Just a spot for us to blab about what's going on with our family, share ideas and post some scrapbook pages along the way. Most importantly share pictures of our sweet kids for family and loved ones to share our journey with us.
I think it was about 7 years ago I heard President Thomas S. Monson speak at a stake conference at Utah State University when we were visiting my in-laws. In part of his talk he was talking with a very reverent admiration about his wife. He related a story about onetime when she was away, or sick (I can't remember the details) and he had to go to the grocery store to go shopping because she wasn't able to. He never had been required to do that in all of their many, many years together because it was something she always did to take care of him. He talked with some humor about how he wandered around the store with a basket with just some potatoes in it.....and didn't know what to do, or what to buy. Finally a kind stranger asked him if he needed help because he looked lost. That sweet person took him around the rest of the store to help him with the grocery shopping. He went on to say how blessed he was to have a wife who had always taken such good care of him and looked out for his physical needs.
As I heard of sweet Sister Monson's passing this was all I could think of - our beloved President Monson needing someone to do his grocery shopping for him now that his sweetheart has passed away....I know she's been ill for some time, and probably has many who help them with the shopping now, but I couldn't help want to make up some casseroles and meals to take over.....
I'm so grateful for his example of loving service, and HER past example of supporting her husband through all of these years of serving in the church. How many Sunday's she must have wanted her family sitting all together, or longed for him to be home at a reasonable hour for dinner. (Or is that just me when Cory's not home....?)
Times like this make me extra grateful for our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation and all of the blessings we can claim if we life righteously in this life. Families WILL be together forever!
Mother’s day has always been an emotional day for me. Each year I feel conflicted emotions and most
of the day seems to involve tears.
As many of you know there were years where Cory and I longed
for children and weren’t able to have any.
Each of those Mother’s Days were crushing. I remember sitting in church looking around
at the moms my age with their new babies, the older mothers with their
teenagers and just feeling like, “What about ME? I want to be a mom more than
anything in the whole world and now there is an actual holiday devoted to
pointing out to the world that I can’t have this one righteous desire.” I hated
it.
One particularly hard year we had gone to church (something
we didn’t always do on Mother’s Day Sunday because I would get too emotional).
The young men in the ward were passing out the ceremonial mother’s day
flowers. Some years they had asked all
of the mothers (and women) to stand up to receive their flower. Well this year they asked us to remain seated
and one of the youth would bring us our flower.
I waited. And waited. A couple of young men walked pass and one
looked like, “Do I give her one….she doesn’t have any kids!” His friend nudged
him and he handed me one. I didn’t want
it, but I wanted to feel like I had earned it.
That year we slipped out the back and headed home before the rest of the
meetings. I remember crying and my poor husband feeling so helpless that the
trial of infertility was crushing me.
(Since my incident I have heard of several other dear
friends or family members with similar situations happening to them! Maybe they
should discontinue these ceremonious flowers that bring so much hurt…)
Then there was my first mother’s day when I was pregnant
with Gabe. Cory had poured out gifts and
I felt like I deserved them. I was
finally going to be a mom and I assumed that every Mother’s Day from there on
out would be flowers, breakfasts in bed and I’d be able to hold my head high
during those church meetings and accept my flowers without a shred of wondering
if I had earned the silly little plant. Cory gave me a beautiful figurine that
I had longed for with a mother, father and baby. I felt like I had overcome the particular
emotion I had long associated with the holiday.
But the next year my mind filled with friends and loved ones
who were still struggling with infertility, miscarriage, possible death of a
child, etc. I sat through those meetings
remembering my own feelings from past years and I struggled to enjoy the day
myself. I ached for those sweet friends
because I had been there. I knew that
sometimes people’s well-meaning comments were hurtful without meaning to
be. I knew that some days I wanted
someone to reach out and hug me and tell me that they knew how I felt, and
other days I just wanted to be treated as anyone else. I didn’t want to be someone that others felt
sorry for or treated differently, even though my heart was broken and might
have felt different.
I think that having empathy for people struggling with
Mother’s Day made it almost harder for me.
Knowing what they were going through made it harder for me to feel like
I could offer comfort….because I knew that peoples words never really fixed the
problem….I still didn’t have a baby. My arms were still empty.
I still feel this way on Mother’s Day. I know that the day is designed to honor our
own mothers. And heaven knows they
deserve it. I know my own mom has been a
true life-saver to me in turbulent times.
