Sophia's Baptism Eve

It's the eve of Sophia's baptism.  Well it was.  Now it's past midnight, so technically it is her baptism day.  And even though things have been beyond busy, I had to take a moment to write the thoughts of my heart.  I admit there's a tummy-churning mix of excitement, anticipation, nerves and hope.  I know I am a far cry from a perfect mother.  I get overwhelmed easily.  I expect too much from myself and my kids.  I would rather do pretty much anything over dishes or laundry.  But it helps so much to know that I have never been on this parenting ride alone.  And not because I am married, although that helps, but because Sophia is God's daughter first and I am just His helper.  He tells me what to do for her, and I've tried my best to do it.

You can't cram getting ready for baptism and that covenant with the Lord, but you don't have to if you are doing the simple every day and weekly things He's asked us to do.  Saying prayers.  Going to church on Sunday.  Reading our scriptures together, even if it's just one.  And even though it's been hard, we have tried hard to do these things.

 This week we had a special Family Home Evening night learning about baptism and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  Of course Chad practiced dunking all the kids and a rush of memories poured into my mind as I remembered doing the same thing with my Daddy in our old living room.  I said the same things to my kids as he did to me.  "Remember to bend your knees and don't let your feet lift off the ground.  We baptize by immersion."

 Even Sammy wanted to try.

 Then Sophia did.  My precious little Sophia.  She has come so far.  She is a very free spirit.  She is smart and intelligent.  She has a beautiful heart.  There are some things we still don't know about her as far as possible Aspergers and some ticks, and the ADHD and Oppositional-Defiance is hard to handle at times.  But she is a gem.  She is a jewel.  She is more precious than rubies.

 Watching her get "dunked" by her Daddy I could see myself in her and my Dad in Chad, and also the newness of this next link of family covenants.  Another generation of baptism, preparing her for the temple and those same covenants that make our families eternal.

 I am so thankful that between the meltdowns and depression, fear and doubt, I have kept going with trying to teach my children the Gospel.  To learn about the Holy Ghost, my dearest fried, I put the following items in a sack and let the kids take turns pulling items out, each representing something the Holy Ghost does for us...

 1. A blanket because the Holy Ghost can give us warm, tender feelings.

2. A phone because the Holy Ghost speaks to our mind and hearts.

3. A stuffed animal because the Holy Ghost comforts us.

4. A picture of friends because the Holy Ghost can be our constant companion and greatest friend.

5. A light bulb because the Holy Ghost can give us ideas and bring things to our minds.

6. A red flashlight because the Holy Ghost can give us feelings to help us STOP doing something that can hurt us or is bad for us.

7. A compass because the Holy Ghost helps us stay on the right path and choose the right way.

8. A schoolbook because the Holy Ghost helps us learn.

I chose 8 items to remind them that at that age you can receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  We read some scriptures relating to the items too, easily found in the topical guide.  But that can be a lot for the little ones so we didn't do a scripture for each item in the bag, just the scriptures I felt they would get the most from.  

It is so rewarding to learn as a family.  Was it hard to get everyone into the living room for FHE?  Yes!  Did the kids want to play in the backyard instead?  Yes!!  Did I think very seriously about throwing in the towel and just canceling?  Oh, YES!!! But did we end up growing spiritually and having a good time as a family? YES!!!!!!!

I promise you that as you make time each day to read a scripture, say family prayers and have weekly family home evening you WILL know peace.  You will have comfort at these crucial times when your kids have reached milestones, knowing you have done all you can.  And though I may lose a little sleep over my anticipation for tomorrow, it's not because we haven't prepared her.  We have.  And that is a priceless gift to  both her and to my own sense of peace.  The Gospel is true!!! Love, Eva 

Finally!

This past month I haven't been writing a whole lot because the "extra" cute, church-based activities haven't been happening (BUT A LOT are coming in July :).  Instead, we've been focusing on the daily habits of personal prayers and scripture study.

Each morning my little ones have a chart they go down checking off their tasks.  The first one on that list is personal prayer.  When everyone is awake, we have family prayer.  They love getting their "checks" when it's accomplished. :)  I love having the  reminders to take time for this sacred occurence. 

Praying as a family gets us all on the same page.  It gives us a chance to ponder, even meditate on how God would want us to act today- kind, caring, loving, giving.  Praying lets us ask together for extra help, comfort and blessings for others.  In otherwords, praying is priceless!

