Joy in any Circumstance

NOVEMBER 5 2017

Hey Buddy!!!! 

What a crazy week. As you know and are probably sick of hearing about it, we went down to St George for the finals and BOA. It all went really well overall. For Friday night Davis took 3rd, Clovis 2nd and AF 1st. But for STate Davis took 2nd.

For BOA we didn't place in the prelims but made it to the finals. We were actually in the bottom 5, Henricks thought probably 7th. He gave the kids the judges feedback and said to leave it all out on the table. They did AMAZING and the whole stands gave them a standing ovation. (They were the ONLY band to get that from EVERYONE). They ended up taking 4th place. We were waiting for their names to be called down at 7 and it was awesome as they kept climbing higher. Our bus driver said that DAVIS won according to the crowd (they should totally have the audience vote and award a favorite. Maybe someday we would win that one. Ha Ha). Anyway, You know I'm sure AF swept the competition with all the captions and 1st and overall. Foothill took 2nd and Clovis 3rd. 

So it was just announced that West Lake's Band director will be the new Farmington High's Band director. Kinda exciting if there will be two 5A bands in Davis County. Mr Hendricks was very emotional this weekend, well when isn't he, ha ha but really hitting home that that was his last band competition. He is hoping that a band asks him to help them next year. 

Speaking of helping a band, Mr Crookston came up to me and said they would really like to have you part of the staff when you get home. He didn't know exactly what because you don't come home until the end of July but he said he really would like to have you. I don't know if that is something you would want to do. ???? 

So I got some bad news last Thursday. I had to go back into my dermatologist because I had a spot on my upper lip that had a sore that was growing and it didn't respond to anything like a cold sore would. So I went in to see him agian, (i think I told you about that I already had a spot cut off my forehead a few months ago that was basal cell again). 

But anyway, I saw the MD on Monday, he cut it out and did a biopsy. The biopsy came back on Thursday as Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Acantholytic squamous cell carcinoma to be exact. The MD said that was a cancer that is aggressive and was one that needed to be taken out right away and possible for metastasis so I needed to have surgery right away and they will maybe check my lymph nodes to make sure it hasn't spread. I really feel like I got in to see the doctor really quickly, it had only been about 5 weeks since I saw the first signs of the sore. So the surgeons office called and their earliest appointment was the 15th so I asked if I could fly on the 19th if I did that date. They told me no, I would have to wait more than 10 days. So I asked if there was anyway to get an earlier one. She said I would have to wait until after the trip to NY then. That made me nervous due to how fast it grew. So I asked her if there was anyway to do it sooner. I told her dr Sanders said I needed to do it asap. She didn't think it would be a possibility but she would check with Dr Hansen and then call me back. when I hung up with her, I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father that if this cancer can wait then it would be ok to do it after the trip. BUT if I NEED to have this taken out now, then could he please make an appointment available.  I had a peace and calm that he would if necessary.

I got a call back and they said actually he would open up a few appointment times and I could come in next Monday or Tuesday. I said I will come Monday Thank You. I knew Heavenly Father would take care of me. That's the most amazing part of all of this, is that I have had such peace that it will all work according to Heavenly Father's plan. So many people have asked me if I was freaking out and I honestly haven't. I will do what ever it is the Lord will have me do. I will learn what ever I need to learn. It will all be ok. 

So I asked Zac that as a missionary would it be best to not tell you about this and he said if it was him who was out serving a mission, he would be mad not to know. So I am letting you know what is going on. I will have a MOHS surgery tomorrow at 1pm. Its a procedure where they start cutting out tissue and mapping it on a graph and testing it so they can cut out all the cancer but preserve as much healthy tissue as possible. He is a plastic surgeon too so hopefully it wont be extensive and it can heal nicely. (i really hope). It could be a 2 to 4 hour procedure. They keep me awake and just do a local numbing so I can read a book or whatever while we wait for all the testing. The testing takes about 30 minutes each time they cut out tissue. If they get clear margins then they can stop. 

I really feel blessed to have an amazing surgeon and dermatologist that will take care of it.

I had so many people fasting for me and they are praying for me. I know that having you pray for me too will be such a strength. I had friends put my name in the temple too. I'm so blessed. 

My favorite quote, “The joy we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything do to with the focus of our lives.”—Elder Russell M. Nelson,

Well, that's about it about that. I know you are a level headed person and not someone who would freak out that I let you know. I have GREAT Faith, just like you, that Heavenly Father is in control and he will bless me. Dad and Zac gave me a blessing and I am confident the MD will be able to get all of it. I love you so much buddy. I am so proud to have such a fine missionary. You truly are so amazing. 

