Could this ever be more beautifully and eloquently said??? I came across this plaque the other day and obviously just LOVE IT! It's just amazing how much has been happening to our family the last two months. I am going to do a few more posts soon with pictures and what not soon. But I just needed to post this now cause it's been on my mind so much. We have had the blessing of meeting SO many amazing people. Just hearing glimpses of their stories is heartaching and humbling. Ya Staussen has cancer, it's been hard (and will be hard the next 3.5 years of treatement) and was obviously a shock when we found out. BUT it could be SO MUCH WORSE. There our kids/families we have met that have it so much harder than us.
One single mother told me about her story. Her 13 year old daughter has a very rare and ugly cancer. She is recently divorced with 7 kids and with basically no support. As she was sharing more details with tears running down her face I couldn't hold back the tears either. I feel like crying as I'm writing this. My heart ached for her and her situation. We have the most common and treatable cancer. Her daughter is not so lucky to have that. We have so much love and support in many ways. She has hardly any at all. I hate feeling so helpless when I want to help more than I feel capable.
I read this talk with her on my mind last night: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/are-we-not-all-beggars?cid=HPFR122614589&lang=eng
This gave me some comfort, direction and some ideas.
I really believe that all of us are going to be tested at times in our life more than we feel we can handle. That's of course how we get stronger. Sometimes I feel weak and pathetic thinking I can hardly handle my situations when I see other's that have it so much harder. But I am learning this is not the right way to think. I can draw strength, perspective, and gain more humility and service when I see others that have it worse than me. I am learning though that I should NOT discount the own pain and trials I am facing and beat myself up about it. I am not trying to make excuses but I am learning that at least for myself that I need to accept my circumstances in order to handle them. This is HUGE for me. People that know me well (and how I am my own worst enemy) would probably agree that this is an important principle for me to remember and work on :).
I feel so much love and gratitude for my patient, loving, wise, merciful and amazing Heavenly Father and His plan for me and all of us. For the the strength, love and for sweet forgiveness and healing I receive through the atonement of Jesus Christ. I feel so much gratitude for all the family and friends around us and for the continued prayers and support shown in countless ways in our behalf.
