Yes, ‘Miracles Happen’! Many prayers have gone out in my behalf, and many prayers have been answered! I am humbled by the love that has been shown by each of you and by my Heavenly Father. Thank You! I am free from the Lymphoma Cancer that was responsible for this difficult and amazing Journey to Wholeness!! Without it I would not be the benefactor of many miracles and learning experiences.
I am discovering that I am a fighter. Fighting can be a good thing....many battles are won because of those who are strong and brave and will fight for the good causes in this world. I am so grateful for all who have fought for my heritage, my freedoms and my religion. My life if better because of their dedication, diligence and determination to stand for something good. Sadly, my battles are more selfish than that. I know what I want out of this life. Because of those wants and goals, I have created, what could be referred to as selfish desires and expectations. The excitement of getting a ‘cancer free’ prognosis, was quickly diminished with the oncoming words and phrases; “I’ve never seen this in all my years of practice”, “it’s very rare”, “could be another kind of cancer” and “we’ll do a biopsy....” etc. All I could think of was what I had just gone through and the possibility of having to experience it again....immediately my fight began. The battle is in my mind against the trials of mortal life, physical pain and mental, anguish, frustration, weakness, the loss of life and freedom to do what I desired with my life. All that I had learned and experienced in the last few months was gone in that moment.....a moment is all it took to wipe away all my happiness, my hope for a better future, the joy that had I just experienced of overcoming a huge adversity! It all disappeared and I was left empty....in the dark. Think of a time when you were in a room, totally involved in a project, and somehow the lights were switched off. You were startled for a moment, not knowing what happened. Immediately heaviness and darkness began to press down on you, fear takes hold of your heart and you began to panic (...that’s what I do because I hate the dark!). Then..... just as quickly, the light returns! Remember how it was such a relief? The weight is lifted, fear disappears and you feel happy and free to return to your project. I love the contrast between light and dark that is depicted in this little analogy. In such a short amount of time, there is a huge variance in our emotions and feelings. The burden of darkness is contrasted with the relief, hope and joy that comes when the light returns into our lives. This analogy can help us understand the gift or principle of opposition. I have gone through my life trying to avoid opposition. Trying to shield my family from any opposition or adversity, trying to protect them and keep them safe. But, recently I have learned that opposition isn’t something to despise or turn my back on....but, a gift, something to invite into our lives because of the great purpose it has in our mortal experiences. Opposition in all things, gives us the opportunities needed to make our own choices, it is the only way we can prove ourselves and be successful in growing and learning all that is needed to progress toward perfection, to realize our divine destiny as heirs of eternal life. “It must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so,....righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good or bad.” 2 Nephi 2:11 Also remember......the stars can’t shine without the darkness! Before I go further....a word in my defense and everyone else’s defense (...because I sure I’m not the only one that has to engage in a ‘fight’ when challenges come), we are not expected to embrace or invite opposition “in the moment” something hits us in the face. I’m so grateful that we have a grace period where we can come to terms with what has been given us. But, it helps to have an understanding of this gift, so that when challenges do come we can, as soon as possible, turn to the knowledge that we have, so that we can see opposition in a new light, as a blessing in disguise.....if we choose. I remembered the words that Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, shared with us in his October 2008 Conference Address. He said,”.....whenever my steps led through seasons of sadness and sorrow, my mother’s words often came back to me: “Come what may, and love it.” Many times I have recalled these words and have tried to hold on and endure through the trials and adversity that came. It also helps to remember that we are not the only ones that have suffered greatly. Remember the awe inspiring words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail: “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.” D&C 121:7–8. Another time of persecution and adversity is recorded in the Book of Mormon. The people of God were “suffering all manner of afflictions”, and the Lord commanded them to “pray without ceasing” and to “give thanks in all things”. Mosiah 26:38-39 With these eternal perspectives in mind, we can take comfort in knowing that everyone, has to suffer all manner of afflictions. If we will remember God and turn to Him with grateful hearts, we can be strengthened to rise above and overcome our opposition. Sometimes the very moments that seem to quickly send us into the darkness, are the very experiences that will ultimately allow us to rise above and become exalted. Without opposition, there would be no test, no failure and no success in life. There would be no growth to attain the purpose our Father in Heaven, desired for us. Ponder this: If we don’t experienced the dark, with a grateful heart, we won’t experience the joy and happiness that we are seeking. Because of lessons I’ve learned, it didn’t take me long, to remember what I already knew......God, my Heavenly Father and the Creator of my