You are always in my prayers!!! I can't wait to hear how you are doing. Remember, i will be awake and they said to read while I wait so i hope to hear from you. 

Love You!!!! Love Always, MOM

Oh, PS Logan Hadley got his Eagle tonight.

MY LIPS AFTER THE BIOPSY ON MONDAY, NOT SURE HOW IT WILL LOOK AFTER TOMORROW????

ZAC AND LEXIE AFTER RED ROCKS

ZAC MAKING SURE TO BE SAFE WHILE RIDING ON THE 4WHEELER TRAILER

DAVIS BAND BOA 2017

TRUMPETS 2017

LOGANS EAGLE COURT OF HONOR

ELDER SNELL:

Hi, Mom :)

Wow! It sounds like you have had a crazy week. I didn’t even realize that BOA was this last week until I saw something about it on Facebook last night hahaha. That is super cool that Davis took 2nd for State!! And 4th for region?!? That’s way sweet!!!! Super sad for Mr. Hendricks with that being his last band competition though... man, I miss band hahaha. I would absolutely love to be on the staff for marching band when I get home! I hope I will have time to do that though haha. I have been thinking a lot lately about the future and what I want to do career-wise. I still need to pray about it some more before making any final decisions (and I really need your advice). Every time I think about my future, I can’t help but feel that Heavenly Father needs me to choose something that will allow me to 1) be able to provide very well for a family, and 2) if necessary, be financially stable enough to drop it all for a time and solely serve Him. As much as I would really love to and really really do want to be a music educator, I don’t know if that is going to be what the Lord needs me to do with my life. I have also been thinking a lot about going into the medical field. I would really enjoy being a surgeon or doctor of sorts. However, I have no clue what school I would go to to get the best education for an affordable tuition in that field of study. When I visualize myself in the future, it is easier to see myself in the medical field than in the music/teaching field... 

I just don’t know hahaha I was reading my patriarchal blessing the other night and something stood out to me in a way that was totally different than I had seen it before. I read the line that talks about my future in regards to my education. It says I shall receive an education that will allow me to provide for a family. I always read that as a promise that no matter what I do, I will be able to provide. However, the Spirit guided my thoughts in a different direction this time. The Spirit told me to read it as a commandment: You SHALL receive an education that will allow you to provide for a family. I fear that perusing music education won’t allow me to do what is necessary to fully serve the Lord and raise a family. Those are just some of my thoughts... What should I do? Haha 

I love you so so so so so much Mommy!!!! I hope you know that! :) I am fasting for you today as you are having your surgery. You are amazing and so certain in your faith and testimony no matter what curve balls are thrown your way! Thank you for letting me know!!! I definitely agree with Zac in saying that he would be mad if you didn’t tell him ;) Please keep me posted :) if you email me mid-week, I can still read it! I love you tons and tons! You always seem to find joy in the journey, and I really admire you for that! 

I love you Mom! Let me know if there is anything I can do for you :)

Your Buddy,

Elder Snell

MOM:

You are very inspired CADEN. I too have thought that about your education. Remember when we were at Home Depot or somewhere like that and we were talking about what you wanted to do. It was when you had that job thing for school and you were a surgeon and we talked about the difference in what u would make vs a music educator. I agree with your thoughts on that matter and always have. But I do know that Heavenly Father will direct your path. He will continue to give u insights and you will know what dire action to go. Just like he is doing now. 

Dad and I can do some research into schools and where it would be best to start. Music is al aye a wonderful thing and it will always be part of what ever you do. 

I never knew how things would work out for me either but Heavenly Father kept prompting me in all things. I am doing the self reliance course right now and am so excited about the promises. 

It will all work out 

Love you bud. I’ll keep u updated today.  

ELDER SNELL:

That would be really great! I am thinking I really need to do surgery of some sort. Orthopeadic surgery sounds interesting, but I honestly don't know ow what other options there are haha 

It will all work out though!!!

Good luck today! I love you!! 

EMAIL FROM ELDER SNELL:

Hey! I shouldn't be too busy today, so hopefully I will get some emailing done :) love you!!!

P.S. Congrats, Lexie (and everyone, I guess ), on another great marching band season!!!! Super excited for you to come to my side of the country ;) take lots of pictures for me!! 

MOM: Wow! Awesome to hear from you so early today. No fun plans huh?

ELDER SNELL: We are going to a super nasty Chinese restaurant in a little bit, but that's it haha 

When is your surgery????? Did you get my other emails? :) 

MOM: Surgery is at 1pm my time. 

ELDER SNELL: Ok :) I love you! Lots of prayers coming your way! Please let me know what happens :) 

MOM: Your amazing. Love u buddy!!!!