This is Us

My three youngest sons sang with a group of young men, all dressed in white shirts and ties, in church today. We have been born as Nephi of old, to goodly parents who love the Lord. My heart swelled with a love for these three stapping boy men who usually stink with football sweat, as they furtively eyed the congregation and sang from their hearts. We have been taught, and we understand that we must do as the Lord commands. In my mind I saw them five years from now as part of a great army of missionaries serving the Lord just as their older brother is now. He is in the Philippines loving the filipino people and loving his Father in Heaven as he brings souls to Christ. Although this son is half a world away, I could hear him singing, too. We have been saved for these latter days to build the kindgom in righteous ways. He called home this past week to wish me a happy Mother's Day. He spoke in broken English and laughed like a foreigner. His favorite thing as a missionary is seeing the light of truth change the lives of the people he's come to love. He studies the scriptures daily looking for ways to touch the hearts of people who are seeking truth. We hear the words our prophet declares: Let each who's worthy go forth and share. Oh, the joy of a mom to have a son who is a righteous example of truth! Yeah, life is good...but it gets even better. See, I have beautiful daughters that match my strippling warrior sons! My oldest daughter is also dedicating her life to serving the Lord. She's a missionary in Salt Lake City at Temple Square. She teaches visitors about the Latter-day Saints, and she loves it! Like her missionary brother, she studies the scriptures seeking to grow in her own testimony, so she can help others find truth. We know his plan, and we will prepare, increase our knowledge through study and prayer. Her letters testify of her love of the work and of her love of the Savior. She encourages us all to strengthen our testimonies and to open our mouths and share the gospel. She's a delight and a great example to her two sisters who are fighting their way through high school and the drama years. They, too, are delightful and beautiful and all things that make a mom proud. Recently, a friend asked my husband what we've done to raise such incredible children. I think the anwer is~ We love them. We repect them. We teach them. We pray with them. We read the scriptures with them. We have fun with them. In return, our children turn to our Father in Heaven, and they turn to us. The thing is, we are all in this together. This earth-life I mean. Daily we'll learn until we are called to take the gospel to all the world. The Lord Jesus Christ lives. He loves us. The Father of us all has blessed us with families to nurture and to love. How very grateful I am for the incredible blessing of being a mother. Yes, life doesn't get much better than this.