Aaron Choir Pictures

 

This is a picture of a portion of our choir my junior year. I am on the bottom row, the third from the left. This choir included juniors and seniors and had about 115 people.

Aaron Mock Trial

 This picture shows an award I received from the opposing team in our competition. Each team votes on the best attorney and witness from their opponents. They voted me the best attorney on my team.

This picture shows a certificate of participation the I received during my sophomore year. 

Aaron Wrestling State and State Qualifying

 

This is an image of the rankings at the state qualifying tournament in my junior year. I am on the far left. After losing a few matches I shouldn't have lost, I barely qualified in 8th place. At the state tournament, I went on to beat multiple of the others on this podium. 

This is an image of my brother, my grandpa (and coach), and I after the state qualifying tournament in my freshman year. I am on the left, and that medal was for 4th place. 

This is an image of an award I received my freshman year for being a determined and constant wrestler.

Resilient lives

Many right ways

The first thing to remember when parenting is the topic of conversation is that there are many right ways to be a parent. Each parent and each child will create their own connection and it is important to factor in each person preferences because in addition to helping our children become capable contributing people we also want to have fun in the process and we want our children to enjoy the journey as well.

My rule when listening parenting advice is to gather as much information as I can and them sort through the various ideas and decide what to apply now, what to save for the future and what is just not going to work for me or my child.

With that in mind here are some thoughts about helping our children learn to live resilient lives.

What is resilience

The definition of resilience is interesting. It is being capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation, or the ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Life will present many changes, as well as our fair share of misfortune and shock. As much as we would like to prevent this from happening real growth and strength come to all of us as we face these experience and learn how to move forward in a positive way. How do we help our children develop the skills when they are young that will help them as they face these challenges?


Healthy Environment

First, as much as you can create a healthy environment. If the entire existence of a person is in chaos it can be hard for the child to know where to start. To create an environment that is as healthy as possible. That includes a healthy attitude to challenges. If our children are surrounded by people who have a "Can do" attitude or the idea that there is a solution to every problem, they will be more likely to seek out solutions. In these healthy environments challenges and failures are discussed openly as opposed to being hidden or swept under the rug. It is important to respect the privacy of each person but the concerns are discussed with the necessary people and solutions found.

In these healthy environments, past failures and the solutions that were found are discussed with the idea that the experience might help the next generation.

Encouraged to try new things

1. one thing you are good at and one thing that is a challenge
2. teaches compassion when you are involved in the activity that challenges you.
3. focused on the life skills that activity can teach not only the end result
4. Good for our children to see us learn a new skill and practice resiliency

Act as their mentor

sounding board, or place for them to process the experience
we can guide them with questions and help them think of solutions
for example.
1. What did you do?
2, How did that work out for you?
3. What else could you have done?
4. What do you think the results would have been from each of these other options?
5. If you could do it again what would you change what would you keep?
6. Do you think you will have another chance?
7. What would you like to do next time?

These questions do a few things.

1. Allow the child to still own the situation, you don't sweep in and take the problem
2. It helps them think through the situation and analyze it.
3. It communicates that there will be a "next time" or another opportunity

Let them have the moment to feel the pain of the situation
This may sound strange but the energy that comes for the pain of disappointment can actually be the energy need to get them started on the new path. Being a resilient person does not mean that they do not feel disappointment but it is channeling that disappointment into a new opportunity.

Things parents should ensure their children know

Things parents should ensure their children know

 6 categories
each topic can be discussed at each age 
but you go into greater detail each year

Physical

Good nutrition

Importance of adequate sleep

Exercise

Shower

Brush teeth

Shave

Dressing for each occasion

Modesty (slip, underclothing)

Healthy Cooking

Healthy grocery shopping

Clean to maintain good health

Drugs/ Alcohol/ Pornography/ Abuse/ Eating Disorders

Social

Problem resolution

Door and phone etiquette

Thank you notes (thank the mother)

