HEROES

We do not have to look far to find heroes in the scriptures. Jesus Christ himself, and a number of prophets and others are good examples. But, right here and now, in the every day goings and comings of our lives, there are also heroes. I have had a lot of people in my life, who at one time or another have been true heroes in my eyes.
Today’s hero is a seventeen year old boy in my ward. He is battling with bone cancer in his jaw. He is a sweet, quiet boy. I enjoyed having him in my Sunday School class for about a year. He always had good insights about how to apply the teachings of the scriptures to every day life. He faithfully came every week to give the sacrament to my mother when she was too ill to go out to meetings, or during the winter when she was shut in. She loved him so much, along with the other young men who served her. He often speaks of the love that mom had for the Lord. All of the Young Men in the ward will long remember how she dressed up in her Sunday clothes no matter how hard it was for her so that she was ready for the Sacrament. Today I saw the reverence that Alex has for this sacred ordinance.
Chemotherapy is hard at best, but Alex has had a severe reaction to it, leaving him with horrible sores in his mouth and throat, that make speaking and swallowing extremely painful. This past week, he asked his doctor if he would change his Chemo schedule to Mondays instead of Friday, so he would feel well enough to go to church on Sundays. There he was this morning at the sacrament table. His every move showed his reverence and respect, but when he knelt and began to carefully speak each word of the Sacrament prayer, I was moved to tears. This beautiful boy, struggling to fulfill his responsibility as a Priest, and blessing the bread so that I could partake of it, has touched me deeply. Today, Alex Wells, is my hero.

The above photo is of Alex in the center, and those surrounding him are the ones who shaved their heads a week ago in support of him. I took the photos at that event, and the Bishop asked me to make up a little page to put in the case next to the bishops office. I am proud of the men, boys, and one girl who participated last week. Alex is loved! We are all expecting a miracle for him.