When I was a little girl my mom and I were asked to be a part of a Stake Relief Society program. Being little I don't remember much about the program but I do remember acting the scene pictured here, holding my violin (yes I used to play the violin) while Mom and I sang the children's hymn "Teach me to Walk in the Light". Years later I still remember practicing that song with my mom and how incredibly nervous I was to stand on stage and sing in front of all those ladies (I was a very, very timid little girl). Most of the time now, whenever I hear or sing that song, I tear up, very rarely do I make it through the whole song without crying. That tender memory is so special to me.
Saturday March 29, 2014 was the first Annual General Women's Broadcast of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the first time our church has brought all women ages eight and up together to participate in one general meeting. It was exciting for me because Emma is eleven and would get to attend the womens session of conference with me. As the session got under way I was already feeling emotional but was trying to keep it reigned in. The first speaker, Sis. Rosemary M. Wixom, had the 8-11 year old girls stand and sing "Teach me to Walk in the Light"! Well you can imagine after reading the previous story how I started to cry! It was like I was a little girl again, standing on that stage singing with my mom, but this time I was singing with my daughter. I felt as if my memory with my Momma had come full circle ending with Emma. That tender memory from years ago has been appended and henceforth my tears upon hearing that song will hold greater meaning.
What a special night! First attending with Emma, then sharing in that memory, and finally being a part of such incredible sisterhood. In the past I've tried hard to attend Women's Conference faithfully. I've felt great sisterhood and strength in being at the church building with my sisters, partaking in the word of the Lord. I've listened to the council, shed tears from sweet experiences, and felt oft times the Spirit whisper guidance. Honestly it's been mostly about me and what I got out of it. Tonight was no different in that regard, however, now I was with Emma and now I thought of her while these words were spoken. I was taken aback at how often I thought of her instead of myself during this conference and now cherish those promptings as a gift from my Heavenly Father, as insights into how He wants me to be a parent. I wondered if Emma was having a stirring of feelings and emotions in her heart as was I. I wondered if the Spirit was whispering things to her as so often had been whispered to me over the years. At one point last night, Emma was wiping tears from her eyes. I knew the Spirit must have been with her then.
I pray she will one day have the same tender feelings for me as I have for my mom. I pray that I'm creating spiritual memories for her as my parents did for me. I pray that through these experiences her testimony will grow and that she can reflect back on those memories to strengthen her testimony. I don't know if last night was anything that will last in her memory but I know she felt the Spirit and that's enough!
No comments:
Post a Comment