Table manners

Not to interrupt

How to start a conversation

How to end a conversation

How to maintain a relationship

Group dynamics

Emotional intelligence

Negotiation

Emotional

Achieving proper balance

Articulating emotions

Bridle passion

Showing love

Healthy self-evaluation

Self Control

Anger management

Time Management

Persistence in the face of obstacles

The connection of Emotional and Physical

Patience

Healthy and good sex

Enjoying the journey

Education

Read

Write
Math

Writing Letters

Job application

Understandable email and other communication

Prepare to support your family

How to apply for and succeed in College or another post-High School education

Speaking with proper grammar

Maintenance of personal belongings

Money management

Saving for emergency

Loans and Interest

Food and water storage

How to use credit/ debit cards and checks

Car care, driving a manual transmission

Insurance health, auto, homeowners, renters, life

Laundry

Basic sewing

Home care: cleaning, furnace filters,
Basic home repairs

Paying bills

Affordable grocery shopping

Taxes

Spiritual

Prayer

Repentance

Forgiveness

Hope

Charity

Love

Doctrine

Church History

How to gain a testimony

How to receive personal revelation

How to discern truth

Searching For answers in the Scriptures

Tithing

The importance of the temple

How to Eat Chocolate

                                                       

         How to Eat Chocolate

I have not yet forgotten the moment, the smell, the sight of so many little chocolate bars set before me.
Each with its amount of cacao displayed along with characteristics typical to that type of chocolate.
I was at my first ever chocolate tasting class.

My husband and I were on vacation with our crew of very active children.
We were touring various sites along the East Coast of the United States.
Those of you that have traveled with children or have watched parents travel with children can imagine the
scene. Our boisterous group had just spent a few hours in the car and they were ready for an adventure.
I had spent a few hours as the car seat waitress. Passing fruit snacks, fixing electronic devices, mending
Quarles was the order of business for me. I was in full mommy mode. When that mode hits everyone in the
family can hear in my voice. It is best described as a “Extreme Patience”.

As we entered the building the kids got more excited. They saw the amusement park style ride, and the
make your own chocolate station and they knew we had not failed them. As they were jumping around, all
calling to me about what activity they wanted to do first, I saw my husband return. Honestly, I had not
noticed him walk away. I was busy scouting out the nearest bathrooms to be ready when the inevitable
moment hit, as well as checking all exits and places where a two-year-old might hide. Once I felt confident
I could navigate all the likely mishappens in our new surroundings, I started to organize the events of the
afternoon and do the negotiating necessary to get our whole team on board. At that point, my husband
placed his hand on my arm and handed me a ticket. I turned it over and read “ Chocolate Tasting Class”.
I had noticed that option posted when we walked in. It intrigued me but I knew that was the last place I
wanted to take our entire crew. I realized then that he had only purchased one ticket. He smiled, took
the baby from my arms and lead me to the door of the classroom. I looked in. Everything was quiet and
orderly. A few well-dressed visitors had already taken their seats and were chatting quietly. At first, I
protested. It would not really be fair for me to leave my husband with our rowdy crew, sit for an entire
30 minutes and learn how to taste chocolate. He smiled and left with the kids. The only thing left for me
to do was to quietly slip into a chair near the front.

Sitting there waiting for the class to start, the tension of full mommy mode started to slip from me.
Before  I realized it the class had started and the lecturer was showing us how chocolate was made.
He informed us that chocolate from different locations tastes different and pointed out more interesting
facts about the process. Then he arrived at the lesson that struck me in such a way that I still have not
forgotten it. He taught us how to eat chocolate. Unwrap it, smell it, listen to it snap when you break off
a piece, place a small piece in your mouth and let it rest, feel the sensation of it melting in your mouth,
savor the flavor, notice the different notes of flavor, enjoy it.

Although I had eaten a fair number of chocolate pieces in my life I had never had an experience quite
like this. When I slowed down just a bit there was so much to the experience that I had never noticed
before. The experience, the sensations, the different notes of flavor stood out in stark contrast to the
Halloween night style of chocolate eating that had been my previous experience.

I was startled that in the few moments it took to Taste the Chocolate my perspective could
change so drastically. That little piece of chocolate now had new meaning to me because I
took the time to experience it.

That moment has stayed with me and I began to wonder how many other of the more or less
daily experiences of life could be transformed if I slowed down and learned how to
“Taste the Chocolate.”

Grace Ayuso

Grace Ayuso vive en Manta, Ecuador. Ella y su esposo tienen 4 hijos y disfrutan de verlos crecer. Aqui son  pensamientos de Grace de la maternidad y lo que ha aprendido a través de los últimos 11 años, como una madre y una esposa.

Para tener éxito como madre hay que ama a sus hijos. Se puede sentir el verdadero amor que sienten por ellos y se sienten seguros cuando son amados. Como una madre debe tener fe. Muchas veces en la vida tenemos problemas y nos sentimos que nuestra fe comienza a bajar. Es entonces cuando tenemos que trabajar para aumentar nuestra fe.

