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 !!

Facebook February

One week in February I decided to dedicate my Facebook status to my children.  I wanted to keep a record of what I wrote in my blog.  I am not sure why but each time I wrote the entries became longer, by the end I had my writers hat on and the words just typed themselves.  I love each of my children equally and sometimes there are not words that I can use to describe my love for them...so please do not judge my love for them by the length of my facebook post! 


First up is Audrey Gailey Forsberg. Audrey you are my first born and I still remember that overwhelming feeling of responsibility when they placed you in my arms for the first time. I admire your willingness to stand by your principles, you know what is best for you and are willing to sacrifice for what you desire.

As the oldest you have been a wonderful example to David, Laura and John. They have all looked up to you. I know that being the oldest is a big responsibility but you are equal to the task. I love to talk to you, laugh with you and cry with you at times! I even like to RUN with you! You have given me a precious grandson whom I love with all my heart! Audrey never forget who you are and what is important. I love you - always yours! MOM 

Day two is dedicated to my Son (in law) Toren Forsberg. Toren and I have a lot in common, we share the same birthday, we both do not like he color red and we both love the fact that he can tease Audrey! Toren is a closet Harry Potter want-to-be, and secretly can't wait to get his acceptance letter to Hogwarts! Toren is Audrey's best friend and I am okay with that - I like being second to a wonderful man! Toren is an amazing husband and father! Toren and Audrey make a great team and they are the team that is going to win it all in the end. 

Work has called Toren away from home many times the last few years which has been hard and stressful on the family - but he does what is asked of him so that he can provide for his family and I love and respect him for that. Toren is a true brother to David, John and Scott Sorensen - and for those reasons and so many other - I love you Toren and am grateful that you are my SON.  

Tuesday belongs to David E Gailey. David is also known to me as my SUNSHINE boy. When he was younger and a HANDFUL I had to always look for a positive spin on the things he did - so I would say that his job was to make me smile and laugh. David is a wonderful caring son,he is always wondering how I am "really" doing. He is a great listener - but then he is also a great communicator which when we are talking to each other can come in handy because be both multi task and listen and talk at the same time! It is a true talent. As I have watched David grow from a busy young boy, to a talented teenage, to a suit and cologne savvy young man to a honorable missionary, to a college graduate, to a loving husband and now to an amazing father I am impressed with his ability to adapt to change. To keep a positive outlook even when things appear to be going in the wrong direction. 

David is a hero in my life and someone that I can always count on. He keeps friendships and relationship alive and strong, especially with his sweetheart of a wife MandyGailey! I am grateful for his infectious smile - and he cracks me up when he just starts rapping about what ever he is doing at the moment. He is SUNSHINE to my soul and I love him.

Wednesdays Child....A poet once wrote .."Wednesdays child is full of woe.." and it is obvious that he had never met my daughter Mandy Gailey. For if he had the poem would read.."Wednesdays child is full of more..as in more love, more spirit and more energy then one small beautiful young mother and wife can possess! Mandy came into our family by choice and I am so glad that she did. If David is my sunshine then Mandy is my sunlight. When she walks into a room the room in an instant becomes brighter, warmer and just a little better! She has a way of making everyone in the room feel as if they are the most important person there. Mandy and David are a team - team "KELLAN", my little grandson! I want Mandy and everyone to know how proud I am of her. She had to be apart from David quite a number of times this past year and continued to be positive through it all! Mandy has a flair for fashion and I know I can count on her to let me never be a frumpy nana! (Mandy I am going to hold you to that!) 
The greatest thing that Mandy does is love my son and my grandson. There are so many things that I say about this beautiful woman - but I think that ..Wednesdays child is full of Moe - More of everything that is good and kind with a bit of curly hair and a smile that lights up any room! I love you Mandy!

