Our family is on that wonderful journey we all go on eventually. That of watching your son fall in love and get married to his eternal companion. We are so excited that soon we will have the daughter we have wanted for so long.
As a mom of four sons, I knew that one day I might be blessed with four daughters who would love our sons and marry they for all eternity in the temple one day. We are about to be blessed with such a moment. May 15th our son Jason Edward Otis is planning to marry Julie JoAnn Flink in the Jordan River Temple. It's so exciting!
We are in the midst of planning and praying our plans will go through without too much opposition. To date the opposition is strong, but we are overcoming the obstacles the adversary is plying us with so liberally. It is making us stronger and wiser. It is something we expected and have been prayerful as to what to do about it all. I guess this is good practice for the other sons getting married one day.
I am working on my faith right now. Renewing the faith to give my youngest son over to the Lord for safe keeping as he makes choices. The rules are tried and true in our home and his older brothers have thanked us for having them during missions and when they came home. We don't wish to compel any of our sons to do things our way, but as an adult the choice to stay under our roof does come with a standard set of rules. The choice is theirs to stay or go, but we hope they are prayerful in those choices and not driven to choose differently by someone who would influence them for reasons of their own. It's tough being a parent of single adults who do come home between semesters. For the most part it's rich with amazing blessings. I'm grateful for every moment we have until they are married and on their own 100%.
Life happens quickly. I remember being 19 and getting married to Terry. I thought I knew everything until I was 3 months pregnant and on an airplane with my childhood Island below me. We were leaving all I knew and loved for the Island of Hawaii. It was a time to cleave to my sweetheart and proved to be a huge blessing in our young lives. We had to work all our problems out together and to pray together and learn together. It was one of the happiest times of my life.
I'm excited for our son and his soon to be wife and all the adventures they'll have along the way. I know they will have a ball and that they will be prayerful together. I"m sure other weddings will soon come our way. It's like waiting for Christmas to come. You know it's coming, but not quite sure what surprises you will get. It's all good in the end. I'm a strong believer that the Lord will never give any of us something we cannot handle--with the Lords help.
So, just a couple of weeks before I get on the airplane for Utah! The invites have been mailed, the reception planned and now we get to prepare the house for guests and try to balance planting the garden, cleaning the house, packing and getting every needful thing ready. Amazing what you can get done with a family working together.
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Cherished Dimples in Time...
I can't believe it's been nearly a full month since I last posted an article here. Our lives have been full this past month with the arrival of our son Matthew-- fresh from the mission field.
It was an amazing experience welcoming an adult child home from the mission field in Russia.
One of the things I puzzled over before he arrived, was a sadness I felt when I realized that I was reading his very last e-mail before he left for home. It might sound strange to you as a reader that I would feel that way, so allow me to explain...
For two full years we have only had one e-mail a week from our son in Russia. They have a P-day where they take care of personal things such as laundry, grocery shopping, a group activity and letter writing and e-mailing home. We anticipated that letter each and every week with thanksgiving and excitement as we turned on the computer. Often we read about adventures and near accidents and joy. Other days about uplifting spiritual experiences only found while helping and teaching other children of God and giving compassionate service to the sick, the old and the lost souls they found. There were times of personal sorrow and illness where we were able to pray fervently for our sons and encourage and uplift them as well.
Following my husbands accident, I was able to keep our sons updated on Terry's progress and I know both our missionary sons were grateful for those letters and anticipated more news each week about his recovery. I tried my very best to do so in a way that wouldn't overly worry them and found that I became more positive and hopeful myself for the experience.
Over time I prayed more, studied more and gained a deeper perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned about myself as a mother and how deeply indeed I loved my sweet sons.
I became mindful of how our Heavenly Father listens to and answers our prayers. Miracles came our way as a family before, during and after Terry's accident and I recognized those miracles for what they were...
I cannot help but think that our sons willingness to serve allowed me to grow to a depth I knew I wouldn't have found, had they chosen not to serve. Their service was far reaching into lives of so many and I'm forever grateful for their personal sacrifice of two full years of their lives.
It's amazing how simple obedience to a promise to write home to mom and dad each week, caused so much growth in us all. We pray more, we write more, we study with more dilegence than we did two years ago. We ponder deeper meaning in our lives and in our faith. It has brought extended family closer as we pray for our sons well being and success in finding souls to bring to Christ. Some of those might have been so lost, had it not been for the prayers said on their behalf.
Missing a weekly e-mail now for me has been replaced with something even better this month. I'm blessed to sit face to face with a young man, my son, who is now a grown man. We've spent hours catching up on all the things we didn't write about in our letters to each other. I've cherished every moment, gotten to know the man who's face has changed in subtle ways. Gone are soft plains of youth I knew so well. Although the cherished dimples I so love, remain the same. Thank goodness!
The quiet wisdom he gained in two years of full time service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set well on my sons shoulders. I'm excited to see what is in store for this quiet man of faith in the years to come. Soon I'll be doing this all over again when his elder brother, Jason, comes home in three weeks. Oh how how I revel in the love I have for all my children. What a blessing it has been to cherish each of them for so long. My life is so full and so rich. I'm so grateful to a Heavenly Father who gave me so many cherished memories of their youth and future so full of hope and love. It's an amazing feeling!
Next post I'll write about his homecoming and post the photo's after I've gathered them from relatives. Have a great day everyone. Take time to hug those kids tight! They grow up far too fast and it's important to take advantage of each moment. I know this mom is so glad she did. Dimples aren't the only things I've cherished. I thank Heavenly Father daily that their lives have been my blessings.
It was an amazing experience welcoming an adult child home from the mission field in Russia.
One of the things I puzzled over before he arrived, was a sadness I felt when I realized that I was reading his very last e-mail before he left for home. It might sound strange to you as a reader that I would feel that way, so allow me to explain...
For two full years we have only had one e-mail a week from our son in Russia. They have a P-day where they take care of personal things such as laundry, grocery shopping, a group activity and letter writing and e-mailing home. We anticipated that letter each and every week with thanksgiving and excitement as we turned on the computer. Often we read about adventures and near accidents and joy. Other days about uplifting spiritual experiences only found while helping and teaching other children of God and giving compassionate service to the sick, the old and the lost souls they found. There were times of personal sorrow and illness where we were able to pray fervently for our sons and encourage and uplift them as well.
Following my husbands accident, I was able to keep our sons updated on Terry's progress and I know both our missionary sons were grateful for those letters and anticipated more news each week about his recovery. I tried my very best to do so in a way that wouldn't overly worry them and found that I became more positive and hopeful myself for the experience.
Over time I prayed more, studied more and gained a deeper perspective of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I learned about myself as a mother and how deeply indeed I loved my sweet sons.
