A Priceless Heritage of Hope

What message of hope do we have for our family and friends?  

While I was reading my scriptures this morning, some of the words from Henry B. Eyring,( including the heading I used), really got me thinking.  

I was visiting this week with a friend who has a 14 year old daughter who is in middle school.  She feels like she is over protective, especially compared to some of her peers with sons and daughters.   There is a thought pattern among some parents of this age ,"may as well let them do what they want, they are going to do it anyway".  My friend doesn't like it but feels pulled to follow the crowd, because she feels no hope for a better solution.  

What can we do?  The obvious is communicating our feelings openly and  discussing  what the consequences could be for their choices.  But I know if we give them something with roots attached, that they can feel how precious they are to a God in heaven who cares about their choices.  God has given all of us a source of hope as we struggle to help those we love .  Our Savior's desire is to to bring all of God's children home to Him again.  Paraphrasing President Eyrings words,' every faithful parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent shares in that desire'.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are our perfect examples.  They make righteousness discernible to us, and we can do the same for our children.  They will then let our children see  how rewarding the fruits of their choices can be.

There are things we can do early, while our children are young, but it is never too late to start a pattern of seeking out the Lord.  Richard and I followed the counsel to have daily scripture study with our children, only 10 minutes, but I have to admit, sometimes it seemed to take 30! :-)  Daily family prayer, morning and night and each member took his/her turn to pray out loud.  The faith of little ones!  And we would bear our own testimony often to our children of the truths we found in following Jesus Christ.  When a testimony is born to another individual, the room fills with the Spirit of God. Everyone's heart is touched by it.  In Primary years ago, I watched  a faithful teacher stuggle to teach her 4 year old class the lesson she had prepared. Busy getting up and down in their chairs, climbing, etc.., she stopped her teaching and began to bear her testimony of Jesus Christ.  The children, one by one, stopped and looked at her, then sat in their chairs and one little girl crawled up in her lap and put her arms around her neck.  I could not hold back the tears.  Children feel the Spirit more than we realize.

This is what I saw at my own fireside with my children.  A wonderful opportunity to discuss the things that God has written to His children that will help us get through this life joyfully!  It works!    

When children are older, the Holy Spirit can bring to their remembrance all these things.  This can help them in their choices.  "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Valentine's Surprises

A few days ago I received a box in the mail which is always exciting, expecially  when it had my name on it and Joanna has sent me the sweetest card and a box filled with yummies for my tummies(yes I have more than one),  So sweet for Joanna to think of me.  O f course I have shared.

I got some darling pictures yesterday from Kelly and Eric's boys and Finley.  And I never did answer their question.... YES  I will be your valentine!!

This morning Dad had me a great card and fun workout jacket, but I will wear it around it is so cute.  He knows just what I like. I loved it. Dad, my sweetheart...

This afternoon I was fighting Bear to reach the Fed X guy before he was devoured by this "protector " of our home. I expected a box for Dad and so as I went around the truck the guy  reaches in and hands me this huge green box with pro flowers written on the side and I was sooo excited.  I knew it was flowers and since it was Valentines Day I hoped it was for me.  As soon as I got in the house I opened it to find the sweetest note from Rick.  I cried and cried and then I called him and thanked him.  12 roses all different colors of bright pink, pale pink, yellow and green and white pastels.  Awesome.  Such a sweet gift from a sweet son.  Thanks Rick.

Flowers will always be a big OK for my book.  Awwwww.,,, they are so pretty.  thank you again Rick,

And thanks to all of you for the texts and the phone calls and happy valentine wishes and I love all of you so much, you have a big place with your name on it in my heart.  I have a great heart!!!

I love you most,
MOM

A new season of my life....

As the weather is cooling and a new season is approaching, I find myself excited over the wonderment of change this new experience will have on me.  I have never been afraid of change. In fact, I have always welcomed it. 
The challenges our family have been facing the past 4 weeks have brought an undeniable change in my faith as well as my well being.  I woke this morning with my first thoughts being: "Rejoice and be glad"!  I don't have to recite all the comings and goings of the past 4 weeks... I can say I am changed..  I will never be the same person I was 4 weeks ago, no not even 4 hours ago.  I have found something new every day to "rejoice in and be glad" and I never want to stop the change I am experiencing.  Whether any other individual ever sees the change personally I see in myself and feel in myself is not what is important.  I know..... He who first offered us change knows... and that is enough for me. So no more petty behavior to worry over.  Far better things come with a new season .  It is really cooling off now, I feel it on my face and my eyes seem to water more from the wind...Change is good...Rejoice and be glad.

 

Dad turns 57!

We had a great day with Dad!  He woke up to a special "egg, cheese fritatta" .

Dinner time not only brought chicken enchiladas but a yummy cream cheese flan(click HERE for recipe).  I had so much fun preparing these fun foods.  The best part was watching everyone eat them!!!

Dad blowing out his matchstick candles!  Not having real candles will never stop our fun!