A Day of Rest

Sundays are such special days. I am thankful that we are blessed with a day of rest, a day to renew our promises we have made with the Lord, and a day to be strengthened by others at church.

"And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it." (Genesis 2:2-3)

John, the kids (minus Erin) and I have enjoyed our weekend together in Logan. It was beautiful to attend church in our home ward. We are thankful for all the hugs and words of comfort and encouragement that we continually receive from our ward friends. After going to church today and talking to some family friends tonight my testimony was again strengthened about how important organized religion is. A belief in Jesus and his atonement is necessary. But where would we be in the world if we did not have the added support of fellow church members? This trial would be insurmountable if we were simply a little family living all to ourselves. We are so blessed to have the support and love from our wonderful church members, and for all the love and support we have received from all of our friends throughout the world.

Things at the hospital have been good for my Dad who was with Erin today. Her ANC is down to 100, and she's scheduled for a blood transfusion on Monday She is no longer allowed outside her room, so now we being our 2-3 weeks of in-room-entertainment. Let the fun begin!

If you'd like to send pictures, cards, or letters to Erin you can mail them to:

Erin H. Room 4418
Primary Children's Medical Center
100 Mario Capecchi Drive
Salt Lake City, Utah 84113

I know I have previously talked about how it feels to be home in our house without Erin. I guess I just feel like talking about it again tonight. It is probably one of the most difficult parts of this trial. Sometimes it is easier to be at the hospital in the middle of all of her treatments, it's like I'm helping her get better just by being there. Being at home is wonderful and very rejuvenating, but there is always a nagging feeling of a missing little spirit. I would guess that this is somewhat of what it feels like to loose a child. It is this feeling that makes it hard to be home and away from our little air bear.

I have only shed a few tears lately on how my heart aches to have our family together. There is a place in my heart where I feel so much comfort in knowing that our family will be together again. I know that the family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. (See The Family: A Proclamation to the World http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html)

We all have different trials in our lives, and I often think about how difficult this trial would be for me if I was single. I admire those single moms and dads out there who have overcome trials alone for whatever their reason. But I truly believe that Heavenly Father created families with a mom and a dad for a reason. If both father and mother truly live Christlike lives built upon the principles of faith, prayer, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities then they can have happiness in family life. There will always be bumps (big and small) along the way, but we can succeed as a family. If we are just a little less self-centered and just a bit more giving great things will happen.