Angels all around us.

Remember when I was diagnosed with Salzmann’s Nodular Degeneration of the Cornea disease?  Let’s get real…you probably don’t.  HA HA!  Anyway, after a few years of watching the growth of the disease attack the eye and causing some distortion in the imagery, I was referred to a cornea specialist.  I ended up having surgery and guess what?  I lived through it.  J  

So…let me share a powerful experience. On Thursday evening (prior to my surgery), I felt a strong impression that I needed to have a priesthood blessing. Everything had happened so quickly and I was feeling a tad bit anxious.  One day I was at the eye doctor—a simple eye check—just something you get checked every year—two days later I am with a cornea specialist scheduling surgery.   I was anxious and felt a lot of concern for what was going to happen.  The blessing that I received was powerful.  I was told that Heavenly Messengers would be sent to be with me throughout the surgery and that there would be Heavenly Messengers that would be sent to steady the surgeons hand and with his expertise and the expertise of these Heavenly Messengers, the surgery would go as expected and that my eyesight would be restored perfectly.  The amazing comfort and peace that I felt during and after the blessing was something that I really cannot describe other than…WOW!!  I thought about that phrase all night long.   

The following day, as I waited in the waiting room of the surgical center, I started to become anxious again but the phrase from my blessing came into mind.  Peace was restored and the anxious feelings were no longer there.  As they prepped me for surgery the thoughts of those Heavenly Messengers—whoever they are--were intriguing.  They opted to not give me the valium that they were planning on and they proceeded with the surgery. 

 

WHAT?  SERIOUSLY?!   

At one point, Dr. Wilkinson said that I was going to feel intense pain (seriously, it was like a million needles stabbing the inside of my eye) and that it would only last a few seconds.  Let me tell you that a few seconds felt like eternity.  When the pain increased, I felt myself being surrounded by this amazing powerful peace.  I FELT those Heavenly friends as they reached out and comforted me.  How do I describe that feeling?  I am not sure that I can describe it.  It was like…I can’t even put into words how I felt.  It was…indescribable.  It was powerful.  I felt my entire body relax and remained relaxed throughout the rest of the surgery.  I felt so much comfort.  So much peace.  It was powerful.  I know that it sounds funny to people who do not have a glimpse of what the other side is like but it was so real.   

Each day, I have felt the healing powers of the priesthood.  I am so grateful for the comfort that I felt that day and continue to feel throughout this healing period.  I know that there are angels that are sent to comfort us and help with the tender mercies from the Lord.  I can never deny that.  NEVER!  I know that it is true.  I have had so many powerful priesthood blessings—blessings that reiterate that I am supposed to be here at this time and that my life has been sparred many times.  I know that my our Heavenly Father is real.  He knows us--individually and wants us to know and feel of His love and His comfort.  

 

 

I am grateful for living angels in my life.  I stayed at my parent’s home and was wonderfully spoiled while I regained sight in my eye.  I had plenty of sweet friends that called or stopped by.  My dear friend, Vieve, dropped by this basket filled with delicious treats!!!  Aw…I was spoiled and definitely blessed.

 

~Michelle

Hello…it has been awhile!!

Hello….

I love my sweet little niece!!

It has been awhile…a long while. Tonight, I had a few minutes so I thought that I would take a look at my blog. January 12th? Serious? Where does the time go? Oh my goodness, where do I start? I have so many thoughts, would you like to hear (read) them? So…where do I start?

All of a sudden, a certain scene from The Sound of Music starts playing in my head and the excitement of turning on that movie, curling up with my blankets and drifting off to Austria for the evening is enticing.

Let’s start at the very beginning
A very good place to start
When you read you begin with a-b-c
When you sing you begin with do-re-mi

You are starting to sing it, aren’t you?

So, let’s go back to about the time that I went missing from the blog world. January 12th.  Ok…so, a few days later on January 18^th, I was sitting at my desk looking at the clock and thinking that in a couple of hours I would be headed to Springville to watch one of my sweet young women play in the Springville vs. Provo High Basketball game. Growing up in Springville, LOVING the game of basketball, enjoying watching one of my sweet dear friends play was bringing on a great deal of excitement as the time passed. I had just made a comment to a friend of mine about how much time we had left of the work week and how much time it would be until we were seated in that amazing gym of Springville High when my phone rang. It was my mom. She was crying hysterically as she relayed the news of a tragic death that happened in our family. Panic was filling my heart, tears were starting to well up in my eyes and all I could think of was how it was going to affect my sweet little niece. She adored her uncle so much.

I left work. I couldn’t think straight. I had to get out of my office. As I was driving my car, I received an amazing peace. Peace and comfort filled my heart as I was gently reminded that there is a plan. Each one of us has our own individual plan. Our Eternal Father in Heaven knows each of us individually. He knows what is in our hearts. He knows what is in our thoughts. Through this amazing plan, we are able to be with our loved ones again. My thoughts turned to a little five-year-old. How will she understand? How will she know that everything will be ok? How do you it explain something like this to her?

I met up with Mom and Dad at Brylie’s bus stop. She jumped off the bus and came towards us. She was full of hugs and kisses but there was something different. She was quiet. She was peaceful. As I buckled her in the car seat, she asked how her dad was. I told her that he was fine and that he was at work. (Ok, so I told a little white lie—I didn’t want to tell her anything. It wasn’t my place and I surely did not want to be the one that shares any sad news with her). She said that he was not at work as she looked at me with a puzzled look. Then, she looked at me and said, “Grandma Nita is sad but Mike will be ok”.

