Healing and Adversity

Well, I think that this summer has been carefully manufactured for some intense tutoring from the Lord. It seems that it is my turn to go through deep mental and physical anguish in a refining process. I have been very sick lately. What was thought to be a kidney stone--still could be a kidney stone, but it was also a severe infection, inflammation of the liver and kidneys, and severe dehydration. After many painful tests my doctors are still not sure what it is that is causing me such intense pain.

So, in an effort to see the bright side--my mom is Pollyanna after all--I realize that this hit at a time when I could really have time to be sick. The semester starts in another week and so I still have time to heal and get better. I was able to be at home with my parents who suddenly had a lot of time on their hands. I have been able to watch every Jane Austen movie ever made. My brother ,who does not usually hug much, has had to carry me up to my room--great contact there. :) He has been able to make me laugh when I have been miserable and done strange and wonderful things to my computer so I could watch some great movies. I have been able to see that when I am gone my friends and ward miss me. I have had great text messages and emails from friends and family showing great support. I got to spend time in my yellow room. I can't eat much but I can eat banana pudding and that is great. My mom and dad have both read aloud to me--something they haven't done since I was ten or eleven. We have gotten to use employee discounts at the hospital. I have listened to two Harry Potter books on CD. I have been in my pajamas for over two weeks. I am really well hydrated. I am saving gas and food money right now. I can see my niece and nephews whenever I want.

All of these are great things, right? Right! So there.

"The divine Shepherd has a message of hope, strength, and deliverance for all. If there were no night, we would not appreciate the day, nor could we see the stars and the vastness of the heavens. We must partake of the bitter with the sweet. There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless." President James E. Faust