markers state
                 that the first 100 days are the most fragile so..... 95 more ahead but for now we're 
                 committed to valuing each new day and excited to see the Lord's will unfold!!
                According to the doctors next week should start a pretty rough road for Ronald as his
                numbers bottom out and we wait for the new cells to engraph ! This should last about
                between 10-14 days and then if all goes well , and the new marrow and cells engraph 
                properly, he will be able to spend the next 2-3 months building back up his body and
                strength. Sounds like a long time, but we welcome every day of it together!... also it 
                really is a small price to pay for new life! Meawhile, we have enjoyed a few visits 
                from family and so much kindness an support from friends and family!

                                                                     Daily Devo

              WARNING: This thought may leave some of YOU a bit nauseas as it was spurred by 
              the extraordinarily awesome, magical, and even some saying miraculous BYU season 
              opening game! For those who didn't see it... I've posted a link to the last play of the game!    
               But before you watch it, or re-watch it you need to know that throughout this game BYU 
              lost their nose guard, cornerback, safety and first string quarterback(twice) due to injury. With 28 seconds left it truly appeared that the game was over and as the next few plays over the count down of 27 of those seconds carried out without any real success, they were left on the 42 yard line 
             with 1 second left in the game...ONE SECOND !!...Might as well just call the game and 
              accept the defeat...What could ever possibly be accomplished with just one second left in
             the game? Not much right?? WRONG!! Watch what these guys were able to pull off together, led now by their second string quarterback just freshly off his LDS mission.... when they were 
            willing to "leave it ALL on the field" and endure to the very end of this game!..
         
                               http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:13592243&startTime=00:14

             Why is this so inspiring to me? Well for me it serves as a sweet reminder of a much 
             more meaningful and important "game" we are all in the middle of... and NO DOUBT we
            have moments, maybe even full quarters of this game that appear full of discouragement,
            and injury placing the odds against us and our success. Thankfully, I have learned for myself
            that the Lords arithmetic is NOT the same as ours and the Lord's timing is NOT the same
            as ours.... and when we appear to be down to even the last seconds with all pointing towards
            our inevidible defeat-if we stay committed to that one second and give all we have left....somehow in a way and with power only our Savior, Jesus Christ can provide that second multiplies exponentially and becomes so much more and so often even explodes into the seemingly impossible .... becoming OH SOOO POSSIBLE!! IN SHORT.... I've learned that you cannot underestimate what is possible within what appears to be "the last second" nor afford to give up with
even just one second left on the board! TRUE MIRACLES are found in pushing through those last
seconds... those miracles don't alway look like we thought we wanted or expect but glorious miracle none the less!!
           
                                                              Daily Laughs

                                          What did the Alien say to the garden?
                                                    "Take me to your WEEDER."

                              What do you call having your grandma on speed dial?
                                                            INSTAGRAM

                Oh, We love you all soo much and truly appreciate all the love and
                       support we continue to receive in unbeleivable ways!!!!

**ALSO... we would like to continue to ask for you to include my angel sister michelle in your
fasting and prayers. Her blog is up and running for the up to the day adventures:
                                      www.somuchlightandlove.blogspot.com






Ronald enjoyng some yummy
 fruit given to him by some 
extraordinary friends!

        Ronald doing a bit of walking to get a bit of exercise while  he can!              

Uncle Michael and Julia spend Friday 

night game night with us at the hospital!! Just love them!!

     Ronald received such a fun and uplifting 
  package from our good friends and his best buddy Pyke!

                                             Celebrating BYU's Splendid Season opener!!!!

NO GREATER LOVE...

Transplant began 4:18pm and ended at 4:58pm ......SO.... transplant is COMPLETE!! 

Really pretty unbelieveable isn't it!

To think that justover an hour ago the POISON in Ronald body was and would continue to kill him if 

A perfect matched Power did not enter his body too overcome it!! 

I have felt so tenderly how many aspects of this transplant have served as an sweet analogy of the Atonement of Jesus Christ!

A MOST PRICELESS MOMENT!!

JUST THOUGHT IT WOULD BE FUN TO JUST DOCUMENT THE 3 MINUTES BEFORE "NEW LIFE" IS INTRODUCED INTO OUR MAN!!
What a tender moment is about to be gifted to us! Amidst the unknown, I Just wanted to express
our deepest gratitude to be able to even have this moment of opportunity as well as for the enormous amount of fasting and prayers that are empowerng this very stunning moment in our lives!!... .
 A TRULY MOST PRICELESS MOMENT, NO DOUBT!!.... Will enter more after the transplant is over!