Today is all about Laura Sorensen! I am not sure if the words that I type will fully describe Laura. We have a saying in our family...that secretly we all what to be like Laura when we grow up. Laura is the peacemaker in our family, she is the one that thinks of others and she always always tries to do the right thing - and she actually succeeds at it. Laura is the most creative one of the bunch - she is also a perfectionist so she spends a lot of time and energy making her projects amazing, from learning how to knit a lace scarf to putting together an ad campaign for JCP. She is just weird enough to want to learn how to write html - she bought a book about it- like i said a little weird. I had to tell Laura to stop doing her homework as it was already perfect and more then the teacher required. So you might call her an over achiever as well, but she is really good at that too! Laura has a child like faith in people and in her God. This faith is a part of her nature and it one of her greatest attributes. I think it is that part of her that each of us wants to be more like. I hope that the realities of the world will never change that quality - it is what makes Laura unique. 

Audrey and David were both settled when we left to live in Asia four years ago, Laura on the other hand had just graduated high school and a whole year earlier then she was supposed to and left for college when we left for Asia. I have always worried about her and wished that she could have a family close - and now she does. Last August she decided to become part of the Scott Sorensen family and I could be happier.

Laura has many nick names in our family - but the one I love the most is my Boo Bear or Boo for short. She has been my Boo for the past 22 years and no matter how old she gets she will always be my Boo! I Love you Boo Bear.
TGIF and Scott Sorensen is the Friday's child. Scott just appeared on Laura college doorstep one day while I was visiting her about 18 months ago. Little did I know that day that he would be part of our family. It was plain to see that he was "smitten" (hahaha) with Laura, but Laura was really not interested in him or anyone else! She was all about school, homework and sleep, usually in that order! Guys were okay if she got a free meal out of it - but Scott was different - Laura and I went to get something to eat and he followed with his brown paper bag of dinner he had already had. He sat down proudly with us at the sandwich shop and ate his meal. Over the next months they worked together at the university and then she was Thailand bound and thought that the friendship would end there. But lo and behold there is SKYPE and seeing Scotts face on the computer every morning (his night) became a daily occurrence. So one day I did the unthinkable and invited Scott to come for Christmas. What kind of mother does that - one that likes to see her daughter happy - well Scott came and became part of the family from then on. Early that year Scott had learned to scuba dive and that was probably the thing that sealed the deal, because to be in the gang you have to dive! 

One of the things that I love most about my son, Scott, besides the fact that he loves Laura. Is that he knows how special she is to our family and he knows that he is lucky to have found her. What I would like Scott to know is that Laura is lucky to have him. At the wedding Scott showed more love for his mom, Diane Sorensen then I had seen from a lot of young men in recent years and I knew that he would love and take care of Laura Sorensen her whole life! Scott is patient with Laura - she has a hard time making decisions (the perfectionist who wants to be right) and he waits for her to make up her mind with love and patience. Scott is willing to work hard and doesn't shy away from hard things or new experiences.  I am not sure why he keeps reminding us that he was born in Canada - is that something to be proud of - we try not to hold it against him! (LOL) Welcome into the Gailey Gang, Scott - I love you! "EH"

Saturday is a special day...It is finally John Gailey's Facebook Status day! He is the baby in the family - and yet he has done more and seen more in his short 17 years then all the other kids combined. It was not been easy to leave the comfort of home, friends and family and move to Asia when you are just beginning high school. Yet, John did it and made it look effortless - but I as his mother know how hard it was. John first attended and made new friends in Hong Kong but then after his freshman year we were moving again this time to Thailand. That is the life of an expat kid - move and start over. It makes it difficult to make friends and to feel a part of school when you are switching so much. John had a rough 4 months in Thailand and then he met his "Ausssie Soulmate", Stuart Buchan and they have been friends ever since. So much so that Stuart is now living with us to finish their senior year together.

John reminds me everyday that I am going to miss him next year ( and I will). His goal this year is to tease me until he is in college and even then I don't think it will stop. I am very fortunate to have had some incredible experiences with John. Not many young men consider their mom their "BEST" friend - but John does. We travel the globe together - he is the best travelling companion - all he needs is his computer, Ipod, headphones and a snack every once in awhile! John has taught me a lot about science, his favorite subject to talk about. Currently he is all about Physics, and when he took the ACT test he correctly answered all the questions in the science portion! What a NERD!

