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Saturday, after Drew and Spanky left to drive to LA (picking up Sport and Speedy who attended EFY), I was tackling some home improvement and decorating projects.  I needed a picture frame—a specific size, almost square, between 21 and 27 inches.  I decided to hit the thrift store.

Because Slim was sleeping (he has been sick), and Sun, Shorty, and Smiley were watching a movie, I decided to take Spike, Spike with me.  (At 6 that morning, Drew brought him to me while I was in bed, explaining that as they got into the car to drive away, Drew had forgotten something.  On his return into the house, he met Spike, Spike heading out of the house—looking for his dad and mom.  He would have been outside by himself, unable to get back into the house, with all of us asleep, unaware there was any problem.  Lovely little escape artist.)

The thrift store was dirty and usually busy on a Saturday.  “I will just put him into the stroller.  He will be safer with me than if I leave him home,” I reasoned.  Besides, even if it wasn’t as convenient for me, he would enjoy the time out.

We got to the thrift store.  It was busy.  I parked the car, opened the trunk, pulled out the stroller.  I couldn’t open it.  Something was wrong.  It was stuck.  I messed with it for five minutes.  Nothing.  I couldn’t figure it out.  I decided to forget the stroller and just carry the baby.  After all, I only wanted a frame.

I went inside and walked over to the frames.  Spike, Spike was content to sit on my hip as I browsed.  But when I pulled out the measuring tape to verify sizes, he was done.  He wanted down.  He wanted to try out the pink toddler bed across the aisle.  OK…….sure.  I made my purchasing decision simultaneously keeping Spike, Spike in my view.

As he was preparing to stand and jump on the bed, (Mothers of boys know when something like this is going to happen.  Its an internal sensing thing.  We can feel it.) I scooped him up and noticed the VHS cassette tapes.  I wonder if they have any Blue’s Clues?

I found four, at $.49 each!!!!  Two of them are ones I wanted to purchase new.  You know I bought them!  We had to wait in a long line, which was frustrating trying to juggle a wiggly toddler, four cassette tapes and a frame.  Then when we got to the car, Spike, Spike refused to get into his car seat.  Seven to ten minutes arguing with a two-year-old why you have to sit in this car seat.  Oh, I love those days!!!  But we arrived home, put on Blue’s Clues and finished the project, only taking a break to make dinner.

Sunday morning was its usual frustration.  Our littlest man, for the last six to eight weeks, has decided he doesn’t like to wear church clothes.  The first three weeks, he fought to put on any pants, except his pajama ones.  The last several weeks, he has refused to wear any shirt.  This Sunday was a little different.  After a bit of negotiation, he put on his pants and then his shirt without a fuss.  (He was distracted by Blue’s Clues.)  Then when he realized which shirt it was, he screamed and screamed, “Help! Help! Help!” as he pulled at the buttons and the neck.  I wouldn’t take it off until he agreed to wear a different one.  I helped him change and order was restored.  We actually arrived at church on time.

After church was fairly uneventful.  We had favorite foods for lunch and dinner (bean soup and pizza), so there was very little complaint and the baby (toddler) even took a nap which allowed me an hour’s worth of quiet time and scripture study.  After dinner the children played outside, we tidied up the house, read scriptures and prayed, brushed our teeth, put on jammies, and sent the little ones to bed.

Slim and I sat down to watch a pilot episode of a new series—about the murder of an 11 year-old boy in a small town.  We were near the end of the episode when the phone call came in from one of my husband’s counselors.  Was the Bishop home?  When was he expected?  Could he get a hold of him?  Sure.  I relayed the necessary information.

Then he told me why.

That evening, he had been reading the paper.  As he read the story, he recognized the people.  A 19-year-old young woman and her 21-year-old boyfriend had been cooking drugs in their apartment and there was an explosion.  They had been released from the hospital with 1st and 2nd degree burns on their hands and arms.  Their two-year-old however, had been flown to a larger hospital with 1st and 2nd degree burns on his face, front, back, arms, and legs.  The parents were incarcerated pending child endangerment charges.

The mother was one of my inactive young women when I was the Young Women’s President.  She and I were in the hospital at the same time delivering our babies.  She brought hers over to see me.  I held him and played with his thick, dark hair.

