A little late, like usual

I really liked this little video.



Look, Laura. I learned how to share a youtube video!

The gift to believe

The gifts of the Spirit are discussed in various scriptures. I quote from Doctrine and Covenants 46:11-14:

For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. 

To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.


To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.


To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.

I have just returned from a special church meeting. We had in attendance Elder Richard G. Scott of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I am not sure that I've ever been in a stake conference (a relatively small meeting) where an apostle was present. I was very excited to see him and hear him in such a personal setting. He quoted the scripture above and then told us that he is one who knows. I am blessed to believe on his words. I have no doubt at this time that I heard an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ speak today. Elder Scott's testimony of the Savior was so simple and powerful. I consider it a great gift to believe him.
 
I hold my faith and belief in Jesus Christ as one of my precious treasures. My testimony gives me stability when life is unstable. It brings me peace no matter what chaos is around me. I am confident that Jesus Christ lives, that he loves me, and that he knows me. I am also sure in my belief that we have living prophets on the earth today. I think that the things I experienced yesterday and today with Elder Scott will always affect me and the way I act and what I believe.

Ha ha

As a 9-year-old, Ammon makes up a lot of jokes. Most are not worth remembering or sharing. But I liked this one.

"What is a feline's favorite church?"
"What?"
"The Cat-olic Church."

Grammar police

Beth has discovered scissors. This is bad news for a great many paper-related goods in our house. I try to keep the scissors up high, but the other kids get them down for responsible uses and then irresponsibly leave them down. Anyway, I was one day correcting Beth's choice of scissor-use. She wasn't getting it. So I used tough language. I said, "Beth, this was naughty. You were naughty to cut these things."

Her response to being called naughty? "NO, I ISN'T!" Then she crossed her eyebrows realizing she had mispoken. She immediately corrected herself: "NO, I AREN'T!"

Cleanliness...

Saturday, my typical cleaning day, was super busy outside of the home. So I had to catch up my cleaning yesterday (Monday). I mostly cleaned by myself until Ammon appeared and started to help put away toys without being asked. Other than that small act of kindness, yesterday was a pretty bad day for mother/child relations around here. (Well, mother did fine. Children could have improved dramatically.)

Imagine my delight today. As I was getting in the shower, I saw Ammon dutifully picking up the sleeping area. (Right now the kids sleep on mats on the floor. They have sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets that need to be put away everyday.) Ammon folded every blanket and sleeping bag by himself and made a neat stack in my bedroom. As I got out of the shower, I heard the sound of the vacuum. I found the playroom spotless, the school room freshly organized, the upstairs vacuumed, swept, mopped, and the children in the midst of washing windows. Ammon's positive actions rubbed off and everyone had joined in the cleaning. I can tell it's going to be a good day.