Happy Fast-Sunday

I made my husband bear his testimony in sacrament meeting today. It is the first time he has done that in at least four years. I told him I would do it if he would. Unfortunately, we ran out of time and I was unable to bear my testimony. It worked out ok, I was able to tell my YW and leaders how much I love them in a meeting: which was basically what I was going to say in sacrament. Now I have the chance to be more extensive.

First, I would like to say that, although it is no secret that my children are my world, I love my children. I have loved all children since I was a child. I was blessed to have my youngest nephew in my home growing up as my mother was his caretaker while his mother was working. It taught me patience, understanding, and unconditional love that I didn't quite understand. There was nothing better to the ten year old me than snuggles and reading with my two year old nephew. Thus my calling in life began. I have been blessed with a sincere and deep love for children and the joy that comes with them. I am blessed with patience. My patriarchal blessing states that I had a very close relationship with Christ before coming to fulfill my mortal existence and I have a testimony of that connection based on my love for children.

I love all children, but my kids are especially special to me. I am grateful for my oldest son. He brings an earnest and loving heart to our family. He is sensitive to his surroundings. He has a heart so tender, and it can shatter in an instant. He is a mommy's boy, and I love every second of that. I love the way he listens to me. I love his musical aptitude and sharp memory. He absorbs, learns, and progresses like no one I have ever met. It will only be a matter of time before he is smarter than me. He is continually showing me his accomplishments with such pride and love. I have no doubt his future is bright.

I love my youngest son. He is a character and fiercely himself. He brings stubbornness to our family like you wouldn't believe. He has taught me to not only have patience, but to exercise it. I'm grateful for his long attention span. I'm grateful for the way he wants me to carry him around the house. I'm grateful he lives to bathe. I'm grateful for his love for me. He makes me feel so special because he takes the time to let me know he loves me. I'm grateful for the way he shows me all he does. He is eager to include me.

I am grateful that in times of sorrow, I have been provided by my mother with the ability to quickly recall gratitude. I have been provided with my spirit the ability to summon joy. I am grateful that when Heavenly Father created me, he created me with attributes of love, joy, and patience. I'm blessed to be able to lift others spirits.

I'm grateful for my husband and his current choices. We have been through a path paved with boulders, but we are still here. I'm grateful for his faith and his honesty. I'm grateful for his decisions that have impacted my life in ways I would have never expected because those decisions have helped strengthen and shape my character. Im grateful for the genuine and honest love he has for our children. He works and studies diligently, for that I am also grateful.

I'm grateful for heartache to humble me. I am grateful to the people who have taught me that not everyone is kind. In fact, some people are incredibly and uselessly competitive. I have been blessed through those experiences to find grounding in who I am as a person. I have been blessed also to learn that I am little affected by what others may think of me. I have been blessed to teach myself to be that way.

I am blessed with experiences that are hard, and I am grateful that I have the strength to choose the path which will enrich and enlighten me.

I am grateful beyond words for my calling. I love the women with whom I serve. I love the youth whom I serve. It's hard to be a teen, and I am glad the YW program provides the opportunity for these girls to have righteous and trustworthy adults to lean on when they need it. Even better, it creates an atmosphere where we can have fun and be comfortable. I'm grateful for the testimonies of the women and young women. They strengthen me every day. Becky Payne is my unexpected rock. I have been so blessed to grow to know her and welcome her into my life and my heart.

I am grateful for my family and my in-laws. I'm grateful that as I have been distanced from my family, I have had wonderful women in my life, anyway. I'm grateful for Elyssa and the joy she carries with her. I am so blessed to be able to have someone with whom I can relate. I'm grateful for Amy and the way she is an example of someone who is strong and grounded. They are two of six sisters: I finally have sisters. I am grateful for my mother-in-law and her patience with me. I'm grateful also for her abounding joy for my kiddos.

I'm grateful for the gospel. I love to read the words and feel the spirit. I'm grateful for the peace I am brought by the Holy Spirit when I seek it. I'm grateful for fasting and prayer and the atonement and so many other things in relation to the gospel.

I'm grateful for me. I'm grateful that through the many times I have wanted to give up, I haven't. I'm grateful for the attributes and blessings bestowed upon me. There are so many components that make up who I am. I'm grateful that I am learning to be quiet, but I'm also learning to share my love for Christ. I'm grateful I am maturing in ways I would not have expected. I'm grateful that I can find joy.

I bear these things unto my readers in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.