Monday, September 7, 2009

Surviving the Storms



On our way home from Fish Lake a few weeks ago we took a detour and spent the day at beautiful Bryce Canyon. The sky was bright blue spotted with white cotton ball clouds and the eroded mountains were in stark contrast in shades of red, orange, and pink hues. The show was definitely viewing the hoodoos and canyons from the look out points.

But this weathered tree with roots exposed caught my attention and respect. Some might comment about it's lack of life but it was alive with leaves on it's limbs. It stood happily and bravely up on the ridge forever looking over the canyons below. I wondered how many times it's been struck by lightening and yet it still stands and lives.

I had to go to Bryce Canyon to get a picture in my mind of how Heavenly Father expects us to endure, weather, and survive the storms in our lives.

These past few months have been troubling and difficult for me dealing with post cancer issues, even though Peter is cancer free. Every month Peter has to go in for lab work where a blood test is ordered that lets us know if the cancer has come back or if he is still cancer free. The first two or three months of this new routine didn't bother me so much. But with each passing month I find myself dreading to call for the results. When I finally make myself call I wait on hold while the nurse types his name in the computer. I try to have faith that the results will be in his favor and remain cancer free. But at the same time I brace myself for the bad news because I don't know what Heavenly Father has in store for us. Not that I believe He is wanting us to go through such difficult trials or that He's punishing us for something. This is life. I know we have to have the hard, trying times to become the people that we need to be... But, I just don't want Peter go through that again.

I'm just trying to figure out how to live from month to month and lab results to lab results. I want to be that happy, brave tree enjoying life day to day with my beautiful life and stop worrying about the return of cancer that may never come back. Fear is a terrible state of mind. Hope is better.

And I do know what Heavenly Father has in store for us. Everlasting life and joy if we but endure.


on the way to Mossy Cave & the waterfall

Sunset point

Navajo Loop. We're doing this next year.

We finally caught up with Peter. He loved it there.

A bunch of hoodoos.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness nola those are gorgeous photos! I loved this post. I feel the same way, even though my own trials are much smaller! I'll pray for you!

carmen said...

Beautiful photos, Nola. Your post always inspire and brighten my day. You are such an inspiration to me. I wish I had the kind of faith that you have. You have such a beautiful family, too, with much to be thankful for. I got my apron in the mail a day or two ago - I LOVE it!! I'm going to blog about it when I get a minute!! LOVE YOU, NOLA!

Tami Hobson said...

Nola!
It was so wonderful seeing you today! I am heartbroken at what your family has had to endure the last few years, but I admire your willigness to understand and accept it and not be angry or spiteful. I also admire your wanting to be proactive and do something about it! It's that loss of control that frustrates us the most but its the hope that in some way we can sway the outcome that keeps us trying. Looking forward to talking with you more, my three year old is having a meltdown, gotta go, Love Tami tami.hobson@gmail.com

Ms. Kristen said...

Loved this post! Made my Friday better! Love you Nola! Glad my brother found you! You inspire me!

Hope is a better way to live!

Cheryl said...

You are weathering the storm with such grace. And through all the rain, thunder and lightening you have so much to hold fast to and draw strength from. "He"(the Lord) will never leave you out in the storm alone. You are "His" daughter. Lean on "Him". Oh,... and I am always around too. I love you.

Lizzy said...

Your blog always uplifts me. You have such great faith!

Lizzy said...

Okay, I need to clarify...
Your strength and faith and positive-ness (is that a word) amidst trials uplifts me. You have such a great outlook & make me want to be better.

Amy Strong said...

Those "weathered" trees are always the strongest.