Why do we go to the temple?

The day before chemo, DeLayne and I (and her best friend from high school, Ali) went to the temple. It is the perfect place to calm your fears, feel the Spirit without restraint, remember what is important, and puts everything into perspective. They needed help in the sealing room so we decided to do sealings. Hershel Peterson was the sealer. If you don't know Hershel, he is a scriptorian and my understanding of the gospel is so small compared to his understanding. At the conclusion of our session, he gave us some counsel and asked us why we go to the temple? He replied with many scripture references and talking so fast that we didn't get it all but the jist of it was we go to the temple because of obedience and service and to renew the Holy Ghost within us. Now we have consecrated the day by our service and now we can go to the Lord and receive the desires of our heart. He quoted 2 Nephi 32:9 (the only scripture I remembered) which states "that [H]e will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." We all just broke down and cried. It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord answers us in different ways. Hershel did not know our desires, our prayers, our reasons for coming to the temple that day yet he was the messanger that answered our prayers. What a wonderful experience.

Disneyland 2010

We are on the 5 year plan with Disneyland. We go every 5 years and 2010 happened to be the year we go. Thankfully, Disneyland was doing a promotion and since we did service earlier this year, we were able to go for one day FREE! We went over Fall Break. Other family were going to go but with my sister getting cancer, plans changed for them. I curse cancer! We had a great time and officially wiped out everyone, including myself.

We got the kids out of school a day earlier so we could get on the flight. We went to the beach on Wednesday. The kids love the beach. The weather wasn't perfect and the water was too cold but they still had fun running away from the waves. Even Sterling loved it until he fell in the water and got sand in his suit. We went to Costco and bought lunch food and snacks for the next two days. We went to dinner with Paul's real dad, Ernie (this is why my kids are so dark, Paul's real dad is mexican).

The hotel was great. We got a great deal thanks to Paul's brother and fiancee with a friends and family discount. We had plenty of room for our large family of seven. 3 beds, separated rooms, fridge, continental breakfast. The only problem was it was about 3/4 mile from Disneyland. Not a big deal in the morning walking to Disneyland but my legs KILLED at night after walking all day long. The kids had to get in the hot tub first. I think we could have ended the vacation after that. The kids love the hot tub.

We went to Disneyland first. Disneyland is very nostalgic to me. I love It's a small world. It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Such wonderful memories for me as a kid. Of course, Splash mountain is also a classic. We were able to hit every ride and the kids went twice thanks to baby swap. Disneyland really has it going on. That is why it is the happiest place on earth. The employees are so happy and they are so accomodating. We did lose Kailene once and it was very scary. We all were aboard the ferry boat and realized she had not gotten on. Paul got off and few (long) minutes later came running back with her. She was giving a store employee her information. Good for her!

California Adventures was the next day. I love California Adventures and now I love it even more now that it has my favorite ride...Toy Story Roundup. So fun and yes I won both times!

Brad loved Space Mountain (made me sick...what is wrong with me? I'm turning into my mom), California Screaming, and Tower of Terror

Preston loved all the rides and was a good sport the whole time.

Kailene loved anything with Mountain in it, California Screaming and Tower of Terror (she went on every ride, with no hestiations)

Breanna loved Autopia and all the rides in It's a Bugs life.

Sterling loved seeing Mickey Mouse. I had no idea he would react the way he did, pure joy. Glad I have it on camera. He can't stop watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now.

Mom loved Toy Story Round up (of course, top score!), It's a Small World and Splash Mountain. I know, I'm boring.

Dad loved Aladdin. The genie was so funny.

I wish we could say that the kids were angels but they weren't. They still fought. I kept saying We are at Disneyland and you can't fight at Disneyland (didn't work). It got worse as the day progressed and most were tired. We all were so exhausted every day, even the last day we didn't even eat dinner because we all just wanted to go to bed (who wants to eat at 11pm?)

We woke up early and left on the early flight (we were nervous we weren't going to make the later flight). I was so exhausted that I slept the whole BYU game (not much to watch). Overall, it was a wonderful time and hope to do it again in 5 years (or DisneyWorld...I love DisneyWorld)

Testimony, family meeting and singing

These are a little late in posting but I wanted to have it in my records...



9/5 The weekend after my sister was diagnosed with cancer (she was still in the hospital after her masectomy), it was fast and testimony meeting. I had the feeling to go and bear my testimony but not in my own ward but in hers. A little wierd, except that I know many people in her ward (DeLayne seems to invite me to all of her ward functions!) Her ward has been unbelievable. I have never seen anything like it. Sometimes a little bit overboard but they really have taken upon them their baptismal covenant where it states "comfort those in need of comfort". Because the ward took care of the meals and babysitting and housework, the family was able to help DeLayne. How important it was for us to be with her and not have other things on top of that to worry about. It is a blessing to be apart of a church that serves one another. DeLayne could not believe the outpouring of love and generosity. It was overwhelming but it was a tribute to how much of an influence she is to others and how loved she is by many. It is hard to be on the receiving side rather than the serving side.
After my meeting, I went to DeLaynes' ward and bore a simple testimony of the trust we need to have in the Lord. And of the gratitude we had as a family for the charity and Christ-like attibutes they showed to her and her family. I also bore my testimony that miracles have not seized on the earth. And that hopefully we can all learn from these hard and trying times.



