Monday, November 29, 2010

Helpful quotes

I thought I'd just write some quotes i've been given that have been helping me along. I'm ok as can be expected. I can't tell you how much i appreciate the love and support and I'm sorry if I can't get back as quickly as I'd like. I haven't got mail for a while and I hear it's piling up so it will take me awhile to get on top of things. I LOVE YOU ALL
"Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is only a horizon; and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." -Rossiter Worthington Raymond (that's a big name)
" To live in hearts we leave behnd is not to die." -Thomas Campbell
"Hope [through Jesus Christ] stands quietly with us at funerals. Our tears are just as wet, but not because of despair. Rather, they are tears of heightened appreciation evoked by poignant separation. Those tears of separation change, ere long, becoming tears of glorious anticipation." -Elder Maxwell
"Mourning is one of the deepest expressions of love. The Lord said, " thou shalt live together in love, insomuch that thou shalt weep for the loss of them that die"(D&C 42:45) The only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life." True to the faith
"People are often unreasonalbe, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulerior motives:

Be kind anyway.

If you are succussful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies:

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;

Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;

Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;

Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;

Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;

Give the world the best you have anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;

It was never between you and them anyway."

Mother Teresa

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Two Posts

I just posted Monicas Letter from this week along with a few pictures and the tribute she wrote for her mothers funeral last week. Monica Chose to continue serving in the mission field but was able to watch the funeral live via Skype.

not ok and ok

I'm learning everyday that I have to embrace whatever i'm feeling when I feel it. I cry everyday and I laugh everyday and that's ok. I am grateful for all the love and support. I got some gorgeous flowers from the davis park ward that sure make me think happy thoughts. The temple was lovely.. I didn't cry until I had to leave. I wish I could live there. My MTC companion is the traveling sister so i got to go spend a night with her which was really good. The made me a cake and they sang to me at the subway pick up place and we ate cake on the back of the car. I'm just wondering how to do this.. but i'll keep trying. I don't have much time left... this guy came and sat by me and talked to me for awhile.. he said i talked to him on the bus before and he was asking me questions... kinda strange. There are soo many interesting people here. I got kinda tired the other night and we were waiting for someone on the corner and i sat down on a bench and then this guy came and sat down and he was eating a frosty or something and he all the sudden was yelling COLD! COLD! COLD AS THE NORTH POLE! COLD AS A STONE! COLD! I held it together... I know how he feels sometimes i feel like just yelling it out but i never do.. well now in the morning my companion and I do just for a laugh. We've had some super crazy experiences this past week. I guess i tried eating some chocolate covered almonds someone gave me in my sleep last night because I woke up with A TON of chocolate all over me and my sheets, good thing it was laundry day! I have been given so much food. I loved the gift jen sent of the book of pictures and sweet things from you all. I can't stop showing it off... I love it. THanks for the scarf barb and shirts holly and pens and sticky notes and candy heatho. I sure am grateful. I just keep thinking about how sad all of this is but it's not the saddest thing. Covenants were kept, love abounds and our family is forever. Mom lives on in all of us and I'm so grateful for all she's done for me. I love the scriptures. I love you all. I miss you and pray for you.


Love Sister Savage

I really wanted to carve a pumpkin for halloween, and I found one at the church and they let me take it.. so I carved it for mom. and then these are my latest companions and me.

Monicas Tribute to Mom (Read at Laura's Funeral)

I don't have words to express any of my feelings. The disappointment and grief has been crushing. When I received the call that mom had passed away many thoughts came to my head that I had to wrestle with. I questioned If I had a lack of faith, or was unworthy of the miracle I wanted so much. Then I was flooded with these thoughts. My mom is the miracle. My 22 years with her as my mother was a miracle. Her Family is a miracle. She's no longer in pain, that's a miracle. All my precious memories are a miracle. The Atonement is a miracle. The Restoration is a miracle. So I still believe in miracles, I have been witness to many. I'm so grateful she's not hurting or scared. I attribute so much of me to my mom, my love for children, my love for all the beautiful simple things, and so much more. I love Alma 40:12 "And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow." That's all I've ever wanted for you mom, it is quite thrilling to think of you having it. The moments you would look at me like I was the most beautiful thing you had ever seen or praise me for a poem i had written like I was the most talented person you'd ever met have done so much for me.I know I'm not but I know you really believed it. You've always loved poetry and i wish I had the talent to express all that I want but this poem is for you my angel mother.

The day has come too soon for me
My angel mother I cannot see,
Time here seems so very long
but in my heart you are a song,
A song of love and warmth so pure
The kind of song that will endure,
That's why a missionary I chose to be
To sing that song you've sung to me,
Thank you for all you've taught
Something that could not be bought,
In this work I've had many tell me I'm wrong
but now more than ever I don't doubt the song,
Though in sorrow my head I bow
Because you're my angel mother now,
The truth is that's nothing new to me
My angel mother you've always been and will be.

It was a tender mercy to receive you're birthday card early mom. I love you and like you so much too. I'm honored to be your baby. I am so grateful that even though you had your hands more than full you added me to the beautiful picture of your life. I miss you so much but I'm so excited for forever. I know you are the busiest most beautiful angel up there and now you have no limits and can serve all you've want.. wow i bet you're happy. This has turned into a letter to my mom but i would like to thank all of you for all the love and support. I want you to know I know that God lives and that families are forever!

Monday, November 1, 2010

Hallelujah Anyhow

Music has been a big comfort this week. There is a sweet lady from trinidad here that we visit and she taught us this song this week. " Hallelujah anyhow, never never let your troubles get you down, when life's troubles come your way hold your head up high and say Hallelujah anyhow!" I'm far away but hallelujah my mom is alive, she can't talk but hallelujah she's my mom forever. I miss all of you but hallelujah you're there and your mine! Hallelujah we know the truth and have all the blessings of the temple! I get to go on the 11 and i just can't wait. It has been a long time but i look forward to the peace that is there. Sweet hour of prayer has been my favorite hymn this week. "Sweet hour of prayer that calls me from a world of care and bids me at my fathers throne make all my wants and wishes known, in seasons of distress and grief my soul has often found relief and oft escaped the tempters snare by the return sweet hour of prayer."I'm getting kicked off the computer but i love you all. I've really been so blessed and comforted and the work goes on and is great! I love you!                  Love me