Mi mayor apoyo como madre es mi marido. Él me ayuda con todo. Él me ayuda con todo lo espiritual, físico y emocional.

Cuando me siento triste y necesito alguien con quien hablar, él está allí para escucharme. Sólo escucha mientras comparto mis pensamientos. I es agradable para descargar mis preocupaciones.

También ayuda con el trabajo de la casa. Al principio, cuando nos casamos y me gustaría ayudar con el trabajo alrededor de la casa de su padre y su hermano se burlaban de él. Eso no le impidió ayudarme. Ahora, su padre y su hermano han visto su ejemplo y ayudar a sus esposas también. Este acto ha hecho este cambio para todos ellos.

Vida en Guayaquil Ecuador

Hoy en día nos encontramos con Jenny Moran. Ella vive con su marido, mi hija (11) y dos chicos (8,5) en el Cerro Santa Ana, Guayaquil Ecuador.




Jenny y su familia tienen una tienda de barrio donde ella y su esposo trabaja todos los días excepto domingos y festivos. Ella es bien conocida y muy querida en su barrio. Jenny comparte sus respuestas aquí acerca de la maternidad.

# 1. ¿Cuál es la parte más dificil de la maternidad? Creo que la parte más dificil de ser madre es aprender a comprender a nuestros hijos. Cada niño tiene un temperamento diferente y un modo diverso de expresarse. Creo que el verdadero reto de la maternidad es de aprender cómo llegar a cada uno de nuestros niños.

# 2 ¿Qué es lo que más le gusta de ser madre? Me gusta pasar tiempo con ellos. Disfruto de cada día. Crecen demasiado pronto y entonces están en una etapa diverso de la vida, así que trato de disfrutar hoy.

# 3 ¿Qué consejo le darías a tu hija, cuando ella se convierte en madre? Mi consejo es tener paciencia.

# 4 ¿Qué aprendió de su madre que es valioso para usted hoy? Yo aprendí de mi madre para hacer lo correcto siempre. Ella me enseñó a elegir siempre hacer lo correcto. Ella siempre estaba conmigo y siempre me da consejo. A pesar de que no siempre me gustó que estaba siempre conmigo y siempre me aconsejaba
. Más tarde me enteré de que estaba siempre en mi mejor interés.

# 5 ¿Qué consejo le daría a otras mujeres, y otras madres? Yo diría que siempre debemos tener metas. Si tenemos meta siempre podemos estar trabajando para ser más. No debemos decimos a nosotros mismos que sólo soy una madre. No todos los días un gol de lograr. Si tenemos metas y sueños, y estamos trabajando para acomplish ellos, Dios nos ayudará a alcanzar nuestros sueños. Podemos tener confianza en él.

Mothering with Grace.

Grace Ayuso lives in Manta, Ecuador. She and her husband have 4 children and enjoy watching them grow. Grace's thoughts on motherhood reflex what she has learned through the past 11 years as a mother and a wife.

To be successful as a mother you must love your children. They can feel the true love you have for them and they feel safe when they are loved. As a mother you must have faith. Often in life we have problems and we feel our faith begin to go down. That is when we need to work to increase our faith.

My greatest support as a mother is my husband. He helps me with everything. He helps me with all things spiritual, physical, and emotional.

When I feel sad and I need someone to talk to; he is there to listen to me. He just listens while I share my thoughts. I is nice to unload my concerns.

He also helps with the house work. At first when we were married and he would help me with the work around the house his father and his brother would make fun of him. It didn't stop him from helping me. Now his father and his brother have seen his example and they help their wives as well.  This act has made this change for all of them.

Life in Guayaquil Ecuador

Today we meet Jenny Moran.  She lives with her husband, daughter(11) and two boys (8,5) in Cerro Santa Anna, Guayaquil Ecuador.

Jenny and her family own a neighborhood store where she and her husband work everyday except Sunday and holidays. She is well known and well loved in her neighborhood. Jenny shares her answers here about motherhood.

#1. What is the most dificult part of motherhood? I think the most dificult part of Motherhoos is learning to understand our children. Each child has a different temperment and a differnt way to express themselves. I feel that the true challange of Motherhood is to learn how to reach each on of our children.

#2 What do you most enjoy about being a Mother? I enjoy spending time with them. I enjoy each day. They grow up too soon and then they are in a differnt stage of life so I try to enjoy today.

#3 What advice will you have for your daughter,  when she becomes a mother?  My advice is to have patience.

