Bits and Pieces

God Bless America

Today we get a new President. I have to admit that although I didn't vote for him, I'm excited for today. I'm excited to see what he can do. And I'm hoping I can be patient for it. Ever since the election, I've been hearing the news people talk about transition of power, and it is a truly amazing thing. Today George W. Bush will simply walk away from the position of President and Barak Obama will take over (amid a huge amount of pomp and ceremony). No matter what issues a person might have with the United States of America, today is a pretty cool day.

Mill Hollow has rocks

We had a lesson on the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood last night. Everything was going well, we had sung Scripture Power, had a prayer, learned what deacons, teachers, and priests responsibilities are, and David had asked the boys if they were excited to receive the Priesthood. Benjamin answered, "yes", but Joshua was not so certain. He was worried about passing the sacrament. How was he to learn where to go? I told him, "Don't worry, they'll teach you the formations." Benjamin said, "Mill Hollow has rocks..."

The Best is Yet to Come

I've been panicking because I lost three students in a month (all for financial reasons...yes, the recession has arrived at my house). There's not a lot I can do about it, but tighten our belts and budget really carefully. I can still pay all of my bills, I can still buy groceries, there's just not that money for extras (like going out to eat). David and I have stay-at-home dates, I bake homemade bread a couple of times a week. I'm very grateful to my mom for the 23.5 lb turkey. But through it all I hear Frank Sinatra singing, "The Best is Yet to Come", and yesterday when an old student called and asked if she could take lessons again, I knew that Heavenly Father was watching out for us.

The super amazing Joshua

Here comes the moment when I just have to brag about my child.

Fact: Joshua was being bullied in school.

My solution: request a parent/teacher/principal meeting (which will happen tomorrow morning)

His solution (as told to me by his teacher): Joshua finished his math assignment first, which is not an unusual occurrence and his teacher asked him if he would be willing to help some of the other students. He wandered around for a little bit, giving help here and there (rather like a teacher would), and then headed toward the back table where the bully sits. At this point he asks the bully if he would like some help with his math. The bully accepted his help.

When I asked Joshua about this his response was, "I figured if I helped him, maybe we could get along instead of him bullying me."

Brilliant child!

Thank You, David

New Year

I didn't really make any New Years' Resolutions this year, there's too much upheaval right now to set anything other than 1. I will sell my house and 2. I will buy a new home.

Still, I have found that having a theme for the year really helps me stay focused and keep my sense of humor. A couple of years ago our family theme was "My life may suck, but it's better than yours". See the sense of humor? And that year actually turned out to be pretty great. So, when David and I were talking yesterday we chose a theme, a theme song, and a scripture to go along with it.

Ether 12:4

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

"The Best is Yet To Come"

the song of the same name, sung by Frank Sinatra

Our thought was that this scripture, along with the chosen theme and song, would keep our minds focused on hope; hope that the house will sell, hope that we will find the right place to move, hope that the children will grow in the gospel, hope that our family will grow together, hope for a better world.

Happy New Year! And don't forget...The Best is Yet to Come!