My Grandma Woolf recently passed away. (I will post more about that soon.) I was not able to fly to Canada for the funeral, but I did get the chance to sit and listen to it LIVE via the internet. I LOVE technology. It was amazing, I felt the spirit so strong and truly did feel a sense of closeness to everyone in attendance. I pulled up images of the family that participated in the service so Lydia could 'see' who was speaking or speaking and I pictured all of my family sitting together.
I visited with my sister Sarah since than and she shared something with me that stuck. She told me that the room was FILLED with family. (21 Grandkids, 59 great grandkids total all within a listening ear), daughters, sons, in-laws and she said that as she sat and looked at all them it was an amazing legacy to see that Grandma had left. She specifically noticed a few of the young boys singing the hymns WITHOUT using hymn books, clearly these boys know the gospel and love the songs just like Grandma.
Did Grandma go on far off vacations? No. Did she live in a big house with immaculate decorations? No. Did she always have the latest trends? No. Did she drive fancy cars? No. Was she rich? No.
But she LIVED the Gospel her entire life, she nurtured her testimony, she loved the Lord and she taught her children to do the same.
What if, just what if Grandma had gone astray'? Look at how many peoples lives would have been so different.
As I live in the 'mission field' as some call it I have learned so many insights about testimonies and staying true to the gospel and what a special treasure it is and that if we don't nuture it, we will lose it. It has made me cling stronger to mine.
4 John 1:4 "My greatest joy is to hear that my children walk in truth. "
This past year as Lydia has grown this scripture has come to mean something deeper to me.
Lydia has learned to pray, she prays often and for her friends and family. I have taught her who the first Presidency is. She knows so many primary songs and a few hymns and loves to sing them. She shouts "CHURCH" every time we drive by or attend. She anticipates "Family Home Nini" each Monday night. She prays for the Prophet in her bed time prayers. She knows about Joseph Smith and that he saw God the Father & Jesus Christ. She often asks me to bring down the statue of the Savior so she can see his 'owies' in His hands. She tells me she wants to marry Caden in the temple. She adores the missionaries and knows they are special people called to a special work. We have read the Book of Mormon with her and often sleeps with it under her pillow. Lydia is learning the stories and can re-tell some of them. I believe that even though she is small that she can feel the spirit.
Witnessing her learn and grow in the gospel bring me SO much joy!!!
The gospel is already a huge part of her life and it brings her SO much joy as well. I don't share these things to boast, but I share it to give thanks to my Mother and Tyson's mother who taught US the gospel and who live each day as righteous examples.
I think being a mother is one of the greatest things I have ever done and I know it has only just begun. One of the hardest things? Yes. But with the gospel it makes it SO much easier.
Emily Osenbach (my cousin) once told me when her oldest kids were toddlers that the best and only parenting book she uses and needs is the Book of Mormon. I believe her and I know our mothers have done the same.
Here are few pictures of the women in my life whom I love! (and Lydia.)
iMy Mom Dec 2010 Bowling Alley
Dec 2010. Christmas morning. Lydia playing with her first
Cabbage patch doll from Grandma Goodrich.
Grandma Selman & Lydia.
Grandma Woolf 90th Birthday.
Grandma Haslem after her graduation. (I believe.)
Thanksgiving 2009. Tridell Utah.
Grandma Goodrich. Beth Goodrich. Laura Goodrich & Lydia Goodrich. :) 2009
Grandma & Grandpa Morrill on Wedding day. (Beth's Grandparents)
I am grateful for the all the mothers in my life, although they are far away or have passed on we still feel their influences in our lives on a daily basis, we talk of them often and pray for them. I only hope that I can continue to try and follow in their foot steps.
Happy Mothers Day!
xoxoxo
2 comments:
What a beautiful tribute to all the wonderful women in your life! And how precious the Gospel truly is. Having a child has made me value my testimony and work even harder to keep it because of the responsibility that we each bear to teach our children correct principles. I'm sure your Grandma is proud of her posterity for the good people they have turned into.
Such a sweet post. You sure are teaching your little Lydia lots of great and important things. Keep up the good work.
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