No One Wants Adversity
"It is so hard when sincere prayer about something we desire very much is not answered the way we want. It is especially difficult when the Lord answers no to that which is worthy and would give us great joy and happiness. Whether it be overcoming illness or loneliness, recovery of a wayward child, coping with a handicap, or seeking continuing life for a dear one who is slipping away, it seems so reasonable and so consistent with our happiness to have a favorable answer. It is hard to understand why our exercise of deep and sincere faith from an obedient life does not bring the desired result."No one wants adversity. Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord's own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. It is vitally important for each of us to identify from which of these two sources come our trials and challenges, for the corrective action is very different."
Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1995,
"It is so hard when sincere prayer about something we desire very much is not answered the way we want. It is especially difficult when the Lord answers no to that which is worthy and would give us great joy and happiness. Whether it be overcoming illness or loneliness, recovery of a wayward child, coping with a handicap, or seeking continuing life for a dear one who is slipping away, it seems so reasonable and so consistent with our happiness to have a favorable answer. It is hard to understand why our exercise of deep and sincere faith from an obedient life does not bring the desired result."No one wants adversity. Trials, disappointments, sadness, and heartache come to us from two basically different sources. Those who transgress the laws of God will always have those challenges. The other reason for adversity is to accomplish the Lord's own purposes in our life that we may receive the refinement that comes from testing. It is vitally important for each of us to identify from which of these two sources come our trials and challenges, for the corrective action is very different."
Richard G. Scott, "Trust in the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1995,
Gracie had another good day. They went down on her high flow oxygen and that was the extent of the excitement for the day. I am having a good time connecting with some of our favorite nurses and doctors again. It makes our stay here not as scary as the first time. It's like we are coming back to a big ol' reunion.
So, yesterday and today I have noticed that Gracie is a little indifferent towards me. Have you ever left your baby or toddler and gone on a vacation for several days and then you come back and they either cling to Grandma, hit you or act like they are mad that you left them for so long? Well, I SWEAR that is how Gracie is acting towards me. She looks at me like, "I cannot believe you have set me up in this pop stand and expect me to do this day, after day, after day!!" She does pretty good hanging out in her crib, but her bed in the PICU is just about the noisiest one you can have. She flinches and wakes up at every loud noise. I have also noticed that she seems to fight off sleep because she is afraid of what unforseen pokes and prods await her in her slumber. Oh my sweet little Gracie. I just have to tell myself that the Lord is surrounding her with guardian angels and that she hopefully won't remember this when she is older!!
18 comments:
I just wanted to let you know that our family has not forgotten Gracie. She is in our prayers. I put her name in at the temple the other night when we were there. Looking at that photo of Gracie just breaks my heart. I am glad that she qualifies for a new heart. She has had such a hard road. Thinking of you-Romans family
What a great thought. I remember Elder Lance B. Wickman gave a phenomenal talk called "But if Not" in the Oct. 2002 conference that hit home to us as we face this trial of having a "heart kid".
Aren't we all grateful for the perspective the gospel gives us during times like these!!!
It is a good thing they don't remember things like this. My almost 5 year old does not remember anything from her heart surgery. And thats great,Wishing you and your family the best. your in our prayers the dance family
Love those boring PICU days. Great, great quote. Thank you for sharing. Don't be too hard on yourself trying to understand what Gracie is thinking through all of this. Sometimes I realize I am the one making the stuff up that makes me feel the worst of all--and how silly is that? Soooo looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!!
xoxo,
Mindi and McKay
I am so grateful that I stumbled across your blog last night... I know you not, but as a mother, I feel for you deeply...
I worked in peds for a few years before I became a mother myself and recall those long nights, those moments when weary parents would express what you have shared here.
I commend your courage to wear your heart on your sleeve for strangers to see... you make me a better person, you remind me what matters most.
Gracie and your family had many a prayer said today and they will continue because so many care so much.
Livy
I like to hear about quiet days! Thanks for sharing this thought about adversity. Life sure throws us more obstacles than we could have ever imagined and I must say Gracie and your family have had more than your share. But your faith is an amazing example to us all! We continue praying for Gracie Girl.
The Lord is definitely surrounding Little Gracie with Guardian Angels and you are one of them.
She will not remember the pain or needle pokes,only your gentle voice, touches and love.
I hope you can feel God's gentle hug when you are feeling down just as Gracie feels yours.
OH I hope she gets her heart soon! Owen definetly prefers Daddy when we're at the hospital... I'm the bad guy for bringing him here and holding him through all the iv's and torture. Daddy comes to play, visit and brings balloons. Thank goodness they won't remember this!!!!!
I'm so glad that Gracie has had a few good days! Sweet thing need to have a few more where they came from!
Jackson had surgery for hypospadias(sp?) at Primaries when he was two. Not a really a big deal medical wise, but very painful. It was very difficult at the time, but I was telling him about it the other day and he had no memory of it at all. I was sure he would remember b/c it was so traumatic for him. What a blessing that they forget!
Glad you've had some "easier" days lately. Can't wait for the day that Gracie gets her new heart!
So happy for you and these calm ICU days! And the quote is so true...we do learn our biggest lessons from heartache and despair. Praying for your sweet family and Gracie!!!
Great quote! And I know that Gracie thinks her mom is the best . . . she is probably just ticked about being back in the PICU. And who can blame her? hopefully her wait won't be prolonged. I know there are lots of people praying for her!
Hope you don't mind that I mentioned sweet Gracie in my post today. (Let me know if so!) Wanted to share her beautiful face and let others know of her story and be in prayer for her. I have certainly been thinking about you all. Your family is in my constant prayers. We will be checking in on you and Gracie often. You are not alone.
Love to you, Kerri Pennington
www.babypennington.com
Gracie makes me laugh - I would say she is acting very normal, but even knowing why she is behaving that way, I imagine it still hurts your feelings but don't let it - she couln't ask for a better mom! I can't imagine her remembering any of this, but she will have a wonderful journal called Gracie's blog to let her know how much she was loved and what great value her life has.
Thanks for the great message! I didn't know you could sign up for emails for the church website. I will have to look into that!
Glad Gracie is still hanging in there. Don't worry,I am sure she won't remember and you will be able to explain to her later how hard it was for you to leave her and to watch her suffer. She knows you love her madly.
Michele. I love you, I love you, I love you. I'm sending all the love and hope that I have up North to you and Gracie. I've really enjoyed and admired the posts from Holland and the spiritual message that Tom received. You are certainly a 'chosen' family, being refined through trials. Luvs!
Dear Michele,
Thank you for posting Bro. Scott's talk. I am going to send it to two of my girls who are going through sad times right now. Sometimes it is really hard when we exercise all of our faith and pray with all of our hearts and things do not work out as we hope they will.
I am sorry that you have had so many set backs with little Gracie. My heart goes out to all of you. I continue to put her name in the temple each week and remember all of you in my prayers.
We are hoping for the best. Thank you for posting the progress and letting us invisible friends know what is happening.
Best wishes and love, Lura
Sweet little baby!!! Hopefully she will get a heart very soon and be able to bust out of there!!!
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