CTR 7

I received a new calling! After 3 years of the ward bulletin, and 4 years of Cub Committee I am now the CTR 7 teacher! I am so excited! I have never been a Junior Primary Teacher before, and I only taught in Senior Primary for a few months. This is going to be great! For the remaining 5 months of this year I am Arthur's teacher. I love these little kids. It is such a fun class. I've had the opportunity to sub for them a few times, and I'm VERY anxious to have them on a regular basis.

However, there is one draw back. I am following the toughest act EVER! Trace and Lin Salmon are the absolute faves of EVERY child in our ward! They are so kind, sweet, patient, and fun. Luckily the kids in my class have been to my house, and I'm pretty sure they know not to expect any miracles or magic tricks.

I'm so grateful that both Taite and Arthur had the opportunity to have the Salmons as teachers. Their testimonies are so pure. Their understanding is deep, and their desire to share the gospel is fervent. I'm so blessed to have their example as I commence this new endeavor!

Satan's Greatest Tool- (in my mind)

I have a problem of serious self doubt. EVERY single decision I make is (in my mind) questioned, examined, reviewed, analyzed, rethought, second guessed, and often regretted. Generally for no good reason other than Satan has found the best way to lead me away from my path back home to Heavenly Father. My weakness: volume.

I have so many thoughts SCREAMING in my head at any given minute of any day, and the only way anyone or anything can really get my attention is by communicating more loudly than all the accumalitive voices in my head. Sadly- the Holy Ghost communicates through a "still small voice", and although I'm pretty sure He has the ability to yell, that isn't the way Heavenly Father designed divine assistance. However, I'm almost positive that Satan's amp goes to 11.

I had a little bit of a sit down with my mom. Actually it was "stand up" since at the she was preparing for a night out on the town with my dad. It went well. She told me that I have a good heart. I try to do the right things, and the Spirit definitely guides and directs my life. However, sometimes I forget how to hear it.

Several months ago I blogged regarding a little girl who is not always kind to Taite. As you may remember, I told Taite, "Whenever Dawn (not her real name) says anything mean just put your finger to your lips, and say, 'Shhhhhhhhh...'". After talking with my mom I decided that's what I need to do. When I hear conflicting voices in my head I need to just settle down, and say, "Shhhhhhhh..." Kind of the Lyndee version of Moses' command found in Moses 1:16, "Get the hence, Satan; decieve me not;". At which point I can focus on the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost trying so desperately to communicate my Heavenly Father's will for me.

This Church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is ALL true. What a blessing. What an amazing gift to know all the answers I need can be found within its simple teachings. Ahhhhhh... I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

I'm grateful for the counsel found in Exodus 20:12, "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." It's so fantastic that I do not have to reinvent the wheel. The pattern has been created, and I only have need to follow it. I just have to read the directions: That part is simple enough for me; and LISTEN to the instructions, and I think I'm beginning to figure out just how to do this.

Thanks, Mom!

Happy Father's Day!

This is Redge's 14th Father's Day, and I must say I think I FINALLY figured out what it is he digs as Father's Day gifts! I'm sure most of you have already figured this out, but let me just remind you- I'm slow. It takes me a while to figure out this wife/mother stuff. I think I'm finally beginning to catch on.

The kids and I sat down, and I asked each of them to tell me two of their favorite family activities. This is what we came up with:

Reece: Climbing Gym, Bowling
Seth: Baseball Game, Golf
Taite: Build-a-Bear Workshop, Legacy Center Pool
Arthur: Jump-On-It, Classic Skating (including laser tag and water slide)

So- with their input I drove all over Utah purchasing gift cards for ALL SIX OF US to do ALL these activities TOGETHER. I also added gift cards for dinner, movie, and Cold Stone from me. We presented these to Redge along with a chocolate/chocolate chip Nothing Bundt Cake. Redge was really exicted!

My favorite part of Father's Day is definitely the cards the kids made for Redge. Last Sunday the kids sat at the table and painted all kinds of stuff for Redge! All the cards were titled, "Happy F-Day!" Taite wrote a note to Redge which reads, "If you don't have a mom- I'm sorry. But, if you don't have a dad- Person, how do you live?"

I'm grateful for a husband who my children love so very much! Happy Father's Day, Redge!