As I recalled those days, I thought about these days.  Was he covered in burn bandages? Did they have him medically sedated to keep his pain away?  He didn’t have any idea where he was, what was happening to him or why, and where were his parents?  Who was going to be there for him when he woke up?  Who is going to comfort him?  What will happen to him when he is released from the hospital and where will he go?  He is just TWO!  He is just a baby!  Like my baby………  His suffering is due to no fault of his own.  My heart hurts for him and worries for him.

I remember those Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) days with Slim and the ones in Pediatric ICU.  We were in the NICU for a month.  I was there every day, all day long watching over my little man.  There were other bassinets, where fights for life were happening, alone, with only the hospital staff around.  I did not try to be judgmental, but I did wonder—–where are their people, specifically, where are their parents?  They were never meant to do this alone.  My heart hurt for them also.

Last night, at 3 a.m., when Spike, Spike came up the stairs, I pulled down the covers and welcomed him into the bed.  I snuggled him—close.  I didn’t even care when I woke up at 5 because his elbow was in my back and he kept trying to sleep on top of me.  I was just glad he was mine and he was home and he was safe.  This morning, we ate waffles and smoothies, watched Blue’s Clues, and built forts.  It’s 11 and we are still in our pajamas and I don’t care.  We might stay that way all day.  (I might even let Spike, Spike wear them to church on Sunday…..)  But we are safe and warm and happy and fed and loved, the way God intended us to be.  When my big ones get home, I’m going to spoil them too and tell them how glad I am they are mine.

Love your little ones every day and hold them close.  You never know what tomorrow may bring.  My prayers are with you little friend, and with your parents, regardless of some of their choices.

YEA!!!  Our Florida Orlando Missionary arrived home last night.  His plane came in about 11 p.m. and then we went to the stake president’s office to be released.  We arrived home about 12:30 a.m., then stayed up visiting.  We are tired but enjoying each other’s company and getting all caught up.

I will post pictures and details later 🙂  Right now we are playing.

My little two-year-old loves Blue’s Clues.  If you don’t know what that is, just google it.  It is no longer on the air, so we rent the videos from the library so he can watch them.  (As a side note, I am extremely picky about what my children watch on TV…some people think I am crazy and that is OK.  I only let them watch shows that I think are educational in some way.  I love the ones that are educational and entertaining, and Blue’s Clues is certainly that.  Teaching my little ones to think is highest on my list, so shows that especially teach logic and reasoning are my very favorite.)

Blue’s Clues has several characters on their show.  Two are Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper.  As you can see, they literally are the salt and pepper shakers in the kitchen, who talk, of course, and have two children, Paprika and Cinnamon (they are also shakers).  Spike Spike has been watching Blue’s Clues for about four months now.  He is familiar with the show and the characters and the format.  Yesterday, while he was watching the rented Blue’s Clues video for probably the 20th time, he pointed to Mrs. Pepper (which he can say) and he said, “Mom.”

I was impressed.  I was more impressed when we were standing in the doorway to the chapel as sacrament meeting was ending and a man with unkempt hair, jeans, tennis shoes and a T-shirt, walked in the front door and removed his hat.  My little two-year-old pointed to him and said, “Dad.”  Now, he did not confuse this man for his dad.  He was simply stating, he is a dad.  I’m sure it was because he is a man.  But I realized that in the two hours I had spent with my little man, he knew that women are mothers, or Mom, and men are fathers, or Dad.  A Mom and a Dad, and each child deserves both, because mothers and fathers are different in how they view children and the unique gifts each of them bring to the table of child-rearing and family.

When we debate in the public square and the courts the merits of same-sex ‘marriage’ and family status, we are debating the merits in terms of adults.  Most of the time, we are neglecting the voices of the children, who have no one to speak for them, except adults.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.  The Family: A Proclamation to the World

Children have a RIGHT to be reared by a mother and a father, both, not one, not two mothers, not two fathers.  Two parents of same gender is not the issue, it is two parents of opposite gender.  Children, each and every child, are ENTITLED to a mother AND a father.  Both.  Period.

Now, we all know that is not possible in each and every situation.  That may be the reality, but that is not how God intended it to be.  Why do you think it takes one of each, a man and a woman to actually bring a child into the world.  Before our advances in modern technology, it wasn’t possible for a woman to conceive without ever being with a man.  There was a stigma against mothers who had children out of wedlock.  Regardless of the changes in our modern society, it was always intended that a child would have a mother and a father, even if during their life times that may change due to death, illness, war, etc…

I was deeply moved recently by this video.  Professor Lopez  I tried to embed the video here, but I can’t seem to find the right title for the video to upload it.  Watch it.  It will only take you 8 minutes.  Professor Lopez was raised by a lesbian couple.  He aspired to be a homosexual (his own words).  Then he fell in love with a woman, and had a child.  Now his perspective has changed.  He believes children have a right to a mother and a father.  I really appreciated his comments and his willingness to share experiences deeply personal to him.

