Blessings....I Count Mine

Snowy Sunday's seem to be the perfect time for me to relax by the fire, and

unwind from the weekend. Having a chance to listen to General Conference

has made this snowy sunday a perfect day.  Generally snowy and perfect

never go hand in hand in my mind.  However today was the exception.

As I listened to the talks, they each seemed to touch a piece of my heart.

As I listened I learned about strength in trials, about the beauty of marriage,

the tender mercies of being a parent, and the thread of each lesson led me

back to my faith in my Heavenly Father. 

I consider myself a reasonably smart person and so why

did I never consider the genius idea of the TO DO list vs. THE BE list.

Elder Robbins shared such great insight on the TO BE list.  It is something

that cannot be checked off at the end of day.  My character, and My

integrity, My very standards, are a life time in the making.  Which gave me

a moment to think, am I who I always wanted to BE?

Is my Heavenly Father proud of who I am today?

Raising children is challenging and rewarding every day.

And I know I was entrusted to not just care for their needs

But to mold their little souls and teach their trusting

minds and hearts the important things, the spiritual things, the eternal things.

I shared with them from a very early age, the importance of

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

everywhere they went. Oh, in the beginning it was a small difference,

but as they grew, I was taught often by them, by the unconditional love they

shared with those around them.  For their unconventional choices when they

could have caved to peer pressure.  And as adults they, and in Ryan and Ally's life, their

wonderful spouses, continue to touch other people's lives, by Who they are and Whose they are.

The Greatest Blessing is that my children know WHOSE they are.

 Because They.... are Heavenly Father's very special children.

That is where my focus lies tonight.  I too must make a difference where ever I

can and for whoever I can.  That is the blessing and the tender mercy of being

a mom, living your life in a way that would make those you love happy to be Yours.

Heavenly Father taught me today, and I will do my best to be a better Me.

Because My Blessings Are Many, And I Must Always Remember To Give Back.

Margi