I became mindful of how our Heavenly Father listens to and answers our prayers. Miracles came our way as a family before, during and after Terry's accident and I recognized those miracles for what they were...
I cannot help but think that our sons willingness to serve allowed me to grow to a depth I knew I wouldn't have found, had they chosen not to serve. Their service was far reaching into lives of so many and I'm forever grateful for their personal sacrifice of two full years of their lives.
It's amazing how simple obedience to a promise to write home to mom and dad each week, caused so much growth in us all. We pray more, we write more, we study with more dilegence than we did two years ago. We ponder deeper meaning in our lives and in our faith. It has brought extended family closer as we pray for our sons well being and success in finding souls to bring to Christ. Some of those might have been so lost, had it not been for the prayers said on their behalf.
Missing a weekly e-mail now for me has been replaced with something even better this month. I'm blessed to sit face to face with a young man, my son, who is now a grown man. We've spent hours catching up on all the things we didn't write about in our letters to each other. I've cherished every moment, gotten to know the man who's face has changed in subtle ways. Gone are soft plains of youth I knew so well. Although the cherished dimples I so love, remain the same. Thank goodness!
The quiet wisdom he gained in two years of full time service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set well on my sons shoulders. I'm excited to see what is in store for this quiet man of faith in the years to come. Soon I'll be doing this all over again when his elder brother, Jason, comes home in three weeks. Oh how how I revel in the love I have for all my children. What a blessing it has been to cherish each of them for so long. My life is so full and so rich. I'm so grateful to a Heavenly Father who gave me so many cherished memories of their youth and future so full of hope and love. It's an amazing feeling!
Next post I'll write about his homecoming and post the photo's after I've gathered them from relatives. Have a great day everyone. Take time to hug those kids tight! They grow up far too fast and it's important to take advantage of each moment. I know this mom is so glad she did. Dimples aren't the only things I've cherished. I thank Heavenly Father daily that their lives have been my blessings.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Push Against the Rock!
Christmas was interesting in our home this year. We all ended up catching the bug that was going around. Not a single gift was purchased until Christmas Eve day. It's amazing what you can get done under pressure. All the gifts were purchased quickly and the food as well after a trip to three different stores in a few short hours. I've learned, less is really more these days.
I have learned over the past few years to simplify my life. To be thankful for the little things and be surprised by the gifts life brings. I am so glad I have learned this well. We all need to embrace our trials and hardships and look at what we can learn from them and how we can become better people as we struggle. When you can do no more, Heavenly Father opens a widow and lets the sun warm our hearts again. He is always there for each of us, we just have to remember to include Him in our daily life.
Yesterday our son Ryan gave his farewell talk in church. He leaves next week for the Mission Training Center in Provo Utah and later to Everett Washington. He is so ready to serve the Lord. I am so pleased with the young man he has become. His inner strength is a testiment that each of us can press forward and accomplish anything with the Lords help.
Up until a few weeks ago he was terrified of leaving us and not seeing his brothers for four years. Their two year missions overlap and he is leaving as they are coming home. I was at a loss of how to help him overcome his fears until our missionaries calls home at Christmas. They had all the answers to calm his fears. Elder Otis in Russia simply told him that we give such a small part of our lives to the Lord full time when we serve missions. We will have all eternity together as a family. His brother in Los Angeles said much the same and now he's ready. So simple, but so important were the words of those who he trusted and could identify with.
I'm posting the following story that Ryan related during his farewell talk at the pulpit. I have no idea who wrote it but it's amazing. I hope you enjoy it too.
"Push against the Rock!"
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with bright light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This, the man did, day after day.
For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down with his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You've been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You're never going to move it" -thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.
"Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that'll be good enough." And that's just what he planned to do- until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord" he said, "I've labored long and hard in Your service, putting all my strength to do that which You've asked. Yet, after all this time, I haven't even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What's wrong? Why am I failing?"
The Lord responded compassionately,
"My friend, when I asked you to serve Me- you accepted. I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength- which you've done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me- with your strength spent, thinking that you've failed. But is that really so?"
"Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscular. Your back sinew is mighty. Your hands are callused from the constant pressure;and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you've grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you've done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."
At times, when we hear from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants. What God ACTUALLY wants is just simple OBEDIENCE and FAITH IN HIM. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it's still God who moves the mountains.
Ryan felt like he'd been pushing against the rock for a long time--not fully understanding why he was doing so. Now, through his faith in Heavenly Father and willingness to serve the Lord, he's willing to let God move the rock for him.It has been a blessing to watch him grow and struggle and triumph over adversity to become such a fine young man. Now, we give him over to the Lord for safe keeping for two full years and we do it with such joy!
Have a great day everyone!
I have learned over the past few years to simplify my life. To be thankful for the little things and be surprised by the gifts life brings. I am so glad I have learned this well. We all need to embrace our trials and hardships and look at what we can learn from them and how we can become better people as we struggle. When you can do no more, Heavenly Father opens a widow and lets the sun warm our hearts again. He is always there for each of us, we just have to remember to include Him in our daily life.
Yesterday our son Ryan gave his farewell talk in church. He leaves next week for the Mission Training Center in Provo Utah and later to Everett Washington. He is so ready to serve the Lord. I am so pleased with the young man he has become. His inner strength is a testiment that each of us can press forward and accomplish anything with the Lords help.
Up until a few weeks ago he was terrified of leaving us and not seeing his brothers for four years. Their two year missions overlap and he is leaving as they are coming home. I was at a loss of how to help him overcome his fears until our missionaries calls home at Christmas. They had all the answers to calm his fears. Elder Otis in Russia simply told him that we give such a small part of our lives to the Lord full time when we serve missions. We will have all eternity together as a family. His brother in Los Angeles said much the same and now he's ready. So simple, but so important were the words of those who he trusted and could identify with.
I'm posting the following story that Ryan related during his farewell talk at the pulpit. I have no idea who wrote it but it's amazing. I hope you enjoy it too.
"Push against the Rock!"
A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with bright light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This, the man did, day after day.
For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down with his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: "You've been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You're never going to move it" -thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.
"Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that'll be good enough." And that's just what he planned to do- until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. "Lord" he said, "I've labored long and hard in Your service, putting all my strength to do that which You've asked. Yet, after all this time, I haven't even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What's wrong? Why am I failing?"
The Lord responded compassionately,
"My friend, when I asked you to serve Me- you accepted. I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength- which you've done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me- with your strength spent, thinking that you've failed. But is that really so?"
"Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscular. Your back sinew is mighty. Your hands are callused from the constant pressure;and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you've grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you've done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."
