Goodly Parents

Sunday brought a flood of emotions and gratitude.  We had Stake Conference, (a meeting where several local congregations gather together to hear from our local leaders.)  This meeting was a little different because two of the counselors in the Stake Presidency were released.  Two new counselors were called one of which is my brother-in-law.  The rest of the meeting was given to testimonies from the former and new counselors and their wives. 

Throughout the testimonies there was a constant theme of being raised by goodly parents.  I reflected on my own goodly parents and reflected on the blessing of my husband's goodly parents.  I listened to great women that are such an example to me and was given the incite that they are just like me.  Doing the best that they can one day at a time.  That they are goodly parents and so am I. 

Growing up in Utah and living here in North Carolina I get a different perspective on things.  Here in NC the wards are so much bigger geographically that you have several families who raised their children in this stake and their children are raising children in this stake.  So you get to see families, to see how they influenced the Church for good. I get to see families that have stayed strong and have passed that legacy on to their children.  Now the children are strengthening the Church.  You see men have many leadership roles and the blessings of these roles, the blessings to the family as well as the Church.

I am grateful for my life, for the wonderful family that I am constantly surrounded by.  For a loving Heavenly Father who sees the bigger picture and lets me get a gimps of it now and then.  What a blessing to have the gospel so richly woven through my life and to have family that has that strength that I can rely on.  I trust my Heavenly Father and look forward to being with Him again someday surrounded by my family and my extended family.

Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 1:1

"1  I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days; yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days."