The Plan Worked

Yesterday we had a really good Sunday! I had made a plan and prayed a lot yesterday that we could feel the Spirit and keep the Sabbath day holy as a family. Heavenly Father blessed us with a day that went great. We had family council and scripture study. We studied as individuals, contacted extended family, listened to hymns, sang hymns, obtained a list of the widows in the ward, colored while listening to Conference talks, and walked around the temple. Benjamin did family history work and got several names ready to take to the temple. Of course, we held Adelynn and soaked in the special spirit she brings into our home straight from heaven. We enjoyed just being with each other! We have an awesome family!!!

What a joy Adelynn has been in our family!!! She is so calm and sweet! I just love nursing her and holding her. She is very alert and loves bonding with the family when she is awake. We just can't love and hold her enough!!

Criticism

Sometimes, okay most of the time, I find myself being critical of my kids. It seems one or more of them is constantly needed to be reprimanded for being too loud, breaking the rules, being slow or idle, disobeying, fighting, etc. I get so sick of it!!! I know the problem is mine. Which is part of why I'm so sick of it! I get annoyed so easily and feel like strangling everyone of them. I pray for patience and sweetness, but I feel raw and on edge. I really need the Spirit's help. I must not act on my base instincts. I must remain calm when everything is crazy. I must find good to encourage instead of constantly noticing the bad. It's making our whole family suffer. I pray and plead for help and strength. Surely, Heavenly Father will not leave me alone if I turn to Him with all my heart.

Family Council

This evening we have worked on memorizing scriptures as a family. We have a list with a scripture, passage, or poem for about every week of the year. If we all memorize all the passages on the list we will go to San Diego at the beginning of next year. Fun! I love working together and personally to memorize.

We also held a brief family council to discuss our morning schedule for the coming school year and our workout schedule. Tomorrow we are jogging 5.5 miles. About a week ago I jogged (Jaremy calls it wogging - half waddle, half jog) 4 miles for the first time in my life. I am excited, especially considering I'm 5 months pregnant.

Heavenly Father has blessed me with an awesome family. Together He has blessed us to be able to do amazing things. And I hope we are only scratching the surface of what we will accomplish and become in the future. We want to build His kingdom and serve His children more and more.

Sleepover

The kids, all except Jessica (and Benjamin who's at scout camp), went to sleepover at Grandma Eva's last night. They were so excited! We had a relaxing evening. We even went to a movie, 17 Miracles. It was about the Martin and Willie Handcart Companies. It was wonderful and touching to be reminded of what some have given to follow Christ. It renewed my determination to serve the Lord, no matter what. I need to be more zealous in my discipleship. I need to help others and overcome weakness and sin with renewed gusto. I will!!

It was nice to have a quiet evening with Jessica. She is such a sweetheart and strong in faith and love. It's so fun watching her grow and experience life. She is proactive and just plain wonderful. I'm so glad Heavenly Father let her come to our family. She is a huge part of it!! She's growing up so fast. I will miss her terribly when she goes out on her own, but I know she will bless the lives of her future family and many others as she has ours.

Duggar Book

There are millions of books out there. Finding one that is so perfect for me, answers my questions, resolves my challenges, and guides my ideas (therefore my life) would seem near impossible. Yet I believe Heavenly Father has led me to many wonderful books that have are are improving my character and life.

Duggars: 20 and Counting such a book. I gobbled it up in a couple of days of reading here and there. They are amazing!! They are truly guided by God because they follow Him. The book gave me tons of ideas for organizing a big family, training little ones with kindness, keeping close to our teenagers hearts, saving and investing, relying on the Lord more and more specifically in prayer, staying motivated in homeschooling, and cherishing family time. It was a beautiful book! I'm so grateful for their example and wisdom! They have really encouraged me to lift my sights and more completely turn my life and heart over to Heavenly Father. Now that's a good book! That's a blessing from Him from who all good things come!