It's December!

We are back from Switzerland, where we stayed in a 200 year old farmhouse on the mountain and the barn was full of goats and sheep. It was awesome, in a Heidi kind of way. The children loved it. I loved that they got to experience something new. We went walking or hiking in the mountains every day. What a beautiful world we live in.

Abe was baptised.

When everyone wakes up for breakfast at 3am it's gonna be a cheese plate and bread from the bakery down the hill.

The cat was a favorite.

Family selfie.

The holidays are fast approaching. The tree went up this afternoon and Scout exclaims "It's

Mas-mas!" every time she enters the room.

I'd write more, but I could sum up our week by saying: jet lag and colds don't mix. 

Merry Christmas!

Holidays seem to put a rush on things: seasonal activities, traditions (new and old, and some I wonder why we ever keep), Christmas cards to write and gifts to wrap. Being abroad means it is a transitional time. Most families move in the summer, but each child has a friend moving this Christmas. Add in final playdates and teaching the children how to say goodbye have filled the remaining time. 

I am so thankful school is out for three weeks. I love having the children about. I have spent some time looking at homes near the school in case we leave the bungalow. I've viewed so. so. many. None I am thrilled about. But the commute isn't great for Dan or the children anymore, and with Maeser going to school next year it seems like a bad idea to put him on a bus for so long... unless I could somehow get him to nap everyday on the way home from school. It seems the time with the children is so precious and I've had such strong promptings lately to be mindful of my time with them. 

I am thankful for the Spirit. I'll admit, I'm the first to chase the Spirit away with anger or impatience, but the moments when it is present are precious. This week I have felt the Spirit confirm my work in the home, as a mother. This week I have felt relief as I have asked for help or inspiration. This week I have received direct promptings concerning my calling or one of the children. I know, that by the Spirit, and only the Spirit, I can be taught the more important truths of the Gospel and not be laden down by the mundane or absorbent nature of life. It's like adding a pinch of salt to the pot, just a sprinkling of the Spirit brings flavour and joy to any task.

This week also had some highs and lows. I spent some time in tears on Friday. I am so thankful for Jeremiah's decision to call. (Let's put the elephant in the middle of the room, shall we.) I know families are essential to this experience on Earth. I know that our family unit: Mom, Dad, Ann, Christy, Jeremiah, Spencer- have a divine calling to strengthen and lift each other. Moroni talks about this in Chapter 6 vs 4. It is often referenced to fellowshipping, but is very applicable to families. "...and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ..." Focus on that one purpose- "To keep them in the right way." We can't complete this task unto salvation on our own. All of us will be dependant on each other at some time. I only wish I could have been a strength sooner.

I am excited that so many in the family will be together this week. I sent some favorite Christmas books to mom and really. good. chocolate. They had better enjoy them together (literally) and think of me. 

Merry Christmas.

Photos:

We eat our hotdogs angrily.

Jingle bells. Fairly certain Mary's teacher was cursing me every time Mary walked by. The bells were so annoying!

Making cookies with the missionaries. Had I known they were such bad sous chefs I would never have invited them to help. We've had egg shells in almost. every. cookie.

Trying to encourage Abe to be a little more prompt...

December 11, 2016

Today Abe's friend was baptised. He is from a less active family and has been taking the missionary discussions with Abe once a week since September. It has been really great for both boys, both sets of parents, and we have loved having the missionaries over. Woo Jin asked Abe to give the talk on Baptism today. Abe did a great job. He wrote the talk himself and when we began practicing it he gave a scripture reference and then paused. "And..?" "I'm waiting for you to go read the scripture."  We helped him insert portions of Alma 4:4-5, 13, which he found himself to use as references. I was so proud of him! He actually knew what chapter in Alma on his own. Victory!

I am still struggling a bit with Gospel Doctrine. I need to find a way to teach with a variety of engaging activities while covering the lesson material. Sometimes I have a great class, lots of participation and comments from class members that surprise me and I really learn something. And other times, like today, when I think the class is lasting forever or someone has fallen asleep or I didn't have an activity or object lesson planned. Who knew adults where so hard to keep engaged!

We are taking the teacher council class. I love it. It is only offered once a month during 3rd hour, it is the new church program that will replace "Come follow me." as a teacher training manual. We had an area authority attend class today and he gave examples from the training/meetings he has with apostles. He said he always has a reading assignment before attending a meeting with Elder Bednar, and he is always given an assignment which is supposed to be completed before the discussion, in addition he always leaves each meeting with an assignment or an invitation to apply what was discussed.

I think members probably take assignments more seriously when given by an apostle rather than their Sunday school teacher.

The global Convention is wrapping up tomorrow. Relieved that it went so well, and that it is over for another year. I think now that it is finished Dan's stamina will end and the colds/flu will finally catch up with him. Everyone else has had a bit of the bug... good to have it over with before the holidays. The holidays! Christmas is two weeks away!

We celebrated Mary's belated birthday this evening. She has really had a birthday week, with a bit of celebration throughout, but the cake was this evening. It was fun to have so much family around. She felt very special. I can't believe she is 10. On her birthday I woke up and actually cried. So thankful for her and so sad that she is growing up so fast. She actually wants to be a TEENAGER! only 3 more years!

She is starting to grow up. She is very sensitive to the needs of others, is always willing to help and watches out for those around her. But she is also more sensitive to change. The Bishop is moving. His wife has been Mary's primary teacher this year. The teachers would have changed anyway in two weeks, but today was her last day in our ward and Mary was in tears. I wanted to hold her and cheer her up, but it was actually very sweet that she had such a strong bond with her Primary teacher. We need to get better with goodbyes. We have them often, but that doesn't make them easier.