Why he journaled

Erik Gray's journals

#journalgems

written by Erik

January 28, 2017     That's all for my journaling tonight! Glad I'm doing this, I don't want these insights to be forgotten. Especially because these insights and these feelings I've felt are SO real, and there is no way I can deny the truthfulness of the gospel the Savior, everything about the gospel. Goodnight, journal. SOO glad I'm writing down my thoughts. :)                                                   

February 6, 2017     When we went to the hospital today, I just had a strong feeling (like I did months ago) that I need to finish catching up my journal- and soon. So I worked on my journal some more tonight. I'm catching up slowly... about at the end of August now... and also grateful that I'm currently writing. These current ones I'm writing in my phone and I'll add in once I finally get my journal all the way caught up. But yeah, I feel like my journal is my #1 priority now. Dad gave me a blessing tonight. Just that I could he comforted, that we DO have the faith to be healed if it's God's will, that we also know God's will is best. I felt a peaceful feeling from it and feel that I'm gonna be okay. :D also, to not worry about the family when my time to pass comes. They'll be okay. :) God is in charge. Goodnight journal, that's all for tonight.

 

(Erik’s family helped him accomplish his goal of finishing his journal on February 9^th at 8:30pm. He celebrated with ice cream, of course.  He passed away early the next morning.)

My Favorite Scripture

 

#JournalGems
BIO of Erik he wrote for himself (FOR A VIDEO)
Written by Erik Fall 2016

My name is Erik Gray.

Two weeks before I turned 16, I was diagnosed with stage IV salivary gland cancer. The cancer was mainly in the layers of skin in my neck. Over the next six years, I battled cancer off and on. It returned about 3 or so times, I lose track. At one point, it spread to my jaw bone, and we removed my fibula to replace that part of my jaw.
I've underwent 11 surgeries (including biopsies), 3 rounds of radiation, and I'm currently on my third round of chemo.

At the age of 22, I've been through a lot. Its been the biggest trial of my life. I've had to give some things up. I took a semester off, twice, and had to leave my favorite job at an ice cream store. I served a year-long mission-- in which I had to put it on pause while I spent six months on chemo.

However, if it weren't for having cancer, I never would've chosen my current major. I never would have transferred universities and met so many amazing people.

I don't wish cancer upon ANYONE! I do wish people could see life the way I see it, because having cancer has taught me so many things: Life is SO good.
Happiness is a choice.
God. Is. Real.

Sometimes it's easy to think "Why was I given this trial?" But I've learned that I should be grateful... which may not make sense: I'm grateful that God loves me enough to give me these trials. I'm grateful that He wants to test me... to see how I can learn and grow from this. Hopefully to one day, become just like him.

Heavenly Father loves us so much. He cares about everything we will ever go through. His son, our brother, Jesus Christ performed the Atonement so that we never have to feel anything alone. He will help us and lift us up when we need it. My favorite scripture is Isaiah 40:31... "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." However detrimental my trials may be, God is there. And one day I'll get to look into my Savior's eyes and say, "Thank you... I couldn't have done it without you." And that is what keeps me going.

Journal gems: Succor

His legacy lives on…

Around the 10^th of each month,

we (Erik’s family) will post some thoughts from Erik’s journals.

# journalgems

January 28, 2017

So in my reading tonight I had a cool thought.

So because Christ performed the Atonement, HE is the one who is completely fit to succor us (the definition of succor I've always loved is "to RUN toward and aid"). So in times of aid, I shouldn't go seeking solace from sources like a blog or other people necessarily, but the Savior FIRST and FOREMOST. And by extension prayer and scriptures and the temple.  :)  

Look to the gospel, not the world!!  :)

That's all for my journaling tonight! Glad I'm doing this, I don't want these insights to be forgotten.Especially because these insights and these feelings I've felt are SO real, and there is no way I can deny the truthfulness of the gospel the Savior, everything about the gospel.

pic: April 16, 2016 ~Salt Lake City Temple North Visitor's Center

pc: EG~April 16, 2016