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A Mother's Day to Remember, Because of Him

My heart was brimming before I went to church today and my emotions escaped through my eyes beginning in Sacrament Meeting. I feel so very blessed to be the mother of MY children. They challenge me and help me to grow every day and they fill my heart and soul with so much love that cannot be contained. 

It is so gratifying to watch them grow and to see them develop and use their talents and share their love and compassion with the world. Their testimonies are strong and their desire to do good and be good are overwhelming to me. I could not be a happier mom! 

I have felt joy as I spent time with Estelle on Friday as the fourth grade classes hosted a "Mom Spa Day" at school. She painted my nails and we filled out a sheet comparing us with each other and made a craft together. Today she gave me a decorated photo of her. Emma gave me her hand made card and treat on Friday as well. Sarah surprised me today with her sweet cards and lots of hugs and "I love you's." Emma and Destry made breakfast for me this morning.

My favorite part of the day was in church. I was filled with love as I watched Spencer as well as my other sons, Brevin Harrison, Matt Wright, and Zach Skinner reverently prepare and bless the Sacrament. I reminisced on their growth as I watched the Deacons pass the sacred emblems. My mind was taken back to when both of my boys reverently passed the Sacrament as one of their first Priesthood duties. 

My Primary aged girls both sang with their voices and their hears along with the other children and the mothers in the ward. I decided to invite the moms to sing a song with us this year, "Mother, Tell Me a Story." It was a good choice. It was touching to hear the children sing of their love for their mothers and to hear the mothers answer back in song. I was told by more than one woman that their husbands were in tears during the song. 

Sweet Emma sat with a small child whose mother went out to nurse a baby and whose father had to take out another small child who was sad because her mom had left her momentarily. She is very kind and good with young children. I love watching her develop her mothering skills. She was prepared to teach a Primary class along with a couple of other young women so that all the adult women could attend Relief Society today as a special Mother's Day treat. 

My heart was already full of joy because of thoughts of my sweet children when I heard Brother Jex announce a handful of youth to come up and share their feelings about their mothers and Taylor's name was in the mix. All I needed was to hear his name called and the floodgates opened. Taylor is incredibly afraid to get up in front of people and to know that he had agreed to do this and had kept it a secret was more than my already joyful heart could contain! He took his place on the stand with the other youth. When it was his turn all he could get out was that he had been asked to participate. He humbly bowed his head and wept at the pulpit. Once more he tried to speak, but could not. 

My other beloved son went up to his rescue. Taylor had sat down while Spencer was on his way up and Spencer lovingly escorted him out of the chapel. I could not have been any more proud of both of my boys. I felt the love Taylor has for me from his spirit. No words were needed. All others in the room today were equally gratified by this tender moment. 

I received many words of love and understanding from my ward family members. I cried every time. Our spirits understand and can speak to each other with very few words at times and today was one of them. Taylor reminded us all of the love we have for our mothers and Spencer shared the love of a brother even that of the Brother whom we all share.

It is because of Him that these moments are so meaningful. It is because of Him that we get to love and associate with the people we love so much for eternity. It is because of Him that we can be made whole. It is because of Him that we get to experience joy in this life. It is because of Him that can grow and eventually become like Him. 

"Thank you," is not enough, but He knows. Just like my son demonstrated today, our spirits can speak louder and more meaningfully than our words. The events and feelings of today will be in my heart forever. I am grateful that He knows my heart even when my words cannot adequately express what is in it just like I know what is in my son's.


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