Gratitude

I almost hesitate in posting this, because it's a little personal, but right now I have so much on my mind and in my heart. I wanted to share our experience over the last few months, in case it helps someone else, and so that we can remember all that the Lord has done for us.

School here in Dominica has been extremely stressful. Ross University does not operate like other medical schools, they over-accept students knowing that they will fail a good portion of them before they complete their degree. If you fail one block (three blocks make up a semester) you can repeat the whole semester, if you fail two blocks- you are done. The second time you fail- you are done. The tests are hard- extremely hard. The final is worth 50% of your grade. Basically, there is a lot on the line. There is little mercy. We are constantly stressed. Ben studies hard- 16 hours a day 6 days a week. I help him study when I can, which is most nights after Chase goes to bed. Ben is focused and dedicated, and at times it has seemed that it wouldn't be enough.

This semester started off like every other semester, hard and busy. The semester was going fairly well (and extremely well at some points) until his block three exam, which takes place one week before the final. The exam did not go well. Everyone Ben talked to in his semester got one of their worst grades ever, if not their very worst grade. It was less than comforting to go into the final with that news.

My ever strong husband put his head down and went to work. He studied harder and longer than he ever had before, determined that he would pass the final. He stayed up really late, got up early, and worked all day long. Through all this he still took little breaks to eat dinner every night with me and give Chase a little quality time. Other than those few breaks, he was all business. My stomach was in knots all week. I was so nervous.

The night before the final, Ben asked our friend Broc to come over and give him a Priesthood blessing. He needed some comfort and help to calm his nerves. From the point Broc started the blessing we both immediately felt calm. I knew everything would work out- whether that meant a passing grade or not- I knew that everything was in the Lord's hands. He knew how hard Ben had worked and how much we wanted this. He would take care of us.

Even knowing this, I still hoped that Ben would pass. I hoped we were on the same page. It's easy for me to have faith that the Lord can answer our prayers. It's hard for me to have faith that if our plan A doesn't work out that the Lord has something else in store, some other plan for us. This week tested that faith- the hard kind. After the blessing I felt that comfort I'd been praying so hard for- the comfort that either way everything would be okay.

Today, after a week of waiting, we received Ben's grades. I'm so happy and grateful to report that Ben passed third semester! What a blessing! Soon after receiving the news, we got down on our knees and thanked Heavenly Father for helping us get this far. We know he's been there every step of the way on this journey. We've been tested and tried down here like we never have before, but we know that He's never left our side. After doing everything we (mostly Ben) could possibly do, all the studying and hard work, all our fasting and prayers, and the fasting and prayers of loved ones, the Lord made up the difference and helped Ben to pass. Tonight we are so so grateful.