"Stories on the Sabbath" - Time Out For Women

For Stories on the Sabbath today, I decided that I wanted to share with you the highlights of a very inspring weekend I just had!  For the first time ever - Deseret Book offered for FREE - a live streaming of Time Out For Women.  It was held on Oct. 26 and 27th at the Salt Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah - to a SOLD OUT crowd of 5,000 women.  Because it was sold out, they decided to stream it live throughout the world.  I was one of the lucky ones to receive an email telling me about the Free on-line access to this event.  In the future there will be a charge for this.  It was like a mini Education Weekend for Women.   Here are the highlights from those two days. 

Here is Friday's link - http://deseretbook.com/timeout/video_stream_archive

Click on above link.  To view specific talks, start on the bottom left where the counter says 00:00.  Move white dot and scroll to the right until you find the desinated starting point.  See each individual numbers below.

42:00 - Virginia Pearce -
 Gave a beautiful talk on Forgiveness - (35 minutes)



Jenny Oaks Baker played throughout Friday evening between speakers.

02:14:32  - Sheri Dew - Gave a stirring talk never given before.

Excellent as always!  (50 minutes)






Here is Saturday's Link - http://deseretbook.com/timeout/video_stream

37:43 - Chris Williams - "Let It Go" - talk on forgiving and letting the Atonement help (30 minutes)



 

02:01:03 - Our Best Bites - 2 Mormon Women Bloggers -

(30 minutes) Uplifting and funny!  http://www.ourbestbites.com

                                02:31:50 - Brad Wilcox
                                Talk on the importance of Names and the Savior
                                 (35 minutes)
                        


 




05:02:58 - John Bytheway - Gave a parable about "Marinating" ourselves with good things and good people.  (35 minutes)







06:13:42 - Emily Freeman - Author - Gave an excellent talk on  "The Middle Moments" - (30 minutes)







Singing Sensations - Mercy River - sing throughout the day - in between each speaker.


REMINDER:  These internet links will only be good until November 11, 2012.  So if you are interested in watching any - make sure you click on these links before that date.

Time of my Life

     Tick, tock. Tick, tock.  There I sat in stake conference thinking, "when will this meeting end?"  We had arrived just as it was starting and so there were no padded chairs available.  Since my surgery, sitting on hard metal chairs was a very painful experience.  I kept shifting my weight hoping that that would help me feel more confortable, but it hadn't helped.  I glanced down at my watch to see how much longer.   I couldn't tell what time it was, so I decided that I better put my glasses to be able to see.  When I did, I realized that I had put my watch on upside down.  After putting it on correctly I glanced at the watch and noted that it was a little after 11:00 - almost a whole hour left. 

      I thought that  if I tried to focus on the speakers, maybe time would go by faster.  For a while I sat quietly listening.  Two speakers had finished and I anxiously glanced at my watch.  What?  It was still a few minutes after 11:00.  I reached over to look at Craig's watch and realized that my watch was not keeping good time.  Twenty minutes had passed since I had first looked.  So I took off my watch and reset the time to match Craig's watch.

     When they announced that the Stake President would be our concluding speaker, I looked down to see how much time he had to speak and I noticed that my watch hadn't moved a bit.  What a pain.  Irritated I took it off to reset the time.  That's when I noticed that it would not let me set the time.  No matter how hard I tried setting it, the button wouldn't push in.  Then I noticed the button really wasn't pulling out either.  Finally, exasperated, I handed my watch to Craig to see if he could see what was wrong.  The first thing he did was quietly pull off the plastic that was covering the face of my watch.  Then as he took a hold of the button and tried to set the time, but it wouldn't pull out or push in for him either.  It was then that he noticed a hard plastic object underneath it.  Realizing that it was the orginial plastic packing to stop the watch from using up its battery he turned and asked me, "how long have you had this watch?"  Sheepishly I answered, "almost two years".

      By then they were singing the closing song.  I had missed the most important speaker because of the distraction of this stupid watch.  On my way home I kept shaking my head in disbelief that I had been wearing this watch off and on to church for almost two years and had never noticed that it not only wasn't keeping time, but that the original plastic packing hadn't been removed.
      As some of you may know, and something my husband will readily attest to, I have struggled with time issues my whole life!  I feel somewhat relieved though when I think back over the last two years and realize that at least twice a day I was on the right time and that all the other times were not technically my fault! :-) It’s actually not a bad idea…..a watch that doesn’t work.  If I’m late again, I’ll just look down and exclaim, “Oh No!  My watch is not working.  Sorry I’m late!” 

