'New Do'

Saturday March 31, 2012

Today was a wonderful day of General Conference! Ashley, Lexy, Lincoln and I enjoyed listening to the leaders of the church in the comfort of our own home. The spirit has been so strong. Tyler and Andrea joined us and it wonderful to spend the morning and afternoon session together. I was particularly touched by the talk given by Elder Henry B. Eyring called, “Mountains to Climb.” In the talk, Elder Eyring explains that if we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. It whispered peace to my soul and gave me strength.

During the break between Conference sessions, we had visitors. There was a beloved member of our former Stake Presidency and his sweet wife. They brought a treat and a message of love, peace, and support. They are both now working at the Missionary Training Center in Provo with the missionaries. They both exude such a sincere light, love and happiness in their countenances. They gave me a picture of the Savior standing on a large rock, holding a child and lifting another from a raging river. The title is “Be thou not afraid.” The Savior is our rock and foundation. As the raging difficulties of life swirl around us, we can reach out to the Savior to lift, calm and comfort us. I am grateful for my testimony.

Another sweet friend stopped by and brought me a new book called, ‘Heaven is Here.” It is by author Stephanie Nielsen and I LOVE HER! She is a woman who was burned over 90% of her body in a plane crash, but she continues to find joy in living day by day turning to God for strength and inspiration as she raises her four children and focuses on the eternal perspective of things. My friend, Camiel, and I had been to a meeting where Stephanie Nielsen had spoken to the young women in our ward. We were both touched by her courage and optimism despite her trying circumstances. Stephanie was doing a book signing at the local book store and my friend decided to stand in the long line and have Stephanie sign the book for me.  She said, “My friend was just diagnosed with lung cancer. This book is for her.” Stephanie wrote in my book, “Lisa, keep going! All my best, Stephanie Nielsen.” So grateful!

This evening, I had called a cute friend of mine to have her come cut my hair. The doctor told me that I will definitely lose my hear. I have been concerned about my daughters realizing that even though the outside of their mom may be changing, I will always be the same me on the inside. My friend, Haley, came by our home with her mom and agreed to cut my hair. As we got started, Hailey had forgotten something and asked me if I had a spray bottle to use. I ran upstairs to grab the spray bottle and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I took a deep breath and suddenly I felt an over whelming wave of emotion as I realized that as I go and cut my hair, I’m admitting that I really am sick. I really do have cancer and that my life is going to change. I knelt in humble prayer and ask Heavenly Father to bless me with the courage to cut my hair and to have fun with it and make it a comfortable situation for my children. I know it sounds silly, but it was so heartfelt. I felt the Lord strengthen me and I took a deep breath and went back down stairs. Hailey did such a great job of cutting my hair. We took a lot of pictures as she was doing it. When she was done, everyone in the room told me how much they LOVED it and that I looked 5 years younger. I don’t know about the age difference, but I love how it looks! It is so cute and easy to take care of it. I’m so glad she was willing to do it. She wouldn’t even let me pay her. It was a true labor of love. I have the best friends in the whole wide world!

My hair before Haley cut it.

Me with my cute 'New Do' and daughters, Lexy & Ashley.