Train Up A Child In The Way He Should Go...

Kids grow up so fast. It is hard to believe that Jeremy is married and now a daddy and Jack is off at college, Jennifer is a Senior and Joy is a Sophomore.
I have always loved the scripture Proverbs 22:6 that states: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
I think about that scripture often as I see my children do things that I worry about. I probably did the same things as a child but I would hope that I have brought a different way of thinking to their lives than I had as a child. I loved my church experiences as a child and all the friends I made searching for the right church. I would not trade them, they made me who I am today but I hope and pray that I have been able to bring something more to my children's life, something more to hang on to, to share with others. I watch them and realize that they know so much more than I have been able to teach them and I credit their primary teachers and YM/YW teachers who were more than teachers to them but also friends. They had wonderful Bishops along the way, men they could turn to for guidance and role models. I am very grateful to all those who have shaped my children into the wonderful people they have become. There is a song called "And then they do" about your children growing up and you can't wait for a stage of their life to get over with and then they do move on and I think back now on all the times I spent with my children and I am very blessed to have been there to help guide them. I love spending time with my family and I am grateful to know that someday we will be sealed together and be able to spend forever together.

Lessons I have Learned - Be Careful What You Ask For

I remember kneeling in prayer one day asking Heavenly Father to make me the strong person He needs in order to get my work done in this estate. BIG MISTAKE. I have learned that you will often get what you ask for but not always in the way you want. I have grown stronger through the many trials we have been given. I know that the medical problems and the financial problems we have endured have made our entire family stronger. We still struggle with the trial of separation, with Robert's work taking him away most of the time and Jeremy and Lora and Bailey living so far away. It is painful not be able to see them when we want and to talk to them about everyday stuff. Sure we talk on the phone but the calls do not contain the simple everyday joys of life, what they are feeling about things and seeing their eyes light up as they talk about an experience. I can't wait until we are sealed together, knowing that we will be able to spend all eternity together. I can see the growth in myself and also in my family as we continue to try to become the people Heavenly Father needs to continue his work here on this earth. I can't see the big picture as Heavenly Father does but every now and then I catch a glimpse of why we endured such hard times as we are able to help others through things we have already endured and easing their burden somehow makes it worth it.

Lessons I have Learned - Family Home Evening

At different times during our 12 years in the church we have had Family Home Evening. I have been told by different people what Family Home Evening is all about. I have been told that it must have a song, prayer, lesson and treat be considered FHE. I have been told that it can be as simple as spending time together. I have been told that it should be educational and always carry a message.
I have tried different things with my children and I know the concept is to grow closer together as a family and build the eternal relationships. It is hard with teenagers. I did well when they were younger but as they got older and started working and having school activities in the evenings and just everyone going different ways, I have fell away from the Monday night ritual. I now try to spend quality time with my kids whenever they are home. Sometimes we talk about church issues, sometimes we play games, and sometimes we watch movies together. I use to feel like a failure because I did not have Monday night lessons but now I am o.k. with it. I know that I spend time with my kids to the best of our abilities. I wish life were perfect and we could have the perfect FHE with songs and lessons and all that but I am grateful to be able to spend time together, even if it is not on Monday evening!

Lessons I have Learned - Scriptures and Prayers

In the past few years I have learned many things that will help me on my journey back to Heavenly Father. I will attempt to share some of them with you.
It is very important to read your scriptures and say your prayers every day. Yes I know that the leaders of our church have been saying this over and over but I have actually learned for myself how true that is. When you get away from your daily scripture reading you lose a closeness to Heavenly Father. He speaks to us through the scriptures, not only in the actual words but by that still small voice you hear as you read. He will guide your reading if you let him. You need to be open to go where He leads you and learn the lesson being shown to you. Prayers are another way of speaking to Heavenly Father. This is the way to talk to Him and then wait for an answer. We too often rush through our prayers and then jump up and get on with our day and don't wait for Heavenly Father to speak back to us, leaving him there wanting to talk to us. It is like when our ask us a question and then rush off before we have time to answer because the phone rang or something came on the TV or they thought of something else to do. Taking that time to just kneel or sit quietly and wait is more important that rushing on to the next thing.