On that note, I’m off to beat the clock! 

"Stories on the Sabbath"

                                            I Am Not Ashamed!

I was paralyzed with fear when my name was announced as the next performer.  The restaurant became quiet and all eyes were on me.  The air was thick with apprehension.  I could feel the silent gazes from the crowd and I was pretty sure that they could feel my reluctance.

My mind whirled back to the important decision I had made to serve a mission just a few months earlier.  It seemed once that decision was made, I was bombarded with numerous trials.  One of those trials included being rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. 

While I was recovering at home, my dear friend, Kenn Crawford came over to see me.  Taking one look at me and my hair he said, "Boy, do you need a change of pace!  I'm taking you out tonight.  How does dinner sound?  I know I'll enjoy it and it will be good for you too."

"Have you seen how I look?"  I asked puzzled.

"You have exactly 20 minutes before we leave," he said with a challenge in his voice, "so I suggest you get started."

I hesitated for only a moment because I also felt I needed to get out.  It had been a couple of weeks since my surgery and I hadn't been anywhere.  I dressed as quickly as I could, considering  the surgical dressing that was wrapped around my entire waist.  It was quite awkward to move around in, let alone sit for an extended period of time.  However, for some reason I felt that the Lord had sent Kenn to help me get over the post-operative blues I had been feeling.

           I was finally dressed and we went to "Granny Annie's", a restaurant in which an old-fashioned theme was the focus of the ambiance.  Every hour on the hour, the waiters and waitresses would gather 'round the grand piano inside a beautiful white Gazebo.  There they would sing old-fashioned songs synonymous with the theme of the restaurant.

I loved being there.  I was not only enjoying being out of bed, but I also loved the music.  Playing the piano was my favorite past time and it brought me such joy to hear others play too.  However, my relaxation was short-lived.  Without my knowledge Kenn had arranged with the management for me to play that beautiful grand piano.

I was both surprised and embarrassed when my name was called to serenade the entire restaurant.  I had no music.   Nothing like being called blatantly on the spot!  If I got up to play, it would have to be totally impromptu.  I was shocked and completely taken off guard.  The whole entire restaurant began clapping in unison for ME, a simple guest, to go inside the gazebo and play the piano.  My face was flushed and I was scared and felt extreme pressure to play.  I could barely move because of the fear and embarrassment, let alone the fact that I was still recovering from my operation.  I couldn't believe that Kenn would pull such a stunt knowing that I still wasn't up to par.  My heart began to palpitate with that same scared feeling I get when I bear my testimony.

Reluctantly, after they introduced me over the sound system for the second time, I finally got up.  I flashed Kenn a look that said, "You're in trouble now buddy," and I walked over to the piano.  As I sat down I thought to myself,  “What should I play?”

The restaurant became quiet and all eyes were on me.  I could almost hear the crowd wondering, “Will she blow it?”  They couldn't help but notice that I didn't have any music.  I had a few secular pieces memorized and so I began playing what I felt was suitable for a public setting.  My fingers limbered up as I continued playing.  I finished the first song and advanced to a second number as some of the fear left and I began to feel more comfortable.

Unbeknownst to me, Kenn had followed me up to the gazebo where I was playing.  He leaned over and whispered in my ear, "I dare you to play my favorite songs!"

"You don't play songs like that in a place like this," I whispered back somewhat disgusted.

"Why not?"  He asked.  "I don't see anything wrong with them, do you?"

"No," I answered somewhat chagrin.  "It's just not acceptable in a place like this."

"Why isn't it acceptable?  You're ashamed aren't you?"

"I am not!"  I said half insulted, half afraid.

"Play them then," Kenn hammered me again.

"No!" I said with a scowl on my face.  "You don't cast your pearls before swine."

"Play them", Kenn badgered.

I looked around hoping that no one could hear our exchange.  "Please go back to your seat and leave me alone," I whispered and then with more force I said, "I'm not playing, "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet and I Am a Child of God," in public.  They're church songs and they're not acceptable in a place like this!"

