Happiest Mother's Day!

I REALLY prepared for this day. Last year our ward gave candy bars to the mothers with a poem as a gift and I was feeling like such a terrible mom that I didn't take one (which made me cry even more). I did not want to feel that way this year. Each time the good old Deseret Book catalog comes in the mail I peruse through it and highlight books I want to purchase. There were several new parenting books out for the upcoming holiday but I settled on just one book titled, The Mother's Book of Secrets. I finished reading that a week proir to this day. I also had an experience yesterday that sent me in a direction to be better and better prepared to face the world each day. What others think doesn't matter... because your strength comes from within. I needed to bring to my mind's surface four things that I believe:

~ I can make a difference if I believe I can.

~I am worthy and have faith that I am.

~I am a daughter of God, I know I am.

~I can accomplish the Lord's work, I know I can.

It felt really good to acknowledge those things. And then I had yet another experience today which led me to make a vow to Heavenly Father. I was visiting my grandmother this morning for Mother's Day and before it was time for me to go I knelt down and looked in her eyes. Touching her arm I said, "You have a beautiful day." I felt something inside. The sensation was like my spirit was springing up, leaping from my body and touching hers. It kind of felt good but it made me nervous to realize how strong it is. Travelling home I wondered, "Why am I not like that more often? I have it in me..." And I know it's because it takes faith to get out of my comfort zone and be who I really am. So my vow to Heavenly Father was that I would be my better self, using the vitality of my spirit to embrace and strengthen others. Of course it was a long prayer which I don't remember the half of, good thing it's recorded in heaven. But I believe that we encounter points in our lives when it's time to grow, developing further to our potential. Aware of faltering, I made the decision that I would roll over and get right back up, looking at the positive things in life to keep me going. Knowing that the more I committ myself to my vow, Heavenly Father will also be strengthening me all the way. So eventually it won't be uncomfortable to stand and shine vibrantly. I'm so grateful for this weekend!