Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mother, Terri Lynne Hubbard Shepard's birthday. Happy happy birthday! I have been thinking about my mom a lot this whole week and especially yesterday and today. I thought that for her birthday, I would write her a letter saying some things that I love about her. So, this is for you Mom!

My mother must have been born on a happy day. Just look at this baby’s face! (Sorry about the underlining, blogger won't let me fix it...)

She was the cutest little girl, born to loving parents, Claude and Bonnie, and was followed by a sister, Kellie.

My mother is obedient. My grandpa often tells us that my mom would always do what was asked of her, and that all it took when she was being naughty was for him to give her the eye. (That's when my grandpa raises his left eyebrow and lowers his right one. - A trait I have inherited from him :)

My grandpa also says that my mom had a messy room when she was growing up. (I still don't know how messy it could have been because when I lived with my grandparents, my grandpa would always tease me about dropping crumbs whenever I ate, and I was as clean as could be! I have never met a cleaner man than my grandpa). But I love that my mom and I have similarities, for I also had a messy room growing up, much to her dismay I am sure.

My mom has beautiful thick brown curly hair which she passed on to her children. (I still wonder why I got jipped on the curly part, but I still appreciate the good straight hair I got)

My mom is so beautiful! (I can't remember exactly, but when Seth saw the picture below, I think he said something like "What a looker!" - I couldn't agree more)

My mother is a missionary. She served valiantly in Ventura, California for an 18month full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She rode a bicycle all over the place while wearing a skirt! She learned how to work with all sorts of companions, and she taught the gospel to all she saw.

My mom is great at being a missionary through example. She shows her love to all, and she practices Christlike attributes.

She was a wonderful example to my excellent father, John Shepard, in college at Ohio State University. She helped his testimony to grow, and after they dated, fell in love AND got engaged, they both serve full-time missions, and then got married right after.

My mother loves the temple. She chose to marry her true love in the temple, not for only time, but for all eternity. She set the example for me. She taught me to set my sights as high as I could, and not to settle for less.

My mother is a covenant keeper. She is faithful and supportive to my dad, and to the Lord.

My mom has such a happy smile, from ear to ear. It is contagious! (I hope I've inherited her smile, and that I use it as much as she does.) She also has the jolliest laugh! She sometimes laughs so hard that she shakes all over! I love when she laughs.

My mother is an excellent musician. She diligently practiced for many years to master the piano and the flute, and she is also a great singer. She taught piano and flute for many years. She even tried to teach all of her kids to play (not with as much success as she would have hoped), but she did instill in us a love for music, and required us all to play an instrument. She helped me and encouraged me to practice playing the cello, and learn to sing.

I was the obstinate 8 year old who wouldn't practice the piano, and didn't know what a good thing I had when I had it (a live in piano teacher). I remember my childhood and think of my happiest memories. Some of my happiest memories involve my mother at the piano playing primary songs, hymns, and Christmas Carols as we sang along. My mom can play anything on the piano. My very favorite song she plays is "Claire de Lune," by Debussy. She plays it better than anyone I've ever heard, and I could just listen to her play it over and over and never get tired of it. One time, when I was in college, thousands of miles away, I heard someone play "Claire de Lune," and I just cried, I missed my mom so much.

Years later, I realize how much I want to give to my future children what she gave to me. My mother has inspired me to learn to play the piano even as an adult, and now, whenever I am able to visit her, I beg for a piano lesson. Although I now live far away, she is still encouraging me, and is proud of me. Sometimes I feel like the 8 year old again when I master a song, and I want to perform it for my mother, I am glad she still cares to listen, and praise my efforts.

(My mom probably fell in love with my dad the first time he sang to her and played his guitar :) My mom, for pretty much my whole life, has played the organ in church, or the piano, and has been the choir director. She serves where she is needed, not just where she wants to. She has blessed countless lives by sharing her talents which are many and great. My mom puts on the best Christmas Cantatas a ward has ever seen. I love how my mom loves Christmas. She could listen to Christmas music any time of the year! She passed that on to me. She is full of Christmas cheer.

My mom has the softest hands, perfect for holding,

and strong for lifting up my hands when they hang down. (P.S. that is me above and below, with my loving parents)

My mom is always taking care of people. She helps others, and is so selfless. She is a Relief Society woman, who knows how to care for others and minister to their relief, just as Christ would do.

My mom is so fun! She isn't too proud to be goofy and have a great time with her kids.

My mom (and dad) played with us in the snow, what a great thing for a parent to do!

I love to remember my mom teaching me how to take care of a home. I can even think back to the time when she let me wash all the spoons in the sink with the bubbly dish water when I was a little girl. I love to think back to the times when we had family home evening. My mom would let us help with the treat. My parents would even dress themselves and us up as Book of Mormon and Bible people, in towels and neck-ties. They taught us the gospel and made it fun.