John has had his share of physical pain - with his hematoma on his right knee and then with the torn ACL on his left knee - but it doesn't seem to slow him down. This week for a school sponsored trip he was in New Zealand -surfing and hiking! I am very proud of how he has handled the physical set backs - especially when it came to not playing rugby. He is the best scuba diving buddy, and road trip partner that I could ask for!
John is loyal, to his family, friends and principles. It is a quality that I deeply admire. John has an extraordinary ability to make people feel comfortable - he is one of the most non-judgmental people I know. He respects his friends in making their decision if they will respect him with his. He values his ability to choose and make choice for himself - and I am happy to say that he tries hard to make the right choice - not something that all teenagers do when confronted with peer pressure. 

As Ron has been traveling 3 weeks out of each month, John has become the person that I can turn to for a hug or a kiss on the cheek when I am having a bad day. I love him for showing love to me at an age where it might be uncool to do so. (He kissed me on the cheek a few months back right in the middle of the cafeteria - that scored him big points with the teenage girls ) John still allows me to perform my "MOMMY" duties and tuck him bed at night - it is a highlight of my day. SO, thank you John for allowing me to be your mom and you are right I am going to miss you next year!
John, Johnny, JBG, JDawg and what ever else I call you, please know that I love you a "ZILLION" swedish fish!

Intentions Please

While studying my scriptures this past week I came across a word that has had me thinking all week.  Not a phrase, not a verse just one little word.  The word that I can't seem to get out of my head is "INTENT". 

The first thing I wrote down in my study journal was ...

What is my intent?  What is my motivation? What do I really want?

Since the original word was "intent" I looked it up in the dictionary.

Intent: the state of mind with which an act is done, a usually clearly formulated or planned intention.  Thank you Mr. Webster!

Now on to the part that caused me to think...I read a quote a while ago by Wayne Dryer, "Our intentions creates our reality"  I think what Dr. Dryer is saying is that our intentions shape the choices we make and the eventual outcome of what we choose.  Our intentions shape our personal vision, our beliefs, values, habits and in the end our actions.  There are two kinds of intentions, conscious and unconscious. I am focusing on conscious intentions - because I am the one thinking!!

Conscious intentions = choices of how to act = our intended outcome

I learn a valuable lesson long ago from a friend - "you own your words". If I want to own my outcome or reality I have to own my intentions, first by visualizing the intended reality or outcome then saying that vision out loud followed by writing it down.  I feel that by following these steps I would have a better chance of realizing and achieving my own personal dream,outcome, and I would be creating my reality.  To me it is very simple - if you don't like where you're reality is heading, change your intentions! 

I would be the first one to tell you that I have had an amazing 52 years in my reality.  I don't regret one moment - but then the thought came to me "could I have something better?"  Now since I already think I have a great life how can I vision anything better, I can't but God can.

So with that thought in my head I started to see if I could vision something better...even if I can see it clearly yet.

Ron and Heidi 1980

The first thing that came to my mind was my relationship with my husband and our marriage.  After 32 great years I have no complaints, but can I vision it better?  If I want a better relationship with Ron, what are my intentions!  What choices do I have?  How do I act in order to achieve the desired outcome?  

What if I apply the same principle to my relationships with my children, which by the way I think are fantastic, but could they be better?  Of course the answer is yes - then what do I intend to do about it?  What are the choices that will help me to attain my reality?

What if I did the same thing for others in my life?

What if I wanted a better understanding of my role as a daughter of God?  What am I doing to accomplish that desire?  What are my true intentions and actions?  Will they help me to attain that desired understanding?

Look were one little word took me this week.  I love to learn and I have a desire to make my reality the best that it can be - that means I will continue to ask questions, continue to improve and to make sure that  my intentions are going to take me to my dreams of something better.  The dream that God has visions for me.

If I want it, work for it and live it I can achieve it!