Pictures

Corban

So Corban just came into my room because he was scared of monsters, robbers and dinosaurs and so I was trying to comfort him and settle him down so he would go back to bed. I asked him about saying a prayer to ask Heavenly Father for help. He responded by reciting a lesson that Trenton gave for Family Home Evening last week but first made the comment "I need Jesus" (but he says meed instead of need because of his two year old speech) Trenton did the lesson on Jesus and basically drew three pictures. The first picture showed Jesus and some people and showed that they were happy. The second picture showed Jesus in the tomb and Trenton said the people were sad when he was dead. Then he had a third picture where Jesus was alive again and so the people were happy again. So Corban recites all of this and says that the people were happy when Jesus came alive again and then says, "that's why we're happy." So I asked, "because Jesus is alive now ?" And he responded in the affirmative.

It is awesome to see how he is already starting to form basic concepts from a lesson that Trenton did in FHE last week (all by himself I might add). He already can say that we need Jesus and that when He is alive to us that we are happy. He is so blessed to have such good brothers like Trenton who have already developed a love for the Savior.

My first blog post! Whoo!

"There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: “Judge not.” -President Monson

This is the first time I have made a contribution to this blog, so I apologize.  But, I was reading a talk by President Monson tonight while Layton was playing basketball and just felt an overwhelming feeling of the spirit of how important this topic is.  Many of you know, I did not have it easy growing up with a sister who did everything possible to rebel, at times she would even drag me down. Having your role model in life go down a path that you would not wish upon anyone else, was SO difficult for me.  I had the hardest time going to school everyday because I felt that the only thing my friends would talk about (whisper) was my sister. I love my sister and she is my best friend. Not once, did I ever want to turn my back on her because I knew that she needed people to love her during this time in her life.  I eventually left that group of friends and started to spend time with amazing non LDS friends who I still remain close with. One of the biggest challenges for me was going to Seminary. I would hear gossip and I felt like everyone treated me differently, even my seminary teacher who would instigate a lot of the gossip.  It killed me to hear those things about my sister, my family, my best friend who I loved so much. Especially hearing awful things from my seminary teacher who I felt should have been teaching differently. I ended up not attending seminary the last two years of high school, a decision that my parents and I both prayed about for a long duration of time. During the past year, I have had the opportunity to look back at that hard time in my life.  I was so upset that these LDS members were judging my sister when they had absolutely no idea what was going on in her life. They didn't know that she was suffering severely from depression and going to counseling.  As my anger built up and a lot of hate built up inside me, I soon decided to turn to the Lord for help. I got an answer that I was not expecting at all. Am I not judging as well?? What. The. Heck. I believed that they were the ones doing so much wrong towards me, but I was no better.  This whole time, although hurt and upset, I had so much hate towards these people who judged me and my sister but I was indeed judging them as well.  Did they not know any better than to act the way that they did? They probably have never experienced anything like that and they were comfortable how they were raised and what they knew to be right. I have since worked on learning to forgive and forget. What a great lesson I learned from my Heavenly Father.  I am not perfect. Go figure?! My testimony for the atonement has grown so tremendously over the years as I see people who struggle and make mistakes.  I have such love for those who have gone off the path, but are trying hard to get back on.  Jesus Christ atoned for our sins that we might repent and become clean.  I know that the Lord loves us even if we do make mistakes. This is why he gave us such a great gift! I am still working on helping my sister and praying every night asking my Father in heaven how I can help her, and I know that she will find her way back.  She has already made so much progress. I am so glad we have a prophet and apostles to teach us and guide us and give us revelation if we are willing to listen. I know that President Monson is a true prophet of God and what a great example he is to us.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sorry for writing so much! Love you all!
-Shaina