Pay Day

Well, we pulled off our first ever fireside. It was held at the West Stake Center in Nampa.
Jessica and I had prepared a few duets and solos to sing, and then her and I and David each spoke. We put video to most of the songs to add a little more visual connect with the messages and then Jess and I sang as the silent video played on the screen above us.
This was such a healing opportunity for all of us to be able to put into words what has consumed our every ounce of energy these past few months.

You know? It's sort of funny because we don't talk too much about the impact that Jessica's illness has had on her or us. We've had a few moments here at home where we've had some great opportunities to guide Jessica through this struggle and give her some advice as she learns to use her spiritual tool box to help her deal with the heavy realities. When your life hangs in the balance, you tend to think through decisions with a little more care. You think more about how fragile life is and you tend not to take too much for granted.

The biggest PAY DAY a parent can get is to see their children learn to live a happy life. As we know that the only source of true happiness comes from God through his son Jesus Christ, we all yearn for our children to know that truth and not just know it, but live according to it. I would NEVER wish cancer on anyone, but what a blessings our trials can be sometimes. The greatest rewards can come through our greatest pain it seems.

As David and I watched and listened to Jessica pour out her heart and share how her battle with cancer has drawn her closer to her Savior, we wanted to leap out of our chairs. She shared how the atonement has become a reality to her as she developed patterns of scripture study and prayer to help her find answers and gain comfort and peace through some of the toughest times in her life. It's something, I think every parent wishes for their child. To know their Savior in a real way, not just a textbook way. It's a lesson I hope all of my children will choose to learn.

While I've never been through cancer, I have certainly been through health and physical challenges that have put me on my knees with that same amount of intensity and desire to be close to God. To realize that you are totally helpless and reliant on the Lord can be liberating when life hangs in the balance. In David's talk, he recounted a time he found himself downstairs in a heart to heart with Jessica helping her come to grips with the reality that the Lord could call her home early. She said "Dad, I know. I'm okay with what ever that decision is. I've already come to terms with what ever his will is."

..........And the parent is taught by the child.

What an amazing experience it was to hear each others perspectives of how this experience has changed us all. None of us knew ahead of time what the other would say. The music was beautiful and really invited a strong spirit. It was the perfect setting for us to testify of some deeply personal truths.

We went home on a spiritual high and a greater resolve to keep Christmas Christ centered this year. So grateful for the opportunity.