Live your life with Integrity

"Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the church."

 ~Gordon B. Hinckley 

"Peace be unto thy soul...Thy Friends do stand by thee." D&C 121:7-9, was the theme for this years Young Women in Excellence. 

This past Tuesday all of our young women got together and presented all the things that they have accomplished throughout the year for their program. I always look forward to this event at the end of each year because it really shows me, and other parents what our kids have accomplished while growing spiritually at the same time.

This year was especially important to me because of the goal I set to complete my personal progress (which I did) along with my daughter. Integrity is the last value for Sierra to complete, and her project was creating a book of quotes from General Authorities that pertain to integrity and honesty. Creating this book is a reminder to her to live each day with integrity, and to alway be honest all the days of her life.

How different my life would have been had I lived to always be honest. It would have been nice to have been raised with this as a youth, but I have no regrets...NONE! 

Having integrity is a talent. Unfortunately not everyone inhibits that very well. I see in you Sierra a lot of your father. Your dad has been in sales for 14 years of his employment, and not once has he ever felt that he had to be dishonest with any of his clients. That's what makes a good salesman. Living the life of integrity is very rare for someone in the business of sales to live by, and for your dad he has seen the results of what happens to someone who falls short of having integrity, especially at work...getting fired based on integrity issues. Sad, but true. It's so important to always be truthful to everyone.

I see how honest and true you are to all of your friends. It doesn't matter if they attend church or not. You are as unique, and true as they come. The friends that you have made throughout the years of leading a nomadic life who are not members are still your friend. I believe it's because you are always there for them no matter what, and always try to build peace around them. I know that your friends here, including your teachers see the way you live as a Latter-Day Saint, and how you have been an example to others. You live each day at school the same way you do on Sunday. You are the same, fun, clumsy, happy girl who is always smiling and wanting everyone to know that everyday can be cheerful. Even on your worst days you still manage to have that cheerful smile.


Sometimes I want to be just like you!


I look back at my life and saw all the iniquity that I caused for others...including myself, because I wasn't a very honest person. You are old enough to know a lot about my history as your mother, and I have no regrets telling you. I know how grateful you are for me to have been honest with you about my past, and the consequences that I endured from being dishonest.

I know that by telling you those things it has made you want to be a better person, and that is who you are today. The gospel helps us want to be a better person. It is what helps shine that light in you. It is what helps build your integrity. Continue to live by that and you will always be happy. Others will appreciate your honesty, and by living a life of integrity you will always be blessed.

Love you,

Mom

The day you got accepted into the NHS

Dear Sierra, 

I can't begin to tell you how much my face lights up when you oblige to take pictures, and how your genuineness in smiling in these pictures makes me happy. I know why that is. You never let the petty things of life get to you. You always make the best out of every situation when it comes to the family, and friends...oh those friends!! You give everyone the benefit of the doubt...more than once, and that just proves to me how Christlike, patient, and loving you truly are. No matter what 'the world' teaches you, and every other youth out there, you still manage to hang on to that iron rod, and make it to the top in your academics!

I know that being the oldest is hard. Always striving to do your best so that you can be a good example to your siblings. I want to let you know that the example you are setting to your sisters and baby brother is amazing, and hardly a disappointment. Especially when it comes to your academics. 

You have worked so hard into getting to where you're at both spiritually and academically. Two things that I didn't work hard at. Having the National Honor Society of your High School recognize your outstanding qualities of leadership, service, scholarship, and character is an honor! Being accepted into the National Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can ever be bestowed upon any student, and we are so pleased at all your achievements that you have accomplished since moving up here three and a half years ago!  

You are also a happy example to me. You are 24 years younger than me, and you are teaching me more than you know. You teach me how to be more patient, understanding, and someone's 'sunshine friend'. I see wonderful things in you that I never saw in myself when I was your age. I know it is because of the love you have for the Savior, and in the gospel. Those are two things that I didn't take very seriously. I also didn't take my last two years of high school very seriously. You are grounded in those important things on your own motive, and that makes me even happier. You choose for yourself, and know how far your limits go. 

You are not afraid of who you are, or to let anyone know what you're all about. Your not afraid to show the 'inner geek' that you are, (a beautiful one by the way!) Besides your father, you are the most humbling person I know. I love your example so much that it makes me want to be more like you. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Me being the example to you? I know you tell me that I'm teaching you how to be a loving, smart human being, and that you want to be 'just like your mom', but the truth is...you are teaching me how to be more strong, and more Christlike in so many ways. 

Keep up the excellent work girl! Be strong in all that you do. No matter how challenging your classes may be...honesty, and studying hard will get you where you need to be. Take control in making good choices, and the Lord will continue to bless you!  

xo,

Mom