Mothers

Mothers

Aline Mae Vaile Kelm, mother of Orlando, Trisha, Jared, and Warren

Teresa Ann Lees, mother of Brianna, McKayla, Savannah, and Skylar

I have been thinking about mother's this week. I read the following quote in a book by Sheri Dew.

"President J. Reuben Clark Jr. declared motherhood to be as divinely called and as eternally important in its place as the Priesthood itself. More recently, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland put motherhood in historical as well as spiritual perspective: Mothers, "Yours is the grand tradition of Eve, the mother of all the human family...Yours is the grand tradition of Sarah and Rebekah and Rachel, without whom there could not have been those magnificent partriarchal promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...Yours is the grand tradition of Lois and Eunice and the mothers of the 2,000 stripling warriors. Yours is the grand tradition of Mary, chosen and foreordained from before this world was, to conceive, carry, and bear the Son of God Himself. We thank all of you...and tell you there is nothing more important in this world than participating so directly in the work and glory of God...Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make an honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be." (Sheri Dew, If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard, 106-107)

I have found joy in thinking about my mom and other mothers this week.

I texted a friend who recently had her very first baby girl and asked how mommyhood was treating her. She said, "it is great, but hard!"

I had a cousin become a father this week and although she was born with Down's Syndrome, both parents are as proud as can be and the news of her diagnosis it seems is not going to overshadow their joy. Just as it should be!

I went to a friend's daughter's birthday party yesterday. Her daughters are not just cute, but sweet and loving to everyone around then. They learned from the best!


I have a wonderful mother myself. We work out together. She offers to pick up stuff at Costco for me while I"m at work and even drops it off at my apartment. She rubs my feet while we watch TV. She invited me over for bacon and eggs this morning. She would do pretty much anything for me I am certain.

Michelle Stenquist- mother of Maddie and Ellie

I have many, many friends and cousins that have the sacred calling to be mothers, and they do a great job. One cousin I want to highlight is Michelle Stenquist. She is the proud mother of twin girls who recently celebrated their 1st birthday. She has probably posted 100's of pictures of her girls on her blog over the past year. Michelle announced this week on her blog that she is expecting baby #3 in January and expressed her excitement. It just struck me when I read her blog that there are so many woman in the world choosing not to have children for whatever reason. One might look at the Stenquist family and say- are you insane, you'll have 3 kids under 2 years old? But I look at Michelle and say- now that is a woman I respect. She is choosing a selfless path. Joseph F. Smith said, " the love of a true mother comes nearer to being like the love of God than any other kind of love".

I hope I am working on the characteristics now in my single years that will help be one day an outstanding mom. I've got a lot of great ones to look up to and follow their example. Here are just a few of the many I love! (Sorry I don't have everyone on here!!!)

the late Vanessa Adorno, mother of Jelly and Beth Ann

Vera Hutchison-mother of Tonia, Alan, Boyd, Teresa, and Brad.
Tonia Kelm- mother of Tamara, Devin, and Michael.

Elizabeth Lisonbee- mother of Clark and Anna

Karen Jacobs- mother of Sarah and Sam; Jana Israel, mother of two

America Forster, mother of Angel and Faith

Trisha, mother of Darian and Alisha

Lisa Creer, mother of Linnea and Conner

Joann Kelm, mother of Jessica, Jocelyn, Jacob, Jayden

Kelms got Lost

This is why the Kelms are awesome.

A few years ago Devin printed pictures of the Star Wars characters and put their heads over ours in a family photo over the fireplace. I tried to re-create it the day Michael got back from his mission. He noticed it right away. Devin noticed it when he joined us a few days later.

Michael caught up on the final season of Lost over the next few weeks. I went over one night to my parents house and this is what I saw over the fireplace...

"Jack" (Michael), "Kate" (Tamara), "Sawyer" (Devin)

Front row: "Jin and Sun" (Tonia and Orlando)
Middle: "Juliette" (Tamara)
Back row: "Ben" (Devin), and "Hurley" (Michael)

I think perhaps Hurley is my favorite, that big hair and head on a small body.

Oh Kelms, you sure are funny!

Confidence

My confidence took a leave of absence for while. I am not sure where it went, but it sure left me feeling anxious and lacking hope. Then this weekend a few things happened....

1.) I went to the San Antonio temple with my family. That's right, Dad, Mom, Devin, and Michael. We then had a delightful lunch at mom's favorite Italian place and walked around in cave that are suppose to be millions of years old.

2.) A friend dropped by just to give me a hug. Just a 3 minute interaction, but worth far greater then she realizes.

3.) I got to hear my brother speak in church. He is someone I look up to. He reminded me that I need to be praying more sincerely for other people instead of for my own woes.

4.) I got to hear my dad speak. It was father's day. What a treat to hear my father speak on father's day. The man who loves me more than any other man on this earth! He spoke wisdom and reminded me that just because life can be tough sometimes doesn't mean I am doing anything wrong!

5.) I was reminded just how much my parents love me and pray for my well-being and success. I have all the support one would possibly need between my family, my friends, and most importantly my God.

6.) I had a good chat with a friend that I was missing on the phone. We talked briefly about confidence. What an important attribute to possess- both to have it and to be able to give it!

I woke up in a great mood. I felt a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could see clearly again, and the woman looking back at me in the mirror was a more confident one. I appreciate the gift of confidence. The thing is you got to fight for it though. I want to fight for it! Today felt too good to let that confidence fall by the wayside.

Dua

In Islam a Dua is an act of supplication to God. According to the handy wikipedia:

The term is derived from an Arabic word meaning to 'call out' or to 'summon', and Muslims regard this as a profound act of worship. This is when Muslim people from all over connect with God and ask him for forgiveness and favors. The Islamic prophet Muhammad is reported to have said "Dua is the very essence of worship," while one of Allah's commands expressed through the Qur'an is for them to call out to Him:

"And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer)!" ^[1]

A few weeks ago one of my best friends, Nadia, texted me and asked what I thought of cemeteries. It is interesting, her text came the day after I attended a funeral for a friend. I told her cemeteries didn't freak me out or anything. Turns out there is a special dua that Muslim's are to perform on behalf of the dead.

This website will show you the details of the dua itself. www.duas.org/visitgraves.htm

Nadia had never been to a cemetery, but Austin has an Islamic section at Cook-Walden, and she wanted to go serve her fellow faithful believers and perform this dua. We donned scarves to cover our hair out of respect and visited the graves of people we didn't even know. Her mom came with us. Nadia read a few duas in English. Then her mom read them in Arabic. There was one that was read seven times. Nadia explained to me that if that dua is read, the deceased would then have a light appear with them in their grave, with the idea that they would have light until the resurrection.

When we left there was a nice peaceful feeling. Nadia experienced the joy that comes from selfless service.

I was trying to think of what might be similar in my own faith. While reading the last conference address by President Thomas S. Monson, I came across a quote by Joseph F. Smith. The address was on temple work. As a Latter-Day Saint I believe in performing service for the deceased that did not have the opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in life. President Smith said,

"Through our efforts in their behalf their chains of bondage will fall from them, and the darkness surrounding them will clear away, that light may shine upon them and they shall hear in the spirit world of the work that has been done for them by their children here, and will rejoice with you in performance of these duties."

What stuck out to me was the mention of a light shining upon the dead.

Is it any wonder similarities are found across the religions? We are all children of a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants nothing more than our eternal happiness.