I found this quote today and I loved it. I truly believe it to be true. Each one of our children our so very different. But they each make our world beautiful! Children are born with such strong personalities, which sometimes can cause them heartache and problems. Our children have struggled their whole lives with just that. They are strong willed and enthusiastic, opinionated and sometimes bossy. They are intelligent but sometimes they don't think, and they like all of us, say things that offend people or make bad choices that cause them to be sad. I am sure that my kids are just like yours, or maybe they aren't. Maybe your kids are the perfect ones, and my kids are the ones that struggle. I will never now, and honestly it doesn't matter. I love my children even though they struggle sometimes. I love them for their individuality. I love them for their willingness to stand up for things. I love them for their strength and their love. They make my world a brighter and more interesting (sometimes frustrating) place.
I share this with you because yesterday I had to watch all of them struggle and it was hard. During this incident there were things said by my children, to my children and about my children that were hurtful and mean, and that made all involved very sad. It was a hard day. While watching and participating in this sad day, I was reminded that each of us as parents raise our children very differently. We each have an idea about what will be the best for them. Sometimes those ideas are wrong and we have to change our plans according to the needs of the child. There is no cookie cutter recipe for raising a child. The way you and I do things may be different but it is what we feel is right for each one of our children. In the end what we all want is to raise our children to be well adjusted functioning adults.
I want people to love my children, all of them, but I understand that not everyone will. I understand that some will see their struggles and write them off. I understand that sometimes people, maybe even the people that should be the closest to them, will turn away. It will hurt and it will be sad, but I need my kids to know that no matter what happens, or who chooses to not love them, I ALWAYS WILL. I will ALWAYS fight for them.
I will always try to remember to see my children for who they are and not what people think they should be. Even though sometimes they may make bad choices, I have some GREAT kids.
Everyone of my children are different, but they are all perfect in their own way. I will try to never overlook the uniqueness that my children bring into the world, just because someone else may not see it as perfect.
This quote made me laugh because sometimes it is so hard to pretend. Our family is not normal and it's okay to not be. Who decides what is normal anyway!?!
Try to always keep a smile on your face. This is a lesson I am constantly trying to teach my children. We have the ability to choose how we feel each day. We each can choose how we respond to things that are said and done to each of us. When we choose to turn the corners of our mouths upwards, we will learn that things aren't always as bad as they seem. A smile will help spread happiness throughout your family.
I will never let my kids forget these very wise words. They are all these things and more.
Please try not to judge any of my kids on their occasional thorns. They are all part of my beautiful garden, and even with their thorns and prickles, I believe they are amazing. If you could see them the way the Lord sees them you would also see their beauty.
Over the last few months we have had the wonderful opportunity to have the missionaries visit with us and teach our girls about our Heavenly Fathers Plan for them. We have felt the spirit strongly in our home during these visits and it has been so wonderful to witness the girls testimonies grow. It has been beautiful to watch and be able to participate in these lessons. They have slowly been able to open up a little to us about their lives before and share experiences with us. They have grown from the lessons that have been taught to them. I think they are starting to really trust that we love them and that they have a Heavenly Father that loves them and truly knows who they are and what they need.
We have had some wonderful missionaries help them along this journey. Elder Whittle, Elder McLaws and Elder McIntire. It has been so wonderful to be able to have you in our home and to feel of your spirit as you have taught the girls. Thank you for your faithful service. We have also had the opportunity to have some amazing people come and translate for us during these lessons. One in particular, Victor Ermolaev, so graciously gave of his time almost every Sunday evening. He and his wife Jenn have been a wonderful example of service to our family. Thank you for all that you have done for our girls.
Because tomorrow we get to witness the baptism of our girls, I wanted to share with you all the testimony I have of my Heavenly Father and his gospel.
I Know that I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and knows who I am. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and I am so very grateful to be a member of his church. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of the Lord and that he restored the church to the earth in these latter days. I know that the Book Of Mormon is true and that it is another testament of Jesus Christ that goes hand in hand with the bible. The spirit that this book can bring to your life is unmeasured and I am so grateful for it. I know that President Thomas S Monson is a true prophet of the Lord on the earth in these latter days. I know he receives revelation from the Lord and I know that if I listen to it, and follow the guidance he gives, I can and will be blessed. I know, that because the Lord knows who I am, and the struggles and trials I face, he is able to help me through them. I KNOW without a doubt that he led me to America and to my husband, and I KNOW that we were both led to meet our daughters. I know that these girls were meant to be part of our family and I am so grateful that we finally found them.
I am so proud of them for the decision that they have made to be baptized. I am proud of each one of my children for the support and love they show each other everyday. I hope and pray that each one of them will always remember who they are and the covenants they have each taken though baptism. I pray that they will always remember to LIVE LIKE THEY BELIEVE!
Verse 1
You have felt the warmth of the fire
You have seen the glimmer of light
It’s something that you have been missing inside
Something that you have been longing to find
Hold on to the yearning
And wherever you are on the journey…
Chorus
Live like you believe
Live like you know
It’s one sure way your faith will grow
Listen to your heart
Searching your soul
And you’ll find the strength that you need
His light
The gift of his peace
When you live like you believe
Verse 2
There are things you have to let go
You might feel like just hanging on
When you find yourself alone and afraid
Questioning all the choices you’ve made
Hold on to the burning
He’s leading you on through the journey
(CHORUS)
Verse 3
Hold on to the yearning
And wherever you are on the journey
