Leslikae, my newest mom!

In 26 days I am going to officially have another mom. This is Leslikae Thomas, my new mom. At first when I met Leslikae I was uneasy because she is very different from my mom and so I did not know what to think. However, as I have gotten to know her I have grown to understand her and love her so much.

Over the rest of my life I will get to know her even more than I do now, but I want to share a little bit about why I appreciate Leslikae so much.

One of my biggest fears in getting married was that I would marry into a family where the mom would be a crazy controlling lady. Leslikae is the complete opposite of a crazy controlling lady. In fact, I could not have asked for a more amazing mother in-law. She is so sweet and kind and thoughtful and although many times she knows best, she does not try to force anyone to be or think the way she does. When I think of Leslikae I think of the scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants that says we should act by " persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, by love unfeigned. "

An example of Kae's thoughtfulness is that she knows that I love dried fruit and the tomatoes from her garden. Many times she has sent me home with a whole bag of tomatoes or dried fruit. I appreciate the food, but even more so I appreciate her thoughtfulness and act of love.

Leslikae is a very talented lady who I am convinced could be a very "successful woman" according to the world. However, Leslikae chose to put off the praise of man and instead chose the praise of God by bringing seven of His spirit children to earth to have a body. One of those children is particularly special to me. :) I am eternally grateful for Leslikae for loving Christopher. In doing so, she taught him how to love.

In a tender talk with Christopher about his mom, she shared that most things that are good in him are a direct result of his mom. He said that it was through his mom that he learned compassion. Growing up, Christopher always felt safe to talk and share with his mom. She was never too busy for him and when he needed to talk, she gave her complete attention. He says that she gives the perfect amount of feedback to. She would share some of her feelings with him and then encourage Chris to find his own way. This is what Christopher does for me, and when I realized that this came from his Mom's example, my heart was overwhelmed with love for her.

Another thing that we all love about Leslikae is her happy nature. She loves to tell a good story and giggles most of the way through it. It is so cute. There is nothing that she loves more in life than being with her family. It is very evident that nothing comes before her family, not a church calling, not her job, and not herself. She is an extremely selfless lady, and it has been through her example that I am learning how to be more kind and gentle.

I feel so blessed to have her in my life. I think it is such a great opportunity to have a new mom. I owe my whole life to my mothers, and although I am not living with them anymore or depend on them physically as I did as a child, I will forever need their powerful examples in my life. They are the true meaning of beauty.

I hope that all of the mothers and future mothers who are reading this blog learn to value themselves more in the things that matter and less in the things that don't. You might think...oh but what you look like really does matter. I would agree with that. In fact, I strongly agree with that. What you look like is very important.....to the world; however, you will not be stepping on a scale during the judgment day when you stand before Christ to be judged for where your heart was while you lived on this earth. Therefore, to the one that we should be most concerned with pleasing, it does not matter at all what you look like.

After having lived a life consumed with weight loss I feel sad for those who live life obsessed about their own body. It is such an empty feeling and it is never good enough.

Obsession about my body made me selfish and there is was no happiness in that. There was temporary pleasure when I saw new muscle, or dropped a pant size, but that joy only lasts a moment or two. The joy of love and families was designed to last forever. I believe that our lives would be a lot more full and rich if everyone focussed on others instead of ourselves.

My mothers are helping me to do that. Their selfless examples in being mothers who cared about their children more than themselves has helped me to become the person I am today.

I believe that in God's eyes, there is not much else more precious in this world than a mother and I wish that the world saw it that way too instead of being seen as lazy if we choose to stay home and raise our children. That is work!!

Women are amazing and we don't need to feel like we need to be like men in order to be powerful. In conclusion here are a couple of my favourite quotes on mothers..

Sisters, we, your brethren, cannot do what you were divinely designated to do from before the foundation of the world. We may try, but we cannot ever hope to replicate your unique gifts. There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman. (M Russell Ballard)

Have you ever wondered why prophets have taught the doctrine of motherhood—and it is doctrine—again and again? I have. I have thought long and hard about the work of women of God. And I have wrestled with what the doctrine of motherhood means for all of us. This issue has driven me to my knees, to the scriptures, and to the temple—all of which teach an ennobling doctrine regarding our most crucial role as women. It is a doctrine about which we must be clear if we hope to stand “steadfast and immovable” regarding the issues that swirl around our gender. For Satan has declared war on motherhood. He knows that those who rock the cradle can rock his earthly empire. And he knows that without righteous mothers loving and leading the next generation, the kingdom of God will fail. (Sheri Dew)

I love you Daddy!

Sherry