After they are dressed, brushed and have made their beds and put away their dirty clothes we do personal scripture study.  For them that's usually watching a few scripture stories on www.lds.org in the Children's section, or watching an animated Church video.  Lately their favorite is the one where "he gets his leg cut off."  Sigh.  Even though I've reiterated that isn't what happens, I think they have fun saying it!  In other words, they like the one about Joseph Smith, where part of his knee was removed as a child, and he later prays about what church to join.

I have to share a sweet moment last week.  Michael, my 4 year-old, had the chance to give a talk in Primary.  Of course he wanted to share the story of Joseph Smith praying in the grove.  He knew so much of it by himself!  He was able to share how Satan tried to stop him from praying, but he kept praying and then Jesus and God appeared to him.  How many grown-ups would pay millions for the faith and conviction this little boy has?!  The only part I really had to help him with was holding up the pictures he colored and helping remind him he was talking about Joseph, not Nephi, his other favorite Prophet. :)

So, I don't have a cutesy craft or idea to share today.  But I am grateful that we have been more attentive to the essential basics, our personal and family prayer and scripture study.  Last night, for the first time since we've started, we got through family scripture study and prayer without a fight!  YAY!  And the kids even wanted to bear their testimonies!  The next few nights will probably have the usual meltdowns involved with bedtime, but I know we are trying to follow the Lord's counsel, and that will bring more blessings than we can know.

Hang in there!  Enjoy the day!  The Gospel is true!  Love, Eva

"Sharing" Success!

We had a great FHE last night (yay!) based on the First Presidency message in this month's Friend, "The Gospel- A Gift To Share."

First, I "shared" some ice cream that I really liked with everyone.  Then the kids "shared" some songs with puppets we had been enjoying them perform earlier in the day so Dad could see them too.  Then (Surprise!) Dad wanted to do a puppet show!  He used the puppets to teach a lesson about sharing.  He showed everything from nice sharing to bullying and not sharing to saying sorry and being friends again.

We wrapped things up by explaining how when you have something you like you want to share it with others.  Not everyone knows aobut God or Jesus.  What could we do?  I practically saw the lightbulb go on over my daughter's head!

"We can share the gospel with them!"

Yes, we can!  We can pray for missionary opportunities.  Missionaries and friends shared the Gospel with both of my parents and I'm so grateful they did and that they then shared it with me.

I think FHE went better last night because I didn't think of it as a huge event that needed to be planned.  I wanted us to enjoy a dessert together, the songs the kids had been practicing and a spiritual message.  That was it.  We had a lot less stress and a lot more learning and fun this way.

I hope this gives you some ideas you can "share" with your family!  The Gospel is true!  What you are doing is worth it and will affect more people than you can imagine!  Love, Eva

Writing Before Sunrise...And the BEST Family Home Evening

Today I am writing before the sun comes up.  This seems to be the best time for me to write, as once kids are up and the day is rolling it is so hard to pull myself away from them.  Mostly, because I don't want to. :)

But not writing makes me grumpy, and evening time is hubby time.  So this is how it will be at least on those blessed mornings where Samuel actually sleeps 6 hours straight!  I have a feeling today is going to be a great day!

I wanted to share a quote I've been thinking about for weeks...

"...insisting that you have a picture-perfect family home evening each week—even though doing so makes you and everyone around you miserable—may not be the best choice. Instead, ask yourself, “What could we do as a family that would be enjoyable and spiritual and bring us closer together?” That family home evening—though it may be modest in scope and execution—may have far more positive long-term results.

Our journey toward perfection is long, but we can find wonder and delight in even the tiniest steps in that journey."  

The entire wonderful "Forget Me Not" talk is linked below...

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-relief-society-meeting/2011/09/forget-me-not?lang=eng&query=forgotten,+%28name%3a%22Dieter+F.+Uchtdorf%22%29

It's true.  My favorite FHE from the past month was not the one were we went out to the lake as a family, or started our own journals.  They were fun, but it was the most simple one that meant the most to me.

 We made lemonade.  I did some mock-whining and kept trying to drink it before it was done, to explain the need for working.  This made the kids and Daddy laugh.  "You have to stir it Mom!"  "Your arms aren't tired!"  We talked about how work brings us blessings.  So important for all of us to remember sometimes!

 Then we just played a memory game with pictures of the prophets that I bought at Dollar Tree.

We flipped over the card said a sentence or two about the picture and then tried to find the matches.  It was simple, sweet and taught our family at the same time.

