Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Birthday Britt!!!

    Logan and I got the wonderful privilege to spend all day with the birthday boy, and what a great day it was!! We had a few ups and downs and I am sure that it was not the best birthday Britt has ever had but under the circumstances I think it turned out to be a pretty good one.
  Britt is having "anxiety attacks". I'm not sure what other way there is to describe them but they are very frustrating and hard on Britt and on those of us that are standing around him completely helpless. We hope that they are just a side effect from his surgery and that they will pass as the days do. Please pray for him to have comfort. Britt had a good friend come visit him today. He brought with him some great words of encouragement from a few of his friends back home. We want to thank them for loving Britt as we do.
   Those of you who know Britt knows he enjoys a good laugh and is SO much fun to be around. Today was no exception! We got him a small basketball and hoop for his birthday. He shot and shot that ball until he got it in the hoop! It was fun to see him "practice" his shot before he took it and wipe the "sweat" off his brow when he was through.
    We read your comments to Britt and he is so amazed at the love that you all have for him. We know that he feels your love. We truly believe that your love and the love of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ will help Britten get through this tough time. We thank you for that and for the many words of encouragement and prayers that have been said in Elder Schenk's behalf. Please keep them coming as there is still a long road ahead! We love you all- even those of you whom we have not met and may not ever meet in this life time. We thank you!
    We are so proud of Mom and Dad.  Their amazing faith and testimonies are influencing the world! We feel their strength and are so blessed with the comfort that strength brings to us.  Every time we talk to them, even though it has been a long day, they are able to recognize the blessings that come with each small (although huge to us) improvement that Britt makes.  We are so grateful to them for being there at Britten's side. For holding his hand and for noticing and rejoicing with Britt's every improvement. We know that our Father in Heaven is right there with them and we continually thank him for every small miracle.
   We have come to know what an amazing man Britten has become! All of the emails, calls, and visits to his hospital room have taught us so much more of Elder Schenk and of the work that he has done in just two short years. We learn more of his testimony daily and are SO proud of him for his influence on all who have met him. His testimony radiates through him even now without a single word being said.  What a brilliant example he is to us! We love him SO deeply as we know that all of you do as well.
   There have been moments when the future did not look so bright. There have been so many tears of sadness followed by tears of joy along this journey. We know that this is a long process but we are grateful to have SO much love and support from you all. We love you and thank our Father in Heaven for you.
Love,
Britt's Favorite Sister
Lora

17 comments:

  1. Happy, happy birthday Britt dear!!
    With love from Vancouver, Wa :)

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  2. Britten! Happy Birthday- my Missionary son Jackson in Peru just celebrated his too! But what's really amazing is that you got to HAVE another birthday. Heavenly Father must love you very much. And BECAUSE of your situation, we are all cheering you on and hearing from your family and their testimonies every day. You must be an overachiever! It wasn't enough for YOU just to go on a mission, you had to get your ENTIRE FAMILY on one as well! ;) When times get hard, think about how out of a tragedy, gospel seeds are being planted in hearts all around the world. Your mission didn't end with you coming home, it just got amended and expanded. One last thing. I have suffered with debilitating anxiety attacks for the past 30 years, and was on an anti anxiety medicine for 17 of those years. I understand the horror. There is nothing like the panic and the feeling that you are going to die. When anxiety hits, say 2 things to yourself. 1. This is NOT going to kill me- I will live through it. 2. If this is the worse it's going to get, I can handle it. Chose one thing ahead of time to think about, and then breathe through the panic as you focus. And of course, pray. You can do ALL things through Christ, which strengtheneth YOU! So our family of 5 boys has adopted you pretty much! I hope that's OK with your Mom and Dad. :) Karla- have a wonderful Mother's Day!!! May blessings be showered down upon your heads! Love, Rachel Hill and family

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    1. Hey cousin Britten - Happy 21st Birthday to you yesterday! I attempted sending this in the wee hours this morning but as I switched between apps on my tablet it refreshed my browser and lost what I had typed. :-( Happy Mother's Day Karla, Lora, Rachel Hill, Eliana Jave and to all others who deserve the blessed title of 'Mother'. It turns out Rachel is my cousin on the Maughan side and Eliana lives in a beautiful mountain town in Cajamarca Peru where I served over 34 years ago. I have not met either yet in person but I have made their acquaintance because of your blog. Rachel, you mentioned your son Jackson is serving in Peru now. Where is he at?

      Continue in patience, believing in the mercy, power and love of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and All Things Are Possible! We love you as well as do thousands of others who are praying and exercising their faith in your behalf.

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    2. Thank you Daniel! It was a fabulous Mothers Day because we got to skype with Jackson in Peru- he is in the Trujillo Mission. He looked so good and was so happy!

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    3. That's awesome! I served in Trujillo when it was only a Stake. Glad you were able to Skype with your Elder!

