Miracles

God loves me.

For instance, today I told the Universe that I wanted a place to practice the piano, since this house does not have one and music has my heart. Tonight I went for the first time to the home of a church leader I just met yesterday, to celebrate families in what my church calls "Family Home Evening." We started talking, it came out that I am a pianist, and he led me to one of the nicest pianos I have ever put my fingers on. Oh, and he said "You can come and practice anytime. Just call my wife. We are the only ones who live here, so it is open most of the day." Just like that.

But it doesn't stop there. I'd been feeling for several weeks that I needed to switch to this church unit. Since there are several options where I live and I'd settled for a while in another one, I wondered why but did it anyway. I almost didn't make it on Sunday since I'd had a nonstop weekend, and the directions online were much less than adequate. I actually walked into the wrong congregation (one with a lot of noisy babies), and was tempted to go home or back to my other ward, but no, it was the right thing to do, so after a little hunting I found the right congregation. Wow. Ever walk into a group and have the feeling that you've known these people before, even though you know you've only met maybe one or two (in this case three) of them before? I know they are new best friends already.

This weekend? I'd just finished a fabulous date up the canyon (dutch oven dinner in the snow, although cold, cannot be beat, even though it just might have taken us 45 minutes to start the fire) and made it home safely (after the cops told us the campground where we'd cooked our food was closed [we'd already eaten, thank goodness] and after we went and played games at my cousin's house), and was feeling satisfied, but tired. I called a friend I knew was coming in from Chicago en route to southern Utah. I debated going to see her since I'd also driven up from Idaho that day (long story), but again, felt it would be best. I met her and a few other friends just after having a slightly traumatic experience, and they needed to see me precisely at that moment. God loves them too.

Oh, and I also chose recently to drop half my source of income. Why? I have no idea. Because God told me to. However, I have been completely amazed in the past couple of days by what I have learned thus far. And, I know that the right job is on it's way. Crazy? No. Perhaps last year at this time, yes, it would have been, but I have since learned to know His voice. He is the master of "I promise, I deliver." Try it sometime - just make sure you are talking the right Heavenly Father.

Do you ever have the feeling that something tremendous is about to happen, and you kind of have an idea of what it is but don't really know how it will work out, but just know that it will? Yup. That's my life right now.

"Greater love..."

As one author eloquently put it, "Cancer sucks." I don't know why sometimes one person or one family is blessed, as mine has been, to see a miracle. I have seen from some and felt from others the pain of losing a loved one to this disease. A husband loses a wife, children are left parentless, grandchildren can no longer hug a grandma.

This video tells the story of a miracle in my own family. I will never forget, or be able to thank God enough for how much He blesses us. However, as I watched this story unfold, both in picture and in real life, I was struck by another realization, perhaps equally as powerful as the knowledge of His ability to work miracles by healing cancer:

Painful as it is to lose a loved one here, it would be even more painful to end this life and realize that you had actually lost them - for good. As Job put it, "If a man die, shall he live again?" I know that he can, and that he will, and I also believe that our actually seeing and being with the ones we love after death depends in a large measure on our actions and obedience here. Families can be together forever, but it has to be chosen.

I realize, as I walk the streets and visit the grocery stores and look into the faces of the people, just how precious each one is. I don't know what I would do if I found one day that they were lost, actually lost, and even more so in my own family. As tragic as cancer and war and abuse and death are, I find that I would rather face - and learn - from them than the other option of no trials and no learning and therefore no freedom and no family. I'm for this Plan one-hundred percent, in spite of the pain, and the mistakes, and the abuse, and the sickness, for through these I find the abilty to joy, and receive, and love, and be faithful.

Cancer sucks. Yes, my friend, it does. So do mistakes. I believe we will see a time where we find a permanent cure. I also believe we will see a time where we find a cure to fear and hatred and greed and mistrust. Until then, I give thanks for their possibility, and the chance to learn to love because of them. I believe in you, and in me, and in our brothers and sisters.