Science and Religion

       The degree I am getting is a science degree, more specifically an engineering degree.  In my pursuit of this degree I have had the opportunity to meet many different kinds of people. I have met people of all different kinds of faiths, and some people who have no faith. Ever since science and religion were conceived there has been a debate about who was right. There are many things in science that can confirm a few religious beliefs, as well there is some scientific "evidence" that disproves it.
      I have noticed that most of the time it is because Religion does not have all the answers. I don't claim to have all of the answers, however I don't need them.  All I need to know is why I am here, where I am going, and where I came from.  I know that I am a son of god and that I am here to take part in The Plan of Salvation.  I know that this world was created by the hands of Jesus Christ, and that he has been appointed as our saviour. I know that it is only through him that I can return to live with my father in heaven. When I look out into the stars and see pictures taken in the expance of our universe I can see the hand god in it.  Science doesn't disprove religion for me, rather it confirms it.
    This is my testimony, In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Good News

     So today I received some good news. I recently went through some not so fun tests, and I got the results today. The tests were an MRI to check my Kidney,(Yes I mean Kidney, because I only have one) and a Liver biopsy to check for rejection. The reason for the tests are because my blood pressure has been high and my liver enzymes have been elevated.
     The results for my Kidney were very good, it is perfectly healthy. The results from my biopsy were good as well, because they showed no signs of rejection. The only downside is that the biopsy did reveal that I have too much fat on my Liver. So the doctor has suggested that I change my diet and make sure that I am working out at least three times a week.
      These results may not seem like the best news, but it definitely could have been worse. The fact that I don't have any signs of rejection is very good, and because of the nature of my transplant there is a very good chance that I can get taken off my medication completely, but first I need to get down to a healthier weight so I don't risk cirrhosis of my liver.
       Lately I have been realizing how lucky I really am. Most people who have a liver transplant have gone through some rejection, and as far as I can recall I haven't. I did go through quite a rough time though to actually get my new liver. When I did receive my liver I had died on the operating table, which caused part of my new liver to die as well. The doctors say that I lost 50 percent of my liver because of it, so the portion that grew back was mine. So the fact that I am not showing any signs of rejection means that there is a chance that I can get taken on my medication completely. So hopefully after I have gotten myself healthier that will be on option I can discuss with my doctor.
         The great thing about being a Transplant patient is it puts things in perspective. So many people put conditions on their happiness; Income, Leisure Time, How many friends they have, Being right, Getting the best grade, etc . . . While some of these things are good, sometimes we lose perspective on what really matters.  It's good to set goals to attain those things. But the underlying reason should be family, or to better ourselves. Also if you aren't were you want to be, rather than feeling down about it and frustrated try focusing on what you do have. No matter your situation there is always someone who cares about you and will not give up on you.  I know that my heavenly father will not give up on me, or anyone else.

   

Finding the positive in a "bad day"

        So it has been nearly 24 years since my surgery, and I've never really had any incidents. That is until today.  Now it wasn't really life threatening or dangerous, but it was not pleasant at all.
        Today I went in for a liver biopsy, which until today I went about 17 years without needing to get one done.  Now I don't do well with needles so the mere thought of a big needle going into my side to take out a piece of my liver turned my stomach. But in this case it means possibly getting off my medication. So I was willing to find that out.
        This typical procedure is supposed to be pretty fast and routine, which it was.  However things kind of took a nose dive when my wife and were leaving. I became extremely light headed, and began sweating profusely. As a twist of fate we had turned the wrong way and some doctors were there and quickly realized what was happening. I had gone into shock from the procedure, and before I knew it I was surrounded by nurses and fellows and radiologists.  They got me hooked up to monitors  and an IV. They kept trying to get my blood pressure and it kept reading an error, which usually  means that it can't get a high enough reading.  They finally started to get my blood pressure at 104/45.  They kept checking it until it leveled out at about 138/80. I spent a couple more hours at the hospital and was finally able to go home.
       The rest of the day was spent with my wife, son, and brothers-in-law watching Robocop, Black Sheep, and a few scenes of Rio. Also I took a day of from eating healthy. I had Chick-fil-a and papa johns pizza with some Mountain Dew.
        The only thing besides going through shock was the pain associated with the Biopsy, which at the end of the day subsided. And honestly I could have chosen to be miserable because of my situation, but despite the time spent in the hospital, and the pain, I was able to spend some time with some family and spend some time relaxing. So the day turned out pretty good all in all.
       