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  3. I loved Rachel's message for you, so positive and true
    Happy belated birthday and Happy Mother's Day Karla & Lora!!
    You are always in our thoughts and prayers. Like hundreds of other following your blog and life, I have had my own testimony grow though your great example and strength
    Thank you for letting us be part of Britts life and we prall that all of you will have good health and strength to over come these new tests and trials.
    We love you guys,
    Lu Wana Hunt & family

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  4. What an amazing journey your family has been on; deep despair to utter joy. The love that your family has been shown is another testimony of how incredible the Gospel of Jesus Christ is. I am so grateful for the love and support Britten has received through this difficult time; and the rest of you as well. As readers of his blog, we have grown in our faith of Jesus Christ and the love that it generates. Hope you have many more joyful days ahead. Love, Eric and Carol Ruud and family

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  5. Happy 21st Britten! I wanted to write a little note to your mom as I have been so inspired by her. I got to know her from hours of sitting by her at swim meets, but after reading your blog I feel I have come to know a different side of her. I am so grateful for her faith filled example and the courage and strength she has shown. So, today I wanted to forward a little quote to Karla, your amazing mother. "May I say to mothers collectively, in the name of the Lord, you are magnificent. You're doing terrifically well. The very fact that you have been given such a responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust your Father in Heaven has in you." (by Elder Holland) Happy Mother's Day, Karla!
    Susan

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  6. happy birthday! keep on keepin on cousin-we are thinking of you and praying for you! lots of love and hugs!

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  7. I do work with people that struggle with anxiety disorders. Breathe deeply. Make the exhalation a bit longer than the inhale. Practice ten cleansing breaths frequently, even when you aren't experiencing the anxiety. There's a lot of good information on biofeedback and relaxation. These practices help calm, heal, and reprogram the nerve pathways. Have a happy birthday. Yep still praying for you even though you don't know me. Keep getting better. One small step at a time. Love Kathy

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  8. My mom had a car acident two years ago here in Brasil. The process to relief as long and sometimes seams like she will never have a normal life againg. we keep praying and believing. One year later she was normal as the acident had never happen. we are praying for you.

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  9. Feliz Aniversário Britten...desejo que tu continue se recuperando e que comemore muitos aniversários, que tu tenha muitas alegrias...não nos conhecemos, mas oro de todo coração que tu fique bem e tenha muita força para passar pelos momentos difíceis...que o Pai Celestial te dê o conforto no qual só Ele consegue...
    Um abraço,
    Adriane

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  10. Love you, Britten! Happy Mothers' Day Karla and Lora! What an amazing family I have ;) Sending lots of love and many prayers.
    Love,
    Sherilyn

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  11. I couldn't finish this Mother's Day without a little note to my special "son!" Britten, I love you! I just can't tell you how grateful I am that our family's paths crossed and that I have had a chance to know and love you for so many years. You are an amazing young man and I believe in you. I treasure the memories of you and JJ and all the jokes and fun! The world is a better place because of you and your continual missionary service. You have touched so many lives and continue to do so. This is a tough journey you are on; please know you are not alone. Not only will we all stand by you and continue to fervently pray for your recovery, but most importantly the Savior is aware of you and loves you. He will NEVER leave you. Of this, I am positive. May he send His warmth and peace to surround you and help you through the dark moments. YPlease know you have given your Mom the best Mother's Day present ever: YOU!! How blessed she and your Dad are to have you! And for that matter, it makes all our Mother's Days a little brighter to know you are still fighting a good fight with strength, courage and faith! We love our missionaries! Thanks Lora for the post! We always care.
    "Mama Jane" Stoddard

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  12. Dear Britten and family. We talked to Elder Tanner Dance today. He wanted you to know he is praying for and thinking of you. He gets home in a couple of months and hopes you will be up for a visit from him then. Hang in there. Thanks for the blog. I read it and then share with Elder Dance how you are doing. Much love from our family to you and yours, Tammy Dance Radabaugh

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  13. Britt, meu querido! Quantas saudades de você, saiba que estou aqui torcendo por ti, mesmo de longe pedindo a DEUS pela sua recuperação, e quero que saiba que a amizade que fizemos em São Paulo - Brasil, no pouco tempo que pude participar de sua vida e você da minha foi e continua sendo muito importante pra mim... Espero que a Wendy (tartaruga de pelucia)que eu lhe dei faça com que você nunca se esqueça de algumas tardes que passei contigo e Elder G.Silva aprendendo um pouco mais sobre DEUS e seus ensinamentos...Obrigada por tudo meu amigo, e mesmo longe eu estarei sempre contigo!

    Natália Perillo

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  14. Hi, your blog really touches me, have been reading it for a while... Just wanted you to know about a website i started ReadYourBiblesChurch.com... It's a place for Bible study guides.. I also put a forum in that can be viewed from a mobile device.. I couldn't find where to contact you privately so I'm commenting, hope that is okay. :) God Bless!

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