Values

I'm not sure exactly where I am going with this post. But I feel like I need to write out my feelings. In know way is this post meant to offend anybody, so I hope that it doesn't.

Jason and I both grew up in the LDS church. Jason's Mom grew up in the church, his Dad was baptized when he was 19. My parents were both baptized as adults. I know that our extended families who aren't LDS have questions about the church, hopefully someday we will have the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.

Jason and I obviously grew up in two totally different environments. Jason grew up in a predominantly LDS culture, I grew up in the opposite of that. The majority of Jason's friends growing up were LDS, I was the only active LDS youth in my high school. Neither one of these situations are better than the other, they both teach you valuable lessons.

I was reading a blog of a friend of Jason's, and it breaks my heart. Jason served his church mission up in Canada, which is where we met. Jason has told me many times about how this person wrote to him religiously and always was so spiritually uplifting. How this person's testimony was so strong and they always had good things to say. This person now has a completely different life. I am not judging them, thinking that they are less that I am. I am just sad for them. I have followed their blog for the last year or so. It is so interesting to see the change in them over the last year. A year ago they were saying that they know the church is true, that they have some struggles which leave them not going to church, but that they do know its true. And I just read their blog tonight and it is talking about having their records removed from the church. I just wish I could reach out to this person.

It is so amazing to me to see how people who grew up with the same value system...can end up in completely different ways of life. I know that I am so so far from perfect. I would never try to convince anyone otherwise. I have areas in my life that need improvement. But I can confidently say the following:

1) I know that I am a Daughter of God-just as you are a Son of Daughter of God
2) I know that I have a purpose on this earth
3) I know where I came from, why I am here, and where I am going.
4) I know that my calling as a wife and mother are not just an earthly calling, but an eternal calling.

I love you all. If you have any questions about what I have shared, please feel free to ask.