I can't believe Christmas is almost here. Time has really passed quickly the last two months. We are grateful to be home but not thrilled about dealing with Cancer again. But, I know I can do it because I have already proven to myself that I am stronger than I ever thought I could be.
I received a beautiful blessing from Bishop Bollinger and it really put my mind at rest. I am so grateful to him for following the promptings to come and give me that blessing. I know the Lord is in charge and I have total faith that I will be able to handle all the treatment I will receive.
I am thankful for the people around me who are taking such great care of every need. We have received some marvelous meals and our children have been so supportive. We are truly blessed in every way. Life could not be better.
We went in yesterday for my 3rd Chemo treatment but the Doctor decided to postpone it for a week because my white blood count is down and my blood pressure is up. I am also getting bad sores in my mouth so waiting is probably a good idea. I did get this fun "Pink Lady Cocktail" concoction to rinse with that numbs my whole mouth so that I can eat. Actually not eating this time of year is probably not a bad idea. Too many goodies everywhere we go.
Tonight we are off to our daughter Rachel's home for a Christmas eve dinner. Her cute husband Jeff is a great chef and can make anything taste and look fantastic. He will get the help of my daughter Michelle's sons of course. They love assisting Jeff and are learning a lot in their teen age years.
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, December 9, 2013
A meal fit for a queen
Our son-in-law Jeff D. is the official chef of this family. He has this marvelous smoker that can perform miracles. He smoked some briskets and we are the beneficiaries of this great treat. He and Rachel and the two little ones came and shared dinner with us yesterday and left us enough for several meals. Food actually tasted good.
My cute neighbor Evonne brought over some breakfast this morning and it really hit the spot. I don't usually want to eat but when I finally give in it always makes the nausea go away and makes me feel better.
I did make it to church yesterday and am so grateful I went. Feeling the spirit is always a great way of getting out of a rut. My goal is to make it to church every week no matter what. Hope I can reach that goal. With the help of the Lord, we are going to beat this beast!!!!!!!!!
My cute neighbor Evonne brought over some breakfast this morning and it really hit the spot. I don't usually want to eat but when I finally give in it always makes the nausea go away and makes me feel better.
I did make it to church yesterday and am so grateful I went. Feeling the spirit is always a great way of getting out of a rut. My goal is to make it to church every week no matter what. Hope I can reach that goal. With the help of the Lord, we are going to beat this beast!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Great way not to overeat
I received my second chemo treatment last Monday and all was o.k. until the last few days when for some reason I got hit in the pit of my stomach. Food does not sound good and I am trying to force yogurt and crackers down my throat. I am so fatigued that I am having trouble getting up enough energy to even take a shower. It is really a good thing that Ben is so patient with me because today I am "not on duty" I really need to get my act together because I am determined to make it to church tomorrow.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
An O.K. start
I thought everything went pretty well the first few days of Chemo but then I started noticing a few changes. My nausea is hanging around all day now and I really don't feel like eating. I try to force food down my throat but it sure does not taste all that good and I only end up with a stomach ache.
Today I was really craving some Chinese food and my good friend Lynda brought me some for lunch. She has offered to help in any way she could and I took her up on the offer because I know she meant what she said. It really did the job because not only do I not feel nauseous but I don't feel light headed at all. Food can really make the difference when you really need it. How did I ever deserve such a good friend?
Today I was really craving some Chinese food and my good friend Lynda brought me some for lunch. She has offered to help in any way she could and I took her up on the offer because I know she meant what she said. It really did the job because not only do I not feel nauseous but I don't feel light headed at all. Food can really make the difference when you really need it. How did I ever deserve such a good friend?
Monday, November 11, 2013
Ready for the next adventure
Coming home was great but the news from my doctor was not. My cancer has returned and I will start treatment all over again. This evil monster has just decided that we needed another trial in our lives. Well........We beat him once and by darn, we will do it again. Hey, I am much stronger now and I know I can do it. No, it will not be fun but not all of life has to be fun, there are times when we really have to get our lives in order and work hard, so now it is our turn again.
We spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday and it was so amazing to have most of our family there. Scott is still on his mission in Argentina and coming home this month, Brent is in Idaho at BYU, Rachel was home with her little one born just this week and Tim had to work (somebody has to take care of those patients in the emergency room and he is the best) The rest of the bunch was there and we were so proud sitting on the stand and watching all those beautiful spirits knowing that we are sealed as a family and can have all of our marvelous loved ones around us throughout all eternities. What more could we ask for?
Chemo starts today and we really don't know how I will react this time. It is a different kind of Chemo and each drug has it's own side affect. We will just have to wait and see. Bring it on world, we can handle it. There are way too many people around me praying that things will work out and I can't let them down.