I hope you have an enjoyable and spiritual moment as a family today!  Happy Monday Night!  The Gospel IS true!  I'll leave you with one more wonderful quote from President Uchtdorf's talk "Forget Me Not"...

Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. If you consider success to be only the most perfect rose or dazzling orchid, you may miss some of life’s sweetest experiences.  Luv, Eva

More Than Two Parents...

Yesterday my baby woke up EARLY.  My husband has a half hour commute and starts work at 6 AM, and Samuel had woken up about 45 minutes before my husband even does, so he definitely needed to go back to bed.  After giving him a bottle and cuddling with him he was finally asleep.  The only problem was I didn't know what time it was or what time my husband's alarm clock was going to go off.  See, our bedroom and Samuel's bedroom are right next to each other.  This isn't a problem when the doors are closed, but if they are open and he hears the alarm, he is awake!

It may sound silly, but I said a prayer.  I needed inspiration if I should go ahead and take him to his room or try to hold him and sleep uncomfortably on the couch, during which he would probably just wake up when Chad came out to make his lunch.  I felt prompted to walk to his room right NOW, so I did.  I hustled, put him down, covered him with a blanket and closed his door.  "BEEP, BEEP, BEEP..."  I had made it just in time.

This morning we were hurrying to my daughter's school to be part of a field trip.  It involved a walk and would be several hours, so I wanted Samuel to have his pacifier.  I wanted to look for it as it was probably in his crib, or on the floor in the living room.  But something inside me told me not to worry about it.  Right then my other little boy asked for help putting a rubber band on his  construction paper "map," so we could get to the school. :)  As I looked down to assist him, there, nestled in a pair of pants my daughter had left on the floor, was Samuel's pacifier.  I would NEVER have looked for it there, but in his own way God had helped me find it.

As we finally got to the school the first parking spot I found was very far away.  Usually I do laps until I find something closer, but something inside me said to just take that spot!  So I did and hurried to get Samuel in the stroller and all of us in the school.  We were late and had to navigate ourselves through the building and out the back in hopes of finding her class outside.  Once we got there, there was no sight of them anywhere!

For a moment I panicked.  I had just hustled my two kids into town for nothing!  Michael would be so disappointed.  Sophia would be even more sad because I told her I would be there for this activity.

But I could faintly hear children's voices, so again I listened inside too and felt we should run down a block to the right.  We did and turned and saw them four blocks ahead of us.  If we hadn't taken that parking spot and hurried and listened I would of missed the only field trip my daughter had this year, one I had told her I would be there for.

 

We had a great time seeing the fairgrounds, walking from station to station and petting animals.  It was truly special to be there with her class.  As we walked back I felt so grateful to be part of that experience with her.  We had spent over 3 hours together outside, enjoying a beautiful morning.  But now storm clouds were rolling in.  As we approached our car from the front office what had started as a few sprinkles started to turn into faster sprinkles.  Just as I got my children in the van it poured!  Seriously, POURED!  It HAILED!  In the time it took to fold up my stroller, get it in the back of my van and get in the front seat I was soaked through to my underwear! LOL

Again, I was so grateful that God had held that moisture in those clouds until the kids were in the van, and not still 6 blocks away!  And I was grateful I had to spend a minute in it.

It made me imagine the pioneers, coming across the plains with their children, enduring similar and harsher weather.  Only they didn't have van's to hop into while they waited it out.  Still, they knew the Lord was on their side.  They still had faith and "endured it well."

Sometimes I get overwhelmed thinking that my kids rely on my husband and me for so much.  They do, to a certain degree.  But all of us are really relying on our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother and Savior.  They are the ones providing insight, inspiration, parking spots, sunny mornings and even the occasional, necessary rain clouds.  I am grateful I have them on my team as I raise my children, or really, their children.

I don't believe in coincidences.  Our Heavenly Parents love us to much to leave our lives to chance.  I love them and know they are watching over us with confidence and love, supporting us through the good times and the bad.  As the scriptures and latter-day prophets have told us, the Holy Ghost speaks to us through the voices of angels and angels do surround us!  I'm so glad I started my day with prayer, no matter how humble, to help me be a little more able to listen to those angelic voices.

Remember, the Gospel is true!  You are a great parent because you are trying your best!  Thank you for ALL YOU DO!!!  Love, Eva

 

More With Prophet Pictures...Inviting them Into Your Home

 While at BYU Women's Conference we were blessed to listen to Elder Neil Andersen and his sweet wife Sister Andersen.  Surrounded by so many faithful women, listening to inspired words, I asked a friend to take a picture of me with the friend who invited me to Women's Conference.  I did not want to forget how I felt there in that moment, after having just been taught by a prophet and singing "I Know That My Reedemer Lives."

