Boulter Properties

Peace of Mind

2010-11-08T18:38:00.001-08:00

Put Your Hand in the Hand of God,

What to do When Your Mind Goes Blank,

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=136
(copy and paste link)

Dad

A Father’s Thoughts to all his children . . .

2010-11-08T18:34:00.000-08:00

Sat., Nov. 6, 2010

As we begin the November fast here are some thoughts for your consideration as we all keep Bri and her family and Grandma Boulter in our thoughts and hearts.

Mormon 9:7-27

7 And again I speak unto you who deny the revelations of God, and say that they are done away, that there are no revelations, nor prophecies, nor gifts, nor healing, nor speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues;
8 Behold I say unto you, he that denieth these things knoweth not the gospel of Christ;
yea, he has not read the scriptures;
if so, he does not understand them.
9 For do we not read that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and in him there is no variableness neither shadow of changing?
10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.
11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of miracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same God who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.
12 Behold, he created Adam, and by Adam came the fall of man.
And because of the fall of man came Jesus Christ, even the Father and the Son; and because of Jesus Christ came the redemption of man.
13 And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.
14 And then cometh the judgment of the Holy One upon them; and then cometh the time that he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is righteous shall be righteous still; he that is happy shall be happy still; and he that is unhappy shall be unhappy still.
15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.
16 Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?
17 Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the dust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?
18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles?
And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.
19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being?
And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.
20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.
21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ,
doubting nothing,
whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ
it shall be granted him;
and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.
22 For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;
23 And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,
but he that believeth not shall be damned;
24 And these signs shall follow them that believe — in my name
shall they cast out devils;
they shall speak with new tongues;
they shall take up serpents;
and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them;
they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover;
25 And whosoever shall believe in my name,
doubting nothing,
unto him will I confirm all my words,
even unto the ends of the earth.
26 And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord?
Who can deny his sayings?
Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord?
Who will despise the works of the Lord?
Who will despise the children of Christ?
Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall wonder and perish.
27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but
hearken unto the words of the Lord, and
ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need
Doubt not, but
be believing, and
begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

Isaiah 58:6-11

Purpose of fasting . . .
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Importance of fast offerings . . .
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Blessings derived from fasting in the Lord’s way . . .
8 ¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward
9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

The reality of a living, loving and all powerful God who can control all elements is truth. His unchanging nature and his desire to perform miracles amongst his children today is truth. The purposes and blessings of the fast are literal and truth. At this time we humbly pray and have faith they will be manifest “speedily” in the lives of Bri and Grandma Boulter.

I love you,
Dad
Doubt not,
Be believing!

A Father’s Thoughts to His Daughter

2010-10-28T08:20:00.001-07:00

A Father’s Thoughts to his daughter, Briana

Wed., Oct. 27, 2010

Dear Bri,

I know you’ve had much on your mind and your daily schedule is busy as you diligently work to raise your family and attend to the needs of your loving husband. Over the past couple of days I’ve taken time to read and ponder upon modern-day revelation . . . scripture.

Excerpts recorded in your Patriarchal Blessing . . .

Revelation from the Lord God Almighty to Briana Boulter, Jun. 22, 1992.

You were 12 yrs. old, a few weeks shy of turning 13.

“There is much in store for you in this life. You have much to look forward to.”

“Through your faithfulness, much good shall be accomplished through the life that you live, the example that you set for your friends, those individuals with whom you mingle and associate and come in contact with.”

“Be ever mindful that they are going to come to you with questions, seeking answers, seeking the reason that they cannot find why you as an individual in your life expresses the things that you do, for they see in you a wonder, they seek and shall continue to seek.”

“Your light shall so shine that others shall see your good works and be led to glorify to their Father in Heaven. They shall come to understand, eventually, why you are what you are.”

“Remember that if you are true and faithful and live in accordance with the mind and the will of your Father in Heaven, that the Lord shall bless you and strengthen you. He shall take you by the hand and guide and direct you, to lead you into the pathways of truth and righteousness. He shall stand at your side when you come to the crossroads in life and help you to make the proper decisions. He won’t let you take the wrong roads. If you start to stray and go the wrong pathway, He shall strengthen His hold upon your handand turn you about and start you down the pathway that you should follow.”

“The Lord shall bless you that you shall be an instrument in His hands to accomplish much good throughout your sojourn here upon this earth. He shall bless and direct you in the callings and responsibilities that you shall have, that you shall have the constant companionship and guidance of His Holy Spirit.”

[Hmmm, the following sounds like a senior mission to me . . . Perhaps Pres. & Sis. Stephen?]

“The Lord shall bless you that you, too, will come to desire to have the privilege and the opportunity of serving Him in the mission field, to teach the gospel. The Lord shall direct you and this shall be your lot. Through His servants here upon this earth, you shall be called to labor in that field of labor where the Lord wants you, where He knows that you can be of invaluable service to Him and to His work. For He knows that there are those who are there that only you as an individual can touch their lives, cause them to think and to ponder, and desire to know what their Father in Heaven desires of them.”

“But the greatest calling that will come to you here upon this earth is that of motherhood.”

“Remember the great responsibility that this is to you, and even though that at times you will be called upon to go down into the valley of the shadow of death to give life to that individual which you have carried. Now the Lord shall be with you. He shall bless you. He shall protect you that all shall be well. The Lord shall bless you in your home, that in your responsibilities that you shall have the capacity to do that which is right . . . to be able to teach and to train and instruct the spirits which the Lord will permit to come into your home. Those who are longing for the day that they can come, longing for the day that they can be held in your arms, to be loved, to be taught, and reared as they now know that they should be.”

“I promise you that the Lord shall never forsake you. He shall be your constant and ever loving companion and guide, and shall bestow upon you every blessing of life that will be for your good.”

I bear my witness that as Bro. Lawrence Greene received and pronounced the foregoing, he was inspired, quickened, if you will, by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is a revelator and testator of things that are true. Bro. Greene pronounced truth as moved upon by the Spirit. The description of the relationship so eloquently expressed herein, between you and the Lord is truth. He will not forsake you . . . He “shall never forsake you.” He “shall bless and strengthen you.” “He shall take you by the hand and guide and direct you.” “He shall protect you that all shall be well.”

You have not yet reared your children and there is much for you to do.

Simple faith -- God said it, it shall be done. God cannot lie. The miracle continues!

I love you,

Dad

Be believing!

A Father’s Thoughts to His Daughter

2010-10-28T08:19:00.001-07:00

A Father’s Thoughts to his daughter, Briana

Fri., Oct. 24, 2010

Bri,

As we’re all immersed in a special worldwide day of fasting and praying for you and your family, my heart is full, my spirit is strengthened, yet my heart melts and my emotions are so tender as I see and hear hundreds of comments expressing support, love and faith in your behalf.

This morning as I sat alone in Sacrament meeting, a passage of scripture came to my mind with tremendous impact – Isaiah 58. This is where the doctrine of fasting is recorded. I’ve known it and taught it all my life. Yet, today, as I read it, I received a witness and understanding as I never had before. It penetrated my heart. It entered my mind with such impact I immediately got up from the meeting, went into an empty classroom and called Mom. I told her to read Isaiah 58: 6-11. I exclaimed, “This is Bri, today!”

Isaiah 58:6-11

Purpose of fasting . . .

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and tolet the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Importance of fast offerings . . .

7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Blessings derived from fasting in the Lord’s way . . .

8 ¶ Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward

9 Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

11 And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

Dearest Bri, with so many faithful family and friends, worldwide, fasting and praying for you and the miracle promised in numerous priesthood and Fathers’ blessings, please ponder, believe and accept the blessings declared by God Almighty in verses 8-11. They are yours!

I love you more than words can express, yet I try. Please forgive my inadequacies. I look forward to holding you, your family and Mom in my arms next weekend. The miracle continues!

Love,

Dad

Mormon 9:21 D&C 46:8, 19-21, 26

Behold, I say unto you that Seek ye earnestly the best gifts,

whoso believeth in Christ, always remembering for what

doubting nothing, they are given;

whatsoever he shall ask the Father to some it is given to have

in the name of Christ faith to be healed,

it shall be granted him; to some it is given to have

and this promise is unto all, faith to heal,

even unto the ends of the earth. to some is given the

working of miracles

And all these gifts come from God,
for the benefit of the children of God.

Elder Cowley speaking at BYU

2010-10-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=135&tid=2

Miracles

2010-10-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

Miracles

by Matthew Cowley

member of the Quorum of the Twelve

[Matthew Cowley was born Aug. 2, 1897. His father, Matthias Cowley, was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. Matthew was called to serve a mission in New Zealand in 1914, when only 17 years of age. He became fluent in the Maori language and developed a great closeness to the people. Oct. 11, 1945, Elder Cowley was called to be a member of the Quorum of Twelve. He passed away Dec. 13, 1953.]

Address at Brigham Young University

February 18, 1953

I feel very humble this morning, and sometimes when I'm introduced, I get the idea that others feel that I'm untouchable, but I want you to know that I'm neither untouchable nor unteachable. And since I've been in this position in the Church, I have learned some very fine things from some of the members of the Church, generally in anonymous letters. I don't know why they don't sign those letters because almost invariably what they say is true, especially when I look it up in the books.

When I was invited to come here, President [Ernest L.] Wilkinson suggested that I might talk a little bit about miracles. Well, it will be a miracle if I do.

• [Instruction given specifically to Elder Cowley . . . “Never write a sermon.”]

I had a particular assignment or instruction from President George Albert Smith when I was called to this position. He called me into his office one day and took hold of my hand, and while he was holding my hand and looking at me he said, "I want to say something to you Brother Cowley."

I said, "Well, I'm willing to listen."

"This is just a particular suggestion to you, not to all the brethren but to you," He said, "Never write a sermon. Never write down what you are going to say."

I said, "What on earth will I do?"

He said, "You tell the people what the Lord wants you to tell them while you are standing on your feet."

I said, "That certainly is putting some responsibility on the Lord."

But I've tried to live up to that instruction. And I've had some great experiences. There have been times when the Lord has forsaken me. But when he hasn't, I've had some miraculous -- well, I shouldn't say miraculous -- it is the normal experience of the priesthood, of having the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I can bear witness to you, my fellow students, here this morning that God can work through his priesthood and that he does work through it. I know that without any question of doubt. I've had too many experiences. I'm an expert witness about these things.

• [Young boy with polio]

A few weeks ago I was called to the County Hospital in Salt lake City by a mother. I didn't know her. She said her boy was dying from polio and asked if I would come down and give that boy a blessing. So I picked up a young bishop [Glen Rudd] whom I generally take with me, for I think his faith is greater than mine, and I always like him along.

We went down there, and here was this young lad in an iron lung, unconscious, his face rather a blackish color, with a tube in his throat, and they said he had a tube lower down in his abdomen. he had been flown in from an outlying community. The mother said to me, "This is an unusual boy. Not because he's my child, but he is an unusual boy." I think he was eight or nine years of age.