We spoke in Sacrament meeting yesterday and it was so amazing to have most of our family there. Scott is still on his mission in Argentina and coming home this month, Brent is in Idaho at BYU, Rachel was home with her little one born just this week and Tim had to work (somebody has to take care of those patients in the emergency room and he is the best) The rest of the bunch was there and we were so proud sitting on the stand and watching all those beautiful spirits knowing that we are sealed as a family and can have all of our marvelous loved ones around us throughout all eternities. What more could we ask for?
Chemo starts today and we really don't know how I will react this time. It is a different kind of Chemo and each drug has it's own side affect. We will just have to wait and see. Bring it on world, we can handle it. There are way too many people around me praying that things will work out and I can't let them down.
Friday, October 18, 2013
We are home !!!
I can't believe we are actually back with our family around us once again. Coming down the escalator at the airport and seeing them was such a treat. We have been so blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren and are looking forward to two new babies who will be coming to our family in the coming six months. Rachel will be having her new baby son in the next few weeks and Alison our oldest grand-daughter will be having our first great-grand baby in March and we are thrilled
Walking into our home was such a great experience. I guess you really don't know what you have until you are away from it for a while. I have to admit that it felt so good to sleep in our own bed again. We have been waking up in the middle of the night and working on little projects for a while and then heading back under covers for some more ZZZZZs but at least this bed is comfortable. Our Stake President came over last night and officially released us from our mission. It was a bitter sweet moment but we both feel like we completed our service there and are ready to go on with the rest of our life.
We left behind some marvelous people in the Netherlands and we will miss them terribly but thanks to modern technology we will be able to keep in touch and I know we will go back to visit when ever we can. It was good to rekindle some old friendships and make new ones as well.
There is such a need for the gospel in people's lives but some just don't want to see it . It's difficult to watch people struggling and missing out on so many good things when we know that all would be so much better for them if they would just wake up. Following that in-born Light of Christ and listening to the spirit can lead them down the right path of happiness. I suppose we will just have to be patient with them and hope and pray that some day they will listen to their hearts and grasp onto that iron rod.
Missions all over the world have really had a shot in the arm because of the announcement made by Pres. Monson about lowering the age limit for missionaries who want to serve. Our mission more than doubled in the last year. We received some marvelous young Elders and Sisters and we could really feel the energy they brought with them. It is no longer the missionaries taking the lead but now they are our there to support the members in their Stake, Ward, and family mission plans. Such a great idea because many people had been converted to just the missionaries and not to the gospel, then when the missionaries leave they no longer want to participate. With the new plan we are hoping they will bond with the members and want to be part of that ward or branch family. Then their testimonies will grow and they will be ready to share what they truly know and feel with others around them.
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Walking into our home was such a great experience. I guess you really don't know what you have until you are away from it for a while. I have to admit that it felt so good to sleep in our own bed again. We have been waking up in the middle of the night and working on little projects for a while and then heading back under covers for some more ZZZZZs but at least this bed is comfortable. Our Stake President came over last night and officially released us from our mission. It was a bitter sweet moment but we both feel like we completed our service there and are ready to go on with the rest of our life.
We left behind some marvelous people in the Netherlands and we will miss them terribly but thanks to modern technology we will be able to keep in touch and I know we will go back to visit when ever we can. It was good to rekindle some old friendships and make new ones as well.
There is such a need for the gospel in people's lives but some just don't want to see it . It's difficult to watch people struggling and missing out on so many good things when we know that all would be so much better for them if they would just wake up. Following that in-born Light of Christ and listening to the spirit can lead them down the right path of happiness. I suppose we will just have to be patient with them and hope and pray that some day they will listen to their hearts and grasp onto that iron rod.
Missions all over the world have really had a shot in the arm because of the announcement made by Pres. Monson about lowering the age limit for missionaries who want to serve. Our mission more than doubled in the last year. We received some marvelous young Elders and Sisters and we could really feel the energy they brought with them. It is no longer the missionaries taking the lead but now they are our there to support the members in their Stake, Ward, and family mission plans. Such a great idea because many people had been converted to just the missionaries and not to the gospel, then when the missionaries leave they no longer want to participate. With the new plan we are hoping they will bond with the members and want to be part of that ward or branch family. Then their testimonies will grow and they will be ready to share what they truly know and feel with others around them.
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Sunday, October 6, 2013
The end is in sight
I can't believe how quickly the time has gone by yet at times it feels as though we have been here forever, but our mission is coming to an end. We will be leaving the Jo Vos in good hands. Elder and Zuster Romig from Salt Lake are moving into our apartment and taking over the duties of supporting these young folks who we have learned to love. I know we will keep in touch but it will not be the same as seeing them on a regular basis.
