TEN YEARS!!!

 It's been 10 years ago exactly that I had brain surgery!  Wow, I look at all the pictures from that year, and all that I did-- traveling, time with nieces, nephews, family, parents, running two races (Wasatch Back and Red Rock Relay), hiking Moab with family, cruising to the Bahamas with friends, finishing up one school class's 3rd grade year, and starting with another awesome class, doing a Halloween piano recital, serving in my ward RS presidency... it was a busy and very fun time! 

To start the brain tumor journey in November that year, you can see my MRI scans.  Wow!  When Dr. Maughan, the brain surgeon, wanted to do surgery, I pleaded to still go on my Israel trip after Thanksgiving! From pictures during this year, you can start to see the signs on my right eye that it's closing a little and hard to open as wide as the other.  But I'm soooo glad that I did all I did, and I'm so grateful for all the people in these pictures!

I came home from Israel on a high, having one last fun hurrah with traveling until surgery, and thinking about the Savior.  I was ready to face this Gethsemane.  I came home the night of Dec. 7th, Taught my school class on the 8th and 9th, received the SWEETEST gift bag from my class to help me during recovery, attended the temple with my parents and siblings the night of the 8th, received a blessing from my dad and brothers, and early on the morning of the 10th my parents took me to the hospital for surgery.  I remember reading from the Book of Mormon on my phone on the way to the hospital, in Alma, knowing that my life was in God's hands.  

And when I look back on all that I've been blessed with and learned over the last ten years, I KNOW that the Lord knew what I needed to yet learn and how to grow to become the person he wanted me to become.  My eye still closes, and I still get second looks, and have had several other surgeries on other things. (shoulder surgery is next week!!).. but nothing compares to how much I learned from the Lord through that difficult and spiritual time.  I learned so MUCH from my INCREDIBLE PARENTS.  I learned so much from the Lord and His patient endurance through pain.   I learned so much from the love and charity of family and friends.  And I learned so much about the value of GRATITUDE and thinking of and serving others in need!  I don't want to forget what I learned!  

I thank Heavenly Father for teaching me and showing me His love and mercy.  My life has been extended, and my work on Earth is not done.  I have my husband now!!  I have my wonderful sweet boys!! I have joy through the journey and challenges of life!  What a lesson to remember in this unforgettable 2020 year!!!