Monday, January 20, 2014

Celine Dion

So if you've ever met me, you probably know that I LOVE CELINE DION. I always have and I always will. If you haven't heard her new album "Loved Me Back To Life," then call me so I can remove the boulder you're hiding under because it's fantastic. I realize not everybody is a fan like I am, but come on, the woman can sing.
It was on my bucket list to get to one of her concerts, and not only did I get to hear her sing, I got to meet her. It was INCREDIBLE. She is better live then she is on recordings, seriously breath taking. She was so nice and seemed like just another normal person. I had my arm around her for one of the pictures and I said "Holy cow! Your tiny!" and she said "You are too!" back to me. I don't know why it was such a funny moment, but it was, and we laughed.
I painted a water color for her that said "I'm thankful my prayers have been answered" and if you don't know where I got those words you should probably definitely listen to her more often. Here goes some pictures!


We waited to meet her in the classiest room. You can tell I was very excited!

A picture of me with the watercolor painting for Celine!

The fam with Celine

Me and Celine!

Celine giving me a cheeker, (I love cheekers, so on our way out she hugged me and kissed my cheek and I made them take a picture to capture the moment forever)!


So the story behind the next picture goes like this: Jordyn and I went to Mexico the summer of 2012 on a humanitarian trip. This was the last week I had that I felt normal. This was before I had any of my symptoms. You can tell who I am in the picture cause my shirt says my name. This was my last taste of "normal." But I'm realizing after multiple conversations with friends, family, patients, etc. that there is no normal. 
The most normal thing I have in my life is my religion. 
That's one of the only things that hasn't changed. 
I'm bringing this up because I started feeling some symptoms again. My mouth always feels cold. My fingers are numb. My attitude toward life really hasn't been amazing lately. Even though some of the best things in my life have been happening.
One of my favorite quotes comes from A Tale of Two Cities. Charles Dickens. 
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."
That's how my life is. Dreadfully awful, and incredibly wonderful at the same time. One of the things (besides the amazing support I get), that makes my life tolerable, is my religion. It never changes. I feel so accepted. And I feel very peaceful on top of it.
I love the feeling of peace. I get that feeling from the LDS church and all it has to offer.

So yeah, maybe sometimes I feel like giving up, like it's too painful to take another step. YEAH, my symptoms just started again and my tumor is bigger than it has ever been. Yeah I have a piece of medal in my chest. Yeah I have a tumor in my brain and in my back. Yeah, I AM SCARED TO DEATH. 
But the gospel brings me peace and that's all I could ever hope for.

I used to be so ripped!

So my incision started opening up and they told me if it comes all the way open, they will have to take it out and put it in again on the other side. They used "Dermabond" to seal it up again while pinching it together and rubbing rubbing alcohol and saline into my open wound. It was painful. Words were said. Anyways this is what my incision currently looks like:

Okay, I'm done now. Have a good week. Thank you for praying for me. The prayers are felt along with the support. 
I can do hard things
xoxo
 Rach

16 comments:

  1. It's nice to know that some famous people are just normal people. And the gospel is amazing. It is the foundation and strength for so many people who can't even begin to understand what you're going through. You can do hard things and I've learned that so can I. And yeah, there is no normal. There's just life as we know it and that's an amazing thing.

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  2. Rachel, we continue to pray for you. Thank you for sharing your testimony. Even though you are going through this great time of trial, you are amazingly sharing light! You are an inspiration! Love and prayers to you from Korea.

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  3. Continuing to pray for you...praying...praying...praying!!!!!!!!!! B.Michel

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  4. I love what you've said about the gospel and religion. You are such an inspiration to me. You're so strong and beautiful and positive. I love reading your blog since you write so eloquently.
    Religion is such a great pillar. I'm so glad you have God because I don't know where I'd be without my faith.
    Feel better and keep strong, even if you don't think you are. There is always someone you inspire and always someone who believes in you.
    I'll be praying!
    Veronika

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  5. i love you so much. hahaha "words were said". miss you!

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  6. Rachel, I love you my dear one. Thank you....

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  7. I am thrilled that you got to meet Celine! I lover her too, and have every CD-even the newest one. YAY YOU!
    I will continue to pray for you. You are an amazing you lady.
    Linda in Oregon

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  8. Rach you continue to inspire and amaze me. I love seeing you in choir and after when wet can play. You seriously know how to make people laugh and cry. Wow what a talent. Thank you for rocking this life. Oh and I agree with the comment above about your writing. I LOVE it. Hahaha its you all the way. I can only imagine how many people are feeling the peace and comfort from the spirit as they read this. Anyways I love you and we'll see you tomorrow:D

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  9. I continue to read your blog because your honesty is raw and your words are powerful. You uplift and inspire at a 'Jeffery R Holland' level. What an amazing daughter of God you are!

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  10. Rachel, we send prayers to heaven for you every day. I look up to your humble and honest example to help me through my own simple trials. You truly are an amazing daughter of God!

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  11. Yes you can do hard things Rachel! I pray for you everyday... and am so thankful you got to meet Celine. :) hugs to you & your family.

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  12. Rachel, thanks for sharing your journey and yourself with us. You are blessing our lives. Prayers, positive thoughts, and good wishes to you.

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  13. Hey Rachel. I'm new to your blog, but I want to send love your way for the journey you are on. I'm writing a book about gratitude, geared toward teen girls. Your attitude is inspiring. I have two children serving missions for the church right now, and I recently sent them an acronym about HARD things:
    H how Christlike
    A attributes
    R aRe
    D developed

    THINGS.

    I commend you for your deep faith and your honesty about the ups and downs you are experiencing. Wishing you health and happiness.

    xoxo

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  14. Hi Rachel,

    It's a long and strange story how I ended up following you, but I do know God puts people in our lives for reasons only He knows sometimes. Anyway, here I am, and I have been praying for you. Your heart and your attitude is inspiring, and I know that your candid voice into your story has touched many lives. I pray you continue to find strength and hope for your fight, and get to enjoy many more years with the ones who love you.

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