Our dear friend Terrie Lynn Bittner, has had a life changing experience. She has recently found out she has terminal brain cancer. In her career she has published multiple books, written many times for The Ensign and several other publications. She has a large web presence, and taught often about Homeschooling. She has written professionally for anything and everything. We even teased her because she was recently quoted in a talk at BYU’s Campus Education Week by Elder Bednar. A very select few fall into that category. Needless to say Terrie is a word wizard.
Symptoms of brain tumors vary according to the type of tumor and the location. Because different areas of the brain control different functions of the body, where the tumor lies affects the way symptoms are manifested. Terrie’s tumor had no symptoms at all until it was quite large. They have removed what they can, but the remaining tumor is too deeply lodged in her brain. And removing it would be fatal. Now she struggles to focus, speak, and to do what she loves- to write. But she has agreed to share her journey with us. As she has always been an inspiration before, Terrie will continue to inspire us with her story.
Here is Terrie:
“Words are hard for me right now. No matter how much time you spend on them, they seem to have new meanings. And when God informs you that your time is short, those words suddenly become very important to share with others. And you learn there is a new work to do.
I have a disability that will, not so far from now, send me off to live with God.
Today, I want to show others what I want everyone to know. I will keep writing until I am unable to anymore. And my words, my thoughts, whatever God will share with me, will be written here. I hope you will join me. Words now fade away from me, sometimes before I can catch them. But God returns them to me later sometimes to edit and make sense of the message. I will keep writing short pieces as He keeps attending me.”
Thank you Terrie. We’re listening.
To read more articles by Terrie Bittner, please click here.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
There are few people that impact the world around them without ever meeting those so affected. Terrie is one of these people, and I am fortunately lucky to be one of the many she influenced. Words are hard, but memories are forever. And even those that fade will be restored.
The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now… Alma 43:42
Because of the Savior Jesus Christ, we will all return to our finest. Thanks Terrie. Again, we are edified by your words of faith.
The melody of your inspiration will play on for years to come.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nomxXk6Q1rk