I just got an e-mail from a girl I met on my mission, Krisha Kai. She and her family live on the North Shore of Oahu. As most of you know, there was a pretty big earthquake that hit Hawai'i yesterday. I've been thinking a lot last night and today about my mission and the people that I knew there. I am grateful to hear that the fatalities were few and the damage was minimal compared to what it could have been. I loved Krisha's e-mail and her take on the experience - here is a bit of it:
I was awake when it happened and I was actually grabbing a can opener by the front of my house. As I searched through the basket of utensils in our kitchen, the windows started shaking and the walls were swaying pretty viciously. I didn't know what was going on, and as soon as that happened, I turned and tried to hold up a wall cabinet, like if my house fell I'd be able to hold it up. But while bearing my testimony of this I realized something, that in a world of hardships, trials, tribulations, and turmoil, we must all attempt to hold up our houses. We must try our best to keep the peace and become the cornerstone of our own houses while the Savior is the cornerstone of our lives. I love the gospel so much and I am grateful for this natural disaster that has happened. I knew that without t.v, the computer, or playstation, my family would have been forced to talk to one another. When I got home from church my family was sitting around a small table playing Majong. I was so happy when I saw that. Then for about an hour and a half, Jurrell, Kaizen, Jalen, Jordan, Tatiana, and I were playing hide and seek in the house. It was one of the best days my family has had for a long time. I know that through our trials the Lord will bless us.
I love people that can look at something like that and see so much positive. There was a lot of destruction that came with that earthquake, but there was also some construction that took place.
Tyler and I were talking a little while back about tragedy and faith and being prepared for hardships. We were discussing how we might react if something terrible were to happen to us or to our family. My mom has brought me up to look at the brighter side of life and I am grateful for that. I personally haven't faced much tragedy on a large scale, but I have had to face some difficult things that have helped to mold and build my character. I hope that when life knocks me down (I'm talking about the big kind of knocks), it will be a refining, faith-affirming time for me. I am of the belief that just on the other side of exquisite pain is equally exquisite joy & peace.
Easy to say when I have a wonderful husband, a healthy and beautiful little boy, a new house, a husband who is employed which allows me to stay home and care for Max....I acknowledge that I am very blessed. I just hope that there is enough character in me to face adversity in a positive, building way. I don't think that means to ignore sorrow or grieving, but to embrace the peace that follows. If the lot of hardship falls to me, I hope there is enough in me to grow through it. I hope that I make some sweet lemonade!
