My dear friend and I met the men who would become our husbands within months of each other. We were married a week apart. They struggled to have kids. They adopted 3 then were surprised when they were able to get pregnant with 2 more. The older of which was baptized yesterday.
LaDena's husband Mark has battled cancer (sarcoma) the past 4 years. With multiple tumors and a "heroic" level of treatments. This past month he has been unable to breath. The lining around his lung has filled with fluid. Every other day they removed 2+ liters of fluid till finally they put in a port so they could drain at home.
The next part I want to say is copied and pasted excerpts from Ladena's blog.
This afternoon he surprised me by stating he wanted to teach his class. I immediately thought "no way!" but realized that this is so important to him that he had prayed for strength to do it in our family prayer. I knew not to argue with his decision and said that I would go with him and make sure he was alright. I helped him get dressed for church. He slowly buttoned up his white shirt and adjusted his tie. He looked me in the eye and said, "I love wearing the uniform for the army of God. To be called to serve Him and teach His message." That is so Mark. Of course, that made me cry. He was exhausted just going up the stairs into the church. He meditated right up until he gave the lesson, which was "Are you prepared to meet God?" I brought a pack of tissues, because this was not going to be easy to discuss right now (for me). It was beautiful. Most of the lesson was a discussion of how to balance complacency and zeal in the gospel.
This man is within weeks of leaving this life. He is in constant pain and can barely move by himself. Yet teaching this lesson was So important to him.
Each week we come to church. We hear a lesson again. We sort of have the same discussion. It is easy to become complacent. I'm not sure if it was said in Relief Society recently or where I heard it. But someone said. "You can't eat one meal and be satisfied for life" We repeat things for them to find place in our hearts.
Marks words have stuck with me all week. "I love wearing the uniform for the army of God. To be called to serve Him and teach His message." Do we realize as we get dressed each Sunday, or even every day that we are a member of the "Army of God" do we pay attention to that uniform? Are we representing him well? And do we realize that We are called to serve Him? To teach His word.
This morning Marks Facebook post was "Bucket list complete". Yesterday Mark was wheeled into the church dressed in white. With the help of neighbors/ friends he was helped into the font so he could baptize his daughter.
I am so thankful for the lesson this has been to me. This is a true testimony of enduring to the end.
I am trying to relocate the me I lost a while ago. I'm trying to relocate my talents and interests. But God is on my side. He loves me. He wants me to succeed. But he will teach me some lessons along the way so that I can come through stronger. And be a more valiant member of His army. So that I can better serve Him and teach His word.
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