I love Sundays.

This is Teri, Michalla's mom. I have to write a post while my heart is so full.  I just returned from the 1/2 hour Sacrament service they provide here at the hospital.  Every week I attend is good but for some reason Fast and Testimony meeting is spectacular.  From the minute I walk into that small auditorium until the final prayer, my heart feels like it is going to explode from how strong the spirit is.  Within those 4 walls I feel like I am sitting in the celestial kingdom. I feel my Savior's love stronger in those rooms than just about anywhere. As I watched those U of U college students bless and pass the sacrament to the families of patients in the hospital, I felt such a love for each one of those young men.  I didn't expect it, but I just felt such pure love for them and the sacrifice they make to be away from their home ward and serve us.

Then the testimonies from parents who have children here.  Talk about having the purest testimony of God's love and the power of prayer.  These people here are living that testimony daily. Here are people who are going through some of the hardest trials of their life and every one of them testify of God's love for them and of how much God knows each one of us personally.  One young father just cried as he said that words could not adequately explain how full his heart was.  That is exactly how I feel, so please excuse the rambling.

Before I went down to the meeting I read a conference talk to Michalla that my friend, Teri Ivie, had given me to give to Michalla.  It had helped her when her husband was killed a few years back.  It is by President Uchtdorf and is called 'The Infinite Power of Hope'.  I was so touched by some of the things in that talk.  He says: "If we could look beyond the horizon of mortality into what awaits us beyond this life....Those who come unto Christ, repent of their sins, and live in faith will reside forever in peace. Think of the worth of this eternal gift. Surrounded by those we love, we will know the meaning of ultimate joy as we progress in knowledge and in happiness. No matter how bleak the chapter of our lives may look today, because of the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we may hope and be assured that the ending of the book of our lives will exceed our grandest expectations.  The Savior is the Author of our Salvation. "

My greatest desire the last few years is to just have peace.  I don't need excitement or fun or praise etc.  All I have wanted is to feel peace in my life.  I think that is why those words touched me so deeply.  The promise that the Savior is the author of my life story and that the final chapter brings the ultimate peace (if I live worthy) is so comforting.  I also love the visual of being surrounded by those we love.  Uchtdorf describes it as the ultimate joy.  I agree!  One of the my favorite memories is having my three oldest children, Megan, Michalla, and Logan with me in the Palmyra temple as we all did baptisms for the dead.  Other awesome memories are attending a temple session while my Dad was a temple worker and having him officiating in the room and participating in initiatory while my mom was a temple worker and having the privilege of being in the same booth she was working in.  It is no coincidence that some of my fondest memories involve family members who I love deeply and the temple (the closest you can get to heaven on this earth)

I have a testimony that God is indeed my Heavenly Father and he loves me and each one of us deeply.  I know that he knows me intimately and wants me to be happy.  I know that only through the atonement of our older brother, Jesus Christ, is it possible to be worthy of those blessings the Lord has in store for us. I love this gospel and ask forgiveness for my shortcomings and times I don't live my testimony like I should.

Lastly, I believe in Miracles.  I see them daily in my life.  These daily miracles strengthen my testimony and my resolve to be a better person.

I love each one of you.  May you feel God's peace this week.

Teri

 

Nail Time

When you have cancer you can get some people to do almost anything including your manly dad;)

(not that I abuse it or anything haha)

He did a really good job!

 

No, my dad did not do the Aztec nails haha. I loved doing them but boy do they take a long time! Thank you Heather Morley and my nurse for being so patient to let me design on your nails!

You've got mail.

 

I have some pretty awesome ward members! Thank you to anyone who participated in this package! It was a very unexpected and lovely surprise!

 

Sweet letters

A new flavor of my favorite chap stick, eos. Muah!

 

A fun new card game

photo bomb

A cute drawing from Sam Crawford!

 New heart socks

Cadbury eggs? YUM!

 

Chemo baby.

 

 

The x-ray machine. When you're not allowed to leave your room they bring everything to you.

This is the result when you gain 15 lbs in one week. Thank you chemo for giving me this wonderful side effect. I promise I'm not pushing out. That belly is hard as a rock unfortunately. You can use your imagination as to why haha. And yes, it is as painful and uncomfortable as it looks!

One of the many side effects!

 

 

BUT I also get some good side effects! (presents, nice texts and prayers etc.)

Thank you to Clint's mom Brenda for this cute candy filled bag! Yum!