We must consider the needs of the children in our discussions of what adults want.  We need to build our society around what is best for children and strive to reach for the ideal for each and every child, knowing that we will fall short.  The more we strive for the ideal, however, the more children will have their rights available.  The more we think about the rights of the children and as adults, stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, the healthier and happier our society will be. 

Its simple enough that even a two-year-old understands.  Happy Monday.

Spike Spike turned two on Tuesday!!  I cannot believe he is two already.  On Monday, I was reviewing how difficult his pregnancy, birth, and first year were for me.  I am glad that is behind me.  I love this little two-year old.  He is the most difficult child to date.  Each of the other children’s ‘most difficult quality’ he has—all in one person!

Slim–anaphylactic nut allergy—which runs in a triangle and means you are probably also allergic to shellfish and legumes on some level.  Spike Spike has this allergy along with a host of others, some known, some unknown.

Spanky—biting.  Although Spike Spike does not bite, he does throw things at you from close range (and he has an arm), hit you (in the face or anywhere else), and head butt with force.  He can be a brute.

Scuff–not sleeping.  Scuff is allergic to corn, corn meal, corn starch, corn flour, corn oil, corn syrup, etc…  Whenever he had something with corn, he would not sleep.  That was for the first two years.  Then his allergic reaction changed.  Instead of not sleeping, his behavior became unruly.  He would hit, scream, yell, bite, kick, be disobedient, unable/unwilling to reason, argumentative—it was ugly.  Spike, Spike does not sleep when he eats something he is allergic to.  We went to Tammy’s potluck on Saturday and that little boy did not go to sleep until after 1 a.m that morning.  That was after I gave him Benadryl at midnight.  I am still not sure what he ate that did that.  It was awful.

Sport–picky, picky, picky.  Spike Spike is so finicky!!  He has to have THIS cup (the green one).  It cannot be wet or even have condensation on the outside.  If he is teething, he will not eat.  He picks his own clothes and will not wear things he doesn’t like.  (This changes from day to day.)  The only consistent article of clothing he will wear, dirty or clean, is his ‘Uperman shirt’.  If he ate something yesterday, he probably won’t eat it today.

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Speedy–super emotional.  Spike Spike also reads social cues.  That should be a good thing right?  Well, Spike Spike gets his feelings hurt when he recognizes that you are not happy with him and then, there is little you can do to console him.  The other night, he would not rest.  At 2 a.m., we are laying in my bed.  I am trying to get him to go back to sleep.  “Milk?……”    “Milk?…….”   “Milk?……..”   ” Milk?………”  Frustrated, after many sleepless nights, I finally said, “FINE! We’ll get your milk,” and scooped him up rather abruptly.  At this point he started crying, head in hands and all.  I headed down the stairs, and into the kitchen.  I got the GREEN cup and filled it with milk, dried it off, and handed it to him.  He threw it onto the floor and started really screaming.  Not exactly a conducive situation to have a non-emotional and reasonable dialogue with a two-year-old.  It took more time to control my temper, soften my voice and smooth his feelings than it did for him to actually fall back asleep in his own bed.  SHEESH!

Sun—drama.  See the above example.  That’s all I am going to say.

Shorty–blood sugar issues.  Shorty will just get busy and not eat because he is playing or doesn’t like what we are eating.  Then he is super emotional and obnoxious because his blood sugar is too low.  I had to teach him that when he chose not to feed himself, it was like asking his car to work without putting gas into it.  He needed food.  So when he was emotional and obnoxious, instead of disciplining him, I would have him recount what he had eaten.  He always needed food.  Spike Spike is like that.  He just won’t eat if he doesn’t like it or has another agenda (or is teething).  I usually have to sit and feed him or assign someone else to do it to ensure he is eating enough.

Smiley—attitude.  I am the baby.  I am the king.  My way or the highway!  Serious, serious attitude issues in our littlest boy.

