Finding JOY in our journey

Beautiful River Joy was diagnosed with liver cancer just over a week ago now. As we all have sought for understanding, it has become very clear that this is not as much about all of us as we think. This is a very special part of River's mission. We have completely turned our hearts to God as we help River in her journey. Our Heavenly Father is so mindful of each of us. He knows the desires of our hearts and our deepest sorrows and pains. River truly wants to serve Him. It shows in everything she does.

Being at Primary Children's Medical Center is indescribable. Countless miracles surround us and continue to lift our spirits. I cannot even count the multitude of small tender merciesThe Lord has sent.

I do not mean to say this has been easy in any way. This journey has been excruciating. But River's middle name being Joy was not coincidental. Putting our faith to this test, not losing sight of our priorities, enduring trials with patience and love for others will surely bring great joy, if not now, then when it matters most. Our Heavenly Father is full of love and compassion and His Son has made His grace available to us. He will not leave us comfortless and He keeps His promises!

On Sunday, September 7, we were able to worship together and attend meetings as a family. It was so nice to be altogether!

The hymns we sang there seemed to speak to me. We sang Hymns 3 "Now Let Us Rejoice"  and 171 "With Humble Heart."  The words brought such comfort.

        Now Let Us Rejoice

        Now let us rejoice in the day of salvation.
        No longer as strangers on earth need we roam.
        Good tidings are sounding to us and each nation,
        And shortly the hour of redemption will come,
        When all that was promised the Saints will be given,
        And none will molest them from morn until ev’n,
        And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
        And Jesus will say to all Israel, “Come home.”

        We’ll love one another and never dissemble
        But cease to do evil and ever be one.
        And when the ungodly are fearing and tremble,
        We’ll watch for the day when the Savior will come,
        When all that was promised the Saints will be given,
        And none will molest them from morn until ev’n,
        And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
       And Jesus will say to all Israel, “Come home.”

        In faith we’ll rely on the arm of Jehovah
        To guide thru these last days of trouble and gloom,
        And after the scourges and harvest are over,
        We’ll rise with the just when the Savior doth come.
        Then all that was promised the Saints will be given,
        And they will be crown’d with the angels of heav’n,
        And earth will appear as the Garden of Eden,
        And Christ and his people will ever be one.

We also sang 171 With Humble Heart

1.	With humble heart, I bow my head
	And think of thee, O Savior, Lord.
	I take the water and the bread
	To show remembrance of thy word.
2.	Help me remember, I implore,
	Thou gav’st thy life on Calvary,
	That I might live forevermore
	And grow, dear Lord, to be like thee.
3.	To be like thee! I lift my eyes
	From earth below toward heav’n above,
	That I may learn from vaulted skies
	How I my worthiness can prove.
4.	As I walk daily here on earth,
	Give me thy Spirit as I seek
	A change of heart, another birth,
	And grow, dear Lord, to be like thee.

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