After they put the usual coverings on us, we went in, and we blessed that boy. It was one of those occasions when I knew as I laid my hands upon that lad that he was an unusual boy, and he had faith. Having faith in his faith, I blessed him to get well and promised him he would.

I never heard any more about him until last Sunday. I was on my way to Murray [Utah] to conference; I dropped in the County Hospital, and I asked if I might see the lad. The nurse said, "Certainly. Walk right down the hall." As I walked down the hall, out came the boy running to meet me. He ran up and asked, "Are you Brother Cowley?"

And I said, "Yes."

He said, "I want to thank you for that prayer." He added, "I was unconscious then wasn't I?"

I replied, "You certainly were."

He said, "That's the reason I don't recognize you." Then he asked, "Come in my room; I want to talk to you." He was an unusual boy. Well, we went in the room. He still had a tube in his throat. I said, "How long are you going to have that tube there?"

He said, "Oh, two weeks, two more weeks, and then I'm all well. How about another blessing?"

So I said, "Certainly." I blessed him again. I was in a hurry. I wanted to get out to my conference. But he stopped me and asked, "Hey, how about my partner in the next bed?" There was a young fellow about sixteen or seventeen.

I said, "What do you mean?"

He said, "Don't go without blessing him. He's my partner."

I said, "Sure." Then I asked the boy, "Would you like a blessing?"

He said, "Yes, sir. I'm a teacher in the Aaronic Priesthood in my ward." I blessed him, and then my little friend went and brought another fellow in. Here was another partner. And I blessed him.

Now, except ye believe as a child, you can't receive these blessings. We have to have the faith of a child in order to believe in these things, especially when you reach college age, and your minds are so full of skepticism and doubt. I guess there are some things you should doubt. But you can become as little children in these things. Miracles are commonplace, brothers and sisters.

In 1851 or 52, Parley P. Pratt wrote a book called The Key to Theology. In that book he said the day would come (these were not his exact words), when man would not be satisfied with going along the surface of the earth at the rate of sixty, seventy, eighty or ninety miles an hour, but we would use the air and go at the rate of a thousand miles an hour. Now, in 1852 when he wrote that he was "crazy," wasn't he? He was "mad" -- but he was a prophet. Today it is commonplace.

Since the first time I flew from San Francisco to Australia the flying time has been decreased twelve hours. I see in the paper where they are going to have a jet plane from Vancouver to Tokyo, Japan, which will require only eight hours for that long journey. Now, are they miracles? No, they are just commonplace -- just commonplace!

The boy prophet went into the grove and prayed -- a young lad with simple faith. He opened up his heart to God. He apparently reached out and by prayer got under his control the proper channels, and God and the Son came down and appeared to him.

A few weeks ago I sat in my front room and had Dwight Eisenhower come right into my front room. I saw him sworn in as President of the United States. I saw the parade over other people's shoulders -- all of this right in my own front room, and the same thing in millions of homes! Now there was no wire connecting me or my home with Washington D.C., just these channels, or whatever Brother [Harvey] Fletcher and others call them out there, air waves, or whatever they are. But through those channels I brought into my home the President of the United States and the inaugural ceremonies. If I'd have told you twenty-five years ago that this would be done in this year 1953, I know what you'd have told me.

Well, no man invented those elements out there. Man has invented instruments whereby he harnesses those elements, but he never invented the elements; they are eternal; they've been there all the time, and if I can turn a little gadget and bring the President of the United States and into my front room, God can bring himself down within the vision of man. The Master can come down within the range of man's vision because he has more control over those elements out there than man does himself.

The Prophet Joseph said that Moroni appeared to him in his bedroom. I've been back there to that house. I've stood there and wondered how he got through those walls, how he came in. Now I don't doubt any more about the Angel Moroni coming into the prophet's home. Man hasn't yet harnessed all of these elements. He's working at it and meeting with great success.

I was on an island down in French Oceania one Sunday afternoon. I started fooling with the radio; I don't know whether you're supposed to play radios on Sunday afternoon or not, but I started turning the dials, and all of a sudden I heard the voice of Richard L. Evans from the Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. The strange thing about it was that I wasn't in contact with Salt Lake city, I was in tune with a station in Houston, Texas. That station was getting the program from Salt Lake City, and I was picking it up from Houston. I can't explain these things. Some of you fellows can. But I had an instrument there which man had invented so that he could bring under his control and direction these elements out there.

I was over in Samoa. I couldn't sleep, worrying about the centipedes, and so forth. So I got up. It was three o'clock in the morning. I went in the room where they had the radio. I started turning the dials, and all of a sudden I heard a voice say,"Station KSL, Salt Lade City. Songs of Harry Clarke." I sat there and listened to Harry Clarke sing for fifteen minutes.

Then I had to get up the next morning at three o'clock because I'd sent him a cable and I wanted to see if he got it. He had. He mentioned it over the air. So I listened to him sing for another fifteen minutes. You know, the strange thing about it was I was hearing him sing four hours before he actually sang. And you talk about miracles.

I got on a plane one day in Tonga. It was Saturday morning, the Sabbath of the Seventh-day Adventists. The head of the Seventh-day Adventists' mission in the Pacific got on the plane with me. Down at the airport were his Sunday School children, giving him a send-off, singing hymns, and so on.

Well, we got on that plane Saturday morning, and we went to Samoa. When we arrived at Samoa, it was Friday, the day before we left Tonga. I just wondered how he was going to straighten out that "seventh day" business. He's already had one Saturday, one Sabbath, an there he was again in Samoa on a Friday, the day before he'd had the Sabbath. The next day he had another. Now I tried to find him to ask him form which Saturday he was going to start counting the seven days.

Well, these things happen. This is going on all over the world.

The missionaries down in Samoa didn't have a president for a few months. I was the president but by remote control. I used to go to a Chinaman's home in Honolulu and tell him to tune in one of our natives down in Samoa, then tell that native to round up all the missionaries and have them come there, as I wanted to give them some instruction.

So he'd tune in down there and get this young Samoan with his ham radio. and I'd sit there in that Chinese home and talk to these missionaries down in Samoa and give whatever instructions I wanted to give them. But being the usual missionaries, I don't think they paid any attention.

• [Jumbled words - transmitter and receiver]

I telephoned one day from Honolulu to my home, and I asked the engineer there at the radio-phone place, "How can I talk confidentially to my wife? I send this message out into the air and anybody with a ham radio can each out and pick it up."

He said, "Yes, that's right, but they won't understand it."

I said, "Well, why not?"

He said, "Well, when your words go out of this transmitter we jumble them up; there is no meaning to them. But when they go into the receiver on the mainland they are all straightened out again, and your wife will understand them just as you spoke them."

My, I'm glad of that. I'll tell you why. I get my prayers so jumbled up sometimes that I'm glad there's a receiving set over on the other side that will straighten out the things I'm trying to say. And I believe that, I'm just simple enough to believe that. I'm simple enough to believe that if man can talk to man across the ocean and across the world with these instruments, that man can talk to God, that God has as much power as man, as much control over the elements. And so, brothers and sisters of the Church, God has his priesthood here upon the earth, his power, and with that power we can be used by God for the accomplishment of his purposes. Don't ever forget that. I've had these experiences. I know.

• [Rubbing noses]

I've learned a lot from these islanders that I see scattered around here. I see Albert Whaanga from New Zealand in the audience; I wish he'd teach you people how to rub noses. That's what we do down in New Zealand, you know. We don't really rub. You just press your forehead and your nose against the nose and forehead of the other person. It's a wonderful thing. You can always tell when they're keeping the Word of Wisdom down there. All you have to do is walk up and greet them and sniff a little bit, and you've got 'em! It would be a good practice to have over here, maybe even with some of our BYU students. So if I ever come up to one of you some day and say I'd like to rub noses with you, you'll know I'm suspecting something.

These Natives live close to God. They have some kind of power. I guess it's just because they accept miracles as a matter of course. They never doubt anything. They used to scare me. Someone would come up and say, "Brother Cowley, I've had a dream about you."

I'd say, "Don't tell me. I don't want to hear about it."

"Oh, it was a good one."

"All right. Tell me."

And they'd tell me something.

• [Passing of Pres. Rufus K. Hardy of the Seventy]

Now I remember when President Rufus K. Hardy of the First Council of the Seventy passed away. I was walking along the street of one of the cities in New Zealand, and one of our native members came up -- a lady.

She said to me, "President Hardy is dead."

I said, "Is that so? Have you received a wire?"

She said, "No. I received a message, but I haven't received any wire." She repeated, "He's dead. I know."

Well, I always believed them when they told me those things. When I got back to headquarters, I wasn't there long when here came a cablegram which said that President Hardy had passed away the night before. But she knew that without any cablegram. She told me about it.

I got out of my car once in the city. I got out to do some window-shopping to get a little rest from driving. I walked around, and finally I went around a corner, and there stood a native woman and her daughter. The mother said to the daughter, "What did I tell you?"

I said, "What's going on here?"

The daughter said, "Mother said if we'd stand here for fifteen minutes you'd come around the corner." Now she didn't have any radio set with her, just one in her heart where she received the impression.

• [Elder Cowley’s calling to the Quorum of the Twelve]

After President Hardy died, we had a memorial service for him. I'll never forget the native who was up speaking, saying what a calamity it was to the mission to lose this great New Zealand missionary who could do so much for them as one of the Authorities of the Church. He was talking along that line, and all of a sudden he stopped and looked around at me and said, "Wait a minute. There's nothing to worry about. When President Cowley gets home, he'll fill the vacancy in the Council of the Twelve Apostles, and we'll still have a representative among the Authorities of the Church." Then he went on talking about President Hardy.

When I arrived home the following September, I filled the first vacancy in the Quorum of the Twelve. Now did that just happen by chance? Oh, I might have thought so if it had been one of you white Gentiles that had prophesied that, but not from the blood of Israel. Oh, no, I could not deny, I couldn't doubt it.

And so, remember we have great opportunities. Great opportunities to bless. Sometimes I wonder if we do enough in our administration of the sick. You know when the Apostles tried to cast out an evil spirit, they couldn't do it or they didn't do it. The Master came along, and he immediately cast out the dumb spirit. Then the Apostles said, "Why could not we cast him out?" And what did Christ say? "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and by fasting." (Matt. 17:21)

Sometimes we rush in, administer to a person, rush out, and say, "Well, he won't make it. I know he won't." Of course, we have to, in case of an emergency, go immediately. Sometimes I wonder, if we have a little time, if we shouldn't do a little fasting. "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and by fasting."

• [Baby - blind, deaf, dumb, no muscular coordination, unable to crawl]

A little over a year ago a couple came into my office carrying a little boy. The father said to me, "My wife and I have been fasting for two days, and we've brought our little boy up for a blessing. You are the one we've been sent to."

I said, "What's the matter with him?"

They said he was born blind, deaf, and dumb, had not coordination of his muscles, and couldn't even crawl at the age of five years. I said to myself, this is it. I had implicit faith in the fasting and the prayers of those parents. I blessed that child, and a few weeks later I received a letter: "Brother Cowley, we wish you could see our little boy now. He's crawling. When we throw a ball across the floor, he races after it on his hands and knees. He can see. When we clap our hands over his head, he jumps. He can hear."