"You're chicken and you're ashamed of the gospel of Christ!" he said relentlessly.

I sat there trying to concentrate on playing the several pieces I had memorized while Kenn kept heckling me.  Finally I turned to him and said, "Get out of here now!  I'm not playing those songs."

            I was relieved when Kenn stood up and left.  However, his words haunted me.  I began thinking that I really was afraid to play those songs in a place like this.  After I finished a medley of secular songs, my fingers took over.  They began playing familiar strains of "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet." 

I heard several loud gasps in the restaurant.  As I looked up, I saw a few surprised faces out there.  I could tell who the LDS people were in the restaurant that night.  The majority of the restaurant was eating normally, but a few select LDS people were openly shocked to the point of making a loud gasp!

I played it with feeling.  A peace came over me and I played it in several octaves, just letting the creative process flow from my fingers.  As I played, I was proud to be a Mormon and proud to share the gospel through music in a public setting!

My courage was now stronger than before.  After finishing the first hymn, I thought to myself, “why not?”           

With a delicate introduction, my fingers began playing, "I am a Child of God".  This time I heard a few more surprised people.  One man even dropped his fork.  I'm sure the LDS people there were just as surprised hearing these songs in a public place as I was playing them.              I looked over at Kenn and he had the most satisfied, proud look on his face.  He was just beaming and thrilled that I had accepted his challenge to play church songs in public.

As I played the last note of "I am a Child of God", the last of my repertoire of songs for the evening, I heard the still small voice whisper to my soul.  It wasn't a physical voice I heard, but the words came with distinct clarity to my mind as if someone were verbally speaking them.  The words that filled my mind and soul that night were, “Yes my daughter, that is acceptable unto me.”

My eyes became misty and I felt that burning sensation from the Holy Ghost.  It was as if a surge of electricity had penetrated my whole body.  I was familiar with that feeling and knew it was the Holy Ghost bearing witness of the divine truths of what I had shared that night through my music.

The audience clapped in unison.  The clapping got louder and louder as I returned to my seat as tears gathered in my eyes.  I left the restaurant that night with renewed faith that our Heavenly Father is aware of our circumstances.  I also realized that the Spirit of the Holy Ghost will be our constant guide and companion to cast away the fear we may have in awkward circumstances.

The time arrived for me to go on my mission.   I left with the knowledge that I was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, no matter where I was, no matter what the circumstances were.  I promised the Lord that I would not hide my light under a bushel, but covenanted to serve Him by putting it on a candlestick and giving music unto all that would hear.  What greater way could I serve the Lord than to use the talents He had given me for the upbuilding of the kingdom of God.         Because of the experience I had that day at Granny Annie's Restaurant in Tempe, Arizona in 1978, I wrote the following song.  The words are inspired from the scripture found in Romans 1:16.  It is one of many songs that the Spirit has promoted me to write.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ,

For it is the Power of God”I'll go tell the world it is true,

I'll serve with all my heart, might, mind and strength.

For when I have a chance to declare it,

I will testify of the Christ.

I learned some valuable lessons that night.  I learned that I was proud of the gospel of Jesus Christ and that it felt good to stand alone, to overcome the fear, to bring forth that light and commit to better serve the Lord as one of His servants.

                                              --Linda Kay Leavitt Hartmann

                                 Composer and lyrists of many songs and albums                    

                                          http://illfindyoumyfriend.com/about.php

DOCTOR…DOCTOR!

The last few months have felt like a blur to me when it comes to Doctor’s appointments.  It seems like the healthier I get, the more test and doctor’s appointments they keep sending me to.  I’ve felt like a pin cushion lately, going from one specialist to another.  I have felt so overwhelmed by this, that I decided to write it down for my journal to keep a record of all of this (crap) oops I mean stuff I've been going through.  Now that I can see on paper what I've been through lately, it helps explain my crabbiness and frustration in not getting hardly anything else done.  Here’s a re-cap of the last three months of doctor’s appointments I've been going to.  Sorry - this will probably be a boring post for most of you!

July 18^th – Wednesday – Went to Dr. Darley, an ENT – Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist for my vertigo.  He performed the Epley Maneuver (click here to see past post about this).  He said that my vertigo (dizziness) was caused by crystals that had gotten loose and were free floating in my vertical canals.

