An Evil Tree

In Primary today, a boy was giving a talk. He was speaking about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He mentioned the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." Sariah was somehow stunned by the name of the tree and called out, "An evil tree? How can a tree be evil?" Have no fear, I have talked her through it and she seems to be dealing with this doctrinal issue quite well!

Fire cracker!

Today, at the end of Sacrament meeting, it occurred to me that I might want to start preparing Sariah for the inevitable change in Sunday School teachers that will happen next week. I did this by telling her that she will no longer be in the youngest class, but will be one of the bigger kids and that she will need to be an example to those little kids coming in to Primary for the first time. Her eyes lit up and she smiled and told me that she could sit still and be an example. Then, what do you know, when we actually got into Primary (I sit two rows back from her with the six year olds), she is rocketing out of her seat, pulling on her teacher's tie, poking his baby and talking with an unusually loud voice. The teacher in front of me (bless her soul, she will teach Sariah next year) actually turned around laughing in amazement at what was going on. Next time, I think I'll keep my mouth shut rather that "preparing" her for future adjustments!!!

The picture at the top is typical Sariah pose for pictures. She will ask me to take her picture and this is what we get. She is exuberant about life. What can I say?!

Love One Another

Today as I was teaching my Primary class (Sunday school), I had a new insight. The lesson was called "I Can Be Kind" and included studying the parable of the Good Samaritan. I love teaching children about the words in the scriptures. I love stopping and telling them the meanings of words and helping them understand what's happening. I love seeing their faces light up as they understand and then asking questions and hearing their answers. After we got the story of the Samaritan under our belts, I challenged them to take their pictures home and ask their parents if they could tell the story in Family Home Evening. Great fun!

I then read another few verses that were suggested and had an a-ha! moment for myself. John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love on to another." I had somehow been mixed up most of my life. I had thought that people would notice me following Jesus because I didn't drink coffee, tea or alcohol. I thought people would notice me being a disciple because I tried hard to keep the Sabbath day holy. I thought that paying ten percent of my income to the church and hence to the Lord, was a sign of a disciple. I thought that refraining from gambling, swearing and instead reading the word of God and saying my prayers was proof of me being a disciple of Jesus. Don't get me wrong, I still think that all of these things are important, but for a much different reason than before.

I realized today that it is my love for others that defines my discipleship. Love, love, LOVE! I was thinking about it this afternoon after church and it occurred to me that doing those other things leaves me open to loving more. If I avoid addictive substances, avoid being an addict, I can spend my time caring for others that would have been trapped in endless self-absorption. If I keep the Sabbath day holy, I rest from the hubbub of week-day life long enough to regenerate and rest my physical body and feed myself spiritually so that I'm more open to being there for other people. If I read my scriptures and pray, I will make myself more open to knowing and understanding the word of God and hearing the Spirit, becoming prepared to serve and love others.

I know that I will struggle with this concept as I've had it mixed up for most of my life, but I'm so impressed at what I've learned today. It amazes me, truly. How many times have I read that verse (or sung the song "Love One Another"), and not understood?

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (italics added)

Sharing time

We already loved Inside-Out A cappella. Somehow, this group has succeeded in recording another album (my understanding is that they don't even all live in one state anymore). Before our trip out west, I ordered this new CD, called Sharing Time. We have all been bee-bopping to it ever since. Even my kids who won't sing in front of us, will sing to this CD. If you have Primary aged kids and haven't experienced "Primary Colors" or "Sharing Time," it's high time you did!