Thursday, December 4, 2008

MIRACLES

I personally have not needed my blog to be private, but this is a personal post to thank my Heavenly Father for all the blessings He gives us and how closely He watches over us. No pictures or anything funny, just my testimony that my Heavenly Father loves His children and that miracle have not ceased.

A week ago tomorrow, my older brother James in St. George was in a terrible accident and shattered his vertebrae, C6. Here are the miracles I can see.

1. He didn't die.
2. He was with priesthood holders who where able to give him a blessing immediately to help him.
3. Cell phones. They were in the middle of the desert.
4. Helicopters
5. The weather was bad in Salt Lake, and something else kept him from being transported to Las Vegas so James ended up in Flagstaff AZ where the two normal neurosurgeons (who are great I am sure) were both on vacation. The man covering for them is Dr. Jack H. Dunn from Tucson and (according to my dad) is one of the top ten neurosurgeons in the US.
6. I am just going to lump all of medical technology, information, etc into one miracle because I could go on and on. Think about it: IVs, surgical equipment, anatomy, computers. We are truly blessed to live in this day of advanced medicine.
7. Just hours after his surgery to fuse his vertebrae (C5,6,7) and putting on the halo, James was able to move his arm. We were all thankful he didn't die and now there is a chance he might not be completely paralyzed. This injury normally leaves the person a quadriplegic and are in the hospital for months.
24 hours later, James was moving his toes.
48 hours later he was able to hold his 6 months old daughter.
Now maybe he will never walk again, but he is getting better and better everyday and I am really hopeful. At least that is what I am prayer for. James now has strength in both his arms and can push and pull. He can flex his gluts, and I just found out today that he can flex his quads too. I guess the therapist where able to help him stand up. I am sure recovery is going to be long and hard on him and his family, but all the nurses and staff have never seen someone recover from this injury before so well and quickly. Miracles. I know Heavenly Father is hearing and answering so many prayers.
8. Dr Booth. James and Jeff where the first twins Dr. Booth delivered and how amazing is it now that he is in charge of a rehab facility in St. George and thinks James is a great candidate to get into that facility. Heavenly Father knows. He just does. He has good men here doing the work of angels. Elder Hollands talk from Conference has even more meaning for me now.

There are so many miracles to be thankful for and I am more blessed than I should be. More blessed than I ask to be. This truly is my testimony of a merciful and kind God.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Draper Temple Open House Reservations


Draper Temple Open HouseOpen House reservations will be made available to the general public starting Monday, December 1, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. at 1-800-537-6181, 801-240-7932 or online at www.lds.org/reservations.