Learning to Wait

I don't think I am out of place to say that the whole family is anxiously waiting. Waiting for results. Waiting to know what to do next. Tentatively planning family pictures and reunions - all dependent on what we find out in the next few weeks.

Each doctor is giving us a new piece of the puzzle. What Dad has, how to treat - these are answers we are getting slowly. We hope and want to have an overall picture to know where to start.

Until we know, there are 11 children waiting at the starting line. Waiting to start a race. Waiting to take time off for treatments. Waiting to schedule babysitters. Waiting to take care of Dad. (Well, we are already doing that).

So because we are waiting for more, I am going to post 11 things we are grateful for:

1) Dad - he is a good man, husband, father and grandfather

2) Family History - Dad has always told us so many stories about where we come from - it is our heritage.

3) Sense of humor - when I talk to Dad, I laugh. Hard. He finds the "funny" silver lining.

4) Family Conference Calls - How else to you make a decision with 11 kids? With 2 hour conference calls

5) Sisters - especially the ones who live close enough to care for Dad. Appointments, dinners, laundry, cleaning - they help with everything.

6) Brothers - They help too. A lot.

7) Attitude - Everyone is willing and ready to do what it takes.

8) Modern Medicine - We are lucky to live in a day where medicine has so many alternatives.

9) Eternal Perspective - Dad is still our good example. Helps us focus on the big picture of trials.

10) Reunions - Those Whitings knew what they were doing. We know our family. All of them.

11) Our Savior - last but not least - we are grateful for our Savior. Though him and through his Atonement, everything will be fine. Regardless of the outcome.