New School Year

Hi Everyone!

It is a new school year and the kids are really enjoying school. Vanessa and Eric are at the Intermediate school together, while Joseph and Rex are at the Elementary school together. Rex started kindergarten and has loved the first two days.

I am home with Bruce. I spend my days cleaning and cooking and planning meals and coordinating scout den meetings. Another part of my day is spent talking to friends. I have met two women here in our new neighborhood that seem to be a lot like me too.

Jared and I are also putting in a sprinkling system in our yard. Actually Jared is doing it while I chase after Bruce as he runs down the street. Aww! The joys of having an almost two year old.

Life is busy and sometimes seems like it gets so busy that there isn't time for the Lord. I have to purposefully set time out of my day for personal study and prayer. I get reoccurring dreams that I miss my Institute/Religion class when I don't make the time for what is most important in my day.

The Good Fight

As I was reading my scriptures this morning, I read in Alma Chapter 1. King Mosiah has passed away and appointed Alma the younger to be the chief judge in the judgement seat. In the first year, a man is brought before Alma and here is what it says about this man:

2 And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a a man brought before him to be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much strength.

3 And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.

4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.

The thing that is so disturbing to me is that I see so many people believe this lie. All men will not be redeemed when they have spent their mortal days in rebellion to God.

Then I read in 1 John 2: 4-5

4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Continuing on with the good fight....
Have a good day! Give glory to God! Keep his commandments!

Saying I'm sorry can be hard, but not impossible

The other day Vanessa was over at a friends house. They were together for the better part of the afternoon. I had told Vanessa to come home at 5pm. She arrived home at 5pm along with her friend. She asked me if they could play until 5:30pm. I told her no. Thirty minutes goes by and I keep calling out for Vanessa to come help me get dinner on the table. There is no response. I go outside in the front and call out her name. No response. Ten more minutes goes by and I go out onto the fron porch to clean up a mud mess. I see Vanessa's friend walking out from behind where I had parked the van.

I call Vanessa over to me and tell her what she did broke my trust in her. She said sorry. I asked her if she had the 'ick' in her stomach. She said yes. I told her that I need her to follow my instructions in order for me to be able to trust her. She understands. I told her to call her friend and apologize to her for not making her go home at 5 and to tell her that she is sorry for not respecting my instructions. I also told her to tell her friend that she doesn't want her to think it is okay to treat her mother that way either. Her friend says, 'Okay, but I've gotta go.'

This friend has not made peace with me yet. She knew I told her to leave. She disrespected me too.

Instead of coming and apologizing to me, she has become sneaky.

I told Vanessa to tell her that if she wants to be friends with her, she needs to apologize to me.

We'll see what happens. I hope this girl apologizes and her sneakiness doesn't have to be brought to her own mothers attention.

These girls are 12 and 13 years old. I find it a priviledge to teach them the doctrine of repentance. I love teaching the children how to have successful, respectful relationships. I love seeing the look in my kids eyes when they understand what I teach them. It brings me great joy!

Camp, football, and spirituality

Today Vanessa left for beehive camp. I was excited and nervous for her as she got out of the car. We are in a new ward and the fact that she has rarely been away from us for the night are the main explanations for my anxiety. I'm sure she'll be fine and come home with fun stories to tell us about.

The boys, Eric and Joseph, start football tonight too.

We also have been called to be the Bears and Webelos Scout leaders in our ward and have our first meeting tonight with the boys. That should be fun. Jared has had this calling before and so it is very familiar to him. As for me? Well, let's just say there will have to be small learning curve.

Spiritually speaking, I am working on being steadfast and immovable in the fight to stand up for virtue and goodness, and stand against apathy and evil. It seems all around me that people allow their standards to follow the ways of the world. Blech! I despise the shame of the world and look forward to the day where I can rest from all the worlds disobedience. I look forward with hope to the day when I can meet my Savior again. But surely I'm glad it isn't today for I still have work to do. Today is the day for men to perform their labors... as the scriputes goes. Tomorrow the Savior comes... we read in the scriptures. So, today I work, always looking forward to tomorrow.