As some of you may have discerned, once I let my hair grow out to its natural color an inordinate amount of grey has come to light--literally! As my grandson, Finch, said on Face time "Nanny, why is your hair so grey?" What could I say? -- he only spoke the truth. I have a definite white forelock streak so I guess I am dear Olivia LeBaron's true Nanny!
The reason I bring all of this up is that several of the students and missionaries talk about me being like a Grandma to them. Don't get me wrong, I love being a Nanny/Grandma. This is what I was meant to be. I know that in my heart. It is only that it is such a shock to realize that most of the parents of these students and the missionaries are the age of Flori and Rob and Jim and Luci! I literally am like a Grandma to them because their grandparents are my age. Coming on my mission, I thought of myself as a "mother" to these YSA and missionaries. They haven't even seen or heard of most of our favorite movies. The best perk is that when I return home in a year, I will be much "hipper" as a Nanny to my older grandchildren.
I feel not just antique, but more importantly, incredibly humble in this position. When I think of the incredible example and role model my own grandmothers have been to me, I fear I will be found lacking! Good thing they are seeing me through eyes focused on the gospel and the Savior. He can make anyone look good. I expressed to our daughter, Mary, today that I feel like I'm not doing enough and she reassured me that most missionaries feel that way. She said when I start feeling like "I'm there", then I need to worry, because then for sure I won't be doing enough. I haven't met to make this post a downer, I have just been in a very reflective mood.
So even though I am reflective, I also feel incredibly hopeful. We have lots of students and YSA this Summer. Our attendance at our Teachings of the Living Prophets is as well or better attended than our fall and spring classes. We were worried the first 2 weeks we started up the branch again, but we had more students on Sunday, so that was reassuring. Since we are also teaching in Madisonville on Fridays (mostly Branch members), I get to look at 2 different perspectives of each talk I study. I fell my study abilities have definitely increased over the last few months. I just started the Book of Mormon again and I am just trying to focus on scriptures that may apply particularly to the Plan of Salvation. I haven't ever focused my whole study of the Book of Mormon on just one topic(granted, it is a huge topic) so it will be edifying to see where it takes me. Who knows, someday I may be a real scriptorian like Neil of the prodigious memory skills.
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| Sporting my Texas Shirt! |
I feel not just antique, but more importantly, incredibly humble in this position. When I think of the incredible example and role model my own grandmothers have been to me, I fear I will be found lacking! Good thing they are seeing me through eyes focused on the gospel and the Savior. He can make anyone look good. I expressed to our daughter, Mary, today that I feel like I'm not doing enough and she reassured me that most missionaries feel that way. She said when I start feeling like "I'm there", then I need to worry, because then for sure I won't be doing enough. I haven't met to make this post a downer, I have just been in a very reflective mood.
So even though I am reflective, I also feel incredibly hopeful. We have lots of students and YSA this Summer. Our attendance at our Teachings of the Living Prophets is as well or better attended than our fall and spring classes. We were worried the first 2 weeks we started up the branch again, but we had more students on Sunday, so that was reassuring. Since we are also teaching in Madisonville on Fridays (mostly Branch members), I get to look at 2 different perspectives of each talk I study. I fell my study abilities have definitely increased over the last few months. I just started the Book of Mormon again and I am just trying to focus on scriptures that may apply particularly to the Plan of Salvation. I haven't ever focused my whole study of the Book of Mormon on just one topic(granted, it is a huge topic) so it will be edifying to see where it takes me. Who knows, someday I may be a real scriptorian like Neil of the prodigious memory skills.
Mom, I loved this post. I'm glad you are sharing more thoughts and pictures. I love your gray hair! I love your bike. I love that you and Dad are on a mission. Those kids couldn't find better role models or nurturers anywhere in the world!! I only wish you could be the institute directors wherever Maddie goes to college next year!
ReplyDeleteI also loved this post! You're a beautiful writer and a beautiful mother.
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