Her children arise up, and call her blessed . . . Proverbs 31:28
A true blessing for all parents is to hear from their children. We missionaries crave news from home. We know our families are being watched over, so we don't worry much, but it is nice to hear how everything is going in their lives. Last week brought Mother's Day cards and phone calls. It was glorious to have long, pleasant conversations with my children and read the sweet and loving words in their cards.
Contact with home is even a bigger event in the young missionaries' lives, since Christmas Day and Mother's Day are the only times they can talk with their families during the two years they are gone. They can e-mail once a week and write letters, but contact is very limited. We senior missionaries have contact all the time. One daughter, our youngest (dubbed, "The Littlest Angel), sends e-mails every single day! She is the communicator in the family and manages to keep everyone linked and organized. Our daily communication is a great way to keep a journal. I save every e-mail sent by our family members. They are precious.
Sometimes parents wait a long time to hear the endearing words of gratitude and love from their children. Sometimes their children have to go through a few trials and get some life experience before they realize what their parents mean to them. Sometimes parents never get a chance to hear that their children love them for one reason or another. How heartbreaking and so very sad!
Heavenly Father gave us families in which to grow and learn and love. He also gave us free agency to choose. Sometimes the choices people make in life hurts us and our family relationship aren't what they could be. He will make it up to those who have no family or no kindness from family members in this life. I know that isn't much comfort right now, but a family can be found in the Church.
Fortunately for me, I have been blessed, despite all my faults and imperfections and often failed attempts at good parenting, my children have chosen to love me anyway and let me know it through kind words and deeds. They have chosen to remember the positives and see me better than I am. For that I am most grateful.
Thank you, dear children (and grandchildren), for not reminding me of my failures and when I haven't treated you as well as I could have, or hadn't been patient, understanding, or sensitive to you needs. Thank you for forgiving me for all the times I thought I knew best and for trying to control your choices in life. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. That is true, Christlike love. You make my life rich and joyful.
Thank you for taking care of our yard, home, vehicles, and business affairs while we are on our mission. Thank you for continued encouragement and faith in us. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for you blogs, e-mails, cards, letters, pictures, phone calls--manner of connecting. Thank you for your 100% support in all things!!
We are so very blessed by our wonderful family!!
No gift, no matter how lavish, can be better than these cherished words I received for Mother's Day:
"I love you with all of my heart and soul. It's because of you I give to others without want for acknowledgement or award. It's because of you, Mom, that I keep up the good faith and persevere."
"We love and appreciate you more than you know! You are a huge blessing in our lives."
"We miss you and hope all is well!"
"Thanks for always being such a fun, loving, giving, caring Mommy Roo, and best friend. I love you you so, so much!"
"I want you to know how much I love you !! Everything you have done and still do as a mother has had such an impact on the kind of mom I am...and I love being a mummy, so I must have gotten that from you :) When people tell me I'm just like my mom, I consider it the highest compliment I could be awarded!! I hope you had a wonderful day...I ruv you mommy roo!!!"
A true blessing for all parents is to hear from their children. We missionaries crave news from home. We know our families are being watched over, so we don't worry much, but it is nice to hear how everything is going in their lives. Last week brought Mother's Day cards and phone calls. It was glorious to have long, pleasant conversations with my children and read the sweet and loving words in their cards.
Contact with home is even a bigger event in the young missionaries' lives, since Christmas Day and Mother's Day are the only times they can talk with their families during the two years they are gone. They can e-mail once a week and write letters, but contact is very limited. We senior missionaries have contact all the time. One daughter, our youngest (dubbed, "The Littlest Angel), sends e-mails every single day! She is the communicator in the family and manages to keep everyone linked and organized. Our daily communication is a great way to keep a journal. I save every e-mail sent by our family members. They are precious.
Sometimes parents wait a long time to hear the endearing words of gratitude and love from their children. Sometimes their children have to go through a few trials and get some life experience before they realize what their parents mean to them. Sometimes parents never get a chance to hear that their children love them for one reason or another. How heartbreaking and so very sad!
Heavenly Father gave us families in which to grow and learn and love. He also gave us free agency to choose. Sometimes the choices people make in life hurts us and our family relationship aren't what they could be. He will make it up to those who have no family or no kindness from family members in this life. I know that isn't much comfort right now, but a family can be found in the Church.
Fortunately for me, I have been blessed, despite all my faults and imperfections and often failed attempts at good parenting, my children have chosen to love me anyway and let me know it through kind words and deeds. They have chosen to remember the positives and see me better than I am. For that I am most grateful.
Thank you, dear children (and grandchildren), for not reminding me of my failures and when I haven't treated you as well as I could have, or hadn't been patient, understanding, or sensitive to you needs. Thank you for forgiving me for all the times I thought I knew best and for trying to control your choices in life. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. That is true, Christlike love. You make my life rich and joyful.
Thank you for taking care of our yard, home, vehicles, and business affairs while we are on our mission. Thank you for continued encouragement and faith in us. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for you blogs, e-mails, cards, letters, pictures, phone calls--manner of connecting. Thank you for your 100% support in all things!!
We are so very blessed by our wonderful family!!
No gift, no matter how lavish, can be better than these cherished words I received for Mother's Day:
"I love you with all of my heart and soul. It's because of you I give to others without want for acknowledgement or award. It's because of you, Mom, that I keep up the good faith and persevere."
"We love and appreciate you more than you know! You are a huge blessing in our lives."
"We miss you and hope all is well!"
"Thanks for always being such a fun, loving, giving, caring Mommy Roo, and best friend. I love you you so, so much!"
"I want you to know how much I love you !! Everything you have done and still do as a mother has had such an impact on the kind of mom I am...and I love being a mummy, so I must have gotten that from you :) When people tell me I'm just like my mom, I consider it the highest compliment I could be awarded!! I hope you had a wonderful day...I ruv you mommy roo!!!"
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