Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Happy New Year 2008!!!

Dear Wonderful Friends and Family,

My heart is so full right now as I write this letter. What a year 2007 has been. Some people say that the first year of marriage is the hardest. I think Eric and I can both agree that the second year of our marriage was a bit more challenging. Having our own little place that Eric’s awesome boss allowed us to stay in Bakersfield the first year of our marriage was a huge blessing! We met some wonderful people that we will always stay in touch with. When Eric’s job moved us back to Camarillo in December of 2006 we moved in with his parents. What a blessing that turned out to be. It is a lovely little addition to their home and Eric and his dad built a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a nice Jacuzzi tub and shower. We have our own entrance, which we don’t use yet. It is a very cozy little place and we are very grateful to his parents, Lew and Lorrie, for allowing us to live here. It is truly amazing what you find out about people through times of hardship and trial. After my cancer diagnosis in January of this, or I guess I should say last year, the outpouring of love and prayers was so abundant that I almost felt like I didn’t deserve so much attention. The treatments treated me well. I didn’t get sick or extremely fatigued and when I did feel exhausted, there were many family members and people from church who would go out of there way to bring us meals and offer help. We are very grateful. Eric and I have received countless letters, donations, gifts, and cards from strangers, friends, family, and even anonymous people and we will forever be in their debt. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Words cannot even express our gratitude. I am also grateful to God for trusting Eric and I with this trial, allowing us to grow and become closer to each other and to Him. It is unfathomable to think that what we have gone through this year is so miniscule compared to the trials Jesus had to endure. There were many times when I was in the hospital going through a painful procedure where I turned to the Savior and knew without a shadow of a doubt that He was there with me, holding me in His arms. He knew exactly what I was going through. Every pain. Every heart-ache. Every bad day. Every tear. Every struggle. He has been there for each and every one of us and will always be, if we will allow Him to. At the close of this year, we pray that we can all take the lessons we have learned and carry them into 2008. We pray that the New Year will bring joy, new friendships, rekindled old friendships, success, and an even greater capacity to love and serve others as well as a greater ability to never take life or health for granted.

Love & Blessings,

Eric & Shelsi Stolworthy


Ventura County Hospital 2 days after diagnosis

Eric shaves my head after hair starts to fall out





5 comments:

Davianne said...

You two are so amazingly strong! I hope I can grow up to be as strong and sweet as you. *hug*

D... said...

I am glad that even though it's been a year of struggles, you can say that it's been a good year overall. I hope that this year is a great year for you. It's been fun to watch you grow this past year, with your family and through your trials. You're in my prayers!

Katie Fish said...

Wow...so many posts to catch up on! It looks like you've had a great past few weeks with Christmas and New Years and all. I'm so glad!! You guys have had quite the year and I am still amazed at the beautiful smile on your face still. You guys are great! It was so great to see so many posts. Keep them coming!

Kents said...

Hey Shelsi,
It's Kirsten. I found your blog through Kirk and Valerie's. Mine is kkjjkent.blogspot.com

Can I add you to my "favorite blog list?" It's nice to catch up with you in this way.

GRANDMA LORRIE said...

THIS SEEMS A LITTLE WEIRD--SEEINGS HOW I LIVE WITH YOU--BUT I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I ENJOYED GETTING UPDATED ON YOUR BLOG.
MY MOM (WHO HAS ALOT OF SPARE TIME) WAS ALWAYS TELLING ME WHAT WAS IN YOUR BLOG--SHE ENJOYS IT ALOT. IT WAS REALLY SWEET.
WELL, I'M GLAD THAT MY EYES ARE FINALLY DRYING OUT NOW.
LOVE YOU BOTH!!