An Attitude of Gratitude and Thanksgiving!

The first time I ever payed attention to the word "Gratitude" it came from the lips of a sweet 4 year old little girl during a sacrament talk in church. Her name was Rebecca--Becca was her nickname. Her mama stood at her side as she gave a very thought provoking talk beyond her years. I was a newer convert to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The words she said that day, and the way she pronounced gra-TI-tude, inspired me to have gratitude in my heart for many years to come.

I often revisit that moment in my minds eye. It was a turning point for me as a young mother. Isn't it amazing how that happens to each of us as gospel truth resonate in our own individual souls at differing times in our lives?

I'm grateful today, knowing that I'm healthy again. Moving to the farm has strengthened me so much--in body and in spirit! I have hard earned muscles now that I've not felt in years. I have a new-found inner peace that is so comforting. I've turned my resolve as endured chronic pain-- into action many times over. I'm able to help my neighbor do hard things that I thought never possible in my lifetime. I still have many weaknesses that I'm striving to overcome as a child of God is meant to do. I'm by no means perfect, but I'm reaching further and trying harder to attain personal and spiritual goals.

Two years ago I was sick and over a hundred pounds overweight. My liver was sick, my heart enlarged and failing with the edema I had. I could feel myself slowly dyeing once again. An all too familiar feeling. Then a dear friend told me about a weight loss plan that worked and the action of just doing it and praying hard, saved my life. Now I have a job from home, helping others do exactly what I did for myself! I talk to people who feel what I have felt during my struggle with obesity. My life now is now a huge contrast to that struggle I once had in simply trying to exist and to care for my family. 

 My life is forever changed! As I walk a couple miles a day around our beautiful alfalfa field with my dog friend Koda, I revel in the freedom from bondage I do feel. I even run from time to time as I wish. I enjoy hearing an occasional crow of a pheasant, my rooster crowing behind me as I walk. My mind is clear as I hear a cow bellowing for her calf next door. The wind in the blue spruce and the leaves tumbling beneath them catches my eye. All simple things I missed, or forgotten during my struggle to hang on. It's almost as if I'd been given a new pair of glasses! Instead of seeing a fuzzy green carpet, I can see each individual blade of grass! There is so much we miss when we are in pain or struggling.

One thing has never changed through my fight to regain what I'd lost, I still live each and every day as if it were my last. I never take being able to stay here on earth for granted. I always keep in mind, that I can do more than I think I can as well. I forgive those who say hurtful things or have no idea what is really in my heart. I try very hard to be kind every day. I ask Father for people to serve and to be able to alleviate suffering whenever I can. These are  only a few things that are important to me and deeply healing. 

I hope you pray hard for the righteous desires of your heart daily. Know that every prayer IS heard by our loving Father in Heaven! If you don't believe this to be true, pray for the knowledge that it IS true! It will get you through some really hard things in life. 

This morning, as I realized, that if I was needed, I too could dawn a yellow jersey on that says Mormon Helping Hands-- is the realization that I have truly arrived and am really healthy! I can help now where there is a need. I can't tell you how my heart has swelled today as I watched the video I posted from New York. It inspires us to do more for our neighbors, our friends and our families and our nations. I'm pleased that our four sons decided to go out into the world as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a blessing to be a mom of four missionary sons. They are my example and I love them dearly.

Here's the link I mentioned! Enjoy! http://vimeo.com/53357089

I challenge you to pray for service today in your part of the world. Then act on those promptings. Lets see what unfolds. It matters not if you are wheel chair bound, bed bound or healthy! You can do hard things and you can help others with your words, your actions and your deeds! The more you help others, the less your burdens will feel. I promise that as time goes by and you help others more and more, your burdens will be lightened, your spirit will soar and your heart will be filled to overflowing.

I'm grateful for my friend here, who didn't give up on me. It took six months for her to get through to me about the Docs Stimulus Drops plan that saved my life. How she must have prayed for me and how grateful I am today...  I'm alive today, and a testament of what service can do for one person. 

May we all be a blessing in someones life today. Now, go pray for service opportunities! I know you're gonna love your life even more for your sacrifice. (((HUGS)))

Elder Jason E. Otis is coming home!

Today will be another one of those memorable blips in time for our family. Elder Jason Edward Otis is coming home from Los Angeles tonight! He's been serving a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for two full years.

