October 21, 2008

overwhelmed

I’m overwhelmed today by kindness. actually, let me back up. on saturday, I was overwhelmed more. attending the blissfest in downtown mesa was so wonderful – I only wish stephanie could have been there to smell the popcorn and cotton candy, watch the nienie video and see the money being raised in their honor (however, she wouldn’t have loved the major heat wave we had – fall, where are you?). we all received so much love and support and felt so happy when we let off the silhouette balloons along with lots of prayers. I walked around the carnival on saturday and talked to several people who were at the booths. I asked them how they knew stephanie and christian and more often than not, I heard, “I read her blog and felt so inspired by her”. someday, I’d like to thank the person who first thought of the blog. I doubt they had any idea the impact it would have on people’s lives (in small or great ways).
I’m overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of my beautiful cousin melissa for working her fingers to the bone (and letting her floor get sticky) by making hundreds of silhouette sugar cookies for the mindy gledhill concert. on that note, I’m overwhelmed by mindy for her effort with this concert this saturday. when the concert was in the first planning stages, my name came up in being the “nielson rep”. I tried to help out with dates, venues and whatnot but here’s the cold, hard fact – I was really lousy at it. mindy stepped up and I can’t wait to hear her amazing voice sing peace to us on saturday night.

I’m overwhelmed by a next-door neighbor who comes over about once a week to get the inside scoop on how my mom is doing. she is so attentive to our needs that she realizes that simply asking my mom that question will only give her the basic answer, “oh, I’m fine” . . . so she comes to me – I’ll tell her straight up whether or not we need meals or if we need a straight jacket to make my mom sleep in her own bed once a week (it hasn’t come to that yet, but it might).

I’m overwhelmed at how good c+s are looking everyday and even more overwhelmed that christian asks to pray with us whenever we visit him. he prays constantly and never for himself. he never complains and never asks, “why me?” he has more faith than any of us knew. from a “little sister” point of view, it’s very inspiring to watch.

saturday is going to be so amazing. I can hardly wait for friday when I can see claire and jane and kiss their little faces and tell them how great they are. I can’t wait for jane to tell me silly things and say, “it was SOOO funny” and for claire to be shy at first and then be herself after a few minutes. I can’t wait to see them stand together on stage next to mindy gledhill while they hold hands (just as two sisters should) and sing for their mom and dad.

thanks to all of you for overwhelming me and my family with good so that we aren’t overwhelmed with the reality of the situation we find ourselves in. thank you.

11 comments:

  1. hi Lizzy!

    I spent my whole work day yesterday reading your previous blog, now i'm starting on this one, heehee! yay for desk jobs that you can slack off on ;) and yay for amazing blogs that make your day fly by when you get involved in them!

    you and i seem quite similar, I'm 23, married for almost a year now to a man who seems a lot like yours! love cooking (although i'm not as good as you yet! i'm still working on casseroles and easy desserts!) anyway, i have really enjoyed reading your blog, especially when you write about food or your house, i love it!

    i found your blog through C Jane's. Your whole family is just amazing and so inspiring. i know you've heard it a million times, but let me make it a million and 1!

    take care, know that you and your loved ones are in my prayers everyday!

    love, Amie from Canada

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  2. Oh Liz, that was a beautiful post. It brought out the tears. We got to stay up until 12:30 last night visiting with your dad and Marcus. It was so great. He filled us in on C&S and all of the miracles, the tears flowed more than once. He also filled us in on you and all of your siblings. I am amazed by the strength you family continually has. He told us how great Saturday was and all about C&S's ward. About the upcoming concert (that I wish SO bad I could come to -- Maybe I can try a little harder). I wish we lived closer and could help out. Thank you for updating. Your words are always encouraging.
    Hug your Mom for me.

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  3. Hi Lizzy
    My husband and I are the ones privelaged to capture Christian and Stephanie's lives in the video played at the benefit carnival. It was amazing to me to have your parents come by the booth and give me a play by play of the video. They let me know who took the pictures, locations of them, and a few behind the scenes stories of them. Your parents are very sweet and you can actually feel love and strength from them by just having a conversation with them. I was lucky to have had that conversation with them. Thank you for your family and your how open you all are in allowing those of us in on such a personal trial in your family.

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  4. Thank YOU for showing us faith & hope in this hard time for your family. You see someone's true self when they are put in circumstances such as yours, and your heart of gold is showing now more than ever. I adore you!

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  5. Thanks for the nice post. I can't believe how many people have been so willing to help. I am so glad I can contribute in a very small way. Love you!

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  6. It has been amazing to read/watch as SO MANY people pull together for your brother & sis-in-law! I'm excited you get to see your cute nieces this weekend!

    We continue praying for them as they recover! It is great to hear updates!

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  7. You are your family are amazing! We are continuing to pray for all of you! Your strength is incredible to see - what an example!

    I'm so bummed that I'm going to miss the concert on Saturday. Dean and I both really wanted to go...bummer!

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  8. Liz-
    Your post was 'overwhelming', I love reading your blog...always inspiring. I'm your mom's cousin and I'm so proud to be that! I like being part of an amazing family. I'm looking forward to the concert, I'm bringing the whole family. I hope to see you there.

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  9. I found your blog via C Jane (of course). What you wrote was humble and wonderful. It was nice to read your thoughts. I agree with you about blogging. It is amazing how so many who do not know God are hearing about Him and understanding a little about Him through your families faith and story.
    Wendy
    (Mama to 6 Cupcakes)

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  10. What a sweet family you all are. It is so good to know what living testimonies of Christ you are. Thank you for your updates.

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  11. Liz, that was such a beautiful post. You and your family are such strong and faithful people and I feel so blessed that you are a part of my life. That is so great that Christian prays with you every time you guys are with him. He has such a strong spirit. I always love reading your blog because it inspires me to be a better person.

    P.S. Those nienie cookies are AMAZING! I will definitely buy some on Saturday night!

    I'll see you tonight!

    Erin

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