My Angel Mother

It isn't Mothers' Day where my mother is right now (San Antonio, TX), but I have 2 hours left so this is still appropriate.


My stalwart father, me, and my angel mother


One of my favorite quotes on motherhood comes from President Abraham Lincoln:

All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.

I couldn't agree more.  As missionaries we get to call home but twice a year--on Christmas and on Mothers' Day.  I had the blessed privilege of getting to talk one-on-one with my angel mother for about 25 minutes this afternoon and the truth of President Lincoln's statement once again rang true.  As we reflected together on the great blessing it is for me to be a missionary, I was reminded of how hard she had worked for me and how many hours she had put into making me who I am today.  All the long hours working on projects assigned months ago but due the next day; countless different extra-curricular activities I wanted to try in which she supported me; advice with different life situations--friends, girls, the gospel, everything! Reading, re-reading, and editing my English papers; listening to me practice my singing and helping me memorize lines, Latin vocab, and rehearsing how I would ask a girl on a date; teaching me from an early age to love Jesus Christ, the scriptures, and to pray; making me laugh and smile when I felt like crying.  I can honestly say I would not be anything close to who or what I am today without her.  She is my greatest ally, my truest friend, my wisest counselor, and I love her so. 

One of the speakers in our church services today quoted a poem that I really loved and felt appli (thank goodness for Google! I was able to find it in 2 seconds!):

God made a wonderful mother;
A mother who never grows old.
He made her smile out of sunshine;
And He molded her heart out of gold.
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars.
In her cheeks, fair roses, you see...
God made a wonderful mother;
And he gave that dear mother to me.

I know we all feel a great love and tenderness for our mothers more than words can express.  I am so very thankful for everything my mother has done for me--more than I probably even know.  I am grateful to my Father in heaven for giving me my mom.  Truly, all that I am or hope to be or do or become is because my angel mother loves me enough to raise me up and encourage me to achieve beyond my wildest imagination.

Why are you grateful for your mom? 

Much Love,

Elder Spendlove