5.25.2011

oprah's final words and tornados.

so yes, i watched the final oprah show.
and i may have teared up a little bit.

she's pretty inspiring, no?

k, so i didn't watch all 25 years
(i wasn't even alive for all the shows)

but i can say i learned a few things from her and i admire she's such a giving person.


i really loved what she said on her final show:

"What I knew for sure from this experience with you is that we are all called. Everybody has a calling...It lights you up and it lets you know that you are exactly where you're supposed to be, doing exactly what you're supposed to be doing. And that is what I want for all of you and hope that you will take from this show. To live from the heart of yourself. You have to make a living; I understand that. But you also have to know what sparks the light in you so that you, in your own way, can illuminate the world."

i love that.

and totally believe it.

oprah totally found that and smacked it right on the head, right?

i'm still unsure of what my "calling(s)" might be in this world, but i bet your bottom dollar that i'm going to find it and "live from the heart of myself."

*************************************************************

the storms that have ripped across the great plains have become much more of a reality in our lives.

as you know, my in laws are living in oklahoma city right now with their two youngest boys because they were called to serve as mission presidents of the oklahoma city mission.

all day tuesday they were on a tornado watch.

things were looking good and the storms weren't predicted to be close to where they live.

within a half hour, the storm had changed it's path and the sirens went off.

they were at the stake center with some missionaries and had to take cover in the girl's restroom.

meanwhile, they were texting us updates.

i think at one time, there were four tornados surrounding them, but after about a half hour or so they were safe.

the storm had moved on.  and i was so relieved because i really love my family!


k, no more tornados for at least two more years and two months.

while we never felt extremely concerned for their safety, i'll admit it was a tense half hour.

they were most definitely watched over and protected by our heavenly father, which i am so grateful.

the devastation has been heartbreaking.  my heart aches for those families.

and if you haven't seen these before and after pictures
you must do so now.


please pray for these people.
i will be.

3 comments:

Dawn said...

I"m actually from Joplin. I CANNOT stop thinking about all of my friends and family back home. It's killing me that I cannot be there with them. Our stake Center was also destroyed in the tornado, so all of my favorite memories (like seminary, meeting my husband) are gone.. or at least the places are gone.
at least my family and friends are safe and no one in the ward was killed! Heavenly Father was so good to us.

President and Sister Taylor said...

It is sobering to be in the path of one of those tornados. We definitely believe that God protected us and our missionaries. The storm came right at the stake center, lifted, hovered and moved on. Watching the swirling, black clouds before we took cover in the church bathroom was an eye opener. Huddling up with fifty elders in one bathroom was an adventure! Oklahoma is an awesome place--with weather like no where I have ever lived. It keeps you on your toes. We love it here--and it is heart breaking to see the devastation. But equally heart warming to see everyone pulling together to dig out.

Griffin and Gretchen said...

Oh I just loved the finale. So simple. I loved when she said everyone needs to be validated. So true. Oh Oprah...
Glad your family is safe!