Dear Liz,
Hope you’re having a great time at Girl’s Camp! Your leaders asked me to write you a letter, telling you about a time when I had to make a choice, so here it is.
When you were 1 year old, we lived in a split-level house with a walk-out basement. They had converted the garage into a big bonus room with pretty windows and an access door to the front of the house.
One day at a garage sale, I found the most darling little table and chairs set that must have been used for a preschool; it could seat probably 12 kids. It was fun to have in that room, and a great little craft place.
I had just earned my Elementary Education Degree the month before you were born, and I decided that it would be totally fun to start a pre-school! I started making plans and buying supplies. Then I got the needed neighborhood approval, made a house diagram, and put together the paperwork needed to get my permit. I was given a permit at a city meeting where I presented my plan (while you banged noisily on the chairs).
Word got around and I had a couple of people claim a slot for their kids before I’d even advertized.
I could tell that your dad wasn’t entirely thrilled about it, but he was only supportive and kept his misgivings to himself. His feelings prompted me to take it to the Lord, something I really hadn’t done.
When I finally prayed about it, I was surprised that my answer was a firm NO. It was something I really wanted to do, and I knew I could do it well. I had to choose.
Thankfully, I chose to follow God’s counsel. Within a few months I was pregnant with Andrew. I see now that this would have been an unnecessary distraction from my REAL job, which was being a mother. I had already wasted precious time that could have been spent nurturing you.
The time that you and I had alone together when you were a sweet toddler is some of my most precious, and I’m honored that Heavenly Father loved me enough to give it to me. I could have been a fun teacher for a lot of little kids, but instead I chose the better part and was the Mother for YOU!
I love you so much! I hope that when you are a mother, you will choose not to let anything distract you from this most important calling. I want you to be happy, and I can’t think of anything that has brought me more joy!
The Lord wanted me to be a Mother, not a preschool teacher or published writer or Boy Scout grant writer, or anything else that I have been tempted to do. Maybe there will be other things for me in a different season of my life, but I know that right now this is what I am supposed to be doing, and I am so content!
There are many different people with many different callings and roles to play in life. Yours will be just as unique as you are. I hope that you will prayerfully consider each path you take, so that our loving Heavenly Father can guide you to the blessings that He holds in store for you.
I’m so proud of you! You are so close to God, and are so obedient! I pray that you will always turn to him as you do now.
I love you!
Mom
Dear Mayli,
Hey! I hope you are having a great time at your first Girl’s Camp. Keep in mind that you don’t have to run faster than the bear, just faster than your friend. Also, keep your mouth shut when you sleep. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine, probably. (Ha, ha, ha!)
Your leaders asked me to write you a letter telling you about a time I had a choice to make, so here goes.
When you were about two years old, I was in a writing club once a month. It was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done, and I learned so much! Some of my best friends were also in the group, and we had a riot!
The leader of the group was a publisher and a published writer. She helped me to know that I was a “real” writer, even if I only wrote for myself and for fun. She had a talent for seeing and showing others their talents, and encouraged so many!
Once, after I shared my writing, she looked me right in the eye and told me I should try to get it published. She told me how I could format it who to send it to and what would be involved in marketing it. I was so excited!
It’s no secret that I LOVE to write, and I love it when I can share what I’ve written and others enjoy my stuff. I also admit that sometimes I aspire to fame and glory. Now you know.
My drive home that night was filled with fantastic visions of television interviews and book signings (I may have gone a little overboard—it wasn’t that big of a deal.) But later, as I rocked you to bed and kissed your little face, I knew that this was not the path for me.
At that time in my life, I had four kids under six years old. I was also Young Women’s President. I didn’t know it then, but within a few months my parents would be getting divorced.
The scriptures say that there is a time and a season for all things. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) I have had seasons of education, seasons of community service, missionary work, etc... But for the last 17+ years I have been in the season of Motherhood. I think that this is the best seasons of all! Maybe some day I will be in a new season: I pray that I will always stand fast in the season that God wants me to be in.
Each of us has talents, and everyone on earth has a purpose and a plan. There have been times in my life when I have had an opportunity to take a new path—most of them very good trails with fun destinations. But I have always known that the road I am already on is where I should remain.
Sometimes I haven’t chosen wisely, but I have always done my best to follow the guidance given to me by the Holy Ghost, and to repent and get back on track when I need to. Because of this, I am SO HAPPY. The only way we can have peace is to know that what we are doing is in accordance with God’s will.
You are a Daughter of your Heavenly Father and he loves you so much! I know that this is true. I love you so much! I’m honored to be your mother. You are so pure and sweet and good! I pray always for your safety. You are obedient, and make good choices. I pray that you’ll constantly seek the Lord’s guidance in the decisions that you make. I trust that you will.
Mom
