Day 11: The Power of Words

Aha:  I work in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.  At least once every month I receive an email notifying us that one of our patients lost their life to cancer.  It is very depressing and my heart aches for their family and friends.  There are happy moments working in this field however and today I got to experience my first "ringing of the bell".

When one of our kids finishes their last chemo treatment they read this special plaque and ring a big bell that hangs above it.  Everyone cheers and the patient gets to enjoy the celebration!  It is a great occasion.  Today was something beyond what I could have ever imagined.

The patient was a little boy (probably around eight- or nine-years-old).  I couldn't quite see his little face, but I could hear him reading.  I then heard the loud clanging of the bell and my heart leaped for joy!  His mother was bawling and he was happily giving out hugs to the staff and providers who helped him through his treatment.  As the large group of adult-onlookers began to return to their work, this little boy stepped forward into the crowd and said the most profound thing I've heard in quite sometime.  He said, "God will bless each of you.  He will protect all of the kids out there.  Thank you."  I lost it.

This kid had just finished about three years of chemotherapy and his first words after ringing the bell were "God will bless and He will protect."  All things were put into perspective for me in a matter of about three seconds today.  What a powerful testimony that child shared with me.

From the mouth of babes.

Ha ha:  

I was just thinking about what happened a couple of weeks ago when Clinton, Peter and I were laying in bed lazily on Saturday morning.  Petey was up by our faces (he likes to steal my pillow) and we were both giving him loves.  As we had not yet gotten up and brushed our teeth, the typical "freshness" of morning breath was plaguing both of us (and apparently, Petey too).  I mentioned to Clinton that his breath was bad but he was in denial.  He went back to petting Peter for some comfort from my "snub" and asked Peter:  Who's a bub?  To which Peter promptly responded: *gag* *aack*. 

I had told him it was bad, but it took a non-speaking being to convince him.

We laughed till the room filled up with the smell of morning breath.

Day 10: "Battles"

Aha: "Battle Against the Clock"

Today really stunk.  Work has been super busy these last two weeks and it seems like it is only getting worse.  I was at work till 7pm and it seems tomorrow will be much of the same.  I cried here and there and then let it out a bit more once I got home.  Clinton was really sweet to me and gave me a hug and told me I'd get through this and then suggested I go eat some ice cream to distract me from my sorrows. :)  I believe him.  I know it already, it's just the "getting through it" that stinks.

Still feeling bummed but knowing I wasn't left to my fight my battles alone, I said a quick prayer asking the Lord to help me recognize His hand in my life today.  As I was reading scriptures with Clinton tonight I came across this passage from Alma.  It's when Helaman is leading the two thousand stripling warriors to battle against the Lamanites...

Alma 56:44-48, 56

44Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?

 45And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen ^aso great ^bcourage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites.

 46For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will ^anot suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus.

 47Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the ^aliberty of their ^bfathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their ^cmothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.

 48And they rehearsed unto me the words of their ^amothers, saying: We ^bdo not doubt our mothers knew it.

 56But behold, to my great joy, there had ^anot one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the ^bstrength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.

I felt like this scripture was exactly for me today.   I too can face my challenges with such courage and faith knowing the Lord is with me and will not let me fall.  I may not have all the answers now, but if I do not doubt the Lord, He will deliver me.  I will conquer my challenges with great strength and will feel great joy when the battle is won!

Ha ha: "Battle of Wits"

My coworker directed a phone call to one of our physician's offices today and it bounced out to me when it went unanswered in their office.  She hung up before I could answer...

Me:  (in a teasing tone) Hey, you hung up on me.

She:  I just love calling you.

Me:  Awww.

She:  I just love to hear your phone ring. 

Me:  You just love to hear my lovely voice on the phone.

She:  No, that's why I hung up before you answered.

(snub)

Day 9 "Wants vs. Needs"

Aha: 
This may seem small, but when you are as frugally-minded as I am (Clinton prefers to call me cheap, but to be honest, that's probably more accurate), the idea of dropping money on anything in general, let alone a pair of shoes makes me a bit queasy. 

Clinton told me he needed to get a pair of comfortable dress shoes that he could wear during his rotations since he'll be on his feet all day.  We talked about going to Payless or Walmart in the hopes of finding something economical (aka:  cheap) but he said we should go to Famous Footware (aka:  famous for being a rip-off!) 

Anyway, we headed that way and I saw they were having a sale, but their sale was still quite pricey ($50-70).  I meandered through to the clearance isle and found a pair of Dr. Scholl's for $25!  They fit perfectly and I felt so excited that we didn't have to spend much.  That's not even the best part!  When they were rung up at the register, the shoe salesman said, "Hey, they're only $15!"  Woohoo!!  I was so excited! 

I view this steal-of-a-deal as a blessing, Clinton probably views it as the Lord enabling my cheapness.  We'll view this as a blessing for now and I'll keep working on my cheapness for later.

