This morning I read the sweetest story by President Monson.  It is the message from the First Presidency in this month's issue of the Friend.  Yes, it's the 11th and I'm barely reading it now, but better late than never. :)

It talks about a woman with three canaries...he is such a great story teller and speaker that I am not going to paraphrase it but am just posting it here:

Canaries with Gray on Their Wings

By President Thomas S. Monson

From “Canaries with Gray on Their Wings,” Ensign, June 2010, 4.

 While I was serving as a young bishop, Sister McKee, a widow in my ward, passed away. Among her things were three pet canaries. Two, with perfect yellow coloring, were to be given to her friends. The third, Billie, had yellow coloring marred by gray on his wings. Sister McKee had written in a note to me: “Will you and your family make a home for Billie? He isn’t the prettiest, but his song is the best.”

Sister McKee was much like her yellow canary with gray on its wings. She was not blessed with beauty, gifted with poise, or honored by posterity. Yet her song helped others to more willingly bear their burdens.

We are sons and daughters of a living God in whose image we have been created. Think of that: created in the image of God.

In our world, moral character ofttimes seems secondary to beauty or charm. But from long ago the Lord’s counsel to Samuel the prophet echoes: “The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

When the Savior sought a man of faith, He did not select him from the throng of the self-righteous who were found regularly in the synagogue. Rather, He called him from among the fishermen of Capernaum. Doubting, unschooled, impetuous Simon became Peter, Apostle of faith. A yellow canary with gray on his wings qualified for the Master’s full confidence and abiding love.

The Redeemer calls you and me to serve Him here below. May a true song come from our hearts as we do so.

(If you click on the article it will take you to the magazine online where there is an activity and coloring page too.)

This week I have felt like a canary with gray all over it's feathered body.  I've felt like I'm too impatient with my children.  I've felt fat while I'm jogging down the road.  I've felt stressed and worn down (probably because I haven't been writing here- this always lifts my mood!)  But as President Monson said, it's our song that matters.  It's our heart that matters.  And I know my heart is in the right place.

So I will be patient with myself, appreciate more that moral character I have within and trust in the Lord's timing for all things.  After all...

 Luke 12:6-7  

Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is ^aforgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

I hope these thoughts help you realize you "are of more value than many sparrows" and never forgotten before our God.  I love ya!  The Gospel IS true!  Thanks for reading!  Luv, Eva

Bad Times...Good Times...Better Times...

Saturday Night...

Bad Times...

"Kids!  Come here for scripture reading!"
"Wait!  I have to go get something," says my son.  "I'm doing something!" says my daughter.

"I love how our kids listen to us, " I whisper sarcastically to my husband as we sit, waiting for them to roll in (they're only 4 and 6!  What can they need to get or do?)

Good Times...(one minute later)

Michael comes up and hands me this month's issue of The Friend.

"Here, Mom," says my son.  "This is for scripture reading."  I hold my breath for a moment in surprise at how this little boy is growing and learning, and how much he really is taking in.

After scripture reading I go tuck in my daughter to see she's taken apart the puppets we made earlier today and taped the pictures of the prophets beside her bed.  I feel all warm inside at this sweet way she's decided to decorate her room.

Sunday Morning...

Bad Times...

Hubby wakes up feeling sick and informs me 20 minutes before our EDT that he isn't going to be able to go to church.  I slightly panic, can't find anything that matches, get the kids in the van while it's practically snowing (while not wearing a coat) then they start wanting to play D.J. and request all sorts of songs while I avoid crashing.  I debate pulling over and doing a u-turn.  I threaten pulling over and doing a u-turn.  We make it to church late, walk into the foyer where a man thinks I'm someone else's wife and directs me to the second row during the opening hymn.  We parade down the aisle, me not realizing my bright white slip is sticking out way beneath my dark brown skirt.  We squeeze by people, finally sit down and my kids immediately start asking for their coloring books.  I whisper loudly it's time to pray.  I 'm asked to stand as I'm sustained a Relief Society teacher.  I'm sure everyone is wondering how I got that calling....

Good Times...
Church is wonderful.  I'm so glad I didn't turn the van around and get back in my pjs, and climb in bed. 

Bad Times...
We are home and the kids are being circus performers. 

Good Times...
I print out this coloring page and they are distracted, coloring quietly for maybe 8 minutes...

Bad Times...
By the end of the night I'm exhausted and lying on the couch.  But now it's time to start the get-the-kids-ready-for-bed routine. 

Good Times...
Hubby says he will tuck the kids into bed. 

Better Times...
Then he asks, "What are the kids learning about in primary?  Is there a story or something I can read to them?"  Under tissues, crayons and crackers, I find The Friend on the coffee table and open it to Living Prophets Teach Me To Choose The Right, and say they are learning about following the prophet.  He leaves and I close my eyes as I can hear him reading to them in the next room.

There are always going to be good times and bad times.  Thank goodness because the bad times can humble us and the good times are so much fun.  But once in a while there are those times that are better than "good"  or "great."  They are the moments that keep me going.

Remember, the Gospel IS TRUE!  Love ya! -Eva