I could complain, but it wouldn’t change my situation. I can be happy and be sick, or just be sick. I choose to be happy. -Tyler Smith

My name is Lisa Funk, I am 32 years old, a Child of God, a Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Granddaughter, Aunt, friend, and I have cancer.

One may ask, “Why me, or why now?”  I don’t ask that question, I say, “Why not?”  Everyone has challenges, this is mine.  I feel so incredibly blessed.  I am 32 years old and I have already accomplished so many of my life goals.  I was married in the temple to a handsome, thoughtful, spiritual man who I can proudly call my best friend, cheerleader and supporter.  I am the mother to 4 beautiful, healthy, energetic children.  Together we have a home, and Clark works so hard that I can stay home and care for our little ones.  I am a college graduate, and each day I get to practice what I learned in Psychology and Recreation.  So, why me?  Why now?  No!  WHY NOT!

Don’t get me wrong, this has not all been easy.  Getting to where we are now involved months if not years of physical questions, fatigue, and more just to name a few.  The diagnosis came, not as a surprise, but still involved many tears, prayers and questions.

Let me tell you a little story.  About 10 years ago Clark and I had just moved to Brigham City.  We had both graduated from Utah State University and were excited to start our adventure with Clark teaching at ACYI as a full time PE teacher, his dream.  We moved to a small 100  year old retal house on the South End of town.  Everything was going right, however I had this overwhelming fear of death.  I was not sick, I had no ailments, I probably just had too much alone time.  However I could not sleep at night and I could not enjoy myself during the day.  I was miserable and overcome with this fear of dying young.  It consumed me.  Today I am faced with an illness that if not taken care of I could die, and many have.  Do I have that same fear?  Not one day of it.  It is proof to me of the scripture 2 Timothy 1:7 where it says, For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

My fear 10 years ago was completely irrational, and not of God.  My fear today is completely swallowed up by the peace, power and love of God.  John 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

While Cancer can be scary, it involves months of sickness, pain and endurance and a sometimes uncertain future, that’s not what is tragic.  The greatest tragedy as Ray Pritchard said, would be “to miss what God wants to teach us through our troubles.”  I pray that I and my family can learn what it is that God wants us to learn from this trial.  Those lessons and blessings are already flowing in.  Harold B. Lee said, “Sometimes when we are going through the most severe tests, we will be nearer to God than we have any idea.”   And Richard G. Scott said, “God loves us perfectly and would not require us to experience a moment more of difficulty than is absolutely needful for our personal benefit or for that of those we love.”

I surround myself with prayers, scriptures, good quotes, family and friends and we are happy.  James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure.