Faith

Almost three years ago in January my dad suffered from a massive stroke. I remember walking into his hospital room overcome with emotion. There laid my dad motionless and very ill where only less than a month earlier he was holding my new little Jared and enjoying being a grandfather. The doctors were confused as to why this had happened. He used to have high blood pressure, and high cholesterol but had been able to control it through diet and exercise. His veins had little to no build up but somehow a single little clot was able to wreck havoc to his entire body. How could something so harsh be done to such a wonderful man? He loved life, he wanted to serve missions, he wanted a wood shop to build his grandchildren toys. The week or maybe even the night before the stroke he told my mom, “I love life! I love my grandchildren, I love my calling (1st counselor in stake presidency), and I love work!”

The stroke was on the left side of his brain where his speech and right arm were affected the most and also his right leg. This left him with little movement of his arm and severely limiting his speech. Being optimistic, we asked the doctor when he'd get better, what to expect. His reply, "You're lucky he's even alive."

I remember making several trips home during the first month following the stroke and becoming overjoyed with each accomplishment he was making (swallowing, making vowel sounds, standing with support and many other small simple things). During these visits I was also overcome with emotion by the amount of support we received. Countless visitors, cards, phone calls, meals, ect came forth showing their love, support, and respect for my dad.

One evening in particular I remember I stayed the night in my dad's room so my mom could go home and sleep. While sitting by his bed I could tell he was trying to tell me something but I couldn't understand him. Finally I knew he was singing I am a Child of God. So then through tears I sang with him this beautiful children's song. He bore to me a powerful witness of his love for the Savior and of His love for him. I felt and knew of my father's testimony and knew he was feeling the Savior's presence throughout this ordeal.

We were going to beat this! And through love, faith, prayers, and lots of support we would tackle the giant that laid in front of us.

I wanted so badly for a instant miracle to come and heal my dad. I think secretly I was hoping by the coming September he would be able to stand before the stake and speak to them one last time before being released for the 11 years of service.

But September came, he bore his simple, strong testimony in his limited speech and sat down. Why wasn't he being healed? He definitely was making progress but he was so limited! How badly I yearned to talk to my dad and hear his voice and counsel. The way his voice sounded before the stroke still rings crystal clear in my head and how I miss it!

Faith is such an interesting topic. Did my family not have enough faith? I didn't question my father's faith so why wasn't he being healed? I struggled for awhile until October '06 I gave a talk in sacrament meeting and based it off of Brother Simmons talk "But if Not...". What a powerful talk and how perfect for me to hear/read.

Below is a portion of the talk:

We must have the same faith as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego.

Our God will deliver us from ridicule and persecution, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from sickness and disease, but if not … . He will deliver us from loneliness, depression, or fear, but if not. … Our God will deliver us from threats, accusations, and insecurity, but if not. … He will deliver us from death or impairment of loved ones, but if not, … we will trust in the Lord.

Our God will see that we receive justice and fairness, but if not. … He will make sure that we are loved and recognized, but if not. … We will receive a perfect companion and righteous and obedient children, but if not, … we will have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that if we do all we can do, we will, in His time and in His way, be delivered and receive all that He has.

The Lord is all powerful and all knowing. If it was his will to heal my dad I know it would've happened. It's like the saying my mom has on a picture that goes something like, "Sometimes the Lord calms the storm and sometimes the Lord calms His child in the storm."

I think we all came to a point where we still knew our dad could be healed if that was God's will but we accepted the fact that he may not. I think especially as time goes on we've accepted that maybe all the "big" miracles have happened (and many did occur).

But the miracles did not stop. Over a month ago after my parents story was told to the Temple Square president the president told them to put in their papers and they would be called. Obediently they put in their papers and requested the Temple Square Mission. As my mom filled out the paper work she said she marked no on almost everything of my dad:"Can you stand for long periods of time?" "Can you Speak?" "Can you write?"...

Awhile later they received their call to the Family and Church History Mission in Salt Lake and were to report on December 5th.

Today my parents talked in church before leaving for their mission. I was unable to attend but all through my meetings my heart and mind were thinking of them and the spirit of today. Who would have thought my dad, after his stroke, would be serving a 23 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Miracles are still happening and will continue to happen for this wonderful man and woman. It has been a TougH journey for them! I'm so proud of their examples and commitment to the church and their family.

I may not have been able to be there in person today but I have felt the spirit witness of their testimonies and spirit. I love you mom and dad and am SO proud of you: your continual faith, hard work, dedication, and love for each other. I know you guys will be awesome missionaries and Salt Lake is lucky to have you. I'm greatful for your examples and I'm sooooo glad you're my mom and dad! I love you!

Ouch!

For the record we almost had Jared's second set of stiches yesterday. He fell walking up the stairs getting to the train and gouged his chin. We went to some friends in the ward who live downtown who is a doctor and he said it is a good spot to get a cut and we could do stiches but he thought he'd be ok. Hopefully when Jared's older he'll be ok that we didn't get stiches:)

Haircut

Spencer's curls are gone:( Wednesday morning after Chris left and Jared was still asleep I sat Spencer in front of the bathroom mirror and got out the scissors. I thought I was leaving his hair long but I guess not long enough. The curls are kind of there when it's wet but it doesn't take long for it to go wavy.

He's still cute but I do miss the curls.

