I have appreciated my cousin Jen Hurst's blog; her thankful thursdays; and her willingness to share her testimony. There have been many friends that have shared their feelings and gratitude for blessings and I have been touched by what has been shared. I love the talk given by Julie B. Beck entititled Mothers Who Know. Jen posted a quote from her talk that I copied to include on mine. Sister Beck is an incredible woman whom I admire and believe was called by God to be a leader and share her testimony and wisdom.

Julie B. Beck said...........Mothers who know desire to bear children….Mothers who know honor sacred ordinances and covenants….. Mothers who know are nurturers, nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work…Mothers who know are leaders. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening….These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most... Mothers who know are always teachers….Mothers who know do less….They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Who will prepare this righteous generation of sons and daughters? Latter-day Saint women will do this—women who know and love the Lord and bear testimony of Him, women who are strong and immovable and who do not give up during difficult and discouraging times….There is eternal influence and power in motherhood."

This quote is a wonderful reminder to me how important and sacred a role motherhood is. I often get bogged down in the daily "grind " of caring for family and home that I forget for moments this precious gift that is mine to be a partner with my Father in Heaven . What a sacred trust and responsibility to help His children to receive a mortal body and remind them and me of gospel truths.