There he is, in a nutshell.  On the positive end, he is bright!  Wow!  And fun!  He has the best faces I have ever seen in a little person.  You can read his thoughts by the expressions on his face (sometimes that is not good, other times it is hilarious!).  He says ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ appropriately.  He loves books!  And he loves Jesus.  Mom kisses make every booboo better.  His favorite song is Book of Mormon Stories, which he chooses to sing every Family Home Evening.  His favorite show is Blue’s Clues which we have to rent from the library.  His allergies—food, pollen, grasses—are horrible and he already has asthma issues.  But he has that great Norwegian, stand-up, blonde, curly hair and bright blue eyes.  He gets completely frustrated when we do not understand what he needs/wants, but he has gotten much better as his language skills have improved.  His vocabulary has exploded in the last four months.

Now it is time for him to meet his missionary brother.  Spike Spike was born just 10 days before Spanky entered the MTC and the day before his father was set-apart as the Bishop for the second time.  Two very busy years!!

We love you Spike Spike!!  Happy Two Year Mark!

Here we are, down to the wire for Tammy.  We finished her party on Saturday night.  It was so very cute.  She had brown table cloths with cut-out shapes of Wisconsin with her address in them for her guests to take.  For the center pieces, she had chalk board painted small frames that could stand independently and written favorite scriptures and sayings on them.  Yesterday she finished her talks in both wards.  Today is washing day and packing day and setting apart day.  Tomorrow she flies away.  Wednesday is MTC day.

I have loved having her home.  We have really enjoyed our time together and getting things ready for her to serve.  I know you will be amazing Tammy!!  You can do it!  We even got her missionary plaque on the wall.  Her plaque looks like this (since my camera is dead, I don’t have a photo of hers….):

She used this photo:

Isn’t she beautiful??

We purchase our plaques from:
Awards by Navajo (ABN)
2364 Fletcher Parkway
El Cajon, CA 92020
(619) 465-2881

My friend Melinda’s family runs the business.  They do amazing work….you should check them out.

We are also revving up for Spanky’s return:  Our Orlando, Florida missionary comes home in a week!!  It will fun to have him home and to hear all of his stories and help him get ready to reintegrate into life and school.  He will only be home for a month, but that is OK with us!!!

Two plaques go up (we just put up Scuff’s plaque this weekend too), and one comes down!!  Woohoo!!  It really makes life busy here, but I love the changing of the guard because it means that we are learning and growing.  Like I said, there is never a dull moment!

My beautiful daughter is away at Girls’ Camp this week!  (In the United States, our Young Women 12-18 attend a week of girls’ camp, where they learn outdoor skills, build unity and friendship and increase their testimonies of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  For me, I gained most of my testimony from my experiences at girls’ camp.  I LOVE IT!! –even as an adult!  But this year, she is there without me…that is a post for another day.)  The point is, that since she is gone, I can share this story.

One of my sons was having difficulty in his relationship with his sister.  She was trying to play and he was not in the mood.  He got hurt and snapped at her, verbally, and hard.  It really hurt her feelings. 

In talking to him about it and how he should have responded, he told me that he didn’t have to be nice, it wasn’t in his job description.  You can imagine how well that comment went over with me as his mother.  Being that he holds the Priesthood, I called him on it immediately.

“Wrong!  Do you hold the Priesthood?”
“Yes.”
“Then you represent the Savior, especially in your interactions with others.  Being kind is in your job description.  Man-up, and do your job!”

He was not very happy, but the message was received.

Earlier in the week, I had an experience where I was particularly emotional, which is unusual for me.  As I was relating the experience to my sweetheart, I said, “I think that is why I have a difficult time with touchy-feely women.  I think of it as a weakness.  I am one, it drives me crazy, and I do not like that characteristic about myself.  Real- women should just man-up.”  Real women should man-up………my husband thought that comment was really funny.

Not a particularly glowing report of myself.  A dear friend reminded me that the part I do not like about myself, being emotional and particularly sensitive of negative comments, looks, etc.. is exactly what makes me who I am: compassionate and cognizant of others feelings and emotions.  If I wasn’t that way myself, I wouldn’t be able to be as nurturing as I am.  Her comments helped me to frame my character in a different light.  I still do not yet embrace the idea, as evidenced by my previous comment, but I am working on it.  I recognize the truth in her words.  Now I have to learn to apply the information and change my attitude.  Repentance, anyone?!

