Trial of my faith

Well, here it is 2:00 am and I can't sleep. I have much on my mind. . . My step-dad Randy is the greatest guy. He has always treated me like he was my real dad and I was his real daughter. He has always shown such love and concern for me, and he is just a real genuine person. He has a great sense of humor, is an amazing artist, is a great cook, and just plain fun to be around! My kids LOVE Grandpa Randy. He draws all sorts of funny pictures of dinosaurs driving cars, etc. He even wrote and illustrated a children's book called "The First Reindeer Couldn't Fly." If you haven't seen the book, you would love it. (And when I say good artist, let me just say that he used to draw the Spiderman cartoons on TV. )

But the purpose of this blog was just because he's been on my mind a lot lately--A LOT! He was diagnosed with leukemia last year and after several terrible chemotherapy sessions, he was able to go into remission. Well, it came back and he's been in the hospital for 2+ months. On Thursday we received some pretty bad news. After 2 rounds of chemo--back to back--he still had cancer cells. The doctors weren't sure whether he would survive another treatment, but also told us that he wouldn't live more than a month without the treatment. So what do you do?! Well, I'll tell you what I did--pray and fast--and I mean a lot. I learned some things about myself and my relationship with my Heavenly Father and realized that I am stronger than I thought. And after several days, I have started to feel peace. The peace and comfort that only He can give me. I think the Lord also blessed me because a friend of mine, Stephanie, asked me to watch her baby son during one of those days. One of Stephanie's daughters was in the ICU and very sick. It helped me to serve and not think about being sad.

There's been some days that have been pretty bad for him--and I mean BAD--but it hasn't been all bad. We continue to see little miracles in his life. One of these was that he was approved for a bone marrow transplant. Now they never do bone marrow transplants for people his age. In fact, last year they told him "no." So this is a miracle. Another miracle is that they have found 3 matches for him. Now this is REALLY amazing. He has also had some amazing blessings. Two of which have blessed him with a recovery, but it depends on our faith. This truly is a "trial of my faith."

Here is a story that shows what a great guy Randy is. On Sunday night we called him at the hospital. We were calling to cheer him up if he needed it. Well, when Tanner was talking to him, he started laughing a lot. After Tanner got off the phone he told me that Grandpa Randy was telling him a bunch of jokes. See what I mean when I mention what a fun person he is. Randy is probably feeling the WORST you can possibly feel, we call to lift his spirits and HE'S the one telling jokes.

I have also been greatly touched by the friends (and family) that have shown my family love and concern. A few months ago we had a family fast and I asked several friends to fast with us. I was overwhelmed by the love shown us. These people continue to always ask about him, and in fact, one of my best friends, Natalie, prayed for Randy and my mom. She expressed that my mom needs just as many prayers as Randy. In fact, I didn't realize how much they are looking out for me. One friend came up to me at church on Sunday and said, "What happened? You look more at peace." How in tune of her. A friend from Bunko and her husband offered and were tested for the bone marrow registry. They did this for someone they don't even know. I had another friend, Julie (and just one of my best friends ever) drive down to SLC and be tested also to be a donor. And I can't forget Jerel's sweet family. Boyce, I loved it when you said to me, "What can I do for your mom, that you would do for her if you were here?" They probably remember all too well what this was like a few years ago with Shannon when she needed her second lung transplant. In fact, that's exactly how I feel. Helpless, trying to have faith, relying on the Lord, growing closer to the Lord, fear, more faith, panic, loved, and blessed. So I am praying and faithfully waiting for Randy's next miracle.

The pictures are from Halloween last year when Randy and my mom came to visit. Randy showed Chase how to make his famous tacos and competed with him in basketball. I love the picture where you see Grandpa Randy and Chase drawing and sitting side by side. Randy and Tanner are laughing because he was telling more jokes. Randy also helped us carve some fun pumpkins; you can see him with Jordan. He even went to the Special Someone Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party with Trevor and his class at school. They made a Frankenstein pumpkin.