My Mom and I are in Portland Oregon right now, visiting my sister Mindy and her family. About a week ago, I received an email from the organizers of Time Out for Women in Portland. They sent out some random emails to some of the people who registered, asking if there was someone who would be attending this Time Out with us who knew how to live a Joyful Life (their theme this year.) They asked that we submit an essay to nominate this person and that they would surprise them with recognition at the event. I was attending with my mom, and of course, she would have been my first pick for that topic anyway, so I was very excited for the opportunity to honor the remarkable woman who happens to be my mom. Here is a copy of the essay I submitted.
My mother, Zola Signs, knows that a joyful life comes from emulating the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ - our source of all light and joy.
My mother finds great joy as a gospel scholar and teacher. She literally delights in the scriptures. She often calls me up, all excited. "Guess what I just learned?" She can't wait to tell me about something she had discovered in the "meat" of the gospel. And she joys in teaching the gospel to others. She was a seminary teacher for many years, and spent hours every day preparing her lessons. Those lucky kids in her class caught her excitement for and joy in the scriptures, even at that early hour. She was just recently released from one of her favorite callings ever - primary teacher. She found so much joy in teaching those children the gospel in it's pure, sweet simplicity.
My mother, Zola Signs, knows that a joyful life comes from emulating the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ - our source of all light and joy.
My mother finds great joy as a gospel scholar and teacher. She literally delights in the scriptures. She often calls me up, all excited. "Guess what I just learned?" She can't wait to tell me about something she had discovered in the "meat" of the gospel. And she joys in teaching the gospel to others. She was a seminary teacher for many years, and spent hours every day preparing her lessons. Those lucky kids in her class caught her excitement for and joy in the scriptures, even at that early hour. She was just recently released from one of her favorite callings ever - primary teacher. She found so much joy in teaching those children the gospel in it's pure, sweet simplicity.
My mother finds great joy in loving others. As a child she told me over and over again that to be a friend, you show interest in others' lives. My mother knows how to be a friend. She has always been a faithful visiting teacher, and has changed lives in magnifying this calling. My testimony of visiting teaching has come from her example. Currently, she is stake Relief Society president. Her philosophy is to just love the sisters. She spends most Sundays visiting the various wards in an attempt to get to know and love all the sisters in the stake. For her "serving" in a calling means just that. As Christ had, she knows that loving and serving go hand in hand.
My mother finds great joy in her family. Five children, five children-in-law, and 17 grandchildren. She finds time for all of them. We all rely on her for her wisdom and assurance. It is not unusual for all five of us, and a few grandchildren as well, to all call her on the same day seeking her advice or listening ear. She might spend the entire day on the phone, but as busy as she is, she never considers it a wasted day. I have six boys, and she is such a help to us almost daily. She is one of those angels among us that Elder Holland spoke of in conference last week. Strangely, she also finds joy in math, and tutors my boys several times a week, for which I feel untold amounts of joy!
My mother finds great joy in obedience. In our home, the law was that we always follow the prophet, always, and that we never consider ourselves the exception to the rule. She does all that is asked of her. Period. And she does it with a joyful heart. Perhaps most telling is something she said just this week when I came to her with my concerns about the dismal economy. My mother ended the conversation with these words, "I am just SO GRATEFUL that I GET to pay tithing in times like this. Otherwise it would be so scary." Even in troubled times, my mother lives a joyful life, because of her obedience.
I am so grateful that her Joyful, Christlike life is so entwined with my own life and the lives of my family. So many lives are more joyful because of hers.
So I submitted it and never heard back from them. Today at Time Out for Women in Portland, they said there were some women among us who knew how to live a joyful life, and they started announcing names of people from different cities in Oregon and asked them to stand, then Washington state. There we about 20 names in a group of almost 2,000 women. At the very end of the list was "Zola Signs" from California! Mom was shocked. She thought at first that there was another Zola Signs in the room. I had to nudge her and tell it it was her. What a surprise to have Mary Ellen Edmunds call your name. She stood up. She deserved it. What a treat for both of us! I was so grateful for the chance to honor her this way.
If you know my mom, even a little bit, please leave a comment about her. I would really appreciate it!
