Nurture

As I think over the improvements that I need to make in my life during this new year, I am always led most strongly back to the most important aspect of my life. I am a mother. I will always be a mother. It is an eternal calling. In all my joking around about surviving during this sleepless time full of little people, I really do have a drive to do what I am here to do...nurture.

I just love this picture of Mary praying with Jesus Christ. She is teaching him to pray, leading him by example, and taking the time to do the important day-to-day things that instill values in her son.

That is my goal for this year. To guide my children to the thing that I desire most for them in this life: a knowledge of who they are, why they are here, and what they need to do to live with their Father in Heaven again. I want them to have a personal knowledge and belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to live it.

And so, I will try to improve how I live up to the expectations laid out by the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in "The Family: A Proclamation to the World.

" Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalm 127:3) Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives-mothers and fathers-will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

A man and his wife came up to me and Del at the store the other day and asked about our family. He asked if we go to church. When we said yes, we are Mormons, he told us that he believes that religion is what makes people desire to have families. When he saw our children, he thought we might go to church. He told us he is a Catholic. I was impressed by his openness in talking about what he believes with strangers. And so, I wanted to put this out there and also resolve to do so more often. I want to share what is most important to me, and what gives me purpose every day.

And this year, I want to work harder to teach my children to live so that they will do the same.