#4 What did you learn from your mother that is valuable to you today? I learn from my mother to do the  right thing always. She taught me to always choose to do what was right. She was always qwith me and always giving me council. Even though I didn't always like it she was always with me and always counciling me. I learned later that it was always in my best interest.

#5 What advice do you have for other women, and other mothers?  I would say that we should always have goals. If we have goal we can always be working to become more. We should not say to ourselves that I am only a mother. There is alway another goal to achieve. If we have goals and dreams and we are working to acomplish them, God will help us reach our dreams. We can have confidence in him.

More...Great Parenting Advice from Real Mothers.

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"Don't you quit. You keep walking, you keep trying, there is help and happiness ahead. Some blessings come soon. Some come late. Some don't come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be alright in the end. Trust God and believe in Good Things to Come." --Jeffrey R. Holland 

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This is a quote I read recently in the book ʺTeaching Children Responsibilityʺ by Linda and Richard Eyre
ʺPraise every incident of honesty, of politeness, of sharing, of good decision making. Make the praise direct and clear. Look the child in the eyes and tell him how proud you are of that action. Then take the compliment beyond that one incident by telling him that he is that kind of person (ʺyou are a very honest boy...you remember to say thank you so much better than you did last yearʺ and so forth.) If there is one simple and profoundly important truth about children, it is that they live up to their reputations. They will do what they think is expected of them.ʺ

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ʺDon't put it down; put it away.ʺ I read that in a book a while ago, and just having that simple phrase going through my head helps me keep my house so much cleaner and eliminates me doing a job twice. When I come in from the car, rather than just setting everything inside the door, I try to walk over to the cupboard to put it away. When cooking, rather than set something back down on the counter, I try to put it in the trash or back in the cupboard. When I am done with a dish, I try to put it straight in the dishwasher rather than set it on the counter or in the sink. When I look at a paper, I try to decide right there what I need to do with it, do it, and put it either in the trash or in the place to store it. Anyway, that little phrase has changed my habits so much and BONUS, I don't have to look at the mess in between setting it down once and picking it back up again!! 

Also: Random fun idea for a young child: Mix about 1/4 to 1/2 c of cornstarch with a few tablespoons of water in a bowl, and let them play with their hands in it. It provides quite a bit of entertainment...especially for those kids who just have to TOUCH everything! :)

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My secret probably isn't much of a secret to more experienced mothers, but for the past couple of months I've had my 17-month-old son help me with chores. He was always interested in what I was doing, and for a while I thought he was too young to work, but I had the realization that he can learn to work at this age, too. It has required more patience on my part because his ʺhelpingʺ makes the housework go slower, but I like to think that it's helping him learn chores, appreciate the value of work (eventually), understand that he's required to help with the household, and it helps me feel like we're doing things together instead of me ignoring him while I try to get things done. I give him ultra-simple tasks, like putting a fork/spoon in the dishwasher, closing the dishwasher or dryer door when I'm done loading, pressing the start button on the washing machine, taking clothes off the drying rack and bringing them to me to fold, etc. It's not a whole lot, but I'm hoping it gets us into the habit of working together and sharing responsibilities. At the very least, it has made completing some of the necessary evils more enjoyable for both of us.

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Great Advice From Real Moms--- Enjoy!

Make a ʺBefore You Freak Outʺ list. I never knew I had a temper till I had 3 boys, and two of them toddlers. The toddlers like to nip at my heels all day...I usually reach my limit at around 4ish in the afternoon and a freak out ensues. As much as I'd love to put myself in time out, I can't. Hence the ʺBefore You Freak Outʺ list. I try to include things on there that are a little more rare for them like pulling out the special train set or stickers or paint. But most importantly items on the list need to be something they can do without my supervision, so I can take a breather. My favorite go to activities are a bowl of ice, for some reason they love this. And a shower for my 3 year old. He is especially clingy so those 15 mins are heaven.

--Amanda Frost

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Don't know if anyone else has had this problem, but we think it stems from our encouraging our 3 1/2 yr. old in her earlier age, to bless our food before a meal... Now, it's gotten to the point where she blurts it out before anyone else can volunteer, and our older son pouts because he doesn't think it's fair, and our 2 yr. old starts shouting NO NO, because he wants to say it. Well, enough was enough, so I painted an entire dining room wall with chalkboard paint and trimmed it with wood trim. Then I added our weekly menu, daily reminders, family business, AND YES FINALLY, a Prayer Chart- so everyone knows when it is their turn to ask a blessing on our meal...It's working great and incidentally, our 2 yr. can recognize his own name now. It's been a blessing.

