If you "mustache", our Dad is the best!

We had a nice Father's Day this year and got to celebrate with our Daddy Dave, and my dad and mom made it up just in time to celebrate!  The kids woke up and made Dad breakfast in bed, donuts with strawberries and cream.  Yum and super sweet for a sweet dad!

We got ready for Sunday and our lesson. Grandma and Grandpa came to visit and got here just in time in the afternoon.  We waited so they could join in our sacrament meeting and lesson at home and we had a singing time where the kids got to pick a mustache and on the back were songs to sing about fathers. Then we had a mustache theme party with a few mustache decorations.  We had salad with mushroom mustaches, 7 Up chicken and potatoes, and a chocolate mustache cake we made for dessert.  We went on a walk around town. Some in our family even kept on the mustaches we were wearing for fun, including Grandpa Scott, haha!  We had our family Zoom meeting and we played a digital game I made on Power Point about whose mustaches were whose, from historical figures to cartoons, to the men in our family. I would show a close up of someones mustache (we had 35) and then a whole picture and the name of who it was.  It was lots of fun!  We also did video chatting with Dave's Dad and family.  They are doing good.  Dave's mom sent up a box of things from high school, like his letter men jacket, gifts from his grandparents he kept, and more.  It was fun walking down memory lane for him.   

Dave got a new Husky tool set up, a work cabinet, table, storage!  Yay! We are so glad he can actually find his tools now and have somewhere to do projects.  Cov loved helping him set it all up and Dave was as excited as could be!  We also got him a few clothes, a book about fathers and parts that our kids filled in and illustrated, a little magic 8 ball type of thing called "The Nose Knows". It has a mustached nose and you ask it questions and it says things like "Absolutely", "No way", "Why should I answer that!?" and "Stop picking me, I said no!"  The kids had the best time playing with it!  They would ask questions like "Should I go to bed?" and laugh so hard at the answers it gave. They enjoyed it all week, and month, and all the time after.  It was pretty funny! We got Grandpa Scott a fitness watch, which he was excited about!

We are blessed to have Dads who support, teach us how to work hard, love us and help us love, and turn our hearts to our Father in Heaven.  

                                        

How I Hear Him

    Our Stake Relief Society Presidency asked me to share with our stake how I Hear the voice of the Lord.  They asked about 6 in our stake to share and made videos to share to our social media platforms. This is something I've been pondering on and thinking of lately, since our dear Prophet and the other leaders of the Church have reminded us that this was not just an invitation to Joseph Smith, but for all of us. 

    One of the clearest ways I recognize the voice of Jesus Christ and hear Him is through the Hymns of Zion and Primary Songs. Music has always been a huge part of my life.  

    My mom played many instruments and she taught us and we sang a lot growing up and I always loved it.  My brother often comments that the second language spoken in our home is music and that was so true. One of the first times I remember Hearing Him was at my Grandpa's funeral when I was eight.  His favorite song he requested to be sung was "I Believe in Christ" and the grand kids all sang "I am A Child of God" as a musical number.  At the time, I just thought I was sad and grieving as I cried.  But more than tears, I had a feeling inside me of knowing there was truth to what I was singing. That seed of testimony was planted and starting to grow.  This music helped me to know of my identity and purpose. 

    A few years later, as a new Beehive, we were getting ready for a Young Women's program where we'd be singing a few hymns.  We learned "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" and "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee".  As we were practicing it and I really took in the words, I was overcome with tears and a strong feeling in my heart. I couldn't sing because all that was coming out was that ugly but beautiful cry. "He lives my kind, wise Heavn'ly Friend.  He lives and loves me to the end.  How sweet the joy this sentence gives!  I know that my Redeemer lives!"  (Text: Samuel Medley, 1738–1799. Included in the first LDS hymnbook, 1835. Music: Lewis D. Edwards, 1858–1921) As we sang "Jesus the Very Thought of Thee" same thing happened.  "Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the mem’ry find A sweeter sound than thy blest name, O Savior of mankind!"  (Attr. to Bernard of Clairvaux, ca. 1091–1153; trans. by Edward Caswall, 1814–1878, Music: John B. Dykes,).  To this day, those two hymns, bring a deep conviction that the Lord lives and loves me, and this is His work. There have been many other times I've heard Him through the Hymns. 

    When I was a teenager and on to college, some of my friends and I would sing "True to the Faith" and make sure to remind each other not to let the "youth of Zion falter" when we came and went.  Those lyrics and others come into my mind many times even when I was tempted to do things that didn't fall in line with the Lord's will and gave me strength to withstand that temptation. The Hymns help me understand things clearer.  

    When I'm reading the scriptures, many times lyrics of certain songs, even ones I don't know very well, will come to mind out of no where, and I will look them up and receive added inspiration and understanding that go along with what I'm learning about so well.  The hymns have also been an answer to prayers, a way of guidance for me.  

    Music also opens up the heavens for me by listening to or playing it.  Being able to be a ward organist in the past, I became aware of how music opens up the heavens for revelation.  That prelude and postlude is so important, as is listening to and participating in good music at home.  These are times we can be more sensitive to the Spirit.  

    Before we moved to Montana, we were at a cross roads and needed to make a decision on which job to take.  I really honestly didn't want the Montana gig, but as I prayed, the words to the hymn "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go" by Mary Brown came to mind.  We always kind of had a feeling on this one, but almost wanted to deny it.  I wasn't jumping up and down with excitement on this one, but this gave me sweet assurance that we're going where we need to go!  "I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, Over mountain or plain or sea; I'll say what you want me to say, dear Lord; I'll be what you want me to be."  I knew that Montana was the place as soon as I heard that in my mind.  And it has been the right place.  We've been able to see great things happen because of our being here and many missionary moments we might not have had otherwise. 

