Worth It

John and I left Thailand on Friday afternoon December 28th and arrived in Seattle on January 28th at 6:30 pm.  The flight takes about 20 hours and we go back a day.  Jet Lag is inevitable - John's hits him hard the first week and I seem to adjust but then it kicks in the second week.  It just so happens the second week was the week that I dropped of John for is first semester of collage - now that was emotion filled for me. And I am running on little sleep! 
In order to get him to college I had to take a flight from Seattle to SLC then drive up to Rexburg.  Due to the storm in the Northeast my flight was changed, delayed and almost cancelled out of Seattle.  Arrival time at the Sea-Tac airport was 8:30 AM - departing time for SLC airport  was 9:45 PM.  Eleven hours in the airport for my 2.5 hour flight - then in the morning a 4 hour drive to Rexburg where I had to help John unpack and set up his college room - then say goodbyes and return to SLC to take a flight to Las Vegas.  I thought I was in the clear - but then my flight to Las Vegas was changed and delayed - nearly 6 hours!  I was traveling with some bad JUJU!  I was emotionally drained, physically tired and was developing an aversion to Airport waiting areas....

But finally it was all worth it....

Nana and Austin ...Movie TIme

Launching

The day has come...I am not sure that I am very excited about it, and I am not sure that my eyes will not leak tears as I drive away - but today is the day that I launch John!  He is starting BYU- Idaho on Monday and so I will be living without my constant companion of the last four years.  John and I have had many experiences, from diving in Malaysia together to driving 8000 miles across the United States! 

I will miss my "Baby" - although I can hardly call him a baby at 6' tall and 210 pounds!  

The Launching Party

Love Letters

One of my "favorite things" is receiving hand written letters.  I have save almost all of the letters I have ever received.  Some of mine date back to when I was in high school, some are from former students and some are just short and sweet words of appreciation. Over the years I have been lucky enough to receive a few  love letters from my husband, Ron. 

I think that everyone deserves to receive at least one love letter, so if you haven't written to someone you love - get your pen and some paper and get writing! A hand written note or message means more then the paper that they are written on - it shows that you truly care, that you took the time to express yourself and that the person that you are writing to matters.  In this fast paced world take a moment to hand write a LOVE letter, or even a letter of appreciation or gratitude.  Go ahead make someones day!

Here is the one I received for my Birthday a few months ago.  I was in the US visiting our children and Ron was back in our home in Thailand. 

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

Dear Heidi.

Here it is, September 3^rd, and we are far apart.  I can only wish you a Happy Birthday with a letter and a call (or Skype). 

It seems forever since I’ve held you.  Far too long.  And I so look forward to your return.  I do OK alone and I can care for myself, but it’s not the same when you’re not here.  It releases my boring side and I just work or take care of obligations.  But, there is no laughter and there is limited conversation. 

Having this time alone gives me a chance to consider how much you add to my life.  You bring fun.  You bring happiness.  You bring new ideas, new experiences, and a freshness to life that I love.  It’s been that way for the past 33 years.  There is always something new and interesting with you.  It has blessed my life. 

And so, on this, your 53^rd birthday, I want to thank you for the gifts you have brought into my life.  

Thank you for the gift of friendship for the gift of fun and for the gift of love.  

Thank you for being a spiritual equal and sometimes superior companion and for elevating me and making me want to be better. 

And thank you for being the perfect mother for our children.  They are who they are because you are who you are. 

I look forward to the next 33 years to come, and the eternity which follows. 

I love you immensely.

RON

Letter to My Children

My dearest children,

As I sit in the airport waiting for my flight back to Bangkok, I am reflecting on the last three months.  I want to thank each of your for your willingness to house me, feed me and let me invite your individual domains.  As I went about visiting each of you I was impressed with the love and spirit that filled your homes.  

Audrey and Toren, you are wonderful partners - I love how you do everything together.   I see both of your strengthens and marvel how the Lord knew what each of you needed to grow closer to Him and to help you each reach your potential.  Austin is blessed to have you as parents and you are blessed to have him as a son.  He is a wonderful little man and with your love and guidance he will grow into a faithful priesthood holder ready to do the Lords work.  Audrey as my first born you have been an example to your younger siblings and I could not have asked for a better first child.  Thank you for all your help and friendship over the past few years.  You are one amazing woman and I love you deeply.  Toren you are perfect for Audrey!

