Of Good Report

Mormons are a social lot.  Whenever we get together we talk, laugh, hug and on occasion cry together.  Yesterday I had the privilege to be a part of a moment when we truly worshiped together--reverently.  The Brigham City was dedicated and in lieu of church meetings all Utah members were invited to attend the dedication via satellite.  The chapel was full and it was quiet.  I loved listening to the music and viewing photographs of various temples worldwide before the meeting even started.  I got to attend with Taylor and Emma.  Destry and Spencer went to an earlier session.  We had to split up because we had two youngsters who were not old enough to attend yet.  As I was sitting there I realized that the other two will likely be old enough by the time the Payson and Provo Temples are dedicated.  It will be wonderful to participate with my whole family. I was impressed with the spirit of peace and reverence that permeated the meeting an...

Today I had the privilege of witnessing six young people enter the waters of baptism. The first three were beautiful eight year old girls. They were dressed all in white and two of them were baptized by their teenage brothers. It was lovely. All three of them were from families of our friends, my seven year old daughter watched with anticipation of her own baptism just months away. My five year old exclaimed that when she grows up she wants to get baptised. Joy. The final three were from the same family. The Huntings. The Huntings live a couple of streets away from us. They are amazing. They had five children ranging in age from 3 to 12. A few months ago the adopted four children ages 13, 9, 4 and 2. They are from Texas and are a beautiful, lively bunch. They have adapted very well and the parents are still smiling. Today the 13 and 9 year old were baptized along with their biological 8 year old. As I sat looking around the room crowded with friends, but mostly with ...

Yesterday, my second grader came home from school with a handfull of cute invitations for friends to join her for a "late night" at our house that evening.  She graciously ran it by me before delivering them and asked what would be an appropriate time for the party.  I told her that 7-9:00 p.m. would be great.  She wanted to make sure she had plenty of time to prepare, so she put 7:30 p.m.  Ok.  We went to the dollar store to buy candy, made cookies, and put cheese in celery in order to have a health snack alternative.  She set the table, printed off coloring pages, and cheerfuly helped to tidy up the house.  I love her enthusiasm.  She was a gracious hostess and while we initially handed out the candy to the winners of "musical chairs", she wante to be sure that everyone had a fair share.  She prepared goody bags with everyone's name on them  before they arrived.  In addition to the eating, musical chairs and coloring activities....

Yesterday I had a date with my eighth grader.  It was awesome.  He is awesome.  We went to lunch at Kneaders.  Also awesome.  This child has some great qualities, he is kind and compassionate, he is a leader, he's smart, handsome and has a fun sense of humor.  He is close to the Spirit and regularly recieves inspiration.  Sometimes he is wise beyond his years.   He also has some personal challenges that make him a challenge to parent.  He is anxious and often irritable.  We have had many long days since March (since birth really, but this go around has been since March), but I feel like we/he have made an upward turn.  It was refresing to visit with him about friends and dancing and growing up.  He has always been a mama's boy, but he is developing a great relationship with his dad.  They both need that.  I need that.  I get so sit back and watch them blossom rather than having to referee....

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praisworthy, we seek after these things."  This is a paraphrase by Joseph Smith, Jr. of Philippians 4:8 and my personal motto; it will be the theme of my blog.