 Later in the day I was in the home of another dear friend from my youth. 

It was so inspiring to see her after she gave birth just 4 weeks ago (isn't she beautiful!,) taking care of her 3 kids, and even having this on her dining room wall...

She told me that after reading the bio on back she had selected one image to represent an interest of each of these prophets and apostles.  Then they worked on learning about each person.  This way when her children saw them speak at General Conference they would hopefully remember their name and something about them. 

Her kids are all 6 and under!  I was so impressed and grateful to have a good friend, being an example and strength to me.  Although they had planned to take the pictures down when they were done learning the names, they've decided now to read the adresses in the conference Ensign and put up a new image next to each picture to represent what that prophet spoke about. 

Since returning from conference I have been so much more patient with my kids.  I have felt a stronger love for my husband.  I have heard the Spirit's voice more clearly.  It has been easier to keep the Lord's commandments.  All of this is not because of some magic pill or potion.  It is simply because I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the words of the prophets.  The words of the prophets are the words of God.  They are our friends, cheering us on to righteousness and victory.  Have you made time to hear your personal cheerer today?  Have you read a message from our sweet prophets?  Do so with your family.  You won't regret it. :)

The Gospel IS true.  I feel so lucky to have attended this conference.  I feel recharged and reenergized.  But I also know that I can feel this way, full of spiritual strength everyday, by reading and learning from the scriptures.  Off to feast!  Love, Eva

We're Sisters

Several years ago I had the opportunity to sing in a fireside.  One of the songs that was part of the program was Cherie Call's song "We're Sisters."  The lyrics describe women in different places in life, with varying  longings and goals.  But when it comes down to it, they are all sisters.  They have the same BIG goals.  This is true for all of us.  We want our families to succeed.  We want to feel loved.  We want to know our Heavenly Father knows us by name.

I just got to my motel room after enjoying the concert performance at BYU Women's Conference.  What I feel inside, more than ever, is that truth: WE'RE SISTERS.  We might have different daily roles.  Some of us work inside the home, others outside.  Some of us are married and others are single.  Some of us have lots of money and some of us don't.  But when it comes down to it we are all living through our own trials and challenges, to refine and shape us.

I feel so blessed to be here.  I'm rooming with a sweet friend, her sisters and mothers and you know what?  We're sisters!  They have taken me in as one of their own and we are learning and growing and laughing together.

I want to publicly thank my husband for watching our three kiddos, including our 10 month-old Sam.  I told my kids I was going to "mommy school," to learn to be a better woman and disciple of Christ.

I have so much I'm excited to share with you on this blog!  I am learning SO much.  Best of all, I know my family can succeed.  I feel loved.  I know my Heavenly Father knows me by name.  Enjoy Cherie Call's song lyrics below...The Gospel is true.  I consider all my readers my sisters and brothers.  Take Care!
Love, Eva

We're Sisters

Artist: Cherie Call
Album: Women of Destiny, Volume 2

It's Sunday morning
In this little town
With people waking in houses everywhere
And there's a woman in a kitchen
Eating breakfast all alone
While another one is putting ribbons in her children's hair
And many drive away to the church house down the street
While others stay at home wondering what they all believe

And we have more in common than we ever choose to see
We care about so many of the same things
We all belong to all one Father on high
But we hardly think of that as we pass each other by
We're sisters

Maybe you're the woman sitting in the front row
Singing praises to the Lord on high
And maybe I'm the one all the way in the back row
Who hardly sings at all and isn't there half the time
Maybe you'd think that we would never get alone
That I'm a hopeless cause
But you'd be wrong

We have more in common than we ever choose to see
We care about so many of the same things
We have a Father who loves all of us the same
Don't you think it'd be time that we asked each other's names?
We're sisters

Some of us are 80
Some of us are 20
Some of us are hungry
Some of us have plenty
Some of us are lonely
But few of us would be
If only we could see we are a family

And we have more in common than we ever choose to see
We care about so many of the same things
We all belong to the same God above
And we all have things to learn about that redeeming love

We're sisters
Let us love and lift and pray for one another
We're sisters.

Family Time Is Sacred Time: From "I Love You" to "I'd Love To..."

