One Nation Under God.......please protect us

(Above, picture taken by Jason E. Otis of the Provo Temple in Utah)

My emotions have been all over the map this morning. I woke with a simple feeling of joy in my heart as I realized that our financial concerns as a family will be over in a months time. It is a comfort to know this when Terry is unable to work. I was filled with gratitude for Heavenly Fathers concern and blessings, for all His children. Gosh He amazes me sometimes!

Then I received word from a dear friend and fellow missionary mom. My chest tightened. She told of how there were letters sent to Salt Lake and LA temples, laced with mysterious whit powder. One was also sent to the Knights of Columbus, which is a Catholic organization. Then another was sent to the FBI in Salt Lake city ; as I later found on the internet.They seem to think it's connected to Prop 8. No workers have become ill, yet. How I'm praying for them!

My friend says that, "I KNOW even if it were Anthrax or some thing terribly dangerous, the Lord can protect the temple workers."

I am so proud of her and her faith! We each need to have more faith than ever before while the world around us goes nuts. I refuse to hate. The members of our church are the same. We will forever, forgive and pray for those who wish us harm.

Matthew 5:44-46

"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?"

I pray my sons will be protected with so much hate being sent our way for standing up for what is right---for what we know to be true, in this free country we live in. Though persecution is something we know all too well, we can continue to pray for those who would do us harm.

Terrorism is never the answer to a disagreement or the passing of an amendment! I pray that those who are offended by our views can stop the boycotts, stop the loud obscene marches on innocent towns and cities. Stop the hatred.

We are not haters of men. We love our brothers and sisters. Below is an excerpt from Elder Otis's latest letter. I will not be posting his full letters here on my blog anymore. To keep him safe.

"We all need to do everything we can to be worthy and to share the gospel. The only thing that will never change in all this, is the Lord. "Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth will go on boldly and nobly" just like Joseph said.""

No matter what, faithful people of the world won't give in to terrorism. We won't give up, or give into threats against our beliefs. We will continue to remain faithful to our beliefs and our Heavenly Father.

We love the sinner and hate the sin, it's as simple as that. It is what we know to be right and true. It will not change. This country continues to remain One Nation Under God. May He protect us all from each other. I pray for the hate to end.

The Night of Terry's accident PLUS update

Dear Readers,

I'm sitting here exhausted, but too keyed up to sleep after the horror of this day. I think I just needed to write the events of the day down to put my mind at ease. So please forgive me because I might be pretty loopy after all I've been through. I still have not allowed myself to cry, there will be time for that later after things have gotten better.

Terry, the love of my life was nearly taken from me today by an inattentive driver and mother of two. She turned her SUV right in front of my husband who had the right of way and nearly killed him on his motorcycle. His injuries at first seemed amazingly small but as the evening wore on he showed signs of internal wounds. Initially he had several cuts that needed suturing and a broken wrist a concussion too. But he was wearing a helmet. The doctor had CT'd his head and back and neck and said all was clear. Whew! But he kept saying it was hard to breathe and his side hurt. I got really mad at that point! I demanded they CT his chest and gut before I left the hospital with him. The doc agreed and when the tests came back I was horrified. He had a broken breast bone, a lacerated spleen and a broken kidney (part had torn off) So, we were medivacked (sp?) to a triage unit at a renowned hospital 45 min. away. He was kept in that room for observation and evaluation and later taken up to the ICU where they will wake him every 2 hours and check his blood levels for internal bleeding and his concussion too. A surgeon is standing by if needed. He happens to be the best in the state. Another blessing!

I am so grateful for the people who were there when this happened! One of my Laurels was the first on the scene. She took care of him, comforted him and she called 911! I love her so much. Her mom was the one I could focus on as my legs could barely carry me to the horrible scene. I love you Tawnya. Thank you! you were more comfort than I can say. When I arrived they were cutting my husbands clothing off all the way to his garments in the middle of the street! I knew he must be alive or they wouldn't have bothered. I didn't even care. Who would. His garments protected him as much as his helmet did. I can testify of this fact. The Police and the paramedics said it was a miracle he was alive--that he must have guardian angels.