July 25^th – Wednesday –
            1:30  - Dr. Darley – performed Epley Maneuver again.  (Didn’t help the first time).

            3:00 - I receive Avastin every three weeks.  Every 6 weeks I either see Dr. Wallentine or his Physician’s Assistant – Joan.  This time I saw Dr. Wallentine (my Oncologist Dr.) Every 6 weeks I also get my blood drawn for the CA-125 Test which is a tumor marker.  This time my CA-125 was 22.  (Normal is 0-35).  He referred me to Dr. Groves a Neurologist for my neuropathy, joint pain and vertigo. 

August 15^th - Wednesday –– Avastin – (No Doctor this time).  The reason I get Avastin every 3 weeks is because I am on a clinical trial and they are trying to see if Avastin will help keep the cancer at bay for a little longer before returning, like Ovarian cancer usually does.

Sept. 7^th – Friday – Avastin – saw Joan (Dr. Wallentine’s Physician’s Assistant).  This time my CA-125 was 13.5 – Yeah!

Sept. 11^th – Tuesday – Neurologist – Dr. Groves (referred to by Dr. Wallentine for Neuropathy and Vertigo.)  Dr. Groves referred me to the following doctors:

a.      MRI on Brain – to check inner ear problems; back for pain

b.     Physical Therapist for Vertigo – Alan Nybo

c.      Sleep Disorder – Dr. Staheli

d.     Glucose Tolerance Test – 2 hours

Sept. 18^th – Tuesday –
            2:00 p.m. - MRI on my Brain and my back
                        a.  MRI came back with no problem on the brain, disk problem between L4 & L5

4:00 – Dr. Staheli – Sleep Study Specialist - Evaluated my responses and deemed it necessary for me to take the overnight sleep apnea test.

Sept. 25^th – Tuesday – Avastin – (No doctor this time)

Sept. 19^th – Wednesday – One Year Anniversary of my Cancer Diagnosis

Oct. 4^th – Thursday – 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

            Overnight Sleep Apnea Test.  They wired me up like a Christmas Tree.  I had wires all over my head, eyes, chin, chest, waist and legs.  (See terrible picture). They woke me up at 1:00 to put on C-PAP – (Continueous Positive Airway Pressure Mask).  I asked them if I had stopped breathing and they said they couldn’t tell me anything, other than say that I fulfilled all the requirements to use a C-PAP.

Oct. 9 – Tuesday –
            8:30-10:30 – Two hour Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
            10:45 – Two hour Vertigo evaluation from Alan Nybo - A physical therapist.  He put goggles on my eyes and videotaped my eye movement when I turned my head back and forth.  He said that I had a very unique problem.  My crystals in the inner ear were not free floating in the vertical canals, but they were stuck in the horizontal canal.  It is very rare and hard to fix!  He prescribed me to flip my head back and forth 10-15 times – 3 times a day.  He isn’t sure if that will work.  He said it is like having bread crumbs stuck on the edge of a dish towel and the only way to get it out is to flick the dish towel.  He wants to see me back in two weeks.

Oct. 12^th – Friday  - 5 Dr. Appointments 

            7:30 - C.T. Scan - went fine - will know the results at my Doctor's appointment this next Wednesday. - I get these CT Scans every three months to see if there is any new cancer growth.
            10:00 - Mammogram - I get these twice a year, because I tested positive for the BRCA Cancer Gene (which states I have a 87% of getting Breast Cancer before I turn 70.  The radiologist looked at my scans and said everything looks great.
            11:00 - Flu Shot - at my Cancer Dr's.  I got this last year and it helped me not get the things going around.
            11:20 - Sleep Study Final Evaluation - Bottom line is that I do have Sleep Apnea and will need to sleep with a C-PAP machine that pushing air into my nose and keeps my mouth shut.  This will stop me from snoring, and waking up so much.  I should have a better night's sleep and so should Craig.  He is excited to be able to sleep better too!  I need to meet with Inter Mountain Health Medical Supply next week.
            1:00 -  Dr. Jones - Family Practice Doctor to find out why my blood sugar count was so high after having the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT). He reviewed the numbers, 65-109 is normal and mine was 139.  The Neurologist who had scheduled this test also scheduled a A1-C Blood test that was actually more accurate and it conflicted with the (GTT).  So Dr. Jones feels like the GTT is a false positive and he is going to retest it in a month.