That concept, that things we don’t like in other people are sometimes reflective of our own personalities is actually a concept in psychology.  It is called Projection….where we project some of our flaws onto others.  So I am not really projecting, because that also implies that it is really not a part of the other person’s character.  But I do recognize a characteristic in others, complain about it and see it as a weakness, when in reality, it is a part, a large part, I might add, of who I am.  Now I need to recognize it for the strength it can be.

What parts of your personality do you not like and want to change?  What are you doing about changing it?   Do you blame others for that part of you?  Is it really a strength in disguise?

I think I should learn to embrace that part of my woman-hood and not feel the need to Man-up!

Our sweet Tammy girl is only about a week away from departing for the Missionary Training Center!!  We have spent the last month getting her ready to go!  We are down to the wire and our list is manageable.  Yea!!

Here is a photo of dear friends who took us to lunch at a build your own bowl Mongolian grill.  It was so fun!  You pile all your food into a bowl and whatever you can fit in the bowl is fair game.  Then you wait in line and watch the cook grill it for you.  They then put it into another bowl and hand it back to you.  We had a great time.

Yesterday we finished off Tammy’s dental work.  She was such a trooper!  She had to have some deep cleaning done.  Usually they do one half of your mouth at one appointment and then schedule another appointment to do the other half.  Because her time is so short, she did it all in one appointment.   Her entire mouth and tongue were numb.  Now her jaw is sore and her gums are tender.  She is such a brave woman—25 shots in her mouth!!  Yuck!

This next Saturday we’ll have her ‘Tammy is going on a Mission’ party.  Next Sunday she will speak in both wards.  Then sometime Sunday or Monday she’ll be set-apart as a missionary and Tuesday she’ll take off and enter the MTC on Wednesday.

Here are my notes to remember Tams:

• You are stronger than you think.  (from Pooh Bear’s Grand Adventure)
• You were saved for this day and time….these are you days!
• You have an amazing testimony, born of much struggle and sacrifice.  You know the Lord watches over you and is there for you.  He will be right by your side through this new journey.
• Trust your heart and follow the Spirit.  You have a great heart and you genuinely love and care for people.  Some of them will let you down, but most of them will rise to the occasion.  
• When they let you down, turn to the Lord.  He will comfort you and He will always be there.  You can trust that.
• Study, study, study….many new insights and inspiration will come to you as you study the scriptures and words of the prophets.
• Pray, pray, pray….you already know why to do that.  Remember when you feel alone or frustrated or disappointed, we are praying for you!
• Communicate verbally to express your needs to your companion and other missionaries and your mission president.  This will be a new experience for you.  Be honest in your feelings and your needs and expressing those to others.  This will probably be one of the most difficult things you do.
• Go forth with faith.  You will make some mistakes, simply because you do not know how to do it all yet.  You will have to learn and mistakes will be made as you learn.  Remember, that’s what a permit is for. 🙂
• Remember our favorite girlie movie, Pride and Prejudice….sometimes things are not as we think.
• When you are tempted to act in frustration or anger, remember you represent the Lord Jesus Christ.  You bear His name.  What would He do and how would He handle it?
• Most of all…..you are loved and you can do this!!

We will see you in 18 months!

I didn’t take the opportunity to speak with you very much yesterday at the dentist’s office but I observed a few things about your family and if I had the opportunity to speak with you again, there are some things I know that you should know.

First, I could tell that you love your husband, he loves you, and the both of you dearly love the children and they feel that love.  That love that you have for one another is natural and beautiful and sacred, and it comes because you treat each other in Christ-like ways.  It is born out of sacrifice, sacrifice of self in order for the benefit and welfare of the others.  It also comes from obedience, obedience to eternal laws, laws that govern the heart as well as behavior.  Most of those principles can be found in this document:  The Family, A Proclamation to the World.

I am sure there are many principles in that document that may be new to you.  Ponder about them, think on them and pray to know if they are true.  God, our Heavenly Father loves you and your husband and your children.  You are all His children also.  As much as you and your sweet husband love your children, God loves us that much more.  He desires each of us to be eternally happy and to have all of the blessings that would bring that happiness to us.  But He also knows that to just give them to us without effort on our part would not be what will teach us the most and help us to change and become like Him. We must obey His laws to receive those blessings. (See here for scriptural references that back up this truth.)

Though many churches teach some of these principles, Jesus Christ set up His church that teaches all of these principles.  It is the same church He organized when He was on the earth.  He gave those prophets power and authority, His power and authority to do those things that He would do, so that all of us would know what God expects of us.  When the apostles who lived with the Savior all died, that authority was lost.  But it has been restored in our day, by the Savior, through those ancient apostles.  (You can read more about that by clicking this LINK.)  

