YO!

Hey family. Friends.

How are ya? Let me give you a little update on the last week.

I don't know how many of you have read the blog, but the big game changer from my email last week is that I've decided that Saturday was my last day at the temple for a little while. Yep, totally sucks. But I've got to work hard for my health right now. It was a little bit busy of a week. I met with Bishop Lunt, President Crankshaw (stake pres), and President Arnold (temple presidency member). I told about what was up. President Arnold said, "Well, I'm sorry to hear that. I know you're a fighter. We'll be waiting and anxious for you to get back here when you're feeling up to it, if you still want to do that?" Of course! :) Haha. I anticipate starting back up again around the first of 2015... we'll see.

I had my first chemo treatment yesterday, and first two radiations yesterday and today. Chemo is once/week, and radiation is 5 times/week. I feel like yesterday when real good. Brooke and Easton even came to visit while I was sitting in my chair getting the meds. I've felt a tiny, tiny bit of nausea, but nothing too bad. So far, so good!!

I got the biggest surprise ever on Saturday. Actually, a few of them. But while I was in the cafeteria, Rhonda and Joe (two of the head cafeteria people) gave me a going away present: a book from Deseret Book, some candy, and a card. The card was personalized to me, signed by a lot of people from the cafeteria, one of my baptistry shifts, and even a few of the ladies from Laundry. It was so touching. It was signed... "We all love you, Your St. George Utah Temple Family & Friends."

The other awesome surprises I got that day... one, I got a text that Bishop Lunt had sent out to my whole ward, the gist of it... "Please keep Erik in your prayers this Fast Sunday as he prepares for upcoming chemo and radiation" (we had Stake Conference last week, so our Fast Sunday was this week). Two, we went out to dinner as a family at Wingers on Saturday night. I saw Merrick & Makaley there. After we all finished our dinner, our server brought out a piece of Asphalt Pie (the good mint ice cream pie).... "Someone ordered this for you!" All three of these experiences from Saturday really helped show me that I am loved! So much! And much more than I ever thought!

Let's do this!

Have a great week.
Love, Elder Gray