Oct. 17^th – Wednesday –
           10:00 - Hearing Test - Mr. Swenson - Found out that I have moderate to severe hearing loss in both ears.  He suggested I get hearing aids in both ears!  Too bad we don't have any money for that right now.  Thank goodness that I can hear most of what I need to.  It's the high pitches that are harder to hear.
           11:30 - Avastin and meet with Dr. Wallentine.  Found out the results of  last Friday's CT Scan were excellent.  N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease)!  They also took my CA-125 Test and it was down to a 13.2 - the best it's ever been.  Yeah!
            2:00 - Met with Inter Mountain Health Care to be fit for the C-PAP Machine.  Tonight is my first night to wear it.  We will see how it goes.  I'm trying to have a good attitude about it.  

Just looking at this schedule gives me a head ache!  No wonder I'm exhaused!  The only good thing about going to all these doctors is that we have met our deductible and our out of pocket expenses and so most all of these last few weeks have been covered 100%!  Even though I sound like I am complaining, I thank my Heavenly Father DAILY for my good health, for modern medicine and for Insurance!  Life could be so much worse. :-)

"Stories on the Sabbath" - A Misisonary Story

Happy 25th Birthday to our son, Daniel on Oct. 15th! 

  

We will never forget those cute chubby cheeks of yours!

       We love you!
     "Dan the Man"

Dan
with   
an attitude!  

Daniel was such a handfull, that he completely changed our parenting style.  He kept us on our toes and we grew to love and adore him.  We had some very interesting experiences with the "Law" during Dan's teenage years.  However, the Lord knew the perfect place to send Dan on a mission to stay out of trouble.  The first 3 months he learned spanish in Guatemala, but was transfered into the deep jungle of Polochic where he learned to speak an ancient Mayan dialect.  He served there for 20 of the 24 months of his mission.  They only sent the stalwart missionaries into the jungle, because of how tough it was.  Many times he didn't have electricty or running water for months on end.  He grew so much and so did we as he shared his mission experiences.  Please indulge me as I share a very candid true story that happened to Daniel on his mission.

The Family,                                      (July 18, 2007)

