My Church Callings

I received a new calling two weeks ago. I am now YW Camp Director. On top of this calling I am also Cub Scouts Secretary/Advancement/Awards, Nursery Leader, and Enrichment Leader Assistant. I haven't felt overwhelmed by any of my callings. The night I received my camp calling I prayed about it and felt that everything was going to work out. Amazingly enough, it has. Even with things going on with my sister and helping with her kids, I still don't feel crazy. I am beginning to get excited about camp. We had a great Camp Orientation last night because we are going to the Heber Valley Girls Camp. I have a great assistant and YCL Leader. My bishop said that I would be released from Enrichment, but as of yet, I'm not. The thing saving me with that right now is after Feb, we don't have ones planned for March and April. I love my callings and enjoy the fact that I serve in each auxiliary. I am able to serve with a variety of people and become good friends with those that I may not have. I am so grateful to have a husband who supports me with everything right now. Even when he has his own big calling to take care of.

Denise's Update

Denise was released from the hospital Monday night. Her husband was home Tuesday and Wednesday so I didn't need to help out. I checked in with her each morning and she was ok. She actually updated her blog one morning. On Thursday morning, I gave her a call to see how she was doing. She had broken out in hives. They took her staples out Wed. night and she thinks she had a reaction to the glue. She hasn't been feeling well at all. We found out this morning that they are going to do chemo on her. They will start that on Feb. 18. It will be the same kind of chemo she had before so she will be very sick. She only has to have 3 treatments that are every 3 weeks.

Surgery

So Denise went in yesterday for surgery. She met with her oncologist on Tuesday and the operation was either Wednesday or wait until Monday. We were all prepared to help as soon as possible. I went over at 9:45 so they could leave at 10 for the hospital. She went in for surgery at 1:15 and I didn't hear from my mom until 5:45. There is a possibility that this tumor, called an intraepithelial carcinoma, is a different cancer than her previous one. When they did the CT scan a week and a half ago, the tumor was about the size of a football. When the doctor went in to remove the tumor, it had at least doubled in size. The doctor was surprised by how HUGE the tumor was so he is going to weigh and measure it. They also took biopsies of her lymphnodes and organs. They had to make the incision above her belly button all the way down. They were able to remove the tumor intact (Phew!) and complete a full hysterectomy. We will find out the results on Friday. With this tumor, there is a possibility that she will not need chemotherapy. That's what we are praying for. I know she will do anything so that she will be here for her children. As her family, we are all prepared and making plans to help her out. She has had so much support and love from friends and family. It is so great to see how many are willing to help her. Thanks for all the prayers!

Visiting Southern Utah.

Casey's mom and her husband bought a 2nd home down in Washington (just outside of St. George). We decided to take a break from everything and go down to visit during the 3-day weekend. We had a great time and are so grateful to them and their generosity.

Shelby and Shyann putting on the "green" at Casey's mom's home.

On Saturday, we went to a Dinosaur Discovery Museum. This place has natural casts with the original footprints of dinosaurs. It also has only 1 of 5 in the world of findings of a dinosaur "squatting" track. After exploring and having fun there, we decided to go climb the "red rocks" in St. George. The kids could have stayed all day long.

At the "red rocks" area in St. George

Sunday was a very enjoyable day. The meetings were all wonderful and there was a great spirit in the lessons. After lunch, we decided to go on a couple of tours. We went to Brigham Young's Winter Quarters home, the Tabernacle, and the Temple Visitor's Center. We watched a wonderful video called "The Stonecutter". It shared the message that we should all be fulfilling our callings to our very best without excuses. It was very touching.

In front of the St. George Temple

Yesterday, we went over to the Tuacan theater to see what it looked like. Then we drove into Snow Canyon and went for a hike. That's a really fun place with a lot of hiking that we can look forward to doing next time we go down. There is a lot of lava rock. We were only able to do one quick hike before we needed to get ready to leave.

We had such an enjoyable time and look forward to going down again. It's time to get back to reality -- work, school, dance, scouts, piano, church callings, and all the fun things that go along with being home.

The Battle To Be Won

Last night my sister called. It was about 9:45 and my thoughts were "oh she's wondering if I could watch Kambree." No big deal! Then she breaks the awful horrible news that no one at 35 should have to say to their family. After 10 years of being cancer free, her cancer has returned. We both started crying, as you can imagine. We do not know any information yet. We know she will most likely have surgery and chemo. Her tumor is larger than the first one and grew in a shorter period of time.

Denise has been such a good example to me. I consider her to be my best friend. She has such a strong testimony. When we went through this before she had no children and Colby was just little. So to go through it now with her 4 at such a young age, just breaks my heart for all of them. I am so glad that we have the knowledge of the gospel to help us through these trials. Please keep her and her family in your prayers!

I love you, sis!

A Happy Birthday!

I can't believe it, Chandler turned 9. He is such a good example for me. He tries to do the right things. He is smart, kind, helpful, loving, easy going and a great big brother to his sisters. I love his easy to come by smile and dimples.

We had the opportunity of celebrating his birthday on New Year's Eve with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He thinks it is kind of cool that the world celebrates his birth.

We love you Chandler!