Ain't Life Grand?

I've been so busy! New clients, a new calling as the Relief Society Secretary and it's spring! What can I say, I love it when the deep snow gives way to green grass and freshly mowed lawns. I can hardly wait for the flowers to bud out and release their amazing fragrance! Then I 'll know it truly has arrived!

I often feel like a butterfly emerging from it's chrysalis . I'm shedding the weight that has weighed me down in body and in spirit. This new me takes some getting used to. I'm glad to be doing this with my sweet husband Terry. He has shed quite a few pounds too. Glad I'm secure in my relationship and in his love for me. He's been getting some double takes lately. If I were a jealous woman, this might be an issue. ha! But no, I'm not and I'm just so happy for him and for myself.

There is something wonderful about being able to hug your husband closer without the fat between you. It's not just a physical thing, which is nice by the way. It's more of a spiritual thing. As human beings, we need that closeness.

As we dance around the kitchen to the song my husband loves to sing to me--it takes me back to the first years of our marriage. Gone are the years of pain and suffering, they've melted away into the past where they belong.

I'm loving this return to the real me! I'm 95 lbs lighter and loving my life again because of HCG Docs Stimulus drops! I am also glad I'm a practitioner for this wonderful product. Helping others reach their weight loss goals is a blessing. I'm able to speak to women all over the world, just like myself, who have struggled with obesity and are now triumphing over their own personal adversity. It's amazing to be able to make a difference!

As you can imagine, my heart is healing on so many levels. Emotionally, I don't feel anxious about my weight or looking good, as I enter a crowded room. Instead I feel like myself again. I'm confident, freed from a bondage only someone who is overweight can understand. Gone is the fatigue, the restless nights of insomnia and the food cravings that used to control me with the ensuing depression left in it's wake. My spirit feels free again and it's the most amazing time of my life.

I'm learning to play again. I wonder what new adventures lay in store for us in the future....Oh yeah! A wedding in June and a Grandbaby in September! Ain't life grand? I'll be around for years to come. I'll be holding those sweet babes and chasing toddlers and watch my family grow. I'll travel and garden and do whatever else I wish to do in life. Perhaps I'll even get to go back to school and continue with my writing career.....Time will tell what Valora will do. I'm excited to know the future is now possible for living my life to it's fullest potential. What an amazing blessing!

If you want to try our wonderful HCG product that has an UPDATED diet plan with more balance and more calories and more protein than traditional HCG diets. Docs Stimulus Drops and our plan is for you. Write to me at valora.otis@gmail.com and I'll give you a call and explain our program in detail.

"Give Me The Strength to Hold On Just a Little Longer"

There is always someone who needs us in this world. Anytime I'm hurting I ask Heavenly Father to send me someone I can help, so I can stop feeling sorry for myself and lighten my own burden. Without fail, He always comes through for me.

I love how He works miracles in our lives! The key is to recognize the miracle and go with it when it happens. Or perhaps go one step further and act on that knowledge and bless someones life and your own, by helping them out.

As I've been reading all the articles about Haiti, I'm blessed by the stories of fortitude, service, faith and the inner strength of the members of the LDS church. How I wish I could hug a sweet sister named Charles Marie Murielle. Her words and description of the quake and destruction touched me deeply. Most of all, the way she described the spirit and how calming it was when others were screaming and crying, comforted me in my own personal battle with pain.

Her words, as quoted by Meridianmagazine.com were as follows, "Give me the strength to old on." I had the spirit whisper to me, in addition to that, to add another quote by a great man of God President Dieter F. Uchtdorf-- "Hold on a little longer". I put them together for the title of this article. It was magic to my ears as I read it out loud! The spirit comforted me and gave me strength to keep going today. The reason? Today was a painful day for me. Now my spirit is a little lighter and willing to keep going. I'm grateful for this little miracle today.

I wish I could hug that sweet sister I quoted, bring her into my home and share everything I have with her and her family. I would if it were possible. I pray she is safe, and can be a nurse like she wants to so badly one day. What a comfort she is and will be for so many. I feel it's true.

I pray for the Saints and all the good people of Haiti-- to heal and have shelter, food and clothing. I pray for the volunteers to have strength and to hold on a little longer when they want to lay their heads down and sleep from exhaustion.

Heavenly Father is well pleased, when His children help each other and give of themselves unselfishly.

Sister Murielle, I wish you knew that you made a difference in my life today for the better. I'll be praying for you and your country, in the years to come. May God bless you and keep you safe.


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After you read my blog entry, please go to the above link and read about our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Don't forget your Kleenex, you'll need it. Then read the following article talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. You won't be disappointed!