Medical science had laid the burden down. God had taken over. The little boy was rapidly recovering, really getting what he'd never had.

• [Non-member woman dying]

I went into a hospital one day in New Zealand to bless a woman who didn't belong to the Church. She was dying. We all knew she was dying. Even the doctor said so.

She was having her farewell party. Ah, that's one thing I like about the natives. When you go, they give you a farewell party. They all gather around. They send messages over to the other side. "When you get over there, tell my mother I'm trying to do my best; I'm not so good but I'm trying. Tell her to have a good room fixed for me when I get over there--plenty of fish, good meals. " My, it's wonderful how they send you off.

Well, there they were, all gathered around this poor sister. She was about to be confined, and the doctor told her it would kill her. She was tubercular from head to foot. I had with me an old native, almost ninety. She was his niece. He stood up at the head of the bed, and he said, "Vera, you're dead. You're dead because the doctor says you're dead. You're on your way out. I've been to you, your home, Of your people, my relatives, I'm the only one that has joined the Church. None of you has ever listened to me. You're dead now; but you're going to live." He turned to me and said, "Is it all right if we kneel down and pray?"

I said, "Yes." So we knelt down. Everybody around there knelt down. And after the prayer we blessed her.

The last time I was in New Zealand she had her fifth child and she's physically well from head to foot. She has not joined the Church yet. That's the next miracle I'm waiting for.

Well, now, this is just psychological effect, isn't it? There nothing to this priesthood business. it's only psychological effect. But where was the psychological effect on that little boy in the County Hospital who was so unconscious he didn't even know we were praying over him? He wasn't even conscious of what we were doing.

• [Raising the dead]

I was called to a home in a little village in New Zealand one day. There the Relief Society sisters were preparing the body of one of our Saints. They had placed his body in front of the Big House as they call it, the house where the people came to wail and weep and mourn over the dead, when in rushed the dead man's brother.

He said, "Administer to him."

A young native said, "Why, you shouldn't do that; he's dead."

"You do it!"

This same old man that I had with me when his niece was so ill was there. The younger native got down on his knees, and he anointed the dead man. Then this great old sage got down and blessed him and commanded him to rise. You should have seen the Relief Society sisters scatter. And he sat up, and he said, "Send for the elders; I don't feel very well."

Now, of course, all of that was just psychological effect on that dead man. Wonderful, isn't it – this psychological effect business?

Well, we told him he had just been administered to, and he said: "Oh, that was it." He said, "I was dead. I could feel life coming back into me just like a blanket unrolling." He outlived the brother that came in and told us to administer to him.

• [9 month old blind baby]

I've told the story about the little baby nine months old who was born blind. The father came up with him one Sunday and said, "Brother Cowley, our baby hasn't been blessed yet; we'd like you to bless him."

I said, "Why have you waited so long?"

"Oh, we just didn't get around to it."

Now, that's the native way. I like that. Just don't get around to doing things! Why not live and enjoy it?

I said, "All right, what's the name?" So he told me the name and I was just going to start when he said, "By the way, give him his vision when you give him a name. He was born blind." Well, it shocked me, but then I said to myself, why not? Christ told his disciples when he left them they could work miracles, and I had faith in that father's faith. After I gave that child its name, I finally got around to giving it its vision.

That boy's about twelve years old now. The last time I was back there I was afraid to inquire about him. I was sure he had gone blind again. That's the way my faith works sometimes. So I asked the branch president about him. He said, "Brother Cowley, the worst thing you ever did was to bless that child to receive his vision. He's the meanest kid in the neighborhood, always getting into mischief." Boy, I was thrilled about that kid getting into mischief!

• [God controls all elements]

God does have control of all of these elements. You and I can reach out, and if it's his will, we can bring those elements under our control for His purposes.

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. And if there ever was a miracle in the history of mankind that miracle is this Church which has grown to its present greatness in the earth.

Your institution here stems from the prayer of a boy who was persecuted, who was driven from pillar to post, whose life was taken, who has been branded as the greatest fraud that ever lived on the American continent. This Church from that kind of fraud is the greatest miracle of modern history. And it's a miracle of God our Father.

May you all have an inward witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that God used him to bring about his purposes in this Dispensation of the Fulness of Times.

May we always be loyal devoted, and simple in our faith, I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Update on Briana

2010-10-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

10/10/10
Serena and Bri are traveling back to Bri’s home following the colonoscopy. Serena called to report the nurse who performed the colonoscopy and the dr. with whom she conferred both confirmed no cancer in the colon.

We express deepest gratitude to a loving Heavenly Father for this blessing.

Rick

Today's test is tomorrow's testimony.

John 14: 12
. . . He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

From Elder Lyon

2010-10-10T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hey Bri,

I heard that you had a stroke. I am sure those are not the kind of scares that you would ever want and I am sorry that it happened. I am sure that after all that you have gone through it would seem as though you deserve a break. I pray that as you go through the furnace of affliction, the changes that the Lord has intended regarding your spiritual strength and character, will become increasingly clear. I read today the verse that talks about being tried and refined and later chosen from the furnace of affliction. All of these trials are designed to help you be prepared to be with God. Some thing that i learned that i have yet to be able to put clearly into words, so i hope this makes sense, is the fact that Christ suffered for all of our since. Every treatment you have been given, every side effect felt, has been felt by the Savior. He knew that you would have that trial. He knew how much you would NEED that trial. He knew it enough that HE TOO was willing to suffer through it. His concern for your eternal well-being, was great enough, that He was willing to go through all the same pains, challenges and afflictions, that you would, just so that you could come out of it a better person and just so that He could stand along side of you and comfort you. If it wasnt a necessary trial, then He would not have suffered through it. I dont think He would have added more to His load, then what was necessary.

Look and live. Recognize the miracle and i hope you feel my prayers. I love you

I love the scripture in the last chapter of 1 Peter. I cant remember the verse but it is at the top of the page and it says something like, "laying all of your cares on Him, for He careth for you"

Keep the faith

Elder BUD

A Father's Thoughts to His Daughter

2010-10-10T15:51:00.000-07:00

October 10, 2010

Dear Bri,

As I’ve thought of you today and pondered numerous passages of scripture, I’ve pled with the Lord for a loving and understanding heart.

During this morning’s Fast & Testimony meeting, I recalled the counsel given to us as young missionaries in the Argentina East Mission by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in 1973. As I recall his instruction he said,

“There will be times in your life when you’ll see an obstacle, as if it were a wall, in front of you. It’s so big you know you can’t go over it, you can’t go around it, you can’t go under it, you can’t go through it. When you’re 50 yards away you might pray, ‘Lord, there’s a wall in front of me. Please remove it.’ He probably won’t. At 20 yards, you’ll offer a similar prayer. He still won’t remove the wall. At 5 yards, you pray and the wall remains. The Lord expects us to touch our nose to the wall and press forward with all our might. When you feel as if your nose is going to break, pray with faith and expect the miracle.”

My dearest Bri, you are so valiant and faithful! You are a beautiful daughter of God and a worthy wife and mother in Zion.

Questions . . . Why? . . . How much longer? . . . come to mortal hearts and minds. As His children navigating our way through mortality such questions are to be expected. We don’t always know the answers. He invites all to come, obey and trust in Him.

We acknowledge many walls that you’ve encountered and seen removed over the past two years. With deep reverence we thank our Heavenly Father with broken hearts and contrite spirits for the miracles you’ve experienced and that we’ve witnessed at His hand. Yet, walls remain.

At times, life feels like one’s about to win a game of checkers and just when we feel the game (trial) is nearly over, someone adds more squares to the game board – it seems unfair. From my perspective, it seems as if you’ve had to make more than your fair share of moves and jumps.

I know you find yourself with your nose pressing against a wall. Continue in faith and expect the miracle. Promises, blessings and relationships detailed in your patriarchal blessing remain unchanged. God remains your friend. He takes you by the hand and will not forsake you.

I love and admire Eric! What faith and trust he exhibits as he’s often required to leave your side to travel long distances to sell a product he never knew before, to dr.s he never met before, in facilities he never visited before. Yet he goes and does that which is required to provide for you and the kids. I’m humbled that he goes forward, trusting all will be well with you in the care of Mom and our Heavenly Father. What a wonderful example, husband and father!

Attending angels continue to be with you –

Eric, Mom, other family members and friends, compassionate men and women here on earth.

Please know that Grandpa Boulter and so many friends and family on the other side of the veil work and plead with the Father in your behalf - great-grandmothers, grandfathers and other friends and family that have passed.

I’m so grateful Mom and Serena are with you today. The love your brother and sisters feel for you is pure and abundant beyond description. Your mother is an angel! How blessed we all are to have her in our lives. Knowing she is with you, Eric and the kids is an incomparable blessing for her and me. When I contemplate the infinite love of our Heavenly parents, I immediately think of Mom. What a saint . . . truly a queen and goddess! Oh, if you could fully comprehend the place you hold in her prayers.

Although I can’t be with you at this time, as your father, through this written message I feel impressed to extend unto you a blessing. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I bless you that all walls will be removed – that blessings received at the hands of worthy men of God and pronounced by divine revelation from the Holy Ghost since the beginning of this trial will yet come to pass – the miracle continues.

The Mesa temple reopens after two weeks of scheduled maintenance on Tues. morning, (Oct. 12). I’ll be there bright and early in the morning. You, Eric, Mom and the kids will be with me.

I don’t feel I can say it enough . . . you’re always in my heart, thoughts and prayers. I humbly and fervently pray for the miracle of healing to come into your life today.

I love you,

Dad

Be believing!

Update on Briana

2010-08-19T09:31:00.001-07:00

08/18/10 1:45 p.m.

The vampire took 15 vials of blood for Bri’s blood work this morning. Then the dr. performed an EKG to check her heart function. Mom says Bri will receive results of the blood work and the EKG next week.

This afternoon is a time of relaxation for Bri, the kids and Mom. They’re at the movie theater watching “Karate Kid.”

Bri’s coping very well . . . taking everything day by day, with faith and absolute confidence in the prayers and blessings offered on her behalf.

Dad

Faith makes things possible . . . not easy.

"It's journal material, Elder . . . journal material."

(Roy Boulter's frequent comment when life became difficult.)

Update on Briana

2010-08-17T19:58:00.000-07:00

08/17/10 p.m.

Well, Bri is quite the “social butterfly” as Nate would say, meeting all kinds of new people. The neurologist performed scans and evaluation of the carotid arteries in her neck. They were clear.

Tomorrow she’ll let the hematologist (vampire type-person) draw numerous vials of blood. After that it’s off to an EKG to check circulation in her heart.

Next week she’ll begin speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy. She’ll return to the neurologist next Wed., Aug. 25

Thus far the cause of the stroke is unknown. As the oncologist and Karen McCoy (our RN friend who worked in cancer wards for years) both said, Bri’s system is so full of toxins from chemotherapy, anything could have caused a reaction, precipitating the stroke. Nevertheless, they absolutely assert her condition is fully reversible with time and therapy.

