Seeing the Blessings

While I was standing over the stove cooking dinner ( yes, I'm actually cooking tonight!) and Emma was unloading the dishwasher, she started up an unexpected conversation.  It's the kind that Mom's love to hear.  It's the kind that make you think, Ok, we're alright, what I've been working so hard for is starting to bare fruit.

She said, "I'm starting to realize some of the blessings of," I can't remember how she put it but basically, "living the gospel."  "I've started changing channels on the radio in my car when something inappropriate is on, I used to not care and still listen to it, but now I can't."

She was also talking to her friend from another ward today about family home evening.  Her friend said, "you guys actually do that, I didn't know anyone did that?"  She told her that we do and that we aren't always fantastic about it but we are on a good stint right now.    She also told her that her and her brother teach out of PMG so they an prepare to go on missions.  Emma was able to see how things were going for this family and ours and came to the conclusion that living the gospel was the difference.

Shortly after this conversation I came up to my office to document this conversation and she stopped in and said " I've been thinking about what I will say or do the next time M (a girl in seminary) says something mean to Jared."  She told me what she planned out and I had to stop the surprised look on my face.  Was she actually formulating a plan to stick up for her brother?  We went through some ideas that promoted kindness while protecting.

Everything I've been doing has been to direct my kids to find things out for themselves.  For me to do less preaching and telling and more pointing them in the direction to find out for themselves.  For Emma to realize that there are blessing to living the gospel and that a change in your heart occurs when you do so, is simply amazing to witness.  

I have to tell you, it's pretty cool to see your children partaking of the fruit.  It is truly a joy beyond measure.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and counting our blessings….

I am grateful for the sacred stewardship of my family.  For the change that has occurred in my family as a direct result of being dedicated to doing family history, family home evening, scripture study and prayer and magnifying our callings.  I'm grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves his children and knows them intimately.  He knows what we need and patiently trains us up.  I'm grateful that we don't have to be perfect because we can never achieve that.  We just have to want to be perfect and with lots of practice learn what Heavenly Father's will is for us so that we will desire that also.  There is so much to be grateful for, but right now I'm grateful for the tree of life and that as I've called out to my children, they are hearing me and coming to partake as well.