Lisa was asked to give a talk yesterday in church on Being & Setting Good Examples. She did a great job and her talk warmed my heart! Thanks Lisa for a very special Mother's day! I love you...
Talk: I’d like to thank Bro. Johnson for asking me to speak today for Mother’s Day. It has been such a great week! My mom has been sooooo nice hoping that I won’t say anything bad about her today in my talk! Well... unfortunately it didn’t work and the main focus of my talk today is in fact, my Mom.
Elder M. Russell Ballard once said “Just as it is difficult for a weary sailor to find his way across uncharted seas without the aid of a compass, it is almost impossible for children and youth to find their way through the seas of life without the guiding light of a good example.”
My mom is this guiding light. She has set a powerful, personal example of righteous strength, courage, sacrifice, unselfish service, and self-control. These are the traits that have helped me to hold on to the iron rod of the gospel and remain on the straight and narrow path.
My mom strengthens our home and family through her example.
Take for instance my recent driving lesson. I didn’t realize at the time that my foot was actually on the gas peddle and not the brake. With my mom by my side and after my ears stopped ringing from the high pitched screaming, I was able to learn the difference between maintaining a calm demeanor during an emergency and how not to over react. My mother never hesitates to teach me even when it is her own misstep that is used as the example to learn from.
President James E. Faust once said that “More often than not, sharing the gospel is not done on the stage with some public pronouncement, but in the example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis.”
My mom teaches those around her about the gospel through her example.
When we first moved here there were many of our neighbors and school friends who knew nothing of the gospel and if they did know something it was most often incorrect or misguided. One of the things she said to me is that “they won’t always remember what we said about the church but they will always remember what we do.” She taught me that those we don’t see watching us are the ones who learn the most about the church from our example.
Most importantly, my mom is teaching me to follow Christ’s example.
In 1 Peter 2:21 we read, for even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Christ was the ultimate example.
President Ezra Taft Benson said about Christ’s marvelous example: “Nearly two thousand years ago a perfect Man walked the earth—Jesus the Christ. … In His life, all the virtues were lived and kept in perfect balance; He taught men truth—that they might be free; His example and precepts provide the great standard—the only sure way—for all mankind”
I imagine Christ to be a pretty amazing person. Strong, kind, caring, and thoughtful. I’ve learned that He lost his temper once in a temple. And that He once wondered why Heavenly Father had forsaken him. But most of all I’ve learned that He never gave up through his trials and He never lost sight of his mission here on earth no matter how hungry he got after fasting for 40 whole days.
I’ve seen my mom give up the last bit of Chocolate brownie fudge ice cream to one of us even when I knew she deserved every bit of it because of the kind of day she was having.
I’ve seen her survive on little to no sleep to accomplish a goal of another or serve someone in need even when the piles of stuff that need to be done at home go helplessly unnoticed.
I’ve seen her take time to help a stranger. To give to the needy. And to smile at a friend.
CONCLUSION: I am truly grateful for my mom and her example. This week has been a good week. Speaking today worked out really well for me and I want the Bishop to know that I am available for Father’s Day if they need someone.
Bear testimony...
It took us several states and quite a few hours of driving but we finally made it to Four Corners Monument in New Mexico....I mean Colorado...No it was Utah...okay maybe we were in Arizona. Anyhooo... we had a fun time visiting the Four corners area and enjoyed taking lots of fun pictures. 
I especially liked the one we took of Lisa doing a push up with each arm and leg in a different state. She refused to let me publish it on the blog, but I will definitely be using it later on sometime like in her wedding reception video, her graduation party or other some other personal very exciting event like that! haha! Moms always get the last laugh!