My mom is crafty! She has volunteered to many years to be the African Camp Craft Lady. But her craft skills didn't begin there. I loved the table cloth she made into a house for us kids. She cut holes in the flaps so we could stick our heads through, and she even sewed clothes on the outside so we could pretend. It was so much fun! She made us Indian Princess birthday parties, Snow White Cakes and she sewed Halloween costumes galore. One of the best Christmas presents I've ever received was a homemade doll house that my mom made for me and my sister Hannah for Christmas when money was so tight. We snuck out in the middle of the night to look under the tree (I know, we were so naughty), and we thought those doll houses were the best things we'd ever seen!

My mother loves children. She has taught me that the best job ever is to be a mother. It is not an easy thing, but she does it out of love. Even after having 5 biological children, she felt in her heart to take in two more children to foster and adopt. Trey and Ashley were sealed as part of our family 12 years ago. She has sacrificed so much to love and teach and care for us (as has my wonderful father) and I am grateful that she has put her family first.

I am so glad that my mother could be there with me in the Chicago Temple when I received my own endowment. She helped me and was an example for me. She made it so special for me.

My mom has been a wonderful support to my Grandma, who has been a faithful member of the church all her life. My mom has also been a support to my Grandpa, who was not a member until his 76th birthday. Above is the picture of all of them on Grandpa's baptism day.

After 52 years of waiting, praying, and hoping, here they are after being sealed as a forever family in the Manti Temple. I am grateful my mom is a worthy temple recommend holder, who uses such a gift, and who is thankful for her blessings.

My mother is a scholar. She is one of the smartest people I know. She can understand so much, and she is a wonderful teacher! She loves to teach, and she could teach anyone, anywhere. She has worked so hard over the years to finish her college degree, even while being an excellent wife and the mother of 7 children. I am proud of her.

My Mom was there with me on my wedding day in the temple. When she helped me get into my wedding dress, she said I was the most beautiful bride she had ever seen. My mother taught me to be virtuous, she taught me to get married in the temple, and to work every day of my life toward a celestial marriage.

My mom has been there for my Dad, and has worked with him, side by side, through such great trials. I know she loves him, and I am grateful to know that. They are still wading through great adversity, but haven't given up, and I know they won't. I am thankful for such examples of patience and love.

My mother has influenced so many throughout her wonderful life and will continue to do so.

Thank you Mom, for all you have done, and all you do for me. I love you!

Apples, Leaves, Picnics, Exams, Arabic and Mechanics

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Yes, I love Ohio in the Autumn. What a gorgeous place! I love Cleveland by the way. Autumn is my favorite season (especially when it isn't raining). Recently, when we have gotten a little time to ourselves, Seth and I have been enjoying this beautiful world. We took a picnic to Shaker Lakes and I just marveled at the beautiful reflection of the bright, colorful trees in the water.

We also went to Chesterland to Eddy Fruit Farm, to pick apples. The drive alone was so worth it. It was so beautiful! I would love to live in a place like Chesterland. Seth and I have planned our dream home which would definitely include at least a couple acres, and we would have a big vegetable garden and we would have so much fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, (maybe even cherries and pears if I can convince Seth. He told me that pears are just mushy apples, but I beg to differ) Then we picked a bunch of apples. They were delicious, and it was so fun to spend that time together!

This picture is a few years old, but I just love it, so I thought it needed to be posted again.

This month, Seth has had to take 2 exams for his work, called the Series 7 (a 6 hour test), and the Series 66 (a 2.5 hour test). He has been studying for 3 months, and.... HE PASSED! Yay for Seth, I am so proud of him.

I teach English as a Second Language to international students preparing for college. I love it. Most of my students are from Saudi Arabia. And I am starting to learn Arabic! Not during class of course, because we only speak English then, but I figured, why not learn Arabic while I have over a hundred friends to help me learn and practice, and while my brain and mouth are still young. So I went to the wonderful Cleveland Library (the main one, downtown - which is soooo amazingly beautiful and historic! I love beautiful historic things, and books, so it is the perfect place for me), and I got a whole bunch of books and CD's to help me learn. It is slow going since I don't have a ton of time, but I am trying to learn at least 5 phrases a week.

Our Mechanics (Sahlani Brothers, Inc.), are awesome! Our car loves to break down too, so we have seen him a lot lately. They are from Lebanon originally, and they love to teach me Arabic too. They are so honest, and they try to teach me about my car so that I can understand. What a blessing to have a trustworthy and friendly mechanic.

My General Conference Experience

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This is my journal entry for the day, and I felt I should share it with anyone who would like to read it. I hope you had a day that was as wonderful as mine.

October 1, 2011

Cleveland Heights, OH

I have just finished watching the Saturday Sessions of General Conference today. I am overflowing with love and joy and gratitude. I am full of happiness. This is the life. There is nothing better than the gospel in this whole world, or in the universe. How blessed I am to be a part of it! To know the truth of Jesus Christ’s gospel restored to the earth, and that there is a living prophet and apostles in our day to give us guidance, comfort and counsel uplifts my soul to the highest heights. I want to share this unabashedly with every person I meet! (and usually I do, sometimes to the chagrin of my more shy companions J)

I took President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s counsel to prepare for General Conference this time by studying, pondering and praying, and thinking of specific questions. Seth, my excellent husband, and I studied, highlighted and discussed every talk of the apostles and prophet from April Conference together in the last 3 weeks, and I also decided to study all the other general authorities talks from April Conference in Spanish. Although I have listened to every one of those talks at least 3 or 4 times (while I do dishes, get ready for the day or drive to work), reading and pondering them helped me to better apply them to my own life, and this brought me great inspiration and needed personal revelation.

