Faith

The other week CharlyAnn had a bad rash, so at family prayer I asked Viana to remember to pray with extra faith that CharlyAnn would get better. So during her prayer she said, "And please please please please please please please please please please bless CharlyAnn to get better." I loved to see what faith meant to her. Letting Heavenly Father know the sincerest desires of our hearts! Pleading with him and knowing that he has the power to answer our prayers. And guess what? It worked! She's better!

Agency

On Sunday we were able to go to a baptism for a youth in our ward. It was great and Ally enjoyed going. Daniel did too since he got a nap. Anyways, during the baptism our friend's car was broken into and her wallet was stolen (so not fun to deal with all of that for her!). While we stayed after to help her out Ally was very concerned about the type of person that had stolen "L's" wallet. We talked about it all for so long. After the discussion about the difference between good and bad choices she said, "That person made a sad and bad choice. Bad choices make Heavenly Father sad." It made me happy to know that she is starting to understand the concept of why we choose to do the things we do.

Modesty

Today I was so happy when Viana and Brooke told me that they had gone through an entire coloring book coloring all of the princesses dresses so that they were modest. I was especially pleased because sometimes Viana and Brooke excuse their princesses' immodesty because they don't know about the gospel. I hope they can always hold close to their heart that important principle!

Love

Daniel is out little love-bug. He loves to give hugs and kisses. And he is especially good at saying "I love you" to our family. He will randomly come up to me and say, "Hi mom. I love you. Hug. Kiss." He's a very sweet and loving kid. But, then again all kids are that way. So, while my kids are shy and not super loving towards everyone they interact with, it always impresses me how loving and kind children are to those around them. You can put them in time-out and they still love you. You can refuse to buy them a doughnut and they still love you. They are a good real-life example of Christ's love. You love no matter what.

Church

Ally and Daniel have really been into coloring lately. Like, more than usual. Yesterday, while we were coloring Ally drew a picture of herself, a lovely round faced stick figure, and then gave some commentary.

A: "This is me saying to all the people: Come on. The Church is this way. We will go to Church!" Looks at her picture real quick to discover that there was no Church building in her picture! "Oh wait, I need to make a Church building first."

She then draws a beautiful purple Church building and repeats the commentary. She then continued the drawing with tear drops because Daniel had yelled at her and made her sad that he made a bad choice. Haha....living art I guess!

(far left: purple Church building. top: brown rain cloud and rain drops. center: brown stick figured Ally with an umbrella(brown circle), purple tear drops on her face.)

Anyways, it made me smile that she was so excited to show the "people" which way the Church building was. I think she really does like going to Church and is excited when others come too.

Prayer

This past Sunday, Ally came home with a special Primary assignment for next week. She's been asked to offer the opening prayer in opening exercises. I'm, honestly, anxious to see how this prayer will play out on Sunday. First off, it's like pulling teeth to get her to even repeat our exact words at home, let alone pray by herself. Secondly, she's got terrible stage fright. But, whoever asked her to say the prayer for next week is my new hero! All week, when it comes time to offer a prayer, I say, "Ally, would you like to say the prayer for _____ (i.e. breakfast, lunch, etc) and practice for Sunday when you will say it for Primary?" She always responds so excitedly and upbeat! She folds her arms, speaks on her own, speaks loud and clearly, and is just so happy to say a prayer! It's been so fun to have an extra little prayer said during the days by Ally and to hear what is important to her. Kids definitely aren't embarrassed to say what they are feeling when they pray. They're good examples like that. Here are a few of my favorite bits of prayers this week:

"Thank you for this day." It comes every time, immediately after opening. I supposed she's learned that one from me. I am grateful for everyday!

"Please help me spell my name. My name is Ally, A-L-L-Y."

"Help mama get better."

"Thank you for this food and that it will make my belly happy and I will grow so big and tall like my mommy and daddy."

"Help me practice sayin' a prayer for Primary for next week."

My favorite is the name spelling prayer. And I don't think it was insincere at all. She really does love to spell and wants to know how to spell everything. It's sweet to hear her praying for other, unprompted. I think she might be learning to care for others and the be aware of their needs. She's a sweet girl and I'm so glad she's opened up to praying at home more.