As a family we have seen amazing personal growth in Elder Otis. He has become a spiritual giant of sorts. He's gained personal self esteem in many areas of his life including his gift as an accomplished singer. We always knew he had it in him to be amazing! It's nice to know we were all so right!

In the previous months, Elder Otis has been a zone leader and has done a very good job from what I hear. He is on top of the world and has loved every minute of his mission. He loves the Lord dearly and takes each day in stride.

His letters home have been filled with joy, fun and a depth we love to hear in his written voice. He has found his gift for writing and has begun putting his pen to paper while writing a book. I have to say that makes me a very proud mom!

The thing I've heard the most from people who write to me across the miles-- is that he makes people weep as they listen to him sing. He has such a pure voice and such a spiritual depth to his presence, that it is a joy to listen to in a congregation. Personally I think his testimony of Jesus Christ rings true through his music. I feel this fact to be true. I can hardly wait to hear it myself very soon.

As we've written back and forth through the past two years, I've gotten to know my son a lot better. I have come to respect him and love him a great deal more. Gone are the childish antics of days past. He has matured and become a giant among men. It's a blessing to hear from perfect strangers about the good he has accomplished.

I have laughed right out loud when I've read his letters. His playful banter and description of the moment when he was being persecuted by one homeless man and defended by another after Prop 8 was passed-- will make for great reading for years to come. His new found spiritual maturity will serve him well in the years to come.

Gosh I can hardly wait for the plane to land tonight at 9:07pm! We will be the rowdy, expectant family, smiling from ear to ear-- while waiting at the base of the escalator for the first peek at our return missionary. My heart jumps at the thought and I know that many others are feeling the same way today.

They do come home. I'm so grateful! We all love him so much.

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

My Gratitude For the St. Paul Minnesota Temple

Dear Friends,

I was filled with gratitude today as I stood viewing the fire damage to our St. Paul Temple. Gratitude, because at 3am Wednesday morning a passerby saw the fire engulfing the entry of the temple-- and called the fire department or 911 for help.

I was told today that when the fire department arrived, the fire was already out pretty much on it's own. Or was there Heavenly intervention? We'll never know. Though it blackened the entry and especially the left part of the doorway where the incendiary device landed--it had no real fuel to keep it going. If the device had been thrown on the rooftop, it would have been a disaster I was told.

I looked at the stained-glass panels to the left of the doors, the storm coverings had been removed. White caulking filled in the small gaps where the glass had broken. The smoke had entered the building through those beautifully crafted, broken panes and filled up the entry way between the outside and inside doors. The smoke had also gone into the waiting room and coat closet there to the right.

The temple worker said that the firemen knew of the sacredness of our temple and had not entered through the second set of doors out of respect. I again felt the same swelling of gratitude flow through me as I realized the double blessing that had occurred this week. Respect of our community has been hard earned and now a blessing. We were able to have the temple doors open right after this incident and now we continue to be blessed by the work that is being done. What a way to show the world our strong belief in Temple work and our testimony as members of the LDS Church.

The marble around the Temple doors may be blackened, a terrible person wanted to do it harm. But even the marble will be good as new soon, as it's sanded and polished this week. The stain-glass replaced as well....As I thought hard about all that transpired this week while in the celestial room, I did see the silver lining in this situation.... The temple was full to overflowing today. They had to bring in three rows of extra chairs!

Perhaps, this was a wake up call for all of us here in MN, to renew our dedication to do the sacred work our Father in Heaven has asked us to do. Our hopes were renewed today as our gratitude and thanksgiving filled the temple rooms and filled my heart and the hearts of so many there. It was a palpable feeling for many of us who attended. The prayer today was a reflection of much of the same as I sat in this Holy place.

I am truly glad to be a member of this church! The temple is the closest place to heaven on earth and I am so happy we have the privilege of having a house of the Lord here in Minnesota.

I am thankful no more damage was done and that the four people who were endowed today in our session, were able to do so and be surrounded by so many loved ones. Every time I do the work for our kindred dead, I think of the reunion we'll have one day and there aren't words to describe the joy I feel. How they must feel it even more than I.

