Motherhood Across the Miles

 Happy Mother’s Day!



This marks the first holiday we have missed twice while serving our mission. One of the biggest adjustments for me has been being away from the everyday moments that come with being a mother, grandmother, and daughter. I miss grandma days, grandkid parties, baseball, football, and soccer games, dance recitals, volunteering in classrooms, first days of school, helping babysit when needed, hosting family gatherings, helping my mom care for my dad, troubleshooting technology problems for our mothers, and simply being there for all the little moments that make up family life.

At the same time, one of the greatest blessings has been watching our family step up in such beautiful ways. I have loved seeing my daughters—the ones who made me a mother—carry on family traditions and gatherings despite their already busy schedules. It has been wonderful to watch them be such incredible mothers themselves, as well as making time to take their grandmas to lunch, helping with projects around the house, changing filters, filling the water softener, and doing countless other acts of service. Our mothers have also taken such good care of each other and of our home, while faithfully attending the grandkids’ events and cheering them on in our place. Our son makes sure to call us regularly to see how we are doing.  We have truly felt the love, prayers, and support of our family every step of the way. Leaving was one of the hardest things we have ever done, but we have seen so many blessings come to our family as we serve.

In other news this week, we attended an English Teacher Training on Monday. Fifty English teachers from around the city joined us for a training led by a professor from BYU. We took pictures, conducted interviews, and posted a story in the newsroom. It has been fun to once again be in a place where we can cover events like this in person.


We also jumped right back into our role as crepe makers! We hosted the volunteer English teachers in our district for a crepe breakfast followed by District Council.


In Mongolia, Mother’s and Children’s Day is celebrated on June 1st, but even though the country isn’t officially celebrating yet, we still went out to dinner yesterday with the Ellersicks to celebrate Mother’s Day together.


As I’ve reflected this week, I’ve realized that motherhood doesn’t stop because of distance. It simply grows in new ways. Even from across the world, I feel so grateful for the love we share. Serving here has made me appreciate even more the goodness, strength, and kindness of the people I’m blessed to call family.


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