He Will Consecrate Our Afflictions For Our Gain

After losing his football career 7-months ago and recently receiving a mission call to Benin, Cotonou, Africa, we have all been thrown through a loop with the devastating news over the last week.

The Corner Canyon Softball team #fightingforforte

Our nightmare began last Friday when my little brother, Cameron, went into emergency surgery for what we thought was an infection in his femur. His leg had been swelling and my mom's motherly intuition told her that Cam needed to see the surgeon that had originally placed the titanium rod and screws in his femur 7 months prior. (Read or see that nightmare here.) Little did we all know that the swelling and pain in his leg was being caused by a very large tumor over his femur right over the original break from 7 months ago. As it turns out, what we thought was an infection was something much more serious. The biopsy results foretold the news of a very difficult year-long journey my brother would soon begin. Cam was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma Cancer which is a cancer of the bone and tissue. As a result from all of the fasting and prayers this past Sunday, it has been confirmed, just today, that the cancer is localized in his femur and has not infected his lungs. This is a very different story than what we were told from day one, just a short week and a half ago. Another tender mercy God has placed in Cam's path.
Many have asked us if his femur broke, that horrific Friday night on the Pleasant Grove High School football field, due to bone cancer. The Oncologist has stated that the two tragedies are not related, and that lightening has struck twice. 

We have the most creative supportive
friends in the entire world!

Our world has been turned upside down yet we know through Christ all things are possible, and Cam is going to kick this thing! The long journey of chemotherapy begins tomorrow.

I don't know everything, but one thing I do know is that the Lord is in charge. I do not believe that we are meant to understand all things. At least not now. The Lord allows us to experience trials and hardships to grow stronger as individuals. The Lord never will give us a trial that we cannot handle. All of these things being said, I know that Cam is in the Lord's hands and he will beat cancer.

After watching the many conference talks, a statement that Elder Oaks said has permeated my mind. He said, 

"Opposition permits us to grow toward what our Heavenly Father would have us become...Through all mortal opposition, we have God’s assurance that He will 'consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain' (2 Nephi 2:2)."

Read the whole talk here. I know that Cameron will fight this cancer and he will come out on the other end an incredibly strong person. Phillipians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." We can do all things with Christ who strengtheneth us. WE ARE SO BLESSED. GOD IS GOOD.