Live, laugh, love

Today has been a little unusual. I am on spring break, so it's has been very nice to sleep in, but it is throwing my brain off from my usual routine. I woke up at about 11:30 to my mom calling me to clean out the microwave, which is probably my least favorite thing to do, but I woke up to find something that made my heart a little weary. I check Facebook to find a status saying "RIP Jesse." For those of you who don't live in the Boro don't know Jesse, but he was an a young man who lived in Roxboro a year or two ago and he was diagnosed with Leukemia in December of last year. Truth is, I don't think I ever met Jesse, but I knew who he was. (That's how it is here in Roxboro... everyone knows everybody even if they haven't seen them.) I don't know all of the details of how his condition was, but I knew that not too long ago he decided he didn't want anymore chemo and decided to just live his life why he was still here. When I woke up to find those few statuses, my heart sank. I quickly went to his blog and read a post that said he had been watching the ‘Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives’ and was researching some of the hot spots and his mom said maybe they could eat at some of those restaurants. I just thought to myself, he wasn't be able to do that and so many other things. I thought of all the students at RCS and knew that the school was just at a stand still. I kinda just sat and thought for a minute and then went about my day, but he just kept popping into my head. I couldn't quite grasp how I was feeling. Later on I went to practice for "Pirates of the Chemotherapy," an absolutely life-changing and beautiful show that I am so thankful to be a part of. I shared the news with my fellow cast members and I was amazed at how quickly they wanted to help or to do something, seeing that the show is about a cancer support group. After we went through a scene, we took a break and we were talking about death. Sounds lovely doesn't it, but it actually was. They were all talking about losing loved ones, but how peaceful it was because they all knew God was real and that He was going to welcome their loved one's with open arms. I was overwhelmed with the spirit and peace. I knew that today was Jesse's day and that he is happier now than he has ever been. God has a plan for us and he knows exactly how our lives are going to pan out and when we are going to return to him. That is the beauty of the plan of salvation. I know that when we die, we will still be with our family and loved ones and we will have the opportunity to learn and teach about Heavenly Father and Jesus. It is such a comfort to know that.  I am so blessed to have an eternal family that I know I will have with me forever because my life would SUCK without them. I know for many people, Jesse's passing is going to be hard to deal with, but you just have to think about how happy he is to not be suffering anymore and that Heavenly Father needed him right now. God works in the most mysterious ways, so make sure to listen to the promptings of the Spirit and live for Him. Live today like you are going to die tomorrow, because you never know when God is going to call you home. There are so many things I need to work on to become the person I know Heavenly Father wants me to be. I need to act now. I need to live every moment trying to do His will, not my own because I KNOW if I do that, then I won't have to fear death or anything at all. The Lord will take care of me and you if we do that... I promise.

http://jessesjourney.wordpress.com/

This is the link to Jesse's blog and it is something to read. That family is an inspiration and their faith amazes me the more I read. I will be praying for his family and friends and I hope you will be too. Just remember to be like Jesse and celebrate life every single day.

-M. Philly