The Blessings Outweigh the Difficulties
Who would ever imagined that with all the difficulties of the past 6 months, particularly the past 6 weeks, that the blessings are still far greater than the challenges. I continue to be blown away by the messages, the phone calls, the meals, and gifts. It touches my heart and often bring me to tears. It's almost surreal to see such Christlike service.
These days when I pray so much of my prayer is gratitude and asking blessings for all of you. My prayers are more gratitude than requests. The depth of gratitude and love has increased exponentially. I can see Christ in everyone that has reached out, served, expressed concern. I have felt very close to our Savior, in part because so many have emulated Him.
It makes me think of a scripture in Matthew.
"For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
On a separate note, a brief update on where we are in our journey.
The fatigue is off the charts, it's hard to find a comfortable position, eating is still a chore, muscle aches and soreness all over, the hours seem to tick by pretty slow, and going to bed at 9 PM each night is a blessed relief. On a positive note, even though nothing tastes good I'm not nauseous whenever I eat or drink. Not complaining just letting you know how where I'm at.
The first phase was finding out and all the testing. We're now in the take action, start doing something phase, and it's going to become a full-time effort in the near future. We're days away from choosing a treatment plan. Alicia has been the perfect companion doing research, investigating, learning many hours a day. I am so grateful for her. In a way, my treatment has already begun. I've been encouraged to take charge and be an agent---walking further, eating more, IV nutrition, meditation, tomorrow I start hyperbaric treatment.
I sincerely thank everyone for their prayers, their words, their acts of service. It really means a lot to me.