LOVE

3 months ago my niece, Halli Wood, who is 9 years old, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The cancer was very rare and within the tumor there was three different kinds of cancers. Later they learned that is was the same type of cancer that Lance Armstrong had, except his was on the prostate. They then removed the tumor that was the dimensions of a soccer ball. Halli began chemo treatments which made her very sick and at one time she had an allergic reaction to the medication and became very confused and was talking like a baby. During the course of next chemo treatments she contracted the H1N1 flu and then was stung by bee which lead to blood poisoning. This time was so scary and very hard to understand. My sister Keli, her husband Ty and their 4 other children had to juggle going to school, driving to the valley from Snowflake every week or so, and worrying about their precious sister and daughter. They were constantly in fear of her getting sick because of her weakened immune system.
At first this experience was so hard for me to deal with. It was almost like a dream, like how could this really be happening to my family, to a little 9 year old girl? I was not sure how to help or what to say. Our family started to pray and fast for her treatments to get rid of the cancer and for her family to have the things that they needed. Well 3 months later on November 16 she found out that all the cancer is gone!
Looking back I am so grateful for the strength and faith of Halli and her family. From the very beginning of the diagnosis, Halli had faith that she could over come this. My sister has taught her children the gospel and the importance of faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has suffered all. She has taught her children the laws and ordinances of the gospel, but more importantly she has taught them love. All of her children and especially Halli's heart is so tender and genuine. Keli has taught and shown her children love. The kind of love that lasts, endures, uplifts, and comforts. The kind of love that our Heavenly Father has for us. Even when I am imperfect and not the BEST sister or Aunt and forget their birthday's or don't think to just pick up the phone and call they love me. I am so grateful for my sister who has adopted me as a little sister even though we are far from blood sisters. I am grateful for the trials that her family has had and then come out victorious. They have taught me so much about faith and LOVE.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said "Think of the purest, most all consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by infinite amount-- that is the measure of God's love for you. God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely...He loves everyone of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God's love is so great he loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked."