A Letter To Jesus

When I was younger I had the tradition every year where I would write a letter to the Savior - a birthday letter to give Birthday wishes and thank him for all he has done for me in my life. I would leave it face open in a spot on my dresser or the fridge so, in my thoughts, he would see it easier and come read it.

It has been years since I have kept up with this tradition, but this year I couldn't help think of doing so.  So here is my letter to my Savior, full of gratitude and great wishes as we celebrate his birth into the world. (I speak in respect of Him in language of prayer).

To My Dearest Savior and Redeemer,

It has come to that time of year, Christmas. It is a time known to celebrate thy birth into this world. Not everyone realizes or sees it as that time, but I cannot go through a year without remembering the reason for the season. Remembering the sacrifice thou hast made for each and everyone of us for the love that thou has. For thy arrival and the joy it has brought to many.

This year I give my thanks to thee and wish thee a Happy Birthday.. I only hope it can be happy as thou seest those remembering thee and giving to others to show that remembrance of the gift thou hast given.

I can definitely say to thee that I am grateful for the gift of the Atonement thou hast given unto me. I know I don't always understand it fully and I continue and strive to understand it day by day and year after year. This year, has been a tough one and a blessed one. As thou does know I have had my tough moments as I work to be better in every way. I am so grateful for the gift thou has given unto me that I can be forgiven for the things I have done wrong this year that I can make them right and be more like thee. This is my greatest desire!

The example of love, charity, and acceptance of all. I have always known that is what thou does ask of all of us. I am clay in thy hands and I pray to become the mold thou does see me to be an example to those who care about that have not found thee or might need thee in their life and have lost sight of thee.

This world is turning cruel and I'm sure that brings thee sorrow. I pray that I can give a gift to bring   love, care and acceptance to those who are in need of it. That I also might become better and turn to thee even more to learn of thee and become more like thee. I know I am not perfect and will never be, but I will always strive to treat others as thou would have them be treated and share thy love with others.

I am also grateful for the blessings brought this year. I am blessed with a great job and now a wonderful husband. We struggle at times to make it by, but remember to put thee first to remember the things that bring us joy and a great life each day. I am blessed with a great family both on my husband's side that has accepted me since day one and my own family who has taught me since I was born who thou art and the love thou brings into our lives. They have taught me to always remember thee and be the best that I can be.

Lord, I am blessed. It is because of thee that I am blessed. I know that I am a Child of God. To thee and our Father in Heaven I give thanks for my good health that keeps me going and living my life. I am grateful for the things in life I can enjoy. My husband, our animals, friends, Ward family and families as previously mentioned.

It is thee that came into the world to teach charity, love, kindness and mercy. Thou did suffer that we might be able to overcome our imperfections and be forgiven of our sins and "Though {our} sins are like scarlet they shall be white as snow,"(Isaiah:18). 

I know the verse to be true. Thou have also risen from the dead and because of this we are also given this gift. Thou hast made it possible for us to do so also. Thou has also made it possible for us if we accept thee and do as thou would have us do on this Earth that we might return to live with thee. I know this. I don't have much to give for this season, but striving to be an example of thee I hope will be enough..

Happy Birthday My Lord, My Redeemer. I thank thee so much for all thou does do for me and those I love.

Love Always,

Holly Renae Coombs Donnelly

A Change Would Do You Good

I wanted to be an author of children's books when I was 7 years old.
My mother would remember I would write stories all the time and my sister would remember my nose buried in some book..
When I was 11 years old, I started writing little newspaper articles for fun.
When I was a junior in high school, I wrote for our cute little newspaper that my English teacher started for us. It was then I knew I for sure wanted to pursue journalism and so I did as I attended SUU from 2004-07 then 2009-13 after my mission. I took on a job at the Iron County Today for 6 months in 2014 and was at St. George News for 8 months.

It was odd for me to think after dreaming of being the next Katie Couric that I would change and pursue a different career, but God had other plans for me.

As the work piled on so did the stress. Mental, physical and spiritual issues did also as I took on nearly 70 hours working hard at my dream career as a journalist. Not feeling comfortable, needed, appreciated and more were other issues I was having in my workplace. I was not happy in what I once thought would be the career I'd live and love the rest of my life. Sensitive subjects were put in the spotlight that I didn't feel I needed to put out there. My love for it all had began to fade.

I pursued other options and found myself hired at a car dealership working as an Internet Sales Rep. The hours, environment and work were all comforting to me and still is. At Stephen Wade Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram I am thriving and enjoying my life. Never did I think I would be placed here. I used to fear salespeople or ever being one myself, but here I am loving it.

Everyone needs a car, I pondered. I'm not selling things that people don't need like I did at a previous job. My job is to set appointments for people to come buy and answer questions they may have and sometimes help in the process of conducting a sell over the phone! :)

As I got into the job, I found myself trading my Chrysler 200 in for this beauty I'd always saw myself getting, but here I could finally afford it! :)

(VW Beetle w/ Turbo engine)

I am so blessed for a healthy life, a God that loves and takes care of me, a family that loves me, friends that are always there for me, a boyfriend who loves me even though I am crazy.. and on this day a mother who has always taught me the right way to go in life.

(Christmas  2013)

A New Year: Gratitude for trials of last year, blessings of this year

It's a new year and I am grateful for the life I have been dealt. I am giving a recap of what I've been through as maybe some of you haven't been following me for the past year...

(Healthy and Happy)

(Having fun while covering the wedding showcase for work)

It has been over a year since my snowboarding accident that led me into a more cautious and close evaluation of my genetic disease, Tuberous Sclerosis. I was born with this disease, as previously mentioned in my blog posts. The disease, which presents benign tumors in multiple organs of my body, was the reason for seizures I endured as a baby. After my parents administered shots similar to a steroid by doctor's orders the seizures ceased. This disease is rare with a one in 6,000 people effected. Not many doctors know about it and are learning just as the patients are. Some doctors specialize in the condition but can only be found in some areas within the U.S. A tumor at the base of my brain was the point of origin of such seizures.  Throughout my adolescence I had MRIs on my brain, check ups on my eyes, and kidneys — the organs where the tumors are present. I also have them in my skin. They look like skin tags.

Despite all this, I have lived a normal life —graduated high school and college, served an LDS mission, and am now living my dream as a journalist at the St. George News. One of my six brothers also has the condition, but has endured different things in association with it. The tumors in his brain are in the reasoning portion. He has struggled with understanding and learning certain things, but if you know Ashley, he is an amazing man, who is smart, dedicated, and hard working.
This disease affects each diagnosed person differently, as you have read. Even as the patient moved through adolescence into adulthood, it is really unknown what changes might happen. With the conclusion of MRIs throughout my and Ashley's adolescence we have been told there has been no change and unless any serious symptoms, such as severe headaches or seizures, are present there is no need for further evaluation. However, doctors have encouraged to have evaluation on the kidneys through ultrasounds and MRIs. I had not had an MRI on my kidneys since 2009, because doctors had said there was no change and I was healthy and having no struggles. That changed on Nov. 19, 2013.

In summary, on that day I was snowboarding on my day off at Brian Head Resort where I was also working at the time. I was speeding down an easy "green" slope when I caught an edge on my snowboard. The impact led to a burst of a 7-centimeter tumor within my right kidney and a cracked rib on my left side caused bruising to my left lung.  I was able to drive to Minersville, but at that point I had lost so much blood I passed out and was transported to Beaver Hospital. A full body scan confirmed the bruised lung and the lacerated kidney. I was transported to Salt Lake City to the Shock-Trauma unit for about a week. The body scan also confirmed that the tumor which had caused me seizures as a baby was still in place at the base of my brain. It sits in a puddle of calcium that has left it inactive. To me that is a miracle. The scan also showed that tumors have become present in the liver now, but my recovery from my accident has been a miracle. After a blood transfusion, continuous iron supplement intake, and a month being on oxygen I was making it back to normal.

Throughout the past year I have undergone evaluation of the kidney with MRIs and ultrasounds. I was also prescribed the pill Afinitor, which was developed about six years ago as a way to help patients with a kidney condition. It is not a cure to my condition but has been tested to shrink the tumors in all organs where they are present in patients with Tuberous Sclerosis. The pill without insurance and help from the pharmaceutical company can cost as much as $10,000 per month. I am grateful that it only costs me $12.50 per month with the help of a co-pay card.  The evaluation of the kidneys and my recovery has shown that my function is improving and I am doing well.

Also throughout the year my faith in my Heavenly Father and my religion has grown. I had not been making the best choices in my life. The accident was a blessing and a wake up call. I am grateful for the trials and the blessings that have been present in my life. I know that as we trust in Him (Isaiah 55:8-9, Proverbs 3:5-6) and keep his commandments the best we can he will take care of us. I have been blessed with such great job, which I can work to my full capacity. I have gotten in the best shape of my life with working out with Operation Tonergy (now known as Rogue Training) in Cedar City.

(After a city council meeting. This was me when I had gotten in the best shape of my life from Tonergy  Personal and Group Training)

Today, I had a follow-up check-up with my nephrologist and he was happy to see my health improving. So grateful. So blessed and I also thank ALL OF YOU for your love and for being in my life!