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.

A True Story

One thing that Ally likes to do is write down stories. She will scribble letters and dictate what she's writing. Earlier this week, I overheard her write this story.

" I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that he is very nice. Jesus is nice too. Is this a good deal? This is a good story. The end."

It made me smile that she likes to write down what she "knows" or is learning.

Love

Last night while on our drive to pick up LaDon, Ally started singing this song:

"I love Jesus.

President Monson loves Daddy.

Heavenly Father loves me.

Happy New Year, happy new year!"

The end is pretty random. But, I thought it was telling to hear what she's learned about our Father in Heaven, our Savior, and our current prophet. Whether she knows it or is just repeating what we tell her, she is happy to know that there is a lot of love coming from those 3.

Jesus Loves Everyone

Today while eating breakfast I read Pres. Eyring's message in The Friend to the kids. It was about becoming Christ's friend and how He is our friend. I was explaining to them that Jesus loves everyone. I told them how Jesus loves good and bad people no matter what they do, but that he wants us to make the best choices we can. Ally then looked at me, and in a very matter-of-fact manner, stated, "Jesus loves Thaddeus (our 4-foot giant teddy bear). And Jesus loves chocolate milk." So, while she hasn't quite caught the concept that He loves all people, she definitely understand that He loves. And knowing that He is loving is an important thing to know.

Compassion

Ram had a bit of a swollen eye so instead of sending him to nursery he came with us to my gospel essentials class. One of my class members took a fall after class was over. As he tried to regain his footing and stand up Ram stood by with the most sincere look of concern and care on his face. I don't think Ram has really ever met this man before, but yet he could sense that he was injured and tried to express so much compassion in something as simple as a concerned look. I think that is something that I can learn to do.

Acceptance

Today we had a gathering of DT Hall Advisors. What used to be 5 children between the 5 couples when we first met is now 16 children. We even had 5 cousins thrown into the mix so that at one time there were 21 children in the Trumans brand new house. Did the children stay to themselves, play only with their siblings and shy away from the strangers? Not one bit. And yet how was it that there we 7 or 8 other adults there that I did not know that I still do not know? What an interesting contrast to see how the children made instant friends and the adults were the ones to linger with the ones they knew and leave the others to go about their business un-befriended. May I be more accepting and eager to get to know everyone around me.Oh such joyous times!

Love

Ram loves to play outside. Today I had opened the front door so he could meander on out, while still keeping him in ear shot. He was putzing around the sidewalk throwing rocks when I hear Viana say to him out the open toyroom window, "Ram! It's Viana your sister who loves you so much!" One of the greatest commandments and Viana is not ashamed to live it.