An Update and Trusting God's Plan in Uncertain Times

I slept on and off most of the night, and finally, around 5:30 this morning, I decided to get up and do some reading, studying, and writing. I'm a little anxious because today, we find out the results of the bone marrow biopsy. It will tell us if the first round of chemo was able to get me in remission. If I am in remission, then we are on a good track toward a cure. If I am not in remission, then that means we have to change up the treatment plan, which could possibly include a bone marrow transplant. But either way, treatment will continue. So, again, we ask for your prayers and for my sister Staci who sent me a text early this morning. 

While I was reading and noticed that, she lives in Texas, and said she was in the emergency room again due to a concussion she got while staying with us. She was getting out of the tub and slipped and fell and hit her head really hard, causing the concussion that led to her ear bleeding. On the drive back to Texas, she struggled and had to have a blanket over her head to protect her eyes from the sun. What's scary is that it was her sixth concussion. Not only that but recently, she had a car accident that almost took her life. In addition, she suffers from severe bipolar disorder. So, she has been through a lot in her life. When she texted me this morning, she testified to me how much the Savior loves her and that she is a daughter of God. She was thinking over her life and noticed that each time she was doing the best she could be doing spiritually, a major challenge would come upon her. Many people would find this unfair and that God could not be a loving god if he allowed that to happen. However, she testified of how stronger she became after the trial of her faith. 

I have experienced much of the same, including most recently, before the cancer diagnosis, I was doing better than my entire life, spiritually, physically, and mentally. But I know had I not been in that place, I  would have been debilitated, paralyzed, and hopeless. But I am here to testify that the Lord is over all things and that no matter what this world sends our way or Satan tries to put up barriers, the Savior will knock them down. Elder Patrick Kearon taught, "My friends, my fellow disciples on the road of mortal life, our Father’s beautiful plan, even His “fabulous” plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out. No one has built a roadblock and stationed someone there to turn you around and send you away. In fact, it is the exact opposite. God is in relentless pursuit of you. He “wants all of His children to choose to return to Him,” and He employs every possible measure to bring you back." (God’s Intent Is to Bring You Home) So, regardless of the trials we face the Lord can deliver us from them all. "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high;" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8)

I have always loved this story that Elder Jeffery R. Holland tells about facing trials: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2010-05-0012-good-things-to-come?lang=eng