Dear mom,
I have been recently tasked with sharing my testimony. I honestly do not have much practice sharing my story, and have needed some time to think through everything that points to what the Lord has done in my life. I know that my story is one that proves God’s faithfulness and provision. My story proves that God already has the next step planned out for his children. It’s a story that wouldn’t be possible without you. What I have realized is that God used you in insurmountable ways to teach me and make me the person I am today.
You always raised me to love the Lord. You gave me the necessary tools and support I needed as a child to know who the Lord is and to be firm in my identity in Christ. You taught me everything a good mom should. But what you don’t know is that I learned far more by watching you, carefully noticing how you set your priorities and seeing the way you follow Jesus. Eleven years ago you taught me the greatest lesson I could ever learn, and from that point forward your story became a part of mine. As an eleven year old, I watched you experience Jesus in a completely new way in Nicaragua. I saw your pain and confusion as you wept on the floor in Costco. I saw the Lord break your heart for the people you love in there. But then I watched Him call you to something greater. I watched you obey the Lord’s call as you quit your job to pursue the profession He needed you in. You didn’t stop at that call because you knew He was asking you to establish something long term in El Crucero. You left the life you once knew to follow what Jesus needed you to do. I don’t think there is any greater way to glorify God then by obeying what he asks of you. You did and still do obey that call so gracefully as you volunteer your time to serve people.
Your obedience to listen and obey the Lord did not only impact your life, it opened up doors for Him to pursue me in new ways. The way you let the Lord decide your career path and let Him lead our family to El Crucero year after year allowed for Him to call me to something greater. From a young age, I felt called to missions. My experiences in Nicaragua ultimately lead to the decision to study Religion and Spanish at Regis, which put me in India right now. If you had not obeyed God’s call for your life, I can’t say that I would have been able to hear the calling He had for my life as clearly as I did.
God is intentional and perfect in his planning and timing. There are no accidents when it comes to the way He does things, and it was no accident that He chose you to be my mom. He knew before you and I were both created that you would be the one to lead me and to show me the way. I will never be able to tell you how much of an impact your faith has had on my life. I will never be able to adequately describe how much I admire the way you wholeheartedly trust the Lord with your next steps. You never doubt that everything the Lord has for you will be good. You stand firm on the promises that the Lord will provide and that He has greater things in store. And He always has had greater things in store for you.
The blessings that have come from your obedience are insurmountable. He has provided financially for our family. He has provided financially for El Crucero as you hold firm to the promise of his faithfulness. He used you as a literal angel that appeared in a dream to a sick mother in the Hospital. He continues using you to bless that family from far across the globe. He uses you as a light to connect with people all over the world. He uses you to lead our family and continues to produce fruit in so many ways as you continue to follow Him.
I wanted you to know that every time I share my testimony, I share the way that my mom is one of the greatest examples of obedience to the Lord. I share this because it’s an important part of who I am. That because of your obedience, God was able to call me into what He wants for me. Thank you for your obedience to the Lord, it has changed my life-and it continues to change the lives of so many others. I wanted you to know that I look up to you I more ways than you could imagine. Every time I am confused and need direction I seek your advice because of the way you so intentionally seek the Lord in your decisions. I greatly admire that you have the heart of a servant and you lead others with your wisdom. You have given our family so much love and we will never be able to repay you for the way you provide for us. Words will never be enough to explain your incredible impact on our lives.
I love you always, and will never be able to thank you enough for being the best mom I ask for. The lord sure knew what he was doing when he gave me you.
Taylor
