I had another one of those moments yesterday.
My parents invited me and my siblings, together with our spouses, to attend the afternoon session of general conference at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Now, I would be completely lying if I didn't admit that we knew something was up. There had been rumblings among us kids (more specifically, the 5 sisters) but my mom and dad weren't talking. They weren't even hinting. And it was driving us CRAZY! So we were left to speculate and theorize all on our own. And we did a really terrible job.
The ticket to General Conference said we were to be seated in the section entitled "Plaza 2". I had never ever heard of a "Plaza 2"...I wandered around the big center for a few minutes flashing my ticket at anyone wearing a volunteer badge with a rather lost, bewildered look on my face as I was directed further and further forward...on the main floor...to the seats up close...where you can see the faces of the people on the stand without the big screen TV's. Having grown up very happily attending events in the nose bleed section of most theaters/sporting events/conference center buildings, I felt a little out of place. What was I doing among the "main floor-ers"? And wow, those conference flowers are really pretty up close!
I finally found a seat and sat down. My husband was still on his way in and I had arrived later than my siblings so I was sitting alone in between 2 strangers...just me and my Tic Tacs...a little awestruck by the whole experience. And then I had the first of what would be several "moments"...President Thomas S. Monson, our living prophet, walked onto the stand together with his 2 counselors and my soul truly felt electrified. There aren't words to describe the feeling of seeing the prophet in person. The Spirit bore powerful testimony to me of the mantle he wears and the sacredness of the calling he holds in the Lord's kingdom. Looking at him together with the quorum of the 12 was a moment I hope I will never forget. My soul rejoiced at the blessing and privilege of living on the earth at this time, at the prospect of literally...very literally...sitting and learning at their feet. And that powerful Spirit of love and peace and certainty stayed with me for some time. A beautiful moment in the continuing process of feeling my testimony grow and develop.
Conference started and I was becoming more and more anxious. I promise that in all my years of general conference attendance, I have NEVER heard that many names read to be sustained. They released the current general Young Women's presidency but didn't immediately announce the names of the new one. IT WAS TORTURE! I was clenching my hands so tight that I was losing feeling. And then it happened...my mother's name was read as the new Young Woman's general president...and I'm not exaggerating when I say my jaw hit the ground. I didn't even hear the names of her 2 counselors because I was stunned. I wasn't stunned because she was called...I was stunned because MY MOTHER was called. My Mo. The most remarkable woman on the planet had just been called to go sit in those really big, comfortable chairs. And then I cried...tears of joy, tears of surprise, tears of gratitude. I was utterly overwhelmed! As she walked to the stand and took her seat, I just sat and stared at her with a big, silly grin on my face. I was so proud of her, so proud to be her daughter. She is truly a remarkable woman!
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| My Mo is in the middle wearing the lovely lime jacket. |
I spent the rest of conference looking at this row of amazing women...women who are not afraid to be feminine and strong and courageous. Women who defend the truth every single day in their homes and communities...women who are truly my heroes.
The rest of the day was filled with wonderful, life changing, inspiring moments.
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| Seriously...how cute is this woman? |
It was a special experience to have 5 of the 7 siblings in attendance...although we desperately missed the other 2. We all went back to my parent's home and made my mother sit in the "chair of truth" and tell us the WHOLE story...back to the beginning...no skimpy details. She has known for 6 weeks. That is a long time to keep such a big secret. But her story of this experience (so far) from start to finish is a story of amazing miracles, beautiful tender mercies, and so many life changing moments...it is the story of the gospel. Some truths are eternal no matter where you live or what your circumstances. No matter what your calling, the process is the same. Prayer, fasting, moments of sheer terror, moments of overwhelming peace...we are all on the Lord's errand.
My mother has always been known as "Mo". The word for "mother" in Swedish is "moder"...but a long time ago it was shortened to Mo...and truly she has been Mo to so many people. My Mo is married to the most amazing husband and father. He is the most humble, most selfless man I know. The 2 of them together have always been a force to reckon with. They had 7 children in less than 12 years, served together in Sweden for 3 years as mission president (and mission "mom"), moved all over the country, served as temple president and matron in Sweden for 3 more years, and have truly spent their lives in the service of God and their family.
My Mo went back to school and finished her bachelor's degree after her children had left home. She has taught me that there is a time and season to our lives and with patience and faith in the Lord and HIS timing, all our dreams and desires will come true.
She has taught early morning seminary, served in the Young Women's program, served in the temple, served in the Primary Presidency in a foreign country, served faithfully in so many callings...she has demonstrated through her example that this is the Lord's kingdom and it is a privilege and blessing to serve wherever and in whatever He may ask.
My Mo was always known in our house growing up for saying REALLY long prayers...whether family prayer or personal prayer, she spent lots of time on her knees. She taught me that great miracles can happen through prayer. My life has moments where I stood at a crossroad, undeserving of blessings I was given...and I know with absolute certainty that the only reason I was blessed was because of the pleadings and faith of my mother.
My mother speaks her mind. She is strong...physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She supported my dad in his career and church callings which meant she was often alone in handling responsibilities at home. But she did it. And she did it extraordinarily well.
My Mo has a GREAT sense of humor! She is funny and silly and although her children are all grown, we still clambor to be with her and around her. She is a terrific "Mo Grandma". Her grandchildren adore her.
She has a passion for polka dots and gingham and all things cute. Wherever she has lived, she has drawn people to her. She has always loved teenagers...our home growing up was always a "gathering" place. She nurtured, loved, and accepted people for who they were and where they were in their lives.
I really could go on and on and on...but it is late at night and my fingertips are numb from typing and your eyes must be bloodshot from all this reading.
I want to be just like my Mo when I grow up. I am so proud that the world will have a chance to see a glimpse and be blessed by this remarkable woman. She will bring humility, passion, faith, testimony, humor, and sincerity to this calling. She will bring a deep and abiding love to the hearts of young women all over the world who will be touched by the spirit and strength she possesses. I love to think of the number of young women that will now have "Mo" for themselves! What a treat!
But at the end of the day, I will still long to drive to her home, sit on the couch, and tell my Mo all about how cute my kids are and how much I hate doing dishes and ask advice on how to handle my life and then eat some ice-cream and maybe cut out something cute on her Silhouette...because after all, she is my Mo.
