Fighters

I really shouldn't be blogging right now. I have a million things to do, but I can't get these two guys off my mind:

John Firth

Jay Spratling.

What do these guys have in common? Both of these men are my good friends, both were at my wedding, both are farmers, both are honorable Priesthood bearers, and both are fighting a horrible disease known as cancer.

Let me tell you about the two of them:

I met John through Jesse. He was Jesse's Priesthood leader when he moved to Idaho as a teenager. He would take Jesse to his family ranch and let him hike around and shoot ground squirrels and coyotes (heaven to Jesse). We have stayed in touch with them since our engagement and their family has invited us to do many things with them. We have spent Christmas Eve with them, gone to their cabin dozens of times, boating, snow mobiling, hiking and much more. He treats Kloe like the daughter/granddaughter he's never had, always making her his special soda and having a bag of chips for her whenever we would go to their house. Their family has always been so good to us. When we moved to Paul, we were lucky enough to find a house that happened to be in their ward (the same ward Jesse moved into when he was younger.) John made sure we had a washer and dryer, came over and fixed our hot water heater twice, and gave us a leather couch. He's one of the most dependable people I know. He loves to help others, is valiant in his home teaching and church callings, and works harder than anyone I know. I guess the word that describes John best, is dedicated. We are so thankful for his friendship, testimony and example.

I don't recall when I first met Jay, but I've known his family for quite some time. We were in the same stake all my growing up years. His wife went to Girls' Camp and his parents served as Stake Missionaries in our branch when I was in young womens. His nieces are some of my friends; his youngest son is my age. I wouldn't say I directly knew him until I was in my late teens. When I came home from my first semester of college, he was my Branch President in the singles branch. The thing I love about Jay the most, other than the fact that he comes from the best family in the world, is that he is always giving people a hard time. I can always appreciate someone with a good sense of humor. He's committed, hard working, and easy to talk to. He and his wife are some of my favorite people on earth.

I hope and pray that these guys will be healthy again. I don't know what Heavenly Father has in store for them, but I do know one thing- they're fighters and I'm routing for them.