Wendy was feeling a little ill this morning so I took the three oldest to church for three hours on my own.(play scary music here) I never thought I'd do this on my own, and was a little (okay a lot) anxious about the first hour of meetings. The first meeting, sacrament meeting, is supposed to be reverent and worshipful. And "reverent" and "worshipful" are not in the top 100 list of adjectives I'd use to describe my kids.
But with a prayer and a box of 23 crayons (green got eaten) I was off to "worship" and hopefully not wrestle. It was awesome! I mean they were! I was able to sit and listen and feel, and enjoy church. They sat and listened to the prayers, little Cecily folded her arms after the sacrament hymn, Anna and Ewan coloured contentedly, and it was only the last 5 minutes were Cecily had a minor meltdown because I told her hymn books were for singing not coloring. That was quickly resolved and we were off to primary and nursery. I left the chapel feeling edified, uplifted.
I almost took pride in the fact that all the effort we are putting in as parents to help our kids learn appropriate behaviour in various settings is paying off, and then I remembered the prayer I offered on my way out the door that morning. It was a plea from a child to a Father . A child who is trying to be a father to these sweet children who ultimately, eternally are HIS children .
He knows them and loves them, and me! Today was His miracle and I am grateful I am not alone. I have a human partner the love of my life, but Wendy and I have all the Heavenly help we could want and more. It's there for the asking. Parenting is simple, we make it more complicated than it has to be. Parenting is learning to rely on our heavenly Parent, and teaching our children to do the same. What a great day it was. Thank heavens.
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4 comments:
Ok, Peter... My Sunday was not so uplifting. I really deserved that scary music as I walked out the door. You at least give me hope that one day church will be uplifting again. Maybe when Cameron and all three kids are sick at home?
Oh, yeah... PS, did you seriously put up a "Which of our kids are cuter" poll? You are too much. I voted for Ewan... Must be hard to hang with so much estrogen all day.
I totally appreciate the kids and church hype. I often have to get pumped up for a well enjoyed church going experience when really I should just bring a good spirit about me. When I am calm and thinking about the Sabbath more, the kids respond so much better. Now that Fernando is in San Antonio for a month, flying solo at church is what we do. Thank heaven for answered prayers! (PS I bumped into Karen Rich the other day. . .she lives about 5 miles away from me and is in my stake.)
Hey Peter,
Did you know that church is only held for two hours here in Turkey? So, when will you visit us? We have enough room for everyone now. We are ready for you. Even if your sister doesn't get married will you still make a trip in this direction?
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