Overwhelming feelings of gratitude.

As I think about the last 19 years of life I've had, I can't help but be ever so grateful for everything the Lord has blessed me with. There is no way I could ever deny the existence of a loving Heavenly Father. Having a testimony of the gospel and Jesus Christ has brought me so much hope and happiness. I am so thankful for the missionaries that brought both my dad's parents and my mother and her family into the church. I'm grateful that they were all so in tune with the Spirit that they knew the truth when they heard it. As I sit here and type, the tears just fall. I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow Him in faith. I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ, I'll honor His name. I'll do what is right, I'll follow His light, His truth I will proclaim. Those may be the simplest of words from a Primary song, but they mean everything to me. There's not a day that goes by where those lines don't go through my head. Sometimes I feel like I've hit rock-bottom, sometimes I don't think I can go on anymore, and sometimes I hurt so badly that I feel like my heart has literally broken. But, I know that I am a daughter of God. I know that whatever pain I feel is nothing compared to the suffering that Christ went through for me, for all mankind. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and he was the Lord's holy instrument in restoring the gospel on the earth. I know that the Bible is the word of God, and without a doubt, I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. I know that Thomas S. Monson is our living prophet today, and I completely and fully sustain him, his presidency, the quorom of the twelve, and all other church leaders and apostles as prophets, seers, and revelators. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. I've always known it, and I will never deny it.
Today, I especially feel grateful for my mother. She is a true example of a woman of God. SHE IS AMAZING. I have so much love for her, and it saddens me when I know that I haven't shown it as much as I should. She has done so much for our family, I can't even begin to name everything. I was feeling down quite a bit today because of a situation with a certain person, and even though I've talked to my friends about it, there's just no substitution for my mother's advice. So I called her this afternoon to discuss it with her, and I tell ya what, that woman knows EVERYTHING. I think most of us can say that about our moms, but seriously...she knows exactly how I think. Everything she said to me today was exactly what I needed to hear, and I know that she's right. I just don't know what I would do if I wasn't born into the family that I was. So mom, if you're reading this, just know that I love you, and you are my hero. Thank you so much for being the best example to me, teaching me right from wrong, and bringing me up righteously in a home filled with love.