Expressing gratitude here...

So, I just have to take a minute and express some
GRATITUDE.

Gratitude for family and friends who have been so
supportive and concerned about me these past few days

Gratitude for medicine, ice packs and
heating pads to help the pain

Gratitude for the ability for me to see slow
progress in my healing process

BUT, more than anything,
I have SO MUCH GRATITUDE for the
POWER OF THE PRIESTHOOD.

On Sunday, I was feeling pretty down about my condition and the outlook of it. My mom had also returned to PA that morning, so my constant source of optimism and encouragement had left! In my small-minded world, things were looking pretty bleak and I was having a pretty sweet pitty party!

I think the reality that really struck home to me on Sunday was that my ability to run over the next couple of weeks and possibly months was at 0%. ZERO. Now, for many of you, this might seem like no big deal, but running for me for those 30 or 40 minutes is my chance to zone out and rejeuvenate myself. I had grown to crave that time as MY TIME. No interruptions and it wasn't ending till I reached my destination! I also felt so much better after each run. And, now, NO MORE. That was a true blow to me. I remember driving back from church on Sunday and never having more of a craving to run (regardless of it being Sunday!) just because I knew I couldn't do it. Ha, if I knew I could the thought wouldn't have even crossed my mind. I remember being so jealous and envious of them.

At one moment in my pity party I finally came to the realization that I couldn't face these next few weeks on "my own" and that I needed help and strength that I didn't have. All of my life I have believed in the power of blessings from the priesthood. I have seen and felt this "power" in my life and the lives of others. I've persistently encouraged others to get blessings, but when it comes to me personally, I take a laid back attitude thinking I can handle it myself. I don't want to bother anyone and take up their time. Ha - I am SO wrong in that thinking... but I can't explain why I think I don't need help when that's EXACTLY what I needed.

So, after wasting time debating this in my mind, I asked a friend if he could come by at some point. That night, the next... next Sunday... anytime in the next year? Ha, well, of course he said he and a roommate would be by later that night.

Words cannot express the peace and the spiritual strength I received from the blessing. I can not say there has been a dramatic change in my physical condition, but I do know slow progress is being made. THERE HAS been however, a DRAMATIC change in my outlook, thinking and mental ability to get through these next few weeks. I was worried about keeping up with my schedule and the demands it places on me physically. I was worried I wouldn't get out of my "funk" and pitty party. But, the words spoken in the blessing addressed my immediate concerns specifically and I knew that the person giving the blessing could not have known that on his own. He's smart, but he can't read minds! I really felt that Heavenly Father was listening to my prayers and through this blessing was answering my concerns. It brought me SO much peace and comfort in words I can't describe.

I am so grateful for the priesthood. I have, yet again, felt its power this week and it has given me the strength to continue on. Strength I knew I didn't have on my own!