Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Kenna is an amazing girl

It has really been wonderful be here in Houston and to feel of Kennas strong, sweet spirit. The way she is handling this battle with cancer is amazing. The prednisone makes her really hungry as we have said before, so she has decided to become a chef. She has been cooking breakfast and dinner for her family every day. This requires her to arise early every morning. (She is alot more willing and has a lot more energy for this than I do. I am old and tired, partly because of the late nights she likes to keep, but I enjoy participating in her desire to serve.) She cooks yummy breakfasts for everyone and she makes amazing lunches for Jacob and Maddie to take to school. She gets on line and researches creative ideas to make their lunch fun. Last night she said, "Grandma we should do a service for someone tomorrow. How about if we turn off Mom's alarm clock and let her sleep in. We'll get Maddie, Jake and Emma up, feed them, get them ready for school, and then take them to school." Last night when we went to Mike and Amys house she insisted on dishing up my plate for me and she did it before she did her own. She has learned the secret to getting through hard times at a very young age...to serve others. She is such a great example to me.

She reads her scriptures every night, prays, write in her journal, and works on her Personal Progress, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. (Prednisone also causes insomnia.) You can feel of the goodness of her spirit when you are around her. We can feel the strength of all of your prayers, thank you so much, there is a sweet spirit that abides in the Beckstead home.

Kennas over all attitude is amazing. Most teenagers would be freaked about loosing their hair, but Kenna has learned to crochet cute hats to cover her baldness. (Her hair is thinning but she is not yet bald) There was a t-shirt that one of the nurses wore at the hospital. It said "Bald is beautiful, fighting leukemia is bold". It really is ones attitude that determines ones happiness.

Jason (Kennas dad), Mike, Jared, and Jeff (Kenna uncles) have all shaved their heads in a show of love and support for Kenna. You guys are awesome!

There has been a huge show of love and support from friends and neighbors also. There are so many good and kind people in the world. Thank you, thank you for all you do!!

5 comments:

  1. What a great post! Kenna is an amazing young woman. We could all learn a lot from her example.

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  2. I agree: Kenna is an amazing girl! And she has an amazing family! You are all great examples to us!

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  3. Oh so true. What an amazing testament to McKenna's shining spirit that touches the lives of all she meets! Much love!
    Emily

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  4. Kenna, I'm so glad you are feeling so good and learning and accomplishing so many new things! You are amazing and inspiring! it was great to see you last weekend! Keep up the work in the kitchen!

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  5. You have a GREAT family! The support you have from your dad & uncles is amazing!! I'm so proud of them. I bet it makes you laugh, huh?Of course I am partial to your gamma Becky & grampa Bruce [your mom's side of the family]That's who I know and have known for a long, long time. They're pretty amazing. I think you have a LOT of strength to pull from and a lot of wonderful examples on BOTH sides of your family! What joy you bring them, McKenna!!

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