Be Happy Anyway

Dear Family,

One more time I Just want to say thank you for all the prayers, letters, emails, and packages that went out on my behalf this past week. I so needed them. I don't have much to say this week other than- Heavenly Father has a way of working things out. And when nothing else is going your way, and no one else seems to hear you, he does. I know he does. He has a plan for all of us, and no one else can get in the way of that plan as long as our eyes are focused on him. I think more often than not we are all wishing we knew what in the world his plan for us was. There is a scripture that talks about being blessed only after the trial of our faith AND our patience. This part of learning is one that I am still trying to figure out. To know that even when it doesn't seem like anything is working out in my favor, that Heavenly Father is taking care of it...and so long as I am working hard and doing my best to do what I believe is right, that he will carry me through.

I miss you all, and I want you to know that I am doing well. I am so excited to get to California finally. My hope and faith are riding on getting the chance to teach and learn and grow there. I know that there is something I can do there. One more week.

Mom, my flight leaves at 8:35 am on the 19th, we are flying Delta. I am assuming that I will be able to call home between 6 and 7 am. Tell me what number to call to get a hold of you, or let me know what time you will be getting there. I'll check email on Thursday as well. Tell Dad to send me his phone number if he has one so that I can call him as well.

I found this poem a couple days ago...

ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable,
Illogical and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind,
People may accuse
You of selfish motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful,
You willl 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 serentiy 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 never was between you and them anyway.

-Mother Teresa-

Technical Difficulties

Sorry to those of you that have been following the blog. I know we left you without much information for the past 2 weeks.

I guess you could say that Mariesa has been experiencing some techinal difficulties. (an unexpected interuption in systems as usual)

Why is it that we always assume things will be easy? We are all learning that difficulties are as much a part of the process as anything else.

So, we apologize for the delay in information. Mariesa needed time to sort out her feelings. Since none of us are in her shoes, I felt time was one thing we could certainly offer.

For those of you who said extra prayers and waited patiently to hear her status, thank you!

Mariesa leaves tomorrow for San Jose. She is excited to meet the people and ready to continue the journey.

Her last couple of letters will follow this post.