Then, when the dust settled, I found myself with a lot of time to think. Do you know what I thought about? I thought about all the things I filled my time with, and then I thought about the things that my greatest examples fill their own time with. Huge gaps...
Sure, I took dinner to a few people last week, but what about the massive amount of time I spent just doing things 'for me?' I got our Patriarchal blessings out last night and studied them. I read through journal entries I had from my mission. I studied my scriptures. As Alan and I set new goals for ourselves as individuals and as a couple, I came to realize how blessed I am by the people that surround me. Everything I want to work on, Every Christlike attribute I want to attain, and everything I want to become is perfectly exemplified by someone I know. And even if you think it's not much--I want you to know I notice. I appreciate you. So, here's a shout out to all of your perfect examples:
Alan-Absolute humility and patience. When I think of someone who is humble, I think of you. You live the gospel to the best of your ability just because you know you should.You always think you can be or do better. You never draw attention to yourself for vanity's sake, and you never judge. You are always filling your time going about the Lord's work; quietly serving others. You have spent your life cultivating this quality and yet, you don't recognize it as one of your greatest strengths. I love you for this.
Mom-Faith. There has never been a time in my life where I couldn't feel your faith in God. Your faith is the kind of faith we read of in the scriptures. Your faith literally could move mountains, and I know for a fact, that your faith has saved me. Not everyone can be blessed with such surety in the Lord and His plan as you are, and I have found myself many times, leaning on your faith because I don't know if I can trust in my own. Everyone that meets you can feel it, and even though you don't know exactly how much it has changed me--it is absolutely the most important gift you have given me as your daughter.
Dad-Diligence. Not only are you the hardest worker I have ever, or may ever know; You are the most committed to the Lord's work. You make things happen that others only have ideas for. I know that the Lord trusts you with his work because you will do all you have to- no matter how hard, how long, how painful, or how inconvenient. Your dedication to Him is what I think of when I think of the word "consecrate." Also--I am pretty sure Superman doesn't stand a chance against you.
Luis-Ambition. (I also know for a fact that you were given more than your fair share of mom's Faith.) No matter where you are in life, you aren't afraid to dream big. You have goals and drive and vision. I love that. I love that you aren't afraid of not achieving your dreams, but rather push forward with excitement and vision of what you can accomplish. You put the Lord first, and trust that He'll open doors for you to be able to accomplish your desires.
Rachelle-I don't even know if there is a word for th kind of person you are. Maybe simply put--Sweet. You never belittle anyone or their thoughts. You accept criticism and challenges with a willingness to learn and grow, and you are constantly taking in the good of other people; Seeing people for their best qualities, and trying to improve yourself. You make so many sacrifices and give of yourself constantly. You are sweet and optimistic.
Danny-I have said it before and I'll say it again. The ultimate Peacemaker. We've joked about it often, but I'm not sure there is a way to describe the connection I feel to you. There isn't an ounce of malice in you--nothing can provoke you to say an unkind word, and contention doesn't exist in your world. Also, you have rockin' abs. I would like those:0)
Becky- Love. Almost an overbearing amount of it! You Love Everyone! I know that no matter how bad of a sister I may be, that you love me unconditionally. You are quick to forgive, and sincere in your love for others. You are loyal to your friends and family, and you are the person I know I can count on to drop what you're doing and just listen to me... You are an amazing friend.
Tally-Kindness and Grace. I know you would never accept flattery, and you don't think you are as perfect as you are, but since the day I met you, there has never been a single instance in which I didn't leave you feeling uplifted, supported, and inspired. Literally. You inspire me to be better. You were my first college roommate. You were my escort in the temple. Your letters motivated me every day of my mission. For heaven's sakes--every post on your Blog even inspires me! I count you as one of the greatest blessings of my life. When I think of the kindest, funniest, most gracious woman who ever walked this earth....It's you. You always make others feel like we have the potential to be great, and I can still remember walking into your room at night and finding you reading your scriptures or praying, or just preparing for the next day...You were the roommate I tried to pattern myself after - I still do.
Becca- Wow. You are absolutely the most engaging person I have ever met. I could talk to you for hours (and I have) because there is never a dull conversation with you. You have this passion for learning and a sincere desire to seek out new knowledge, and I just feel smarter when I'm around you. You inspire me to get everything I can out of life -- wasting time is never an option. I can't really explain the closeness I feel to you except for saying that I crave growth after just talking with you. I can't wait to see the world together and share in new experiences throughout life.You are the opposite of complacent and I Love that!
Chris- Everybody has one specific quality about them that seems to outshine all their other great qualities. Yours, at least for me, is acceptance. You accept others as they are without judgement or criticism. Even if you have been mistreated or misjudged, you allow others to grow and change, all the while maintaining a spirit of acceptance. You accepted me as your sister in law without question, and never once have I felt the need to 'prove myself' to you in anything. You make it ok for others to just be themselves around you, and if they're really lucky (Becca), you show this amazing outpouring of love for everything about them! You are one of the most loving husbands, and I look to you guys as an example oftentimes for our own marriage.
Traci- Charity. You have always been so supportive, so kind, and so... just charitable. You have always looked for the good in others while dismissing their flaws, and I can still remember clinging to you and your friendship after my mission for that. You have this gift of being able to bring a smile to anyone's face, and you are just one of the most beautiful people in this world. You make everything feel better, and I know you are the world's greatest mom and wife because of it.
Thank you everyone for working so hard in your own lives. I know that each of you possesses so many more qualities than what I've chosen to highlight, but I thought you should know the kind of impact you each have made on me and who I want to become. This coming week I will try to fill my life with meaningful service to those around me, with experiences that will help me to expand and grow, and all I will have to do is think about each one you for ideas on how to be just a little bit better. Thank you, thank you, thank you....
