Porter and Siri (5/11/18)

Porter loves talking to Siri and asking her questions. Siri is the computer on my phone.  He has listened to me talk to her or tell her to do things.  Today during our walk, Porter was laughing and asking Siri poop questions.  Then I hear him so, "Siri, how do I get a girl to like me?"  Poor Porter still has a thing for Caitlyn from his preschool class.  He thinks she is "nice (kind) and funny".  He has liked her since day 2 of preschool.

Jonas' Bedtime Ramblings (5/11/18)

My brain is saying, "I don't want to go to sleep.  I want to eat breakfast and eat treats and eat sugar."

I'm thinking, "That's because your brain is exhausted and has no idea what's it's saying."

Seeing God's Hand (5/9/18)

Today was a great day.  There were a couple things that happened that reminded me that God is in control and His hand is in our lives and the details of our lives.  Since the church has made this change to ministering, I have been praying about how I can minister to my sisters.  I was assigned two new sisters, Roxanne Berg and Kristen Reynolds.  I have been trying to figure out what to do specifically for them.  It's been on my mind and I've been praying about it.  Over the years, including just a couple of weeks ago, I have given Roxanne my number.  Well, today I got a phone call.  It was Roxanne and she asked if I would check on her mom.  She said she was unable to get a hold of her so she didn't know if her mother had fallen or if the phone was off the hook.  I rounded up the boys and we walked up the street.  (Roxanne and her mom, Myra, live at the top of our street.)  We knocked on the door and Myra answered.  Fortunately she had not fallen and her phone was just off the hook, but she invited us in and I was able to sit and talk to her.  She was so welcoming and seemed excited to have visitors.  She didn't mind my crazy boys and we had a short visit and I asked if we could come another time to which she said, "yes".  This was an answer to my prayers.  This is exactly how I can become part of their lives and minister to them.  I am grateful that my prayers were heard and answered.  The joy I felt was wonderful.  And, I am so glad that Roxanne thought to call me.

Tonight Porter had soccer pictures.  We went to a park that we don't generally go to.  His team took pictures and all the kids ran to the nearby playground.  The parents were standing around chatting and I was mainly watching Mason.  Then after 20-30 min I realized I hadn't seen Porter.  Porter's friend, Finn, said Porter had gone to the other playground by where we came in.  I thought he must have gone with some of the older kids.  When we walked over there and verified he was there, I planned to talk to him about telling me where he is going.  But as I approached him, we talked and I realized he didn't know where I was.  He walked back to the playground by the car thinking I was there, then he walked to the car, then he walked back across to the field where they took pictures and then back again to the playground by the car.  Once he was back there he ran into our old neighbors and played with his friend, Chase.  I snuggled him and told him how sorry I was.  I asked if he was scared or nervous, but he said he was okay.  I was so grateful to get to hug him and tell him I love him.  Thankfully he was okay.

Later today I contacted Robert Thompson about stopping by to pick up some dressers.  While he was here with Ryker, Dan Murdock walked by.  He had been heading up the street to drop off cookies to another family, but they had already moved.  As he walked by our place, he offered the cookies to Ryker.  Ryker gladly took them.  I later texted Adrianne to thank her family and to say I thought the cookies were not for the other family, but were meant for Ryker.  Another sign that God is in the details.  Ryker needs to feel loved and known. Adrianne felt the same thing I did.

Also, I had a conversation with Ryker and Robert last week about Ryker and how he's doing.  They told me he's not doing well in school, especially with math.  He's really struggling.  I reached out to The YM (Matt Redding) and YW (Elaine Lindberg) President's and asked if there were any youth that would be interested in tutoring Ryker in math as a service project.  Cole Peterson (18 yr old senior) quickly offered to do it.  We are here to serve one another and I love to watch this happen.  This simple service can make lastly changes for Ryker.

My testimony has been strengthened today and I have been reminded that God loves us and He cares about each of us.

Fireside for Medical Colloquim and Primary Sharing Time (5/6/18)

We went to a fireside with Elder Uchtdorf tonight.  It was wonderful.  His main message was to find balance, priority and have joy while doing it.  He told the story of Martha and Mary.  Martha was burdened and weighed down with worries and things she needed to do.  Mary found the good part.  She was at the feet of the Savior listening and being taught.  Martha was doing good things, she was serving, but it's finding the balance between service and being kind, as well as taking care of yourself and prioritizing.  At the end of his talk and after Q & A, he ended with trust in the Lord and keep the commandments.  If you keep the commandments and trust Him, He will direct you. 

His wife, Harriet, spoke also.  She was adorable, completely straight forward and practical.  It was great to hear her simplify things.  She said kids can understand the gospel, we don't need to overcomplicate it. 

I had the privilege of teaching sharing time today.  The topic was, "The Living Prophet Leads the Church under the direction of Jesus Christ."  I love the topic.  This last week I studied talks by President Nelson.  As I read them I changed how I listened to them.  I was more focused on hearing what Christ wanted me to hear.  As I did this, my heart was touched.  He gave a talk on Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives, and Ministering, etc.  Every single one of them touched my heart and I was excited to share them with the children.  I love those primary kids.  I want them to feel the spirit and know that Christ talks to them.  As I thought about the new ministering program at church, it struck me that for me this looks like becoming/being a better friend.  Making new friends and being their friend.  Christ laid down His life for His friends.  I don't always feel like I am the greatest friend.  It's been on my mind lately.  I don't always feel like I have a lot to say or that people want to to me around me.  But every one wants a friend that loves them and cares about them.  I can serve people, but am I connecting with them?