Mo and Papa,
One of the influential experiences of my life happened at the dedication of the St. Louis temple. I was sitting in one of the sealing rooms watching the dedication on a screen as it was happening in an adjoining room. Initially, it was just a cool experience. My parents, aunts, uncles, and Grandmother were sitting with the prophet, President Hinkley, all in white at what was obviously a very special occasion. But then something special happened. I recognized that I felt something special. It was more than just the excitement that accompanies a special occasion. I felt a certain peace and calm that was above the norm. I was old enough to know it was the Holy Ghost. What struck me as peculiar though was how very familiar it felt; how natural. I looked around more closely at my surroundings; the lamp sitting on the small table just outside the door in the hallway, the color of the carpet, the way it met the floorboards just like our home in St. Louis. And then it struck me, “The Holy Ghost feels like home.”
Years later I was sitting in a Christmas Mission Conference in Kobe Japan. I had been struggling with recognizing direction from the Holy Ghost. It was easy to enough to feel it when sitting and listening to a talk, but recognizing it day to day was a new challenge. The words others used like “a warm feeling” just never resonated with me. If I could not recognize the Holy Ghost how would I even function as a missionary? As I was pondering on this, the memory from the St. Louis temple dedication came to me like a vision. I remembered how the Holy Ghost felt like home. That feeling of being safe, calm, peacefulness. I realized I could use that as my litmus test for whether the Holy Ghost was there or not.
I was filled with gratitude that I had been raised in a home that had become my spiritual compass; the very definition of love and the spirit of God. To this day I know something is right when I feel the way I felt at home growing up. I know I was the source of a lot of contention in the home growing up, but I grew up knowing that the reason it was not ok to fight was because it drove all of those feelings out.
Many of my friends, including many that were not members of the church, have made comments to me over the years that they liked being in our home because of the way they felt there. The love in our home was easy to recognize and accessible to everyone who entered.
When I became a parent this was a goal of mine. To maintain the kind of home that is a classroom for living with the Spirit. A place where the Holy Ghost resides. So when our children get older and leave the house, they will be able to use their memories of home as a spiritual compass as I have tried to do.
There are no words that can express my gratitude for you two. I was raised by parents who loved me and let me know it. I had time and space and guidance to explore and learn without judgement. I would not be who I am without you.
Thank you for loving each other. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being patient with me. I hope I make you proud. My wife and three daughters love you dearly. Thank you for your example to them and to me.
I am sorry our departure means we will not be there in person to celebrate this amazing milestone. We love you!
Love, Spencer
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Mo and Papa,
I feel really lucky, fortunate, and so blessed to have you as my parents-in-law. Before I was married to Spencer, I was a little worried that I would feel isolated and lonely especially at family get togethers. After all, I was a foreigner and don’t get all the cultural clues and manners. I still don’t get lots of things sometimes, but I can’t recall any moments where I was lonely or fell isolated when I’m with your family. In fact, its quite the opposite. Because I was married to Spencer, I feel like I am now included. Thank you for creating such a fun, kind, and friendly group called the Oscarson family.
I am grateful for the chance to create our own enteral family with your great example. Your love, kindness, patience, and hard work, have always impressed me and I am hoping I can exhibit many of the qualities you have shown me to be a great parents.
I am still working on lots of areas, especially patience with our children. They test me everyday to the point where I fail to show unconditional love for them a lot of times. I know that I am not a perfect child myself in Heavenly Father’s eyes. But he still loves me and believes in me.
I don’t know how you had patience for all 7 of them, but you did and now I am blessed with what you have done. So I thank you.
Love,
Sho
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