Tonight, Bri’s already begun exercising her left arm – lifting the remote control over her head, and her left leg – lifting it up and over the footstool.

The miracle continues! She will have a full restoration of health.

Dad

Where there is hope, there is faith . . . Where there is faith, miracles can happen.
1 Tim. 1: 1
. . . Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

Perspective on life's challenges. . . Smile

"I'm trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture."

May God bless you today and every day as you face the storms that come your way!

A Child's View of Thunderstorms

Update on Briana

2010-08-15T14:55:00.001-07:00

08/15/10

Bri had a wonderful experience at Girl’s Camp. She said it was the best Girl’s Camp she’s ever attended . . . no back-biting, no cliques, no rumors . . . all the girls were very supportive of each other.

During the week she began experiencing slurred speech and impairment of sensation on her left side. Her bishop administered to her at Girl’s Camp, blessing her with a continuation of all promises made in previous administrations and blessings. After the blessing he reassured her that her healing would be complete. She felt, and still feels, very much at peace.

She called her dr. and was told not to be concerned. What? Yeah, I know . . . anyone would be concerned with such symptoms. Her dr. explained she was experiencing swelling of the brain – which is normal after radiation treatment. The body is removing residual tissue left behind after the pin-point radiation treatments killed the tumors. Her symptoms are very common. The dr. will probably put her back on steroids to reduce and control the inflammation and swelling of the brain and the symptoms will disappear. He’ll take care of it tomorrow as she goes in for her “last” chemo treatment.

Tomorrow, Mom will drive Eric to the Burbank airport at 8:00 a.m. He’ll begin his first week of training in North Carolina. Mom will return to the house and drive Bri to the treatment center for her chemotherapy. Cassie Raymond will watch the kids until Bri and Mom return home in the early afternoon.

Of course, we keep Bri, Eric and the kids in our prayers. We trust in the Lord, the power of faith – doubting nothing, and revelation as declared in priesthood blessings and in our hearts that confirms her ultimate healing. She will be healed! The miracle continues!

I love you all,
Dad

Having someone to love is family,
Having somewhere to go is home,
Having both is a blessing.
"Faith in God requires faith in His timing."
Neal A. Maxwell

Family Update

2010-07-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

07/31/10 p.m.

Bri is doing very well.

A recap of recent events:

· Bri was released from a Church calling that she dearly loved in mid-May . . . Young Women’s President.

· The week before Father’s Day, Eric lost his job. Faith, prayers, fasting, friends and networking immediately resulted in several job offers.

As you may know, Eric is as close to being a professional cyclist as one can be without doing it full-time. A year ago, Eric and Bri planned and paid for a trip to France. Arriving after the conclusion of the Tour de France, Eric planned to ride some of the Tour de France course. His passion is riding mountains. He looked forward to riding in the Alps.

· Bri would undergo one last chemotherapy treatment on Mon., Jul. 12. Eric was scheduled to fly to France on Tues., Jul. 13, returning Tues., Jul. 27.

Knowing the situation with Eric’s employment, Bri’s chemotherapy dr. observed that she tolerated chemo better than 98% of all patients. He suggested that she consent to two more treatments (Mon., Jul. 26 and Mon., Aug. 16) . . . just to be sure she was clean. That meant she couldn’t accompany Eric to France.

· Teri drove to Simi Valley on Sun., Jul. 11 to help during the time Eric was gone.

· Bri had a chemo treatment this past Mon., Jul. 26. She had a couple of down days this past week, but has since bounced back and is doing well.

· Prior to Eric’s trip to France, he was informed of a job opportunity in Sacramento. Arrangements were made for him to fly to North Carolina on Thurs., Jul. 29 -- the day after his return to the States.

· Eric’s job interview on Fri., Jul. 30 was successful. He will begin his new job on Mon., Aug. 2.

· Bri and Eric will drive to Sacramento on Mon. While he is oriented in his new job, Bri will look for a home to rent. Teri will stay with the children in Simi Valley. Tiffany & Devin will travel from Mesa, AZ with their children to Simi Valley on Mon., Aug. 2 so the little cousins can spend time together. Bri and Eric plan to return to Simi Valley late next week. Hopefully, they’ll have a couple of days to visit with Tiff & Devin before the Wilcocks return to AZ for the start of the new school year. First day of school in Mesa will be Wed., Aug. 11.

· Although plans are subject to change Eric could be on the job in CA for a week and then in NC in training for a week. This sequence could repeat itself several times.

· Teri will stay in CA to help Bri and the kids.

· Even though Bri was released as the young Women’s President in May, she’s been invited to participate with the Young Women at Girl’s Camp the week of Aug. 9-14. We and she are so pleased with the opportunity to participate the girl’s she’s grown to love. Teri will be in Simi Valley with the kids.

· Upon conclusion of the chemo treatment on Aug. 16, I imagine the dr. will order another MRI and CAT scan to confirm no evidence of cancer. Bri doesn’t plan to move to Sacramento until the dr.s confirm that she’s cancer-free. It appears her children may begin school in Simi Valley and then relocate to Sacramento very early in the school year.

· I don’t plan on Teri’s return to Phoenix until after Labor Day, and even then, if she can be of assistance to Bri & Eric, she’ll be there for them.

Well that’s it. What I thought would be a short little update turned out to be lengthier than I anticipated.

In short, we’ve witnessed a continuation of great blessings over the past couple of months. Because of love, faith and priesthood blessings, Bri’s miraculous healing continues. In a time when so many men and women are unable to find work, Eric has been blessed with new employment. A new adventure lies before them at this time. Your continued remembrance of Bri, Eric and the children in your thoughts, prayers, fasting and temple worship are needed and appreciated.

We love you!

Rick

Home is where your story begins.

Family . . .
forever . . .
for always . . .
no matter what.

Watch Your Thoughts

2010-07-28T10:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever found yourself thinking of something and then within a few days . . . bingo! . . . it’s there? Over the past few days I’ve thought about saunas, steam rooms and jacuzzis. I didn’t order any of them . . . just thought about them.

1:35 this morning . . . whamo! . . . I found myself in the middle of a 1,750 sq. ft. sauna. What a surprise! What an amazing feeling. No need to sleep under covers or a sheet. I just basked in the movement of hot, moist air that was circulated by an overhead fan. It was 81̊ outside and already 94̊ inside my sauna. I’ve been trying to turn off the heat since early this morning. No luck. I finally broke down and called an A/C technician. I hope he’ll be here before noon.

Moral of this true life story: Watch your thoughts.

Dad

The Beginning of Their Love Story...

2010-07-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter... April

2010-07-23T09:31:00.000-07:00

Fri., July 23, 2010

(35 years ago)

Early this morning I spent time in the Mesa Temple reflecting on all of you and events that occurred 35 years ago.

July 23, 1975, 4:00 a.m., I left Lackland Air Force Base after completing 6 weeks of Basic Training and 2 weeks in Casual Status – hanging around Lackland until the government made arrangements to get me to Lowry AFB in Aurora, CO (suburb east of Denver). My time in Casual Status consisted of scrubbing lots of toilets and floors and sitting around.

On this day, 35 yrs. ago, Mom scurried around the Denver airport as my arrival gate was changed a couple of times. She was 8 months pregnant with April. When I landed, I only got to see her for a few minutes. It was an emotional reunion. I was thrilled to see her again. Then I was ordered to get on a government bus and I was taken to in-process at Lowry. Mom picked me up about 5:00 p.m. and we went to Grandpa and Grandma Juber’s home for supper.

After supper, Mom was helping clear the table and cleaning dishes when the small of her back began to ache. Once we arrived at our home – a trailer in the trailer park just east of Grandpa and Grandma’s place, Mom’s lower back pains continued. Little did we know it was the beginning of a long and sleepless night.

Mom had visited with her OB dr. a few days prior to my return from Basic Training. She had enrolled us in Lamaze classes. She had a stack of childbirth manuals at the house. By 10:30 p.m. she was soaking in the tub, trying to relieve her back pain and I was reading one of her manuals, reviewing the signs of labor. By midnight, very much against Mom’s will, we were on our way to Fitzsimons Army Medical Center.

It was quite a homecoming 35 years ago, today . . . culminating April’s birth the next day -- July 24, 1975. Yes, Mom felt like a pioneer that day.

FYI – The military charged us $11 for April’s birth. Later, I questioned why the military charged us $13 for Nate. I felt it was discriminatory and an excessive charge -- things appear that way when your gross pay is less than $600/month. The nurse summed up the difference in one word . . . circumcision. Oh! Ouch! Oh!

After April’s birth, on my way home from the hospital, I stopped at the Post Exchange (PX) to buy a high-chair for our little girl. When I returned to the hospital later that day, I was excited to tell Mom of my thoughtful purchase. She laughed and informed me that it would be several months before April would be able to use it. Oh well, if she had developed any quicker, we were prepared.

We’re blessed to have Mom and April in our lives.

I love you,

Dad

Family . . . all because two people fell in love.

A mother holds her children’s hands for a moment . . .

she holds their hearts for a lifetime.

A Father's Thoughts to All His Children

2010-07-15T10:25:00.002-07:00

Sun., July 4, 2010
(30 years)

30 years ago, Apr. 25, 1980, I was driving Mom, April (almost 5 yrs old), Nate (almost 4 yrs old), Tiffany (2 yrs old) and Briana (10 months old) to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa so you could all return to the United States and have some time to get acquainted and visit with Grandpa & Grandma Juber in the Seattle, WA area. Since Tiff and Bri were born on Okinawa during our 3-yr. Air Force tour of duty--family in the States had never seen them. April turned 2 the week we left the States for Okinawa and Nate celebrated his 1st birthday on Okinawa.

As we drove to the base, except for the Armed Forces Radio Network news broadcasting through the radio, the car was very quiet and the atmosphere was very somber. Suddenly, a news alert . . . the radio announcer said Pres. Jimmy Carter had launched an invasion into Iran to free hostages the Iranians had taken at the U.S. Embassy. The invasion and attempted hostage rescue failed miserably. U.S. helicopters crashed and military personnel were killed. The radio announcer went on to say that military dependents would be allowed to leave the island of Okinawa, but military personnel with permanent change of station (PCS) orders were immediately frozen on Okinawa until further notice. The entire island went into high alert.

After a very emotional good-bye, Mom took the 4 of you on a Flying Tiger aircraft the military had leased for the trip to the States. The cargo plane had been reconfigured to accommodate passengers. Mom was issued a Dole pineapple box that was to be used as Bri’s bed during the 16-hr. flight from Kadena to Travis Air Force Base, CA (near San Francisco). Mom was amazing as she single-handedly cared for all of you in a trip half-way around the world to California. She then overcame serious challenges getting you from Travis AFB to the San Francisco civilian airport for your trip to Seattle.

Mount St. Helens volcano (Washington) erupted, causing massive devastation and ash fall-out just before you all arrived in Seattle. After Mom got you all settled in Seattle, she went to Portland, OR to pick up a lovely new 1980 Plymouth Volare, mocha brown, station wagon that we had ordered through the Base Exchange (BX) on Okinawa. From the time she got the car until we were all reunited in Provo, the engine compartment was filled with volcanic ash from the eruption.

