December 2008 Archives

Well, I guess all good things must come to an end, but only temporarily.  We head to the hospital on Friday.  This has been such a great and needed respite.  We have all felt so happy and rejuvenated, especially Luc.  We had a wonderful Christmas.  The Lord blessed us so abundantly. All of the kids, at different times, said that this was the best Christmas ever.  I believe it is the feeling of being cared for and united with so many.  We really do feel the prayers being offered for our family.

Today we had a wonderful visit with a friend of Luc's 4th grade teacher, Eileen Nagle.  Her friend, Brother Pratt, is almost 98 years old.  He is an amazing man who has had a miraculous life.  He shared some of those miracles with us today.  His experiences just add to our testimony of God's power and that He is still a God of miracles.  He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The Spirit abounded in his home, touched our hearts and increased our faith and hope.  He is a living example of the power of faith.  I am so grateful to Eileen for arranging this visit and to Bro. Pratt for taking time to share part of himself with us.  We are forever changed.

Luc will be having an M.R.I. on Friday and we ask, again, for your prayers of faith to be combined with ours petitioning those miracles that the Lord sees fit to bestow upon him.  This has been, and continues to be, a very sacred journey that has allowed us to see the goodness of our Father through His children.  We thank each of you for helping us to feel His love.

Marley 

At Luc's last treatment, I met a mother, Calleen Williams, at the Parents' Break.  She was waiting for her 3-year-old daughter who was in surgery.  She told me that little Caitlyn was the third of her four children to be diagnosed with this rare brain tumor.  Her 8-year-old son was the first and he had done treatment 4 years before and is currently in remission.  In September their 1-year-old was diagnosed with the same type of cancer.  He is currently undergoing chemotherapy.  The doctors had found that this is genetic, so they brought little Caitlyn in to have genetic testing and found that she had the gene (their 12-year-old daughter does not have the gene).  They immediately took her in for a scan and found a 5 cm tumor in her brain (she had not had any symptoms).  November 11th was the day I met Calleen when Caitlyn was in surgery.  The surgeons were hoping to be able to remove the whole tumor and not have to have any further treatments.

I found out that Caitlyn passed away at 2:30 p.m. yesterday.  I feel like I have been hit in the stomach.  Even though I didn't know Caitlyn, and had only talked with Calleen a short time, I am grieving for them.  I just wanted to put out a plea for prayers for the Williams family.  I know this is extremely difficult for them.  They are mourning their daughter and also have to go through treatment with their little son.  If anyone is going to the temple soon, please put the Williams family on the prayer roll.

As far as Luc is concerned, He is doing really well.  This break has been absolutely wonderful.  He is feeling good and he even has a five-o-clock shadow on his head!  His next treatment starts January 2nd.  We are so grateful he has been able to enjoy the holidays and feel a little more normal.

At this season (and always), we are eternally thankful for our Savior.  We know that He suffered all things for us, and that He is walking with us in our journey.  We know that He is comforting the Williams family, and all those around the world who are mourning.  We are grateful for the records that were kept that give an account of his life, ministry, and atonement.  We are thankful for His grace and the hope we have through Him.  May your Christmas be filled with His grace and unwavering hope.

Marley

              Hi everyone it's Luc. I just got back from my farel pig hunt Sunday. I had a great time. We got there and we decided to drive while the other hunters walked. All of the sudden the guide, Owen came running up and told us that there were two pigs a little further ahead. So we got to the pigs and the other hunter took a shot a t the 600 pound one with his bow and took it down with several shots. Then I used my Grandpa Ron's 22-250 and shot the 350 pound pig through the lungs it died almost instantly. After we got some pictures and gutted them we hauled the 2 pigs back to camp. Then Allie, the other guide, asked my grandpa if I would like to hunt a ram free of charge. I couldn't believe it. They were very generous.

               So we went searching for rams. We found them, 3 of them. Owen and I decided to get closer for a better shot. We waited laying in cactus and weeds for the rams to separate themselves. Then the one Owen wanted me to shoot ran out. BOOOM!!! For a second it looked like I missed, but sure enough after a couple of steps the ram plowed into the ground. Another perfect vital shot, it either hit the heart or lungs. We got to the ram, it was nice a curl and a half. after numerous photos we went back to camp and Owen said that he was also going to mount it on a mount. I was so happy and greatful. I had a REALLY fun time. I can't wait for next year's hunts.

We will post pictures soon.(Warning Pictures May Contain Blood)

~Luc~