Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters, (sounds like Mark coached him)
I am thankful for this opportunity to speak to you about Mothers and in particular about my mother and what she means to me.
President Boyd K. Packer, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, observed, "No teaching is equal, more spiritually rewarding, or more exalting than that of a mother teaching her children."
President Ezra Taft Benson had 10 suggestions on what mothers can do to spend effective time with their children. I am going to explain how my mother has applied these 10 suggestions to my life or my family's life.
1. Teach your children
My mother has taught me a lot. When I was a very young boy I struggled with learning and I had a problem with controlling my anger (believe it or not). My mother spent hundreds of hours teaching me to help me to speak, to read and to think. She also drew pictures to help me improve my behavior and how to act more calmly. That time she spent with me made a huge impact on my life.
2. Be at the cross roads
My mother has helped me at important periods of my life as a young boy developing verbal skills, entering middle school, dealing with conflict, and receiving the Aaronic Priesthood, and helping to complete my Eagle Scout by age 15.
3. Be a real friend
My mother always wants me to be open and tell her what I am thinking or what emotions I am feeling. She is always there for me whenever I need her. Every day when I get home from school she asks, "How was your day Devon?" "What happened at school today Devon?"
She was always interested in my day and what was happening in my life.
4. Read to your children
When I was a young boy, I hated (I mean I really hated) to read. Both my mother and father read to me as a boy countless hours but I still never enjoyed reading until the past few years. I appreciate that they did not give up on me and continued to read with me even when I showed NO interest.
5. Do things as a family
My mother has always encouraged us to do things as a family. We play sports activities together like soccer, or basketball, or anything. We go to the movies together, go on walks together, and play games together.
6. Pray with your children
From the example of my parents, I pray on my own each day. I do not feel right at the end of the day until I get on my knees and pray to my Heavenly Father. I appreciate that my mother set that example for me. I appreciate that we have family prayer every morning and night.
7. Read scriptures daily
My family has daily scripture study and I now enjoy reading the scriptures on my own. I did not always like reading the scriptures but the repetition has made it so that I can understand the scriptures better now.
8. Have weekly Family Home Evening
We have weekly FHE and my mother has actually encouraged me on several occasions to teach FHE so that I can complete the requirements for achieving my Duty to God.
9. Be together at mealtimes
Our family is very busy with a lot of sporting activities going on every day - like Jessica has basketball and track, Marissa has track and cross country, Robert has basketball and soccer, and Jern Jern studies a lot (she also has track). My mother has always tried to prepare meals and have good discussions around the dinner table.
10. Truly love your children
I know that my mother love me and my brother and sisters. I know that she has sacrificed so many hours of her time personally to help me and my life. She has helped me in so many ways and I would like to just tell her that I love her, "I love you, mom!"
I would like to leave you with this scripture to all moms and dads to let them know that their efforts and love for their children do make a significant impact.
Doctrine and Covenants 64: 33-34
"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days."
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Devon created the above acrylic painting from the picture I took last summer when we were on our Pioneer Trek 09. He named it "Pulling Our Way West". He chose this topic before he had the idea of this painting. Later, he decided the experience he had last summer, and the fact that his third great grandparents crossed the plains, and climbed the mountains made it more personal than such topics as the "First Transcontinental Railroad" or the "Gold Rush". He spent hours and hours painting with me.
This (above) is what we go to track meets to see this year - Jessica doing the high jump...However, we have found out that it takes approximately 2 hours to get 3 -7 jumps in. ??? How can that be...
Much of the time the girls are sitting around waiting for their turn. Sometimes that goes quickly, while other times they can be sitting around for a long time waiting for a competitor to return from a running event.
Here are Jessica's high jump friends waiting for their turn to go over the bar. They are waiting for a girl from another team to come back from running the 100 meter dash.
Jessica stretches and tries to stay limber in-between jumps, but sometimes the waiting is purely social!
A candid photo at Central Park - the view was beautiful but too dark to take photos.