       I am writing you tonight by candle light, yes, that’s right, by candle light!  I want to tell you about how grateful I am for the “comforting companionship” of the Holy Ghost, by beginning with a “cute” little story about the beginning of my week!
      Saturday night during my sleep, I was attacked by a small army of some type of bug.  I get bitten a bunch of times on my shoulder, bicep and armpit areas.  Turns out that my body for some reason, did not like the after affects of the bites, and therefore my upper chest area, broke out into a rash.  Here in the jungle, they call it “XOX”.  After dealing with it for a couple of days (not able to scratch it because it makes it worse) it started to open and bleed, as well as oozing out puss! Whenever I would sweat or move my body, it would cause alot of pain.  Nevertheless, putting my faith in the Lord and trying to forget myself, I kept working, despite the rash coving my whole upper-body.
      Tuesday comes around, and my comp and I are headed out in the back of a truck, for a 3 hour drive out to another area in our district, to do a baptismal interview.  After arriving and doing the interview, we found out that we had just missed the last truck that was heading back to Senahu (my area).  Now keep in mind, we are out in the middle of nowhere in the middle of the jungle in a tiny little village called, “San Francisco”.  Knowing that the 3 hour drive would be about 5 hours by foot, hung over our heads.  So we begin our 5 hour walk back to our area, which is literally on the other side of 2 mountain ranges.  Also knowing that we had about 2 hours until dark, we took to the pace of a slow jog, or a speed walk.
      The day before I ate some bad food that did not sit well with me, and therefore I had been vomiting and having diarrhea most of the day.  So having this big infected rash, and fighting the pains in my stomach, and the unrelenting fatigue, we began our 5 hour walk through the jungle back to our home.
      The reason I’m telling you all that bad that happened is to prove a point, which will be revealed at the end of this story.  About 45 minutes into our walk, my boots broke, again.  The entire sole came completely disassembled from the shoe, making it impossible to walk.  I thought to myself, “What else could possibly happen to make this any worse?”  Just as I completed that thought, sure enough, right then a drop of rain landed on my arm. It then began to pour!  It was raining so hard, I could barely keep my eyes open.  I found some string, that I for some reason brought with me and used it to tie the sole back on to the boot.  We once again continued walking.  About 2 hours went by, it was still pouring rain, and I was so cold and hot at the same time.  Soaked from the rain and fighting back the fatigue from walking, we all of a sudden saw a truck coming.  We stuck our thumbs out for a hitchhike.  (Hitchhiking is our main-way of transport in the jungle.)  Sure enough, it slows down, but only to tease us.  As we ran to get in, it then took off down the road in full speed.  We tried chasing after it, but it was too late.
      As we continued to walk, I had to stop and catch my breath, and try to keep from vomiting.  I remember looking up into the dark, rain-filled sky, as I offered a prayer of help and of strength to be able to continue and make the last part of the journey.  As I finished my prayer, my comp looks over at me and says, “Hey, do you hear that?”  As I looked back to see what it was, headlights began to fill the dark path.  A truck stopped and let us hop in! We were so ecstatic!  As we hoped into the back of the truck, I told my companion that I had just prayed for help, and right when I finished my prayer, the truck came to rescue us!  Now isn’t that awesome?! Talk about answers to prayers!  I could actually feel the presence of the Holy Ghost the entire time we were walking.  It made me feel comforted and safe, despite all the adversity that we were facing.  Not once, during the entire “adventure” did I become angry (which is unusual for me).  Not once did I complain or whine, and it was because of the Holy Ghost that was with me, helping me, strengthening me, comforting me and directing me, the ENTIRE TIME!
       I found myself thinking about the good we had accomplished in helping prepare a young man for baptism, and helping him on his way to entering the only true church on the face of the earth.  I wasn’t thinking about the pain in my stomach or the bitter cold any longer, or even the fact that I was soaking wet and covered in mud.  I was concentrating on the good that was accmplished that day.  I know that was only possible with the help of the Lord and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.
      We arrived home, dead tired, and soaked, but safe and happy!  As we entered the house, we were confronted with the intrusion of RATS!  But we won’t go into that right now! That’s a story for another day.  However, no matter how comforting the Holy Ghost is, knowing that there are rats on the loose in my house is NOT a good thing! Thanks again for your love, support and your prayers.  I can feel them all!
Love,

                                                                   Elder Garvin  

     Above is a short clip of Daniel celebrating his 21st birthday on his mission.

Daniel served an honorable mission and came home to find a beautiful wife!  He and Kyrstin were married in July of 2009.  They say that you can judge what type of missionary you were with how beautiful your wife is....so I would say that Dan did a great job!  We love and adore Kyrstin and are so happy to have her as part of our eternal family.

Now at age 25 - he has HIS hands full with two little ones of his own! 

Daniel has been such a wonderful addition to our family.  He is a kind, loving and dependable husband, father, brother and son.  Everyone enjoys being around Dan because he allows his "fun" side to come out, which in turn gives us all permission to do the same. 

We feel so blessed to have been his parents!



Bucket List

As some of you might know, I’m a huge fan of the Osmond's!  I know this may sound dumb, but one of the things on my bucket list was to get to go and see the Donnie and Marie show LIVE!   Below are the actual ticket stubs from the Donnie and Marie Show!

 
When I was in Vegas last week, Charlene and Paul surprised me with tickets to their show on the Las Vegas Strip!  Here I am with my ticket and then another picture with my good friends, Donnie and Marie.  :-) Donnie and Marie Osmond have been my hero’s throughout the years.  Donnie is exactly the same age that I am and so I feel a kindred spirit to him.  Marie seems like my best friend, and I love the way she has survived all of her ups and downs.
       (Sorry the picture quality is not that great from a cell phone!) They bought me two tickets, and said that I could take Craig or Charlene with me.  Well since Craig would have died sitting through their concert, I was thrilled to be able to go with my daughter Charlene!  We had a wonderful time and I clapped and cheered and yelled just as thought I would.  Thanks for making a wonderful memory with me!

"Stories on the Sabbath" - Pray For Dad

                                                              "PRAY FOR DAD"

The first time I came to the Salt Lake Tabernacle for a general conference of the church I was awed by the immensity of the building, but even more by the room-filing presence of the General Authorities who were assembled there.

