Snow/Service

Monday evening a storm came in.  The kids were released from school 2 hours early.  They have not been to school since.  The temperatures dropped after it snowed that evening and have not been able to melt the snow.  Our county is notorious for closing school if the the roads have even a slight amount of snow/ice on them.  

The kids loved Tuesday, they went sledding.  Derek's work was canceled so he got to get out there with them.  We made cookies, invited friends over and had hot chocholate.  John Derek did hurt his foot (more on that later) but we still all had fun.

 

Samantha has an amazing ability to engage children, especially her younger brother and sister.  We went to a basketball game at church for Elizabeth.  Samantha swooped the younger two up, took them into the nursery and engaged them in "school" for an hour.  They followed her every instruction.  She has an amazing talent.  I am excited to see where it takes her in the future.

It is fun to go to one of Elizabeth's church basketball games.  She is a valuable player.  Her height really gives her a great advantage and her knowledge of the sport is able the shine.  I am happy that she has these moments to bring her up and see what a valuable woman she really is.

 Youth Are Encouraged to Serve Others Secretly 

Contributed By By Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson, Young Women general president

• 22 January 2015

"There is no better way to emulate the Savior than to show Christlike love by serving those around us and to encourage, model, and teach our children to do the same. When our youth lift others, they begin to see themselves as worthwhile and valuable members of a community. When they look outside of themselves for ways to serve, their own problems seem less daunting."

The children have been grumpy the last few days.  There are lots of reasons but I am hoping that today we can turn ourselves over to the Lord and change that.  I am going to the temple early this morning.  I have not been for weeks, because of various reasons out of my control, and I know that my absence from the temple has caused part of the continuing contention in myself and in them.

I like the article I read above.  I think my children need to see the needs of others and help.  I pray that the Lord will give us people we can serve today that we may look beyond ourselves and be more grateful for what we do have.