Home of Wisconsin’s Young Mother of the Year Reflects Gratitude

Contributed By Kara McMurray, Church News staff writer

  • 17 July 2014

Amy Raynor Brinton and her husband, Eric, pose with their five sons. Sister Brinton was recently named the Wisconsin Young Mother of the Year.  Photo courtesy of Amy Brinton.

“My goal is to bring them closer to Him. [We] want [our children] to grow in their testimonies and [teach] them any skill and talent that will help them be a builder in the kingdom.” —Amy Raynor Brinton, Wisconsin’s Young Mother of the Year

MADISON, WISCONSIN

Five children. All boys. The oldest is 10. The youngest is three.

“I’d rather have my hands full than empty,” said Amy Raynor Brinton, the Wisconsin Young Mother of the Year.

Her five boys certainly keep her busy and have helped her to develop a parenting motto she became familiar with during her days at Brigham Young University: “Enter to learn; go forth to serve.”

“They’re full of energy and lots of ideas,” said Sister Brinton, a member of the Madison 4th Ward, Madison Wisconsin Stake. “We have a lot of fun together. They’re good boys.”

In her parenting with her husband, Eric Brinton, she strives to teach her sons about Christ. “My goal is to bring them closer to Him. [We] want them to grow in their testimonies and [teach] them any skill and talent that will help them be a builder in the kingdom.”

Parenting has been full of challenges, including complications from an infection that left her unable to walk for almost five months and raising a son with spina bifida. The people who have served her and her family through their trials, especially the “stalwart” Relief Society sisters, have touched Sister Brinton.

“I feel great gratitude for the people serving us,” she said. “I have been greatly influenced by people who have been examples to me. We have shaped our home to reflect gratitude.”

One thing she tries to help her children with is showing them what is possible. Recently, the family took a trip to Russia, where Brother Brinton served his mission.

“We gave the kids a vision of what they can do,” said Sister Brinton, noting her children were able to see missionaries in action. “We want to expand their vision of what they can become.”

Of her role as a mother, Sister Brinton said, “I just feel like this role is the supreme role in the whole world, to be able to nurture and love a child. It’s the greatest joy there is.”

Her testimony has helped her in raising her five boys through every trial and difficulty.

“When I first gained a testimony of the gospel, I committed that every day I would strengthen my testimony,” said Sister Brinton. “By growing in a testimony each day, I can use my time the way I feel is right, the way Heavenly Father would have me use it.”

  Listen