Fasting for Hope

After scriptures last night, our family discussed ideas for our fast. Erin suggested we fast for her friend, Hope. Hope lives down the street and has been to our home several times. She was diagnosed with Leukemia last year. She has gone through treatments and was finally well enough to go back to school. Last week, Hope told Erin that she wasn't supposed to be in school that day because her white blood cell count was low again. Now she is back in the hospital and has restarted treatment. She has already lost all her hair (again). Nurses are coming to visit the class next week to explain what is happening.

My heart breaks for Hope and her family. Why are some people given such difficult challenges? I know that my challenges pale in comparison to Hopes, so I won't even try to compare. But I do know that I drew much closer to my Heavenly Father and to my family while going through the deployment last year. I had never prayed so much or read my scriptures so diligently as I did during that 6 months Mario was gone. It wasn't just the fact he was gone, it was the location and fear that he may not return. I don't think Mario being gone made me feel closer to my kids, I think it was all the praying and scripture study. I look back with gratitude for that challenge. It has made me a much stronger person.

I look back to the first Gulf War and then September 11. Our country became so united and people started turning towards God. It was amazing to see people of all faiths go back to church and pray. It is sad that it took tragedies and war to get some to that point. But nonetheless, they got there. So I think Heavenly Father uses these trials to help us remember Him. Last night in scripture reading, we read about Laman and Lemuel complaining that they didn't understand a vision. But when Nephi asks them if they prayed to understand, they said no. We got into a discussion about how sometimes people think they don't need God. They think they have life figured out on their own.

I like this quote:
"Life would be easier without trials, but we wouldn’t learn or grow much. Trials can humble us, help us grow spiritually, and remind us that we need the Lord’s help. Trials can help us learn to appreciate times of peace. Most important, they give us opportunities to show the Lord and ourselves that we will be faithful. How well you endure trials is up to you. Those who grow from their trials stay close to the Lord and ask themselves, “What can I learn from this?” Those who feel sorry for themselves in their trials ask, “Why me?”

I am grateful to have this opportunity to fast for Hope. At the very least, I hope it will bring her family a little peace during this difficult time.