SOOO Grateful

Wow, I just had a wonderful Sunday, having a chance to fast and attend church and to be reminded how blessed I am to be alive and well. I was looking at some of my blog posts back from when I first had surgery and I have to admit: I have come a long way! Today I got pretty emotional and down, missing many things about the life I had before surgery. But realizing the great blessing it is to be doing as well as I am is something I shouldn't take for granted. I think I have been "quick to forget" and slow to be grateful the past few days! I am so grateful for the many people who have reached out to me during my diagnosis, hospitalization, and recovery. Many I see now still tell me they pray for me all the time, and I just can't believe the incredible faith of these people. I fasted today out of gratitude to Father in Heaven and for Him to bless all those who have prayed and fasted for me to be where I am today. Thank you. All of you. Each one of you!

It's still incredible to think that there was a long incision made from the top of my head down to my ear, a bone the size of my ear was cut from my skull, and my brain lifted during a surgery to remove much of the tumor. Looking at me today, all you can see is my eye ONLY halfway closed! No bruising or swelling is apparent, and I'm even able to be active and work again. I still experience headaches, and this weekend I had some pretty big ones, but I can do so much more than I used to. If I have come this far in just under three months, I know that more healing and small miracles will happen in the months to come!

In feeling down today, I was able to cry and let out my emotions to my incredible mother. She is a good listener- so important to being a good mom! My sister later said something to me that I really needed to hear tonight. How am I so blessed with people who love me through all of this? I have been feeling the need to give and to serve more, and I miss the many opportunities to serve that I had in my previous ward. But when I returned home tonight, I got a call to be a visiting teacher in this ward now, truly an answer to my need to serve! I am grateful for the Holy Ghost and its influence today.

I was grateful to work at the temple again on Friday, and hope I can keep up the energy to make it through busy days at work and then enjoy the temple after each week. I know the Lord will bless me with added energy to serve. I will be going from half days to full days at work this week, and I continue to enjoy time with my family. I am SOOO grateful to have good enough vision to read good and inspiring books, to see and visit with dear friends, and to be able to still do so much. I am so grateful for the gift of life. I am grateful for the many tender mercies the Lord has shown me. I do feel of His love!

I was once again led to a favorite scripture that was what I needed: Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-19
"I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hat in his own hands and prepared for you;
And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along, The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours and the riches of eternity are yours.
And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

Be of GOOD CHEER and receive all things with THANKFULNESS! :)