Dear Mason,
This is such a special time in your life. Tomorrow you will be ordained to the office of deacon in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Heavenly Father loves you and He trusts you! You are one of His valiant spirit children from heaven. You are growing fast and with great faith. I appreciate how you try to understand the importance and value the Priesthood has for you as well as all of us here on earth. Your testimony is growing and I can see how your heart continues to absorb and understand the messages you are being taught. It is as if you are remembering what you already know from the spirit world. You have always loved the scripture 1 Nephi 3:7 – it says, "I will go and do the things the Lord commands for I know he giveth no command save He shall prepare a way…" You remind me of Nephi in how much your trust and honor your earthly father. You have an awesome heritage and responsibility to uphold two special family names: Parker and Baldwin. Both of your Grandfathers as well as your dad are great examples of worthy priesthood holders. The righteous traditions they have worked to establish are and will continue to be a wonderful blessing to you now and in the future as you understand things more fully. I have a lot of confidence in you and know you were placed here on the earth to accomplish very specific things to carry out our Heavenly Father's Plan.
It is so neat to be your mom here on earth. You have been blessed with many wonderful gifts and abilities. I hope as you enter this role as a priesthood holder you can continue to use them to help others throughout your life. I have noticed many but would like to mention a few specifically: Determination, Dedication, Hard Working, Passionate, Creative, Humble, Teachable, Inquisitive, Courageous, and Trusting.
Determination: I have watched you set your mind to getting good grades and turning your home work in. I have enjoyed seeing how you thought you could do something to knowing you could do it. When you were a little boy of three you would sit and put puzzles together. You would stay with it until you figured each piece out…even after testing all of the different options. You have learned to believe and trust in yourself.
Dedication: There isn't anything you can't do if you really want to do it. Whether it is jump rope, Origami, Rubicks Cubes, or mt. biking! When your heart it set on something you stick with it until you figure it out.
Hard Working: You have helped our family build several homes as well as do countless projects. It has always amazed me at how hard you can work and the satisfaction you get from work. It is good for you to keep your hands busy – especially while working outside. You have been a wonderful helper to your dad and in the process have learned many beneficial things from him.
Passionate: When you are committed to something you give it all you've got plus 10% more. You eat, drink, sleep it until you have mastered what you've set out to do. This is a very admirable quality.
Creative: Your mind likes to create and build. You like to use your mind to make your hands produce great things.
Humble: You have had the opportunity to learn some of life's hard lessons. When you've found yourself in trouble and facing a consequence I've noticed how amazing you are at acknowledging the mistake and humbling asking for forgiveness or making restitution for the things you've done. This attitude and humility will be a special character trait as you continue on life's journey – none of us are perfect!
Teachable: You are able to accept correction well. You don't seem to get too offended when I offer you advice you didn't ask for. I appreciate you listening and trying to improve in the things that I try to teach you.
Inquisitive: As a little boy you asked millions of questions. I couldn't believe all of the things you wanted to know about – many of which I had NOT the answer and we had to consult dad! This pattern of curiosity is what makes people intelligent, and I truly believe you have a very sharp intellect. As you seek out answers to the questions you have in the future always seek the Lord first and be humble and teachable as the spirit helps you find the answers.
Courageous: Mason you seem to not like being in the spotlight. You would be perfectly happy to watch others shine. I have admired your courage as you've done some hard things to you: like giving talks! Do you know what? I think you are amazing at it. I think as you continue to have courage giving talks will be one of your strengths. You are also very courageous physically. You don't let a scary or hard bike trail or hike stop you.
Trusting: You have always trusted everything you have been taught by dad and I concerning the gospel. Your faith in us has been perfect. It has been a blessing to have you as a son. The time is approaching now for you to ask and know things for yourself. Trust Heavenly Father and pray to him often and you will know for yourself instead of just trusting dad and I . I hope you will learn to understand what being a child of God means, that you have been put here on the earth to fulfill the mission Heavenly Father has chosen for you, and learn for yourself that this is The true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on the earth today. As you get older it is natural to question things – when we question we can grow. I want you to know we are not perfect. We are just trying to do our best – just like you. Dad and I have learned that as we trust our Heavenly Father our lives are happiest.
I love you Mason and feel it an honor to be your mother here on earth.
Love you forever,
Mom