Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Over the course of the past year Ronald has had his bone marrow transplant and then relapsed two times in different forms. Those relapses were treated successfully with various chemotherapy. During this year we have have been so blessed with him very healthy (minus the relapse of course) and he has been working full time and enjoying pretty  normal life. Unfortunately, the cancer has not been able to be controlled for the extended amount of time we have hoped.  Last week he relapsed again and  this time the doctors are not offering the regular chemotherapy options but rather, options that are more aggressive . This has led to this update. We are currently evaluating the different treatment options as we weigh risks and benefits we would love your faith and prayers in this behalf as we truly want clear inspiration as to the direction we are to go. At this point it is not only obvious but unanimous that only the Lord knows what is the right way to go regarding Ronald's treatment plan and we are anxiously and humbly desiring to feel what that is. As things continue to develop we will continue to update the blog once again so that you may know what is going on. Thank you for following our journey and please know that your prayers have been felt.

Daily Devo:

"On that very night, the night of the greatest suffering the world has ever know 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.' ... I submit to you that this maybe one of the Savior's commandments that is, even in the hearts of otherwise faithful 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."
                                                              -Elder Jeffery R. Holland

This inspired quote seems to put into words our feelings regarding choosing to strive for peace over fear in the current circumstances of all of our lives and I love the perspective that was quickly recovered for me when I thought on it (especially as I reflect upon all the peace, tender mercies, sustaining , friendship and miracles the Lord as so extraordinarily shown us....  The Lord has absolutely more than proven His unconditional love and unlimited power in our lives, and deserves nothing less than our full confidence in Him-His will, plan and power. I sincerely desire to obey this powerfully compassionate commandment regardless of circumstances!

My Sister, My Mentor, My Angel, My Friend.... NEVER To Be Forgotten!

"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. 

Michelle's life was packed to the very last moment with a lifetime of service and character that I have no problem labeling as a "Type of Christ" as we find so beautifully throughout the scriptures. I could go on to detail how true that is, but for those that know her there is no need for explanation whatsoever! I feel nothing less than 

pure

honor and deep gratitude for somehow being counted worthy to be her sister throughout our mortal journey on throughout the eternities. Michelle is within the fibers of my best character, mothering, teaching, loving, decision making, service and eternal goals. We have found some great comfort and even joy during this time knowing Rylan's bright smile and twinkle has exponentially increased with his beloved Aunt Michelle back in his phere and presence!

Oh we love you, we love you...so deeply Michelle! Please Stay Close! 


**Those who would like to read about Michelle's unexpected adventure and journey through her last year please refer to her blog www.somuchlightandlove.blogspot.com

Cole Christopher Cottman 1/12/2016

On January 12, 2016 we met our very first grandchild Cole Christopher Cottman. He was born 9 lbs 1 oz and came into this world bright eyed. He continues to be that way ever since. He has grown so quickly and wants to be grown up so bad. To read his birth story or get updates on him check out his blog.

http://cottmancrib1.blogspot.com/2016/01/january-12-2016.html?zx=24239bc6bb4d6db7

RYLANSLIGHT.COM

So for those of you who may not be aware... Last year, in memory of Rylan's life and light, our
family formed an official foundation "Rylan's Light" . 

We developed this organization in honor of our son and brother , Rylan Brent Simmons whom despite many mortal challenges, and without saying a word had the power to create and share a bright light wherever he was! It is our desire to carry on his legacy of light by sharing what we have learned from him by loving, uplifting and brightening  others lives - especially those with special needs and abilities, any way we can.

We hope to grow this organization to include unlimited possibilities to support our mission but for now with other important and pressing adventures going on we are focusing on our yearly "Celebration of Light" Holiday event put on to honor many youth with special needs and abilities within the Weber District Community. This event will be held this Year December 18th. As this organization at this time is strictly donation based, we would invite you view the Rylan's Light webpage: www.rylanslight.com to learn more. Please be assured that every penny donated will go directly to those youth with special need and abilities that are being honored, served and lifted during this holiday season! We feel this is not only a need within the surrounding communities but also feel it a great opportunity to be around the extraordinary light of these such extraordinary individuals.

HEAVEN AND EARTH MEET!

In the midst of some serious mortality and challenging times.... we have had the opportunity to receive some serious LIGHT and eternal PERSPECTIVE to truly brighten  and lighten our lives as we were given the opportunity to perform our angel Rylan's temple work last week!!
It was an absolutely extraordinary experience with so much family and friends attending! We all felt so close to Rylan and to each other and enjoyed focusing on the truth that our family relationships are perpetuated way beyond the grave and despite the fact that our twinkly-eyed Rylan is not physically with us at this season, our relationship and love for him can and is continuing to grow and strengthen!
This knowledge of our Savior's perfect plan of happiness brings my heart exactly that...
PURE HAPPINESS and needed strength ........ I love the temple, I love my imperfect family, I love my Savior Jesus Christ  and I am so deeply grateful that together those extraordinary blessings in my life equal....reuniting with Rylan and being with my family FOREVER and EVER.....
.....NOTHING else compares or is worth more to me! This sweet experience has proved to be a  perfect way for our family to merge into this glorious Christmas holiday with a brightness of hope of great things to come!

THE LORD'S MIRACLES JUST NEVER CEASE!

Thank you for all of the fasting and prayer on behalf of my warrior sister Michelle!
For daily updates on her unfoldings miracle you can go to: www.somuchlightandlove.blogspot.com

                       
                                           

Welcome Home Father and Daughter!

                         
Sooooo Ronald was given the "OK" to move back home just 2 days before Sister Selleka Simmons
returned home... and was also able to join the family to welcome her home at the airport!!
It was a wonderful day full of love and much gratitude!!!!

RONALD UPDATE:  Doing well... labs are great but still not as much Graph vs. Host as desired
to fight off the possibility of cancer cells that may arise! Receiving additional treatments in hopes to aid that concern.

DAILY DEVO:  "The family unit is central to the creators plan for the eternal destiny of His children....." ( The Family; A Proclamation to the World)
.....and one reason I know this to be true is that we have felt such an infusion  of physical, emotional and spiritual power being able to be back together at home.  As Elder Russell M. Nelson put it..
"Family time is SACRED TIME"!... and we are truly thankful at this Christmas time for  the opportunity to experience this truly sacred time! 


DAILY CHUCKLE: Why did the computer break up with the internet?
                  "The was no CONNECTION"

         What did the stamp say to the envelope?
         "Stick with me and we will go places"
                   HAVE A GREAT WEEK!