I have found that her friendship, listening ear, faith and prayers are
more important to me as an adult with my own family than the physical care she
gave me growing up. The emotional and
spiritual support I receive daily from her is worth so much more than one
little day of celebration.
But my heart is also turned to those with “Mother’s Hearts”
all around me. The act of mothering to
me is synonymous with care, compassion, love, kindness. Mothering to me is a gift; one that touches
lives and truly heals broken hearts and ultimately changes the world.
For instance - the teacher at school that I watch as she
hugs each and every kid in her class as they walk out the door and says, “I
love you_________”, calling each by name, and letting them know whatever else
is going on in their life – they are loved.
The aunt with no children of her own that gives words of
advice and lives with love in such a way that I want to be a better
person. As she loves her nieces and
nephews and their children and is authentic she leads by example of how to
change and love many who come into our lives.
Her love and concern echo loudly.
Or the friend who lovingly takes care of others children as
if they are her own when another friend needs a helping hand. Taking over support and care for others when
life circumstances make it impossible for her to do so herself. Not stopping
for a moment to complain, but serving with all of her heart.
The church youth leader who spends countless hours working
on lessons to teach the youth that she has responsibility over – changing their
lives and helping them understand the gospel, and even more – their own
personal self-worth. Maybe another past
leader reaching out to one of the “grown
up” youth that she once had responsibility and lending a few words of comfort
and love – letting them know that her love extended further than just her church
assignment.
How about a teacher I recently watched as she spent time
first thing in the morning with a few of the sweet girls in her class who
didn’t have mother’s and she did their hair for them in the mornings before
school. Her “Mother Heart” was working
in full force as she stepped in and loved those children in a simple, yet
life-changing way.
Or an acquaintance who reaches out and brings over a
care-package when she’s heard that someone from church’s heart is
breaking. A simple meal, and a note
which makes one more moment possible to move forward. Not because she had to,
not because she even knew the person well, but because her “Mother Heart” was
in action and her gift of compassion could make a difference.
So this Mother’s Day I salute each of the women in my life
who touch my life, the lives of my children and husband. I wish my words could tell you that you are enough,
that you are amazing, and that you are loved. This is not dependent on you having your own children, but is because you are a woman! Women have a gift; whether they
are mothers, grandmothers, single women, aunts, sisters or friends – that gift
is noticed, appreciated and felt.
I wanted to share some goodness and light in relationship to the sad news that has come out of West, Texas in the past weeks. The tragedy and loss of life and homes has been felt through the nation, and right here in our hometown. The following are some emails that my son's kindergarten teacher sent home to all of the parents about a project their class was involved in bringing about. I loved the simple answer of giving children ice cream, and I love that his teacher went above and beyond and and that Blue Bell stepped up to help too!
Dear Parents,
I am writing to tell you how proud I am of your child. Students were stirred in our discussion this week on our Ib attitude, empathy, and today they moved to action in a powerful way. Today we discussed how we could help families who lost homes in West. In our discussion students came up with the idea that will, in their minds "make everything better", ice cream! Students agreed that ice cream would put a smile on a friends face even when they might be sad that all their toys were gone. I was brought to tears and moved to see them so excited about helping put a smile on a child's face that very well could have lost a home or a family member in Wednesday's tragic events. So your children got to work making cards and I agreed for each card they created I would put a dollar bill inside for a child to buy an ice cream when they return to school. This simple act has touched my heart and I know will touch the hearts of many. Your children are world changers.
Sincerely,
Miss S.
Ps. This afternoon I shared this story with my mom (who is an elementary librarian in Hewitt, TX) and she shared with her campus. Currently, their entire campus is also working on cards with a dollar inside for ice cream for students in West. The ripple effect of your children's thoughts and hearts is moving all the way to Waco and has motivated other students to action!
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April 25th, 2013:
Dear Parents!
I am so excited to inform you that Blue Bell Ice Cream is donating an ice cream to each and every West ISD student and staff (and Connally ISD campuses that are hosting students on their campuses) this Friday! Blue Bell will not only be serving the students of West a special treat, but they will also be making a dream into reality for our 21 kindergarteners who just wanted to "make it better" for the kids in West. This should bring a smile to many faces that have had a very difficult week. Please join me by posting a message and thanking Blue Bell for making this happen.
Sincerely,
Miss S.
