Dear Family and Loved Ones,
We’ve enjoyed a beautiful week and a great Mother’s Day here in Long Beach. Ted may feel a little differently, while our week was more relaxing than usual he was spending many hours each day in interviews. It takes two weeks to interview each of our 147 missionaries. Each interview is about ten minutes long but often a missionary will need extra time or even another longer interview to resolve concerns. When Ted gets home he has a hard time forgetting about his day and sleeping. He takes on himself the many worries and anxieties of our Elders and Sisters. Even though he is often inspired to give them helpful advice there are some problems that require time, patience and a lot of faith.
My Dad had a setback early in the week with his recovery from his heart attack but by the end of the week he was back home where he can continue to regain his strength in the comfort of his familiar surroundings. Family members are happily taking turns spending time with him until he is feeling stronger. Not being strong and independent is discouraging for him at but we keep reminding him that his job right now is to rest so his body and heal. Our love, thoughts and prayers continue constantly for him and those caring for him.
Shelly, Ben and Mari met other family members in Las Vegas for our niece’s wedding on Saturday. They left Friday after school and were able to relax Saturday morning before gathering with the rest of the family (most had traveled from Utah and Louisiana) for the ceremony and reception that night. All who attended said it was a very beautiful and special event. The bride, our niece Elizabeth and her twin sister Christina are exactly one month younger than Stacey. I still remember the panicked phone call we received from Ted’s sister Peggy when she found out she was expecting twins. Of course that panic quickly became excited anticipation and their safe arrival was a blessing. Christina and Elizabeth have brought great joy to all of us and they have become amazing, gorgeous women. Our kids especially enjoyed the delicious food and seeing their cousin Elizabeth dressed as a beautiful bride but the highlight was seeing their very proper Uncles and Aunts out on the dance floor having a good time :) We can’t wait to see some photos!
Maybe it was because our house was extra quiet this weekend that I found myself more emotional about Mother’s Day than I normally am. I know many women dread the Mother’s Day Holiday – I’ve always enjoyed it, probably because I don’t usually think of it as my day but as a day to remember all of the amazing moms and motherly women in my life (especially my Mom and Mother-in-law). This weekend I did have a mini pity party as I thought of my many short comings and weaknesses as a Mom. Even though I believe our children are amazing and remarkable I have many regrets and many things I would like to improve on. I even entertained the thought that our kids would be better off with a stronger, smarter, wiser mother. My pity party didn’t last too long as the Spirit whispered to me that our precious children are not ours by chance and that of the many things that our Father puts into place there is nothing more important than making sure that His individual children are brought together into families for the best mutual benefit of all. I thought of all of the inspiration Ted receives as he places missionaries in the right place, with the right companion, in the right area, etc. Such inspiration is not just reserved for the mission. Even though I let doubt take over for moment there is really no doubt in my mind that our children are ours for a sacred purpose, the Lord does not leave such important matters to chance.
Our sacrament meeting today was beautiful and uplifting. I especially loved some quotes from Elder Holland shared by one of the speakers. They were taken from Elder Holland’s conference talk in April 1997:
“When you have come to the Lord in meekness and lowliness of heart and, as one mother said, ‘pounded on the doors of heaven to ask for, to plead for, to demand guidance and wisdom and help for this wondrous task,’ that door is thrown open to provide you the influence and the help of all eternity. Claim the promises of the Savior of the world. Ask for the healing balm of the Atonement for whatever may be troubling you or your children. Know that in faith things will be made right in spite of you, or more correctly, because of you.”
“You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you—He who resolutely goes after the lost sheep, sweeps thoroughly to find the lost coin, waits everlastingly for the return of the prodigal son. Yours is the work of salvation, and therefore you will be magnified, compensated, made more than you are and better than you have ever been as you try to make honest effort, however feeble you may sometimes feel that to be.”
“Remember, remember all the days of your motherhood: “Ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.”
“Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever. And ‘press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.’ You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, “Daughter, be of good comfort; be of good cheer”.
I am so grateful to be a mother, even a very imperfect one. I am grateful for a Loving Heavenly Father who provides the example of a perfect parent and for our Savior who is there to make up the difference when we fall short.
We love each of you,
The Long Beach Buberts
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