At times, when we hear from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants. What God ACTUALLY wants is just simple OBEDIENCE and FAITH IN HIM. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it's still God who moves the mountains.
Ryan felt like he'd been pushing against the rock for a long time--not fully understanding why he was doing so. Now, through his faith in Heavenly Father and willingness to serve the Lord, he's willing to let God move the rock for him.It has been a blessing to watch him grow and struggle and triumph over adversity to become such a fine young man. Now, we give him over to the Lord for safe keeping for two full years and we do it with such joy!
Have a great day everyone!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Erroneous Information--Not Taken Lightly
In response to my husbands cousin, whom Terry cares a great deal for, I'm posting the following two articles.
Although, I think many will choose not to believe either one. I suppose is your choice. Hey, America is a great place where we can all agree to disagree without fear of imprisonment. Though many in the past have been tarred and feathered for less--a very painful condition by the way. Something about having your skin peeled away with the hot tar just doesn't seem like something Joseph Smith looked forward to when he restored our church. It must have been horrific. I'm glad they stopped doing that to our fellow saints back in the 1800's.
The recent statement about how much money our church has given (sorry cousin;) is not true in the least. The church didn't give a cent, the members of our church did give of their own means and of their own time-- as many on the opposite side of the issue did. This is a moral issue and one we will continue to support as members of the church.
Below is a statement that our church has presented to the public. I hope this helps clarify the situation.
Church Issues Statement on
I pray for my sons safety. He is a missionary in California. He has been welcomed, into homes of gays, lesbians and trans-gender people alike. They have thanked him for his kindness and his help! This is how my husband and I have raised our kids. This is what our church teaches. By the way, we do have people who have same sex attraction within our church who are faithful members.
We also know the difference between right and wrong and marriage is between a man and a woman and has been that way since time began. I'm sorry if this seems harsh, I don't mean it to be. This is something that God has decided, not man. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't speak the truth. That is one thing you'll learn about us, we try our best to be honest.
Personally I really don't care one way or another a person wants to enter into a civil union or a contract with another person. That is your choice and your right. You do have rights under the law. Anything less than that would be inhumane.
As a church, Mormons do believe that eternal marriage is a sacred covenant entered into between a man and a woman and Heavenly Father. A covenant is a promise between man and God--not something we will ever take lightly.
I really don't thrive on conflict like this. You'll find that most Latter-day Saints didn't enjoy holding signs in public or making calls or leaving their families open to harm and religious persecution. Yes, we are no strangers to being persecuted. That doesn't mean we enjoy it, or invite it. Enough said.
Although, I think many will choose not to believe either one. I suppose is your choice. Hey, America is a great place where we can all agree to disagree without fear of imprisonment. Though many in the past have been tarred and feathered for less--a very painful condition by the way. Something about having your skin peeled away with the hot tar just doesn't seem like something Joseph Smith looked forward to when he restored our church. It must have been horrific. I'm glad they stopped doing that to our fellow saints back in the 1800's.
The recent statement about how much money our church has given (sorry cousin;) is not true in the least. The church didn't give a cent, the members of our church did give of their own means and of their own time-- as many on the opposite side of the issue did. This is a moral issue and one we will continue to support as members of the church.
Below is a statement that our church has presented to the public. I hope this helps clarify the situation.
Church Issues Statement on
Proposition 8 Protest
It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.
Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.
While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.
Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information.
Catholic Bishop Decries Religious Bigotry Against Mormons
“Catholics stand in solidarity with our Mormon brothers and sisters in support of traditional marriage — the union of one man and one woman — that has been the major building block of Western Civilization for millennia.
“The Protect Marriage coalition, which led the successful campaign to pass Proposition 8, was an historic alliance of people from every faith and ethnicity. LDS were included — but so were Catholics and Jews, Evangelicals and Orthodox, African-Americans and Latinos, Asians and Anglos.
“Bigoted attacks on Mormons for the part they played in our coalition are shameful and ignore the reality that Mormon voters were only a small part of the groundswell that supported Proposition 8.
“As the former bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, I can attest to the fact that followers of the Mormon faith are a good and generous people with a long history of commitment to family and giving to community causes.
“I personally decry the bigotry recently exhibited towards the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — coming from the opponents of Proposition 8, who ironically, have called those of us supporting traditional marriage intolerant.
“I call upon the supporters of same-sex marriage to live by their own words — and to refrain from discrimination against religion and to exercise tolerance for those who differ from them. I call upon them to accept the will of the people of California in the passage of Proposition 8.”
This will be my last entry on this particular subject. This is not what my blog is about. I have been nothing but kind to anyone in our family or community that is lesbian or a gay. We love our family, we love our neighbors. We would never attack any of them, desecrate their temples, churches or call them names or harm their property like my friends have had done to them in CA.
I pray for my sons safety. He is a missionary in California. He has been welcomed, into homes of gays, lesbians and trans-gender people alike. They have thanked him for his kindness and his help! This is how my husband and I have raised our kids. This is what our church teaches. By the way, we do have people who have same sex attraction within our church who are faithful members.
We also know the difference between right and wrong and marriage is between a man and a woman and has been that way since time began. I'm sorry if this seems harsh, I don't mean it to be. This is something that God has decided, not man. I would be a hypocrite if I didn't speak the truth. That is one thing you'll learn about us, we try our best to be honest.
Personally I really don't care one way or another a person wants to enter into a civil union or a contract with another person. That is your choice and your right. You do have rights under the law. Anything less than that would be inhumane.
As a church, Mormons do believe that eternal marriage is a sacred covenant entered into between a man and a woman and Heavenly Father. A covenant is a promise between man and God--not something we will ever take lightly.
I really don't thrive on conflict like this. You'll find that most Latter-day Saints didn't enjoy holding signs in public or making calls or leaving their families open to harm and religious persecution. Yes, we are no strangers to being persecuted. That doesn't mean we enjoy it, or invite it. Enough said.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Elder Otis Returns to Russia!
Thank you all, for your prayers and well wishes for our son in Russia. He has safely arrived back in Russia from Sweden! He has had a great adventure and I wanted to share it with all of you. He was Branch President before he left for Sweden a month ago. Now he's a trainer and District Leader just like his Elder Brother Jason. Gosh is this ever exciting! Such a n honor as well. I hope you enjoy Elder Matthew Otis's latest letter below.
"Warning: Huge Email
Hey family,
How was my trip back? Well, Elder Peterson summed it up pretty well in our weekly newsletter. Here is his story of what happened on our trip back.
