Thankful for my sweet mom.

Happy Mother's Day 2013!

This morning was a great morning at church. It is so rewarding and we feel so blessed to be able to be the leaders of our life group. It's so great to see His body alive in community- to be able to laugh, cry, and share life together. The fellowship we have with our small group is so encouraging- we are extremely thankful to be a part of it. The service today was really great as well. My voice hurt from singing so loud, and it was neat to hear a very personal message from our pastor about life with his mom. Also, I received a very kind, unexpected compliment from someone about someone I had helped, which is a lot like my mother. My mom does a lot in the background that often goes unnoticed, but she is so deserving of praise. My mom shaped me to be a good leader and Christ follower.

My mom is largely responsible for who I am today. My mom (and dad) taught me about Jesus and was/is a selfless servant to Him and her family. I could write a novel about my mom. She is definitely a Proverbs 31 woman. She is a wife of noble character to my dad. She brings him good, not harm. My mom works hard with her hands, providing for her family. She goes about her work vigorously. Her lamp does not go out at night- she is always available. She opens her arms and extends to the needy. She is clothed with strength and dignity. She speaks with wisdom and instructs faithfully. She takes good care of her household and is not idle. The last four verses sum up my mother well: 

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:
 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

My mom had four children, and we were so blessed to be able to have her stay home with us. I am grateful that that is something my mom wanted to do, and that my dad worked hard to make happen. My mom was and is always there. I remember her setting up pools and sprinklers in the backyard for us in the summer and letting us drip sticky popsicles all over when we were done. She let us play outside in the snow in the winter, which meant a lot of work for her dressing us and cleaning up after, when we only wanted to stay out for 10 minutes when we got cold. She would scratch my back when I couldn't sleep at night. One of my favorite memories is when my mom let me sit on the counter and help her bake. It was also a special day when she got out her stamp collection and let us go wild with ink pads. My mom ironed countless perlor bead creations we made. She let us slide down the stairs in sleeping bags, even though she thought it was dangerous. My mom washed my volleyball and track uniforms over and over. My mom curled my hair everyday when I was younger. I remember confessing to her when I first held hands with a boy. She taught me to shave my legs. My mom was the beloved mom of my high school friends because she was the only one who would cook them countless pizza rolls and taquitos. More than the little things, my mom was an example to be selfless, to be a servant, to have a joyful heart, to not complain about the mundane tasks but do them your best, to seek Christ, and to love others well.

I can't even express how blessed I am by my mom. She is the ultimate best. Thanks mom, for all that you do! I love you so much.

My mom and I when I was a baby.

My mom and I after I got my first "short bob" haircut. :)