Remembering

Mom and Dad - 1974

Today during Primary we had a member of the Stake Presidency come in and talk to the kids.  He stood up and immediately began talking about his daughter who was the Primary president and how much he loved her and you could tell.  His eyes lit up as he talked about his sweet Judy and how special she was to him.  Without realizing it the tears poured down my cheeks.  You see, this April will be 25 years since my dad died and normally it is what it is and I don't feel deprived not having had a father with me, but I found myself a little jealous of that relationship this morning.

I don't remember a lot about my father as I was only 11 when he died, but I do remember a few things.  I have very clear memories of sitting on his lap during church and playing with his tie and I remember coloring pictures of him and I always had an arrow pointing to the top of his head with the words "Bald" written so there wouldn't be any mistaken thoughts that he did not have a lot of hair up on top.  I remember walking into his room after he got home from delivering papers and crawling under the covers to just lay there while he read the newspaper, and I didn't dare move because he would kick me out - no wiggles.  I remember going downtown to work with him during the summer and sharpening pencils with his electric sharpener and I will always remember him driving us to the Smithsonian to sing with the children's choir I was in and giving me a few dollars to give to the homeless guy on the corner, followed by the words that I was no better than that man and whenever I saw someone who asked for money, it was my responsibility to give it to them, whether I thought they needed it or not. I remember how he loved my mom and each of us.  He had a talent and ability to make each of us feel like we were his favorite...I really was though ;)

I'm so thankful for the few years I had with this man and for the things he taught me.  I look forward to the day when I can see that twinkle in his eye once again, as he introduces me to someone as his daughter.  I miss him.  Love you, dad.

Tatiana Ballerina

Isn't she adorable!  Tatiana started tap and ballet class today and she LOVED it.  Unfortunately parents aren't allowed in the classroom during instruction time so I don't have any pictures to show, but know that my daughter was amazing!  Ok, let's be honest.  She's a three year old bouncing around, but hey. 

So there you have it, Tatiana is reaping the benefits of potty training and I am reaping the benefits of a dang cute girl.  And for any of locals that are interested, she's taking classes from Dance Fusion and it's a great deal at $50 for two classes a week and the $35 registration fee gets you ballet slippers AND tap shoes!

Build an Ark

I'm a pretty lucky person when it comes to my job in the church.  I get to teach ages 3-11 year old children music each week and I LOVE it.  I love watching them try to "out sing" each other, coming up with new actions to memorize a song, just everything in general.

Sunday morning before church I was on lds.org and came across a song that I absolutely knew the children needed to learn.  Click HERE for the sheet music and HERE to listen to it.  If you're too lazy to click, here are the words...

Noah was a prophet, a man who did not fear.

When he taught repentance the people would not hear.

So the Lord told him to build a boat that could hold a ton and stay afloat.

Then Noah started building and said within his heart:

I will build an ark before it starts to rain.

I will follow the Lord and do all things in his name.

I'll prepare every needful thing. I will walk in righteous ways.

When the rain starts to fall on me, I'll be ready for that day.

I can be like Noah.  Yes, I can be prepared.

I can build my ark, and I'll find safe shelter there.

I can do the things I know are right.  I can learn and pray with all my might.

And then when storm clouds come, I'll be safe within my ark.

I will build my ark before it starts to rain.

I will follow the prophet, for he speaks in God's name.

I'll prepare every needful thing.  I will walk in righteous ways.

When the rain starts to fall on me, I'll be ready for that day.

I've been concentrating on these words all day and couldn't help but look back on my life and the building of my own ark.  I was blessed with parents who loved me and leaders and friends who helped prepare my ark for my own floods, and there have been many.  I am humbled as I think about helping my own children prepare their own arks for their rains and hope and pray that I can do as the Lord has asked me and be an example to them.