Family is what counts!

I am so thankful for my family, funny how you can be with some of your family and still wish that you had all of your family together. I always feel that way during any time there is a disaster or crisis. I always want to have us all together, for some reason I feel like we can handle anything if we are all together, too bad life doesn't work like that.
Still when something does happen to one of us it is nice to know that no matter where we are we all keep in touch and check and pray for each other. That's what family is for and we feel blessed. Actually,  that is exactly what our friends do too! Thanks for all your concern and support. So far the electricity was out only 6 or so hours and now it is on. We are trying to get everything washed and cleaned just in case the storm gets any worse.

"The family.  We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. " ~Erma Bombeck

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."  ~Jane Howard

Our prayers go out...

As I watched on the news of the devastating earthquake and tsunami, I was sadden. I couldn't even quite imagine what it would feel like to be in the midst of that kind of disaster. I am always grateful to see so many Humanitarian services step up to help immediately, without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients. Then there are many services that are part of a longer-term effort to meet the needs of these disaster victims. Although those jobs have got to be hard, it must also be very rewarding to know that you are helping and reaching out to serve a fellow brother or sister, in time of need.

I have heard people say "oh if only we could do something". Well, how grateful I am for the opportunity we have to give monetary donations but more important, is the fact that we can pray for these victims. Now maybe to some, that sounds old fashion... but I know personally that prayers matter. I am grateful to know that my Heavenly Father lives and that He hears and answers our prayers. I know when I was battling cancer ... both times, there were so many who prayed for me. Some of who were friend of a friend, they didn't even know me personally and yet they petitioned to God in my behalf, I was touched. I am grateful that there is something I can do for all those people in Japan, I can pray and that is what I will do.

Life is tough, it is a place where we learn and grow. Many of those tests we go through, are the greatest teachers in our lives. May we all take the time to stop whatever we are doing, and prayer for these dear people who have had their lives turned upside down (literally). Yes, we can do something and we really should.

Seattle Times March 11, 2011

"Access to our Creator through our Savior is surely one of the great privileges and blessings of our lives. I have learned from countless personal experiences that great is the power of prayer. No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place."   ~James E. Faust  July 2002

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way."  ~ Unknown

"Find a need and fill it."  ~Ruth Stafford Peale

"He who gives when he is asked has waited too long."  ~Sunshine Magazine

Service and gratitude

   My youngest brother Ty works for the Humanitarian Department for our church. He is an amazing man and one with great compassion, which makes him perfect for the job. He also is very well educated and speaks many languages.
   When he was a small boy, I used to have him help me with my homework ( that's sad...I know, but a girl has to do...what a girl has to do ). Never mind that he is 10 years younger than me! Shhhh...we don't want that to get around! :)
I have always looked up to him, even though he is younger. He is strong in his faith and lives exactly what he believes, you don't see that often enough, in today's world.
   He just recently went to Peru, for one of the humanitarian projects, and I asked him when he got back, if he would send me photos or information about what he did. Mainly so we as a family, could share in his experience. Here is the article that he sent me. It made me feel grateful for all my many blessings, plus it also touched my heart to see such amazingly strong and faithful people.

Service and gratitude fueled recovery in quake-weary Peru

By Jason Swensen
Published: Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010

PISCO, PERU

Church members in Pisco, Peru, and neighboring cities will tell you they've lived two distinct lives: before and then after Aug. 15, 2007. On that date a massive 8.0-magnitude quake devastated several cities in southern Peru, claiming hundreds of lives and thousands of homes.

Photo by Jason Swensen

Church Welfare Services worker Ty Johnson, far right, speaks with members Eduardo and Sonia Torres outside their new home in Chincha, Peru. The Torres' lost their 2-year-old daughter, Jessica, in the 2007 quake. Their home was also destroyed.

The quake remains a defining event for members here. They look back on the catastrophe with equal parts grief and gratitude. Grief for those who were lost. And gratitude for the many who enlisted faith, service, hard work, priesthood principles and Relief Society resourcefulness so others might endure and emerge, both physically and spiritually, from a monumental disaster.

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/60265/Service-and-gratitude-fueled-recovery-in-quake-weary-Peru.html

"There are two big forces at work, external and internal. We have very little control over external forces such as tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, disasters, illness and pain. What really matters is the internal force. How do I respond to those disasters? "  ~ Leo Buscaglia

"There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster"                  ~ Richard Bach

"Knowledge is going to make you stronger. Knowledge is going to let you control your life. Knowledge is going to give you the wisdom to teach their children. Knowledge is the thing that makes you smile in the face of disaster."  ~Avery Brooks

lessons from a rainy day

I found this story and loved it because I am a firm believer that just a note, a letter, a phone call or email can make all the difference in someone's day. This story is proof of that. So after reading this I pray that we will put forth more effort in doing the Little things that truly are the BIg thing!