What?

How did she know? I know that my mom and dad didn’t tell her. I didn’t tell her. I am pretty sure the bus driver hadn’t received any news. How did she know?

She was extremely quiet as we drove back to Provo. I tried talking to her but she was in her own little world. She was somewhere distant. Then all of a sudden, I hear a faint little song coming from the most amazing angel sitting in my backseat.

I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday

This amazing little girl has touched my life in so many ways that it is difficult to even comprehend.. She has been such an incredible blessing in my life and to everyone that she comes in contact with. She already knew about the plan. She knew that everything would be ok. I was able to witness this many times throughout the next week as she comforted those around her. She knew that Mike will be ok. She knew that her mom would be ok. She knew that her grandma would be ok. She just knew it. No one had to tell her. She just knew it.

Later that evening, we did end up going to the basketball game. While her parents were making funeral plans, we were watching an amazing young woman play a game of basketball. Miss B needed a distraction. My mom needed a distraction.  I needed one too.  Miss B sat next to me and every time a basket was made (it didn’t matter which team made it) she would cheer. As I sat and watched her, I could see and feel the amazing peace that surrounded her. Wouldn’t it be great to have that peace all of the time, to truly understand the really important things I life and to accept it?

After the game, we cheered for our sweet friend. She noticed that we were there and climbed up to where we were standing. She reached over and gave me a hug. Brylie looked at her, reached up and gave her one too. We all needed those hugs from her today. Aw…we really did. Something so simple brought a great amount of comfort that night. Isn’t it awesome when people are genuinely kind and loving…their everyday actions bring comfort to those in need without even knowing what they are doing it. 

As we were walking back to the car, Miss B commented that she really loves that girl because she is beautiful. She is truly beautiful and very special to me even more so that she touched the life of my sweet niece. I love the peace that I feel when things are incredibly… beautiful.

Guess what Miss B? You truly are beautiful too. Inside and out!! Thank you for teaching me so much!! I truly appreciate it…more than you will ever comprehend. But, on the other hand, you probably already know it…you are just so in tune.

~Michelle

What are you thankful for?

In just a few short days, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving!! I love holidays that brings family and friends together uniting in one cause. I am grateful for wonderful parents. I get my mom and dad all to myself this Thanksgiving holiday. My brothers and their families are spending Thanksgiving dinner with their in-laws. Every other year, I get to have my parents all to myself. Don't get me wrong or read anything into this--I do love spending time with all of my family. But, I am grateful that I have a Mom and a Dad. If it was not for them, I would be spending Thanksgiving by myself. Personally, I don't think that would be fun at all. So, every other year I get their undivided attention and it is GREAT!!!

So, tonight, I was thinking that since this is Thanksgiving week, I think that I will focus my blog writing on things that I am grateful for this holiday season. I am grateful for...

Bre, I am grateful for you...when you walked into work today and said, "Michelle, I have missed you." Bre that totally made my day!!! You are the best!!

Mom, thanks for dropping by and helping me with my Christmas decorations!!
You are the best!! I love you so much!!

Jessica, for the many phone calls today. I do hope your hospital visit tomorrow is comfortable.
I will keep you in my prayers.

Rapid Release Tylenol for curing a awful headache.

Vieve, for the many hours of laughter.

My automatic ice maker--that cold glass of ice water was simply delicious!

CSI: Miami--for filling one hour of entertainment and relaxation!!

Shad, for helping me with my outside tree lights.

Brylie--for the 8 different kisses you gave to me tonight!!


What are the things that you are grateful for today?

counting my blessings...

Tonight, I came across a book that I had forgotten that I had. I opened it up and memories just seem to flood my brain. On the front cover it says "Counting my Blessings: a journal of things to be thankful for". This journal encourages the keeper of the book to remember 5 things to be grateful for each day. I started it back in 1999-March 13th to be exact. I am not sure what happened on that particular day. I should go back in my journal and find why I chose to write the following things:

1. friends to talk with to pass the time of day

2. little brothers to rescue in time of need

3. pretty things

4. sunshine

5. Movies that make you think, ponder & cry

It was interesting to read through the days, months and years. Amongst the many lines that were written on, I found some of them to bring back such fun memories. I was grateful for:

-toilet plungers

-book stores

-bike rides

-roommate dinners

-doctors--especially very cute doctors (hmm...I wonder about this one...)

-antibiotics to heal the body

-the sound of my Mom's voice

-the ability to count to 10 (I must have had a rough day that day)

-chocolate chip cookies

-time delayed windshield wipers

-cold cereal and milk

-my bed

-compliments-a random lady came up to me and said that I have beautiful eyes

-words of comfort

-grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches

-long walks on the Provo Trail

-pens to write in my journal with

-raindrops--the smell of rain

-naps in the afternoon

-memories

-indoor bathrooms

-laughter

The list goes on and on from 1999 through 2004. There were many that I just laughed and laughed when I read them. They all brought back such great memories. These great memories were filled with laughter and of course, tears. Sometimes life get really difficult, but when you concentrate on finding 5 things that you are grateful for...some of the difficult times aren't so difficult.

I found that there were still quite a few pages to fill. I have decided that it would be great to continue the list of things that I am grateful for in my life.

What are you grateful for today?

P.S. Today, I am grateful for clean desks, ice cold diet coke, phone calls from friends, having dinner with Mom & Dad, the sound & smell of rain...