Monday, October 13, 2014

Day 363

Day 363
I am writing this post whilst watching Numbers and decidedly being distracted from my homework. (but that's ok!) 
The other night Cam and I and Kels went to a haunted house. (yes I kept my eyes tightly shut and my face pressed into Cameron's back the whole time...I was terrified OKAY?!) Anyways, as we were headed home that evening my phone somehow managed to open itself up to my photo gallery...so when I glanced down at the screen loads of pictures from last October sat there staring me in the face! (smart little smart phone) 
I began to show Kels some of the pictures from last year while Papa was in the hospital. And that got me thinking...I need to do a post about some highlights from the past year! Now truth be told the past year hasn't been all "highlighty"...rather a bit more "landmarky". So this post is dedicated to the landmarks of the past year!

October 12, 2013- Dinner with the Family. :) 
October 15, 2013- First day in the I.C.U.


October 15.2013- First night in the I.C.U. surrounded by friends. :)
October 16, 2013- Dad's only means of communication...the three squeeze "I love you"
October 31, 2013-Fireman Sam came to visit for Halloween
November 4, 2013- Dad with his new trach. 

November 8,2013- Aubrey and Cameron officially start dating

November 9.2013- Dad and Dev


November 11,2013-Dad walks for the first time


November 28.2013- Thanksgiving.

December 25.2013- Christmas

December 25,2013- Skyping with Sorella Baer

February 3,2014- Dad finally returns home.

February 5,2014- Emeri joins the Baer clan!


March 21,2014-Cameron proposes to Aubrey

Aubrey said yes!

August 21,2014- Sorella Baer returns home from her mission

August 26,2014- Aubrey and Cameron get married!

October 3,2014- Our first real family outing. NEON TREES!


Yeah, it has been quite the year. Look back so many incredibly tough things have happened, but so many amazingly wonderful things have happened too! Thanks for helping us have the best year possible. We are anxious to see what surprises this next year will bring. :)

Love, The Baers

Sunday, October 5, 2014

To mourn with those who mourn...

I am taking a positive psychology class right now and it is so incredibly fascinating I can't stand it! (of course I am a psych geek to begin with so....) 
ANYWAYS. Over the past few weeks one of our assignments has been to make a presentation about overcoming obstacles with positive psychology. I have loved listening to these presentations. 
One young man did his presentation on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). He discussed symptoms, causes, and eventually the healing process. Did you know that the most effective cure for PTSD was support from friends and loved ones? This support includes listening, loving, caring, understanding, talking, observing, helping....so many things, but ALL done by those whom you trust. 

As I sat listening to this young man I of course thought about my own battle with PTSD. Yeah it's true. It isn't any secret. With everything we have witnessed in the past year, how would we NOT be suffering? (and besides it isn't like a disease or anything, it's just a different than your average type of stress) As I thought about my ability to cope I thought of the many people involved in the healing process. The more I pondered the more I thought of Christ's Sermon on the Mount when He counsels us to "mourn with those who mourn". What does that mean?



I found the answer illustrated in two examples from my own life just in the past year. The first happened last summer as a friend very dear to my heart suddenly passed away. I was heartbroken. I was anguished. I suffered silently and alone. Even in the midst of other mourners I felt isolated. The day of my sweet friend's funeral, however, I was taught what Christ meant by "mourning with those who mourn." After I wearily made it through the service I was greeted by two of my dearest mission friends who did not even KNOW the girl who had passed. They embraced me with love....not to mention bearing a Dr. Pepper and peanut m&ms. This type of love portrays exactly what the Savior meant. These girls loved ME and wanted to support ME in my time of grief. They came to mourn with me and bear me up as I struggled.

The second example is written in the months of unrequited service given to our family in the past year. Friends, family, and strangers alike all came to bear our burden with us. Meals were provided. Blankets were sewn to lend comfort and warmth. Visits were made to show love and concern. Even though these people couldn't change our circumstance, they undeniably changed our experience. This type of Christlike love filled our family so completely that we could not sit idly by filled to the brim with the blessings of charity. The love shown was so immense that it spilled over into the lives of those around us...the lives of those suffering with their own life changes. We shared of our meals, our blankets and our visits to help lift and encourage those feeble hands around us not because we wanted a "thank you" or some sort of praise. We shared because we had been touched by the love of Jesus Christ Himself and we couldn't NOT share.

Mourning with those who mourn does not mean we need a personal connection to the trial at hand. No, it means that we love and mourn because someone we love is mourning.

Love,
Aubs

P.S. A video I saw a few years ago has constantly inspired me to be an example of the believers. This video portrays the kindness shown to a young woman who has struggled with a life challenge. This young woman has a special place in my heart...she is the niece of my dear friend who passed away last year. The young woman in the video, Brittany, passed away this last week. Her legacy of faith and love will forever remain in my heart.

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/cheering-each-other-on?lang=eng