It's actually a hard one to learn. It's even harder when the lesson comes and smacks you in the face...literally. And, more especially if your name is Gianna.
After putting the girls down for Sunday naps not once but twice(no, they don't always take naps other days, but we try to get some rest on the Sabbath), we were awakened a short time later to an urgent announcement from Emily that Gianna fell off the bed.
Startled and wrongly powered-up (you know the adrenaline rush and wooziness that happens when awoken shortly after finding that good friend Sleep), I was confused at how this could have hurt her. She sleeps on the bottom bunk, so it shouldn't have been much of a "fall". Little did I know that the tiny little girl had braved climbing the ladder to her sister's bed where she dropped off and landed on her beautiful face, marring her forehead and cheek. (If this child makes it through childhood, it WILL be a miracle! And to think this is our daughter and NOT a son!)
Sadly, after soothing her and addressing her injuries, we still had to explain the importance of that fifth of the ten commandments. It is proving pretty literal to "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
I know this is a continual lesson, but I really look forward to less painful ways of my children learning.
25 September 2011
21 September 2011
It's Nearly Autumn!
It has "cooled" off here in the South. I term that with quotes because it is relative cooling...a drop in twenty or thirty degrees is quite a cold front. I'm loving it. My favorite season is the fall. There are wonderful colors, smells, foods, and you get to pull out your warmish clothes (well...eventually I will get to. Sweaters at 80 degrees isn't really fun...or cool).
I've always loved autumn. As a kid, I loved going back to school and starting that new year. Yes, I realize that classifies me as a bona fide nerd, but I own it. I still see Fall as being the beginning of new things. And, it isn't school's fault, either. I started my mission in the fall. I moved here in the fall. I got married in the fall. See? Great things happen at this time of year.
So, celebrate tomorrow with something Fall Festive and let me know what you did!
I've always loved autumn. As a kid, I loved going back to school and starting that new year. Yes, I realize that classifies me as a bona fide nerd, but I own it. I still see Fall as being the beginning of new things. And, it isn't school's fault, either. I started my mission in the fall. I moved here in the fall. I got married in the fall. See? Great things happen at this time of year.
So, celebrate tomorrow with something Fall Festive and let me know what you did!
19 September 2011
Angelic Face
I just wanted to share something beautiful with all of you. As you know, I teach music to the Primary children (ages 3-12) at my church. It's a great callihttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifng for me because I love to sing. It's also great because the kids are great. Yes, sometimes a bit unruly, but that happens.
Yesterday, I got a little bit of heaven shared with me. The children are practicing their songs for the annual Primary Presentation (where they get to do the big congregation program to share what they have learned this year. It is music and the spoken word kid-style.) As we began singing a beautiful, sweet song about Jesus Christ("Did Jesus Really Live Again?"), I was looking at all the children and making sure they were confident singing the words. There was one young boy who just radiated the spirit. I wish I could have captured the image to share with you. I am blessed because it is imprinted forever upon my mind. As he sang this song, I felt his testimony as well as the love of Jesus Christ. I couldn't help it; I started to cry.
Oh, if only I could sing with that Spirit! What a beautiful experience for me! I am so grateful for this child and his parents for raising him to be capable of shining forth. Truly, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your alight so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Yesterday, I got a little bit of heaven shared with me. The children are practicing their songs for the annual Primary Presentation (where they get to do the big congregation program to share what they have learned this year. It is music and the spoken word kid-style.) As we began singing a beautiful, sweet song about Jesus Christ("Did Jesus Really Live Again?"), I was looking at all the children and making sure they were confident singing the words. There was one young boy who just radiated the spirit. I wish I could have captured the image to share with you. I am blessed because it is imprinted forever upon my mind. As he sang this song, I felt his testimony as well as the love of Jesus Christ. I couldn't help it; I started to cry.
Oh, if only I could sing with that Spirit! What a beautiful experience for me! I am so grateful for this child and his parents for raising him to be capable of shining forth. Truly, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your alight so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
16 September 2011
Let Me Be the Parent
I don't want this to get into a rant, but I've had about enough of everyone's "concern" about my children and their education. Leave it to my husband and I to receive revelation and inspiration regarding our children. I let you do it for yours! Last time I checked, God entrusted US with these particular children, not a third party AND I haven't asked for your advice because I trust that my husband and I can receive that direction in our own way.
I have been bombarded with different individuals giving me unsolicited advice on a particular subject: my child's educational opportunities. Guess what? We pray ALL the time about how to raise our children, and education is one of those key points. If God has a different way for us to follow, let HIM instruct us, not you. Secondly, we have done our research. That is not just research about the school and teachers with whom we have entrusted our daughter , but also research and study of our own dear child and her needs and how best they can be met. Lastly, and just as importantly, we educate on all aspects of life in our home all the time. We aren't relying on any one source of education to fill that need. I'm not saying I'm a genius at motherhood, but I will say that I try to stay in-tune with the things my kids are interested in AND to their level of understanding (which is generally on a higher plane than a lot of people will give credit).
