Mother's Day

I love my children. That is no secret. I have been reflecting lately what it mean to me to be a mother.
Ever since I was young I wanted to be a mother and have a large family. MY mother was my best friend for years.
When I was in high school, and my guidance counselor asked me if I had an idea what type of career I wanted to pursue. He almost fell off his seat when I said simply

"I want to be a Mom of a huge family."

He called my mother and said that I "would amount to nothing if I didn't go to college and have a career. " Maybe he would think that is true today, but I don't care.

Again in high school, I was talking to Ellen on the gate of Colgate Divinity School and she asked me what I was going to do about college. I told her I had a plan to learn a skill that would help me be a Mom.

I chose interpreting, so I could support my family when /and if I needed, but still could control my schedule to be a Mom.

I believe and have lived by these words.
"all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth."

So what do I think that a mother is? I don't know.

I know I am a different kind of mother than I thought I would be, or was when Alex was born.

What am I trying to be?

Julie Beck says
"There is eternal influence and power in motherhood.


Children are being born into a world where they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). However, mothers need not fear. When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children."

Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening ."

(so I used to think that it was solely Scott's job to do it, but isn't the goal to get it done and I am here to help him succeed as much as he is here to help me to succeed, right?)

"Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most.

Mothers 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."

This is the kind of Mother I am aspiring to. Maybe someday I will make it.