Six Hour Miracle
After serving for a month in Sweden, we were grateful and excited to be heading back home to "the Russia Motherland." We left our temple friends at 9:00 am Saturday morning and headed to the airport on Sweden's celestial commuter rail. All went well and we got all fourteen of us into the airport, passed probing security, and boarded onto our Scandinavian flight to Moscow. It all worked like clockwork, perfect and smooth. It seemed almost too good to be true…
We landed in Moscow's Sheremyetevo airport at 17:30--and with a 6 hour layover ahead of us, we strode into passport control with confidence that we could easily make our flight connection at the Domodyedovo airport. Now, for those of you who have never traversed the urban jungle of Moscow, Sheremyetevo is on the north side of Moscow―Domodyedovo on the complete other side of Moscow in the South. Our flight was scheduled to take off at 23:10, so we all felt confident that we could make the transfer without problem.
Landing at 17:30 we then stood in lines at passport control for about two hours waiting to get "processed" by the officials. Because of the delay we missed our express train which we were supposed to go on. Frustrated, rumpled, and tired we exited the airport and after following several poorly given instructions we located and headed towards the Express train which would take us to the metro.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
So we get on the 19:50 express train and head off at a painfully slow pace. After a 40 minute stress filled ride, we jump off, run out of the vokzal, frantically find the metro, stand in a ridiculously long line (so typical of Moscow), grab metro coins, and then head on a Metro.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
So, we head on the Metro and after a couple stops we get off and try to switch lines. Well, I've never made a metro line switch in my life, so I head off to the right, praying that we are going in the correct direction.
Miracle 1: As we are heading right, a man stops me. His cheeks were red, so I assumed he might be a little tipsy. He asked me if I was looking for something, in short he pointed us in the right direction. Why a miracle? 1. Possible drunk man stops me and doesn't ask "Вы иностранцы что ли?" 2. He asked me if he could help. That never happens. 3. This happened in Moscow. 4. His directions were actually correct.
So all 14 of us get on our new metro line and head to our stop. We jump off, leave the vokzal, find the Express train vokzal, and run in and buy tickets. By this time it is 21:15. Well it turns out that the next train was at 22:00. Which meant that we would get at the airport at 22:40. Our flight was at 23:10. Those times don't add up for checking in.
As we realize the probability of missing our flight, Elder Reynolds ran over to a random counter and started speaking with an attractive young lady attendant (see Miracle 3).
Miracle 2: This young lady told us that we would need to take the metro further down the line and then get on a shuttle. This would help us to get there faster. She also called the airport and let them know that we were going to be a little late and told them to wait. This provided to be one of the HUGE reasons we didn't miss our flight. She truly was a ministering angel for us.
Miracle 3: Elder Reynolds admitted that if he were to come back to Russia to marry someone, it would be her.
So we run outside the express train vokzal and hurriedly, frantically try to find the Metro again. We asked several people who told us to the left. However several people told us to the right. We quickly followed the counsel of the hymn "Choose the Right" and headed off to the right which actually turned to be the right direction.
Heading downwards into the metro, we again went through the process of buying tickets for all 14 of us. And then to our dismay we crammed ourselves into a completely stuffed metro car. We then traveled for a half hour trying to keep eye contact between all of us in order to get off on the correct stop.
After that half hour of grueling shoving and pushing we all stumbled out and ran up and out.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
As we ran out, we found a shuttle, loaded, and headed out. That was at 22:00.
Miracle 4: It was a sheer miracle that we found an airport shuttle right off the bat, with just enough space for all of us to squeeze on with our luggage. Not only that the driver was nice about it.
So to make this long story short, we travel for half an hour and get at the airport at 22:30. We all run out, rush through check in, almost lose Elder Larsen, rush through security throwing belts and jackets off and on, rush to the gate, and jump onto the shuttle bus.
Miracle 5: We made it on our flight with literally only two minutes to spare. Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there. By logic and reason we should not have made that flight. Miracles happen.
-Elder Peterson
After serving for a month in Sweden, we were grateful and excited to be heading back home to "the Russia Motherland." We left our temple friends at 9:00 am Saturday morning and headed to the airport on Sweden's celestial commuter rail. All went well and we got all fourteen of us into the airport, passed probing security, and boarded onto our Scandinavian flight to Moscow. It all worked like clockwork, perfect and smooth. It seemed almost too good to be true…
We landed in Moscow's Sheremyetevo airport at 17:30--and with a 6 hour layover ahead of us, we strode into passport control with confidence that we could easily make our flight connection at the Domodyedovo airport. Now, for those of you who have never traversed the urban jungle of Moscow, Sheremyetevo is on the north side of Moscow―Domodyedovo on the complete other side of Moscow in the South. Our flight was scheduled to take off at 23:10, so we all felt confident that we could make the transfer without problem.
Landing at 17:30 we then stood in lines at passport control for about two hours waiting to get "processed" by the officials. Because of the delay we missed our express train which we were supposed to go on. Frustrated, rumpled, and tired we exited the airport and after following several poorly given instructions we located and headed towards the Express train which would take us to the metro.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
So we get on the 19:50 express train and head off at a painfully slow pace. After a 40 minute stress filled ride, we jump off, run out of the vokzal, frantically find the metro, stand in a ridiculously long line (so typical of Moscow), grab metro coins, and then head on a Metro.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
So, we head on the Metro and after a couple stops we get off and try to switch lines. Well, I've never made a metro line switch in my life, so I head off to the right, praying that we are going in the correct direction.
Miracle 1: As we are heading right, a man stops me. His cheeks were red, so I assumed he might be a little tipsy. He asked me if I was looking for something, in short he pointed us in the right direction. Why a miracle? 1. Possible drunk man stops me and doesn't ask "Вы иностранцы что ли?" 2. He asked me if he could help. That never happens. 3. This happened in Moscow. 4. His directions were actually correct.
So all 14 of us get on our new metro line and head to our stop. We jump off, leave the vokzal, find the Express train vokzal, and run in and buy tickets. By this time it is 21:15. Well it turns out that the next train was at 22:00. Which meant that we would get at the airport at 22:40. Our flight was at 23:10. Those times don't add up for checking in.
As we realize the probability of missing our flight, Elder Reynolds ran over to a random counter and started speaking with an attractive young lady attendant (see Miracle 3).
Miracle 2: This young lady told us that we would need to take the metro further down the line and then get on a shuttle. This would help us to get there faster. She also called the airport and let them know that we were going to be a little late and told them to wait. This provided to be one of the HUGE reasons we didn't miss our flight. She truly was a ministering angel for us.
Miracle 3: Elder Reynolds admitted that if he were to come back to Russia to marry someone, it would be her.
So we run outside the express train vokzal and hurriedly, frantically try to find the Metro again. We asked several people who told us to the left. However several people told us to the right. We quickly followed the counsel of the hymn "Choose the Right" and headed off to the right which actually turned to be the right direction.