My thoughtful and loving visiting teachers, Emily Barker and Shannon Horrocks, came to visit me on Sunday, and they have been such a strength to me. (They remembered my birthday. Emily and her husband came to help us take down our air conditioner units, even though Emily had biked 6 miles from work in the rain, and neither had been home to eat dinner. Shannon took us to the mechanic today for us to pick up our car, and she brought me flowers. I love flowers. Emily calls me to tell me she is thinking of me and to listen to my cares and troubles, and triumphs too. They send me uplifting and thoughtful emails to help me know they care. Shannon came over and helped me clean my windows. Emily came and helped me to unpack, to hang up pictures of Christ and family in our home, and to babysit for a friend.) I really mean that I have the best visiting teachers ever. They listened intently to my concerns and helped counsel me. They said they didn’t have all the answers to my questions, but testified that they knew the Lord did. They promised to pray for me, and I know they have prayed for me daily. They encouraged me to prepare my questions for General Conference, and they knew that I would receive answers and help. How grateful I am for these loving visiting teachers.

This morning, before the first session of general conference started, I took the time to write down 10 of my most pressing questions that I have at this point in my life. Some were very personal and specific, and others were more general. Then I prayed that the Lord would help me to listen to the Holy Ghost and to hear the answers that He would send through General Conference. I can say with conviction that the Lord answers prayers.

I had a question about my scripture study, how to make it more meaningful, and how I could balance between all of the wonderful things I could study. Elder Richard G. Scott had the answers to my questions. I still haven’t figured it out completely, but I am going to go back and diligently study his talk and receive the answers that the Lord wants to give me.

I have had questions about how I can serve others and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Elder Jose L. Alonso had the answers. I have many questions about how to balance my life and use my precious time in the wisest way, and how to know what is most important; Elder Ian S. Ardern had the answer for me. Sister Barbara Thompson (whom I got to meet 3 weeks ago, and who gave me a big hug! What a wonderful, happy, fun, caring woman!) answered my question about how I can receive more personal revelation. I have felt discouraged and overwhelmed in my calling, and Elder Carl B. Cook taught me how I can fell uplifted and how I can accomplish the work I must do. Elder Neil L. Anderson comforted me and taught me in the very way that I needed. I could go on and on if my tired little fingers would allow me to type.

To summarize, I felt the prophetic teaching of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland come alive for me, “ If we teach by the Spirit and you listen by the Spirit, some one of us will touch on your circumstance, sending a personal prophetic epistle just to you.” That happened for me in every single one of the talks I heard today. Oh, how I wish that every person in the world could feel that feeling! That ‘God knows me personally and intimately. He knows exactly what I need, and how I need it. He knows how to speak to me, and comfort me, and teach me, and help me.’ He is teaching me to learn how to listen to His voice. I am sure, without any doubt, that His voice is being broadcast throughout the world through this very General Conference. I know God speaks through His prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and that He speaks through His apostles who are living in our day, and who are so in-tune and understanding of our time. I have heard His voice today, and I know that God will answer the prayers and questions of the honest seekers of truth. I am and will be eternally grateful for this magnificent conference. My testimony is being strengthened. I am becoming a better me. I am feeling the peace and joy that I need so deeply to overcome my specific trials.

I promise anyone who will read these words that the same will happen for you if you will just ask, seek and knock. I have invited more than 10 people to watch this conference, and many have been thankful for my invitation, others were sincerely disappointed that they were already engaged in other plans, others I can only hope that they will just click on the link I sent them to lds.org and learn more about what conference is, others I am glad they read my email telling them that we have a prophet and apostles in our day who teach us God’s word, and 1 (the wonderful woman I visit teach, Myrtle Alexander, who is in her 70’s and who struggles with many difficulties of age) is going to come watch it with us tomorrow morning. I hope that it will touch her heart as it has mine, and that she will feel loved and valued like I do. I am just going to keep inviting anyone who will listen to enjoy these blessings. I feel that the best way to receive blessings is to share them. And this is one of the greatest blessings I have in my life. I am so thankful that Seth is there by my side for each conference, preparing, listening, and learning with me. It is a wonderful thing for our family.

I hope that this day and tomorrow will be days of renewal and recommitment for you, as they are for me. I hope you will cherish General Conference tomorrow and receive answers to your prayers, solutions to your problems, and comfort for your concerns. I am so excited for tomorrow! I still have questions on my list, and I am sure that if they are not answered directly (which many already have been), that the Lord will help me feel that He will guide me to the answers.