There was once two boys. The first told his father, "I am going to buy a car, wish me luck!" The second came to his father and told him he wanted to buy a car. He told his father why he wanted a car and asked for advice as to weather it was a wise decision for him at that time in his life.
I think about the two boys when it comes to prayer. When we pray, do we ask God to help us do what WE want to do? Or when we pray do we ask God weather something is right, seeking advice and further wisdom. As a parent, I think the latter is better.
Today in church, I heard some rather simplistic sounding talks and a rare moment of calm, silent children made it possible for me to really listen to the talks. Two were about service and the last about magnifying our callings. I felt the Spirit and a desire to do better. I have never been really regular about prayer. In one of the talks it mentioned about praying for the people we serve. I wish I would have done that back when I taught Seminary. Perhaps I could have been a better teacher, there were some students that I really struggled with, thinking they were only there by parental force. Had I prayed for them individually and trying to love and serve them perhaps I could have made a stronger impact. As I had these thoughts the Spirit whispered to me that the same thing could happen now. I can pray for the people I serve by name and make an impact in people lives NOW. My current calling is the Provident Living Specialist seeking to teach people food storage, the church cannery, and preparing every needful thing for possible future calamities. How could I pray for all the people I suppose to serve? Then the Spirit whispered that if I prayed I would be guided to the few who would need me the most.
Prayer isn't a "wish me luck" kind of a thing, similar to calling a parent and telling them our plans and never seeking advice. Seeking the advice of a parent or someone older who has been where we are going is wise. We have the ability to choose our actions, but we can not choose the outcome. We can have divine guidance if we so choose if from a father who lives in Heaven waiting for us to call on Him.
I have been touched by the Spirit on many occasions that I should improve my prayers and communication with God my Heavenly Father. Its difficult to change old habits, but I know I will be a more effective servant of the Lord if I do so. There are times as a parent that I am learning more than I am teaching. My children are quick to pray. Whenever I mention a problem my children respond with "lets say a prayer!"
I wonder if my children were sent to me for me to teach them or for them to teach me. Its probably both. I hope that my weaknesses can become their strengths. We bought a piano a while back with the intention that Peter and I would learn to play it together. Perhaps prayer and also scripture study are the same. My children and I can learn together to follow the Lord.
The bishop, during tithing settlement, asked us to each read the entire Book of Mormon during the 2010 year. So far we are reading a chapter a day, at least Monday through Friday. I haven't been this regular and consistent about reading my scriptures for a long time. Perhaps my children and I can learn together to pray everyday. These sweet spirits are so wonderful to teach as we learn together the ways of the world and the ways of the Lord. My heart is full as I think of our life together learning at home. I am so grateful for my family and our sweet life together. Good night! Don't forget to say your prayers!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Getting Better
Well, this is the first time in a while when we have done posts so close together. Hopefully this is a sign that we are getting better.
This week has been a busy one as usual. Chris has a Court of Honor with the Scouts and Peter and Joe went with him. Joe was excited because the last time he went to a Scout activity with his Dad thhe had refreshments at the end. Chris was a little surprised (he had already told Joe he didn't think there would be refreshments) when there was a small refreshment afterwards. Joe is going to think that his Dad gets refreshments every week at Scouts. This coming week Chris has a day hike on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin State Park which is about an hour from here. It should be a fun activity and Chris is going to check out the park for us. Hopefully it turns out nice because it would be an easy place to take the kids and have a good time.
Peter has really taken off with his reading. This week he read several books all by himself and has been kicking butt on his scripture study. He reads more than some adults do and it makes you realize that we don't really have an excuse not to read when a 7 year old can do it. We figure if the kid can read scriptures it should really help his overall reading level. He really likes to read, although he is less enthusiastic to write. He still does it, reading just comes easier.
Sam has been the opposite, less eager to read but he likes to write. Peter's example has helped Sam to have more desire. Sam also was a little sick and was "milking" it a little. Poor kid looked pretty pathetic some nights. He says next time he wants to go to Scouts with his Dad. He normally only likes to trace letters, but this week he is trying to do his own letters. Peter will sometimes write longer papers and so Sam didn't want to do that. I was able to convince him to give it a trial for a week. He also likes to draw something after he does his letters.
Joe is getting more and more interest in school. We do a little preschool period in homeschool and he does well until there is talk of toys. He mostly really likes to count with everyone. On Saturday, he really surprised us when he got up and dressed himself completely. That is the first time he did it without any help. He is trying to stop sucking his thumb and I think we will have an easier time breaking the nighttime habit, but the day habit may be difficult.
Will continues to be fascinated with all power cords. We have to be careful when anything it plugged in and he is near. He always wants to plug things in and he will go from socket to socket plugging them in to different sockets. It has made us extra vigilant with making sure nothing dangerous is close enough for him to plug in. He had a little bit of a cold this week (Sam had it too) but thankfully it has passed. Now we can only hope that none of the rest of us get sick too.
The kids LOVE Legos and we sometimes have a problem because they get them everywhere. Last week when we were frustrated with them (none of their Lego guys has hands and some were missing arms) we decided to go through the entire stash and separate the men and all of their stuff out (we put them in a separate plastic bag). Turns out to have been an awesome thing to do. This week when they played they rarely made a mess. So that was a nice change. Part of it is their Lego guys all become characters from Star Wars (especially since Chris bought the Lego Star Wars game).
