A Spiritual Morning

Jaremy left on a business trip this morning, but before he left he read to us from the scriptures, told the kids how wonderful they are, and bore his testimony about several things. The Spirit was here and it was wonderful to be taught and led by our Priesthood leader and patriarch. I am so blessed to have a worthy husband who takes his job as husband and father very seriously. He is amazing! The kids really appreciated this morning as well.

The challenges I wore about yesterday are already improving by leaps and bounds. Heavenly Father does care about us and blesses us so much.

The Lord also blessed me in understanding math today. I could see what the text was requiring, but I wasn't sure why. I was not even sure what questions to ask. So I prayed for help so I could visualize it and teach it so my child could understand. My prayer was answered as I was reading the scriptures. It was suddenly clear! I am so grateful Heavenly Father answers even insignificant prayers. They are significant to me. I know He loves me and can help me with anything.

Classic Parenting Challenge

How do you deal with a youth who has been acting fairly grown up like they should when all of a sudden they refuse to be cooperative and responsible?  What do you do when they act passive aggressive? Do you spank and scold them like you would a two-year-old? Or do you just lecture them yet again? Or do you let huge consequences fall on their heads? Or what? Lecturing, fun one-on-one time, prizes, punishments, consequences, etc. and nothing has worked.  Agency is great,but certainly not convenient.  And certainly not fun to watch someone you love use it wrong!  Oh, well!  This is problem that is universal among parents. I just want to learn how to handle it the right way.  I must spend a lot more time on my knees humbling myself.  I must humble myself! I must seek for their good not my own convenience, pride, or whatever. I'm grateful my parents put up with me and that my Heavenly Father still does.  I pray for His help! I'm in over my head, not that it takes much for that to happen. I adore my children, stinkers or not!

Change of Year

A new year is so exciting! 2012 was wonderful! 2013 is going to be the most amazing ever! I'm so pumped to become better and try to accomplish a lot of good.
Our most important goal is to improve or family culture by speaking with the tongue of angels.

Heavenly Father blessed me with a change of paradigm with our children. He helped me turn anger and frustration into love and understanding. It was very difficult to change my feelings but I prayed for help & Heavenly  Father answered my prayer. Jaremy and I visited about what I should do. I'm grateful Heavenly Father can help me change my heart.

Family Christmas Parties and Resulting Sickness

We had the Keller family reunion over the holiday.  It was a lot of work and I hope my kids had fun.  I guess I need an attitude adjustment.  I'm not sure what good it did.  I would have enjoyed immediate family time a lot more.  Or maybe just one day with the extended family.  Multiple days seems to multiply the stress.  Some people say ornery things when they are tired and stressed, so I guess I need to be thicker skinned.  The human race is way too judgmental and gossipy!!!  I come away inspired and encouraged when I am around some people.  I feel like I encourage other people, which is nice too.  But this just seemed like a lot of work for neither to happen.  Maybe someone was encouraged or some good memory was formed or some relationship strengthened for the good.  I was not aware of this happening.  Somehow we need to improve reunions.  Somehow we need to improve relationships.  Watching movies together and eating together doesn't move us forward or together.  Let alone going forward together.  I pray we can figure this out and really become the family our Heavenly Father wants us to be and do what he wants us to do.

Here's my plan as of right now!  I am going to keep in closer contact with my family throughout the year.  I will make sure they know I respect, admire, and appreciate them.  I will continue to only speak good of them to everyone else.  I will not be hurt when the favor isn't returned.  I will live how I feel is right and not waste a second worrying about what other people feel or say about it.  I will imagine what good we could do as a family if we were united.  I will pray to know how to be a better daughter and sister.  I will follow the prompting I will receive. Then I won't fuss about it not being enough for my parents and siblings.

One little guy had the stomach flu while at the reunion.  Of course, that spreads like wildfire!!!  We are still in the middle of puking and aching.  Luckily, some of us are fine and can do laundry, scrub toilets, give massages, and such.  I'm so grateful for changes of clothes, washing machines, running water, a warm house, and days off.

Being the Grinch I can be, I am grateful we didn't have to go to the Butler family party because we were sick.  Obviously, I am missing some important principles here (namely--faith, hope, charity, and fun)! I will work on that!!!

Grateful for Repentance

I am so grateful that Jesus Christ made it possible for me to start over.  Everyday I fall short, lose my temper, speak sharply, etc.  I try not to, it really discourages me when I am not kind and patient yet again.  I could quit, but the Lord lets me try again.  He doesn't want me to loose hope. So I will resolve anew to keep my covenants and be more gentle and loving like my Savior and dear Father in Heaven.

Kitchen Fun

Today is our dear Natalie's birthday. She loves the kitchen-always has. So she is spending the day baking & cooking. I'm so grateful she has that passion. She is amazing and blesses our family so much! She will be an excellent wife and mother! Praise the Lord for sending us our dear, precious children!

Calming

As this evening wore on I became a bit disheartened. The stresses of the day, homeschool, finances, etc. piled up in my mind. I felt myself feeling negative and a bit ornery. So I hid in the basement for a minute. No, it was not quiet (there is no quiet place at 6 O'clock in this house), but I was alone. I asked Heavenly Father for a change of attitude and started thanking Him for all the good things that were happening right then instead of worrying about the ones that weren't. Heavenly Father answered my prayer and lifted my spirits. Later in Family Home Evening I felt the Spirit again encouraging me that we had a wonderful environment and family for our children even if the bathroom is a mess. The lesson was on personal revelation and how Heavenly Father will help us succeed in our callings. Surely He will! I just need to pay & study more & be grateful and less whiney. I know Heavenly Father answers my simple prayer this evening!