japan.

March 18, 2011


After seeing this on a few of the blogs that I follow, I decided although it's a "bloggers day of silence," I had something I wanted to say on the subject of Japan.

One week ago, I woke up to missed phone calls and several text messages asking about one of my best friends* who is currently serving an LDS mission in Japan. Needless to say, I think I said about 17 prayers by the time I jumped out of bed and ran to the television to see what was going on.

Although I have since learned that my friend is safe and is far out of harms way, my heart aches for the many, many victims who are still hurting. Only a few weeks before the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, I remember watching the news after an earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand, and although my parents (who currently live on the North island in New Zealand) happened to be in Utah visiting at that time, I remember the overwhelming feeling: "What if?"

Years before that, my grandparents had been living in Thailand during the 2004 tsunami, and although I was only 14 at the time, I still remember the phone calls between my mother and her brothers and sisters, anxious to hear about their parents safety.

So much of what I see or hear about on the news is scary and unsettling -- but it is especially so when some of the people I love the most have been involved. And although I am incredibly grateful and blessed for the safety of my friends and family over the years, I was especially moved the other night as I watched an interview with an elderly man riding his bicycle around what was left of his home in Japan; when asked what he was doing, he told the cameras he was still looking for his wife and wasn't going to give up searching.

At times we may feel like there isn't much we can do, but I found this website helpful -- and especially for those of you who are bloggers (and even those who aren't) this particular website deemed helpful as well. Sometimes even the smallest amount can go a long way.


--


*read: love of my life.


photo found here

5 comments:

Brittany said...

Babe. You are a rockstar. And so right--your words affected me a lot. It's hard to feel helpless, but we're not really I guess.

p.s. Glad Max is okay!

Malerie said...

I woke up that friday morning to my sister calling me to tell me about it, her husband is in the Air Force serving in South Korea, and her best friend's family is stationed with the Air Force in Japan. The first thing I thought about though was Max, and then you. I prayed and prayed and prayed for you both, and when I heard he was okay, I knew you were too. The Lord blesses those who serve him.

p.s. I'm glad your parents were here during the NZ earthquake. I couldn't even imagine how that would feel not knowing about your parents safety.

Emily Meyerhoffer said...

You're so sweet! I love love love your blog too. So much!!

When does this love of your life get home? I'm so glad he's ok!

Mandy said...

I was worried about Max! I am so glad he is doing okay.

Kelsie said...

@Malerie - Malerie! Your comment was so sweet, I haven't heard from you in forever. Thank you for being so thoughtful and kind. I am very happy Max is okay too, and grateful to hear he is in the prayers of all his friends :) PS. I hope married life has been fabulous for you so far!! We're all "so old" now it makes me sick to think about how fast time has gone by!

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