Author: ctr75 Page 2 of 21

I’ve thought about writing this post for along time and now is the right time. I hope and pray that someone out there will gain even just a small portion of help through the process of dealing with a terminal illness and a premature passing of a loved one.

Our story with Cancer began in December of 2013 when our family of thirty two gathered for our yearly Christmas Party. This would be a Christmas Party none like the others and etched in our minds and hearts forever.

Ray and I gathered our adult children in the living room while our grandchildren played happily in the family room. The news that Ray shared in those next five minutes changed our lives forever! Just two days prior Ray was given a terminal diagnoses of fourth stage Pancreatic Cancer and given three months to live. Our Christmas party was one of tears, laughter and drawing strength from one another.

Those next few days were a total blur for me. No I wasn’t the one with Cancer but my world felt totally and completely dumped upside down. Now ten years later I can say, “I Survived Cancer!”

I have learned there is no right way to handle such an experience. The best way is Your way. Our grandchildren of different ages all handled their Grandpa’s passing differently. Those first few weeks after Ray shared the news we were showered with expressions of love in the form of letters and cards and colored pictures from friends and family. The picture above was drawn by our granddaughter.

Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a monster that could eat up Cancer and all diseases and illnesses. But it wouldn’t be God’s way. I have faith in a Father in Heaven who used perfect wisdom when He made a plan for His children that would help them learn and grow. This plan includes opposition. It includes Cancer, disease, illnesses and death. But it also includes God’s love and a promise of help during life’s challenges if we turn to Him with full purpose of heart. He has also given His Only Begotten Son to succor His children, for He has felt everything we go through including Cancer.

My belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and Ressurection are the main reasons I am a Cancer survivor! I miss Ray everyday, but I can do this with the Lord’s help!!! As I turn to my Father in Heaven I feel the comfort of the Holy Ghost.

God’s plan brings comfort, strength and Joy even during life’s difficult challenges!

by Tanya Christiansen

The definition of wisdom is the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgement. Where would we be without wisdom?

At birth we depend on someone else’s wisdom but as we grow we begin to gain our own. Wisdom takes time and is often taught through failure but also through our experiences. As we make mistakes we begin to increase our wisdom and better judgement. Some learn faster than others.

The natural man in each of us can interfere with the choices we make and sometimes lead us in a direction that will hurt us in the long run. Hopefully our mistakes will open our eyes and help us to use wisdom as we move forward in life.

Using Knowledge and Wisdom will help each of us to navigate through life’s challenges. This is part of God’s plan for His children. We are not alone in our journey here on earth. God will also bless us with more wisdom and knowledge if we call on Him for guidance.

James 1:5- “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.”

Gaining Wisdom leads to success, survival and happiness!

by Tanya Christiansen

I love this time of year! Well… actunoally after the snow is melted. I love working in my yard and garden. I love planting seeds and watching them grow. It has almost become therapeutic for me. I love the quiet time when I can really think! Faith is also like the seeds we plant!

Alma 32: 21, 33, 37

” And now as I said concerning faith….faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true. And now behold, because you have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, (or as faith begins to grow) ye will say, let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up and bring forth fruit unto us.”

Unshaken faith begins with hope. We can have faith that our gardens will produce vegetables, faith in ourselves to do better, faith in our loved ones, faith in a better tomorrow and faith in Christ and His power to save.

I can’t honestly say that my faith has never waivered. At times the trials of this mortal life have caused me to doubt, possibly because I took my eye off of the fruit.

Death has no sting when I continue to nourish my faith in God’s plan by living a Christ centered life and looking forward to eternal life with my husband, children and loved ones.

Plant the seed of faith and find peace!

by Tanya Christiansen

Once upon a time there lived a little Red Hen. This little red hen was ambitious and always tried to do her best. She had many friends on the farm where she lived.

One day the little red hen decided to plant some seeds so she could grow wheat to make bread. She asked her friends, “who will help me plant the seeds?” “Not I,” said the pig. “Not I,” said the cow. “Not I” said the dog. “Not I” said the ity bity mouse with a squeak. “Then I will plant it myself.” And so she did.

Time passed and the wheat grew tall and the little red hen set out to cut the wheat. With a loud voice she asked, “who will help me cut the wheat?” “Not I ” said the duck with a quack. “Not I” said the cat. “Not I” said the ity bity mouse with a squeak. And so the little red hen worked hard all day and into the night and cut the wheat.

The next day the little red hen headed out to take the wheat to the mill to be ground into flour. As she passed the barn she said, “who will help me take this wheat to the mill?” “Not I” said the horse. “Not I” said the pig with a grunt. “Not I” said the dog. “Not I” said the ity bity mouse with a squeak. And so the little red hen hurried on her way to the mill.

The next day the little red hen baked the bread and the aroma filled the air with the sweetest smell. All the farm animals followed the smell and found the little red hen eating the bread. The little red hen asked the farm animals, “Who will help me eat this delicious bread?” All at once the farm animals cried out, “I will, I will, I will!” “No” shouted the little red hen! “I will eat the bread because I did all the work.

Rarely does a single person accomplish great things without some form of assistance and encouragement from another person. God put us in families so that we could help each other. We can do our part to assist our friends and neighbors. Serving others has brought great joy and peace into my life even during difficult times! When asked to help we might do ourselves and others a favor by shouting, “I will!”