David and Mandy, I am so proud of both of you.  You have had a rough eighteen months and yet have come out having grown, learned and survived through trial that most would have faltered in. You are creating a home for Kellan that is filled with love, patience, memories, education and mostly the teaching of the Lords church.  As you pray will Kellan he will know of your testimonies and of your love for the Savior and for him.  You both are a support to your small branch and as you continue serving in your callings you will see blessing that come to those that put the Lord first in their lives.  David, you call yourself my favorite -and you a re right you are my favorite David!  My sunshine boy has grown into an amazing husband, father and servant of the Lord and as your mother I could not help but feel blessed to have you a my son.  Mandy you are truly my daughter, and I love you!

Laura and Scott Dallas seems to suit you both.  You have had an interesting first year of marriage and I am sure that you have learned a lot about what it means to  love another person with all your heart.  I am sure too that you are learning about forgiveness, it is a must in every marriage, and you both are learning what it takes to run a home and create a family.  Laura you are my "Boo" and always will be.  You have been easy to parent and easy to love.  My life was blessed the day they put you in my arms and you have been a blessing of peace to me ever since.  Scott I know that you love Laura and I know that you will always take care of her. Thank you for providing her with another family to call her own.

John, now the tears are coming, You will never know how much you mean to me until you have a child of your own.  I have depended on you the last four years and even though we have had our up and downs, and some really hard times, you have always been there for me and I will never be able to thank you enough.  As you start out on your adult life I marvel and how far you have come from that little boy who had his first baseball game at "Lake Grove" (LOL)  John, you have so much potential and so much to give the world.  Never doubt yourself, your testimony or my love for you.  John you make me proud to be a mom.

Leaving to go back to Thailand is very hard for me but it is where the Lord still wants us to be so I will be obediant even though my heart is torn between two countries and a big ocean in-between!  It is my love for my Father in Heaven and His son that make it possible for me to be so far from each of you.  My house might be in Thailand but my home and heart is with each of you.  

Be happy, remember show love to one another , keep in contact with each other and go to the temple as often as you can if you do these things your lives will be blessed in so many ways and I will be able to feel your love.

Remember I love each of you dearly…

Always, Mom

Seasons

The seasons change throughout the year just as do the seasons of our lives.   

Today I am sitting in my husband’s childhood home in Salt Lake City, Utah watching and waiting for the season of life to come to a close for his mother.  It was just 11 months ago that I was flying from Thailand to Seattle to attend my own father’s funeral as his earthly season came to a close.  As I pondered the different seasons of our lives it makes me wonder if I have learned to truly enjoy, love and respect each one.  When the life season of someone we love comes to a close it gives us time to pause and reflect upon our individual morality. 

I was speaking with a friend at lunch last week, she too is a cancer survivor, and we were discussing how cancer changed our views of living life and preparing for death. I came to realize that in reality I was not truly living life to the fullest prior to having cancer.  I was merely breathing while running to get the next thing done on my extensive "To Do" list and just trying to survive the daily grind while hoping to enjoy a few moments of happiness along the way.  After cancer I became more content with life. I am joyful and happy. I take each day at a time and reflect on my daily blessings. I try to live each day to the fullest. I have learned to let most of the everyday tedious and worrisome stuff roll off my back. I am learning new things. I rejoice in future trials - because they will cause me to grow.  I love my family, my friends and myself so much more and relish my personal relationships.  This season of life has been good to me in many ways.

My thoughts then changed as I held my mother-in-law’s hand in mine. I could see the seasons of change - her hands.  They were cold, withered and small; while mine were warm, young and strong.  Her hands were hands of service to family and friends - can my hands withstand the changing of the seasons?  Will they continue to serve others until they become cold and tired?  It is my prayer that as I move forward and as the seasons change around me that I will continue to be happy, be joyful and be of service until my season comes to a close.

Mothers Day EVERYDAY

Mothers Day for me is EVERYDAY!  I have been blessed with four amazing children who call me:
Mother, Mom, Mommy, Mum, Mumzy, Momma-lama and most days they just call me "HEY"  But I am okay with what ever they call me as long as they call me!