It all began when a young boy, Joseph Smith, at the age of 14 was wondering which church he should join.  He knew God loved him and he knew God would have a specific church.  He just was unsure which one it was, so he asked God through prayer which was His church.  (You can learn more about him here and read his personal testimony and experience here.)

In the Joseph Smith History, linked above, verse 34 reads:
34 He said there was a ^abook deposited, written upon gold plates, giving an account of the former inhabitants of this continent, and the source from whence they sprang. He also said that the ^bfulness of the everlasting Gospel was contained in it, as delivered by the Savior to the ancient inhabitants;

The book to which he is referring today is commonly known as The Book of Mormon, and it does contain the fulness of the everlasting gospel.  I have read this book many times.  I love it.  Through its study, my family comes closer to Jesus Christ.  I know the book testifies of Him and witnesses of His gospel and His love for each of us.  The principles taught in this book, through the stories and histories of its people, are the same principles taught in the Bible.  Together, these two books testify of Jesus Christ and the principles, or laws that if we chose to live by will bring us the peace and the happiness God intends for each of us to have.   (You can read more about the Book of Mormon and its relationship to the Bible and Jesus Christ here.)  

This is a lot to take in.  Think on some of those things.  Pray about them.  Read the book.  Then ask God if these things are true.  These things have changed my life and these principles guide my family and bring us closer to each other and Jesus Christ.  I know they will do the same for you.  I wish you many blessings as you read these things and try them out for yourself!!  If you have any questions, I would love to talk to you and I will make sure you get a free copy of the Book of Mormon, if you want one.  You can email me at carin[dot]buildingeternity[at]gmail[dot]com.

You have a beautiful family!

If you would like to know more, look for these people:

Look for the name tag.  They can answer your questions too :-)!

mormonnewsroom.com

Last week, we watched the Missionary Broadcast.  The enthusiasm for the progression of the work was evident in the speakers and the emphasis on what members can do to help further the work along.  That Sunday we also had stake conference where the mission president over our area came and spoke to us.  He also bubbled with enthusiasm for spreading the gospel and missionary work.

Later that week, we had the two sets of sisters in our area over for dinner, on two different evenings.  Two of the four sister missionaries recently left the MTC to enter the mission field.  They are both very excited about the work.

Now for my confessions.  I usually struggle with missionary work.  I feel like I share and share and share the gospel or aspects of it in my life.  I am what you would call a ‘seed flinger’.  I fling seeds of the gospel truth far and wide, but I rarely am around to see if any grow or even take root.  Since I tend to want to see the growth in order to measure how well I have done, I often feel like I am not doing my part or doing it well enough because, other than the children in my family, I never seem to be able to see the fruit of my efforts.  (I really have to get over that!) 

As I spoke with one of the sister missionaries, I expressed my frustrations and I said, here is the issue and why I think we are struggling with the work.  She validated me and said that is exactly what Preach My Gospel says.  Basically, the idea is that if you are not applying the Atonement in your life so that you have felt the blessings of repentance and are feeling them, you do not have an essential part necessary for sharing the doctrines of the gospel because you are not experiencing them in your own life.  Read the story of Enos.  (It is really short and it will only take you about 5 minutes, even if you read slowly!)  The sequence of his story is that he thinks deeply on the words of his father (doctrines of the gospel).  They sink into his heart (Enos applies the principles).  He recognizes that he needs to change and repent (more application).  He prays to be forgiven (still application).  After significant spiritual and emotional effort (he prays all day and all night).  He receives forgiveness for his sins (revelation).  And after he has this amazing experience where he knows his life is right before God, then he seeks and prays for the welfare of his brothers and he wants all men (and women) to know and feel that they can be clean before God too (he wants to share it).  Feeling repentant and participating in the process properly is essential in testifying of the redeeming power of our Savior and bringing people to Christ.  When we have done that, we will also have a great love for others and our fellow men and we will want them to have that experience too.  (It goes without saying that this is a life-time effort, not a one time experience.)  As we continue to change and apply the Atonement, our love and willingness to serve will grow.