Heading downwards into the metro, we again went through the process of buying tickets for all 14 of us. And then to our dismay we crammed ourselves into a completely stuffed metro car. We then traveled for a half hour trying to keep eye contact between all of us in order to get off on the correct stop.
After that half hour of grueling shoving and pushing we all stumbled out and ran up and out.
Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there.
As we ran out, we found a shuttle, loaded, and headed out. That was at 22:00.
Miracle 4: It was a sheer miracle that we found an airport shuttle right off the bat, with just enough space for all of us to squeeze on with our luggage. Not only that the driver was nice about it.
So to make this long story short, we travel for half an hour and get at the airport at 22:30. We all run out, rush through check in, almost lose Elder Larsen, rush through security throwing belts and jackets off and on, rush to the gate, and jump onto the shuttle bus.
Miracle 5: We made it on our flight with literally only two minutes to spare. Remember―14 people with luggage, running through Moscow, at night, and half of us have never been there. By logic and reason we should not have made that flight. Miracles happen.
-Elder Peterson
So that's a pretty incredible story. It didn't really end for me either. The next day after going to bed at 4:30am I got up at 9:00 and I needed to get to Revda to get my luggage. I was trying to find someone who would go with me but no one wanted to. I understand since everyone who was with me had served in ekat and they wanted to go to church where they served, and not in Pervouralsk. So the only ones left in the apartment were Elder Finch and Rosel, and they had stuff to do, so they sent me off to Pervouralsk by myself.
Missionaries are stretched pretty thin right now, so a lot of people have had to do some weird transfer stuff. But it wasn't a big deal, I made it to church without a problem and even got there in time to take the sacrament. Just kind of weird flying solo. Testimony meeting was great though. I was able to bear my testimony to them one last time. Getting to see everyone again was really great, It was kind of like going back in time. I got to say goodbye to everyone and I got some numbers and email addresses. Then we went to take the sacrament to Baba Anya, so I got to see her one last time and I took one last picture with her. She was glad to see me and really sad that I wasn't coming back. She cries pretty much every time we leave though, so that's not a change.
Anyway, after that Elder Magleby, Stark, and I went back to Revda to get my stuff. Once we got there we got a call from Elder Finch that I had to be at the train station in Ekat by 6:00, so that meant that when I got back to the apartment I had to call a taxi and leave pretty much immediately. So I hadn't eaten anything, didn't have time to make anything, and was about to be going on a 4+ hour train ride with no food. Not to mention the fact that I barely ate anything yesterday. So I decided that I needed to buy something so I wouldn't pass out.
So I did, and they loaded up my stuff in the taxi and I headed out to the train station by myself again. They said that there would be people waiting for me to help me with my baggage(I was concerned about it since my baggage doesn't really function anymore so I need multiple people to help me), but I got dropped off in the parking lot so I had to get my luggage over there anyway. So I put the grocery bag with the juice and crackers and stuff in it around the handle of one of my bags, and I gery-rigged the rest so I was able to move them. I got through the parking lot and then needed to get them over the curb, then I had some issues. I had taped the handle back on the suitcase that had the grocery bag on it, and it decided to rip off when I tried to heft it over(my bags are pretty heavy), so it fell on the bag pretty hard, but I picked it up and kept going a little ways. Then I looked down and realised that my bag was dripping, my juice exploded, and filled up the plastic bag, which also soaked my crackers. So I was able to salvage my super snickers, and that's the only thing I ate the whole day. So then I waited there by myself for about an hour, and they finally got there and helped me get to the platform and on the train. So they helped me get my junk into the train, but then once I was in I couldn't figure out where my seat was, I was in the right section, but I couldn't find the seat number. Then they said they had to get off, so they left me not knowing what to do, with 3 disfunctional suitcases.
So I asked a guy next to me what to do, and I showed him my ticket. He said he didn't know, just pick an open seat, so he told me to sit next to him, so I did. When they checked out tickets I found out that I was supposed to be in 3rd class, and I was in 1st class, so if I wanted to stay there I had to pay about 10 dollars more. I didn't have any cash on me though, since I used it all on the taxi to the station. So I told her that I only had a card, and of course its Russia and they don't use cards anywhere so that wasn't going to work. But the nice lady took pity on me and told me that I could stay there, but if anyone else came and wanted to sit there I would have to move.
Luckily no one asked me to move, so I got to ride first class the whole way(first class on an electrishka isn't all that great though, but its way better than sitting on a metal bench for 5 hours), so I lucked out with that. But the guy I sat next to was a nice guy, his name was Ruslan. He actually lives in America, he lives in Los Angeles with his wife. His wife is American, but they were both born in Russia, and he mostly just speaks Russian. He said that where he lives in LA he doesn't really have to speak English, there are a lot of Russians there.
But anyway, I didn't really talk about the gospel with him because he told me he was atheist and didn't really want to talk about it. But he was nice and he helped me get my bags off the train, so he helped me out a bunch. Then I met up with my new companion Elder Dewey, but we are actually in a threesome right now with Elder Mizin also, because his companion(Elder Thompson who is my old companion) is in Kazakhstan and won't be back for 3 weeks. So we might be together for a while. He is Russian and doesn't really speak English, so I guess I'll be getting a lot of practice with the language for a few weeks.
So that's my situation right now. Wow, that turned into a long story, but its been a pretty wild ride the past few days, and just wanted to share it with you. Kurgan seems like a fun place. It's pretty Podunk, but its big and has some good members and a great meetinghouse. There are 2 companionships in Kurgan, a pair of Elders and a pair of Sisters, so that makes things pretty interesting, and p-days pretty uneventful since we can't do anything together. But the Sisters here are really good ones, so it's going to be great. I'm also going to be the District leader, so I have to work that now too. But it's going to be a good transfer, things are a little wacky right now, but things will settle down soon.
Well, thanks for the email. Glad you guys liked the stuff that I sent. Have a great week!
Elder Otis
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
My Missionary In Russia
Dear Readers,
Sometimes I am amazed at how much we can help a person if we don't have any preconceived ideas going into a situation. We don't judge or adapt our words for a specific situation. We can go in and serve our neighbor, even love them if we keep our hearts and our minds open to the Holy Ghost. We have to continue to remember that we are all brothers and sisters and our Father in Heaven loves each of us so dearly.
I have enclosed the following letter from our son, a missionary for the LDS Church in Russia. I receive letters from him and his elder brother each week. It is a blessing in each of our lives as we read their words. I hope you find something here that helps you today.
