Mom has had some crazy big bruises (or so she thought) on her abdomen and thighs. She has been getting all sorts of tests to figure out what it is. She was diagnosed a few weeks ago with Morphia, also known as Scleraderma which is an immunodeficiency disease. She had to wait a few weeks to know the severity of her case. Poor thing was having a horrible time with it. We have all been hoping for the best since in it’s worse case it can be deforming, debilitating, and terminal.

We all got wonderful news that it is a mild case. Her skin discoloration will never go away where those large “bruises” are but other than that she should be doing pretty well.

Through the last few weeks, talking with her and a woman in my ward who is undergoing cancer treatment I have learned or been reminded that even the more horrible terrifying trials are a gift and a blessing from Heavenly Father–not a punishment or a test. It is through the hardest things that we can learn the most. It is also when we can feel the love and strength of our family, friends and especially our Father in Heaven.

Though I do not wish these difficult things on anyone, especially myself, I do envy the cherished experiences that come from them. The experiences that these women wouldn’t trade anything for.

Eden and I were having a pleasant time sitting out on the trampoline eating popsicles when I noticed a huge cricket on the net. (It was at least 3 inches long). I started to tell Eden the famous Utah story of when crickets plagued the valley and were eating all the settlers crops. They prayed for help. I then said, “Do you know what happened next?” Eden answered, “Jesus!” I laughed and told her she was right. Jesus had sent seagulls to eat up the crickets, which saved the crops. She must be learning a lot in nursery at church because I know I haven’t taught her that well!

Eden has now begun her schooling career, which will last for at least the next 16 years of her life. She is in a toddler dance class that meets for 30 minutes every Monday morning.

She is learning to do some ballet moves. She is also getting practice learning and listening to a teacher. I think it will be so good for her. She loves it and I am afraid 30 minutes just isn’t enough! She sure didn’t like leaving today.