12/13/16 - One of My Favorite Days

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

This day will go down in my life as definitely one of my favorites. I will just start at the beginning. 

1.  I woke up at 4:30 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep. (Thank you, steroids.) So I got up and finished reading the Book of Mormon. Again, I know that this book is the word of God and it brings me joy to live by its teachings.

2.  At 8:45 a.m. Mark and I met with my oncologist who informed us that my cancer is in remission!!! What a wonderful Christmas present! I didn't expect to find out this information just yet, but I am so grateful. I still have to complete all my chemotherapy treatments and 5-10 years of hormone blocker, but I have added strength and courage now to get through everything.

3.  I then had my 13th chemo on December 13th. :) Morgan and Mark accompanied me. Morgan would not leave my side. I am so grateful for their immense support.

4.  After chemo and lunch, we went home and loaded our truck with Morgan's luggage and bicycle in preparation for dropping her off at the mission home in Orem, Utah. We then drove to Erin's work to surprise her with one last chance to say goodbye to Morgan. It was the sweetest experience for me as their mother to watch them run into each other's arms and hug and cry. I'm so glad they love each other. It was a little piece of heaven.

5.  We stopped by Grandma's house so she could say goodbye to Morgan. That too was a sweet experience.

6.  Then we drove to the Utah Orem Mission to drop Sister Pierce off. We were greeted at the door by the mission president's wife who so warmly invited us in. She kindly gave us a tour of their home and showed us where Sister Pierce would be sleeping. Ironically, the quilt on the bed was of  stars and planets. So appropriate since Sister Pierce spent so much time looking at the heavens with her father, an amateur astronomer. We then met the mission president who was so kind. We spent about 30 minutes visiting with him and his wife. I wish every parent could meet their child's mission president and see him interact with their child. He was so full of love and kindness. It really wasn't hard to leave Sister Pierce when she looked so happy. Her smile was huge and she looked so comfortable there. We left her with full confidence in her ability to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. No doubt, I will miss her and all her secret acts of kindness during my cancer treatments. God bless you, Sister Pierce!

7.  We then drove to a funeral home to attend the viewing of a dear friend's mother. Dawn, please know that my prayers are with you and your family. I was reminded of how precious every day is with our loved ones. And so grateful for eternal families. God bless you, Dawn!

8.  As if our day was incomplete, we then had an amazing dinner with some of the dearest friends whom we met years ago in a most unique way. About 21 years ago, we started opening our home to young women who were pregnant out of wedlock. Over the years we have had 8 different young women who have touched our lives forever. Well, one of them, Jen, graduated from nursing school today. We were unable to make it to the graduation, but met them for dinner. Not only did we see Jen, but we met the daughter she placed for adoption 17 years ago. I had held that sweet baby several times and even had the sacred experience of placing her in her adoptive mother's arms. So, it was really amazing to meet her as a young adult. She is gorgeous! The adoptive parents were also there which was wonderful. Jen's sister and her parents were there too. What an amazing, beautiful thing to see all these people come together because of Jen and her one sweet baby whom everyone loved. God bless you, Jen! 

9.  Now the icing on the cake -- today is our wedding anniverary!!! Mark, I love you so much! I am so glad that we got to share this amazingly perfect day with each other. I wouldn't have wanted to spend it with anyone else. Thank you for loving me all these years and especially for your love and support during my battle with cancer. You are my greatest warrior! God bless you, Mark!

10. Nowotwor - the battle continues but we are winning! -- Elizabeth