A Love Letter to my Mother

August 2009

     Dearest Mommy,

     I hope you have the happiest of birthdays. I love you more than I could ever express in words, but since this is the only way I can tell you, I hope you can understand how much you mean to me. Because you mean everything to me. In everything, you have always been example. I owe my love of the gospel and my desire to serve a mission to you. You have always been an example of faithfulness in living the gospel of Jesus Christ, even when it was tough, even when it wasn't always the most convenient, even when your heart was breaking. And even when you had bratty teenagers like me who didn't always understand why we always had to do all the things we did. But now I understand, and I will be forever grateful for all that you have done for me.

     From my earliest memories of being a little girl, I can remember you waking up early every morning and reading the scriptures at the kitchen table. Your scriptures were always all marked up, and you had a notebook by your side, recording all the the things that stuck out to you as you read. You always studied the General Conference issue of the Ensign, and I can remember looking through your copy, and it was always marked up too. You would then share with us all the things that you had learned in your scripture study that day. It was something so small and seemingly insignificant, but to a young girl it made an impact that has since never left me. I remember that we would read the scriptures every single night. No matter where I was, I would always get a phone call or a text at some point in the night, reminding me to come home to read the scriptures together as a family. I remember always being so embarrassed that my parents were calling me to come home to read the scriptures together, but now as a 21 year-old girl, that is one of my most cherished memories. It taught me to love the scriptures and the importance of studying them together as a family.

     We said prayers as a family every single morning and evening. No questions, no but's, and's, or if's. And if we all got up at different times, we'd re-say them together so that every member of the family would be included. It was the most annoying thing ever, but I remember what you would always say: "The family that prays together, stays together." And now, as a missionary, I see how true that is. And from the day I was born, you and dad would pray with me before I went to bed. As I grew up, it became a habit. I didn't always understand how powerful prayer could be, but I do now, and I would never have gotten to this point, if it hadn't been for that early training as an infant and child.

     Family Home Evening was sacred.  There were so many times when I wanted to do other things on Monday evenings, but you never, ever once let me. I hated that and thought it was the dumbest rule in the world, but this has since taught me how important spending time with the family really is. Along with this, we had meals together as often as we could (Six kids=crazy lives). I remember there were times when I would say, "I'm not hungry," and then you would make me sit down with the family at the table anyway. I thought it was ridiculous at the time, but now I understand why you and Dad did that.

     You and dad went to the temple once a week. Friday night was yours and Dad's "date night", and every "date night" was "temple night." I remember always thinking, "Why don't they do something else for a change?" But now that I have made my own temple covenants, I realize how amazing you and Dad have really always been!! Your regular temple attendance has always shown me how important temple attendance is, but it also has shown me that that is the place where I can go and find answers from God. Whenever you and Dad had something pressing on your mind, you would say: "Let's go to the temple and pray about it," or if someone was ill or needed lifting, you would say: "Let's put their name on the temple prayer roll."

     Dad did his home teaching every month. You did your visiting teaching every month. This is something incredible. You didn't always have the easiest people to visit teach. They didn't always answer the door and let you in. Sometimes you didn't always have a companion who would go with you. But you would go anyway because you loved the Lord, and you loved the people you visit taught. To this day, those people still remember and love you! Whenever I get discouraged, I always think of your faithfulness as a visiting teacher, and I remember that while there may not always be immediate results, there are blessings that will come to those people and to you and your family as you faithfully serve the Lord.

     You and dad always paid your tithing. I remember those hard three years when Dad didn't have a full-time job. I can remember us really struggling as Dad went from temp job to temp job. But whatever money we earned, you and Dad always paid it first to the Lord. What did this teach me? That when we give to the Lord first, we always receive blessings, and we're always able to meet our needs.

    You gave us chores and responsibilities. Ick. Always my least favorite. I can remember as a 6 year-old hiding in the closet so that I wouldn't have to help wash dishes. I am so grateful that you gave us responsibilities and that we were always held accountable for what we did or didn't do. There were many times when I thought, "I wish my mom would do my laundry," or "Why can't Mom ever once do me a favor and just clean the kitchen once?" But oh my goodness, I am so grateful that you didn't ever do that! As an adult now, I have to do things on my own. And if it weren't for that early experience of having to "suck it up" and do my chores no matter what, I wouldn't have been able to face half the trials I've had to face.

     You always taught me to want to have an education. I remember you telling us about how when you were pregnant with Bill, you were in your last semester of college and how sometimes it was so hard to get to class. But you did it, and you now hold a Bachelor's degree in microbiology with a minor in nutrition. This has taught me that sometimes we have to make sacrifices to receive our college education, but that it is worth every sacrifice.

     You taught me the importance of healthy living. Lucky Charms and Cocoa Pebbles did not exist in our home. Whenever I spent the night at a friend's house, I was always excited to eat some of their cereal. But as I got older, I realized that although we didn't always have all the snacks and sweets that I craved, I was ....also grateful that we didn't have all the snacks and sweets that I craved. You exercised every morning, bringing out your weights and your little exercises. Okay, who am I kidding. I always thought you looked so cute doing your little work-outs every morning. You taught me that physical health is important, no matter your age.

      You have always been the motivating influence for Dad. Sometimes Dad needed a little, friendly "kick in the pants." That was you. You always encouraged and supported Dad in his work and in his callings. You taught me how a loving wife acts and how a marriage should be. The simple things that you do for each other and your cute PDA- -holding hands, Dad opening the door for you and helping you with your coat, etc. I would get so embarrassed whenever I had a friend comment to me: "Your parents are such good dancers!" or "It's so cute how your dad opens the door for your mom." I'm grateful to have parents who love each other and care about each other, and who have shown me that you work through problems and create solutions, and you never, ever give up on each other!

      Mom, you have always been my greatest cheerleader, example, and best friend. You believe in watching chick flicks in an unhealthy amount, chocolate at any time of the day (so you haven't always been the greatest example of health! but hey, nobody is perfect!), throwing dance parties, and that you can never have too many clothes (wow, okay, so maybe you haven't always been the greatest influence on me. ;)! Your love and devotion to the gospel and to your family will be something that I try to emulate and something that I want to do when I have my own family someday. The greatest gift you have given to me is the gift of the gospel. If I had never received anything else from you, I would still say that I am the luckiest girl alive!

      Happy Birthday to the most wonderful mother who I could possibly ask for!!

Love forever,

(Sister) Rebecca Rose <3