What Comes Next? - Aug 9th

The last few days Beth has been taking Oxycodone (pain meds) and Ativan (anti anxiety) around the clock as insturcted resulting in Beth being drowsy, incoherent, sleeping most of the day and being very disconnected, however the good thing was that she was not in pain and was able to get rest.  

Today, she decided to cut back on her pain meds and not take Ativan at all. She was so much more alert today. She enjoyed not being spaced out and was able to spend quality time with the kids. The downside was she was in pain. She only took 1 pain med versus the 4 pain meds she took the day before.  It’s a tricky situation.  Beth hates that she wastes days that she could be talking to her kids and spending time with them just because she took her prescribed dosage of pain meds. For the time being she is willing to trade pain for quality time.

My brother and his family left yesterday for Florida. We had a very special moment with them the night before they left. Chad and Tiffany had asked Beth, “What came next? What happens when she dies?” Touched by their questions, Beth decided to hold a special family home evening lesson. She gathered everyone - our kids, Chad’s family, her sister and her family (Christi drove out for a quick 2 day visit with Eli and Truman) and taught a lesson on what we know comes next. She taught about the Plan of Salvation - where we came from from, what our purpose in life is and where we will go after this life. This all took place on the day she fell at the cemetery and while she was in a lot of pain she felt it was important for her kids, her nieces, nephews, brother and sisters to hear from her regarding what comes next. She is not afraid dying. She knows our family will be together again because our family has been sealed together for all time and eternity. Our family doesn’t end at death.  

We loved having everyone gathered together.  We laughed and cried.  We were well taught.

This evening I was reading a book by Jeffrey R. Holland, For Times of Trouble.  In the opening pages he writes:

“One of the unfailing facts of mortal life is the recurring presence of trouble….When these difficult days (and nights!) come-and they will-it will help us to remember that “it must needs be,” that in the grand councils of heaven before the world was, we agreed to such a time of challenge and refinement. We were taught then that facing, resolving, and enduring troublesome times was the price we would pay for progress.  And we were committed to progress eternally.”

We are thankful there is a plan. We are thankful for our trials, knowing that it is through these hard times we face we will be refined, blessed and prepared.  We are thankful for a Savior that taught “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We love you all…

#BattleTogether