After spending several weeks in Seattle, Mom drove you to Provo, UT to get acquainted and spend time with Grandpa and Grandma Boulter until my return.

Now to the heart of this story . . .

It was 30 yrs. ago today (July 4, 1980) that I had celebrated my last 4th of July, by myself, on Okinawa. You see, being in Japan, I was one-day ahead of you here, in the States. I remember sitting alone the night of the 4th of July, in the midst of hundreds of military men and women and their families on a football field at Camp Butler (the Marine Corps base where we lived), watching the fireworks display, anxiously waiting for time to pass so I could get on a plane and return to the States.

In the early morning hours of July 5, 1980 (Okinawa time), I flew out of Kadena AB enroute to San Francisco. During my long flight home, you were celebrating the 4th of July with Grandpa & Grandma Boulter at their home in Provo. I remember Mom telling me how all of you and Grandpa & Grandma climbed on their roof to watch the fireworks show that originated at BYU.

Earlier this week as I spoke with Grandma Boulter, she fondly remembered that 4th of July on the roof with all of you. She laughed and excitedly recounted her memories of that night 30 years ago. She giggled, remembering how she and Grandpa were able to climb the ladder to get onto the roof that night.

My, how time flies when you’re having fun . . .
Faithful mother caring for 4 little ones under the age of 6 as they traveled half-way around the world.
Baby Bri, issued a Dole pineapple box for her bed.
Half a mountain blown away in a volcanic eruption (Mount St. Helens).
New car with an engine compartment full of volcanic ash.
4th of July, alone in Okinawa.
4th of July in Provo, atop Grandpa & Grandma’s roof.
Aug. 3, 1981 (13 months later) . . . Serena, our first civilian baby, serenely brought more of heaven into our home.
Mar. 24, 1983 . . . Heather arrived to bless our family on Grandma Emma Boulter’s birthday.
Family moves from Okinawa to Las Vegas to Orem to Mesa to Gilbert.
Bolt, Coqui and Kadena.
Grade school, Jr. High, High School.
School reports, dates, volleyball, chorus, graduations (or as Leyna says, “getting kicked out” of school).
More dates . . . then spouses . . . then special little ones from the pre-existence.
Challenges in which our family and individual faith and testimony have been tested, refined and further developed.

30 years of life, challenges, growth and miracles
Yes, each of you is counted a divine, precious miracle to Mom and me.

Where much is given, much is required.
It’s not over yet.

May we all be united in love, faith and testimony, counted worthy to receive, witness and testify of miracles yet to come into our lives.

I love you,
Dad

When I count my blessings . . .
I count you twice.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.

Update on Briana

2010-07-15T10:25:00.001-07:00

06/29/10 p.m.

Today we found that Bri had not only an MRI to check her torso, but she also had a CAT scan to check her brain, yesterday (Mon., Jun. 28).

Bri met with her neurologist today. He gave her a clean bill of health! Of the 13 tumors that were on the brain just a few months ago, he could only see slight residual evidence of 2, and he found that residual evidence only because he knew exactly where to look. He emphasized that he was “amazed,” that her case was a “miracle.” He agreed with the oncologist saying there was no evidence based on scans and tests to indicate that last Fri. night’s episode was anything other than an anomaly, probably triggered by a migraine headache.

The miracle continues!

Your faith, prayers, fasting and temple worship are deeply appreciated.

Rick

If God brings you to it . . .
He will bring you through it.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.

Update on Briana

2010-07-15T10:24:00.003-07:00

06/28/10 p.m.

Bri is doing very well today. Since the incident, she’s had no lingering effects or sensations from last Fri. night’s episode.

She tolerated today’s chemo treatment without more than an upset stomach.

Her oncologist reviewed the MRI that was performed today and found nothing abnormal. Her neurosurgeon wasn’t able to visit with her today, but will see her tomorrow morning to give his opinion of the MRI in the context of last Fri. night’s episode.

Last Sat., when Bri told us about her Fri. night episode, she failed to mention a key bi of information. Fri. evening, she and Eric had gone to dinner and while they were out she experienced a headache that caused her to see a bright flash of light.

During today’s visit she told the oncologist about the headache. He told her the bright flash of light and sensations she felt after returning home last Fri. night and resting for a little while were more likely indicative of a migraine induced episode, and probably not associated with any type of TIA or mini-stroke (blood clot or hemorrhage induced). Yes, Bri, Eric, and all of us breathed easier when we heard that.

Because Bri spoke with the neurosurgeon last Fri. night during the episode and at that time he suspected the event might have been an anomaly, we anticipate that tomorrow he’ll probably confirm the oncologist’s findings and determination.

Teri and I look forward to spending time in the Mesa Temple early tomorrow morning. It’s where we go to be close to the Lord, Bri and all of you. It’s a nice way to start the day.

One last positive note . . . this afternoon Bri told us her hair is growing. Yippee!

Keep the faith! The miracle continues.

Rick

Faith is not believing that God can . . .
it's knowing that He will.

Update on Briana

2010-07-15T10:24:00.001-07:00

06/26/10 p.m.

Bri called late this morning to report that she had a disturbing experience last night (Fri., Jun. 25). While at her home she noticed her fingers, then her palms, then her arms went numb. Her vision blurred and then the numbness spread to the right side of her face, into the right side of her mouth and teeth. She tried walking throughout the house in hopes the sensations would pass, but in the end she called the hospital. Eventually her neurosurgeon returned her call. He told her the symptoms could have been caused by many things including a possible T.I.A. (transient ischemic attack, a mini-stroke). Another possibility was the bodies attempt to slough-off residual tissue from dead tumors that were zapped with pin-point radiation a few months ago. At any rate, the dr. put Bri back on steroids and said she’d be scheduled for an MRI during her chemotherapy session next Mon., Jun. 28.

As she spoke with the dr. and before she took the steroid medication, all her symptoms vanished.

Before going to bed, Bri received a priesthood administration from a ward member and Eric. She felt comforted and confident that all will be well. The miracle continues.

Today, she feels totally normal and fine.

Teri and I have a friend named Karen McCoy. She’s an RN who spent years working in pediatric cancer wards. She concurred with the neurosurgeon’s statement that last night’s event could be caused by a wide variety of factors, including the fact that she simply has so much toxic junk in her system from numerous chemo, steroid and radiation treatments.

Eric will be going to France on Jul. 12 for a couple of weeks. Teri will travel to CA to be with Bri and the kids during his absence. She’s also ready to travel at a moment’s notice if Bri of the family need her before or after that time.

Your ongoing faith and prayers with any additional oomph you have would be appreciated throughout the upcoming week, particularly on Monday as Bri undergoes more testing and treatment. Thanks for being there. Life’s challenges are easier to confront with faithful family members at one’s side.

Rick

Having someone to love is family,
Having somewhere to go is home,
Having both is a blessing.

"Faith in God requires faith in His timing."
Neal A. Maxwell

Update on Briana

2010-07-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

06/03/10 p.m.

Bri’s oncologist didn’t have much time for her this afternoon. That was disappointing. She called us and said, “I have some good news and some bad news.” The oncologist said her torso scan came back clean -- no sign of cancer anywhere in the torso, not in the abdomen or on the sternum where a spot in each location was previously seen. The radiologist reported he might have seen a very small spot on the liver, but the oncologist said he didn’t see anything in the liver.

As a preventive measure the oncologist wants to continue with chemotherapy every other week, including this next Monday. He wants to ensure there are no micro size cancers anywhere in her system that could move and/or flare-up in the future. This news made Bri quite emotional as chemotherapy has a cumulative, destructive effect on the body. Each successive treatment causes her more nausea, fatigue and side-effects. She was really hoping further chemo wouldn’t be required. During our phone conversation she tried to be strong, but chemotherapy has taken its toll -- emotionally, mentally and physically.

We acknowledge Divine intervention and blessings that resulted in her clean torso scan. We pray that ongoing chemo treatments may soon no longer be necessary.

Our faith, trust and confidence in all that’s been confirmed in our hearts regarding her ultimate restoration of health continue, nothing doubting. Your ongoing support is appreciated.

Rick

Faith makes things possible . . . not easy.

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter

2010-07-15T10:22:00.002-07:00

Thurs., Jun. 3, 2010
(38 yrs. ago today - June 3, 1972, I entered the Mission Home in Salt Lake City,
beginning my full-time missionary service - Argentina East Mission.)

Bri,

Mom and I had an enjoyable time doing initiatory work in the Mesa Temple early this morning. You, Eric and the kids were with us.

I know Mom recently shared the following story, but as long as I’m trying to share things that I find inspiring, I thought I’d include it in my thoughts to you.

A Child's View of Thunderstorms

A little girl walked to and from school daily.

Though the weather that morning was questionable and clouds were forming, she made her daily trek to school.

As the afternoon progressed, the winds whipped up, along with lightning.

The mother of the little girl felt concerned that her daughter would be frightened as she walked home from school. She also feared the electrical storm might harm her child.

Full of concern, the mother got into her car and quickly drove along the route to her child's school.

As she did, she saw her little girl walking along.

At each flash of lightning, the child would stop, look up, and smile.

More lighting followed quickly and with each, the little girl would look at the streak of light and smile.

When the mother drew up beside the child, she lowered the window and called, "What are you doing?"

The child answered, "I am trying to look pretty because God keeps taking my picture."

May God bless you today and every day as you face the storms that come your way!

I love you,
Dad

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass . . .
it's about learning to dance in the rain.

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter

2010-07-15T10:22:00.001-07:00

Mon., May 31, 2010
Memorial Day

Bri,

In our family, Memorial Day represents much more than a day in which we remember the sacrifice of courageous men and women who’ve served and in many cases, laid-down down their lives for our country. It’s a day in which we reverence, honor and express eternal gratitude for family members who’ve courageously lived their lives in harmony with the gospel and their testimony of the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Grandpas and grandmas, cousins and other family members who’ve passed continue to work and pray for your healing. Grandmothers in particular continue to attend and support you in difficult moments. Your ancestors constitute a group of Heavenly Father’s most faithful and loving sons and daughters.

By the way, I hope you know that Coqui and Kadena are doing all they can, or as much as dogs are permitted to do, in your behalf. Perhaps when your cheek feels moist and you think it may have been a tear, it might have been one or both of them giving you a kiss. Perhaps when you feel a comforting warmth, it’s actually one or both of them lying close to reassure and support you. They’ve always been that way you know. No worry . . . they no longer shed.

Tomorrow you’ll have a torso scan. Mom and I will be in the Mesa Temple early in the morning. You’ll be with us . . . in our thoughts, in our hearts and in our prayers.

When I think of you, my thoughts inevitably turn to your mother. Her faith and dedication to you and the Lord are unwavering. She has no doubt in the power of faith and the priesthood blessings you’ve received by inspired men who’ve known and pronounced the mind and will of the Lord.

This past week I came across the website: www.DeFordMusic.com . Sally DeFord has written some beautiful songs.

