Okay, so there wasn't actually any surfing, but we tried. The surfboard got the better of me last night, and I have a bruise on my arm to prove it. I'm not giving up, though. Many of my talents have come easily to me, instilling a lack of perseverance in me, I'm afraid. I know my children will follow that example if I allow them to see me give up because it was just too hard. I'm concerned that my eldest has inherited my trait of wanting to do something well on first attempt. Surfing is a superficial example, but I want my children to know good things are worth working for: a good marriage, a strong testimony, and true happiness. Regardless of our talent, we all must work for these noble desires.
So, how do we show our dedication for these goals? I have started reading my scriptures in the morning, when the kids will stumble out of bed and see that I have a love for these sacred words. We attend our meetings on Sunday happily. We refrain from complaining about the church, our leaders, and our callings in front of them. We go on dates with our spouse--ensuring we have to make an effort to show our affection and friendship for one another. When they see us doing and working for these, our aspirations, they will see how important they are to us, and hopefully choose to work for and persevere after goodness.
PS Is this a blowfish?
Cool photos of the Surfer Dude and Surfer Dudette!
ReplyDeleteBlowfish maybe or puffer fish. Did you give it mouth to mouth to see if it would inflate?
Puffer fish, methinks. But I'm basing that presumption on 'Finding Nemo'. This guy looks like thier tanked puffer fish.
ReplyDeleteExactly how close are you to the beach? The photos are so great, Katy. We want to come see you, and we will if we can get our ducks in a row.
I'm just starting to recognize why having children can be such a blessing. It isn't just to teach us a few things about patience or sacrifice or to make sure the earth gets populated, is it? If they are motivating you to be more disciplined and diligent (because you feel such a drive to teach principles and be good examples) you automatically improve yourself, drawing ever nearer and nearer to God or to whatever you aspire to be.
Yet another reason we should be thanking our children, eh?
(ps. I make it a point to make sure my kids catch me in the act of praying or performing service too. I think it might be the only time when being 'public' with your private time with God is acceptable.
Very good point, Jennifer.
ReplyDeleteThese photos are way cool. Thanks for the message, too.
ReplyDeleteKaty, your optimism and energetic mind in your mothering are inspiring to me. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteHello Katy. Thank you for the compliment on announcement & thank you for the announcement of Clover. I'm expecting her to be clever, so I can call her Clever Clover. I also enjoyed reading your 100 things, as work is kind of slow today. I loved it all; except that you don't like tuna. (I make mine with plain yogurt instead of mayo, would you like it then?) But I loved this post the most. I have been thinking about these very things a lot lately. The work it takes for these "noble desires". I don't even have kids yet, but there was a certain "little-brother-like" Elder on my mission who cried in front of me once: when he told us how important it was to him to secretly see his mom praying or reading her scriptures. I've wanted to start the habit now, even though there is no one to really secretly see me. Thank you for your charm. I'm excited to see you all; I wondered if you were coming! Love, Olivia
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