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.
Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heart. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Monday, October 6, 2008
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
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
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"
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Published Author Spotlight!!!
I'm back in writing mode these days. It's a wonderful feeling to get towards the middle of my novel finally and share some of my hard work with all of you.
Recently I approached Rachel Ann Nunes about being spotlighted again on her website. I was thrilled to get her letter in response to my query. She said that she's going to use my first chapter of "The Lost Ones" in the next update of her website. I'm so excited!!! Just have to send off my bio and photo and then my first chapter will be there for all of you to read!
This first solo book of mine takes the reader on an adventure to the past to my ancestral home in Denmark. I hope you enjoy the story of two stowaways and their present day link; Maggie. Join her as she finds herself swept away on a wonderful adventure full of mystery and intrigue.
In a few days, follow this link to rachelannnunes.com and register. Tell them Valora sent you. Then go to the registered members section and read my chapter. Easy! Hope you'll all cheer me on as I write the rest of "The Lost Ones."
Rachel was the first to cheer me on to become a writer. I had shared my conversion story with her below, years ago. She insisted that I should share it with others--and I have. She also spotlighted some of my earliest works and it gave me courage to show others what I've written! Bless you Rachel!
Anita Stansfield, a dear friend of mine, encouraged me to follow my dreams to be a published writer after we first met. Meeting her was a dream come true. I was then able to thank her for her wonderful books that changed my life--giving me hope many times over. We are still friends to this day.
It meant a lot to have two such award winning writers in my corner telling me I could do this. They are amazing people whom I deeply respect.
There are so many people I hold dear who've encouraged me in my life. Dear family, friends, mentors and pen-pals in foreign lands. You all know how grateful I am and how much I love and admire you for your selflessness. Keep doing what you've done for me. There are so many other people out there who need you.
We can each have this kind of impact on a persons life. It might be one of your children, a co-worker or a friend who is looking for validation or encouragement. Take the time out of your busy day today to lift a heart. Who knows, they might go on to do important things because you were in the right place, at the right time to cheer them on. I know you can make a difference!
Recently I approached Rachel Ann Nunes about being spotlighted again on her website. I was thrilled to get her letter in response to my query. She said that she's going to use my first chapter of "The Lost Ones" in the next update of her website. I'm so excited!!! Just have to send off my bio and photo and then my first chapter will be there for all of you to read!
This first solo book of mine takes the reader on an adventure to the past to my ancestral home in Denmark. I hope you enjoy the story of two stowaways and their present day link; Maggie. Join her as she finds herself swept away on a wonderful adventure full of mystery and intrigue.
In a few days, follow this link to rachelannnunes.com and register. Tell them Valora sent you. Then go to the registered members section and read my chapter. Easy! Hope you'll all cheer me on as I write the rest of "The Lost Ones."
Rachel was the first to cheer me on to become a writer. I had shared my conversion story with her below, years ago. She insisted that I should share it with others--and I have. She also spotlighted some of my earliest works and it gave me courage to show others what I've written! Bless you Rachel!
Anita Stansfield, a dear friend of mine, encouraged me to follow my dreams to be a published writer after we first met. Meeting her was a dream come true. I was then able to thank her for her wonderful books that changed my life--giving me hope many times over. We are still friends to this day.
It meant a lot to have two such award winning writers in my corner telling me I could do this. They are amazing people whom I deeply respect.
There are so many people I hold dear who've encouraged me in my life. Dear family, friends, mentors and pen-pals in foreign lands. You all know how grateful I am and how much I love and admire you for your selflessness. Keep doing what you've done for me. There are so many other people out there who need you.
We can each have this kind of impact on a persons life. It might be one of your children, a co-worker or a friend who is looking for validation or encouragement. Take the time out of your busy day today to lift a heart. Who knows, they might go on to do important things because you were in the right place, at the right time to cheer them on. I know you can make a difference!
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