Today, as I’ve contemplated the blessings of a righteous family legacy, the examples and influences of family members, passed and living, worthy of gratitude and emulation, my heart and thoughts are turned to your mother. I’m so grateful for her and for all she means too all of us, particularly to you, your brother and sisters.

I love this song. Today, I dedicate it to you and Mom.
An Angel to Watch Over Me
Double-click on the MP3 link in the “Attached” box atop this e-mail message to listen to the song. As the song plays you can scroll down in this message to read the lyrics.

Lyrics: http://www.defordmusic.com/anangeltowatchoverme.htm

She watched by my cradle through long, sleepless nights
She taught me to pray as she knelt by my side
She guarded my childhood, and all through the years
She echoed my laughter, she counted my tears
In the arms of my mother, I came to believe
That God sent an angel to watch over me

She taught me the meaning of courage and faith
She taught me to live with the Lord as my strength
She taught me to follow the pathway he marked
She guided my steps when the journey grew dark
And I know there were dangers that I could not see
But God sent an angel to watch over me

She taught me to serve with a spirit that sings
She taught me to seek after heavenly things
And because of her love and her kindness and care
Because of the place that I hold in her prayers
And because of her goodness, I still believe
That God sent an angel to watch over me
Happy Memorial Day, Sweetheart . . . the miracle continues . . . you’re clean!

I love you,
Dad

Where there is hope, there is faith . . .
Where there is faith, miracles can happen.
1 Tim. 1: 1
. . . Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

If God brings you to it . . .
He will bring you through it.

Update on Briana 5/24/10

2010-07-15T10:19:00.000-07:00

Bri concluded what we hope is her last chemotherapy session, this afternoon. She’s home, feeling tired but not as ill as she felt on chemo-day, the past two Monday sessions (May 10 and Apr. 26). Her dr.s want to perform a body scan next Tues., Jun. 1. At that time, the scan will focus on the previous spot of cancer that was found on her sternum. A head scan is not planned at this time. I guess the dr.s feel that with the miraculous progress noted in her last full-body scan (Apr. 22), if the sternum is clean, everything else will be considered clean. Bri and Eric will meet with the doctor(s) at 4:00 p.m. on Thurs., Jun. 3 to review the scan results.

Your continued faith, prayers and temple worship with Bri in mind are sincerely appreciated.

Rick

Man's extremities are God's opportunities.

2010-05-26T09:05:00.001-07:00

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More Great News!

2010-04-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

Bri,

Just a note to let you know I had a wonderful experience in the Mesa Temple yesterday. Mom had to stay at home as she needed to do some real estate research for a family recently graduated from BYU, relocating to the East Valley. I felt so at peace as I performed initiatory ordinances for 5 Latin American men. I prayed the Lord would allow a renewing of those special blessings to be abundantly showered upon you.

Mom and I will be in the temple again early tomorrow morning. You’ll be in our hearts and minds as you undergo your scan. We’re always with you. We have unwavering faith, confidence and trust that you’ll be fine.

Love,
Dad

____________________________________________

Those prayers were answered. Of the 5 remaining tumors, 2 shrunk so much that they weren’t worth treating. The other 3 shrunk by almost half. The previously treated tumors look like scar tissue, meaning not living. In other words, my body is responding beautifully to the chemotherapy – it’s working in the brain!! Dr. Ahn said he does this all the time and doesn’t see this kind of rapid success, not with as many tumors that I had.

The plan is to continue chemo every two weeks and have another MRI in 2-3 months to check up on things, as well as a full body scan. Things are going well and I think can only get better!

Love you for loving me and sending prayers to heaven on our behalf!!!!

Bri

Great News!!

2010-04-07T11:25:00.000-07:00

Apparently Bri’s scan has been delayed at least a week. She, Teri and the kids are on the road. They should be in Phoenix by 4:30 this afternoon.

Rick

Update on Briana

2010-04-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Bri went to the medical center early this morning for her PET scan. The facility was closed. She found one employee at the medical center who checked the records. Bri’s scan wasn’t scheduled.

She’s now waiting for her dr. to call and give her further instructions. Needless to say, she’s very upset. This week’s chemotherapy treatment was cancelled to coordinate with the scan. If she had known the scan wouldn’t take place, she, Teri and the kids could have come back to AZ this past Mon.

If the dr. calls and schedules the scan for next week, Bri, Teri and the kids will travel to AZ today.

If the dr. schedules the scan for tomorrow, they’ll wait until the scan is completed and travel to AZ tomorrow or Fri.

Hurry up and wait . . .

Rick

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter

2010-04-07T07:40:00.000-07:00

Wed., Apr. 6, 2010

Bri,

This morning I had a wonderful experience participating in initiatory ordinances in the Mesa Temple. I felt so comforted and uplifted as I pondered the covenants and blessings that were prounounced. In my heart, I fervently prayed the Lord would shower you with all those blessings.

Scriptural passages regarding faith; prayer, doubting nothing; and miracles are in my mind and heart continually. May you and Eric find great power, comfort and hope in the following passages . . .

John 14:

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

I’ve added some bracketed words in the following passage from Matt. 21 that I feel are relevant to you at this time.

Matt. 21:

18 Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered.

19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit [tumor] grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree [cancer] withered away.

20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, How soon is the fig tree [cancer] withered away!

21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree [cancer], but also if ye shall say unto this mountain [impossible challenge], Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

The miracle continues. Priesthood blessings are being fulfilled. You will be strengthened and healed.

I love you,

Dad

When I count my blessings . . . I count you twice.

Man’s extremities are God’s opportunities.

Teri in California

2010-04-07T07:39:00.000-07:00

Bri and Teri have enjoyed a whirlwind of activity since Teri’s arrival in Simi Valley, CA, last Fri., Apr. 2 (Rock’s birthday!). They hosted Kami’s slumber party Fri. night. They enjoyed shopping and playing with the kids on Sat. They enjoyed listening to General Conference and meeting with family and friends for dinner on Sun., Apr. 4 (Kami’s 8th birthday). Mon., Apr. 5, they had a little down time. This evening, Bri & Teri are going to dinner at a Claim Jumper restaurant and then Salsa dancing with a group of about 12 other women. The husbands are staying home to care for the children.

Tomorrow is Bri’s PET scan. She’s feeling great! She looks great! We continue to pray for the Spirit to quicken and cleanse her, that the scan will reveal she’s free of cancer.

Rick

Faith is not believing that God can . . . it's knowing that He will.

Update on Briana

2010-03-12T11:52:00.000-08:00

03/12/10 p.m.

We spoke Bri at lunchtime, today. She’s feeling fine. She didn’t experience a physical crash after the steroid pack was removed on Wed. – no extreme fatigue or nausea. That’s great!

The chemo cocktail is exactly the same as that with which she was treated last year.

After further evaluation of her Monday PET scan, the oncologist is satisfied the small spot in the pelvic area and the small spot on her sternum were the only evidences of cancer in her torso. They’re both so small he and the chemotherapy specialist are confident that chemo treatments will kill them. The only remaining unknown from the dr.s’ perspective is the cancer on the brain. Again, 5 small tumors on the brain were left without radiation treatment and they’ll be used as a guide to help the drs. determine if the chemotherapy is crossing the blood barrier, moving into and killing any cancer in the brain.

Bri’s next chemo treatment will be Mon., Mar. 22.

Rick

Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but the number of moments that take your breath away.

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter

2010-03-10T16:05:00.000-08:00

Wed., Mar.10, 2010

This morning, after we completed initiatory work in the Mesa Temple, and as I waited for Mom in the foyer. I picked up a Book of Mormon and turned to Mormon 9. I was impressed to study more regarding God’s miracles in all dispensations of time.

Mormon 9:

15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do no miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.

16 Behold, are not the things that God hath wrought marvelous in our eyes? Yea, and who can comprehend the marvelous works of God?

17 Who shall say that it was not a miracle that by his word the heaven and the earth should be; and by the power of his word man was created of the cdust of the earth; and by the power of his word have miracles been wrought?

18 And who shall say that Jesus Christ did not do many mighty miracles? And there were many mighty miracles wrought by the hands of the apostles.

19 And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

20 And the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way, and know not the God in whom they should trust.

21 Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing whatsoever, he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

22 For behold, thus said Jesus Christ, the Son of God, unto his disciples who should tarry, yea, and also to all his disciples, in the hearing of the multitude: Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;

23 And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned;

24 And these signs shall follow them that believe-in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover;

25 And whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing, unto him will I confirm all my words, even unto the ends of the earth.

26 And now, behold, who can stand against the works of the Lord? Who can deny his sayings? Who will rise up against the almighty power of the Lord? Who will despise the works of the Lord? Who will despise the children of Christ? Behold, all ye who are despisers of the works of the Lord, for ye shall wonder and perish.

27 O then despise not, and wonder not, but hearken unto the words of the Lord, and ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart, and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling before him.

I believe it’s significant that within 7 verses (21-27) the Lord reiterates profound, truths of hope and comfort. Always remembering where much is given, much is expected.

The conditions -

21) . . . whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing . . .

25) . . . whosoever shall believe in my name, doubting nothing

27) . . . despise not, and wonder not, doubt not, be believing . . . come unto the Lord with all your cheart . . .

The divine promises -

21) . . . whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him . . .

24) . . . they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. . . .

25) . . . unto him will I confirm all my words . . .

27) . . . ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need . . .

The conditions and promises apply to whom?

21) . . . this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

24) . . . these signs shall follow them that believe . . .

25) . . . even unto the ends of the earth.

In your recent poetic composition, “A Prayer of Healing,” you wrote a moving line, “I pray for nothing short of miracles – to assault this cancer – full attack!”

Dear Bri, my beloved daughter, please know that what you ask is possible; it’s a request He wants to grant; it’s a blessing He can grant. He’s performed the same miracle before. He changeth not. He has not ceased to be God.

Worthy priesthood bearers, inspired by Him have pronounced the miracle upon you at various times over the past 18 months. May you and all who seek to support you be found worthy, qualified, full of faith, doubting nothing, thus meeting the conditions He has so plainly set forth. It’s true . . .

“I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say . . .” (D&C 82:10).

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev 3:20)

Remain faithful. Christ is our hope. As the God spoken of in scripture, He knows you. He knows what you feel.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:12)

Great blessings are yet to come into your life. The miracle continues.

“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; . . . God shall be with you forever and ever.” (D&C 122:9)

I love you,
Dad

"Faith in God requires faith in His timing."
Neal A. Maxwell

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:19:00.001-08:00

03/08/10 7:00 p.m. (AZ time)

Bri just called. She’s very tired this evening, but doing well. She apologizes for not taking phone calls, but today was a physically and emotionally taxing day.

We didn’t know until this morning that last Fri., Mar. 5, the dr.s conducted the PET scan to check for any cancer anywhere in her body. She received some preliminary results today. Her oncologist still needs more time to compare the scan results with her previous scan (Dec. 22, 2009).

