Our Manila PhilippinesTemple Mission: Happy Mother's Day

Mother

Angela

Mother,

When I saw you down the hospital hall as you were arriving amidst our tragedy, I ran to you and we embraced. I was instantly filled with perfect love and peaceful comfort that has lasted. Oh sweet Mama, you have no idea how often you are a source of strength and comfort in my life. You do many wonderful things, but that is not all I am talking about. I’m talking about WHO you ARE! You are an angel, the best and brightest. I thank you for your life of a million “right” choices. I thank you for your approval, support, friendship, patience and trust. And I especially thank you for showing me how to have strong, powerful faith and to love the Lord. My life is rich and happy and I thank you for your wonderful part in it. I adore you!!!

Angela

Mother,

You are a wonderful woman. You have always been there to teach, train and remind me of what is important in life. During our youth, you dealt with a houseful of crazy girls and still managed to have them turn out fine. Not everyone can turn out as good as your favorite son however. Life is tough. You are a soft and kind person. You are accepting of everyone and I feel you truly see them as brothers and sisters, literal children of our Father in Heaven. You see past all the junk on the outside and know the potential of the inner person. This is a perfect example for me, and one that I must strive daily to emulate. It is a great deal more difficult for me to see past the “clutter”. You show great love to everyone. You love to be lost in service. I am sure I sought you out in my pre-mortal life because of the spirit you have and for all I could learn from you. I love you mom, and could not be happier with any other mother. You are the best there is!!!

Lis

Mom,

Whenever I hear the song of a bird, or look at the blue, blue sky. . . . I really do remember you. I love that song and remember singing it to you when I was little. I remember climbing into bed with you on Saturday mornings. I remember playing Husker Du on the deck when I got home from school. I remember you coming home one night with an entire car full of ice cream. I remember summers spent picking and canning fruit with fall and winters, loving that we had all those canned pears. I remember you patiently teaching me how to sew. I remember you teaching me how to thrift. I remember driving to California, just you and me. I remember sitting and talking with you for hours. I remember learning about food storage from you. I remember back rubs from you. I remember phone calls and Skype calls with you. I remember how to take care of my family from you.

I became the woman I am today with each and every one of those memories. I cherish them. I cherish you. I miss you. I know you are serving the Lord and I will remember that too.

You are the perfect example of who I want to become. You are wonderful.

I love you.

Lis

Kae

Mom,

Words can’t articulate the love and gratitude I feel for you. Some say that you never fully appreciate your mom until you have kids of your own. I know that I appreciated you before I had kids, but I understand now the commitment you have to our family. I understand the sacrifices you made for our happiness. I understand the work involved in our upbringing. I understand the lessons you tirelessly taught us. I understand the patience you demonstrated and I understand the love you feel for us. I am so blessed to have you as my mother. I’m grateful for the siblings you and dad gave me and I’m in awe that you both succeeded in molding such a loving group of people that genuinely feel happiest when we are all together. I’m grateful for the closeness of our family and the measures you and dad took to create and maintain that love in our family. I have overwhelming love for you, mom, and in the words of my sweet loving Kirsten, “I am constantly amazed and thankful that I was born into this family.” It’s such a gift.

Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being my mom.

Kae

Tova

Mama,

You are such an incredible person. I am so grateful for you. You have taught me how to be my best me and to not give up until I accomplish it. You are so full of unselfish love and I have always felt cherished by you. When I reflect on what it means to have the legacy you have created, it overwhelms me.

You are the best Mama in the World!!!

I love you.

Tova

Kitta And Karen

Mama,

What can I say? You are truly a light in this World. Nothing compares to you. You live each day to serve and love. You embrace others and long for their eternal happiness. What an incredible example you are to our family, and everyone that you come in contact with! Someone was talking about Kiki and said that she would do anything for a friend of a friend, and completely go out of her way to make sure they were taken care of and loved. She got that from you!

I love you so much!

Kitta

Mom,

What a beautiful person I am blessed to call my Mother.

I continually stand in awe of your strength, your warmth and your love.

OX Karen

Kirsten

MOM

When I think of everything it took for you to raise us, all the sacrifices that were made and the energy you spent, I am constantly amazed and thankful that I was born into this family. - so I believe truly that you are the strongest

Kirsten (this is a passage found in Kirsten’s writings)