The Third White Dress

My Three White Dresses

My mom bought me a white dress,

Not red or pink or blue.

She said it was a special dress

Like very other few,

There has been just one before,

A dress now put away,

That I wore some time ago

Upon my blessing day.

As a little baby clothed In my first white dress, 

My dad held me in his arms,

There to name and bless.

So pure and clean was I just then,

With time to grow and learn

About the Father's plan for me.

My glory I must earn.

Now I've reached the age to judge

The wrong road from the right,

And I am here to be baptized

In this dress of white.

So once again I'm free from sin.

The path is clear to me.

I'll grasp the rod and hold on tight, I vow with certainty.

Just as mud would stain my dress,

Sin would stain my soul.

The key is to repent or bleach,

For whiteness is my goal.

And if I try my very best,

Then richly blessed I'll be,

Wearing inside God's holy house

White dress number three,

So today I make this pledge:

I'll strive to choose the right,

Through this sacred baptism ordinance

In my second dress of white. 

(Linda Gay Perry Nelson, 1993)

Joy

My mom is joy. She is filled with hope, faith, and charity.

When I was about 12, my dad said "She is the kindest person I have ever known."
I remember thinking, "Say whaaaat?? NO WAY. She makes me practice my violin. She is NOT kind." ;)
But, it is true. She is self-sacrificing and Christlike and forgiving and I would be lost without her.

The last few weeks, I have felt worried and mentioned to a few people that "Nobody has told me how to be married. I don't know how." A wise lady replied, "Yes you do. You've been watching your mom for 22 years." There is a huge level of peace that comes from knowing she has been my example as a wife, mother, and disciple of Christ.

Also, I am being Sealed in 2.5 days. SO MUCH joy. I know that our marriage will have many unknowns. I know that there will be differences, sleepless nights, miscommunications, and a need for liberal forgiveness. But I also know there will be so much joy.

So I'm thankful for my mother, who helped me become the person that Benji could love. And I'm thankful for Benji, who will help me become a better version of myself.