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Dear Parents,
Friday I traveled to West Elementary to meet Mr. Hengst from Blue Bell Ice Cream. While at West Elementary we passed out over 850 Blue Bell ice cream treats to students and staff. The smiles that came from the students faces when we handed them ice cream treats were priceless. The staff told us that it had been very solemn the past week and this was the first time they had seen smiles from students. I even had one student tell me that this was the best day ever; lots of hugs were given. While there we were able to talk to many members of the staff who had been greatly affected by this tragedy. Even though they were dealing with damage to their homes and even loss of friends and family members, they were there for their students to provide stability during this time. I was able to tell your children's story to the teachers of West Elementary and they agreed that ice cream would make it better even if just for a little while for students and teachers. They asked me to send their thanks and to give a special hug to students in my class who brought such a wonderful idea to life.
The ice cream did not stop there. Blue Bell delivered 910 ice cream treats to West Junior High school students and 550 ice cream treats to West High School students. They also generously gave students at Connally High School and Intermediate School ice cream for hosting West students at their campus due to West's schools damage.
After handing out ice cream treats at the school we profusely thanked Mr. Hengst from Blue Bell and went on to volunteer with my hometown church thatis in charge of volunteer efforts at the West Community Center. When we arrived there Friday afternoon we were told that Blue Bell had delivered a large ice freezer (the size of the coolers at school) with hundreds of ice cream treats in them for residence and volunteers in West. They also were told that Blue Bell would be refilling the freezer every three to four days. Friday through Monday I worked with individuals who had lost their homes and were in the community center to get a broom, mask, or work gloves. Even if these hurting people were hesitant about taking supplies (I heard over and over that they wanted to leave items for other people who might need them), they would all take me up on a visit to the Blue Bell ice cream freezer for a treat. A seven year old came in on Saturday who had just been released from the hospital. His face was full of scratches and stitches; he was very hesitant to move more than a few inches away from his family member. He did not want a teddy bear or even to pet the service dog, but when offered an ice cream, he gave me a little smile and picked out an ice cream.
This idea that your little ones had in class that day has touched thousands of lives and has spread a little bit of joy to so many places of hurting. I cannot express how proud I am of your children and the magnitude that just one little idea had on a community. Thank you so much for allowing me to share this story with you and for understanding my absence from your children on Friday as I served and gave to the students and staff of West.
The most common feeling I’ve had in
regards to my kids going back to school have been of relief, excitement, and
hopefully a time for me to finally get my act together.This summer has been frazzled and so loud. I
haven’t had any time to sit, think, and ponder – much less been able to go to
the grocery store without fighting kids.I’ve felt like a referee instead of a mom most of the summer.And forget feeling like a wife, or even just
good old Joanna.So I’ve been looking
forward to August 27th @ 7:45 am for a significant amount of time.
My kids have been (mostly) excited
about it, and Hunter has acted only a little bit nervous.He’s asked a few times if I’ll come with him
to lunch today, and stay for recess (to which I’ve told him no, because I want
his first day to be something HE does, instead of relying on me), but other
than that he’s mostly been excited.
So I honestly didn’t anticipate a lot
of tears from me.I was focusing on the excitement
of being able to spend a few hours by myself today, and thought the excitement
would override my anxiety for the boys.What I didn’t anticipate was what came next.
As I walked up the walkway of the
school this morning and heard the tune of this song playing over the
loudspeaker:
HOME – Phillip
Phillips
Hold
on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Settle down, it’ll all be clear
Don’t pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found
Just know you’re not alone
Cause I’m going to make this place your home
Sweet – right?The idea that these teachers and
administrators have the goal to make our elementary school our children’s home,
a place of comfort, love, a home!They
were reassuring both the parents and the kids I think. You’re not alone CC
Mason is your HOME!
Something that was meant
to be reassuring suddenly took on a very sad, very real meaning to me.I’m incredibly grateful for the teachers and
leaders at our elementary school, but as I walked my “baby” into Kindergarten
today we started something new, we opened a new chapter where this new “home”
was going to be such a LARGE influence on his life.He now has teachers, peers, others who are
going to help shape who he is.No longer
will he ever rely solely on Mom and Dad as his examples – he has a whole new
world that will be teaching him along the way. He has new voices that will
influence him and shape him.
Now I know that doesn’t
mean that my job as a mom is over.And I
know that my role as a parent is just as important now (if not more so!), but
this shift is significant and as I made that connection walking up the school
walkway my eyes started filling with tears. Bittersweet tears.
