Let me start by saying, I love General Conference. I really do! The talks are always so uplifting and give me direction. I get answers, I get soft reminders of what I need to do better, I get direction on what to do next. I also always get a little bit of guilt. Yup, always. When I hear talks about the importance of family scripture study, prayer and family home evening, I wonder how in the world my kids turned out as fabulous as they did. We never did these things as a family. Honestly, I struggle with doing them personally. I tried to teach the gospel through every day conversations, through discussions after church, through moments when the Spirit was so strong none of us could deny the experience we were having.
I wondered if this foundation that was obviously lacking in some important elements was enough to help my kids make good decisions as adults. I still wonder if they will be able to stay strong in this crazy world and raise a family righteous in the Gospel. I wonder if they will be able to add important elements to their homes and create a stronger foundation than I did.
They both made the amazing decision to go on a mission. I knew going in that it would be hard for them. I knew they would probably feel they were lacking in some basic gospel knowledge, after all we didn't study the gospel every day for 18 years.
And then I get this little gem and it makes me cry.
From Kaitlyn's email exchange today:
I'm going to get booted off soon but Just know I love you, You're the best example I could have ever hoped for growing up. You are the reason I am on a mission. Without you our family would have fallen away from the gospel and I wouldn't be making the choices I am now. Without you, I wouldn't be who am I today. So I love you, and owe everything to you! Because of you I am free from Satan forever :D (there's scriptural references for the last bit, go find them)