I had my first official appointment with the midwife (before it was just a consultation). I have been really impressed with her and it turned out to be a good visit. I am going to start doing pregnancy Yoga and Pilates to help me stay in better shape and prepare for the birth. Home school went better this week and for two of the days I didn't really have any problems at all. Little by little it is becoming easier. I also have been busy changing our landscaping. We are trying to remove some of the heavy vegetation that was here from the previous owners and plant some more productive (aka fruit) trees and bushes. This next week while Chris is gone at his hike, I hope to be able to get out and plant some flowers with the kids where I took some things out. I should be getting some fruit trees and bushes in the coming months once things warm up a little more.
Will turns 2 on Monday and we are going to have a little party with him then.
This week has been a busy one as usual. Chris has a Court of Honor with the Scouts and Peter and Joe went with him. Joe was excited because the last time he went to a Scout activity with his Dad thhe had refreshments at the end. Chris was a little surprised (he had already told Joe he didn't think there would be refreshments) when there was a small refreshment afterwards. Joe is going to think that his Dad gets refreshments every week at Scouts. This coming week Chris has a day hike on Saturday at Stephen F. Austin State Park which is about an hour from here. It should be a fun activity and Chris is going to check out the park for us. Hopefully it turns out nice because it would be an easy place to take the kids and have a good time.
Peter has really taken off with his reading. This week he read several books all by himself and has been kicking butt on his scripture study. He reads more than some adults do and it makes you realize that we don't really have an excuse not to read when a 7 year old can do it. We figure if the kid can read scriptures it should really help his overall reading level. He really likes to read, although he is less enthusiastic to write. He still does it, reading just comes easier.
Sam has been the opposite, less eager to read but he likes to write. Peter's example has helped Sam to have more desire. Sam also was a little sick and was "milking" it a little. Poor kid looked pretty pathetic some nights. He says next time he wants to go to Scouts with his Dad. He normally only likes to trace letters, but this week he is trying to do his own letters. Peter will sometimes write longer papers and so Sam didn't want to do that. I was able to convince him to give it a trial for a week. He also likes to draw something after he does his letters.
Joe is getting more and more interest in school. We do a little preschool period in homeschool and he does well until there is talk of toys. He mostly really likes to count with everyone. On Saturday, he really surprised us when he got up and dressed himself completely. That is the first time he did it without any help. He is trying to stop sucking his thumb and I think we will have an easier time breaking the nighttime habit, but the day habit may be difficult.
Will continues to be fascinated with all power cords. We have to be careful when anything it plugged in and he is near. He always wants to plug things in and he will go from socket to socket plugging them in to different sockets. It has made us extra vigilant with making sure nothing dangerous is close enough for him to plug in. He had a little bit of a cold this week (Sam had it too) but thankfully it has passed. Now we can only hope that none of the rest of us get sick too.
The kids LOVE Legos and we sometimes have a problem because they get them everywhere. Last week when we were frustrated with them (none of their Lego guys has hands and some were missing arms) we decided to go through the entire stash and separate the men and all of their stuff out (we put them in a separate plastic bag). Turns out to have been an awesome thing to do. This week when they played they rarely made a mess. So that was a nice change. Part of it is their Lego guys all become characters from Star Wars (especially since Chris bought the Lego Star Wars game).
I had my first official appointment with the midwife (before it was just a consultation). I have been really impressed with her and it turned out to be a good visit. I am going to start doing pregnancy Yoga and Pilates to help me stay in better shape and prepare for the birth. Home school went better this week and for two of the days I didn't really have any problems at all. Little by little it is becoming easier. I also have been busy changing our landscaping. We are trying to remove some of the heavy vegetation that was here from the previous owners and plant some more productive (aka fruit) trees and bushes. This next week while Chris is gone at his hike, I hope to be able to get out and plant some flowers with the kids where I took some things out. I should be getting some fruit trees and bushes in the coming months once things warm up a little more.
Will turns 2 on Monday and we are going to have a little party with him then.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Holidays and 2010
Well our life has been very busy since our last post. For Christmas, we were blessed to have a lot of family here visiting for the holidays. In total, we had Chris' parents and my brother Mike here (along with their two dogs). It was nice to have so much family nearby for that special time of the year. Also we had two dogs which belonged to each set of visitors. The kids liked having a dog for a little while and it gave us a taste of what is might be like one day.
After the holidays we got back into the homeschooling year and things have been going well. Peter and Sam continue to do better. Peter likes reading better than writing and Sam is the opposite. Overall they are both improving in both. Math and other subjects continue to go well.
We also decided to have our next one as a home birth. It took a lot of thought and consideration but we are excited for the new one to get here. We still have several months, but we can't help but be anxious.
Chris has been busy with the 11 year old scouts (or Blazers) and has had quite a bit going on with that. He is also having a good time although it is sometimes hard to have him away so much. We are trying to figure out the right balance with all of that.
Hopefully we can post more often.
After the holidays we got back into the homeschooling year and things have been going well. Peter and Sam continue to do better. Peter likes reading better than writing and Sam is the opposite. Overall they are both improving in both. Math and other subjects continue to go well.
We also decided to have our next one as a home birth. It took a lot of thought and consideration but we are excited for the new one to get here. We still have several months, but we can't help but be anxious.
Chris has been busy with the 11 year old scouts (or Blazers) and has had quite a bit going on with that. He is also having a good time although it is sometimes hard to have him away so much. We are trying to figure out the right balance with all of that.
Hopefully we can post more often.
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