I am so grateful if I do
need to send my babies off into the big world that I have a place like we do
for them to go.I have felt so much love
from the teachers at our school, and they genuinely want the kids to have the
best experience possible.They love our kids, and it’s not just a job
for them - I know that. I am also grateful to know that with the gospel on our
side, and the knowledge of so many gospel principles that we are teaching them
in OUR home, that they will be fortified and strengthened for anything their
school “home” might throw their way.
I bet in so many ways our
Heavenly Father feels the same way as he sent us down to our earthly home.How he must ache for the time when we return
to our Heavenly Home someday. He surely has similar conflicting feelings as He
wants us to have a body, to learn from our earthly experiences – but longs for
us to make the right decisions and remember our heavenly influences.
I sure love this man - Gordon B. Hinckley....His council was always so accurate for what I would be going through. I miss getting to hear from him on a regular basis. So grateful to have had his influence in my life. He helped me to want to stand a little taller.
"You just have to do your very best with all the capability you have. You have to do your very best. And somehow, if you do that, God will open the way before you and the sun will shine, and your lives will be fruitful and you will accomplish great good in the world in which you take a part. I couldn't wish for you anything better as I look into your faces this day." (Gordon B. Hinckley - Dedication of the Gordon B. Hinckley Building @ BYU-Idaho)
Here I am sitting down for one of the first times today. Super tired, but feeling excited about YW camp coming up.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about - our church holds a week-long camp for the Young Women in our church every summer. It is a time for the girls to bond with each other, learn camping and survival skills, be spiritually uplifted and edified and have a lot of fun. It's a highlight for the summer and a life changing experience.
This year I get to attend not only as the Young Woman president in my ward, but also as a member of the "Crafty Queens". Myself and a few other leaders will be in charge of providing crafts for the approximately 200 young women. There is so much preparation involved but these girls are worth it!
Our camp theme this year stems from President Deiter Uchtdorf's talk "Your Happily Ever After" that I mentioned in my last post. I saw a couple of these quotes online tonight on this website and thought they were pretty, and applied to what we're teaching these awesome girls this next week.
The theme for YW camp this year is based off of the talk by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf entitled "Your Happily Ever After". I got online to purchase the book and I was so happy to find that the Kindle Edition is actually FREE!!! I was so excited to find a message that I love and want to share to be available to everyone who has access to a Kindle (or Kindle app). So click HERE and you can get it for free at the Amazon store.
Then I looked and another one of his wonderful talks that has been turned into a beautiful book is also available for FREE on the Kindle - "Forget Me Not":
I am so grateful for inspired and strong men like President Uchtdorf that we have leading and guiding our church and helping to remind us of the truthfulness of the gospel. His messages always leave me with a feeling of hope, unconditional love, and a desire to reach out and do better. I hope you'll enjoy these books and messages as much as I do!
Today I got to teach the Young Women lesson at church. It was about being good examples. I feel like the YW in my ward are fantastic examples to people around them, and I am in awe of their strength and examples to me and the other youth they encounter. I love that!
I feel so blessed to get to work with the Young Women through my new calling. I am overwhelmed by all there is to do with the program, personal progress, temple trips, girls camp, activities, lessons and the list goes on and on. But under all of those feelings of being overwhelmed I feel so much love for the girls. I feel sad when I don't see them at activities or at church, and I feel so happy to see them make good choices! In fact when I left our class activity this past Tuesday night I left the church FILLED with gratitude for the girls and just loving each of them more than ever. It wasn't anything amazing that we did, but I felt like I was able to connect in little ways with all of the girls. It takes slow steps to get to know them and become friends. I am looking forward to what we accomplish as a presidency and what we see the girls learn.
I'm also grateful for a Heavenly Father who has a faith and a trust in me that I don't always see in myself. I am grateful for His plan and the callings within our church that help me to become more of the person He wants me to be. I'm grateful for a YW program that allows the girls to set goals, make plans for a temple marriage, and hopefully teaches them that they are women of great worth. I know that my leaders quite literally changed my life, and their examples are ones I still look to for examples of extrordianry women who follow the gospel and inspire me. That is why I think the YW program is so important! Often that I think back to YW lessons that taught me that I am a worthwhile daughter of God to remember that I'm still a "Daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves me, and I love Him." It is because they helped me to develop that foundation of beliefs that I've been able to turn back to those things I know are true time and time again.
So I am going to work on posting every once in a while on my blog here about our YW activities, and a little more about what we're doing in our family. I get pulled in a lot of different directions, but I feel like this is a place I can share a piece of my testimony with others and I hope to be able to do that a little more than I have been.
