Emma's Testimony

Not too long ago, I remember spending most of my church time Sundays in the foyer or mother's lounge feeding a baby or calming a grumpy toddler (or sometimes both). And there were weeks you start to think, "why am I here? Even the rare moments when I am sitting in a meeting, I'm usually using all my attention to keep my lil' one quiet so others can hear." But we went, every week we went and joined the army of weary parents for our "sabbath worship." And we drag the kids in for scripture study at night, family prayer in the morning and Family Home Evening every week. And you ask questions like "what happened when Jesus was baptized?" and your four-year-old tells you, "his hair got wet" and your two-year-old meanwhile is screaming for his cup. But the next night, the next week you do it all again. Why? Well, maybe some of Emma's artwork can tell it better...

"I love prayer. I love church"
(that's Emma praying in her house)

I don't read scripture stories to my kids anymore. No I didn't give up, Emma took over the job and reads the children's illustrated scripture stories to us every night. One night I came in her room to find her reading this Book of Mormon. See that bookmark? That's how much she read and there's a good-sized paragraph on each page.

At church now, Emma follows along in the hymnal and sings with us.

"I know that love is important and..."

"I know my Savior lives- Emma Steed, February 15, 2010"

Our kids still need to be taken out of sacrament meeting occasionally and there is still murmuring and whining at home when we attempt prayers but at least I can see the fruits of our labors beginning to take root.

Curls, characters, and creatures

Had a good time with Nate and Angie. Best thing about Nate? His hair- "Boing!"

And Angie's so nice and fun

Andrew likes to make faces. Angie helped him add some new ones to his repertoire.

And Emma shared her vast knowledge of marine life at the aquarium because she knows everything (or so we've been told).

FHE at the Steed's

We started using the Articles of Faith for our Family Home Evening lessons and trying to learn them. This week we were doing the second AOF , which states, "We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression." I decided to leave Emma in charge of running a production of the story of Adam and Eve. Emma wanted it to be an authentic depiction and asked to dress au naturel. I insisted more lessons would be learned clothed. Emma left an apple on a tree she built as props but Andrew (who had no part) partook of the forbidden fruit before we could even get started. Then we tried to learn the article of faith. Emma tried whispering the words into Weston's ear but Weston misunderstanding and totally straight-faced recited "We believe that Emma should be punished."

Dr. Emma on essential prayer items

Emma is really excited for her aunt and uncle to come Sunday (the boys too but their attention span is too small). They are flying down from Boston Sunday and staying til Thursday and Emma gives me the daily countdown and always prays for their safe arrival with every prayer. Weston gave the dinner prayer tonight, his basic "thanks for the day and bless the food" prayer. When he finished Emma reprimanded him for not asking that Nate and Angie have safe travels. " I don't want them to get hurt driving down here because Nate is so funny and Angie's so nice!" She tried to get him to start over and do it right but I assured her her bedtime prayers would count. So funny Nate and sweet Angie, we're excited! Have safe travels!