So, while I sit here and have my opinions and information and reasons for choosing something, you can sit there and have your own and have them as different as you want them to be. The difference is, I'm letting you choose, so why won't you give me the same respect and let me choose for my family?
I have been bombarded with different individuals giving me unsolicited advice on a particular subject: my child's educational opportunities. Guess what? We pray ALL the time about how to raise our children, and education is one of those key points. If God has a different way for us to follow, let HIM instruct us, not you. Secondly, we have done our research. That is not just research about the school and teachers with whom we have entrusted our daughter , but also research and study of our own dear child and her needs and how best they can be met. Lastly, and just as importantly, we educate on all aspects of life in our home all the time. We aren't relying on any one source of education to fill that need. I'm not saying I'm a genius at motherhood, but I will say that I try to stay in-tune with the things my kids are interested in AND to their level of understanding (which is generally on a higher plane than a lot of people will give credit).
So, while I sit here and have my opinions and information and reasons for choosing something, you can sit there and have your own and have them as different as you want them to be. The difference is, I'm letting you choose, so why won't you give me the same respect and let me choose for my family?
04 September 2011
A Challenge
I noticed something about myself today. I give lots of challenges. Of course, my challenges are usually from something that I've changed and have found to bring peace, joy, or interest to my life. I have reaped benefits and so I invite others to do it as well.
As a missionary, this was something we were trained to do. I mean, really, what would be the point of teaching a person something if you don't invite them to try it out for themselves? If they don't try it out, then they will never know what you were really talking about!
I shared my testimony of two things today.
First, I shared that when you want to set a goal, children are great supporters and encouragers. For instance, I used to memorize a few scripture verses every day. I even worked up to memorizing talks given by apostles and prophets. My focus at that point in my life was treasuring up knowledge so I could share it with those I was teaching. I had that as my encouragement. Well, today, my most important listeners and learners are my own children. I wanted to get back into memorization for spiritual as well as physical benefits (you improve your mind as you memorize things...you know, brain exercise). After hearing a bit of encouragement from an apostle during this talk in April 2010, I tried different ways of implementing the study and memorization. Now we memorize, as a family, one scripture each week.
The second point I wanted to make was that we can and all should be fasting and donating a fast offering to the Church each month. Because of memorizing the scriptures this week, we taught our children about the poor and needy as well as being of one heart and one mind. In our prayers this week, Emily has been a good example and has been praying that we have one heart and one mind. She has also picked up on the idea that there are people out there that don't have as much as we have. I got to teach her the concept of fasting and fast offerings, which was great because today was "fast and testimony" Sunday, when we do this as a ward (congregation). This morning she asked me if I was "saving food" which was her interpretation of the devotion. Yes, my dear, I am saving food so that I can share with others. It struck me then that there are many mothers and fathers who are saving food for their own families because in order for them to eat, their children may not. What a powerful way to teach me during my fast.
At the end of this, I offered a challenge for all of us to fast and make the fast offering, but also to provide service to those who are around us. This is my point. I've taken home the meaning of teaching: enlighten and motivate to change.
I hope I don't offend anyone. I just find joy in these things and am excited about them and want others to experience it as well. I'm not offering a challenge because I think I'm better than someone else; just hoping that we can all encourage each other to do better and be happier.
As a missionary, this was something we were trained to do. I mean, really, what would be the point of teaching a person something if you don't invite them to try it out for themselves? If they don't try it out, then they will never know what you were really talking about!
I shared my testimony of two things today.
First, I shared that when you want to set a goal, children are great supporters and encouragers. For instance, I used to memorize a few scripture verses every day. I even worked up to memorizing talks given by apostles and prophets. My focus at that point in my life was treasuring up knowledge so I could share it with those I was teaching. I had that as my encouragement. Well, today, my most important listeners and learners are my own children. I wanted to get back into memorization for spiritual as well as physical benefits (you improve your mind as you memorize things...you know, brain exercise). After hearing a bit of encouragement from an apostle during this talk in April 2010, I tried different ways of implementing the study and memorization. Now we memorize, as a family, one scripture each week.
The second point I wanted to make was that we can and all should be fasting and donating a fast offering to the Church each month. Because of memorizing the scriptures this week, we taught our children about the poor and needy as well as being of one heart and one mind. In our prayers this week, Emily has been a good example and has been praying that we have one heart and one mind. She has also picked up on the idea that there are people out there that don't have as much as we have. I got to teach her the concept of fasting and fast offerings, which was great because today was "fast and testimony" Sunday, when we do this as a ward (congregation). This morning she asked me if I was "saving food" which was her interpretation of the devotion. Yes, my dear, I am saving food so that I can share with others. It struck me then that there are many mothers and fathers who are saving food for their own families because in order for them to eat, their children may not. What a powerful way to teach me during my fast.
At the end of this, I offered a challenge for all of us to fast and make the fast offering, but also to provide service to those who are around us. This is my point. I've taken home the meaning of teaching: enlighten and motivate to change.
I hope I don't offend anyone. I just find joy in these things and am excited about them and want others to experience it as well. I'm not offering a challenge because I think I'm better than someone else; just hoping that we can all encourage each other to do better and be happier.
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