The van Ormer View: Mari

Mari

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona. When I was 4 we moved to Alaska and I spent my school years growing up in the land of the Midnight Sun. (The sun really stays up all Summer long!) I spent my time playing sports, singing, and curling my hair. :-)

I was a very shy teenager (insecure), but I loved to be on the stage, singing (weird?). If there was a desk in the back of the classroom -- I would run to it. But if there was a microphone on the stage -- I would run to it, too! It was a strange way to be. I was conflicted. I felt there was an inner-greatness inside of me -- a light to share -- but I was too afraid to let it out on a daily basis. Every now-and-again, I would let me light shine. But, I wanted to be so much more than I felt I was.

However, I finally found my way after high school. I discovered who I really was -- a daughter of God. I always "knew" I was a daughter of God, but after some intense prayer and self-improvement, I came to FEEL like a daughter of God. Strong, confident, HAPPY.

I had always struggled with my self-image, all through high school (I know it is common), and then I started to run. I ran, and ran, and ran, some more. I started seeing a new me. I started realizing I could accomplish hard things -- even physically challenging things and I started becoming a new person. Running was a time for me to talk to God and reflect, and pray. I started running at 17, and I have run ever since. And though I have fluctuated in size over the years, if I run -- I feel free.

I have experienced ups and downs, highs and lows, successes and disappointments -- throughout my lifetime. I have spent time severely ill, on crutches, with painful head-gear, daily physical struggles, emotional struggles, and sometimes I've been completely immobilized by fear. However, I consider my life to be blessed. I would not change what I have gone through . . . it has only made me stronger. I know that whatever we go through is meant to make us better, stronger, and if we will allow it -- we can draw closer to God.

I am a simple person. I love my family. I love God. I try and make myself better, and sometimes I fail. But even though I fall down, often, I somehow manage to pull myself up and try again. Just keep moving forward. That is all you can do!

For now, I would like to make a better effort to let my light shine. I have overcome the shyness of my youth, and I am OK with who I am. I am not perfect, or even close to it, but I am happy. I do not need to be afraid to be me! I am not the brightest light out there, but I have a light to offer and I intend to share what I have! That is the purpose of my blog.

Who am I?

I am a wife and a mother, my two favorite and most distinguished titles. I have four lovely children who keep me from being vain and selfish. I spent most of my life living in Anchorage, Alaska -- where I found my love, Charles. I enjoy a great many things, and I am good at a few things. I love to sing, run, have deep conversations, bake, do family history, blog, be with family, be with friends, have quiet time (whatever that is?), teach, rearrange furniture, watch movies, go for Sunday walks, attend the temple, observe people (Yes, I am watching YOU!), and I enjoy pondering the mysteries of the World. I love living on this beautiful Earth that God has created. I know who I am and I am grateful to know it. I am a child of God -- and so are you!

Mothers

God bless you, dear friends. Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby you hold in your arms will grow quickly as the sunrise and the sunset of the rushing days. I hope that when that occurs you will not be led to exclaim as did King Lear, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!” (King Lear, I, iv, 312). Rather, I hope that you will have every reason to be proud concerning your children, to have love for them, to have faith in them, to see them grow in righteousness and virtue before the Lord, to see them become useful and productive members of society. If with all you have done there is an occasional failure, you can still say, “At least I did the very best of which I was capable. I tried as hard as I knew how. I let nothing stand in the way of my role as a mother.” Failures will be few under such circumstances.

-Gordon B. Hinckley