Frustrations and Blessings

It's been an interesting week here...it started off normal, but turned ugly in the middle! I have been really nauseous the past week or so, but it wasn't too bad. Then, on Tuesday, I noticed some pain in my lower abdomen and back. It wasn't too bad, so I didn't think anything of it. Then Wednesday rolls around and my abdominal pain gets worse...so bad that I had a hard time standing. So, I finally called my doctor and went in (something I am not a fan of doing!). Well, he suspected that I had appendicitis and sent me to the hospital for blood tests and a CT scan. I did the CT scan (I'm not a fan of those either) and as I'm sitting in the lab giving them my precious blood and trying not to pass out, I hear my name being called. It was my doctor calling to tell me that my appendix is fine, I should go home, rest and take Advil if I'm in pain. I was so frustrated!!!! We got home and my pain was so bad that Josh gave me some Lortab! I am so glad he did because my pain got worse and worse that night. When we went to bed, I was ok...ok, I was drugged. Then, at 12:15 a.m., I was suddenly awake with this HORRIBLE pain!! I was passing a kidney stone!! So, I cried, kept my poor husband up all night and gave birth to a tiny rock! And to top things off, my pain was so intense that I threw up all over the bathroom. Lovely. So, yesterday, I called my doctor and demanded some sort of diagnosis! I was still in pain and couldn't even stand up straight. It's so frustrating when you know that something is wrong but no one will listen! It turns out that I have a urinary tract infection...ugh! But, even through all the yuckiness that we have had this week, the Lord has been blessing us. Josh gave me a blessing that was amazing. I am so very grateful to have the Priesthood in our home, and so grateful to have a loving husband who is willing to take care of me (even when I'm mean and ornery and on pain pills...ok, he likes it when I'm hopped up because I get so nutty!)

As I sat in agony on Wednesday night/Thursday morning, all I could think of were the scriptures in Alma 7:11-12 "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." As I sat in agony, I knew that my Savior knew what I was going through. I knew that He had suffered so much more for me and for that I am eternally grateful. I begged for mercy that night and I know that mercy was given to me. It is so interesting to me that even though we have these experiences of pain and discomfort, we are also given the opportunity to grow closer to our Savior, and for that I am thankful.