Some of the young ones have just required a hug and a meal while others have actually needed a second set of parents to guide them along the way. They have learned that Ben can answer their gospel questions and I can fill their stomachs and provide a shoulder on which to cry. Hopefully some of the advise we have shared will be put to some use when the time comes for them to make major decisions in their lives. We have shown them that it is possible to be married for almost 50 years and still love each other and more importantly, we have proven to each other that we can spend 24/7 together and still not give up. I really could not have asked for a better companion. We have been able to put up with each other very well and are very grateful for that.
One of our Sister Missionaries told me the other day that she had always had a bad impression about marriage and really was not looking forward to getting married. She said that she had actually noticed that Ben and I truly love each other and that we do not have negative feelings toward each other. She admitted that she would love a marriage like ours and has changed her mind about the situation. Hopefully she will find someone who is worthy of her love.
I was released as Relief Society President and it was a very tender moment. I love the sisters in our Branch and have really loved serving them. The sister I replaced has again been called to the position and she will resume in serving. She has appreciated the time off to get some rest and hopefully learned how to let others help her along the way. She was really trying to do everything by herself and it was too difficult for her. I hope I have also learned that lesson because of this calling here. Ben and I have visited her several times to study together and she has learned how to answer some of her own gospel questions. And, she can always e-mail Ben if she needs help. Technology is so fantastic when used in the right way.
We still have some loose ends to take care of before we leave. Ben is still in the Branch Presidency and another counselor will have to be called to replace him. I am still going to handle the Relief Society Activity we have planned so there is still a lot to be done. I am planning on giving away most of my clothes so I will have room in my suitcases for the "treasures" I have collected while here in this beautiful land. We will miss our homeland but know that we can always return for a visit. We are just grateful that all of our children were able to come and visit us while we were here to see for themselves the places where their forefathers raised their families.
Serving this mission has been such a blessing to us and our family. Yes, it has not always been easy to leave loved ones behind but the Lord has softened the pain by keeping us busy and giving us people to love and serve while here. The work will move forward and we all have an obligation to help it along. A name tag is not needed to help bring people to Christ. More than anything, it takes love for those around us and wanting them to enjoy this great plan of happiness and the spirit that accompanies that plan for us each day. I hope the Lord will allow us to share our testimonies where ever we are and perhaps be an example to those around us in some small way.
Some of the young ones have just required a hug and a meal while others have actually needed a second set of parents to guide them along the way. They have learned that Ben can answer their gospel questions and I can fill their stomachs and provide a shoulder on which to cry. Hopefully some of the advise we have shared will be put to some use when the time comes for them to make major decisions in their lives. We have shown them that it is possible to be married for almost 50 years and still love each other and more importantly, we have proven to each other that we can spend 24/7 together and still not give up. I really could not have asked for a better companion. We have been able to put up with each other very well and are very grateful for that.
One of our Sister Missionaries told me the other day that she had always had a bad impression about marriage and really was not looking forward to getting married. She said that she had actually noticed that Ben and I truly love each other and that we do not have negative feelings toward each other. She admitted that she would love a marriage like ours and has changed her mind about the situation. Hopefully she will find someone who is worthy of her love.
I was released as Relief Society President and it was a very tender moment. I love the sisters in our Branch and have really loved serving them. The sister I replaced has again been called to the position and she will resume in serving. She has appreciated the time off to get some rest and hopefully learned how to let others help her along the way. She was really trying to do everything by herself and it was too difficult for her. I hope I have also learned that lesson because of this calling here. Ben and I have visited her several times to study together and she has learned how to answer some of her own gospel questions. And, she can always e-mail Ben if she needs help. Technology is so fantastic when used in the right way.
We still have some loose ends to take care of before we leave. Ben is still in the Branch Presidency and another counselor will have to be called to replace him. I am still going to handle the Relief Society Activity we have planned so there is still a lot to be done. I am planning on giving away most of my clothes so I will have room in my suitcases for the "treasures" I have collected while here in this beautiful land. We will miss our homeland but know that we can always return for a visit. We are just grateful that all of our children were able to come and visit us while we were here to see for themselves the places where their forefathers raised their families.
Serving this mission has been such a blessing to us and our family. Yes, it has not always been easy to leave loved ones behind but the Lord has softened the pain by keeping us busy and giving us people to love and serve while here. The work will move forward and we all have an obligation to help it along. A name tag is not needed to help bring people to Christ. More than anything, it takes love for those around us and wanting them to enjoy this great plan of happiness and the spirit that accompanies that plan for us each day. I hope the Lord will allow us to share our testimonies where ever we are and perhaps be an example to those around us in some small way.
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