Prayers, Faith and Bugs!

 

Since Monday Angie has been looking for a bug to put in her new bug catcher. Last night during her prayer, she asked that she might catch a bug or butterfly today, on the last day of her Sleepover. I tried to explain that just because we pray about something doesn't mean the answer will always be what we want. Her blue eyes looked directly at me when she said " but why Nana?" I tried to explain that Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. Sometimes we want something, but Heavenly Father knows if we need it or not. She didn't say much more about it today

Today was full of learning,  or as Angie said "I got a lot of learning in today, didn't I Nana?" :) First I downloaded some sewing cards for her and then got her situated at her own machine ( a friend bought it for $10.00 for her, old Kenmore and it runs great ). I had to make her chair higher and then put a box under the table so she could put her feet and work the pedal from there. Then she just took off, fast is much easier than slow, when it comes to sewing. She got it down quite quickly ...I was so surprised. Before I knew it, she was on her 3rd sewing card and I didn't even have to remind her to put the pressure foot up and keep the needle down when she turned and pivoted. It was too cute.
Next we went and babysat for a friend while she was at a DR appt. Her kids were sleeping, so Angie and I brought some money work sheets that we downloaded and she worked on learning money. She is a bit worried about not knowing that when she starts 2nd grade next year, so we started now.
 Last I taught her to crochet with her fingers. She isn't quite ready for the crochet hook, that just gets her frustrated. But she did well with her fingers and already made 3 necklaces before the evening was over. She said "after learning all these things Nana, I feel like I can do anything! "  Then she drew a Welcome Home sign for Poppa.
Finally after dinner we took a long walk, came home watered the flowers and while we were doing that Angie yelled " Nana, there's a bug and a big bug, can we catch it?" She quickly put it in her catcher (with my help), then we came in the house looked up on line what kind of beetle it was, then went out and got stuff outside for it to eat and live on ...and put that in the cage. Then she said " Well, Nana, I guess that Heavenly Father knew I needed a bug and He gave me one!" Oh the faith of a child! I then reminded her that tonight she should thank Heavenly Father in her prayers for the bug, her response was " are you kidding me, I am going to thank Him right now!" Then she walked to the edge of the driveway near the tree, and knelt down and said a prayer. Oh the faith of a child!
I really thought a lot about the past few days with my granddaughter, I realize that if you let them...these incredible little spirits, can teach us a lot about life! We just need to slow down and learn!

Self Reliance

Today and church we talked about Self Reliance and why that is so important. Not too many people would argue with that, especially after all the natural catastrophes we have been seeing all around the world. I thought it was a great reminder.The teacher then challenged us to pick at least one of these areas that we were going to set a goal about, and strive to really achieve in the near future. Here they are, see for yourself what things you are doing great at and other areas where you ( just like me ) could us a little goal setting at.

***************************************************************************************************************************
The six areas of self-reliance that can help us prepare to meet challenges in the future:
            Health...we need to take care of their minds and bodies.  We should eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, control their weight, and get adequate sleep. We should shun substances or practices that abuse their bodies or minds and that could lead to addiction. We should practice good sanitation and hygiene and obtain adequate medical and dental care. We should also strive to cultivate good relationships with family members and others.
            Education – Education provides understanding and skills that can help people develop self-reliance.  We should study the scriptures and other good books. We should improve our ability to read, write and do basic mathematics. We should obtain as much education as we can, including formal or technical schooling where possible.  This will help us develop our talents, find suitable employment, and make a valuable contribution to our families, Church and the community.

           Employment – Work is the foundation upon which self-reliance and temporal well-being rest.  We should prepare for and carefully select a suitable occupation or self-employment that will provide for our own and our families’ needs.  We should become skilled at their work, be diligent and trustworthy, and give honest work for the pay and benefits we receive.
            Home Storage – To help care for ourselves and our family, we should build a three-month supply of food that is part of our normal diet. We should also store drinking water in case the water supply becomes polluted or disrupted.
            Finances – To become financially self-reliant, we should avoid, unnecessary debt, use a budget and live within a plan.  We should gradually build a financial reserve by regularly saving a portion of our income.
            Spiritual Strength – Spiritual strength is essential to a person’s temporal and eternal well-being.  We can grow in spiritual strength as we develop our testimonies, exercise faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, obey God’s commandments, pray daily, study the scriptures .

Doing “all we can do” is the essence of self-reliance.  But we cannot do everything all at once.  We need to set some goals to help us on the path of self-reliance. 
***********************************************************************************************************************************

" Self-reliance is the only road to true freedom, and being one's own person is its ultimate reward."  ~ Patricia Sampson

"Depend not on another, but lean instead on thyself. True happiness is born of self-reliance'

"There's no one to stop you but yourself"  ~ David Thomas

Mothers and Teachers

It's almost Mother's Day, and I have been thinking what some of the most important things that I have learned since being a Mother. I found this sweet story about a teacher... and in many ways, I believe a Mother's role in a child's life should be a lot the same.

I had a great feeling of relief when I began to understand that a youngster needs more than just subject matter. I know mathematics well, and I teach it well. I used to think that was all I needed to do. Now I teach children, not math. I accept the fact that I can only succeed partially with some of them. When I don't  have to know all the answers, I seem to have more answers than when I tried to be the expert. The youngster who really made me understand this was Eddie. I asked him one day why he thought he was doing so much better than last year. He gave meaning to my whole new orientation. "It's because I like myself now when I'm with  you." he said. ( A teacher quoted by Everett Shostrom in Man, The Manipulator)

Don't you agree, when we help our children or any children truly understand their self worth, their whole world seems to light up?  So to all you new moms out there, remember to teach your children of their true value and worth. Knowing that they are a child of God, of infinite potential... will be one of the greatest gifts you can ever give them. We should also check and see if our children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and little friends, seem to like themselves better when they are with us? If the answer is YES, then we are doing our job

Good night dear friends and thanks for making me feel better about myself, when I am with you!

"Once you see a child's self-image begin to improve, you will see significant gains in achievement areas, but even more important, you will see a child who is beginning to enjoy life more."  ~Wayne Dyer

"A child educated only at school is an uneducated child." ~ George Santayana

There is a world of possibilities out there!

Today I talked to Lauren, she is doing pretty well...still trying to figure out all of her schedules, classes and just getting used to the whole college life. I am so excited that she is there. I miss my kids when they go away (terribly) but I am thrilled that they have the chance to grow and develop. I didn't take advantage of that opportunity at that time in my life and I believe it made a difference. I had other opportunity's, they  were more hands on type of learning, but still having an education is important. I especially love that my girl's have this chance. I love this quote by Marjorie Pay Hinckley....

"DEVELOP SOME INTELLECTUAL CURIOUSTY. IF YOU HAVE IT, YOU WILL NEVER BE BORED. IF YOU HAVEN'T, CULTIVATE IT, HOLD FAST TO IT. NEVER LET IT GO. TO THE INTELLECTUALLY CURIOUS, THE WORLD WILL ALWAYS BE FULL OF MAGIC, FULL OF WONDER. YOU WILL BE INTERESTING TO YOUR FRIENDS, TO YOUR SPOUSE, AND A JOY TO YOUR CHILDREN. YOU WILL BE ALIVE TO ALL OF THE WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES OF THIS WORLD."

"One of the things that may get in the way of people being lifelong learners is that they’re not in touch with their passion. If you’re passionate about what it is you do, then you’re going to be looking for everything you can to get better at it." ~ Jack Canfield

"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." ~ Mahatma Gandi