I am filled with gratitude for a Father who does hear and listen and answer our prayers. So many have been there to help me today. So many family and friends have lifted us in prayer and I am so thankful.

Now I need to know what to do about my missionaries. I need the MP's number for Los Angeles. If any of you can hunt down that number for me and kindly write to me and give it to me I would be so grateful. I'm a wreck. I need to allow them to pray for their dad. He is the kindest gentlest man I have ever known. He was more concerned for the woman who hit him than his own life when he came to his senses. He is why I am the person I am today. Today, I realized just how much I would lose if I lost the love of my life. My heart would go with him.

Please pray for the woman who is suffering tonight. They had to hospitalize her, she felt so bad and was so traumatized by the accident that they sedated her heavily. I only know this because she was down the hall from us crying so loud that I couldn't help but hear her. My son went to comfort her and tell her that Terry was going to live and to know we were worried about her too. She was still there after we left. My heart breaks for her too.

Terry may be out of work for several days, perhaps weeks. I have no idea how we will make ends meet now. Please pray for us all.

UPDATE:
Terry has improved since Saturday evening a great deal. He no longer needs surgery on his knee. He can sit in his chair right next to his bed. He still can't eat which is not good because he won't be released until he can. He needs surgery on his hand soon but his kidney and spleen must be stabilized before he can do so. His spirits are so good as always. Gotta love that man! He is amazing and we adore him. He is our rock. On the other hand our son Hunter is having a difficult time and is so tender hearted. Ryan has been my strength and has given us all blessings with Brother Herdclotz's help. Their family is amazing and has held us up in so many ways starting with their sweet Jessica who was one of the first on the scene and helped my husband when not a single soul would. She is our hero and we love her and will be her friends forevermore. She will never know how grateful we truly are because I just can't tell her enough. She continues to check on us. I will write her story of heroism soon and you will join me in applauding this 16 year old good for her courage and strength. It is simply a blessing. Angels who are our brothers and sisters here on earth and in heaven have attended us from moment to moment and our gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father knows no bounds.

Amidst all the turmoil a beacon of hope lit the way for us to hang onto. Our son Ryan received his mission call to the Everett Washington Mission! His mission will encompass my childhood home Whidbey Island! Simply amazing!

We were able to call our two sons in the mission field. My heart is so full this morning. I pray you all hug you loved ones tight today. Never take for granted that kiss goodbye. Never be afraid to express your great love for your spouse. I knew in those moments of horror that I never had taken my sweet Terry for granted. Had always told him I love you and we had shared an amazing life full of love for each other ever single day the last nearly 24 years. It is a very good feeling amidst all this turmoil.

Thank you for your prayers.

Love Valora

Quotes from Modern Day Prophets

I love to quote our Prophets of old and the present day Prophets as well. I hope you enjoy this post today and take the time to open up your scriptures to find answers to your daily problems and add light to your day. Have a wonderful day everyone!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Gordon B. Hinckley

"May I remind us . . . that if only each of us would reflect occasionally on that Christ-given mandate [Matthew 7:12] and make an effort to observe it, this would be a different world. There would be greater happiness in our homes; there would be kinder feelings among our associates; there would be much less of litigation and a greater effort to compose differences. There would be a new measure of love and appreciation and respect. "There would be more generous hearts, more thoughtful consideration and concern, and a greater desire to spread the gospel of peace and to advance the work of salvation among the children of men" (The Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 240). QUOTE OF THE DAY: Howard W. Hunter "James tells us that true religion is a devotion to God, demonstrated by love and compassion for fellowmen, coupled with unworldliness. Such a statement seems too simple to be sufficient, but in its simplicity it speaks an important truth. Restated, it may be said that true religion consists not only in refraining from evil (that is, remaining unspotted), but in deliberately and purposefully doing acts of kindness and service to others" (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p. 263). Oh! I almost forgot! Today might just be the day our son Ryan receives his mission call! I'll make sure at post an announcement for all to read, if in fact it is! Where do you think he'll be called to? Feel free to post your guess in the comment section. This will be fun! Valora,