Mosiah 18 has it all: an imperfect, repentant priest who preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ to great effect; persecution, blessings for those who labor in the church, wise counsel on religious behavior, and protection from the Lord. If I had to choose just one chapter to keep from the Book of Mormon, it would probably be this one. I wonder which one you would choose. It’s a tough question to answer, I know.
My favorite quality in Richard is he can make everything better, whether it’s an everyday meal, a long meeting, a stormy night, a painful illness, or a Tuesday evening. When he is away for Scout camps, I sleep with the light on, not because I am afraid, but because light is the closest substitute for what he is to me.
With Mark in public school this year, I have noticed two big changes in my life. I don’t have to run everywhere I go, including through the house. I have time to walk. And, all I want to do is write, so I do.
Mark is so dear, and he is doing very well.
Oh, yes, I remember. This is how my heart feels during a child’s senior year of high school: squeezed, stretched, and anxious. I avoided it for a few weeks, but I have arrived at the tissue phase.
I have been working on compiling pictures of Daniel’s Scouting years so I can really wallow in the sweet agony.
Today’s journey through memory brings forth his collections, erudite vocabulary, his good leaders, a tiny blue cast for his leg, the homeschool years, desert views, piano playing, and speckled blue eyes.
A child’s influence is very powerful. Raising Daniel has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
For Daniel’s Eagle project, we freed these teens who were locked in the nursery closet for several years. They had grown a few feet taller, and had survived on goldfish crackers and kept clean with hand sanitizer. They didn’t seem to be bored with the toys. They played happily with the cash register, farm toys, tools, puzzles and kitchen sets as we cleaned the area. The reunions with their parents were too precious to photograph.
The shelf installation went smoothly. Not pictured are many people who donated the materials for the project, and Daniel’s grandpa who helped him with a design and ideas. I feel very grateful for the support people showed Daniel.
If I had canceled the Relief Society presidency meeting like I wanted to, because I was tired, we wouldn’t have gone through the names of the sisters in the ward. If we hadn’t gone through the names, one by one, we wouldn’t have thought to visit a sister yesterday, and we would have missed out on one of the most remarkable visits ever. During the visit, the woman told us some of her life story, which I would never have guessed, all around the theme of God being involved in her life.
I came away from the visit with a few lessons.
Yesterday, my friend Janine brought Timothy a piece of chocolate cake to congratulate him on his piano solo played in church. Many others have cheered for him and congratulated him in other ways.
Daniel’s Eagle project is this week, and the doorbell keeps ringing with people coming by with supplies. So far, every person who has come by has asked how he or she could help more. Other people have heard about it and have taken time to inquire what else is needed. Weeks ago, my parents gave up an evening to help Daniel begin the planning and design of his project.
I am no stranger to seeing the generosity of our neighbors, whether it is for funerals, illnesses, moves, births, gatherings, or weddings. This week, though, we are the direct recipients of this generosity and my heart is touched. When your child stretches, or does something difficult or new, you just love the people who show up to help and encourage.
As I drove around town today, Alan Jackson’s song about 9/11 came on the radio. It was good to have a few minutes to reflect on what that day meant for our country and the emotions we all went through at that time.
I spent a little while making things a little more cozy around the house. I love that we will be in slippers and blanket season soon.
Tim doesn’t crave the spotlight, but he has earned the right to be a performer, through one day of practice after another, year after year. I feel so very proud of him today.
I have taken a few years off from writing my stories. Now that the kids are in school all day, I am writing again.
I have finished 85 essays, and have 42 in progress. I finally realized what I am trying to accomplish, and wrote a preface. I am no longer directing it towards a large audience, as I hoped, and I am mostly OK with that.
I took a walk by myself in a building last year which handles a lot of publishing. I know this is where I want to be someday. Not yet, but with each day I write, I am working toward this goal.