LumberJake

We had a wonderful Mother's Day!  Minus having to speak in Sacrament meeting.  The third time I've spoken on Mother's Day!  For the record - not a favorite way to spend the holiday.

Both our parents came to hear us speak (thanks for supporting us!!!)  Jake decided to shave his beard for his Mom that day (Happy Mother's Day).  He's been growing it out since graduation.  I call him my LumberJake!  It was a fun change.  One of our families loved it.  The other didn't.  Can you guess which loved it?  Hint: which family is more redneck?

We got to chat with Elder Seaver!!!  He is doing extraordinarily well!  It was so fun to hear his voice!

Here are a few of my favorite quotes I used in my talk:

Julie B. Beck, “A ‘Mother Heart’,” Ensign, May 2004, 75

Covenant-keeping women with mother hearts know that whether motherhood comes early or late; whether they are blessed with a “quiver full” of children here in mortality or not; whether they are single, married, or left to carry the responsibility of parenthood alone—in holy temples they are “endowed with power from on high” (D&C 38:32), and with that endowment they received the promised blessings and are “persuaded of them, and embraced them” (Heb. 11:13). 

Every girl and woman who makes and keeps sacred covenants can have a mother heart. There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities. How grateful I am to the Lord for trusting women with the divine mission of motherhood.

Neil L. Andersen, “Children,” October 2011 General Conference

“Many voices in the world today marginalize the importance of having children or suggest delaying or limiting children in a family. My daughters recently referred me to a blog written by a Christian mother (not of our faith) with five children. She commented: ‘[Growing] up in this culture, it is very hard to get a biblical perspective on motherhood. … Children rank way below college. Below world travel for sure. Below the ability to go out at night at your leisure. Below honing your body at the gym. Below any job you may have or hope to get.’ She then adds: ‘Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for.’ 

“Having young children is not easy. Many days are just difficult. A young mother got on a bus with seven children. The bus driver asked, ‘Are these all yours, lady? Or is it a picnic?’ 

“ ‘They’re all mine,’ she replied. ‘And it’s no picnic!’ 

“As the world increasingly asks, ‘Are these all yours?’ we thank you for creating within the Church a sanctuary for families, where we honor and help mothers with children.” 

Jeffrey R. Holland, "Because She Is a Mother," April 1997

Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood: “Ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.”  

Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.” You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging.

My Mother's Day Lilies