--America 

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Reading is not my forte; I know it's important and I want my kids to be good readers but I am not a big reader. Besides the Ensign, scriptures, and occasional things online, I'm not usually caught with a book in hand. My husband is a reader, and in fact learned to read when he was 3. In his busy schedule he is often fitting in time to read a book. I hope my kids inherit his love for and speed in reading. He is usually the one to read bedtime stories or take time to read to them after work. As the school started this year I have my first kindergartner and so I've been reading with him for 15 min/day as prescribed by his teacher. As a result I've read more to my 3 yr old as well. Even if I have to interrupt folding laundry, preparing for a lesson, or even skip an attempt at a nap, I'm doing my best to read aloud more to my kids, esp when they bring a book to me and ask me to read it. This is hard for me because I don't have a lot of energy these days and it takes energy to read to them. But I know it will pay off! My mom read a lot to me as a child, and listened to me read as well. She was not a fast or avid reader but she did her best to help us like reading. Hopefully I can help my kids in the same way.

--Amy

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I have found that if I am rushing to get things ready to leave the house in the morning and my kids are squabbling and generally irritating one another (aged 1 and 3), if i put on the cd of children's songs it really calms them down. The pushes and shrieks don't completely stop but they do lessen and I am more likely to find then quietly looking at books than fighting. It could be a complete coincidence but I don't think so! I just need to remember to use it as a tool more often!

--Angela 

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I have always been very deliberate in what I put on my walls. I use a lot of the blue painter's tape, and if there are things I want to remember to teach my children, I often have reminders hung down where they can see. For instance, I have ABC cards and pictures hung up by where I blow dry my hair. Without fail, my 1-year-old comes over and I can talk to her about the pictures while I'm getting ready for the day. I have pictures depicting the Articles of Faith by my kitchen table. I have pictures of farm animals behind my daughter's crib, my kids' names above their beds, and pictures of the Savior and temple in key places. I have a calendar closeby. I have maps on the wall I can use whenever talking about places comes up (across from the chair where we normally read books - they're often very handy). Anyway, I've found that when things are out and accessible and visible to me and the kids, I use them more often because of the reminder they are to me and because the kids are naturally curious about them. And, I've seen their learning increase. 

--Brittany

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"The child must know that he is a miracle, that since the beginning of the world there hasn't been, and until the end of the world there will not be, another child like him.ʺ --Pablo Casals

--Carolyn 

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One thing I have found to help me keep the SMILE on is to play with my kids. If we are at the park they think it is great if I swing with them or try the monkey bars. They get a laugh; I get a bit of exercise and we bond having fun together. On of my children is motivated by fun and feels love when we have fun together. It helps to have spend the day playing together when it is time to get everyone motivated to finish the housework.

--Jana

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ʺWe sometimes fail to understand that the everlasting peace Jesus promises is an inner peace, born in faith, anchored by testimony, nurtured with love, and expressed through continual obedience and repentance. It is a peace of spirit that echoes through the heart and the soul. If one truely knows and experiences this inner peace, there is no fear from worldly disharmony or discord. one knows deep down inside that all is well as far as the things that really matter are concerned.ʺ --Elder Ballard

I had a friend in college who came from a big family. Once we were talking about her parents and how she never saw her dad lose his temper. Even with teenagers. I was amazed. That is quite an accomplishment. She told me that his ability to keep his cool really made all of them respect their dad so much it really helped keep them in line. When he disciplined they new they deserved it and they didn't want his disappointment. That has always impressed me and is something I try to remember with my children.

--Jen

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Amanda Jiri- Happy in Cape Town

Wow, I had some kind of an idea of motherhood but never like these.

I knew that I wanted to be a mother since I was quite young. Importantly though I wanted to have kids only if I was married. So growing up I would help raise my aunts, neighbours and friends kids. So I got pregnant as soon as I got married. I still believe that my little miracle happened the same day I got married. When I found out I was having a son, I was thrilled with excitement of the many things I was going to do with this little man. I enjoyed every little kick and movement. I think I fell in love with this boy since the day I knew I was preggies. When he came I was speechless, the first words that came out of my mouth was, baby he looks so much like you.

That day was one of the special days my husband and I have experienced in my marriage of 3 years and 8 months. This boy who has now turned 3 has taught me so much about parenting. He is full of love and very affectionate so welcoming his sister when he was just a year and 10 months was easy for him. These kids are work and a half. I had this grand plan just before Tariro, my daughter was born on how I will put them on a schedule and that went out of the window just after Tariro was born and I discovered she had colic.

