A moment I won't forget

DISCLAIMER: I am not sure who reads this blog and who reads my personal blog. Sometimes the stories are the same....sorry. I don't mean to be repetitive, there are just some experiences I love so much that I want to make sure I cover all my bases (so to speak)!

Did you not LOVE Elder Ballard's talk in General Conference? One of the things he said that I just loved was..."recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction". A couple of months ago on Fast Sunday both Dallan and I got up and shared our testimonies. Madelyn really wanted to go and kept asking when it was her turn. We explained that she could go up and share her testimony when she was able to do it on her own. For the last several weeks during family home evening she has practiced and today she wanted to go up. We kept asking her are you sure you want to? You more than likely heard the same counsel we did as far as allowing children to go and share their testimony during sacrament and for that reason we were hesitant. But she was relentless and finally I said okay. We made our way to the front, found a seat and waiting for our turn. She leaned over and said mom I don't see dad. I said he is right there. When she finally found him she waved and I am not talking some little discreet wave but instead raised her hand as high as she could. At that moment I thought this is not going to be good. I kept whispering in her ear are you sure you aren't scared to get up in front of all these people? Her reply...No. And then it was...Remember you have to do it all by yourself...her reply....I know mom, I don't need your help. When it was almost our turn she said mom I need you to go up there with me, I said okay but I am not going to tell you what to say, she said Mom, I don't need your help, I just need you to stand up there with me. So the last girl finished and she looked at me and said it is our turn. We walked up there and I helped her get on the little chair, I adjusted the microphone and then knelt down, so no one could see me. This is what she said...."I would like to tell my testimony. I know Jesus loves me. I know the church is true. I know President Monson is our new prophet. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen". Then she got off the stool and quietly sat down on the chair behind me until I was done. I was so proud of her. Proud that she was confident enough to stand up there in front of so many people and proud she worked hard for something she wanted to do. For me it was one of those moments Elder Ballard spoke about. On a daily basis I wonder if what I am doing is enough. Are they learning the things they need to? Do any of the things I tell them sink in? And to be honest most days I feel as though I have fallen short in my role as their mother. But today....today was a shining moment that filled my heart with joy and love for this beautiful little girl whom I get to call my daughter.