Even though I live 7,438 miles away from Audrey, 8, 692 miles away from David and a whooping 9,006 miles away from Laura I get to talk, chat, message, Skype with them almost on a daily basis.

This Mothers day is bitter sweet - it is the last Mothers day that John will be with me for at least three years.  So I wanted to make it count!

John hates photos almost as much has he hates me taking him on what he calls "Culture" vacations.  Like going to see the Great Wall is such an inconvenience!

He is the baby - got to love him!

Loyalty Lesson Learned

As I was sitting in church today I was pondering upon the word loyalty.  What is loyalty?  Am I loyal to the Lord, to my husband and to my family?  These thoughts were rushing through my mind as I sat quietly on the pew, reflecting.

Loyalty: A feeling or attitude of devoted attachment and affection, a feeling of faithfulness or allegiance.

Loyalty to The Lord

While pondering I was reminded of an article that I read not to long ago entitled “The First Great Commandment” written by Jeffery R. Holland. 

In the article he writes about the experience of Christ disciples after His death on the Sea of Galilee..

“Jesus said to His senior Apostle, “Peter, do you love me more than you love all this?” Peter said, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” The Savior responds to that reply but continues to look into the eyes of His disciple and says again, “Peter, do you love me?” Undoubtedly confused a bit by the repetition of the question, the great fisherman answers a second time, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.” The Savior again gives a brief response, but with relentless scrutiny He asks for the third time, “Peter, do you love me?” By now surely Peter is feeling truly uncomfortable. Perhaps there is in his heart the memory of only a few days earlier when he had been asked another question three times and he had answered equally emphatically—but in the negative. Or perhaps he began to wonder if he misunderstood the Master Teacher’s question. Or perhaps he was searching his heart; seeking honest confirmation of the answer he had given so readily, almost automatically. Whatever his feelings, Peter said for the third time, “Lord, … thou knowest that I love thee.”

To which Jesus responded (and here again I acknowledge my non-scriptural elaboration), perhaps saying something like: “Then Peter, why are you here? Why are we back on this same shore, by these same nets, having this same conversation? Wasn’t it obvious then and isn’t it obvious now that if I want fish, I can get fish? What I need, Peter, are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter, for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally until the day in which they will do to you exactly what they did to me.”

 “I am not certain just what our experience will be on Judgment Day, but I will be very surprised if at some point in that conversation, God does not ask us exactly what Christ Peter: “Did you love me?” I think He will want to know if in our very mortal, very inadequate, and sometimes childish grasp of things, did we at least understand one commandment, the first and greatest commandment of them all—“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind.” And if at such a moment we can stammer out, “Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee,” then He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty.”

The Lord demands and expects our loyalty, not just on Sunday but every day.  What does it mean to be a Christian?  What does it mean to be loyal to Him?

It means to be like Christ, love Christ – be loyal to Him and His teachings.  Standing for truth and righteousness everyday even in the face of opposition.

I am a Christian and I love the Lord and I will always be loyal to Him that has given me life.

Loyalty to my husband and family:

I have learned over the last few years that loyalty to your spouse and family requires work…sometimes that work is exhausting, time consuming and never ending. 

If I use a synonym for the word loyalty I might use fidelity, which implies the unfailing fulfillment of one's duties and obligations and strict adherence to vows or promises.

As a wife and mother I feel an obligation to fulfill my duties whether or not I am thanked, rewarded, or acknowledged for accomplishing all that lies before me.  At times I feel like I am a heart surgeon, psychologist, professor, referee, chef, maid, activities coordinator, executive assistant and attitude adjuster! That requires planning and work…but I have come to believe in the words of Woodrow Wilson, “Loyalty means nothing unless it has at its heart the absolute principle of self-sacrifice.”  

Being a GOOD wife and mother means that you live the principle of self-sacrifice.  It means living a Christ like life.  It is the giving of your self so others might enjoy life and be happy.  The lesson that I have learned is that by being loyal and giving of myself I am the one that has learned to love life.  I am the one that receives the blessing of peace and Joy. 

I am a wife and mother and I love my family.  I will always be loyal to those that enrich my life.  It is hard work and yet the rewards and blessing are so great.

Loyalty Lesson Learned !!