Blessings,
Valora
"Hey everyone,
Sometimes I am amazed at how much we can help a person if we don't have any preconceived ideas going into a situation. We don't judge or adapt our words for a specific situation. We can go in and serve our neighbor, even love them if we keep our hearts and our minds open to the Holy Ghost. We have to continue to remember that we are all brothers and sisters and our Father in Heaven loves each of us so dearly.
I have enclosed the following letter from our son, a missionary for the LDS Church in Russia. I receive letters from him and his elder brother each week. It is a blessing in each of our lives as we read their words. I hope you find something here that helps you today.
Blessings,
Valora
"Hey everyone,
Thanks for the letters, sounds like things are getting pretty interesting for you guys. Keep on going forward in faith, you guys are doing great! So Ryan got the job at Anderson, thats really great. Is he working for Wood Rite day shift? It's a good place to work, I don't have any complaints against it, it's a good honest company. I don't know if summer is over yet, but the weather has changed, it's like it's spring again. It's raining all the time and we've been wearing light jackets/sweaters for the past few days. So maybe it's officially fall here. I'll make sure and fast for both of you next week, I know that with our combined faith we can accomplish great things.
Well, Elder Thompson and I had a great week. We have recently gotten a lot of really solid contacts that will hopefully be turning into investigators soon, we have found a section of our area that is pretty productive for contacting so we have been contacting it frequently. We didn't have any meetings with investigators this week, we had some set up but they fell through. But we are confident that these new contacts will turn out and we'll have some great new investigators soon. This week we were able to meet with a good amount of recent converts and less actives. Nina, Lada, and Artyom are all doing well and progressing in the gospel. We had a exceptional meeting with Zilya this week, she is a long time less active. We talked about faith and testimony with her, which did go over well with her, but the highlight of the meeting was the fact that she took some of our advice and acted on it. We have been trying to get the Holy Ghost back into her life, and most of the meetings that we have had with her she has told us that it just isn't possible because of the place that she lives in. I guess most of the people that live around her really don't like her and swear at her all the time, usually when she is walking around outside, or when her window is open. We tried to give her advice, to just shrug it off and not pay atention to it, but she would just bottle it up inside and explode back at them with similar language. We also talked about how she can't hate everyone around her and have the Holy Ghost at the same time, we are all children of God and you should respect all people even if they do wrong. Well, she hasn't learned quite yet to love her neighbors, but her outlook is changing and she isn't swearing anymore and she found a way to get people to swear at her less. She put a sign up on her door, and on her window, and on her fridge to remind herself, and it says,"Only sin offends me, not sick idiots." And when people swear at her, she tells them that. It's not exactly the best thing to say, but she is making progress and she seemed a lot happier when we met.
She fed us which was really nice of her, and next time I think we are going to make some tacos for her. It's really good that we have been able to become friends, for so long no missionaries met with her, and if they did it turned out really bad because they went in with preconceived notions of her.
I went into my first meeting with her not knowing anything about her, and I think that really helped. She is a really hard women to teach, she is really philyshopical and always examines the scriptures with her mind and not her heart, which is a road block to helping her, but she is starting to change and it is amazing to see. I just keep thinking that if only she could change her heart in the right direction she would become a great strength to the church in Russia, she is very intelligent and knows several languages. I just hope that she'll get straightened out in the future.
She fed us which was really nice of her, and next time I think we are going to make some tacos for her. It's really good that we have been able to become friends, for so long no missionaries met with her, and if they did it turned out really bad because they went in with preconceived notions of her.
I went into my first meeting with her not knowing anything about her, and I think that really helped. She is a really hard women to teach, she is really philyshopical and always examines the scriptures with her mind and not her heart, which is a road block to helping her, but she is starting to change and it is amazing to see. I just keep thinking that if only she could change her heart in the right direction she would become a great strength to the church in Russia, she is very intelligent and knows several languages. I just hope that she'll get straightened out in the future.
Anyway, I thought I said in my last email that I would not be staying in Pervouralsk after this transfer. Just the feeling I got from my interview and the way things are going makes me think that I'm getting shipped out of her in two weeks, I'll have transfers for you next week I think, so we'll find out soon. As soon as we get our new meeting place moved to Revda (the other city in the branch) they will most likely be closing my city and the Elders in Revda will have both cities as their areas. This is happening all over the mission now because no new missionaries are coming in. So it's going to be hard for this branch to lose two missionaries but it's what the Lord wants and they'll be stronger for it, I just hope that they people that I've been meeting with will stay strong and active.
Something pretty funny happened this Sunday, our first counselor was in Moscow (a lot of the branch went to Moscow for a youth/young single adult conference) so I led the meeting, and it was pretty funny to read the program because it went like so:
Presiding on the meeting: Elder Otis
Leading the Meeting: Elder Otis
Playing the Piano: Elder Otis
Leading the Music: Sister Nina Belyaevskih.
So the congregation got a good laugh out of it too. The speakers (Elder Taylor and Sister Nelly Zaitseva) went a little short so I said a few things at the end of the meeting about how the branch was going to be moving soon to Revda, and how it is going to be a blessing for some and a trial for others, and I shared how at one time we had to travel a long distance to go to our meeting too(remember when we met at the Hudson building?). And then to top it off, I also gave the lesson for the second hour since it was a fifth sunday (we only go for two hours so it was a combined Relief Society and Preisthood Meeting). So I had my hands full to say the least, but it's not scary at all anymore, so I can do what I need to do.
Well, I think this is enough writing for me for one day, my brain is starting to hurt. I finally got the package so I've been buying stuff!!!! Yay!!! Now that I have some money I'm going to try and send out that package that I've been promising, I'll tell you next week if I sent it out. I just printed off some pictures the other day for you guys, they are pretty good except the fact that a lot of them have red-eye problems. Well, I hope you have a great week, keep on keeping on! Hey there are some Australians in this internet cafe, Elder Abel is talking with them, you never know who you'll meet here.
Love ya,
Matt"
Monday, June 16, 2008
A Branch President in the Family!
Every Monday morning I look forward to opening my e-mail. You see, Monday is P-day for my sons on missions. Matt in Russia and Jason in Spanish speaking Los Angeles write home each week.
The adventure of the week is almost always Matthew's in Russia! This week was no different. I clicked open the e-mail and saw the photo and gasped! Matt had an ugly purple welt and gash on his forehead. He had been playing capture the flag in the forest with all the other Elders and had tripped and fallen and hit his head. Thank goodness it wasn't any worse than it was. We want him to stay out of the Russian hospitals at all costs. I'm sure there are good ones there somewhere, but the one he described at the beginning of his mission was a nightmare. So I'm happy he's alright now. He said it didn't bleed for long--though the Russians were freaking out and wanted to take him to the hospital. They put their iodine on his forehead. I think it's either green or blue and stained his skin. How funny! He said he just told people that he had gotten hit in the head by a beer bottle. What a kidder! Needless to say he got a lot of attention and had fun with it.
