A Long Weekend

Chapter 2 - Waiting

Saturday, January 12, 2019

I wake up in a daze, hoping I had a nightmare, but knowing it was all too real. I still feel reassured that whatever happens it will be okay; whatever okay means I don't know, but I cling to that hope and reassurance. I will need it to guide me through this process.

I'm glad I turned my phone off; I was able to sleep through the many texts from concerned family members about updates. When we get out of bed, I respond that I'll send out a group text shortly with updates. We tell the kids about the two masses and that Dad needs a colonoscopy on Monday. We just need to wait until then to find out more information. That's the info I give the family members too, and ask them to start praying, A LOT.

We go about our daily routines and try to pretend all is normal. It's not.

Sunday, January 13, 2019

I have a morning meeting at the church that I don't want to attend. This meeting consists of members holding leadership positions in our local congregation, more commonly known as a ward, who come together and discuss the needs of others in our ward and how we can help them. I don't want to mention anything about Friday, because we don't know anything definitively yet, but I feel like maybe if I  say something I can ask them to pray for us. The more people praying for us the better, right? Right! The meeting this time consists of a lot of business and calendar items. Since it's been a while since we've met and it's a new year and there are changes to discuss, that's what the meeting consists of. I'm glad because I don't want to go into a lot of detail about our Friday night adventure, because I'll probably start crying. I still don't want to be there and feel like I'm in someone's else's body and living someone else's life. I insert my comments every once in a while, feeling like I'm being a tad bit more ornery than usual, considering what's been going on. The meeting is almost over and about to be adjourned when I blurt out the events of Friday night. I tell the same story; they found two masses in Scott's body and he's getting a colonoscopy tomorrow. Please pray for us. Looks of concern and love permeate the room. One man, the leader of Scott's priesthood group in the church, asks if we had anything biopsied. "No, not yet, he's just doing the colonoscopy for now."

"Would he like a blessing?" he asks. "And would you like one too?"

In our church, we believe in the power of priesthood blessings. These blessings can be administered by anyone with proper authority to do so. This authority is the same priesthood authority that Jesus Christ himself had and gave to his apostles, and it has been passed down to the current elders of the church. It's as if Jesus Christ himself were there pronouncing as blessing on your head.

"Yes, blessings would be great," I say. "We could really use comfort and strength at this time."

"I'll get something arranged and come by tonight," he says.

Just one of so many acts of kindness that our family will receive through this process.

I come home and the rest of the family is getting ready for church. I mention to Scott about the blessings later tonight. "I thought you didn't want to mention anything," he said. "I changed my mind," I reply. "I'd like them to pray for us too." He's fine with that. There is strength in numbers.

Church is uplifting as usual. The first meeting consists of partaking of the sacrament, in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice for us. It's always a special experience. My two eldest priesthood-holding sons are able to participate in this ordinance. It makes my mama heart happy to see them perform this reverent task. After the sacrament, ward members give talks at the pulpit about gospel principles. A couple who have lived in our neighborhood for a long time give talks and do an amazing job. They say just what I need to hear.

The next hour of church is my favorite. I get to spend time with 20 of the most amazing girls on this planet! They range in age from 11-18. This particular Sunday, we are separated into age groups, and I am with the 15-18-year-olds. My daughter is in this group for the first time this year. I am thrilled to have her and not have to wait until her birthday in April. We welcome the new girls and go over some class business, which takes a while since we also haven't met for a while and with the new year comes changes that we need to discuss. We finish class business and I turn the time over to another leader for our lesson. She gives an amazing lesson on how we can reach out to others in our class in friendship and love. We discuss how we can help those who aren't attending to begin attending. She then emphasizes that there are people in class who also need our love and support and concludes her lesson. She has done an amazing job, as always. We feel happy, peaceful and uplifted as we ponder the things we have discussed. There are five minutes left and my heart is pounding. I have to tell the girls about our situation. Again, I blurt out what happened on Friday and ask for the girl's faith and prayers. I am bawling and so is my daughter. There is an enormous amount of love in that room. We end the lesson and there are hugs all around. I love these girls like they're my own and I tell them that. They say they will pray for us and to keep them updated.

We go home and enjoy some family time. Scott's starts his liquid only intake diet of Gatorade, water, juice, etc. before he starts drinking the disgusting GoLightly clean-out-your-insides drink to prep for the colonoscopy. He is hungry and I feel bad that he can't join us for dinner.

The priesthood brethren come later that night to give us blessings. We again give a summary of the weekend's events and they proceed with the blessings. I don't remember what was said in mine; I usually don't; I should really pay better attention. I do remember that in Scott's blessings it is mentioned that God's plan and timing is not always our plan or timing, but there is a reason for this trial and that reason will be revealed to us when the time is right. Hmmm.....sounds very similar to the prayer I uttered on Friday night. Coincidence, I think not! :)