Gratitude Inspires Happiness

I'll never forget hearing a talk given by a very well spoken three year old. She was a tiny little thing with big brown eyes. She stood on a stool in sacrament meeting, with her mom at her side and told us the true meaning of gratitude. As she pronounced the word, the consonant-- letter T was emphasized. It was not only an adorable talk, but it was memorable due to the content. It was also not just a memorized speech, you could feel the spirit with each sentence this precious little girl spoke. Her eye contact was penetrating and her voice filled with conviction. By the end of the talk, all of us felt gratitude in our hearts for our Savior, Jesus Christ and our loved ones. It was an amazing moment in time for our congregation.

Bonnie D. Parkin, once said, "When we communicate gratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connected to those around us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and carries divine
influence." I have found these words to be so true in my own life. I have often been inspired to be kinder, gentler and more appreciative as I show gratitude towards those around me. The spirit fills me many times over as I put this into action. Just by being grateful I change not only my demeanor, but the people who surround me begin to communicate better and pass on what they have learned as well.

Now, as I hear the word gratitude I'm filled with familiar spiritual feelings. I have become spiritually aware due to the influence of the spirit I had once so many years ago.

I've found that gratitude is a spirit-filled word. Once aware of this your heart fills quickly with the knowledge of its blessings. I can now find Gods love in the smallest things.

Today as I was fishing with my son, I watched the lake who's surface was covered with two feet of ice a month ago--now had given way to a late spring thaw. The fish were eager to bite our bait and we enjoyed the blessings of nature and spending time as mother and son.

I saw a musk rat swim back and forth gathering nesting materials for his new family home. Red winged black birds, were doing their mating dance oblivious to all who watched. The far edge of the lake shimmered with ice crystals as the seagulls swept in to pick up dead fish littering the surf. Life was happening all around us as we felt the gentle cast of a worm and heard the subsequent plop of a bobber hitting the surface. The ripples multiplied tenfold on the glassy surface--then all was still.

If we can all cause ripples to flow out from ourselves in positive ways-- filled with gratitude for our blessings, those ripples will be long lasting in many peoples lives.

I'm so grateful for the rich blessings in my own personal life. I know that each of you must feel some amount of gratitude for your own blessings or for people in your lives whom you love. Try telling them how grateful you are for them today. I bet your words will mean so much to them as they think about what meant the most to them about their day.

If a brown eyed three year old standing on a stool, can speak to a single congregation and make a difference, you can share your gratitude and inspire happiness in other peoples lives too.

"Sticky Kisses on my Cheeks"

The following quote was sent to me from a dear friend. I love it! This is exactly how I have been striving to be my whole adult life. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. I know that both Sister and President Hinckley felt such joy as they passed those pearly gates. They really lived and we loved them both so dearly.

“I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

Marjorie Pay Hinckley

My most cherished memories are of my children's sticky, sloppy kisses. Pudgy fingers full of freshly gathered chicken eggs are up there right with them. Memories of my son finally finding cherubic three year old freedom, as he shed a trail of clothes to the wading pool full of mud, still brings happy tears to my eyes. A five year old deciding to close his eyes to ride his bike and being clotheslined by our neighbors mailbox also makes us all laugh, the pain and worry shed years ago. All of these things are memories that will last. The boys remember and cherish their memories with me as well.

One of their fondest memories and mine are when we helped a sister take care of her todler twins. Those little girls melted all of our hearts and actually talked my son out of his ice cream one day. They stood before him like baby birds saying, "Some, Some, Some." Getting a spoonful of ice cream with each word. We helped them pack and clean and clean again. We planted a flower garden, then watched as they moved away, leaving us heartbroken because we had come to love them dearly through service. We have never forgotten that summer.

Our kids still remember helping so many people move in and out of our towns. It was hard sometimes. Family work was important to us all though and drew us nearer to each other and the people we served in our community. My husband and I had no idea that we were passing along a family tradition at the time. I now know that our sons will do the same with their families too.

I'm so glad I listened to the spirit and to my own heart as I chose to stay home with my little ones. It wasn't a popular decision at the time and know full well that it isn't for everyone. Most of my friends worked outside of the home. I even watched their children for them-- some I loved like they were my own.

I pray we can all be just like our precious sister who has already passed through those pearly gates and give of ourselves, especially when we are sad, lonely or worried. It has an unburdening effect on our spirits too. When we give of ourselves when our neighbors, our families or a stranger is in need--the blessings flow through our lives.

I love the inspiration behind the quote above. I too want the Lord to know that I was really here and that I really lived life to it's fullest and gave of myself the best that I possibly could.