My mother finds great joy in her family. Five children, five children-in-law, and 17 grandchildren. She finds time for all of them. We all rely on her for her wisdom and assurance. It is not unusual for all five of us, and a few grandchildren as well, to all call her on the same day seeking her advice or listening ear. She might spend the entire day on the phone, but as busy as she is, she never considers it a wasted day. I have six boys, and she is such a help to us almost daily. She is one of those angels among us that Elder Holland spoke of in conference last week. Strangely, she also finds joy in math, and tutors my boys several times a week, for which I feel untold amounts of joy!
My mother finds great joy in obedience. In our home, the law was that we always follow the prophet, always, and that we never consider ourselves the exception to the rule. She does all that is asked of her. Period. And she does it with a joyful heart. Perhaps most telling is something she said just this week when I came to her with my concerns about the dismal economy. My mother ended the conversation with these words, "I am just SO GRATEFUL that I GET to pay tithing in times like this. Otherwise it would be so scary." Even in troubled times, my mother lives a joyful life, because of her obedience.
I am so grateful that her Joyful, Christlike life is so entwined with my own life and the lives of my family. So many lives are more joyful because of hers.
So I submitted it and never heard back from them. Today at Time Out for Women in Portland, they said there were some women among us who knew how to live a joyful life, and they started announcing names of people from different cities in Oregon and asked them to stand, then Washington state. There we about 20 names in a group of almost 2,000 women. At the very end of the list was "Zola Signs" from California! Mom was shocked. She thought at first that there was another Zola Signs in the room. I had to nudge her and tell it it was her. What a surprise to have Mary Ellen Edmunds call your name. She stood up. She deserved it. What a treat for both of us! I was so grateful for the chance to honor her this way.
If you know my mom, even a little bit, please leave a comment about her. I would really appreciate it!
7 comments:
Rachelle,
You hit the nail right on the head with the comments on your mom! I agree whole heartedly! I have known her for 22 years and she truly has brought joy to my life though her teaching as I have enjoyed being a student of hers as well as each one of my children whether a favorite seminary teacher or a tutor of math! She has made them feel special as the partook of her knowledge. Thank you Rachelle for your words regarding your mother and thank you Zola for living a Christlike life for all of us to want to seek after the same as we rub shoulders with you as well as desiring to find joy in our own life.
Your Mom IS a joyful person! I remember when she spoke at the RS Birthday party you and I put together. People would ask who was going to be speaking. When I'd say, "Zola Signs" their faces would light up and they would get so excited! When I heard her speak, I could see why. Her passion for the gospel is tangible! She's such an amazing woman. You're lucky to have her as your mom!
Enjoy the rest of your stay in Portland
You are so dead on Shelly. I love Mom. I feel so blessed that she raised us. She is so wise and kind and loving. She loves us just the way we are. I wish I could be just like her. I think all the time "What would mom do?" or "I wish Mom was here." When she goes on vacation I have no one to call and complain about life with. I am glad you are both in Portland though. Have a wonderful time. i am so glad you wrote that essay. She deserves the recognition.
What a beautiful tribute to a woman I feel blessed to have even spent five minutes with. Some people are so genuine, so real and so focused on what is TRULY important that it just radiates from them like sunshine. I felt this from Zola the first moment I met her. Thank you, Zola, for making motherhood your life's work. Thank you for knowing and understanding that your role as a wife and mother is an honor and a birthright that gives power to women and glory to God. As a friend of Natalee's I enjoy the fruits of your labors in my own life. She is amazing and you are her mother. Thank you.
Liz Pabst
So sweet. Beautiful essay! What an amazing way to honor your mother. Thanks for sharing.
Almost 6 years ago when we moved here and attended church here for the first time, I sat on the back row in Relief Society. I didn't know anyone and am not very good at talking to people I don't know, so I just sat by myself. Your Mom got up from where she was sitting and came and sat by me and introduced herself, then stayed by me for the remainder of the meeting. I was so grateful to her. Imagine my joy when the next morning I brought my daughter to seminary and went in with her to help her find her class and discovered this same sweet woman was her teacher! I was, and will always be, grateful for your Mother!
I happened to marry into a family who all knew who and what Zola Signs was all about. I heard many stories about her and her graciousness, compassion and intellect. I have been able to witness all of these things over the last 14 years.
As a den leader in cub scouts I also got to see her be as a grandmother who is ever present in her grandsons lives, and I know these boys have admiration, love and respect for her as well. May we all be able to grow older as gracefully and as lovingly as Zola. I am a better person for having known her! Think of how blessed she is to have a daughter who loves her with all her heart!
On a final note, Zola and I both know the secret of her special Thanksgiving Sweet Potato casserole!
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