Thank you for your service...

This evening as I was preparing my lesson for Young Women’s tomorrow I came across an enrichment activity that encouraged the teacher to have the class reflect on the three women that have had a positive influence on the direction their lives have taken because of their selfless service, to be honest I am not sure the 12 year olds in my class are going to have much to go on, I wouldn’t have had much to go on at that age, but I liked the question and it made me pause and reflect on the women that have touched my life over the years. I have been blessed to know so many strong, talented, and caring women over my life, knowing all of these women have had a positive influence on my life, but some stand out more than others- three in particular have had a major impact on the direction I have taken- here is my list:

My mom- My mom is awesome, most people say that about their moms but let me assure you, mine is actually awesome. She has put up with a lot from her kids, but despite our failings, misdeeds, and less than positive attitudes she has continued to put up with us. She is my model of patience, perseverance, and dare I say long suffering. You know those moms that bake cookies, have dinner ready at 5, help you make your prom dress, grocery shop until they drop, take you to soccer practice, and make sure that you say your prayers at night- that is my mom. She is a model of service, and while it took me longer than it should have to notice and appreciate her I do now (which is what counts, right?)

Dr. X- Dr. X has helped to shape my life more than she knows, she encouraged me to challenge myself, strive for excellence in everything, consult my Heavenly Father in my academic pursuits, and showed me that being assertive is an admirable quality in a woman. I fought her guidance every step of the way, sometimes it was painful, but in the end I am better for having known and worked with her. On a daily basis I think to myself what would Dr. X do? I know it is strange, but working with her has encouraged me to examine many aspects of my life and think to myself- is this something that would be acceptable to her? There are many days that I don’t measure up, but the simple thought has encouraged me to try harder, be more aware, and not accept mediocrity.

S- S was the best boss I ever had, my favorite professor, and the reason in the end that I chose to go to graduate school (one of the best decisions I have ever made). She encouraged me to follow my passions, was my cheerleader the whole way, wouldn’t let me give up, and taught me that embracing life- both the good and the bad- is important. She taught me that anything is possible as long as you are willing to work for it, encouraged me to examine the consequences of my decisions, and taught me that caring about what you do is vitally important to success.

There are so many other amazing women that have touched my life through their selfless service- there is the friend that introduced me to the west wing (seriously a service), told me it was okay to miss Brian while he was in texas and I was in utah, taught me that being uptight in okay, and told me I would make new friends even though I was (am) seriously missing my old ones. There is the friend that let me watch her care for her two little boys, showed me that being a wife and mother is one of the greatest things I will ever do, put up with my crazy husband, let us spend hours doing nothing at her home, made it okay that I missed (still miss) Utah, and supported my ATK obsessions (move to dallas), the sister in law that gave me a place to stay, incorporated me into her family, let me spend time with her wonderful kiddos, and showed me that parenting with guidance from Heavenly Father is the only way to go. There are too many to mention (if you weren’t mentioned you are still awesome!). I hope I can follow the example of these wonderful women and help and serve those around me as they have done. Thank you, thanks for everything you do, and thanks for making my lesson way more interactive tomorrow!