life, had a plan and a purpose for me, I am His daughter, He loves me and has my best interests in mind so I can succeed in this life and therefore, become exalted. Because I have used my agency to embrace that purpose, His love and His plan for me, I was able to find my faith, give thanks for all things, and trust Him to give me the challenges and struggles that He feels will help me grow and become as He is. So my life takes a different path than what I was expecting, but with these words and my testimony of Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father, I know that whatever comes, I can trust in His plan and purpose for my life. Because I have known despair, I value hope Because I have tasted frustration I value fulfillment Because I have been lonely I value love - Leonard Nimoy ARTWORK - Titled: The Big Game We all know there is no winning without the opposition. This painting depicts the joy that comes in facing our challenges. We experience joy in overcoming the opposition, whether it’s The Big Game or whether it’s one of life’s big tests. Without opposition, there would be no test, no failure and no success in life. There would be no growth to attain the prize or the purpose our Father in Heaven, desires for us. “We must be unafraid of what is difficult. For all living things in nature must unfold in their particular way and become themselves at any cost and despite all opposition.” - Unknown
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Since going through the life changing experience of cancer and all that comes with that, I feel like I learned much about life, the value of life, and some secrets that have made my life so much more than I ever knew was possible.
This week, I have found myself thinking back through the years.....busy years, comfortable years, and yes, hard years. Raising our family and working hard to create the life we wanted.....but, seemingly we never got ahead. I loved being a wife and mother, and Jim always had a job that he enjoyed, but we have always struggled. Finances were always minimum. We needed more for the Christmas that was coming up, school clothes, fees and lunches, then college tuition and weddings. The house always beckoned to be finished, we were living on cement floors and the walls were still at the sheet rock stage. Vacations happened rarely, because we lacked the finances or felt like we couldn’t take the time. Challenges and trials came and went and we endured while trying to stay afloat. Happiness came when the circumstances changed and the challenge could be put behind us....but nothing changed! Now, I see that we endured and endured and endured. We never learned how to use or apply gospel principles, truths or processes that could put us in a better place ...a place of true happiness and joy. “Men are that they might have joy”. (2 Nephi 2:25) Now, years later we have finally discovered many truths and principles that bring the joy we were searching for. Finally we have found a better way. We have found that not all storms come to disrupt your life.......interestingly some come to clear your path! Who knew that experiencing months of chemo therapy would bring me to a place of learning....a place of joy? A place of miracles and hope? A new perspective....a new direction, a change! Life’s challenges are part of our purpose here on this earth. Life isn’t meant to be easy all the time. When we are in the throws of a bad storm, it is hard to see that a clearing will come. Our storms could get very uncomfortable, even dangerous. But a new perspective can show us that it may also be the one thing necessary to create a new, enriched journey, for us..... and even our family. You don’t need a new day or a new year to embrace a challenge, you only need a new perspective. It is when we master a new way to think that we can master a new way to be. Maybe it won’t work out, but maybe seeing if it does will be the best adventure ever! I entered my challenge concerned with what I was going to have to give up. Now I know that a better focus, or perspective, is to look for what I was about to gain instead of what I might be giving up. “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Our lives are always going to change. Might as well make it amazing! Five months ago I began this blog with the purpose of journaling my journey to health and wholeness. It has been a hard but amazing journey and I find a lot of joy in the fact that I have reached my destination....I am healed and I have discovered a wholeness that I never expected! Each step of this journey has brought me closer to my Savior. I have learned and I have grown. But, as always, when one journey comes to an end, a new journey begins. We are about to embark into a change in focus, with new experiences and new levels of understanding. So get ready, a new adventure awaits! My intent for this new journey is to help anyone that is struggling in this life, as I have been, to learn the ‘divine truths’ that help us create our own joy. My prayer is that we can rise above our challenges and find more joy as we master a new way to think, see new perspectives and create amazing adventures in our new way to live.....a whole new world! Love to all, Jeannie ARTWORK: Titled - A New Perspective I love this painting! Children are the best examples of looking at the world from a different angle.....a new perspective. If only we could be more like them. I entered my challenge concerned with what I was going to have to give up. Now I know that a better focus, or perspective, is to look for what I was about to gain instead of what I might be giving up. “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Our lives are always going to change. Might as well make it amazing! I was beginning to feel that the inspiration wasn’t going to come, I waited, I prayed and felt silence. Is this how my journey would end?
