Today was Dawn Elders memorial service. It was a loving memorial to her and her legacy was one in which I strive to leave as well. Since I didn't share in the service, I will share here something I remember and cherish about Dawn.

When we were going through a particularly difficult time with one of our children, I remember going to Dawn (who had already raised her four kids) and asked her for advice with this errant child and my frustration. I especially wanted her to pray for me to not sin as well. I know that Dawn prayed, because maybe a week later I received a four-page, typewritten letter full of encouragement, words of advice, ways in which she had blown it as a parent, ways she wished she would have done things differently, and sprinkled throughout were Scriptures to give us wisdom and refreshment.

She kept on praying and asking and encouraging us in our parenting. She even threw us a baby shower for our fourth child! And what a great party it was! All of the fun people were there (the youth group) so we didn't have to play any of those silly shower games. The Elders knew how to throw great parties.

She also genuinely loved my kids. They were so giving and caring to our family. The Sunday School cards they sent out every week to the kids. Zarissa and Zailey still have all of theirs. She and John taught Zach the art of beekeeping. Dawn had the girls and I over for Japanese tea and taught us (or tried to teach us) origami. She was always eager to learn something new!

I so desire to be honored as Dawn was today at her memorial by many who said that she was honoring to her husband. I want to be as accessible as Dawn was to everyone. I want to be as in love with my husband as she was (always bragging on him). I want to be as excited about the things of God as she was. I want to be as encouraging to others as she was.