Well, I say this over and over again - but Fayette (of FayETTE Designs) has pulled it off once again. She's blown us all away with a new addition to her "Time 4" kits. This one is perect for the new year and is called "Time 4 Reflection". The elements are BEAUTIFUL for this kit and she has added these really awesome full page word files too - they are awesome! Check it out in her store at Pickleberry Pop.
Yes, you heard it correctly - the fabulous, talented and professional dance troupe from our ward Relief Society (a.k.a. Lail Covington, Lisa Morley, Allison Benefield, Tannie Smith and myself - Joanna Ellis) have just returned from our debut performance at our ward Christmas party. After hours of practicing, through injuries, butterflies and last-minute costume revisions we have conquered our first performance and have come home to rave reviews and gushing fans.
Because this performance has received such amazing reviews it has become necessary for our dance group to start discussing our preformance schedule for the 2012 ballet season. Work will be done to ensure that no one will miss these talented women's danc magic. I'm just warning you - when the tickets become available you will want to snatch them up, because as you can see - these ladies can DANCE, and you don't want to miss out!
(I also have a few pictures I'll post soon. Due to the overwhelming response though, we will not be sending out autographed copies...too many fans, not nearly enough time....)
You know the feeling when you see a movie that just clicks - it's just what you need to see, when you need to see it? A movie that inspires you and makes you want to be better all around? I've felt that way all 3 times I've watched the movie "Invictus". I highly reccommend it to anyone! Some of my favorite quotes are:
Nelson Mandela: How do you inspire your team to do their best? Francois Pienaar: By example. I've always thought to lead by example, sir. Nelson Mandela: Well, that is right. That is exactly right. But how do we get them to be better then they think they CAN be? That is very difficult, I find. Inspiration, perhaps. How do we inspire ourselves to greatness when nothing less will do? How do we inspire everyone around us? I sometimes think it is by using the work of others.
Nelson Mandela: Forgiveness liberates the soul. It removes fear. That is why it is such a powerful weapon.
Brenda Mazibuko: You're risking your political capital, you're risking your future as our leader. Nelson Mandela: The day I am afraid to do that is the day I am no longer fit to lead.
A few months ago we had a small, tender mercy that I have thought about over and over again. As I sat in Sacrament Meeting today and listened to a friend's sweet talk on gratitude I remembered my little experience and wanted to document it and share it with people I love.
We were driving down the road one morning. I think we were headed to church....normally this involves me frantically putting my makeup on in the car, the kids fighting about whether or not we had brought crayons to draw with at church, and general feelings of mayhem. But in the midst of that it was quiet and calm for a moment and Gabe said, "Mom, Dad? I just wanted to say thanks for taking us to a movie this weekend."
That was it - he just wanted to say THANKS.
He didn't want to express gratitude in hopes for something more. He wasn't saying thanks so that I'd remember how fun it was and take him to another movie right away - he simply wanted to express gratitude - nothing more. It made my heart fill with love for my children. I'm sure it wasn't something he remembers doing and my husband says he doesn't remember it even happening, but it was a big moment for me. My child was recognizing the value of expressing thanks for something. It made me want to express gratitude more, and it made his simple expression of gratitude mean even more to me.
It made me think of my own expression of gratitude to my Heavenly Father. How often do I pause to just say thank you? How often do I not think about other things I could ask for, but simply tell Him I'm grateful for all He has richly blessed me with? My prayers do involve gratitude - but all together too often that expression of gratitude is then followed with a list of things I also "need" or "want". Most of the time I'm asking for good things, and frequently I'm even asking for things for other people - but inevitably my prayers are asking for things.
It made me think about how my Heavenly Father would feel if my prayers occasionally were only prayers of gratitude? It made me want to spend more time in communication with my Heavenly Father and telling Him thank-you for the people He's placed in my life, the work we've had, the callings He has blessed me with, the physical blessings I've been given. It made me want to acknowledge His hand in every aspect of my life.
So I encourage you to go and read this talk on gratitude by my sweet friend. During this spirit of Thanksgiving please have an "attitude of gratitude" and let the peace that can come from expressing that gratitude fill your lives, your homes and your heart. I know I am so richly blessed and I hope I can adequately express my appreciation for that to my Heavenly Father.
I came across this quote tonight in some reading I was doing. My heart stopped for a moment, my spirit told me it was true and the peace our Heavenly Father promises poured out. So sweet, so very, very sweet!
