Last Thanksgiving Harold and I hosted the dinner in our town. Our house wasn't big enough (or cat-free dander enough) to have the whole clan.
I had just been given the news that I would need surgery to remove what was probable cancer. I was stressed out and completely on edge. The dinner was nice, we held it at our church's Relief Society room. Everyone from the Johnson side was there. After dinner was over and the dishes were done, it was starting to look like everyone might be heading out. I knew I wanted a blessing before everyone took off. I had been laboring over who to ask for the blessing. Harold had given me a blessing already the first or second night after we got the news, but I thought I should ask him to give it. But for some reason I really felt like it should be my father who was voice to this particular blessing. I was very worried about offending Harold. I didn't want to send a message that his blessing wasn't good enough, or that I trusted my father more. I just felt like my father should be the one. Looking back I can see that it was a good thing my father gave the blessing, for both Harold and I. We needed someone with more objectivity than either of us. Granted, he is my dad, so I am not sure just how objective you can get when your daughter asks for a blessing of comfort and hopefully healing.
I asked my father to be voice, Harold to participate, Paul, David and Matt (my brothers) and Jeff and Justin (my brothers-in-law)to join in the circle.
The blessing was very specific. During surgery the doctor would find the cancer, it would be in a specific place and it would be completely removed.
From that moment on I knew I would be cured, 100%. I felt really guilty all during the coming month before surgery when people would look at me with sadness in their eyes to ask how I was doing because I really felt great. I knew it would be over soon, that I was off the hook and for some reason I was given a second chance. I knew there were others, even within my own family and ward, who were suffering more than I would ever suffer from cancer.
The picture above is of the men in my life who were part of that amazing day. Thanksgiving has always been a great day for me, for the opportunity for to count my blessings, but for me it will now forever be the day that my Heavenly Father communed with me through His power, through my father, through my husband and through the hands of the worthy priesthood holders whom I love.
6 comments:
I didn't realize that all those men participated in that. What an awesome experience, too bad you have to be sick to have it happen. I'm glad everything worked out. I remember that day because you all came to my moms and visited, it was fun to see everyone.
I remember that blessing. It was so powerful. I'm glad to hear how much comfort it gave you.
You are so fortunate to have so many worthy priesthood holders to bless and comfort you. Your Dad happens to be one of my most favorite people. He has such a calm and insightful spirit and I'm sure that his own experiences with cancer helped him to get in touch with your fears and feelings and convey to you exactly what Heavenly Father wanted you to hear. I love you and I am so happy that you've fully recovered.
i agree with holley. i had the same thought in my mind how fortunate you (and me too) are to have so many worthy priesthood holders to bless you. and all of them related to you! i really feel that the priesthood is a blessing and has healing power. and even if things hadn't turned out in your favor - i think still having a priesthood blessing is a way to receive comfort and be reminded that the Lord is mindful of our trials.
oh, and i forgot to say - what a handsome group of men!
A lot of the time, Priesthood blessings are predicated by the recipients faith. You are such a good example to me of faith. Thanks Jeanna!
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