The Gift of the Lord's House

I cannot help but notice the stressed importance of Temples of late. Last month, it had been my goal in Seminary to visit the Temple-- at least the grounds. I fulfilled that goal, and a friend of mine expressed interest of coming with me next time (an experience I anticipate). But what's more, this week was "Temple Week" in Seminary. I was quite surprised and pleased when I saw the sign on the building doors last Monday, as I crossed the threshold into walls covered with pictures upon pictures of Temples from all around the world. I could not help but laugh when  this sight greeted me, for the previous day I had been given a rendering of the Gilbert Temple (which is absolutely GORGEOUS!!). Additionally, Prophet Monson announced yesterday cites for new Temples, and to my glee, the reconstruction of the Provo Tabernacle into the second Provo Temple! It is such a B-E-A-UTIFUL building!! (Through fire comes rebirth) Furthermore, many talks given in the last two days' 181st General Conference have mentioned-- if not explicitly discussed-- Temples, their importance, and even our neglect. I am immeasurably grateful for the blessed gift of Temples on the earth today! Their existence warms my soul and lifts the grime of the world from my eyes to allow me to see God's grand design for all of us, and our great potential! I will never forget my first Temple visit after I got contacts a few years ago: entering the font room was breath-taking! I had never before been able to see, with more clarity than a blur of color, the murals on the walls of Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery being baptized and on the other side restoring the Priesthood to the earth! I used to watch "Legacy" almost every Sunday and still adore that movie. I love watching the pains and struggles of (and feeling the pains and struggling with) the early saints of the Church. I greatly appreciate their immense efforts to establish Zion and build Temples for the benefit of their posterity and ancestors. I hope, pray, and try not to let their efforts go in vain. I will cherish and use to their fullest advantage the Temples upon this earth and the ones yet to come. They truly are the House of the Lord.

(rendering of the Gilbert, Arizona Temple)

Operation Sticker Therapy

My seminary teacher, Brother Aaron Goss, has five children. The youngest of whom just turned two; her name is Abigail and she was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer in January. After enduring months of Chemotherapy, Radiation, and surgery Abigail still has a 30 percent chance of survival in the next five years. Seven years of life is hardly a life at all. Her family and parents remain impossibly optimistic and have exersized such faith through this never-ending pit of despair. Abigail is believed to be cancer free for now-- there is a good chance that the cancer will return but the frightening part is that Neuroblastoma learns: this particular form of cancer adapts and becomes harder to treat as it re-inflitrates a body. Abigail will have to continue some form of treatment which is still being debated by her doctors and family. In the mean time, Sister Annabeth Goss, Abigail's mother, has posted the following and requested the word be spread:

Operation: Sticker Therapy Your mission: to help bring happiness and distraction to toddlers fighting cancer by mailing stickers, sticker books, or happy vibes!

Hi! This is Abigail the day before her 2nd birthday. You can see her central line and her surgery scar. When she was 19 months old she was critically ill, and diagnosed with cancer--stage 4, high-risk Neuroblastoma. She has been through a lot--with a lot still yet to go through. Abigail loves stickers and they offer distraction and entertainment during multiple hospital stays.

When kids are fighting cancer, they go through a lot of yucky therapies: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, antibody therapy, etc. We decided to call this project Sticker Therapy...a therapy they could look forward to!! Our goal with Operation: Sticker Therapy is to receive enough stickers to be able to put some packets together to share with other children we meet who are fighting for their lives. We encourage you to donate some stickers, and then know that you are blessing the lives of some precious children.

Please mail them to: To:  Operation: Sticker Therapy

C/O Fans Across America Charitable Foundation
18521 E. Queen Creek Rd., Suite 105-187
Queen Creek, AZ 85142

Thank you for your kindness and generosity, and may it be returned unto you! If you would like to make a financial donation to Abigail, that would be greatly appreciated. You can do so by visiting this site: http://www.fansacrossamerica.com/assist_a_family/registry/families/families_in_need/abigail_goss_family.php or by including a check payable to "Abigail Goss Medical Trust Fund" with your stickers. Thank you dearly!

The Gosses have found a treatment plan they are moving forward with at a center in Manhatan. Abigail and Sister Goss will have to travel there one week of every month for a while. Brother Goss writes:

 A new website for Abigail has been created to tell her story and to accept donations via PayPal that is connected to Abigail’s Medical Trust Fund at Wells Fargo. That website is www.abigailfightscancer.com. To help others be aware of Abigail, her website and the needed funds, we’ve created a simple fundraising invitation. My invitation to each of you is:

1) Email me at aaronkgoss@hotmail.com stating that you’re willing to help.

2) I’ll send you Abigail’s fundraising invitation through a return email and with some basic instructions.

3) You share the fundraising invitation (print out a physical copy or share it electronically) with any family, friends, neighbors or businesses you are comfortable with.

A lot of little help put together will add up quickly. In the meantime, Annabeth and I will be searching for open doors via non-profits, big business and other deeper-pocket avenues.

Once again we love you, we thank you, we are immensley grateful for each of you.

Senoir Year and All That Comes With It

Well two days ago I got my schedule for my fourth and final year at Hamilton High School-- what a relief! I cannot believe that the time has come to write application essays and send in ACT scores! It's been a long time coming and I think I feel something like a bull must when he his bolted in that little gate; he trembles and jerks as some stranger ropes down his hand...a flood of energy supressed by that gate...and then....it opens! A horns blares, he can release the tension, and within eight seconds he is free! As I draw nearer and nearer to my last first day at Hamilton (Monday 25th), I can see that gate closing. I only have a few days left before it is bolted and I am locked into my Senoir Year-- but one thing is sure: I cannot wait for that horn to sound so that I can fly off to college!

Fulfilling a Commandment

"Behold, it it expediant in me that my servant [Megan] should write and keep a regular history...in transcribing all things which shall be given you" D&C 47:1
I decided to write this blog not only because we have been commanded to keep a record but also because I am entering my senoir year. My parents will be empty nesters soon and this way they can keep up with everything that is happening to me as it happens (if I post that often which odds are I won't). My best friend Lindsay blogs (and her entire family) so I thought I could give it a go- if Lindsay can do it then I definitely can! Haaha just kidding Linds! <3
Ironically enough I am starting this blog right before I leave for Young Women's Camp so this is the first and last post I will have for at least a week. :D Thanks for reading family and friends! I love you all!
<3 Megan