August 26, 1999 is a day that many New Yorkers would probably like to forget. However, this New Yorker will always remember that day because that is the day that I learned what a powerful gift appreciation can truly be. On August 26, 1999, New York City experienced a torrential downpour. The relentless rain caused the streets to flood. New York City's subway system came to a screeching halt as the subway stations were inundated with water. Unfortunately, this happened during the morning rush hour. Many people who were going to work were stranded and forced to go home. Some battled with fellow New Yorkers to hail a cab or to get on a bus. Still others braved the storm, walking miles to get to work. I happened to be one of people on her way to work that morning. I went from subway line to subway line only to find that most service had stopped. After running around like crazy and making my way through crowds of people, I finally found a subway line that was operating. Unfortunately, there were so many people waiting to board the subway that I could not even get down the stairs to the platform. Undaunted and determined to get to work, I decided to take the train uptown several stops and then switch back to the downtown train. It was a hassle, but it paid off. However, the train got more packed at each stop. People pushed and shoved. I was constantly hit with elbows and bags. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the train reached my stop. But the journey was not over yet. I would still have to walk several blocks to get to my office. The rain had intensified, and no umbrella was enough to withstand the forces of Mother Nature. When I finally got to work, I was completely soaked and left a puddle of water everywhere I sat. I was also exhausted and discouraged from my commute. My coworkers and I spent most of the day drying off. When 5:00 rolled around, I was ready to go home. I was about to log off my computer when I received an email from Garth, my Deputy Director. I opened the email and found the following message: I would like to thank all those associates who made the effort and eventually reported to work. It is always reassuring, at times like these, when employees so clearly demonstrate their dedication to their jobs. Thank you. As you can see, Garth's email was short, but I learned more from that brief message than I ever did from a textbook. The email taught me that a few words of appreciation can make a big difference. The rainstorm and the transit troubles had made me miserable and weary. But Garth's words immediately invigorated me and put a smile back on my face. Garth's actions also made me realize that words of appreciation not only make you feel good but it also motivates and inspires you. After reading his email, I felt that coming to work that day was an accomplishment that I should be proud of. Suddenly getting drenched and the extremely long commute did not seem so bad. As a matter of fact, his email made the whole subway ordeal all worthwhile. Sometimes we are so wrapped up in our lives that we forget the magical power of appreciation. Garth had been caught in the rain like the rest of us. He had to tend to his responsibilities. He also had to cope with the numerous absences in the five areas that he manages. And he had to take on his boss' responsibilities, as she was unable to get to work. Yet, he still found time to send an email thanking his employees for their dedication and the extra effort they had made to get to work. Garth taught me that I should never be too busy to show people my appreciation and to acknowledge the positive things they do. This was the most valuable lesson that anyone could ever give me. And for that, I will always be grateful to Garth. August 26, 1999 may have been one of the darkest days in New York City history, but it was one of the brightest days in my life thanks to Garth.

"No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves."  ~ Amelia Earhart

 

"The truest greatness lies in being kind, the truest wisdom in a happy mind."  ~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"When you carry out acts of kindness you get a wonderful feeling inside. It is as though something inside your body responds and says, yes, this is how I ought to feel."  ~ Harold Kushner

Paid in full

Well, this story was too good to not pass it on. I think we often miss so many little gifts in life because we didn't recognize them. Yes, a lot like those miracles that I wrote about the other day. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this story as much as I did. Hopefully it will be a great reminder for each of us to be more thankful for the little things as well as the big things in our lives. Thanks for all your love and support... that is indeed a BIG thing in my life!

Touching life story.....
A young man was getting ready to graduate college. For
     many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's
     showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told
him that was all he wanted.
     As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited for
     signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the
morning  of his graduation his father called him into his private 
study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine
son, and  told him how much he loved him. He handed his son
a beautiful   wrapped gift box.

     Curious, but somewhat disappointed the young man
     opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible. Angrily,
he raised his voice at his father and said, "With all your money you
give  me  a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the holy
book.
     Many years passed and the young man was very successful in
business.
     He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his
     father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He
had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make
     arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had
     passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He
needed   to come home immediately and take care things.
When he arrived at  his father's house, sudden sadness and
regret filled his heart.
     He began to search his father's important papers and
     saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With
tears,  he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he
read those   words, a car key dropped from an envelope
taped behind the Bible.
It  had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the
sports  car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,
     and the words...PAID IN FULL.
     How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not
     packaged as we expected?

 

"There's no disaster that can't become a blessing, and no blessing that can't become a disaster."  ~ Richard Bach

"At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."                                                                                         ~Albert Schweitzer