The lessons I’ve learned are so priceless, I have learned about trials and challenges and why they are so important. I have learned about love, God’s love and your love.....for me. I have applied faith and forgiveness, and then I learned to ‘soar’! This cancer battle has raged as before, but this time I felt at peace. Fear and stress were gone. I was soaring! Days passed and I continued to soar but I was weak and wearing down. I knew the inspiration for my writings came while I was physically weakened. I watched for it, and I waited.....where was it? And how long must I soar? In the dark of night I pondered, I looked for the light. Then I heard the question...my question, “Do I have the faith to ask for a miracle?” Wait!!! What made me think I could ask for a miracle? What have I learned about that? Where was this coming from? My scripture reading a couple months ago, was about the Jaredites. It’s always been one of my favorite Book of Mormon stories. They wandered in the wilderness, being directed by the hand of the Lord. Then the Lord knew it was time for them to come forth unto the land of promise. I love that He always has something better in store for us when we obey Him. After repenting of the evil he had done, the brother of Jared prayed to the Lord and was told to go to work and build a barge. After, what I assume, many discussions with the Lord, the problems were solved and the barges were built. Then, one last thing.....the one thing that the brother of Jared couldn’t do for himself or his family. He needed light for the barges. Going again to the Lord for answers, they counseled and the Lord finally asked him, “What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels?” Here is the ah-ha moment. After reading this story for many years, my eyes were opened to this passage and I learned that the Lord, in His love, is very interested in providing the miracles that we are in need of. He just needs us to ask him. He needs us to share with Him the needs and longings that are in our heart. The brother of Jared knew what he needed to do....he prepared the stones, then he very humbly asked,”...O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires....therefore touch these stones, O Lord with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us...that we may have light while we shall cross the sea....” I love his pleadings and all that transpired. Because of his faith, the brother of Jared received what he desired, the miracle he needed, plus so much more! Ether chapter 3 Seems like there is always something that we can’t possibly do for ourselves.....but, God can. When we’ve done everything we could possibly do, and our faith is bigger than our fear, then it’s time to ask God to do the impossible.....even the unthinkable. I felt that my journey to my promised land of wholeness was in need of ‘light’. A final step that would get me to where I desired to go. I needed healing and I longed for wholeness. Anxiety, about my medical test, that would say if I was cancer free.....or not, was becoming a loud, obnoxious voice. I had been so upbeat about it, then several conversations and observations of others, indicated to me that the possibility is there, that I could need more treatments. Fear and dread have hovered over me since then. I’m exhausted and I can’t begin to think of doing more treatments. I try to embrace my struggling and I search for peace. My soul is tired and I wonder how I can do more. Then, my thought....to ask the Lord for a miracle. Do I have the right? Am I worthy enough for a miracle in my behalf? Why do we doubt? Why do we hesitate? Why is it hard to ask? Where there is faith, miracles happen! Faith..... The Lord needs me to have more faith....to believe in Him! Funny how we are so close to the answers we are seeking and can’t see them. Like the brother of Jared, the Lord had been preparing me for this moment. The Lord was giving me the ‘light’ I needed to compete my journey and my writings one tiny inspiration at a time. Bit my bit He has humbled me and has taught me. And now.....He is asking me, “What will ye that I should do...?” Simple words, yet so profound! A huge faith step! “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Luke 1:37 Why do we doubt? Why do we hesitate? Why is it hard to ask? “Ask, and it shall be given you.... (Matthew 7:7) What is your challenge? What do you need the Lord to do for you? What miracle are you in need of today? Listen, He is asking! ARTWORK: Titled - Be Thou Humble This painting came about several years ago when my mother had just gone through open heart surgery. She was struggling to regain her health and feel like she would be strong again. I was concerned about her and felt like she needed a miracle in her life at that time. I had hoped that if I painted something to remind her that the Lord was there to help her heal, and that with her prayers and strengthened faith, she would get the desires of her heart. The following scripture was the inspiration I used to go with this painting when I gave it to her. “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answers to thy prayers” (D&C 112:10). The Lord loves each one of us and wants us to know that He is there to provide whatever miracle we are in need of. Just reach out to Him, ask Him. You desire and deserve a miracle today! |
AuthorHi I'm Jeannie Puzey, Archives
October 2018
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