I have been a little hesitant to believe this wave of enthusiasm for the gospel can happen here.  I loved the stories shared by the ward mission leader in the missionary broadcast.  I have read many articles in the church magazines sharing the stories of the growth of the gospel in their wards and areas of the world.  I felt the Spirit testify of the truths of the stories they were sharing.  But I couldn’t see it happening.  I struggled with these personal thoughts for a couple of weeks, but really didn’t say anything to anyone, other than my discussion with the sister missionary.

Then two days ago, for my scripture study, I was directed to Alma 5. Here, Alma the Younger, is trying to persuade the people to repentance.  He reminds them of being subjects of King Noah and how the believers were delivered out of the hands of this wicked king.  Then they were in bondage to the Lamanites and once again, were not free.  They were heavily taxed.  But in time, the Lord delivers them out of this situation as well.  Alma pleads for the people to remember how good God has been to them by delivering them and their families from these situations:

Then he calls them all to repentance and asks them to change their lives and their hearts.

As I pondered about these verses, I realized, Alma the Elder was the only priest who listened to the prophet Abinadi.  Abinadi’s words, changed his heart.  Alma then taught Abinadi’s words to any who would listen.  He ends up baptizing hundreds in the waters of Mormon.  Alma, through his teaching and the Spirit of the doctrines he taught, changes the hearts of these people.  It is their children and maybe some of them to whom Alma the Younger is speaking.  I realized I should not underestimate the power of the Spirit and the gospel to change the hearts of the people, any people.  I too, should , Catch the Wave, as Elder Nelson suggested this last General Conference.

Dear brothers and sisters, I add my voice to that of President Thomas S. Monson and others in praising those who have responded to a prophet’s call for more worthy missionaries. Now an unprecedented wave of enthusiasm for missionary work is sweeping the entire earth. Since President Monson’s historic announcement last October, thousands of elders, sisters, and couples have been called, and many more are preparing.¹ Now we get questions like “What are you going to do with all these missionaries?” The answer is simple. They will do what missionaries have always done. They will preach the gospel! They will bless the children of Almighty God!….

On Sunday, June 23rd, my family I were sitting in our chapel watching the new mission president’s broadcast.  We showed up early and watched the live broadcast at 3, instead of coming with the rest of the ward at 5.  Alone in the chapel, we were hoping to see our Provo MTC missionary singing in the choir.  Though I did not see him, it was an amazing broadcast.

I was particularly touched by Elder Nelson’s interview with a member of the new General Young Women’s Presidency, Sister Neill F. Marriot.

lds.org

 Sister Marriot shared her conversion story and the part member missionaries played in the growth of her testimony and decision to be baptized.  I loved the interview.  She seemed so very sweet and genuine!  But my very, very favorite part had nothing to do with the missionary theme.

Sister Marriot is the mother of eleven children.  Eleven!!  When asked how she manages her callings and her family, her response was, (paraphrasing) I just took care of my family first and everything else worked out.  I LOVED her response.  I just take care of my family first…..  Isn’t that the way it should be??

I have a servant’s heart.  I love serving and helping others.  I like helping outside of my family.  I am sure part of my love of service, other than the good feelings I have from participating, is the appreciation I receive from the group or person served.  (I seem to have a need for recognition.  Silly natural woman!)  Unfortunately in motherhood, that is probably the last thing I receive from the many, many hours of service I give as a mother.  Recently, four times in the last two years, I have been asked by outside groups to participate in a lengthy (two months – two years) commitment that would only require a few hours each month.  My heart has longed to participate.  I can make all of the justifications I want and I can even quote church leaders about participating in civic responsibilities and groups.  I want to help and I would love the outside recognition for my participation.  Thankfully, before I have accepted the commitment, each time, I have consulted the Lord.  Each time, the Lord has said, No Carin, This is not for you.  It has made me sad each time.

Twice, I was offered money for my time.  Each time, I had a little extra time and thought I could manage it.  Six months after the first offer, my husband was called as the Bishop.  Then I didn’t have any time.  And if I had accepted the paid position, it would have been difficult to give it up because truth be told, we could use the extra cash.  But the Lord has let me know, the work I do in my own home, even though unpaid and many times unappreciated, cannot be compensated for with money.  No amount of money can replace what I can do within the walls of my own home, not for my children and my husband.

What I really, really appreciated about Sister Marriot’s comments was that she always just took care of her family first, and everything else worked out.  So, mostly in an effort to remind myself of the importance of my work, on Fridays, we will talk about Family First, because we know if we put them first, everything else will just work out.

What blessings have you received by putting your family first?