Moms Are Missionaries Too

This topic has been bugging my brain now for over a week, so I think it's time that I finally write something!

I grew up in the gospel, and both my mother and my father are Return Missionaries. From the time I was little both of them encouraged me to prepare to serve a mission. I grew up with the knowledge of just how important sister missionaries are. Over the years, I fasted and prayed and readily prepared myself to serve a full-time mission like my mother had. My plan was flawless, and I was determined.

Then my life took an unexpected turn. I met an amazing return missionary. He was charming, handsome and different from any other young man I had dated. And he asked me to marry him. But what about a mission?

After much fasting and prayer, I knew with my whole heart that marrying Tyler was the right thing for me. He had come into my life at the right time, and this was the plan Heavenly Father had for me. My amazing parents supported me 100%. So at the age of 18, I married my Prince Charming in the Bountiful Temple.

So now that Kaeli is preparing to serve her mission, I couldn't help but wonder if all that preparing I did as a youth had gone to waste. Sure, I can serve a mission with my husband when we are older, but what about all that life in between?

On Mother's Day I was reading in my scriptures about the Strippling Warriors. And how their mothers taught them. That really got me thinking. There are so many amazing examples through history about amazing mothers and how they taught their children the gospel. I know that my own mother used and still uses skills that she learned on her mission in her home every day. My mother-in-law raised three wonderful young men who have all faithfully served missions and have amazing testimonies!

Children come into this world so innocent and fresh from Heaven. But over time they will forget where they came from. They will forget who they are and why they are here. Just like the people that Kaeli is going to teach! With my own little one on the way, I pray every day that I will be able to know what to do, know what to say, know what to teach, and that I will have the Lord with me every step of the way. This is my mission. I have received my call. Now is the time to prepare and learn. And I know that someday Kaeli will make an amazing mother because of all the wonderful things she has done now, and the things that she will do on her mission! Here is a big THANK YOU to all the sister missionaries who have served, are currently serving, and those who will serve! And THANK YOU to all the mothers out there, who are missionaries every day of their lives! You all are building God's kingdom. Don't forget that!
~Avery