Before:

After:

And yes I got his picture taken Tuesday, the day before the

cut

Sleepy Head

It's been awhile since Jared has forgone his naps, and that's for good reason. When Jared does nap it means LATE night for mom and dad so I'd rather he just didn't nap. Well one day he fell asleep in the car. I tried waking him up to no avail. So I ended up leaving him on the couch and made noise just like usual. I think he slept over an hour and wasn't happy when he woke seeing he rolled off the couch, Oops!

Spencer kissing Jared

Babysitting Group

We've got a little group together (3 couples) where we trade off a weekend night to watch each others kids and this week was our week to watch the 6 kids (2 kids per couple). The ages range from almost five to one and it's great!

During the night I had to change Ruby's diaper and after we were done she sat on the counter and looked at herself in the mirror. I played with her hair for awhile and then asked her if she wanted me to braid it. She quietly said, "umm humm". I started to french braid her hair on the side and since she was being so good I continued the braid around her head. She was so cute and good it was fun to play with hair and this time it was appropriate (not one of my boys:).The night had few problems and even those were solved quickly. Below are of the group (minus Spencer) watching a little bit of Sleeping Beauty. The witch was coming out and Anna was scarred hence the hands up by her mouth. (Left to right Ruby, Anna, Alli, Peter, and Jared)

Uh-Oh

Today Jared found the chocolate chips in the pantry and wanted to make cookies. I let him help me put in the ingredients and when we finished putting in the flour I told him to lower the mixer and start mixing it. And he did exactly just that I just didn't think he'd put it at full speed. Below is the mess it made and Jared's reaction was priceless. I couldn't help but laugh. After he was finished wiping himself off he kept saying, "I'm okay mom". Too bad I had just opened the silverware drawer to get the scissors out. Oh well.Oh and I can no longer put things on the fridge to keep them away from Jared. He'll just push a chair to the counter, climb on the chair, counter, bread machine, and then fridge. I hope this doesn't become too common.

Good Lookin Lawyer

He's past the test, he's held his arm to the square, he's taken the oath and now he is a lawyer:) Yesterday I dropped the boys off at a friends and enjoyed (knitted during) the swearing in of this soon to be hardworking man (right now I am enjoying him leaving for work between 7:30 and 8:00 and coming home between 5:30 and 6:00, I don't think this is what I should be expecting but for now I'll take it!) and followed it up with lunch with two other couples whose husbands were also sworn in.
Today we received a delivery for Chris congratulating him. His mother knows him well. The white and brown are choclate covered bananas and the all brown are chocolate covered apples. The gift also came with choclate dipping sauce for the other fruit. Thanks Jim and Cherie it is almost all consumed already!
I know Chris is going to be a great lawyer and do well. He's a wonderful father and husband and I know he'll continue to be so no matter how busy he gets. I'm proud of you Chris and I love you!

Spencer Stats

Below is a picture of Spencer with his hair combed over/not curly. When the doctor came in she looked at Spencer (who just had a diaper on) and asked, "Spencer boy or girl Meservy?" I know I need to cut his locks but I just can't until I get his one-year-old pictures. This is the second time someone has asked me if he was a girl. I guess it's time.We went to the Dr. yesterday and here are Spencer's stats:

Head: 90%
Weight: 24.4 lbs 75%
Height: 29 1/2 in 50%

He started out in the 90th percentile in height and has dropped. I thought he was taller than 50% but I won't give up hope that we can have a boy taller than Chris (5'8''). Important thing is he's healthy and strong. Only bad thing is shots and he did great I just have to remember to keep him medicated for 24 hours.

Below is Spencer's impersonation of Donald Trump.

Happy Halloween:)

I'm amazed at the difference in Jared's understanding and excitement from last year to this year. He was really excited to go trick or treating, not as excited to dress up. It ended up that the ward did a fall celebration so there was no trunk 'n' treat this year so his only time to dress up was on Halloween. To try and get him excited I put his costume on the day before (vampire). He put on his cape, put in his scary teeth, and I put fake blood around his mouth. He thought he looked pretty cool and sat in front of the mirror for a long time.On Halloween however, he did not want the teeth or the blood. I put on this face paint that glows green in the dark but he immediately wiped it off. I did manage to spray his hair black but that's about it besides the cape.

The day was long because he wanted to go trick or treating all day and go visit our neighbor Terri. When the time finally arrived we started the festivities off at our friends Karyn and Andy's place where we had dinner before the kiddos filled their bellies with sugar. (Originally she was going to do soup but that day it reached 70 so they barbequed instead). Then we went out to get candy up and down Karyn's street. Jared had a hard time knowing when to leave the house. He'd just stand there looking at them, probably wanting more. So different from last year when someone gave him a candy he'd give them one from his bucket.

Jared and Bryker (above and below)
Ruby (ab0ve)
Lisa and Andrew (below)(Jared and Alli)

While 5-7 kids went from house to house Spencer just dawlded along often trying to escape to the street. His monkey costume is definitely more appropriate for a colder night and half way through we realized he was sweating. The night was perfect. You didn't need a jacket, no wind, and oh so pleasant to be outside. It's fun when the weather's nice so you can see the costumes of kids instead of their coats.

When we came home Terri was out on our shared front step waiting for us while handing out candy to others. She gave Jared oodles of candy then brought out a special treat for Jared and Spencer. Spencer got a little stuffed dog (Astro from the Jetsons) and Jared got a stuffed cow (Quick Draw Mcgraw). She loves kids and loves these boys. She then asked if we'd been down a street by us and we said no so she offered to go with Jared and me. We haven't done much with Terri but I know we will and I love her enthusiasm for my boys and they definitely feel it.