I came across this quote...
"The greatest test of faith
is when you don't get
what you want, but still
you are able to say
THANK YOU LORD"!
This quote really pulls at my heart strings, I definitely did not get what I wanted, I wanted to keep my daddy around forever and that didn't happen but I still am able to say THANK YOU LORD!!
It has been extremely hard for me to be able to blog my feelings about my dad. I have attempted numerous times and ended up walking away from the computer. I understand the term "battling cancer" a whole lot more, it was not just his battle, it became our entire family's battle. In the beginning I felt like it was beatable and I just knew he would be made whole. He had been on the Lords errand my whole life and I knew the Lord would perform a miracle and heal him. As time went on I gained a testimony about a term that I was familiar with, one that I had heard over and over again - "Thy Will". I have knelt many times for others and prayed that the Lord's Will would be done but this time it was harder than ever. When you love and adore someone so much you want them around FOREVER!! He was the first man that I gave my heart to, the first man I felt safe with, the first man who told me I was beautiful. He was my ROCK, the one I turned to for counsel and advice, he was full of wisdom. I quickly learned to appreciate every day that I had left with him. I was blessed to accompany him and my mom on doctor visits and procedures that were hard and extremely painful for him. Many times I would have to leave the room so I could compose myself, not fall apart and be strong for both of them. I treasure those times together, especially the fishing trip Tiff and I were able to take with him to Lee's Ferry. We had such a fun time together!!! I will never forget the time when we went to his last doctors appointment in the Valley and we met a pain management doctor (Dr Sterns). That is an appropriate name for her because she was very "stern" and made it very clear that my dad didn't have much time left. I sat in the room feeling like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. He told her that he had a few more things on his bucket list and she told him to get busy!! When we finally got to the car all three of us broke down and had a good cry. My dad then called this lady that he was suppose to perform her sons sealing in the Temple that weekend and told her how yucky he was feeling and that he wasn't going to be able to do it. He just wept with her over the phone because he longed to be in the Temple again serving the Lord and others. He then turned to my mom and asked her to get some money out of his wallet and call my cousin who is battling with cancer in her leg and go by and see her. It was a really neat experience for me, a teaching moment, he continued to teach me to the very end. I have many experiences and stories I could share but feel that they are too sacred and personal. As a family we experienced tender mercy after tender mercy. I have so much to be thankful for!! Forever grateful to a loving Heavenly Father for allowing me the privilege of being raised by such an amazing man. Love you Daddy!!! 8-8-2012
