To My Mom!

This is my mom, Penny Jones.

 

 

And this is our family!

(And yes, because I am awesome and couldn't get our picture to upload, I took a picture of a picture.  LOL! Don't judge!  I just love this whole bunch and wanted to show them all.  )

Dear Mom,

Where could I possibly begin?  I have so much to thank you for I could probably write for days and not cover everything! 

Thank you for making going to church a priority in our household.  Because of you (& Dad), I was raised to know Jesus and have a relationship with him.  There is nothing more important any parent can give a child than this!

Thank you for staying home with us until we started school.  I did not understand then how lucky I was to spend everyday with you and my siblings.  I got to enjoy laughing, singing, and playing with those I love most.  That time is priceless in my eyes, and you made the choice to make that a priority. 

Thank you for showing me that it is possible to accomplish anything we desire with faith in Our Savior and hard work.  Going to college, working on your days off as a substitute teacher, getting us to all our extra curricular and church activities, and running a home all at the same time was no easy feat.  I took your tireless work for granted when I was young, but now I see that you were demonstrating your love to us through one of my love language: acts of service.  She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 

Thank you for showing me how to make sacrifices for my children through your own selflessness.  When I was young, I just expected that it was your responsibility to give, give, give.  I "expected" you to pay for cheerleading, drill team, Church camp, outings with my friends, new clothes, or whatever I thought I deserved to do or have without ever wondering how you would make that happen financially with three children. (I realize how selfish I was and can not apologize enough!)   Now that I have my own children, I know how hard that can be sometimes.  I see that you thoughtfully planned inexpensive meals and found ways to make cuts in your budget to account for the money you would spend on us.  I realize that you did without new clothes, getting your hair done, and things that you needed so that we could have what we wanted.  Seeing that in you, has helped me learn to make sacrifices for my family.  (And the time was not even mentioned here.  Countless hours of watching sporting and musical events and competitions.  I may have just expected it of you when I was younger, but just know that I do not take that precious time and support for granted.)   

Thank you for showing me that we can walk through fire and come out changed for the better because His grace is sufficient for you, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).  I have seen you go through some hard things, Mom.  You know the situations, and I thought my heart might break.  But you have come through, exhibiting great strength.  I am reminded of Proverbs 31:25.  She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.  This is who you are, and because of that, I strive to be that as well.

Thank you for having a love for children.  You have demonstrated your love for children through countless Vacation Bible Schools, Children's Choir Programs, Refereeing and coaching Upwards Basketball & Youth Sports softball, and teaching school for years.  Mark 9:36-37 says, Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”    

Thank you for showing me how to honor my parents.  You took care of both of your parents as they were sick, and going to be with the Lord.  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:  “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-3) I am ashamed that when I was younger, I did not honor you as I should have.  I pray that I will learn to honor you the way you have honored your parents. 

Were you perfect?  No.  It is your imperfections that made you perfect for the role as my Mom, well, because I most definitely am not perfect either, and I needed a lot of grace and forgiveness from you.  You could not have given that to me if you had never experienced it yourself.  In your inadequacies, you learned to trust in the Lord for strength and wisdom.  (And I know you needed a lot of strength to deal with such a stubborn daughter!)        

As a Mom, I learn from the example you have set for me.  I know I am inadequate in my calling to raise and nurture the gifts the Lord has given me.  But like you, I will do the best I know how to do to raise Godly young women so that one day they too will have the same testimony I do......I have a wonderful Mom who loved and cared for me and deserves so much more than a simple gift and card on Mother's Day. 

Happy Mother's Day!  I love you!

Love, Tera

My sister-Amanda, my brother-Andy, and me! 

 

All my mom's grandkids!  This picture is a little old as you can tell, but it's all I could find quickly!
From left to right: Kethan, Kera, Kat, Kyler, Konnor, Kelanie, and Kati holding Kynslie!

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother's day to every Mom!  My prayer is that we will realize the great honor it is to be called Mommy, and what a blessing our children are!  I hope you have a great weekend!