February 2023, Week 4

*Today at church a young man spoke about miracles.  He shared some miracles that Jesus performed, and then shared a miracle of finding a flashlight while camping so he could participate in a Capture the Flag game, to show that miracles don't have to be big to be important to us.  He also said how it's a miracle that we all get to feel the Spirit.  He's right.  (I find this young man extra impressive because his mom is not active, his dad is not a member, but his own faith is very strong.)

*Today at church Ben was back in town (he had been gone for almost two weeks) and gave our Primary lesson about prayer, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.  Prayer, like bread, needs to be partaken of daily--multiple times.  Our class is getting comfortable with us, which is good and also tricky.  They're quite chatty and wiggly.  But when you ask a question, it's amazing to see who has actually been listening and processing what's being taught.  He had them memorize Matthew 7:7.  That's a good one to have on hand.

It was a delight!

February 2023, Week 3

*Today at church one of my Primary students asked me repeatedly for a snack.  I didn't have any food with me, due to the fact that I haven't needed to bring snacks to church for about seven years or so, since my youngest is now almost 11.  A sister who has four young kids, with the oldest being seven, said she and her husband were talking about my family and wondering if their kids would ever be as good as ours at church.  These things made me reflect on all the tricky church years that we have gone through.  She just hadn't seen it when our kids were her kids' ages.  We also spent plenty of time out in the hall with wigglers and kept a pretty good supply of snacks (except when we lived in Plano due to a rat problem in the building) to help with "hanger" and also just for a moment of distraction so I could look up and appreciate what was being said for a minute.  It has really only been the last year or so that I feel we're in a place where most of my family can feel a sense of peace (and hopefully the Spirit) during Sacrament Meeting.  It is a good place to be.

*I've been thinking of the "Good, Better, Best" talk given last week all week long.  It's helping me to make better choices with my time.

It's a delight!

February 2023, Week 2

 *Today at church I pondered the words in the Sacrament hymn ("There is a Green Hill Far Away") because we had talked about it earlier in the week in our Come, Follow Me family discussions.  We were listing hymns that helped us feel the Spirit during the meeting, and one of my children mentioned this one.  I hope they were also able to ponder on the words, remembering "how dearly, dearly has He loved" and to "trust in His redeeming love and try His works to do."

*Today we had excellent talks.  The young man taught about how to handle doubts.  He's one of those youth that I wonder if he is listening or happy to be there at church, but his talk made me repent of that opinion, and he taught me what he knows about faith in Christ.  A sister gave a beautiful talk about trusting in the Lord and in his loving kindness in the midst of trials.  She also reminded us, as Pres. Uchtdorf did, to doubt our doubts and trust our faith.  The closing talk was from a brother that was giving his second talk as a member.  He and his wife and baby are new in our ward, and he was self-admittedly super nervous, but that didn't stop him from giving a well-thought out talk about "Good, Better, Best," and how he's seen examples of choosing the best things in life has blessed his.

*Today I saw a younger brother (about 12) comforting an older brother (about 16).  It was the sweetest thing.

It was a delight!

February 2023, Week 1

 *Today at church we had Fast and Testimony meeting.  We have some amazing people in this ward.  They keep inspiring me.  I guess that's why we keep gathering. ☺

*Today we had our whole Primary class, plus a visitor.  They certainly have a lot of energy.  I think, though, that they like to be in Primary, and that's a big thing.  We'll keep gathering there, too.  And singing, playing games, telling scripture stories, and testifying--when they let us get a few words in, too. ☺

It was a delight!