I wish I could say that we sat as a family and watched every session of conference together, pens and crayons in hand, taking notes, setting goals and growing stronger as a family!  But I can't. :) I know some families do it and I have so much respect and admiration for them, but the Barnett family isn't quite there yet.  What a comfort it is to know that many of the homes our apostles were raised in were kind of like mine, or even less spiritual... 

I learned during this conference that Elder Packer and President Eyring both had less active fathers; President Eyring's father wasn't even baptized.  Yet, these men are still incredible spiritual giants fulfilling the Lord's purposes for them on earth.  I feel very lucky that I do have the spiritual support of my husband and pray for the women doing it on their own.  Stick with it!  The Lord is mindful of you and loves you!  

I'm so grateful that in the Saturday morning session first we heard from President Monson and then the next two talks were really geared towards parents.  They must have been inspired to know that it was close to nap time and us parents might not be able to hear the latter part of the morning session easily. :) I referenced Sister Esplin's talk last time, and now I'd like to reference President Packer's "And A Little Child Shall Lead Them":

There are many things about living the gospel of Jesus Christ that cannot be measured by that which is counted or charted in records of attendance. We busy ourselves with buildings and budgets and programs and procedures. In so doing, it is possible to overlook the very spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Too often someone comes to me and says, “President Packer, wouldn’t it be nice if … ?”

I usually stop them and say no, because I suspect that what follows will be a new activity or program that is going to add a burden of time and financial means on the family.

Family time is sacred time and should be protected and respected. We urge our members to show devotion to their families.

So, I can't say that we sat there with our ears devoted to every session.  But I CAN say that there were a few moments of sacred, family togetherness.  That for at least a few minutes we sat with our children on our laps, curled up in comfy blankets and listened to the comforting words of the prophet.  My heart glowed when my daughter said "That's President Monson!  I love President Monson."  I got goosebumps when my son asked "He's talking to us right now?" and I could answer truthfully, "Yes, he's talking to us right now."

My daughter's been having trouble falling asleep.  She's afraid of "monsters" and the only thing that's helped has been playing church songs from her little Hello Kitty music player.  I'm a strong believer of using the hymns with children.  This way they have spiritual connections with songs that they will continue to hear as an adult and can hopefully still strengthen them.  "I Know That My Redeemer Lives" from the EFY album Forward With Faith and "The Olive Tree" from the seminary soundtracks are some of her favorites.  She especially likes it when I sing I Know That My Redeemer Lives as a bedtime lullaby because it's so long. LOL

Anyway, the other day my son laid a blanket out on our living room floor and borrowed his sister's music player and asked if I would lie down and listen to the songs with him.  It's for little moments like this I'm so glad that we've chosen to pinch pennies and let me be home with our kids.  It's so hard to not have money for vacations or new things, but it's worth it.  I know it's a blessing to even have this option now, and isn't an option for everyone, but if you can, do it.

I was in the middle of cleaning but couldn't say no to some quiet time with my little man.  But I asked that we move the blanket outside since it was actually sunny and kind of warm.  We stretched out the blanket, lied down and listened to the sacred music together in a quiet scene of perfection.  I know God gave me that moment.  See, it wasn't until I stepped outside that I could see huge dark clouds to the east and west of us.  In fact, about twenty minutes later we had to hurry inside because winds and rain were upon us.  But for a moment, time was suspended and we were there in this little pocket of sun, listening to songs about the Savior.  

A couple times Michael got up to pick some dandelions and bring them to me.  Looking up at him, his smiling face surrounded by blue skies, his little hand stretching out freshly picked flowers for me, I felt what heaven must be like.  I can only describe it as a moment of godliness.  Life is so often chaotic, burdened, stressful...how grateful I am that I stepped away from my to-do list for this gift of a moment with my son.  There with him, I helped him recognize that feeling of love and calm he had inside as the Holy Ghost.  And I recognized that feeling in me too, in  a way I hadn't felt in a long time.

I often feel like the three words I say the most to my children aren't "I love you" but "Just a minute."  They ask for things...drinks, playtime, help and I find myself saying "Just a minute" over and over again because I'm so focused on me.  Well, I hope I change that.  From now on I hope I say "I'd love to."  Because really, saying you'd love to do something for someone or with someone is just another way of saying "I love you."  It's showing "I love you."  It's making family time, which we learned from President Packer is "sacred time."  It's serving them, which in reality is serving the Savior.  What could be more important than that?

