There is this plaque at my church. It has been there since I was 2's age. And did I mention that I went to the same church in the same building when I was 2's age? I did. My name should be on that plaque. And it isn't. It's not there because I wasn't determined enough, or motivated enough. Not because they didn't want my name there. It's my fault that it isn't there. 
The plaque is hanging in the hallway. I pass by it several times every Sunday. It is actually 3 plaques now, hanging side by side. When one gets filled up with names, they buy another one. 
I don't beat myself up over it or anything. I do feel regret, but not hopeless regret. Mainly because I still might make that plaque yet. 
The plaque is filled with girls' names. It represents thousands of hours of learning, service, creativity, faith, determination, and motivation. The names belong to all the girls in the Harmony Park ward who have earned their Young Womanhood Recognition Award. And it goes back 20 something years. 
That award is a big one. It is a lot of work. It takes a lot of time. A lot of service. A lot of projects. Last fall, three names were added to the plaque. And one of them was My Girl.My beautiful, courageous girl. The same girl who outwardly groaned when she found out they had added reading the entire Book of Mormon as a requirement. The same girl who, as of this writing, has read exactly one chapter book in it's entirety. The Book of Mormon.
She took it upon herself to earn the award. She put in the time, the hours, the work. And her name will forever grace the halls of Harmony Park Ward. How awesome is that?
This girl has been motivated since day one. Motivated to walk, to crawl, to run. Motivated to learn, to grow, to achieve. She has self-propelled herself through life. All I have done, pretty much, is provide for her physical needs. And to love her every day.
I know all girls aren't like this. All of MY girls aren't like this, and that's ok. They are awesome in different ways. But this post isn't about them. This post is about 2, and she is like this. She is an inspiration to me and so many others.
I was telling my Beehives just last Sunday about her. And what I said is this: The greatest gift you can give to your parents is to just do everything you are supposed to do. In church, in school, in your family, in life. Sounds simple right? It's not, really. But that is what she does. She does what she is supposed to do, what is expected of her. And it is the most precious thing she could ever do for me. And for herself.
She has been a dream to raise. A true dream.
She will go far in life. What ever it is that she does, she will do well. And she will inspire people as she goes along. She really wants to help people. For no reason but to help them. I'm pretty sure she has no idea that she is only 17 and should be worried about different things. But then she wouldn't be her.
I love her so much. She is my little, and I mean really, really, little, dream come true.
Dear 2:
"Yes. Give me a Young Woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a Young Woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Woman Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a Young Woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity." -President Ezra Taft Benson
She took it upon herself to earn the award. She put in the time, the hours, the work. And her name will forever grace the halls of Harmony Park Ward. How awesome is that? 
This girl has been motivated since day one. Motivated to walk, to crawl, to run. Motivated to learn, to grow, to achieve. She has self-propelled herself through life. All I have done, pretty much, is provide for her physical needs. And to love her every day.For example. She didn't have school today. They were administering the AIMS math test,and she has already scored exceeds. So she had a day off, along with countless other high schoolers. What did she do? She woke up, helped me bathe and dress the little ones, and then put on a dress and drove herself down to the Temple to do baptisms for the dead. By herself. On a Tuesday morning. When she could have done an.y.thing.
I know all girls aren't like this. All of MY girls aren't like this, and that's ok. They are awesome in different ways. But this post isn't about them. This post is about 2, and she is like this. She is an inspiration to me and so many others. 
I was telling my Beehives just last Sunday about her. And what I said is this: The greatest gift you can give to your parents is to just do everything you are supposed to do. In church, in school, in your family, in life. Sounds simple right? It's not, really. But that is what she does. She does what she is supposed to do, what is expected of her. And it is the most precious thing she could ever do for me. And for herself. 
She has been a dream to raise. A true dream.
She will go far in life. What ever it is that she does, she will do well. And she will inspire people as she goes along. She really wants to help people. For no reason but to help them. I'm pretty sure she has no idea that she is only 17 and should be worried about different things. But then she wouldn't be her.
I love her so much. She is my little, and I mean really, really, little, dream come true. 
Dear 2:I am so proud of you for earning your Award. So. Proud. I knew you would do it and you did. You will do so many great things in your life. I am excited to see all of them.
Love,
Mom
"Yes. Give me a Young Woman who loves home and family, who reads and ponders the scriptures daily, who has a burning testimony of the Book of Mormon. Give me a Young Woman who faithfully attends her church meetings, who is a seminary graduate, who has earned her Young Woman Recognition Award and wears it with pride! Give me a young woman who is virtuous and who has maintained her personal purity, who will not settle for less than a temple marriage, and I will give you a Young Woman who will perform miracles for the Lord now and throughout eternity." -President Ezra Taft Benson
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