It's Living Waters 5th Year Anniversary~

My fifth anniversary - I began the "Living Waters" blog five years ago on February 9th. I have enjoyed the wonderful challenge of writing posts. I still have much to learn about writing; but the experience has been rewarding. I have learned about myself and the world around me. Through trial and error, I've learned to post pictures, navigate the internet, create custom designs for my blog site and a multitude of lessor skills.

I love the challenge of selecting subjects that I hope to be helpful, fun, informational and inspiring. I want my blog to be positive and uplifting. My purpose has been to share thoughts and stories about my life, my faith, my family or just my musings.
Today I want to share a portion of my first posting. At that time I was teaching a lesson in Relief Society titled "The Woman At The Well". I felt I could relate to that woman as she conversed with our Savior, Jesus Christ. I too wanted my Savior's living water. 
I have always enjoyed studying the scriptures, reading  books by LDS Church authors as well as good novels. I have desires to learn and understand more about the doctrines of Christ. I have a strong and fervent belief in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know that we have a living Prophet on the earth today; President Thomas S. Monson. I am forever grateful for the testimony I have of the restoration of the gospel brought forth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. I love Emma Smith the Prophet Joseph Smith's wife. She made so many difficult sacrifices for the establishment of the church during its beginning years. I have great faith in Priesthood power. I have been the beneficiary of many healing blessings. I do believe in Miracles. I recently witnessed my husband being healed through Priesthood blessings after having Pulmonary Emboli a few weeks ago. You can read that story here. 
I love temples. I've had the privilege of being an ordinance worker in two temples for more than 13 years. I find great peace within those walls and have received revelation for my own life.
I love The Book of Mormon. In recent years I've read it many times.  I enjoy the Bible as well; both the Old Testament and The New Testament. Also the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price.These scriptures have helped me countless times during moments of personal struggle, and they have served as a mother's manual for raising children.

I have been blessed with an Eternal Companion whom I have been married to for 47 years. He is my forever love. We have experienced many difficult trials and challenges; but we know where the source of our comfort and peace comes from. We love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with all of our heart and soul. We know that all our prayers have been heard, and many have been answered as hoped for. 

Our children continue to be our greatest joy. We have three boys and three girls. Four have served missions. All have been married in a Temple to wonderful companions. They are faithful in serving the Savior. We have thirty two Grandchildren and four Great Grandchildren to bless our lives continually.

One of the greatest joys of blogging is the opportunity for new friendships. I have had sweet experiences meeting face to face with three such women, as we follow each other's writings. There are many more of course that I have not met personally, but I have grown to love them just the same as I enjoy our blogging friendship. I have prayed for you and with you during times of struggle and I have felt your prayers during mine.

May you all know how much I  love you and how much I have learned from reading your posts. You have all been a great blessing in my life.

I love blogging and will continue to write posts and read your inspiring thoughts.

I find right now that I need to have a short break. I won't be posting any blogs for a while but I will drop in here and there to read your posts because you are my friends and I want to stay current in reading your thoughts and life experiences. I will be back, but I do need a little time to close out some important priorities.

I will be doing short updates on my Living Waters face book page. If you like you can follow me there. 

Living Waters by LeAnn

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Lung Leavin' Day 2015 ~ Throw Your Fears Away!

Visit Heather's web site here. 

When I read the following story; I knew I wanted to spread the word on this. I was touched by Heather's story. She was only 36 years old and had just given birth to her daughter Lily when she was diagnosed with Mesothelioma, a form of cancer caused by asbestos.  She was very young for getting this diagnosis. When she was just a young girl, she wore her Dad's coat all the time and it was covered in asbestos from his construction job which was the source of this disease. 
At the time of diagnosis Heather was given only 15 months to live. Can you imagine the fears that Heather had at this time. She had fears of the unknown. What would her new little one and husband do without her? What was she facing in treatments and surgeries for this diagnosis. Would these treatments work? What about the recurrence of this after treatment?
Nine years ago, Heather had her lung removed. Just think about the fear of losing one of your lungs. Her fears were overwhelming. Her sweet sister wanted to lighten her thoughts and she named Heather's surgery; "Lung Leavin' Day". So each year on February 2nd and through the week they celebrate "Lung Leavin' Day. This celebration helps to spread the word on this lung disease.
Lung Leavin' Day is about overcoming your fears. They celebrate each year by getting together as a family and friends and then they write their fears on plates and smash them in a fire. 
Mesothelioma is a disease that at this time has no known cure. It is treated with chemotherapy and surgery;  which can prolong life. You can read more about Mesothelioma here. Cameron Von St. James, Heather's husband has a web site with more information on ways of helping fight this dreaded disease.
The reason that I wanted to share this is that I have fears about lung diseases myself. When I was in my early 20's, married and had one little son; I was diagnosed with a rare lung disease called, Sarcoidosis. This disease can be life threatening. I was deeply concerned and fearful about my future. This disease is not as serious as what Heather has; but at that time I had deep fears about it. I was blessed and this disease has been in remission for over 40 years. 
Twenty four years ago my husband had a heart attack at the age of 45. Within two weeks of having the heart attack he had a plural effusion in his right lung. He had chest tubes placed to drain the fluids off his lung. This was a very scary time for us. Within that year he also had heart double by-pass surgery.There are many fears associated with these kinds of diagnosis-es. Through many prayers of faith, priesthood blessings and medical treatments he is alive today.  
 Just two weeks ago my husband was diagnosed with Pulmonary Emboli. He has small blood clots in both lungs and one larger one in his right pulmonary artery. This was life threatening but treatable. He is recovering now and doing well. My husband's story can be found here.
 Heather and her husband Cameron Von St. James invite us all to write our fears on a plate and smash them in the fire on their web site here.

 Have faith and hope in your future and don't let these fears overcome you. I have found great peace in my own faith and religious beliefs. In closing these thoughts I do feel that there is something very therapeutic in throwing your fears away in the fire.