9/6 We had a meeting with my family. We wanted to discuss what we can do to help DeLayne and help each other. Very emotional meeting. We all shared our thoughts and feelings and how important it is to stay close to the Lord. My dad mentioned that if it depended on our own faith, individually, to cure DeLayne what would we change in our life. It makes you think. If we really had that much power, what would we change?



9/26 My sister, Audralyn, came to be with DeLayne for 5 days. She lives in Texas and has had to deal with this alone so she decided to come to help and be with family. I love my sister Audralyn! I wish she lived closer. DeLayne decided (last minute, of course) that she wanted all of us to sing in her ward since all the sisters were together. I hate singing especially in someone else's ward. I'm sure they have great talent in their own ward, they don't need the Bluth sisters to invade their ward. Needless to say, we sang the most beautiful song Abide with me, Tis Eventide. During rehearsal, DeLayne told us that this is the song she would sing during those long, sleepless night. Of course, it was not a smart thing to tell us because now the song has emotion tied to it. We were all nervous to sing it without crying. We did make it through it (partly because we got it all out when my dad came over during rehearsal and told us to relax, smile more, and said "it sounded absolutely beautiful"). It was beautiful. A wonderful experience to share with my mom and sisters.

It'a a freak show

My sister, who has cancer, decided to shave her head on Friday. She was tired of it coming out all over the place. I also think it's being able to control something since nothing with cancer is within your control. She decides when her hair goes, not the chemo. I could tell that she was hesitant because she still had a good head of hair after 2 treatments (she actually was thinking she was going to beat the odds and maybe not lose her hair at all) but because she wanted to do it with family and friends and the weather was getting colder, she decided to go along with it. At first she was was looking at our faces for a reaction because she had no mirror and could not see herself and so we gave her a mirror and she freaked! "What am I doing?" she would ask. There were a lot of jokes and comments that she looks like someone from the 80's (especially her mohawk stage) and lots and lots of encouragement and praise on how beautiful she looks. All was well until she looked at my dad. "Oh don't cry dad" she said and as I looked at my dad, we all lost it. Tears were streaming down his face as he looked at his daughter. I wondered what thoughts were going through his mind as he watched his daughter have to shave her head. It was a tender moment between father and daughter. She really does look beautiful. I liken it to being pregnant. Most of us our not at our best when we are pregnant (sick, fat, etc) but there is a glow about us when we are pregnant. That is the same with someone who has cancer. They are beautiful! And don't her eyes stand out.

I was thankful that not everyone shaved their head. I don't know if you remember but when we first learned about her cancer, there was talk of shaving head, sisters and friends alike. I was not on board. I always wondered why because I would do it if she needed me to. But the more I thought about it, it all came down to This is not about me! If I shaved my head, I would get the attention and it wasn't about me! People would think I have cancer, and this was not about me! Thankfully, all decided to just let their husband and/or sons shave their head. Not too much of a sacrifice for them especially since I come from a family of baldies (father, brothers, and brother-in-laws).

Disclaimer: We did have to remind all the young lookers that we DO NOT do this out home. Cutting or shaving your head is not appropriate for young children. :)

Nicest kid in town

My friend told me about a local contest for the "nicest kid in town" for the play Hairspray. I know I'm biased but Brad really is the nicest kid so I nominated him. And he won! So he was able to get 4 free tickets to the play and recognized at the beginning of the show. I told my family that Brad was going to be recognized and of course, they decide to come. We ended up having 25 people of family and friends come and support him. You can bet there was a cheering crowd when his name was called. He was a little embarrassed but it made him feel good. Nothing better than family supporting you! I was so proud of him. He really is a great kid and a great example to his siblings.

Here is what I submitted:

Has this ever happened to you?

Have you ever gone to the store and bought all your groceries and forget your wallet? Yup, that's what happened to me. Both Paul and I forgot our wallets. When it came time to paying, both of us looked at each other and started laughing. It obviously has happened to others because they just had to suspend our receipt. It was pretty funny!

My sister DeLayne

DeLayne came home on Monday. Yeah! I love having her at home. I did not like it when she was in the hospital. I feel much better and more comfortable that she is at home. We do not know anything more regarding her treatments and timeline. She seems to be doing great, though. She moves at snail speed when she walks around but everyday it keeps getting faster. She had her medicine bag removed yesterday (Wednesday) and now just on pain meds so that is an adjustment. We are in the process of starting a blog for her so she can write down her thoughts, feelings, and memories of this experience. I think it will be therapeutic for her and keep everyone informed.

Some thoughts I have had during the worst weekend of my life. I still can't answer why now but what gives me peace and comfort is that DeLayne has a way with people. She can influence people like no one else. This experience will bring about many miracles not only in her life but in other people's life that are affected by DeLayne. There is a bigger picture than we can even comprehend. We must have faith and trust the Lord.

As a family we all gathered together on Monday to talk about our feelings and emotions. This is affecting all of us and we all need to express ourselves and support each other through this. We talked about "giving up" something if that means it would heal DeLayne. What in your life would you be willing to improve upon so that His blessings will pour upon her. It made me think of the people of Limhi in the Book of Mormon who were not living right and had when they had trials they prayed to the Lord but the Lord was slow to answer them. That is why we go to church every Sunday, why we have Family Home Evening, why we read the scriptures because when something unexpected happens the Lord is bound to hear us because we have been living righteously.

I know there will be more heartache, struggles, and tears. As for now, it is good to have DeLayne home.