BEING GRATEFUL IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES...REALLY?!

RONALD UPDATE:
I wasn't wanting nor expecting to have to post this at this time but we have recently been given all test results and have been told that the leukemia in Ronald's body has ,almost literally, flooded into a great deal of Ronald's body and after trying to treat him with everything legally possible the doctors have just recommended hospice and comfort care- Ronald's health as well as body has depleated so exponentially this past week and although we know that all hope is never lost and extraordinary miracles are absolutely available through our Savior, we have become more to feel that miracles will come but, this time may look different than we have desired! According to Ronald's chief doctor's, they believe (medically thinking) that he may be down to a few days to a week before he has finished his time on this earth with us.  I hesitated to send this information due to the holidays but  I just didn't want any regrets letting my feelings get in the way of releasing information you all deserve to know as so many have been so sweetly and genuinely invested in Ronald and our family's well being! We love you ,and Ronald and our family have been left with no doubts regarding your love for him and our family!! 

We will update this blog as feel needed! We are so very grateful for the love and 
support so freely dispersed to our family and many time , literally lifted up by it...
At this time we would ask that if you are desiring to see him or come by that you please call first, if possible, to assure the best experience for everyone. With that said and
almost sounding insincere, HAPPY THANKSGIVING... for Thanksgiving has everything
to do with providing the necessary power we will all need to continue to carry through with this extraordinarily challenging mortal experience! 
(our Daily Devotional will explain a bit what I have been led to guide us at this time and today we certainly celebrate that and so many many other blessings)

HOLIDAY DEVOTIONAL:
In the early morning hours of this Thanksgiving Day I decided to review President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk entitled "Grateful in Any Circumstances", and I am so glad I did as it has set the tone not only for this day but hopefully for certainly some of thee most difficult circumstances that are upon our family at this time and as this new season of life is breaking upon us. I will attach the link to this talk at the bottom of the page but wanted to post some of the most powerful truths that led to some resolutions and fortifying for me personally this morning:

President Uchtdorf counseled me...."Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.....We can be grateful!...It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding."

President Uchdorf PROMISED me...This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the pleasant warmth of summer. When we are grateful to God in our circumstances, we can experience gentle peace in the midst of tribulation. In grief, we can still lift up our hearts in praise. In pain, we can glory in Christ’s Atonement. In the cold of bitter sorrow, we can experience the closeness and warmth of heaven’s embrace.

President Uchtdorf agreed with me...Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges.

President Uchtdorf taught me...Being grateful in our circumstances is an act of faith in God. It requires that we trust God and hope for things we may not see but which are true. By being grateful, we follow the example of our beloved Savior, who said, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.

As this apostle of the Lord has counseled, promised and taught me today I recommitted to do all that lies within my power at this time, combined with drawing upon every whit of the power the Savior freely offers me to focus upon the many and sacred truths I do know:                                                                                        That our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness! Tthat through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones! That in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability!  That our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy!!!!  For this I am more genuinely grateful for than ever.. for I am relying on and placing my current and eternal heart and welfare wholly upon those truths..... 

...So because of His glorious gifts filled with such priceless brightness of hope for us at this time for me, I have so much to be grateful for, so much to thank my Heavenly Father and Savior for,  and even celebrate today!  So again... Happy Day of Thanksgiving and Enjoy every moment with you family... for time with them is truly a precious gift!

... And deeply grateful for all our angel family and friends, on both sides of the veil, for all your necessary love and support!

***The talk I took my thoughts from for this post is posted on the following post!

April 2014 LDS General Conference- President Dieter F Uchtdorf

RONALD UPDATE!
Soooooo came to Huntsman for an appintmeny Friday and ended up being admitted-due to some increased pain and inflammation. Not sure what's really is up, so doing a bunch of tests. One possibility is  GVHD (Graph Versus Host Disease) in gut which could get pretty painful but if kept under control could actually be a good thing in fighting the cancer longer term. Meanwhile, we are waiting on some tests and results to gather more conclusive information so he can be treated appropriately and get on a better track again~Thank you for your continued faith , prayers and fasting as you feel inspired to do so!! Our family is focusing much of our prayers toward our deep desire that all those involved in Ronald's care will be inspired to know the proper course of treatment that will fulfill the fullest measure of  healing, growth, comfort and peace that that the Lord can allow! Meanwhie HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK... alway sooooo much to be thankful for and one of those is YOU! We love you and are thankful for your consistent care, love and support!!

 RONALD UPDATE:
Ronald was released from the hospital over a week ago when his
labs showed that his ANC and WBC had reached a safe level and
his kidneys were very stablized!! It had been great having him home all
together again- He still goes to Huntsman about two times a week for
platlet transfusions but they are stablizing and increasing quickly as well.
Ronald is very tired still and is having a difficult time digesting food without a pretty rough stomach ache so were praying that resolves soon so he can stop losing weight and start putting it back on as well as get the necessary nutrients he needs. 






He walked to his new office(same company but renamed and rebranded as Duke Medical Clinic) soon to open here in Marriot-Slaterville about a mile from our home, the first week of December!!

Meanwhile we are all trying to carry on family business as usual which has included the "twins" participating in some crazy school assemblies and being youth hosts for a great conference with some of their very favorites Hank Smith, John Bytheway, and Meg Johnson as well as completing Syvanna's COLLEGE applications and visiting multiple colleges to get some good feelings on her
possibiies for her educational future!! AHHHHH crazy how time has to keep moving forward... cherishing every moment with each family member has truly become more precious then just about anything!!

Ronald will have a PET scan in about 3 weeks that will give us a pretty good idea of how much the chemo and stem cell transfusion effected the cancer in his body! In the meantime we truly would appreciate all the faith, prayer and fasting that you feel to draw any tender mercies, sustaining power, instruction, direction and miracles that the Lord has reserved  and can allow for our family and Ronald during this time.

So thankful for every drop of love, mercy, and peace that continue to distill on us through the power of the Atonement of our Savior through faithfilled prayers! Sure love you!


A LITTLE SIDE NOTE:    It's pretty wonderful how much happiness, and how many smiles this darling grandson of ours brings into our days, even when things are tough!! ....Just another testament that through small and simple things( or people) Great things are brought to pass!!!
THANK YOU COLE for the joy you bing into our family!! So thankful for you!!