     

MY BOY IS 2 YEARS OLD!!

       My son is now 2 years old, and is as cute as ever. Everyone says he looks like me, but I think that he is much cuter. We are so lucky to have a son who is so chill and fun loving, the only frustrating thing are his eating habits, and the lack there of. But he is getting better at eating and we love him so much. I can't wait to see the changes that come within this next year.
     This has also made me realize that I really need to finish school so that I am done by the time he starts going to pre school.

Easter Weekend

        Sometimes life can be difficult. We all have our own trials that we go through, and sometimes it seems as though there may never be an end. Things that we don't have any control over change, and sometimes the struggle is something that doesn't change. The trials I have experienced lately are minor compared to trials I have had in the past, and in comparison to the trials of others they are exceptionally minor. I have had some minor financial trials, nothing my wife and I can't handle. What is troubling me more is the fact that I wish I was further along with school. I have made some mistakes in my schooling and I am paying for those mistakes. I have tried to do well but sometimes it seems that it avails me nothing. This past semester, which is near its end, has thus far been my best semester. I credit that to the fact that rather than trying to spend even more time attempting to grasp concepts, I have put a little more trust in my Father in Heaven. That's not to say that I don't study at all, I do put my time in. However I have found that if I put aside some time to study my scriptures, and pray the lord helps me grasp difficult concepts. I know that my heavenly father wants me to succeed, and to be able to provide for my family. These were just some thoughts I had as the Easter Holiday is approaching.

Christmas Eve

         It's Christmas once again and I am reminded of the miracles that have taken place in my life that have happened around this holiday.  23 years ago I was lying on an operating table in Madison Wisconsin receiving my second liver transplant.  Unfortunately at the time things were not going well.  My story had been pretty popular in Utah,  I'am not sure why it was so popular, but I'am grateful that it was, because of what happened while I was on that operating table. First of all I had died on that operating table, but that's obviously not what I am grateful for.   My dad had received a phone call from a news reporter from Utah asking for an update on me.  My Fathers reply was that things were not going well and that they were loosing me.  The reporter then asked if there was anything that they could do to help.  My Father's response was "Pray."  Just one simple word that I believed was part of the reason my life was saved.
        The reporter told the story, and as I have been told many churches of many different denominations called their members back to their various chapels and synagogues, as well as other houses of worship to pray for this poor little boy. I believe that no matter what denomination you are god hears your prayers, and all that love and faith was being directed toward me at that time. Many people would think that having something like this happening on Christmas day would be the worst thing that could happen.  Honestly I believe that it was the best time for it to happen.  Peoples hearts are more open, and the Spirit of God is more alive in everyone. I like this story because it shows the compassion in people, and the strength of prayer.
        To anyone who is going through something similar I say to you, don't loose faith.  Your heavenly father loves you very much.  Trust in him and all will be well.



     

Baby's firsts

Life is turning out wonderfully.  My son has recently started walking, but he still gets around much better if he is crawling. Also we have been saying family prayers every night for the past week or so, and a couple of nights ago he crawled onto my wife's lap during the prayer and folded his arms. And tonight when we told him that we were going to say a prayer he folded his arms.  It melts my heart to see him start to learn such important things.
Also tis the season for finals. I had my physics final today and I think I did pretty well. I guess I'll find out during the new year though. Just two more to go which are organic chemistry and ODE's (math). Wish me luck.