I have known all semester that I need to make this post. I have thought about it seriously. What do I really, sincerely, TRULY want to accomplish during the remainder of my life?
One goal is unwavering. I have always wanted to be a good mother. I have spent my life trying to be a good mom. I still want to be a good mother; just because my children are adults my objective does not end. Only time will judge if I succeed or fail. I will spend all my days trying to be a better mother.
I do need to modify my goal a little bit though. I must add to it the desire to be a good grandmother - 19 times over! FUN! FUN! FUN!!
So many options and opportunities. Letters to write, phone calls to make, cards to mail, pictures to take, games to play, events to plan, projects to start - and finish! And especially love to share, and so much to learn. My children and grandchildren are constantly teaching me new things - like blogging, and Face Book.
Can reading Face Book be a goal? I have kept my 'friends' almost exclusively to family, and I have almost 200 'friends.' It takes determination to keep up with all these cousins by the dozens, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and other miscellaneous relatives, but it is like a giant ongoing reunion. We have cousins groups and share everything including family history on our FB time. So nice to have all these glimpses of their lives.
Family - it is everything!
I want to share everything good with them.
In the New Testament the apostle Paul teaches about performing ordinances such as baptism for those who are dead. What a wonderful teaching. Even after this life people can accept truth and find happiness. And a proxy may help them achieve all that is necessary. 1 Corinthians 15:29
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also teaches this doctrine.
I want to gift these opportunities to every person possible - especially every progenitor that has made it possible for me to exist. They are my family, too. They may not have ever had the chance to be baptized into Christ's Church by priesthood authority. I can be a proxy for them.
This project consumes my life. I have always felt closely tied to older generations. I am curious to know all kinds of history, but especially history that affects family. I want to preserve a record of who I am, and who my parents are, and who their parents are . . . and that list just expands exponentially.
I testify that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is His church - the church of Jesus Christ. It is guided by prophets and apostles. They teach us to know and love God the Father, and of His son, Jesus Christ.
The most important life goal I have is to obey the teachings of Jesus Christ as closely as I possibly can. His life was an example of how God's children can become more like their Father in Heaven.
The Bible and Book of Mormon and other scriptures teach me about all these things. They teach me about all needful things. I read them each day. That is not a goal. It is part of who I am. I talk to God daily too. That is part of who I want to become.