I guess Estonia is closed to the missionaries now. They have to go out of the country to renew their visa's every three months. Now, they will go to the Czech Republic. Read below...
Matthew is now the Branch President of his little congregation. It makes me smile! You know, the mom in me being so pleased coming out:) If you aren't LDS, a Branch President is a Pastor. He has been trained well by Elder Later his previous companion. I know Matthew will miss Elder Later so much. He and Matt are dear friends now. Elder Later is either on his way home or transferred. I'll have to ask his mom. I'm going to try and include some photo's here today. I've never done this before, hope it comes out okay. Until then, here is part of Elder Matthew Otis's letter.
"I just got transfers, I'm the new branch president, and Elder Isenbarger is going to be my new companion. I don't know him but I hear he's great! Elder Magelby is coming to Revda, I hear that he is also really great, so our district should be fun next transfer. It's crazy that I've already been in this area for 3 months. It's gone by really fast, doing branch work really passes the time. Also next transfer I will be going on another visa trip. And I've hear that Estonia has closed it's borders to us missionaries, so now we are going to Prauge, Czech Republic. I hear that it's a really amazing city, so that should be fun. Hmmm....I always forget what I want to write about, I guess thats all I've got then. Keep on going. I'm praying for you, and I know that you're praying for me. Things are going good, and I know that they will only continue to get better if we have faith and try and look at the big picture. I'm glad that our family is really optimistic. I've had a good amount of experience here with people who whine about everything, and its funny because it doesn't help them one bit, in fact it makes things worse. It's just sad, we really do need to live by faith and not by fear, everything just works out so much better. Well, I hope you have a good week, happy fathers day dad!!! Catch a lot of fish and keep sending me pictures(small ones plz!!), i'd love to see them.
For those moms and dads who don't think your making a difference in your child's life. I challenge you to think again. Your life may be easy or even difficult. It's the way you handle the hills and valleys in life's tangled web that matters to these kids. Show them you can overcome the obsticals when do come. Show them by example that you will stay faithful while going through heartbreak and tragedy. Rise above all that life brings. Then when they go out into the world on their own, hope and light and faith will be the greatest gift you ever passed onto them. Be a blessing to your children.
The adventure of the week is almost always Matthew's in Russia! This week was no different. I clicked open the e-mail and saw the photo and gasped! Matt had an ugly purple welt and gash on his forehead. He had been playing capture the flag in the forest with all the other Elders and had tripped and fallen and hit his head. Thank goodness it wasn't any worse than it was. We want him to stay out of the Russian hospitals at all costs. I'm sure there are good ones there somewhere, but the one he described at the beginning of his mission was a nightmare. So I'm happy he's alright now. He said it didn't bleed for long--though the Russians were freaking out and wanted to take him to the hospital. They put their iodine on his forehead. I think it's either green or blue and stained his skin. How funny! He said he just told people that he had gotten hit in the head by a beer bottle. What a kidder! Needless to say he got a lot of attention and had fun with it.
I guess Estonia is closed to the missionaries now. They have to go out of the country to renew their visa's every three months. Now, they will go to the Czech Republic. Read below...
Matthew is now the Branch President of his little congregation. It makes me smile! You know, the mom in me being so pleased coming out:) If you aren't LDS, a Branch President is a Pastor. He has been trained well by Elder Later his previous companion. I know Matthew will miss Elder Later so much. He and Matt are dear friends now. Elder Later is either on his way home or transferred. I'll have to ask his mom. I'm going to try and include some photo's here today. I've never done this before, hope it comes out okay. Until then, here is part of Elder Matthew Otis's letter.
"I just got transfers, I'm the new branch president, and Elder Isenbarger is going to be my new companion. I don't know him but I hear he's great! Elder Magelby is coming to Revda, I hear that he is also really great, so our district should be fun next transfer. It's crazy that I've already been in this area for 3 months. It's gone by really fast, doing branch work really passes the time. Also next transfer I will be going on another visa trip. And I've hear that Estonia has closed it's borders to us missionaries, so now we are going to Prauge, Czech Republic. I hear that it's a really amazing city, so that should be fun. Hmmm....I always forget what I want to write about, I guess thats all I've got then. Keep on going. I'm praying for you, and I know that you're praying for me. Things are going good, and I know that they will only continue to get better if we have faith and try and look at the big picture. I'm glad that our family is really optimistic. I've had a good amount of experience here with people who whine about everything, and its funny because it doesn't help them one bit, in fact it makes things worse. It's just sad, we really do need to live by faith and not by fear, everything just works out so much better. Well, I hope you have a good week, happy fathers day dad!!! Catch a lot of fish and keep sending me pictures(small ones plz!!), i'd love to see them.
Love,
Matt"
For those moms and dads who don't think your making a difference in your child's life. I challenge you to think again. Your life may be easy or even difficult. It's the way you handle the hills and valleys in life's tangled web that matters to these kids. Show them you can overcome the obsticals when do come. Show them by example that you will stay faithful while going through heartbreak and tragedy. Rise above all that life brings. Then when they go out into the world on their own, hope and light and faith will be the greatest gift you ever passed onto them. Be a blessing to your children.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Keep Hope Strong
A question was asked in our missionary mom's group this week. It was what, or how much we should tell our kids about our struggles while they are away on missions. This was my answer.
We recently received a phone call from our son's MP. He started out putting me at ease with the tone of his voice (WHEW was I ever relieved, he wasn't hurt or worse!) telling me that our son was doing an amazing job and would be a wonderful Branch President for his branch in Russia. He said that our son had been concerned about how we were doing and about our present struggles. Even though I had only told Matt the basics about my health problems and not necessarily how extensive they were--the spirit whispered to him that they were extremely serious.
We have to remember that our kids are very in tune with the Holy Ghost and will know when something is wrong. Some of our sons and daughters MP's don't just concern themselves with our kids, but with their families as well. WE are all in this together as we support our kids. I'm grateful for Yekat Russia's MP--President Allen . He was deeply comforting to me that week. It was a boost to my spirit to know that Matthew is doing an amazing job and obeying all of the commandments and that President Allen knows he is who Father wants to serve in that position. I know Matt never aspired to that calling--he's just willing to do anything he's asked.
I needed to hear President Allen's words to keep going that week. I was able to tell him the details of my illness and our and that we are faithful and full of hope for the future. We will stay positive for our Elders in the field and for our third son who will be joining them soon.