In my growing-up years, many of them had visited our small branch in Montana.  We had no television, nor could we receive conference on the radio.  So we looked forward to each visit as a special blessing.  They had, it seemed to me, a power and faith above other men.

Then on that April day...I discovered one source of a General Authority's strength.

I was seated with the six children of Elder Ezra Taft Benson, one of whom was my college roommate.  My interest heightened when President McKay arose and announced the next speaker.  I watched respectfully as Elder Benson, whom I had not yet met, walked toward the microphone.  He was a big man, well over six feet tall.  He was a man with a PhD., a man internationally known as the United States Secretary of Agriculture and a special witness of the Lord, a man who seemed serene and sure, one who had addressed audiences throughout the world. 

Suddenly a small hand touched my arm.  A little girl leaned toward me and whispered urgently, ‘Pray for Dad.'  

Somewhat startled, I thought, ‘This message is being passed down the row, and I am to pass it on.  Shall I say, "pray for Elder Benson"?  Shall I say, "You're supposed to say a prayer for your father "?  Sensing the immediate need to act, I leaned over and whispered simply, "Pray for Dad."

 I watched that whisper mover along the row to where Sister Benson sat, her head already bowed.

 Many times since that day I have remembered that message - Pray for Dad, the patriarch of the home.  Pray for him as he serves as district president or home teacher.  Pray for him when he become executive secretary of a civic group, when his business flourishes, or when he takes a cut in salary.  Pray as he gives counsel in family home evening.  Pray for Dad who works long hours so that Jerold can go on a mission and Diane can go to college.  Pray for him as he speaks in sacrament meeting or gives Mother a blessing that she might be made well again.  Pray as he baptizes William or gives a tiny, newborn baby a name and a father's blessing.  And in the evening, should he come home tired or discouraged, pray for him.  Pray for Dad in all that he might do — the small things and the great.

As years have passed, general conferences have come and gone, and each time Pres. Benson has stood to speak, I have thought, "His children, who are scattered across the continent, are united now in prayer for their father."

And I have come to believe that the brief message that passed along the row...years ago is the most important message a family can share.  What extraordinary power and faith any man can have to meet the daily challenge of his life if somewhere in the world his daughter or son is whispering, "pray for dad."

   --Elaine S. McKay - New Era June 1975 p. 33

Before and After

October 2nd marked my one year anniversary since I had surgery.  I can't believe how much our life has changed in that long year.  I went to the grocery store yesterday and the lady asked me how I was doing.  I said "fine" without even thinking.  I reached into my purse and saw my calendar and then I said, "Actually, I'm doing GREAT!"  She looked up from her register as if to ask why I had changed my answer.  I said, "A year ago today, I had major surgery to remove as much ovarian cancer as possible.  And here I am today shopping in Wall Mart all by myself.  I never thought it would be possible."  She smiled and said that she was happy for me and wished me continued health.

As I drove home I started thinking about how much I had progressed.  Off and on I will read other people's blogs about how they are back to walking 3-4 miles a day since their cancer.  I thought to myself, "why am I not back to walking 3-4 miles?  What's wrong with me?"  Then it was as if I heard myself say, "Michele, how can you get back to walking 3-4 miles when you never did that before your surgery?  You are back to doing what you used to do.  You are serving and baking and visiting and sharing your love with others.  Yes you are back doing the things that matter most to you!"  A smile grew from the inside out as I drove home with a car load of food; ready to make 4 loaves of whole wheat bread, 4 dozen cinnamon rolls, 3 dozen eggs and fruit for a big visiting teaching district breakfast I was having at my house the next morning.  Yes I am back, back to not having the good sense to know when to stop, but loving every minute of it while I still have the energy to do it!

Last week we went to Vegas to help our daughter move.  She reminded me that it was exactly one year ago that she took our pictures "before" our surgeries and before I lost my hair.  So, for a bit of nostalgia, we went back to the same place and took pictures to compare the difference before and after.

Here is a picture of Craig and I before and after.  Craig hasn't changed much at all, but he looks like he has a totally different wife!



But this is the new "us" and we will continue pressing forward, not caring too much how we look and concentrating on who we are.  Life is not as "easy" as it used to be but we are alive and we can still make a difference - and that is our intent.