My Girls

Through the last few months I have watched my family enjoy time together. I have had a very special privilege of having my adult children at home and having my family all together again. It is an amazing and beautiful thing to be reunited and have shared the winter and spring together. Although everyone was often busy with their own things there was great comfort in the nearness of loved ones.
Natalie was the first to move out again in June to Logan. This month Emily has moved to Ephraim for Snow College and Elise and John are now moved to Logan also for schooling at USU. Natalie has also moved this weekend into a new apartment in Logan for the school year. So much change. One moment my heart longs for everyone just to come back home and then the next I am so excited for their opportunities and experiences. I know that they value education and will seek for learning by study and by faith. I know that they are at a launching off point and that the future is bright with any number of great opportunities. There is so many unknowns ahead. It is an exciting adventure and a cutting of the apron strings but there is no way to cut the strings of a mother's heart. I yearn for their well-being, their happiness, their true joy and the righteous desires of their hearts. I want them to have their independence and yet I want to know how everything is including challenges and triumphs. They are each such an example to me and are doing such amazing things with their lives. I feel so humble and privileged to know them, let alone be their mother. There is so much I though I needed to teach them. Hopefully I can still be useful. They have taught me so much and continue to inspire me to be better. I am especially grateful that they continue to be an influence for good on my younger children.
John is a big part of our family now too. He is so much fun, so good and fits in so well. I now pray for those who will marry into our family. That they are living their lives valiantly, honoring sacred covenants, preparing for serving and family. That they will cherish, honor, and love my daughters or sons. I am realizing how quickly things change and progress and how much my family will grow in the near future. Of course, right now I am feeling a little like an empty nester (as Milt says) because of having lost 4 children just this summer. It is an interesting cycle of working, stretching, losing, and then gaining even greater blessings. Sounds kind of like an exercise program but I guess for growth and progress to take place, whenever we want improvement the principles are the same and when we work for eternal priorities the blessings are celestial. Luckily we get to enjoy them here, too.