Ha ha:
Here's a brief but humorous conversation that Clinton and I had this morning...
He:  What do you want to do today?
Me:  I dunno.  I wouldn't mind getting some pancakes at IHOP though.  I LOVE pancakes!
He:  What is it with you and your obsession with pancakes?
Me:  That's funny you ask.  I was JUST thinking about them!

Day 8: Look and Learn

Aha:
In Sacrament meeting I was sitting in front of a couple in our ward with a near one-year-old little girl.  While the bread and water were being passed I could hear her mom reading a picture book to her.  She was saying things like, "Here is Jesus being baptized", "He died for you" all things that I would expect to hear a mom say to her child during Sacrament, but then she started asking her things like, "Where is Jesus' nose?" "Where are His eyes?" "Where's His hair" "Can you give Jesus a kiss?" 

As I sat there listening to this interaction between mother and daughter I began thinking to myself, how often do I think about Jesus on a more personal level?  How often do I visualize what He has done for me?  Am I be able to recognize him and "see" him clearly in my life?  How often do I "give Jesus a kiss"? 

This was probably one of the best Sacrament meetings I've sat in in quite a while.  I closed my eyes and saw his hair, his eyes, his nose, and a feeling of warmth came over me and I pictured what it would be like to kiss His cheek.  I was able to really see the Savior and feel his love for me in a very real way. 

I think it is easy to think about what Jesus did for us, but how often do we SEE the man behind the miracles?  Seeing him in such an innocent, childlike way really made what I already know he did for me very real and personal because I could actually see the love He has for me in His eyes.

Ha ha:
The choir sang in church yesterday for prelude and then again before testimonies.  There was hardly anyone at church for our prelude number but most of the ward was there by the time testimonies rolled around.  Anyway, I mention the ward's attendance because everyone and their mom was there to see me and my embarrassing moment. 

As the choir was getting onto the stand (place at the front of the chapel where the podium and bishopric sit) to sing, I had to pull the music stand up over the little partition and down onto the floor where I was standing.  I did not notice however that there was a hymn book on the music stand so I quickly lifted the music stand over the partition the hymn book went flying!  I ducked cause I couldn't tell where it went but luckily, Clinton saw it happening and caught the book a few feet away.  I turned to the congregation and apologized, but I didn't get any flack for it because the musical number was "More Holiness Give Me" so people had to just let it go if they wanted to be more holy.  I guess the jokes on them!

Day 7: Comforts

Aha:  Good Company
I'm surrounded by good people in my life.  Today, I (and five other guests) were served appetizers, dinner and dessert by an 80-year-old lady from church.  I have had the privilege of getting to know her over the last year through the Visiting Teaching program in our church.  She joined the church when she was 50, became inactive and stayed that way until about 2 months ago.  For the longest time I couldn't even get a hold of her by phone.  My companion and I would leave messages in the hopes that one day she would call us back but she never did.  I wrote her letters and told her that I would love to meet her someday.  One evening I got a call from one of the men in the ward asking me if I was her visiting teacher and if I wouldn't mind calling her at her new phone number.  I was ecstatic!  Finally, after months of trying, I finally got to speak with her.  She sent me a card and thanked me for my letters and we have spoken at least weekly ever since.  About 3 months ago she told me she wasn't going to let anything stop her from going to church any more.  She lays out her clothes two days in advance and is waiting outside for her ride every Sunday morning (rain or shine).  Tonight my friends and I were not only provided dinner by an 80-year-old woman who just wanted to say "thank you", but we were blessed to see the fruits of our labors.  Not only is Marji a wonderful addition to the church, she is also one of my very dear friends.

Ha ha:  Nice Warm Bed
Although he won't say it out loud, Clinton absolutely adores our dog.  If I say, "You think he's cute."  He'll quickly reply in a jokingly-defiant tone, "No I don't!"  We both know the truth though, he loves him to pieces!  I woke up this morning to Clinton pulling Peter up on his back onto his pillow and tucking the blankets around him (mind you, it was 80 degrees by 7am this morning and there was no need for covers for humans, let alone dogs).  He said, "Aw wook at him sweeping."  I told him to quick take a picture so I could post it on our blog.  He protested and said, "No, that's silly."  (Right, I'M the silly one.)

Day 6: "Stir"ing it "Up"

Aha: "Good Call"
I have THE BEST "hooha" doctor out there.  Not only is she extremely smart and personable, but she is wonderfully caring.  I sent her an email this afternoon asking if I could come in for a "looksie-do" and her nurse responded that the earliest appointment was in almost two weeks.  Without going into unnecessary details regarding the purpose of my visit (I'm a-feared I already said too much as it is), my doctor read the email and told the nurse to make time and have me come in today.  Can you believe that?  Long (and quite personal) story short, she was able to help me out and I am not only feeling better, but I am feeling very blessed.  It is a rare thing to get in to an OB/GYN on the same day, let alone within an hour of requesting an appointment.  The Lord truly is mindful of our every need and can make miracles happen, even if they are only noticeable to you...('cept, now I've made this one public to the whole world. :)

Ha ha:  "Good Grief"
I just wrote about my OB/GYN visit on my blog.  'Nuff said. :)