The Gospel is true!  I hope you enjoy sacred, holy, special time with your family this weekend.  Love, Eva

P.S.  The pictures in this post are from some family time we had by a lake near our home.  None of the pictures have been digitally enhanced- those are the actual colors of that beautiful day together!  And that is my actual, beautiful son! :)

Why Do We Even Bother??? Becuz It's ALL WORTH IT! :)

"Why do we even bother?"

I remember sometimes hearing sentiments like this growing up "Why do we even bother going to church when we just fight while we try to get ready?"  With three sisters sharing one small bathroom, getting ready for church wasn't easy.  Confusion and rushing could easily lead to sartastic remarks and bad feelings as we tried to pile into the car and make it to Sacrament meeting on time.  "Why bother...?"  The same feelings existed when we tried having family scripture study or Family Home Evening.  If it took yelling and arguing to get us all in one room, how could we possibly feel the Spirit these activities were supposed to bring?  "Why bother?"

Just now I sat down for a few minutes with my kids to read some stories from The Friend.  My daughter sat beside me ready to listen while my son was jumping off the couch, using a tie as a rodeo whip and making a general mess.  He finally calmed down for a moment while we tried singing "I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus."  Getting through one verse took several tries as there were questions about the picture by the lyrics, stories to tell about what happened at school that HAD to be discussed right then, and a question to ask that they couldn't remember, which caused a momentary tear fest.  Soon after that my 5-minutes-earlier-listening, snuggling daughter said "I don't like sitting here reading all day long and just looking at pictures and talking all day."  Ugh.  When is it naptime?!  For ME I mean!

Part of me wanted to be offended, and kind of was, but another part of me knew I needed to practice what I had just sung about.  Because why do we even bother to go to church, study the life and ways of Christ, say prayers or sing hymns aloud and in our hearts?  So at moments like this, when we need it most, we can have His Spirit with us and His love for His children brought to our remembrance.

I put my arm around my daughter and told her quietly:

"What I teach you from this magazine are the most important things you can know.  They are more important than what you learn in school.  They will help you be nice.  And when we sit together and read it is special, important time together.  OK?"

OK, she answered.  That was it.  No melt down, no screaming, no regrets.  We had our quiet moment together.  For one small minute we both felt the Holy Ghost that I had been trying to teach them about.

When I lay awake at night wondering, worrying about my efforts as a parent it doesn't take me long to feel pacified.  Not because I am a perfect parent (I can assure you that's not the case!) but because I know I am teaching my kids to choose the right, be kind and feel the Spirit.  There is nothing more important for them to know, and even at ages 4 and 6 they are learning it.  I will not be there for every big decision in their life.  I know that sometimes, like I have, they will choose poorly.  But I do believe they are learning the tools to help them make things right when they've done wrong, love their fellowman and serve their neighbor.  And because of that, I can sleep peacefully.

Why do we even bother when it is so hard and challenging to choose the right, be at that church meeting or say that family prayer?  Because we've covenanted to.  Because the Lord needs us to.  Because Satan is doing all he can to stop us and but he is not going to.

Next time you are laying awake at night worrying or you find yourself thinking "Why do we even bother?" consider this passage from an amazing book titled "Everyday Battles: Insights For Latter-Day Saint Women" by Bette S. Molgard:

"...Satan is painfully aware of the eternal difference any one of our righteous sisters can make while carrying out her individual mission.  Keep in mind, "Out of small things proceedeth that which is great" (D&C 64:33).

Let's take, for example, the problem Satan sees with allowing one righteous mother to raise five children free of his constant distractions.  Her strength and testimony passed on to subsequent generations.  If each of those children had four children, and each of the subsequent generations did the same, look what happens to that small beginning: first generation: 20 children; second: 80 children; third: 320 children; fourth: 1280 children; fifth: 5120 children; sixth 25, 600 children; seventh; 102,400 children; eighth; 409,600 children; ninth: 1,638,400 children; tenth generation: 6,553600 children!  That doesn't count spouses, missionary converts brought into the Church (which also multiply exponentially), and people whose lives they touch in righteously living the gospel...There is no limit to what any Latter-day Saint woman can do as she righteously fills the measure of her creation."

That is why I bother trying and that is why it's all worth it.  I'm grateful my parents "bothered trying" because even if they didn't accomplish all they wanted to as a family they taught me enough to help me gain my own testimony and love sharing it with others.  The Gospel is true!  What you do every day to take care of and love others is amazing and valuable in the eyes of the Lord.  Never belittle or question how crucial your part is in His plan.  Love, Eva