Happy Mothers Day to all you Mothers out there- and I mean all the Mothers, even those who may not have kids! I hope your glow from Mothers Day is still lingering and you were treated like queens!
I had a memorable Mothers Day weekend. I spent the weekend with my mother and we had a splendid time. The events of the weekend have really made me think so prepare yourself for a rambling on my deep thoughts...
Still there? Alright. Well, even if no-one has stuck around to hear it, I'm going to share my thoughts so that I have them down somewhere. I have been in an interesting state of mind lately. It's kind of embarrassing really, but I've not been wanting to keep up with my spiritual to-do list. I just got lazy I guess and after a while it had gotten to the point that when Evan tried to resuscitate our 'couple prayers' I was so bitter about it! I never put up a fuss or anything but I would roll my eyes and wish he would just forget about it. I would say them when it was my turn and it always felt good afterward but getting myself to the point where I could pray was so hard and awkward feeling. I don't know. I'm a punk.
So I had been thinking about this recently, thinking "Man, this is so wrong. Evan is doing so good helping us stay on track and I am fighting it! Why!" I had no idea. I just didn't want to put forth the effort! I was basking in my laziness and really was too comfortable to do anything about it. I decided it was time for a change. That's when I remembered that I had a date with my Mom to Time Out For Women this past weekend (and how appropriate that it should be on Mothers Day weekend!). I did better about participating in prayers with Evan and looked forward to having my spiritual cup filled at Time Out for Women {TOFW}. I had been to {TOFW} once before and I got a lot of great little gems out of it, but I had never had the desire to go again really. I was excited for this experience though, and felt that as a mother I had a lot more to gain from it- especially seeing as it took place over Mothers Day weekend.
The weekend actually started with a Women's conference at my parents' ward in Augusta. Sister Beck {Relief Society general president} and Sister Cook {first counselor in the Young Womens general presidency} were speaking and my Mom and little sister were singing in the mother-daughter choir! It was a spectacular start to the weekend! I was so impressed with both sisters talks and I got my first great gem for the weekend. Sister Beck opened a Q&A and in response to one of the questions she talked about a sister who had been married, had 6 kids, and when the youngest was 6 months old her husband abandoned her. She talked about the struggle this sister had and the gigantic task before her, to raise these 6 kids on her own. Can you imagine? She said though, that these kids all grew up strong in the church, went on missions and were great contributions to society. When asked how she was able to do it on her own she responded that she didn't. She then explained that their family had daily scripture study and prayer, every day and never missed a single day. Ever. They couldn't! She explained how there was really no way she could risk not doing these things and risk not reaping the promised blessings lying therin. By having the faith that if she held fast to that rod and never let go, even for a minute, she knew she could count on help from the Lord. I can't tell you how much I worry that I won't make it as a mother. How much I wonder if I will be able to raise good kids, if I really have what it takes. This story really made a huge impact on me.
The next day we woke up early and drove to Columbia, SC for {TOFW}. We got there early so we found some good seats and then continued to browse the "bookstore" they had set up in the back. I was already feeling an abundance of the spirit and I just knew the day was going to be another "fill". I missed my boys so much, I don't think I've ever been away from both of them for so long! But I was so excited to learn more and feel rejuvenated so I could be a better mother and wife that I sat and anxiously awaited the day's inspiration. The theme for {TOFW} this session was "Sweet Assurance: The certainty that comes when you know life's truths." The day was full of several sweet assurances and reminders and pats on the back along with kicks in the rear. My favorite talk of the day was probably the first, DeAnn Flynn, mom extraordinaire. She was funny. She was down to earth. She was relevant. She had 7 kids and she was making it happen. She had a great testimony. She talked a lot about motherhood and making it through each day. I wish they sent out copies of each talk like they do for the General Conference issues of the Ensign, because I can't seem to remember her great gem! Ah! Guys, I'm losing it.
We will now interrupt this brain fart for the second part of the first gem that I forgot to put up there... the super-woman raising 6 kids on her own also talked about how she prioritizes her lists of things to do. She divided her lists into "Must Do", "Should Do", and "Nice to do". In her case FHE, Scriptures and prayers were on the Must Do list. Cooking dinner, doing the laundry and cleaning the house were on her Should Do list. Soccer, Chess Team and Ballet were on her Nice to do list.
And we're BACK! That reminded me. DeAnn Flynn was the author of a book called "Letting go of the Overscheduled Mom" and she just kind of talked more about this same idea- prioritizing and making the truly most important things the ones that come first. I know I'm not a mom of 7 kids, and I don't have to worry about soccer practice and piano lessons yet but I definitely was in need of some re-prioritizing and I was excited about setting some important habits in our family.
So this weekend I definitely came away with a great spiritual high. I am back on fire again and am planning on making some big changes in my life. I am excited to be a mom and wife again and I feel a brigher hope for a happy family and a happy future together. I am so grateful for the sweet assurance that I don't have to have it all, that I don't have to be anything particularly special to be a good wife and mother but that as long as I am (and we are) obedient that there are blessings that are promised to us and are waiting to help us in our righteous desires. I also recieved the sweet assurance that I have learned to love my role as a mother and it has enriched my life beyond description. I have never loved like I've learned to love as a mother.
I am so happy to have had such a nice weekend with my Mom! {TOFW} was such a perfect getaway for the day and I enjoyed some 'just us' girl time! I'm grateful for her example and her hard work and her love. I think she's the awesomest and I hope she never forgets that!
