Standing
I have been thinking about this all afternoon. I don't know that it will come out the way I want it to, but I am going to give it a shot. I had the opportunity to talk with one of my fellow co-workers that I have not seen in a long time. Back in the day, when I was teaching school, her daughter was having trouble with math. She asked if I would be willing to tutor her. I remember spending a few afternoons and evenings visiting her home. Her home was a typical LDS home, there were pictures of Christ in almost every room, they were joined with pictures of favorite temples. The piano was covered in hymn books and uplifting sheet music. There were several cliche sayings hanging on the walls and setting on counter tops. Things like, "Remember Who You Are", "Return with Honor", "For Me and My House, we Serve the Lord", and "Stand Tall, in Holy Places".
Anyway, now that you have feeling of who she is, let me continue. She started to share some of her fears, trials, and most recent tribulations. I mentioned her older daughter. My friend was also blessed with twin boys. They are her youngest. A little over a year ago, they were both called to serve missions in Brazil. Same area, different missions. She talked about how excited they were to go. They had been raised, prepared, and encouraged to serve for these two years.
Two months ago, they were informed that one of their twins was having some difficulty. He was experiencing some back pain, vision problems, and headaches. They did not know what it was. His mission president was impressed that he continued to work, even with these challenges. A month ago, his companions were concerned because he headaches were so bad that he was stopping go vomit when the pain became too sever. His mission president ordered some test, but no one in Brazil could figure it out. They finally decided that it would be best for him to return to the states for testing. His parents flew down to escort him. He was released from his mission with honors. His mission president said that he had accomplished more in 8 months than most missionaries accomplished in 24. They came home and found out last week from further testing that the extra physical activity awakened a condition that they would never have known about. Evidently, the tonsils of his brain, lobs that help support his brain at his spine were not formed right. The extra walking and standing upright for long periods of time were cutting off the blood flow between his brain and his spine. They are now suggesting that he have surgery. With all of this he is doing OK.
Though he may not be able to stand for long periods of time without pain, he continues to serve. He has contacted the Portuguese elders here at home and goes out with them when he can. He continues to stand tall spiritually, when he cannot do so physically. Yet looming in the back of his head is the question? Am I a failure? Could I have done something else to better prepare myself to serve?
How many of us ask ourselves the same questions in our day to day routines? How many of us do anything about it? Standing is not always easy. It is not always fun. Sometimes we feel like we won't be able to stand another minute, yet we do. Each time we stretch ourselves, the next period of stand gets a little easier, our endurance a little stronger, and our closeness to the Lord firmer. Now is the time to prepare for these experiences. We don't know when they will fall upon us or even if they will. We just continue to stand, stand until we are ready to collapse, then we stand up and do it again.
Does my rambling make sense? Hopefully it will be useful,
Dad
Anyway, now that you have feeling of who she is, let me continue. She started to share some of her fears, trials, and most recent tribulations. I mentioned her older daughter. My friend was also blessed with twin boys. They are her youngest. A little over a year ago, they were both called to serve missions in Brazil. Same area, different missions. She talked about how excited they were to go. They had been raised, prepared, and encouraged to serve for these two years.
Two months ago, they were informed that one of their twins was having some difficulty. He was experiencing some back pain, vision problems, and headaches. They did not know what it was. His mission president was impressed that he continued to work, even with these challenges. A month ago, his companions were concerned because he headaches were so bad that he was stopping go vomit when the pain became too sever. His mission president ordered some test, but no one in Brazil could figure it out. They finally decided that it would be best for him to return to the states for testing. His parents flew down to escort him. He was released from his mission with honors. His mission president said that he had accomplished more in 8 months than most missionaries accomplished in 24. They came home and found out last week from further testing that the extra physical activity awakened a condition that they would never have known about. Evidently, the tonsils of his brain, lobs that help support his brain at his spine were not formed right. The extra walking and standing upright for long periods of time were cutting off the blood flow between his brain and his spine. They are now suggesting that he have surgery. With all of this he is doing OK.
Though he may not be able to stand for long periods of time without pain, he continues to serve. He has contacted the Portuguese elders here at home and goes out with them when he can. He continues to stand tall spiritually, when he cannot do so physically. Yet looming in the back of his head is the question? Am I a failure? Could I have done something else to better prepare myself to serve?
How many of us ask ourselves the same questions in our day to day routines? How many of us do anything about it? Standing is not always easy. It is not always fun. Sometimes we feel like we won't be able to stand another minute, yet we do. Each time we stretch ourselves, the next period of stand gets a little easier, our endurance a little stronger, and our closeness to the Lord firmer. Now is the time to prepare for these experiences. We don't know when they will fall upon us or even if they will. We just continue to stand, stand until we are ready to collapse, then we stand up and do it again.
Does my rambling make sense? Hopefully it will be useful,
Dad
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