Doing Our Part Brings Great Rewards!

by Tanya Christiansen

I have caught myself several times over the past few years saying, “I’m old school.” Most people reply by saying, “that’s ok.” I like paper statements and receipts, mail in the mailbox, telephone calls and verbal conversations. I also like to look at magazines and cookbooks, and I wish I could teach my grandkids long division, because I don’t understand their math. I like to print photos and put them in photo books, wear nylons and listen to the Carpenters! The passing of time lays old ways and ideas to rest while new things and new ideas are being born.

There is another side of ‘old school’ that seems to be slipping away. Truly caring about someone and lending a listening ear or paying someone a visit, (especially your aging mom.) Jesus Christ showed the way to be through His example! Nothing is more important than following Christ and serving others! Technology will continue to advance and bring new ways of doing things but true love and compassion will never, (and should never) change.

Don’t Let a Changing World, Change Those Things That Really Matter!

by Tanya Christiansen

Valentines day is often a day associated with Love, usually the romantic kind. Young children have parties at school, make valentines and eat cookies. Selfless love is much different, it generally requires time, patience, compassion and sacrifice. I have always loved the following story. It paints a perfect picture of selfless love.

” As screeching car brakes subsided, eleven year old Billy pulled himself to his feet, and screamed his little sister’s name. Billy’s screams brought no one. Billy limped over to a crowd of men gathered around a car just in time to hear someone say, “She’s got a pulse, she might live.” Everthing was kind of a blur to Billy. An ambulance came and took both of them to the hospital. At the hospital Billy answered questions about the whereabouts of his parents. His Dad was deceased and he didn’t know where his mom was.

The doctor told Billy that his sister would need a transfusion of blood in order for her to live. He asked Billy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. Billy grew pale and gripped the chair he was sitting on tightly, then nodded his head as he gulped. The doctor took Billy into the operating room where his sister was. A line was run from her arm to his. With a concerned look on his face, Billy asked, “How long before I die?” “What do you mean, ” asked the doctor. “Well,” said Billy, “when someone gives his blood doesn’t he die?” With tears in their eyes the doctors and nurses realized what a great sacrifice Billy was willing to make for his sister. What a great example of selfless love.

The Savior Jesus Christ made the ultimate sacrifice and example of pure selfless love as he suffered and died for all mankind so that we could have Eternal blessings if we choose to follow him and keep his commandments. We can show our love for Him by serving others with compassion.

‘As I have loved you, love one another.’

by Tanya Christiansen

Matthew: 6: 20-21

“Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

I have a chest where I keep my precious things, mostly things of sentimental value. Sadly I cannot take any of those things with me when I pass from this mortal life. But I can take to Heaven the treasures of my ❤️.

So what do you treasure most in your heart? What is most important to you? Don’t get caught up in worldly things and lose sight of what really matters!

Look inside your treasure chest and seek after Eternal jewels!

This picture beautifully symbolizes calm to me with with its cool blues and soft green. Calm as we know it is the opposite of anything stressful. It is hard while living in this world to find calm, but definitely worth seeking after.

I can easily tell you the difference between feeling stressed out and feeling calm. However calm has not come easily for me where stress seems to pop into my life without an invitation. So what can we do to relieve the stress in our lives and stress less?

Here are a few things I have learned that have greatly reduced my stress:

1. Stop comparing yourself and your life to others. Be content with who you are and the experiences you and your family have had. Our Father in Heaven knows what we need as individuals.
2. Own your day, leaving a little wiggle room for the unexpected. Make sure you give yourself time to breathe and relax. Waiting in my car for my granddaughter to get out of school has been fourty five minutes that I look forward to each week. Figure out what helps you feel calm and make a little time for it each day.
3. When you have raised and taught your children to the best of your ability, cut those apron strings and learn to let them govern themselves. This has been a hard one for me but I have faith in my kids to eventually figure out those things that will bring peace and true happiness into their lives. All I can really do is pray for them and be a good example.
4. Stop trying to change the things you have no control over. Instead have the courage to accept that there is simply nothing you can do with this particular situation. Exercise patience and Trust that God is aware. He is there to help and support you through difficult things if you call on Him.
5. Take care of yourself physically, spiritually and emotionally. Eat healthy, get plenty of rest and exercise. If your stress level becomes unmanageable get help. And don’t forget to treat yourself every once in a while. Try listening to relaxing music or eating chocolate. You deserve it!

“Keep Calm and Carry On!!!”

by Tanya Christiansen

Although I grew up eating whole lemons, adding a little sweetness to this tart fruit can turn them into a refreshing drink! Life often brings ‘lemons‘ in the form of hardships and trials into each of our lives. These tart and sometimes bitter experiences can bring sorrow and grief beyond what we feel we are capable of handling.

There is no correct way to handle the unpleasantness of Opposition, for we each have our own strengths and weaknessess. It will take time to figure out what helps you pull from the depths of despair and find that lemonade!

I want to share with you what has helped me the most when I have felt that life was just too hard. While leaning on my Savior Jesus Christ was helpful, that wasn’t when the real help came. Striving to live as He did and serving others was truly when I began to feel those hard things becoming almost delicious to me. Serving others brought joy back into my life!

There will always be someone in need of your service. I love this quote, “I might not be able to do everything for everyone everywhere, but I can do something for someone somewhere.” You can make a difference and it just might do you a world of good too!!!

Without those lemons there would be no lemonade!!!

By Tanya Christiansen