Surgery and Biopsy Scheduled.

This week Ricki's surgery to remove the tumor by her lung was scheduled for March 29th.  It seems so far away but it will be nice because I am about out of days off and her surgery is scheduled for Spring Break. Little tender mercies... They also have scheduled her biopsy for March 15th. They said to plan in 4-6 hours so it will be another long day for Ricki. She is relieved they will do it under general anesthesia - it sounds like a long and painful undertaking.  It has been interesting with each scheduling of a surgery I feel like I go through mourning....my heart aches and I am sad. I am grateful for the wonderful medical advances that we enjoy and know we are so blessed. Yet, I wish my sweet daughter did not have to endure the pain and challenges that she does so gracefully.  I have to reach for a deeper purpose in why she has to endure such suffering.  Down deep I believe that we have a loving Heavenly Father that gave us the choice, the opportunity to leave his presence and experience mortality. The only way to grow and learn is through experience. Ricki with her sweet and kind heart knew if she went through these experiences not only could she develop faith, strength, perseverance, compassion, patience and a myriad of other attributes I believe one of the main reasons why she agreed before she was born was that she knew she would be able to help others as well. As a mother I have learned much from her laughter, form her patience and from her kindness. She continues to inspire me and I have to have faith that come what may our Heavenly Father has a beautiful plan and he will be with her as she goes about accomplishing her purpose here on the earth as she grows and also blesses others along her journey.