Call Upon the Lord in Your Family Circles

"Do not forget to call upon the Lord in your family circles, dedicating yourselves and all you have to God every day of you lives; and seek to do right, and cultivate the spirit of union and love, and peace and blessing of the Living God will be with us, and He will lead us in the paths of life; and we shall be sustained and upheld by all the holy angels and the ancient patriarchs and men of God, and the veil will become thinner between us and our God, and we will approach nearer to him, and our souls will magnify the Lord of hosts." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: John Taylor, p. 148-149).


Our family has been calling on the Lord so often the past month, and in the past few years it would seem. I think we've been learning to trust in the Lord even more fully, through the accident Terry was in . I was grateful to know how and that I had been praying more actively because of the mission experience our sons had been sharing with us all. To pray was the very first thing I thought of to do when I received the call from Tawnya saying he'd been hurt.

For our family it's been so natural to pray as a together, though I have to admit, it did take effort on our part . With varying schedules and levels of exhaustion with each individual it has not always been easy to do. We have made it a habit each morning and every night before we go to bed.

We do believe that a family that prays together, stays together. It was a blessing to have this in place when things got so difficult this month and we then were able laid our burdens at the Saviors feet without question. Relief has been a blessed outcome. Relief both spiritually and monitarily has come to us with such rich abundance. We are well cared for and all is well in the Otis household.

Our gratitude knows no bounds. As we kneel in prayer as a family and privately as individuals, we are filled with gratitude for our Savior and our Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost. Yes, as a Latter-day Saint I do believe that they are three separate and distinct individuals, but they are also one in purpose. I realize that modern day religious leaders have made many to believe this is not possible. If you are a scholar of the Bible, or not, pray before you read each day to know if what I say is true. You will know the truth of which I speak if you ask with pure intent-- wanting to know the truth. It is a promise in the Bible. James 1:5 says it all. I hope you'll look it up today.

An update on Terry: Terry is healing faster than I thought possible. He celebrated his 46th birthday yesterday! We took him to a local Mexican restaurant he likes. He wishes he was strong enough to return to work, but he still gets very tired and dizzy when he moves too fast. His arm still hurts and so do the backs of his legs. It hurts to sit very long and he can't drive great distances yet. Work is 45 minutes away. He is still hopeful that he can go back next week. Until then I'll be glad he's here at home and am taking good care of him. I've also been taking him to the chiropractor and soon to physical therapy. He has a full time job--one of healing.
Thank you all for your prayers on Terry's behalf. We have felt so loved and know your prayers are such a blessing.

Remember to pray for your loved ones today. Each day is a gift.

Polished Marble of the Highest Grade....

This week is one of the most informative times in my life. I have been to so many specialists and have had my eyes opened about my previous medical care. It has been a successful week. I now have the care I've needed for years, and doctors who don't give up until they have answers! This week I get a proper diagnosis--one I have waited for 15 years to hear. I am full of gratitude to both my Savior and intelligent men and women who are both compassionate and good listeners. I have never found all of these things in a doctor. Now I have.

Anyway, it was nice to spend so much time with my husband too. We spent three days together. Which with him working two jobs would have been an impossible feat. He really is a great guy and my very best friend. When I told him that I could have a friend go with me, he said, "Your well being is my responsibility and I need answers as much as you do Val." Often I'm reminded why I fell in love with him in the first place. This was one of those weeks.

I was amazed at the feeling we both shared as we walked into the Mayo Clinic. The entrance was polished marble of the finest grade. The ceilings were so high and as I looked around feeling overwhelmed a greeter came up to me and asked if it was my first visit to the Mayo Clinic. She was an older woman with soft white curls that framed her face and bright blue eyes that creased at the corners. Those eyes were filled with compassion as I told her that it was my first time as a patient. She grabbed me by the arm and led me gently to the front of the line and to a special desk for new patients.

I was greeted again by a younger woman who asked for my information and welcomed me. I was handed a packet of pages. Each page was filled with appointments for the next four days...

I turned the booklet over and there were several pages of explanations of tests I would be having. It was more information than I'd ever been given before to date. I had to smile to myself. I knew in those minutes that I was at the right place at the right time. I was going to see the right doc....finally!

When I arrived at my appointment, my doctor realized before I did that my family doctor had sent me to the wrong doctor! It was a kick in the gut to say the least. I almost panicked! But the kindly doctor with the Polish accent patted my hand and told me that I have beautiful veins and that I looked so much younger than I really was! Ha! He made my day! He also said that he was going to make sure that I received the care I needed that week and he would continue to be my head doctor and his assistant would organize every appointment personally. I trusted him immediately. It was a blessing indeed.

My whole stay at the Mayo last week was amazing and very revealing. The spirit of the place was a comfort and healing to both my body and my spirit.

Tomorrow I get my diagnosis for whatever ails me. Stay tuned for my good news! Bless you all for your prayers and good thoughts. I'm finally allowing myself to get excited about being well again. It's a great feeling!