"Never look ahead to the changes and challenges of this life in fear. Instead, as they arise look at them with full assurance that God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them… So hold tightly to His loving hands and He will lead you safely through all things. And when you cannot stand He will carry you in His arms…. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unwavering strength that you may bear it. Be at peace, then, and set aside all anxious thoughts and worries". (--Francis De Sales)
Saw this on FB this morning...couldn't have said it better myself. I had a little "incident" with my alarm clock this morning and I apparently changed it to go off an hour later. It all happened somewhere between being asleep and kind of awake in the middle of the night. I have a very vague memory of it....Bummer too - I was looking forward to running with my buds. :(
So what are YOU doing to celebrate this weekend? Celebrate what you ask? Digital Scrapbooking Day??? I highly reccomend that you head over to FayEtte Designs and stock up on her newest AWESOME kits. This set is possibly my favorite kit of Fayette's EVER. I know I've said this before....but I think this might be one of my favorites! The kits coordinate with each other, work great on their own and are FULL of beautiful embellishments!
Here's a couple of layouts I did with the kit. I wish I had a weekend to just play and scrap - I have some fun ideas floating around my head, just not enough time. :)
This year in church the Primary theme was "I Know The Scriptures Are True". I have LOVED listening to the things the boys have learned in Primary as they've listened to their teacher and leaders. This has been Hunter's first year in Primary (he's a Sunbeam - the youngest group in Primary) and it has been amazing to hear him sing the songs, or repeat the things he learns in Primary. He might look like he's not listening in class or sharing time, but he is! I love hearing him repeat simple (and sometimes not-so-simple) gospel truths.
So today the kids presented their yearly program in Sacrament Meeting. It's a meeting once a year where the kids in Primary share the songs and lessons they've learned through the year. Every child generally will have a speaking part, interspersed throughout the music they've also learned. It's a beautiful, touching meeting - one of my favorite of the year! This year both boys had parts. Gabe said, "I felt good when I went to visit the temple with my family." Hunter's part was, "I am thankful to Heavenly Father for my 2 dogs." My heart melted to hear them at the microphone and I loved the music!
But what was even more beautiful and special was what happened later - at home with our family. The boys were given scripture marking pencils with a treat to tell them "good job" on the program. They wanted to mark a couple scriptures in their own Book of Mormons. I tried to explain that we didn't just mark up our scriptures, but we purposefully chose scriptures to underline - scriptures that were important to us. Gabe said, "But Mom, I have a scripture that's special to me - we read about it when Nephi needed to get the plates from Laban and he said, 'I will go and do what you asked me to do.'" So he brought me his Book of Mormon and we opened it to the scripture in 1st Nephi 3:7:
"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
I had pointed to the verse and Gabe started reading it. He got about 2/3 the way through the verse (reading 95% of the words on his own) and said, "MOM! I'M READING THE SCRIPTURES!!!" His eyes lit up and he was excited that his reading was coming in handy and HE was doing the reading this time around. He was thrilled and wanted to call Nana and Papa on the webcam to read his new favorite scripture to them too. It gave me goosebumps and my eyes filled with tears - my little guy was reading, he was reading the scriptures, and he was excited about it! It was one of the moments that made it all worth it.
So I said to he and Hunter, "It's great to be able to read the scriptures, and then after you've read the Book of Mormon for yourself you can pray about it and find out for yourself if it's true." Gabe said, "But Mom, why would we need to do that? We already KNOW that the sciprtures are true." I explained that it's important for us to each know for ourselves if something is true and we can pray to find out for ourselves. Gabe said, "Yeah, but I already KNOW myself!" Then Hunter chimed in and said, "Yeah Mom, just like in the song we sing in Primary - 'I KNOW The Scriptures Are True'!" They were both so adamant that they already knew for themselves that the gospel and scriptures are true.
What a proud and humbling parenting moment. Looking at those boys and their undeniable faith and knowledge that the scriptures are true humbled me. If they had no doubt in their sweet minds, then I as their mother need to be sure that my faith is unshakable and firm as ever. Now I know that my job is not done, and that there will be opprotunities all along my parenting journey to instill gospel truths and testimony building opprotunities - but it felt so good to know that their foundation we're helping them build was founded on a belief that the scriptures are true. I know that foundations like that will bless their lives, and many more in the years to come. I sure do love those boys and their sweet testimonies!
