Hello family and friends!
What a wonderful day it is here in Korea! I'm excited
because it looks like spring is finally on the way. I was so distraught when I
realized a few weeks ago that I did in fact have a winter birthday. I was
trying to refute the fact so I didn't wear a coat last Tuesday, just my
birthday suit. ...editorial note: the suit that was a birthday present to
myself from me....not an actual "birthday suit"...^^ Elder Wagner
made us go back to the apartment and get it after district meeting due to the
drizzle.. I'm still in denial. :)
But I am excited
because exactly one week after my birthday is the birthday of an individual who
is most definitely the most Christ-like and wonderful and extraordinary and
lovely and awesome person who I know in this large and exciting world: MY
MOTHER! Happy Birthday Mom! I know that who I am is due to the innumerable
folks who made up the village that raise me. (I have lots of great moms: Mom
Denton and Mom Sirrine and Mom Cole, I have lovely Aunts, and I have three
first rate, fantastic sisters who have been the best kind of motherly to me.)
But I cannot help but conclude that the greatest impact goes to my Mom!! Thank
you MOM! I love you more than words can express, but I will try!
Throughout my life I've kind of been blessed to learn lots
of lessons. (Some the hard way and lots with grumbling of some sort but they
were distilled!) I wanted to enumerate a few of the greats. They are
innumerable but as time is short I will have to be limited.
First. Look at the big picture. Life is tough and life is
short and is is so much harder when we don't have the right perspective. One of
the most invaluable lessons is that of looking beyond yourself. It is about
looking at my behavior, my actions, the actions of others, seeing how they impact
not only me but the group then acting appropriately. I am still trying to get
the big picture in my head and I must thank Mom for laying out the canvas for
that big picture. (Think big picture and remember that the biggest picture is
the Plan.)
Second. Service is the price you pay to dwell in someone's
heart. This quote lives in our kitchen above a painting my Minerva T--whatever
her name is of Jesus with Martha and Mary. It is written on the wall and I'd
like to think is written in my heart because it has come in handy and directed
my actions on several occasions since I've been in Korea. Thanks,, Mom!
Third. Come what may and love it. Ok, this actually came
from Elder Wirthlin's mom, but My mom says it all the time so I also accredit
it to her that it is part of me! This quote is essential not only because it
promotes my eternal quest for optimism and thanking the Lord not matter the
circumstance, but because it reinforces that love really is the essence of the
gospel as President Monson said. There will be hard times. Said Sherri Dew,
"if life were easy then it wouldn't be hard." The fact of the matter
is that there will be hard times. There will be trying moments because that is
our lot as members of the brotherhood (and sisterhood) of man. But with the life
of the savior in view, we need not fear, truly because of Him no matter what
comes we really can love it because All things are made Right through Christ.
Mom taught me to work
hard--that we don't halt until it's through. It was our heritage to show early
to help set up then be last to leave so we could vacuum and mop. Hard work is a
part of life --thanks mom for helping me come to love it and not letting me
quit football when I was a tired and tender eighth grader. But I think the
thing that I will be most grateful for through out the rest of the eternities
is her example to me and her aid in cultivating and conditioning my love of
church, my love of the scriptures, my love of God. She taught me how and why we
must all be exactly obedient, how obedience is the bedrock of the gospel, and
how it is through our Savior Jesus Christ, through the power of His atonement
(both cleansing and enabling) that I can be made whole. That I can be made His!
And that I can be happy and successful in this life. So, Thank you Mom! Thank
you so much! And though I can not be there myself I hope you have the most
splendid birthday ever! I love you more that my words can say.
I love you a 1,000,000 red Swedish fish!
Onward and upward!
Your baby boy,
Elder Tucker