 I learned what patience means since that day. My children are my joy. They know though that their father and I must be happy first and then them. They get that he is my first love. I truly believe that happy parents equal happy kids and that is a happy home.

I never thought that I had this kind of love; I never thought it even existed. My kids taught me that. Just experiencing how I love them each day, and each second, I guess I now have some idea of how my Heavenly Father loves me. I only learned that when I became a mother. Secondly I have been taught my worth. Just to have these two beautiful souls rely on me with their life, made me know how I am trusted to excel in this role. I wouldn’t be given this opportunity if I did not deserve it. Motherhood allows you to start trusting your instinct as a parent. I go with my gut feeling on everything I do with my kids. The natural instinct to nurture is mind blowing. I see myself doing things I never thought I knew I could do. Thirdly, having kids has made me fall madly in love with my husband. I look at them and I see him. I cannot be angry with my husband and be happy with my kids and vice versa so I choose to be happy all the time. They have my husband’s face and have my heart, how cool is that.

I would not want anything else; I take this role with so much respect and sincerity. I am student and still learning more and more from my kids. I feel this is the ultimate highlight in my life. What is lovely is to know that I am their mother for eternity and I get to experience that highlight forever.

Yours truly,

Amanda Jiri

Karoyln's Amazing Family

I have had the blessing of being part of a good family since the day I was born.  How my heart aches and wishes for that same opportunity for every infant coming into this world: to have loving parents and siblings who are seeking to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ.  Where ever there is righteous living there is peace, love and joy.  Where ever there is self-centered living there is strife, anger and pain.  But I also know the atonement of Christ is real and through that power he will heal any and all who come to him with full purpose of heart.

This being said, I don't believe there exists a "perfect family" anywhere out there.  We are on this earth to learn, grow and have experiences to teach us what our Heavenly Father knows we need to learn.  The Lord Jesus Christ was the only person to walk the earth who was completely perfect.  So we are either moving closer to that goal of becoming like our Savior or we are moving farther away.  Having a family that is striving with all its might to follow His example is an invaluable strength and gift to have in this journey of life!

I love family life because I can't think of any other way to refine my character faster and help me grow.  Is it an easy, painless process?  Of course not! Since when was anything truly worthwhile easy? But through working, living, struggling, laughing, praying, and studying daily as a family we can all progress closer to our Heavenly Father. And we learn the principle of MERCY is among the first to master in order to find joy in our family life: "For, if ye forgive men their trespasses your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; But if ye forgive not men their trespasses neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."   3 Nephi 13:14-15

Where else do you have more opportunities to trespass or to be trespassed than in family life? :) It is such an intimate and personal environment that there seem to be many chances for either giving or taking offense.  But there are also many more opportunities to love, to forgive, to bless, and to serve! It's simply not possible to live a truly satisfying, happy life by seeking our personal interests and wants all or even most of the time!  Self-centered life styles simply go against eternal laws as our Lord taught:  "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." Matthew 10:39

Another one of sweetest blessings we gain, especially as parents, is through service in the home to little children.  I've noticed that many in the world prefer not to do the work it takes to care for babies and small children.  After all, where's the glory? Where's the monetary compensation?  Or perhaps even, where's my sleep?! :) And the "work" is quite constant and demanding!  But it is among the most precious work we can do for all of these very reasons.  Another powerful, unchanging principle from the Savior:  "As ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40 

If we truly love the Lord with are our might, mind and strength we will rejoice in the opportunity to serve him in this capacity.  We will gradually be able to forget ourselves more and more and thereby be able to have more joy if our life.  But, you might be asking: Who will then take care of ME?!  I testify that as we put our heart and mind into serving Christ, He will take care of us FAR BETTER than we can ever take care of ourselves!  I have seen this over and over again as my husband and I have brought each of our ten children into this world and are doing our best to raise them.  We are still far from perfect, of course, but as I mentioned earlier:  We must live by the glorious principle of MERCY and GRACE daily. 

A family, with each member seeking to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, is like a lovely symphony for all to enjoy!

About the Author: Karoyln and her amazing family live in South Carolina. More about her family can be found at her blog 

Firmness of Mind Mom

"Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." 

 

2 Nephi 32:3

"We have a big question mark in front of us, and if we hold onto it long enough with enough faith, we can stretch it into an exclamation mark." -Sister Hammond