My Heroes

Life has been very good to me. It has presented me with several opportunities to rub shoulders with amazing people. Some of them came into my life for a short time and then left, probably never knowing how much they meant to me. Others have stuck around and have seen me evolve as a person. And, of course, some of them are sealed to me forever. But, I've had alot of time to think over the past week and inevitably, these people have come to mind. I wanted to take a little time and give a shout out to my heroes. (And this is by no means a comprehensive list...I'm just going to write until my arm gets tired or the boy wakes up...whichever happens first).

My first hero is my husband. He wouldn't consider himself a hero, that's part of his appeal. Full of conviction, brave enough to share that conviction, and lives according to that conviction. He is a man of integrity. I can always trust the things he tells me. In 1o years of knowing him, I have never caught him in a lie. Ever. He is genuine. He has never worried about what other people think about him. He never frets over impressing people. He is solely focused on what God thinks of him. (If I can pick up anything from him, this is the attribute I most want). And last, he genuinely cares about other people. Time and time again, I've watched him go out of his way to bless the lives of other people. I've watched him put aside his cares, his worries, his busy schedule to go and do whatever is needed of him...even here at home. I've seen him come home from work immediately to start the dishes, take Wes out to play so I can have a moment alone, or vacuum the floors...and I've never once heard him complain about it. He seems thrilled to help. (I realize that I am totally blessed in this regard). There are about a million more things I could put here...reasons that he's my very greatest hero of all. But I have other heroes too, and limited time to write.

My mother is one of my heroes. My mom defied her family to join a church that has brought a multitude of blessings into the lives of my family. Almost every good thing in my life I can trace to that decision of hers. My successes at school, in my career, the development of my talents, my beautiful eternal family, and my testimony of Jesus Christ. She is an independent thinker. I admire her bravery and even her stubbornness. My mother is stubborn in doing what is right. And last, I admire my mother's unsinkable optimism. She can see blessings in the bleakest of circumstances. Our house burns down when I'm in eighth grade and I hear her saying "We own our home outright now." No mention of it being a hopeless, burned out shell of a place. Just the blessing of owning it and not having to make any more payments on it. And then, she grabbed her tools along with my dad and went to rebuild the place. We find out a couple years later that we're moving to Argentina, away from everything we know, and the first thing out of my mom's mouth is "This is going to be an amazing adventure". No whining about missing family or friends, the absence of the comforts in the states we were used to, or any misgivings about misfortunes we might meet there. Just confidence and a shopping spree to buy a whole lot of peanut butter and taco seasoning. She packed our house up while my father was already gone and we were at school, and still managed to make it to the plane with a big grin on her face.

And then, there's my sister, Charla. Full of faith, that one! If I've ever met a rock, it's Charla. She gained a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ long before I did and held onto it with everything she's got. She was a missionary from the very beginning. Not afraid to open her mouth, she's still known for speaking out at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting in our high school as a FRESHMAN and submitting that Christ said to "Come follow me" not just to "Come believe in me". She admonished those who were upper classmen to show their faith in Christ by living by his teachings and following his example, not just professing a belief in Him. She's had many more opportunities to share the gospel since then, and she never fails to say exactly what is on her mind. She is a hard worker. She sets her sights on a goal and works until she obtains it. Whether she's running marathons, getting a teaching degree or learning to play the guitar, she doesn't get off of her course until she's obtained her goal.

My brother, Bubba. The most generous person I've ever met. He's been like this for as long as I can remember. He must have been 8 or so when my grandmother gave him some birthday money one year. He turned around and spent most of it on my sister and I. Even at 10 years old, I was floored that he would do something like that. He would give you the shirt off of his back...even if it's his favorite Abercrombie shirt. We're lucky to have him in our family...he's taught us alot.

Randy and Liesl Bailey. Not many people would allow almost complete strangers to come and live in their spare bedroom, but that's what these two did. More than generous, their friendship has taught us to share with all those we meet. They taught us that all of our substance belongs to the Lord and it's not ours to keep, only ours to give. They've touched our lives forever.

Tera Rocknak. With 5 children, I don't know how she finds the time to keep up with all of her friends. I always feel special around Tera...or even if we're countries apart. She emails, and updates, and sends Christmas cards. Tera has a special talent for brightening people's lives and getting them out of themselves to mingle with the world again. And then, she continues to be a ray of sunshine in their lives long after the darkness has passed.

Carol Hales. I count my lucky stars that she is my mother in law. Carol is blessed with the ability to see the good in everyone, and to forgive quickly when people show their not-so-great side. I love hearing her talk about the people she's meeting on her mission with Clint (my awesome father in law) and how beautiful they are, inside and out. I love hearing her "skewed" view of my own attributes in birthday cards and anniversary letters.

And of course, Clint Hales. Mr. friendly. Clint can't walk into a grocery store without coming out with a new friend. The man can talk to people after church almost as long as the church meetings themselves take. He always makes you feel like what you have to say is important. No matter the topic, he's always interested. People like that are rare...and I've found out from watching Clint...people like that have ALOT of friends. We can barely go anywhere without people knowing Clint.

Sarah Egbert. My cousin in law. We've only spent a couple of days here and there in eachother's presence, but she is one of my heroes. She knows how to love others. Her heart is big enough for the whole world to fit into. She has a heart of gold. Even when we're playing games or wave surfing at the beach, I feel like I'm in a warm embrace when I'm around her. Being her friend is uplifting. Always.

Vicki Wilkins. My hero because of her ability to mother. As our current bishop's wife, she personally mothers 9 children...who are all wonderful and love eachother and are well behaved, etc. etc. I have learned to be soft spoken from her. I have learned to pray for a house free of contention. I have learned to teach Weslee to love from my own actions. She also extends that mothering to all of us who are here without a mom. She is wonderful.

Allison Stokes. One word. Thoughtful. I get the privilege of serving with her in Young Women's. She is always thinking of others, how to lift them, serve them, make them feel special. I was just the recipient of her thoughtfulness. The flowers are still in my window and bring a smile to my face every time I see them.

Kris Cassat. She's a natural leader. I enjoy working under her in Young Women's. She knows how to motivate and inspire people to do their best. Never overbearing, but always interested in what's going on. I love this woman!

Well, the kid's awake and there are about a million people I could still list here for various reasons. If you don't see your name on the page, know that your name is in my heart. I am who I am today because of all of the people who have touched my life.