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
"Michelle is my sister but probably more accurately described as an administering angel for countless individuals and families!! Throughout her lifetime she has been a person that would drop just about anything to come to the aid and comfort of those around her. Multiple family members have been blessed by her ability to help, support, succor and love us through extraordinary and somewhat overwhelming challenges!! I am sure we have no way of counting up all those that have been touched by her gifts of compassion, long suffering and selflessness!! Michelle, I know that no matter how hard we could try to be able to express and show you of our gratitude for your selfless life we would still fall short of what you deserve in return! We love you deeply, unconditionally and eternally!!"
That was the post that I wrote last year on my dear sisters birthday... little did I know, at the time, that just a year later on that same day I would be with her as she took her last mortal breath to continue her angelic calling on the other side of the veil with our Rylan and multiple other loved ones that no doubt were anxiously and joyfully awaited their reunion with her. 
