Carlie and Lauren - after the broadcast - March 28, 2009
As we near the anniversary of this event, our hearts have pondered the miracles of a year ago. Lauren (and Carlie) had really desired to participate in the event and had been practicing for quite some time along with all of the other Young Women in the choir. Cancer had set in for the third time and it didn't look likely that she would be able to participate.
The leaders of the choir asked all of the girls to join in fasting and praying for Lauren and her ability to join with them, which they did.
Special arrangements were made with the help of amazing personnel at the Conference Center who worked with us on a daily basis regarding anything they could do to make it possible for her to attend. Every arrangement possible was made by these extraordinarily kind people, including flexibility that she hadn't been able to practice for a few weeks prior.
On Monday, the 16th of March, Lauren began another series of radiation treatments. It was a brutal week. On Sunday, the 22nd, she attended a practice in not very good shape. Monday, the 23rd, she had surgery and began the new cheMOOtherapy regimen. Every day, we got a little further to our goal, but still were anticipating need for a wheelchair, the dressing room with the bed inside, and medical personnel standing close by. We also anticipated that Lauren would barely be able to make it through the whole meeting - and may not be standing for the singing.
True to Lauren's nature -- she sweetly went about shocking us all. (Her cute doctor made the remark once when we were asking for 'permission' for something that "I don't pretend to tell Lauren what she can and can't do. She lets me know!")
Each day as the event drew closer, we could see that she was gaining inches of momentum, which she immediately turned into miles of ground simply with her attitude. As it turned out, she participated in the full 9 hours of the event, never using the bed, a wheelchair, or medical personnel for any reason whatsoever. She didn't use any of the juices or snacks they provided for her either. She just did it. And, it wasn't because she was physically well enough as we her family well know. It was because she had the attitude to just do it. She had the desire to stand amongst her peers and sing her testimony along with them. And, she did.
It's no small coincidence that the camera landed on her and Carlie so much during the event, especially not in this particular song as they sang: "Triumphant, Pure and Strong!!" This was truly a reflection on who they really are. The words to the last verse strike me as significant to her testimony . . .
"Through test and trial we'll have our fears
But we will not despair
We're here to serve a righteous cause
Truth gives us strength to dare
We'll love and learn and overcome
We'll sing a joyful song
As Zions Youth in Latter Days
Triumphant, Pure, and Strong!"
Another little known part of this beautiful day is that Carlie and Lauren met Sister Elaine Dalton, (who gave her the white rose she is holding in the photo) Elder D. Todd Christopherson, and President Thomas S. Monson that night.
She got her wish to sing her testimony right by her sister. And, it was no small miracle that she did so.
As we near the anniversary of this event, our hearts have pondered the miracles of a year ago. Lauren (and Carlie) had really desired to participate in the event and had been practicing for quite some time along with all of the other Young Women in the choir. Cancer had set in for the third time and it didn't look likely that she would be able to participate.
The leaders of the choir asked all of the girls to join in fasting and praying for Lauren and her ability to join with them, which they did.
Special arrangements were made with the help of amazing personnel at the Conference Center who worked with us on a daily basis regarding anything they could do to make it possible for her to attend. Every arrangement possible was made by these extraordinarily kind people, including flexibility that she hadn't been able to practice for a few weeks prior.
On Monday, the 16th of March, Lauren began another series of radiation treatments. It was a brutal week. On Sunday, the 22nd, she attended a practice in not very good shape. Monday, the 23rd, she had surgery and began the new cheMOOtherapy regimen. Every day, we got a little further to our goal, but still were anticipating need for a wheelchair, the dressing room with the bed inside, and medical personnel standing close by. We also anticipated that Lauren would barely be able to make it through the whole meeting - and may not be standing for the singing.
True to Lauren's nature -- she sweetly went about shocking us all. (Her cute doctor made the remark once when we were asking for 'permission' for something that "I don't pretend to tell Lauren what she can and can't do. She lets me know!")
Each day as the event drew closer, we could see that she was gaining inches of momentum, which she immediately turned into miles of ground simply with her attitude. As it turned out, she participated in the full 9 hours of the event, never using the bed, a wheelchair, or medical personnel for any reason whatsoever. She didn't use any of the juices or snacks they provided for her either. She just did it. And, it wasn't because she was physically well enough as we her family well know. It was because she had the attitude to just do it. She had the desire to stand amongst her peers and sing her testimony along with them. And, she did.
It's no small coincidence that the camera landed on her and Carlie so much during the event, especially not in this particular song as they sang: "Triumphant, Pure and Strong!!" This was truly a reflection on who they really are. The words to the last verse strike me as significant to her testimony . . .
"Through test and trial we'll have our fears
But we will not despair
We're here to serve a righteous cause
Truth gives us strength to dare
We'll love and learn and overcome
We'll sing a joyful song
As Zions Youth in Latter Days
Triumphant, Pure, and Strong!"
Another little known part of this beautiful day is that Carlie and Lauren met Sister Elaine Dalton, (who gave her the white rose she is holding in the photo) Elder D. Todd Christopherson, and President Thomas S. Monson that night.
She got her wish to sing her testimony right by her sister. And, it was no small miracle that she did so.