 

All Dogs Go Heaven.

Especially this little guy.

 

 
 
 
 
 

On Friday Trump was diagnosed with a liver failure. He had hours maybe a day or two to live.

 Everyone who knew Trump also knew that he ruled the park so to speak.. That's what he thought anyway! Hah and sometimes I would believe it when I would take him to the park with me and people I didn't even know would say hi to him! He definitely had more friends than me. But most importantly Trump was always your friend. To Everyone.

 

 

 

I am sure some of you would beg to differ but Trump ultimately was the best dog anyone could have.

 

Even at his last moments he was willing to give us one last "shake".

 

 

I don't know why Trumpy had to leave our family at such a young age. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.  He was our big fluff ball who we loved so much!

 

 

The little girls and even Logan loved that pup to pieces.

Who couldn't? Look at that adorable face.

 

Out of all this trial I am going through for the second time it amazes me still how much Heavenly Father can still show you comfort through hard times. When I got to have my "break" in between rounds these last couple of weeks I was very careful of germs and such. Before I was re-diagnosed I would have Trump sleep with me more often then not. While I was home I wouldn't let him sleep next to me because I was nervous of the germs. On Sunday evening as I was getting ready for bed I kept having the thought come into my head to just let Trump sleep with you this last night before you go back to the hospital for another long while. I kept arguing back and forth whether or not I should let him. Love over Logic won and we snuggled Sunday night and I left for the hospital the next morning not knowing that would be the last time I would get to see him. I am thankful that Heavenly Father and the spirit kept nudging that thought into my mind so I could spend one last time with him and get my own "closure" since I couldn't at the vet. Heavenly Father knew days before any of us that Trump would have to pass to the other side. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father to be mindful of me for something that hasn't even happened yet to make it just a little easier that I did get to spend that last night with my puppy. I love this gospel and cannot imagine going through this trail(s) without Him helping me step by step, holding my hand.

 

 



Lilly & Me!

 

 Hats on...

Hats off!

She is too stinking cute!

 Window art!

 

Too many medicines!

One more warm day!

 

 

I did not realize that my head has never seen the sun! Sunburn the next day... ouch.

A little bit of freedom.

 

Heather and I at the balcony looking over the construction and the valley.

p.s. Heather is one hawt mama haha

 

I got permission to leave my room to go on a walk to the balcony before I get too sick to leave my room. The weather was so nice! I have come to realize how much I take for granted. Fresh air even! It was so good to feel.

What a wonderful surprise!

My dads boss from FedEx sent me this cute care package. Thank You!

 

 



WE'RE BACK!

After an extra long break, Michalla is back in the hospital to start round 2.  Wish it was to bone marrow stage already....enough of this prep.  The plan is another round of the same chemo cocktail she had last time (14 days of chemo) then wait for counts to come back up (about another 20 to 25 days) then home for a week.  After that it will finally be time for the bone marrow transplant. 

My understanding is that she goes through a different type of chemo (one they say is much much worse) immediately before the transplant.  The whole bone marrow details are a little vague at this point.  The good news is that they say they have found a donor match!!!  He or She is undergoing the final testing now but the bone marrow team says it is looking good.  What an act of charity and total unselfishness for someone to do this for a person they have never met. It will be cool if Michalla can meet them and thank them someday.  The rules are that after 1 year from transplant if they both agree then they can meet each other. So cool!

I know every time I get on here I thank people...but I can't help it.  Michalla and I are surrounded by such amazing people from family to friends to ward members.  I am sorry I don't thank each of you personally but know that I am so touched and feel so much love every day.  You are truly the Lord's hands.

P.S.  Hi Adrian. Thanks for staying awake to read this. :)

Last Time Out.

For a very long time anyway!

 

 

We thought this old man was just so stinkin cute sweeping the floors! I couldn't resist a picture haha!

Pleasant Grove High School basketball State Championship Games!



Treatment Time!

Call me crazy to go back to the hospital when I'm on my "break" but I couldn't resist being able to actually go into Lilly's room to hang out with her instead of through a glass window!

 

Nail choice: orange with purple sparkles and then a heart and flower on every other finger!

She played me "do you wanna build a snowman" and many other tunes!

We were seeing how high her bed goes.... not too high haha!

Nail choice: Hot pink with purple sparkles with a heart and a flower just on the big toe! The other toes were a wee too small for a design:)

We are kicking cancers butt!

Weird to be a visitor! I wish it were always this way.