"Yesterday I Was Betty, Today I'm Mom"

Yesterday we visited with a young man named Gordon, he is a liver transplant recipient. He may look older but he is only 17 months old. He told us his story, we were deeply touched. In time he was able to actually meet the mother of the donor who saved his life. Her name was Betty. As they came face to face he said to her, "you must be Betty". She replied, "yesterday I was Betty, today I'm mom". To this day, he still shed a tear as we grew from that simple statement.

I have decided that my new office in Utah is equipped with no lights, no desk or chair, no phones, but I lay awake comfortably in a bed and spiritually have a direct contact with many people, include our Savior. I have also experience a battle with Satan one night (too personal to share) as he tried to grasp my soul into despair. Sleeping is a rare comfort during the night these past several days. I woke up at 3:45 AM. The words Gordon shared with us yesterday, echoed loudly in my mind. Hey, I wasn't Clark's only mother anymore! Clark has been given life again. I will forever share this role graciously and will look forward to meeting her someday and pray we will rejoice in "a gift, and a life".

HELPLESS - defined as: unable to help oneself; weak or dependent. That is what I felt like yesterday as we waited for a liver to be donated. From the moment we walked into the hospital yesterday till the time Cate told me a liver had been located, I have never felt more helpless. The clock kept ticking. I was informed from Drs. a couple of times that Clark's condition was failing and we had only hours for our prayers to be answered. Not all the money in the world could buy Clark a liver, medically there was no replica of the liver we could obtain, and I couldn't purchase time either. The countenance of the staff and the speed in which they acted made me realize there wasn't much time left. Desperate and helpless, I begged God to HELP. He took us to the very last hours and humbled us to our knees as we pleaded for HIS miracle. The Lord is busy answering many prayers. He held Clark in his hand while other people like us needed his blessings before ours. Perhaps the donor family just needed more time with their loved one. In a recent blessing given to Clark at the onset of his liver failure, he was told "you will suffer little compared to the suffering the Savior did for us". In the last hours before Clark was put in a coma, he was sooo thirsty but he was restricted from water. I'm reminded when Jesus was on the cross and said, "I thirst" and he was spit at into his face. I do know Clark has suffered and will continue to suffer in many days to come. I also know it is nothing compared to what our Savior did for us.

We face today strong. We are confident that Clark will make it through this transplant. We accept the ups and downs we might face. Into the hands of the surgeon and our Lord we give him.

Clark I LOVE YOU. You have pleased me in many ways through out our entire life together. You have faced this world dressed in confidence and strength. You have been patient in your suffering. You have not complained about nor demanded comfort yet I know you silently worried. You have always wanted to succeed in all you do and I know you want to succeed today. Clark, you too are helpless but I want you to know you are in good hands. The waiting room will be full of loved ones praying for your welfare. We are certain that the medical staff will do all they can for you. You must continue with the attitude you started with. Stay positive Clark, keep fighting! You have much work yet to do Clark and today you will be given life again. Without this liver you would have died. Don't give up! With my deepest love for you Clark,

Love Mom. THAT’S MY BOY!