Preliminarily, the oncologist told her there is a small spot on her sternum and a spot in the pelvic area. It appears the liver is showing some signs of inflammation, not cancer.

As the chemo specialist administered today’s chemotherapy he consulted with her and said that her body’s previous response to chemo was so good that he felt highly confident that any new discoveries would be eliminated very efficiently.

Again, the oncologist won’t have a final determination based on last week’s PET scan until later this week.

The plan is to conduct chemotherapy sessions every other week for the next 10 weeks (5 treatments) . . . today was #1. After the 5th treatment the dr.s will conduct another PET scan of the entire body.

The remaining 5 tumors on the brain are so small the dr.s don’t want to administer new pinpoint radiation treatments at this time. Because the efficacy of chemotherapy is questionable for control of tumors on the brain, the dr.s need to leave the few small tumors for the time being to provide a standard against which they can compare the results of chemotherapy treatments over the next 10 weeks.

The steroids Bri has been taking to control fluid and swelling of the brain have made it nearly impossible for her to sleep more than a couple of hours every night over the past month. Her oncologist told her today that for every hour of sleep she loses, it take her body up to 10 hours of rest to recover. At the rate she’s going, she’ll never catch up. Yes, she’s suffering tremendous sleep deprivation!

The oncologist told her to take over-the-counter Benadryl to aid in sleeping. If the Benadryl doesn’t allow her to sleep, the dr. will prescribe a stronger sedative. Bri resists taking medications because she doesn’t want to become dependent on them, yet she knows that restful sleep is a priority that will help her body heal.

Even having taken the Benadryl, which worked well for her last year, Bri is finding it difficult to relax this evening. Steroids are part of the chemotherapy cocktail and she’s also wearing a pack that pumps steroids into her for the next 48 hrs. She’ll return on Wed. to have the pack removed. If her body reacts as it did last year, Wed. evening and Thurs. will be the days she’s susceptible to a physical crash (fatigue and possible nausea) as she comes off the steroids. If she crashes, hopefully she’ll be back to her normal self on Fri.

In many ways this has been a challenging day, yet Bri is grateful that she’s back on a treatment regimen that worked so well for her in the past. We pray for the Lord’s richest blessings to attend her, to cleanse and support her. We invite everyone to refrain from calling her tomorrow as she needs to get as much rest as possible.

Teri is prepared to travel to CA on a moment’s notice. Bri said she’d like to see how well she can cope with the help of family and friends in her area, but she assured us that she’d call and allow Teri to come if there was a need.

Admittedly, patience isn’t my strongest character trait at this time when my little girl is waging a mighty battle. Dads are supposed to fix things, you know.

Faith in every footstep! We all move forward. We know the Lord will acknowledge the many fastings and prayers that have been offered on Bri’s behalf.

Rick

Faith is not believing that God can . . .
it's knowing that He will.

From Briana

2010-03-09T20:16:00.000-08:00

After Bri received the email Rick sent out last night, she sat down and responded. It touched me – and wanted to share it with each of you as well.

I spoke with Bri this morning and she said she doesn’t go in for her chemo treatment today until 10:30 – and she expects it to last for at least 4 hours. I asked her if she would like me to come out and she responded that she wanted to wait until after this treatment to see how it goes. Because it’s a different cocktail then before, she is very hopeful that she won’t get as sick this time.

Thank you for keeping her in your thoughts and prayers as she undergoes her treatment – we truly feel your continued support for her.
Love you all,
Teri

__________________________________________________

Your words have me sobbing today. In trying to bury my head and focus on what needs to be done so that I don’t “lose it” I’ve compartmentalized my thinking for weeks and not really allowed myself to just freely cry. Today it’s all caught up with me. The ward had a fast on behalf of our family today, and I guarantee you that those ministering angels you are praying for are surrounding us. I’m blessed to feel the presence of angels both seen and unseen. The Spirit of today’s prayers and fasts has been so overwhelming, especially when I add your poignant thoughts to the mix.

Last night Eric and I were discussing the very same thoughts your shared – the blessings that are promised to the children of Abraham, and why some people like Laman & Lemuel just “don’t get it.” At a time in my life when my faith carries me through every minute of every day, offering purpose and understanding, I’ve had friends who have told me they’ve left the church because they just don’t have the faith anymore. It boggles my mind, and I jump at the opportunity to share with them my testimony. If I can’t do at least that, what can I do?

I am uplifted and edified by your words, as always. You offer me so much strength. I’m learning a little bit about the heavenly characteristics of time and space. I think of you and mom in the temple and can imagine me sitting right alongside you, knowing that we’re together even if separated by hundreds of miles. The physical separation is almost non-existent, I can feel your presence and support that strongly.
I’m so honored to be your daughter!

I love you,
Bri

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter

2010-03-09T20:15:00.000-08:00

Sun., Mar. 7, 2010

Bri,

I feel impressed to share three stories from the Old Testament that have been great sources of power, comfort and faith since I first read them as a young boy in grade school . . .

1 Kings 18:17-39 . . . Elijah and the 450 “prophets of Baal”

17 ¶ And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that aAhab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?
18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have aforsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.
19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the aprophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.
20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the aprophets together unto mount Carmel.
21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between atwo opinions? if the Lord be God, bfollow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.
23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:
24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.
25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your agods, but put no fire under.
26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.
27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is apursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
28 And they cried aloud, and acut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.
29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.
30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down.
31 And Elijah took atwelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the Lord came, saying, bIsrael shall be thy name:
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.
33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four abarrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.
34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.
35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.
36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the aevening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.
37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know athat thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their bheart back again.
38 Then the afire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.

1 Kings 19:11-13 . . . Elijah and the “still small voice”

11 And he [the word of the Lord] said [to Elijah], Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a astill small bvoice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. . . .

2 Kings 6:8-17 . . . Elisha - “they that be with us are more than they that be with them”

8 ¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.
9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.
10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
13 ¶ And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.
14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his aeyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and bchariots of fire round about Elisha.

We’ve been taught that “faith precedes the miracle;” that miracles are not so much for the benefit of unbelievers, but to strengthen the faith and testimony of believers. The teaching that came clearly from Elijah’s miracle - calling down the fire from heaven that consumed his drenched sacrifice - was the reality and power of the God of Israel.

The power of God doesn’t require large ostentatious displays such as earthquakes or fires. The power of God can be as effectively displayed and comprehended “in a still small voice.” In the case of Laman and Lemuel, they had seen many of the same miraculous manifestations as Nephi but their faith, testimonies and hearts remained untouched because they “were past feeling” (1 Ne 17:45). In the days of Mormon, as he looked upon the destruction of his people, he told his son, Moroni, their destruction was assured because they were “without principle and past feeling” (Mormon 9:20).

The simple yet profound truths sung by Primary children, encouraging faithful saints to search, ponder and pray leads to the thought . . . “Make time for quiet moments, because God whispers and the world is loud.”

Finally, Bri, regardless of the apparent odds stacked against us, as Elisha taught his servant, if the eyes of our understanding were opened and we could see and comprehend the vast number of loving family and friends, on both sides of the veil, who petition Heaven in fasting, prayer and temple worship on our behalf we would more fully appreciate “they that be with us are greater than they that be with them [the enemy or those things that would cause us harm].”

God remains a God of miracles.

Morm. 9: 10-11, 15, 19
10 And now, if ye have imagined up unto yourselves a god who doth vary, and in whom there is shadow of changing, then have ye imagined up unto yourselves a god who is not a God of miracles.
11 But behold, I will show unto you a God of amiracles, even the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and it is that same bGod who created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are.
• • •
15 And now, O all ye that have imagined up unto yourselves a god who can do ano miracles, I would ask of you, have all these things passed, of which I have spoken? Has the end come yet? Behold I say unto you, Nay; and God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.
• • •
19 And if there were amiracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he bchangeth not; if so he would cease to be God; and he ceaseth not to be God, and is a God of miracles.

Priesthood holders aren’t fortune tellers. Their responsibility is to know and pronounce the mind and will of the Lord as Christ would do if he were personally administering to those in need. On various occasions, worthy priesthood holders have pronounced solemn blessings of cleansing, healing, recovery and health. Those blessings are yours.

As you know from your Patriarchal Blessing, Heavenly Father has a special relationship with you. He’s made special, solemn promises to you. He will not fail you.

Mom and I are so blessed to have you as ours. Your experiences over the past month with radiation treatments and the halo have brought vividly powerful, yet poignant reminders and insight into the Atonement. It has been heart-wrenchingly difficult to be unable to do much to help. Just as the Father wasn’t with His Son and sent ministering angels to support him in Gethsemane, Mom and I continually invoke the blessings of heaven on your behalf as we attend the temple and pray for ministering and attending angels to be with and support you in your many difficult moments. We feel the Spirit and blessings of the temple have allowed us to be close to you as possible, even though we’re still hundreds of miles away.

Hold to your faith, Sweetheart. May your eyes be opened and your understanding illuminated with divine, celestial power emanating from loving, heavenly parents. May the spiritual gift . . . faith to be healed (as noted below in D&C 46) . . . be yours in abundance. You will be healed.

We love you,
Dad

“Just because it is . . . doesn’t mean it should be.”
(quote from the 2008 movie, “Australia”)

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:14:00.001-08:00

03/04/10 p.m.

Bri experienced an “interesting day,” today. After installing the halo, the medical team realized it had been improperly positioned. They had to remove the halo, drill new holes and reinstall it in the correct position. As the second set of holes was drilled, the team ruptured a couple of blood vessels. It took a while to stop the bleeding. Bri reports that when she finally returned home, her hair was matted with dried blood.

The radiologist examined the 4 tumors that were radiated last week. He told Bri what he saw was amazing . . . all 4 tumors showed definite signs of dying. He told Bri that patients seldom show such a quick, positive response to the treatment.

I reminded her that priesthood blessings, and the blessings of fasting and prayers by numerous family and friends, and temple worship with her in mind were being manifest before her eyes.

Today the dr. radiated 4 more tumors. She mentioned that solid tumors typically respond to radiation much better than soft, liquid-filled tumors. Of the 4 that were zapped today, one was a liquid-filled tumor. It was a relatively larger tumor that has been affecting the vision in her right eye (seeing spots and floaters). The dr. told her the results of the radiation treatment might not be clearly evident for awhile because the efficacy of the treatment on the liquid-filled tumor was often difficult to determine right away.

This evening, Bri is feeling tired, but she’s doing well. She has a full schedule of activities planned for tomorrow and this weekend as her oldest, Kaden, will be celebrating his 9th birthday on Sat., Mar. 6.

Sunday, Bri’s ward is having a special day of fasting and prayer for Briana Stephen. Very nice! Much appreciated! It will bring wonderful blessings to her life and the lives of those who participate and witness the continuing miracle.

Mon., Mar. 8, Bri will begin chemotherapy . . . yes, chemotherapy. The original plan was to hold-off on chemo until after all radiation treatments had been completed. However, today, while consulting with her radiologist, Bri suggested that if there was concern about any cancer spreading elsewhere in her body, including more in the brain, perhaps it would be good to begin chemotherapy as soon as possible as a preventive measure. The radiologist agreed saying, “That’s what I’d do if it were me.”

