I had a pretty rocking Mother's day. It started off with breakfast in bed and a really awesome balloon. Nathan and Emma got it for me when they were out saturday night getting dinner supplies. They were both dressed in camouflage and wondered if they looked racist buying this balloon that is in Spanish. They thought it would be fun to mix things up a bit and that the sentiment sounded more eloquent in Spanish rather than English. I thought it was pretty funny.
Next I was treated to a run through of Ethan's talk. Nate was cracking me up because he was pretty much reading it along with Ethan and making all sorts of funny facial expressions to emphasize different aspects of the talk. Nate was pretty proud of himself with this one. We all debated on who was going to help Ethan write his talk. I didn't think it was fair to help him write a mother's day talk and others thought it was completely fair because I was qualified specifically for the job. Jared wasn't in the mood to help him and just yelled out a couple obvious things that he should do to prepare for the talk. They were of no help and I told him that he might as well have told him to go and build a tesla because he would have the same result.
Well, Saturday was really busy and when evening came, Nate went off to finish up Mother's Day preparations. Who was left? Me. I caved and tried to get Ethan to sit down with me and write his talk. I started looking up talks and scriptures and then started asking him questions. Well, he was super tired after having such a long day that he broke down and we were getting nowhere. Nate made it home, saw the condition Ethan was in and sent him to bed so that he was hopefully in a better mood in the morning to write his talk.
Usually we make the kids write their talks pretty much by themselves. Well, we were out of time and the process wasn't going that great still, so Nate made Ethan sit next to him while he pretty much wrote it for him. He asked him questions and tried to get as much input as possible, but it was parent driven. I found all the quotes, Nate filled in the blanks, and Ethan added his personal experiences. At least Ethan knows the process for writing a talk and all the key elements that make for a good talk. Nate always says; See one, do one, teach one. So, he saw how a talk was written this time.
Here's his awesome talk-which he gave an awesome delivery of during sacrament meeting:
In Alma we read about a great war between the Lamanites and the Nephites. The Lamanites had invaded the land and great tribulations of warfare had come upon the Nephites. The people of Ammon had made a covenant not to take up their weapons of war ever again but felt so much compassion for their brothers who were fighting for them that they were considering breaking their oath. Heleman knew better than to let them break their covenant and had faith that God would protect them if they were faithful to the oath, but their sons were not bound by the oath of their fathers and 2000 of them took up arms to defend their land. The story of Helamans 2000 stripling warriors is one of great faith and many miracles. They were led by Helaman and they were able to help defeat the Lamanites. In chapter 56 verse 47 and 48 we read about the inspiration that led them to success and we read "Now they never had fought yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying; we do not doubt our mothers knew it." We learn in these verses that the sons of Helaman had faith that they would be protected and preserved from their mothers. We know their fathers had made a covenant to not shed blood and had repented and were faithful as well but these young men were most impressed with the faith of their mothers. I have never been to war although I have played some games on my Xbox that involve war and I cannot imagine going to war to protect my parents. I would definitely be scared.
Mothers are crucial in every society to the faith and righteousness of the rising generation. In my home my mother teaches me constantly to have more faith. As a family we made a goal last year to look to God to learn of the many miracles that occur in our family. My mother taught us of the ways of God by taking us to General Conference, we were ale to go to the open house of both the Gilbert and the Phoenix temples and we traveled to Nauvoo for a church history tour. My mom makes me work on family history and teaches us each night as we read the scriptures together. sometimes she teaches us so much that I fall asleep during the discussions at night because it is late. Recently I became a deacon and when the Bishop interviewed me and asked me about the scriptures I was able to answer because my mother has taught me so much about the scriptures. Julie Beck once said, "who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Latter-day saint women will do this- women who know and love the lord and bear testimony of Him, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times. We are led by an inspired prophet of God who has called upon the women of the church to stand strong and immovable for that which is correct and proper under the plan of the Lord. He has asked us to begin in our own homes to teach children the ways if truth, Latter-day women should be the very best in the world at upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. I have every confidence that our women will do this and will come to be known as mothers who knew."
On this day we celebrate the influence of mothers in our own lives and in lives of those around us. Jospeh F Smith discussed this great influence of our mothers when he said, "sisters, you do not know how far your influence extends. A mother that is successful in raising a good boy, or girl, to imitate her example and to follow her precepts through life, sows the seeds of virtue, honor and integrity and of righteousness in their hers that will be felt through all their career in life: and wherever that boy or girl goes, as man or woman, ion whatever society they mingle, the good effects of the example of that mother upon them will be felt, and it will never die, because it will extend from them to their children from generation to generation. And especially do we hope for this in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." He also said "I have learned to place a high estimate upon the love of mother. I have often said, and will repeat it, that the love of a true mother comes nearer being like the love of God than any other kind of love."
I know that my mother helps me to grow closer to God and teaches me faith and knowledge and is the reason that I have as much faith as I do. I testify that God lives and loves his daughters who are responsible for teaching the rising generation. I hope that if I ham called to go to war to defend my family and my faith that I could do so because of what my mother has taught me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
OK, onto what else I got for my special day of adoration. Jordyn made a really cute and crafty book that had pictures of the 2 of us in them. She is so talented when it comes to all things crafty. I love it! I also love her primary teacher that had an activity at her house on a saturday to do these. She is so awesome and Jordyn loves her which is even more awesome.
How can there be a queen and there not be a throne for her? Well, this year I got my throne. My very awesome and super comfortable chair to lay poolside relaxing all summer long. Ahh life is pretty good.
Nate got me my favorite dessert. Bread pudding and I was able to heat it up, put ice cream on it and enjoy it for lunch. That's all I ate, just that. Yummmmmm!
Who was already making a move for my chair? Ethan! Totally busted! I love how Watson is in the picture too like- "whaaat? Nothing to see here but some adorable peeps."
Next stop on this party train was going on some Home teaching visits with my main squeeze. We got some gifts for the mother's in those families that we needed to deliver. What better way to go on visits than in the convertible with the top down enjoying the beautiful day and my companion. I'm sad to report that in 2 weeks we will no longer be the owners of said convertible. It's the first time I feel absolutely in love with a car and I'm pretty sad about it. But, Nate just hired another doctor and is expanding his office space....so luxury car who's lease is up goes bye-bye. It was fun while it lasted.
After our visits I got to come home, crawl in bed for a nice little nap, and then wake up to a nice meal that was cooked for me. I also got another favorite dessert of mine, compliments of Emma.
I couldn't have asked for a better day. I love my family more than words can say.
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