I think Matthew has a friend for life in President Allen. He has shown an amazing capacity to love our missionaries under his stewardship---and their families as well. He is an example of the fact that we can do more than we think we can and that Heavenly Father is mindful of each of our struggles and of our needs. We are never alone!
Share with your kids prayerfully about your families struggles. Your hard times as well as your good times will bond you together as eternal families. Sandwich bad events between good things that happen and things you've learned from situations that have made you stronger as a child of God. Keep hope strong in your families. I have a testimony that the opposite of hope is fear and without hope, it's very difficult to have faith. Read Moroni chapter 7, it says it all. For more encouragement read Matthew 14:30-31. There are two more that I'll list later on. Do read them all. Your heart will be lighter for having read them.
Share the ways you overcome and handle obstacles in your life with your kids. I have found that it moves us to make good choices in our own lives and to handle the negative aspects of situations life throws at us so much better. May God bless each of you as you press forward through life's challenges.
Here are some "Tips" that might come in handy in the days ahead.
Survival Tips for Faith
• Call on your Heavenly Father for help.
• Avoid anything addictive.
• Let faith and reason work together.
• Leave the dark side alone.
• Wash away sin with repentance.
• Prepare for a long and happy life.
We recently received a phone call from our son's MP. He started out putting me at ease with the tone of his voice (WHEW was I ever relieved, he wasn't hurt or worse!) telling me that our son was doing an amazing job and would be a wonderful Branch President for his branch in Russia. He said that our son had been concerned about how we were doing and about our present struggles. Even though I had only told Matt the basics about my health problems and not necessarily how extensive they were--the spirit whispered to him that they were extremely serious.
We have to remember that our kids are very in tune with the Holy Ghost and will know when something is wrong. Some of our sons and daughters MP's don't just concern themselves with our kids, but with their families as well. WE are all in this together as we support our kids. I'm grateful for Yekat Russia's MP--President Allen . He was deeply comforting to me that week. It was a boost to my spirit to know that Matthew is doing an amazing job and obeying all of the commandments and that President Allen knows he is who Father wants to serve in that position. I know Matt never aspired to that calling--he's just willing to do anything he's asked.
I needed to hear President Allen's words to keep going that week. I was able to tell him the details of my illness and our and that we are faithful and full of hope for the future. We will stay positive for our Elders in the field and for our third son who will be joining them soon.
I think Matthew has a friend for life in President Allen. He has shown an amazing capacity to love our missionaries under his stewardship---and their families as well. He is an example of the fact that we can do more than we think we can and that Heavenly Father is mindful of each of our struggles and of our needs. We are never alone!
Share with your kids prayerfully about your families struggles. Your hard times as well as your good times will bond you together as eternal families. Sandwich bad events between good things that happen and things you've learned from situations that have made you stronger as a child of God. Keep hope strong in your families. I have a testimony that the opposite of hope is fear and without hope, it's very difficult to have faith. Read Moroni chapter 7, it says it all. For more encouragement read Matthew 14:30-31. There are two more that I'll list later on. Do read them all. Your heart will be lighter for having read them.
Share the ways you overcome and handle obstacles in your life with your kids. I have found that it moves us to make good choices in our own lives and to handle the negative aspects of situations life throws at us so much better. May God bless each of you as you press forward through life's challenges.
Here are some "Tips" that might come in handy in the days ahead.
Survival Tips for Faith
• Call on your Heavenly Father for help.
• Avoid anything addictive.
• Let faith and reason work together.
• Leave the dark side alone.
• Wash away sin with repentance.
• Prepare for a long and happy life.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Faith Proceeds the Miracle
"The Lord gives us a spirit of hope and a feeling of comfort and confidence that we can overcome the obstacles we face. He has shown the way to gain strength during our struggles. With His assistance, we have the ability to succeed."
--L. Lionel KendrickI know this statement to be true in my own struggles in this life.
I'm so filled with gratitude today. I truly have gained strength through all the obstacles I've overcome in my lifetime. Though they were hard and long and I'm still going through many of them. I am comforted daily by the Lord. I have learned a great deal about my own spirit and about my strengths and weaknesses too. It's been a learning time. The past fifteen years have brought our family so close to one another that if I could go back through time--I can honestly say, I would do it all over again.
One of the byproducts of overcoming obstacles, is gaining an inner ability to sift out the important from the unimportant. The ability to decipher between wants and needs. The ability to be able to tell the good from the bad is gained. "It's all good" as my sister in law tends to say. It really is!
Did you know that a baby who is stressed during pregnancy and born unexpectedly has a higher chance of survival than an infant who has no stress and is born prematurely? The infant who is under stress develops their lungs early and is able to survive outside the womb more readily. The other does not and is usually hospitalized much longer. I learned this fact during two complicated pregnancies.
Life is the same way. With each trial and obstacle we overcome, we gain strength-- if we will allow ourselves to do so. It's with our thinking and our prayers that we can overcome even the insurmountable tribulations of life. We are never alone in our struggles. Christ, atoned for our sins, our suffering and our pain.
Jesus understood his mission. So, maybe the challenge is to try to have the same kind of faith He had during the hard times? The kind of faith that can turn questioning and anger into understanding the power, blessings and hope that can come from Him. He is the source of it all. That kind of faith brings knowledge and assurances that we can experience that is the part of the gospel plan and things that appear to be wrong in our lives will eventually be made right again.
So hold onto peace and understanding that will allow you to endure life's trails with dignity and grace. Having clarity of purpose can be such a sweet reward. Faith can help us to see the good in our lives, even when when the path seems lined with broken glass, nails and shattered dreams.
When Jesus and His disciples passed a man who was blind since his birth, His disciples asked, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?"
“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:2–3).
I know that Heavenly Father does not cause heartbreak and tragedies to occur in our lives. "Works of God" are shown in the healing of the blind man. Those same works of God are also in the way we face our own personal trials in life.
Without the sorrow we would not appreciate the good in life. We need to remember what we have learned during the the pain and suffering. I have found peace as I've helped others through similar circumstances. I can now give hope and comfort to others relaying what I have learned. I can show gratitude for the source of my joy now. Peace is something I feel daily, though I know my trials are far from over--miracles happen every day in my life.
Recently I prayed for a way to pay my medical bills. The answer came in the form of a phone call from from a distant land. May God bless this individual for their generosity and compassion.
Another window of hope was opened wide for our family. I'm in awe of God's perfect timing. May we all listen to the promptings of the spirit so that we can do as Heavenly Father would want us to. If we can each reach out to just one of His children, I know it will bless so many lives. I know I will try my best to do so...Will you?
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John 9:2–3 KJV Bible
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