So, the plan is to go to her dr. (I don’t know which one) Mon. morning at 10:30. He’ll do a full-body PET scan, including the head, to determine if there’s cancer anywhere in her body. Based on the results, the chemo specialist will determine what mixture (cocktail) of medications will be administered to combat whatever they find.

Chemo treatments will continue throughout the month of Mar. and the first week of Apr. She’ll undergo another full-body PET scan on Apr. 7. If the chemo has stopped or reversed any cancer, the radiologist will then decide if he needs to continue pinpoint radiation for any remaining brain tumors.

Her spirits are high. Her head is sore . . . no kidding. Her love and appreciation for all is overflowing.

Your ongoing faith, fasting, prayers and temple worship are witnessed in blessings that are visibly manifest in Bri’s physical improvement.

I have some thoughts that I’ll be sharing with Bri this weekend. I’ll share them with you, too.

Until then, take care.

We love you,
Rick

Faith is not believing that God can . . .
it's knowing that He will.

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:13:00.001-08:00

03/03/10 p.m.

Teri just spoke with Bri. She’s doing very well except for the fact that her steroid medication continues to result in swelling all over her body. Her puffy appearance is a big downer for her.

Bri will undergo her second pinpoint radiation treatment tomorrow morning . . . same schedule as last week . . . report for installation of the halo at 6:30 a.m. Go across the parking lot to the treatment center. Hopefully be done with everything – treatment and removal of the halo by approx. 1:30 p.m. CA time.

Bri’s had no side-effects from last week’s treatment. The steroids don’t allow her to sleep, so she’s very tired, but aside from lack of sleep, she’s doing well.

Teri and I will be in the temple early tomorrow morning so we can be as close to her as possible, even though we’re still hundreds of miles away.

Pray always, trust in the Lord, have confidence in the blessings that have been pronounced and expect the miracles to continue. They will.

Rick

Prayer - it's hard to stumble when you're on your knees.

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:11:00.002-08:00

02/26/10 2:30 p.m. AZ time

Bri just called to let us know the treatment plan coming out of her consultation with the chemotherapy dr.
· Continue with the pinpoint radiation . . . 2 or possibly 3 more sessions.
· A couple of weeks after the final pinpoint treatment, tests will be run to determine if there’s any cancer growing anywhere in her body, including the head.
· If cancer is detected, chemotherapy will resume, similar to last year’s protocol. The chemo dr. said any cancer in the brain will require a modification to the mixture of drugs (cocktail) that would be administered. Treatment of cancer in the brain is more trial and error than cancers elsewhere in the body.
· Lots of monitoring and testing are anticipated over the next couple of years.

The chemo dr. told Bri that resumption of chemo treatments would result in side-effects similar to those she experienced last year – nausea, chills, neuropathy, fatigue. Not the most exciting outlook, but Bri and the dr. prefer the side-effects of chemotherapy over those of full radiation of the brain. Full radiation would cause hair loss and possible cognitive impairment within 1 yr. It’s unknown whether such impairment would be temporary or permanent. No one wants to gamble with brain cells.

Bri will return to the radiologist next Thurs., Mar. 4, for an evaluation. She might have her next pinpoint radiation treatment on the 4th or it might be scheduled for the next week.

This morning Bri felt great. Her head was a little tender . . . understandably so, but overall she felt wonderful. She was feeling no detectable side-effects from yesterday’s pinpoint radiation treatment.

She’s on steroids to control swelling of the brain. The steroids hype her up and make it nearly impossible for her to sleep, but she tries to cope as best she can, sleeping when her body will allow. We don’t know how long she’ll be required to continue taking steroids.

Teri is available to travel and stay with Bri and the family for any period of time, at any time.

Eric’s parents, Larry & Joan Stephen, are with the children. They encouraged Bri & Eric to get away for the weekend. Bri & Eric are currently traveling north to Merced, CA to visit with some dear friends.

Please keep Eric in mind as you remember Bri. His employment is stable at this time, but we know he’s concerned about any potential loss of employment and loss of health insurance. His employer and the employer’s health insurance carrier have been wonderful. Loss of good health insurance would be catastrophic.

We have absolute faith and confidence in the Lord and the blessings that have been pronounced for her complete recovery, nevertheless, your ongoing faith, prayers, fasting (when you can) and temple worship with her in mind are needed and deeply appreciated. Since radiation and chemotherapy are both traumatic and destructive to the body, we pray and expect that any such treatments will be short-lived, that her health will be fully restored in the very near future.

Rick

Today's test is tomorrow's testimony.

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:11:00.001-08:00

02/25/10 - 2:30 p.m. AZ time

Bri just called. She and Eric were driving home after they had stopped to get something to eat. She sounded great and was in very good spirits.

The radiation treatment went well today. Bri reported the dr. had successfully treated the 4 largest tumors. He confirmed she had a total of 13 tumors. Because she has so many small tumors, the dr. is concerned about more becoming evident over time. He’d like to stop the formation of any additional tumors so tomorrow, 10:00 a.m., Bri will consult with her chemotherapy dr. to discuss possible chemo treatments that might stop the formation of any additional tumors in the brain. She’ll let us know the outcome of that consultation tomorrow.

After treatment, the halo was removed. Next time the halo will be installed in new penetration points. She said the halo has sharp pins that penetrate the skin and enter the skull only enough to ensure the halo and head are secured. When the halo is removed she has some marks like pinholes in the skin . . . not large screw holes. The dr. gave her some Tylenol to relieve any discomfort she might feel.

Bri is understandably nervous about more chemotherapy treatments of any kind. Last year’s treatments made her very weak and ill for several days following each session. Supposedly, the chemo dr. will discuss some newer options that might include the possibility of an oral treatment. We’ll update you as we learn more tomorrow.

Keep the faith. He lives! If faith the size of a mustard seed can move a mountain, it can certainly kill some rogue cancer cells.

Rick

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:09:00.000-08:00

Teri and I spoke with Bri at noon, today. She was in very good spirits.

Bri’s been on steroids for 10 days . . . since the dr. diagnosed the brain tumors. She reports that headaches which she had suffered throughout the month of Jan. and early Feb. are completely gone . . . that’s good, but the steroids are causing her cheeks to swell . . . that’s not good.

One of Heather’s friends, Natalie Montez, a professional photographer, has made arrangements to fly from the Phoenix area to CA to shoot family portraits for Bri and her family on Mar. 10. Right now, Bri’s understandably anxious about the prospect of family photos while she’s experiencing the puffy side-effects of the steroid protocol. It’s still too early to determine how much longer she’ll require steroid treatment.

Initially, Bri thought her first pin-point radiation treatment would happen on Wed., Feb. 24. It will actually happen this Thurs., Feb. 25. She‘s scheduled to report to the treatment facility at 6:30 a.m. on the 25th. The dr. told her the treatment would last 4-5 hrs. during which time he anticipated treating 4-5 tumors. Most of the time is required for locating, determining coordinates, depth and positioning, not radiating.

Your ongoing thoughts and support are needed and appreciated. Keep the faith . . . priesthood blessings and the confirmation that we’ve all received in our hearts – that her healing will be complete, that miracles will continue -- still stand.

By the way, for those who may not have heard, Bri’s daughter, Leyna (3 yr. old), recently completed her wedding plans. Her first thought was to get married on a boat, but after discussing the issue with her mother, she decided to get married in the temple and then go on a boat for her honeymoon. When Teri asked her the name of the lucky young man who’d have the pleasure of being her husband, Leyna promptly responded, “Prince Eric.” Bri tells us Prince Eric is a character in the mover, “The Little Mermaid.” Leyna’s always wanted to marry her dad, Eric, but someone told her she couldn’t marry him; so she’s opted for the next best choice . . . Prince Eric.

Rick

A Father’s Thoughts to his Daughter

2010-03-09T20:08:00.001-08:00

Tues., Feb. 16, 2010

This morning, although you might not have realized it, you and Eric we’re with Mom and me in the Mesa Temple. As initiatory workers laid their hands upon our heads and pronounced sacred blessings, we were filled with peace and reassurance that all will be well with you . . . that as was pronounced in the administration you recently received through Richard and Gary Raymond, the miracles will continue in your life, that you will be healed. I was impressed with some of the blessings that were pronounced in the temple, this morning:
· Physically from head to toe, your body will function properly;
· Your mind (intellect and understanding) will be clear;
· You will be strengthened, enabling you to shoulder the challenges you face;
· You will witness and rejoice in the blessings of your posterity.

With a certainty, always remember the entire family, immediate and extended, and friends are with you. You’re constantly in our thoughts and hearts as we pray, fast and participate in temple worship.

We go forward, “doubting nothing.”
Mormon 9:21
Behold, I say unto you that whoso believeth in Christ, doubting nothing, whatsoever he shall ask the Father in the name of Christ it shall be granted him; and this promise is unto all, even unto the ends of the earth.

I love you,
Dad

Faith is not believing that God can... it's knowing that He will.

D&C 46:8, 19-21, 26
Seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; to some it is given to have faith to be healed, to some it is given to have faith to heal, to some is given the working of miracles. And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God.

Update on Briana

2010-03-09T20:06:00.000-08:00

This is not the kind of e-mail message I wanted to write nor is it what you’ve wanted to receive. It is important that we all maintain faith and seek the Lord’s blessings for Bri.

Dec. 22, 2009, Bri was told that all tests and scans showed she was cancer-free.

Over the past month, she’s been having severe migraine headaches. Extensive testing over the past 3 weeks showed that her physical condition was excellent. Dr.s couldn’t understand why she was having headaches. As she thought about the possible causes, she concluded the headaches might be a reaction to a Milk Thistle supplement that she’d been taking since early Jan. She stopped the supplement about 10 days ago. The migraine headaches have gone, but “normal” headaches have persisted.

Yesterday, Bri spoke with Mom and thought she had identified the cause of the headaches as perhaps being pinched nerves in her neck because they seemed to come and go as she moved her head at various angles/positions.

Yesterday evening, Bri’s dr. performed an MRI on her head, “just to be safe.”

Bri called (2:30 p.m., AZ time) and told Mom the MRI revealed 5 tumors on her brain. We don’t know about their size, location or characteristics. There will be additional follow-up consultation and analysis this evening after her kids return home from school and others can help with them at home. She was told the dr. would begin radiation treatment immediately. Eric is currently in AZ for a bicycle race. He’s emotionally distraught that he’s not with her. She told him to stay in AZ until she finds out more information regarding her condition.

Please don’t call or e-mail Bri until she or we let you know she’s up to communicating. At this point she’s still understandably numb from the shock of this finding.

We request your fervent prayers, fasting and participation in temple worship as another miracle is needed.

We’ll stay in touch.

Dad

2010-02-03T21:29:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2010-02-03T20:44:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Basement Flood

2010-01-21T12:54:00.000-08:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

This is our family...

2009-05-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

Over 4 years ago!!
2 new babies, 1 more on the way, 1 new spouse...
Please come home so we can get an updated family picture!!June 2006