Endure it well...

What exactly does that mean anyway?

The scriptures say "...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)


A small moment? Give me some of that perspective. I understand what we are supposed to do. I understand that our perspective is so much different than the Lord's. I understand that in the grand scheme of things, our lives are a fraction (a small moment). I understand that we are here to learn and grow and to become more like Him. I understand that without trials and opposition, we wouldn't be able to do so.  


So, my question is this: How do you "endure it well?" What qualifies enduring well? Being happy about it? Surely that can't be. Just accepting it and moving on? Is that giving up? That's almost what it feels like. Just living life day to day and praying for the strength? It feels like just barely surviving. It doesn't feel like enduring well. Pray for distractions? Those distractions come to an end, and then it's after mid-night. It's quiet. There's nothing to do, really, but listen to thoughts. Then, replay conversations and actions over and over and wonder what can be done to better endure or to be a better, more humble person. What can be done to endure it well?

Blessing day blessings

Ok, it's been almost a month since Eliza's blessing, but I actually had Mindy (melindasmithphotography.blogspot.com) take pictures of her and the boys a while later because it was just too much to try to do pictures with everything going on that day. So, I am just barely getting around to posting.
Her blessing was on June 27, and we had the support of so much family. Josh's family traveled hours to come and my family went to a lot of work for the day and dinner afterward. I get anxious and a little uptight with so much going on, but I am so grateful to all that everyone did to make it a great day.
Josh blessed Eliza and it was a sweet, tender blessing.  I was so overwhelmed by gratitude for such a precious baby and a strong husband.  Enjoy these oh-so-precious pictures:  (Thanks again Mindy)

The Facts:

We went back to Salt Lake last Wednesday to see Josh's doctors, and for an MRI.

So here's the latest:

• Josh's tumor has shrunk by a little over a centimeter. It was 4.5cm and is now 3.4cm. 
• He finished another cycle of Temodar (chemotherapy)
• He will start another cycle of Temodar in about 21 days from today
• He will continue to receive an infusion every two weeks as part of the study he is participating in. (It is a double blind study, and we aren't sure if he is receiving Avastin or saline)
• He will not have another MRI until September unless there is a need for one. 
• We are fine, just taking one day at a time.
• We are still overwhelmed and completely humbled by all that has been and continues to be done for our family. We continue to pray for blessings to be upon each of you for helping us carry the burden.

The "Rest of the Story"

Thanks to my mom and Colette for reminding me that I need to update with "the rest of the story" about McKay.  Especially since I got myself all worked up, and so many of you were supportive and helpful in your comments. I've got more to blog about Eliza, her blessing and the boys and Josh, but for now... McKay:
I left you wondering what I should do about McKay's situation. It turns out that I didn't have to do anything. McKay took care of it.
His teachers played a game with M&Ms and talked about how each M&M was good, but that they were all different. They gave the students a chance to tell something different about themselves. Their answers were typical for five-year-olds.
However, when it was McKay's turn, he stood up in front of those 20-plus kids (including the ones that had been mean) and told them that he was different because he had two fingers. He showed them his arm and told them that he was born that way, that Heavenly Father sent him to our family because we love him. And then he told them that he can do everything each of them can do. He told them that he was special and that he wanted to be their friend.
Yes, that was my five-year-old little boy. That was my little boy standing in front of the class with poise and confidence and just taking the opportunity to tell it like it is and to make a point that it is NO BIG DEAL.
Disclaimer: I try really hard when I blog to be real. I try to not talk about only the good things or the bad things, but to talk about our life like it really is. I try to not paint myself as someone I am not. As a super-mom, whom I KNOW I will never be. We aren't perfect, we have days that we are lazy and watch more TV than we should. My boys are hilarious, active, sometimes naughty, and often tender hearted and sweet. I try to be a good mom, but I have my moments that I am not proud of; that I wish I could change.
That being said, I am going to take the opportunity to say that I am SO proud of my little boy. I am so proud that he was brave and that he reached out to be their friend, even after some of them had been so cruel. I am thankful, that despite the mistakes I make as a parent, McKay is a good boy. He took the initiative to be the bigger and better person and now he has friends waiting to play with him everyday.