    Being a mom, I can't tell how many times certain Hymns or Primary songs come along to help me stay the course.  It's not easy some days, but I find myself singing to myself or out loud songs a lot to help me endure and thrive, or encourage my family to understand and live the Gospel. Listening to and playing great music brings inspiration and guidance and keeps me going.  

    I love how God speaks to us and touches us in ways personally that we will feel and recognize.  The Spirit doesn't work one size fits all.  If we are willing to listen, He will speak to us.  I am thankful that the Heavens are still opened and God is still inspiring His children to create beautiful music that builds faith and testimony, inspires, guides and helps us endure.  

Here's the video of this: https://www.facebook.com/groups/224686482013114/permalink/286328159182279/

A Crazy School Year Complete

It has been quite the memorable school year with the shut down due to the pandemic, and the last couple of weeks of school were ones we will always remember!

We had our preschool graduation of my first year as teacher at Kid's Club.  I thought about many options, but thought a drive-by one might be a good option with current circumstances, and it was a great ending to a great year!  The last 2 months, I've been doing a video to keep the kids learning, where we do an easy craft with things the kids have around the house, math activities, science experiments, songs, books, some exercise or yoga.  It's been fun!  I also made packets for fun the kids could work on so they'd be ready for kindergarten.  They weren't to turn in, but just so the younger kids could work on their "homework" while their older siblings did or when they were bored.  This group of kids was such a special one!  It was a privilege being with and learning with them, and working with Carol, Gloria, and Shannon this year!  I got some sweet gifts from some of our students and my cow-workers.  Lots of flowers and gift cards, too!   I made a little slideshow we watched online and it was so fun looking back! <https://www.youtube.com/watchv=jnp6aEp1lMU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2fescJW46zOeCWsnMsFvrNKQabkm__j3M38Y5v1zJ_V_i4UXMHzA85RVI>  I loved every minute and hope they did too!

Last day of school and I'm not gonna lie, it's kind of a relief!  Distance learning done, woot woot!

Emma is a middle school grad - peace out middle school and hello, high school!  Talking about it, Emma only had to endure 2 years of middle school. Middle school has not been easy for her.  She hasn't really made many close friends and gets tired of the immaturity and bad language and gossiping and everyone trying to outdo each other.  She is an old soul and that gets tiring for her.  But she has survived and thrived!  Way to go, Em!  I can't believe we will have a high schooler next year!  She has loved her teachers though for the most part. They have a great staff at CMS!  We got all the staff gift cards for the drink shop here.  She checked in and out and got some of her work and art and a folder with awards.  We are so proud of Emma!  She finished off with a 4.0, Battle of the Books award, and the Principals award!  ......   She also got a Cougar's shirt, bag with a gift card, candy, and other random things.  They put signs on the lawn for all of the 8th graders, because I guess here, the middle school graduation is a big deal. They also made a DVD of the principal and student council president speeches and a slide show of all of the kids. So we watched that her last day and made poutine for dinner to celebrate.  Phew!  Glad that is done with.  

We also had an elementary grad!  Go Callahan!  He has done well this school year.  Slacked a little with the distance learning, but he got caught up.  He got to go in and work with his teacher as he got a little confused with it all being online to do some things in person and on paper. He is a good student with a love of learning and school.  His teacher, Mr. Kurtz, has been incredible!  He has been here for about 20 years teaching and is now moving to St. George, so we are grateful Cal was able to have him.  Cal made him a Yoda card that said "Great teacher you are!" since he's a huge Star Wars fan, with some Montana chocolates and an Amazon gift card.

Lucy finished up 3rd grade and is now on to fourth.  She had Mrs. Ralph and oh, we loved her!  She was so good for Lucy!  She is on her way now to become a counselor, as she just finished up with her Masters degree, so we are lucky we got her, too!  She told us that Lucy is so bright and sweet and a hard worker and she knows she will do well at anything.  I also had her son, Bridger, in my preschool class and he was the cutest kid!  Lucy made her teacher a picture and a fill in, Amazon gift card, and sunflowers.  

Covey is done with 1st grade and will be a big second grader next year!  He had Mrs. Staudinger.  I got to volunteer in the class quite a bit and see her in action and she was so good with the kids!  Covey loved her.  She is so sweet.  During this distance learning, she always send cute little treats and surprises for the kids, had fun Zoom meetings, and went the extra mile.  She always tells me Cov is the model student and is her go to guy. Cov made her a picture and fill in, Amazon gift card, and daisies.  

We also checked out the new addition to the school, it is pretty awesome!  And the construction on all the schools is in full swing now.  The school gave me a volunteer ice cream basket, that was so sweet!  After that, we had lunch and went to the park.  Cov and Hunter played laser tag, and Lucy and Elle had fun chasing and making up games.  Sydnie loves tagging along too.  Cal and Emma stayed home to hang out and play Roblox together (party poopers).  We had popsicles when we got home and swung on the hammock, played with squirt guns, and watched a movie while Mom and Dad went to celebrate (we worked hard this school year too!) by running some errands in Billings and having Cafe Rio out on their patio (had the place to ourselves).  The weekend before, we went to the Drive-in to watch Jumanji 2 and Emma picked Fudruckers to go out to dinner to celebrate our survival of this weird school year.  Yay! 

The last *real* day of school (the kids didn't really have much of any homework the final week...but I made them start on their summer work, which isn't a ton.  We do 2-3 pages, both sides of reading/English/math/science work).  And chores and then practicing. Really, there's not much difference between what we've been doing and summer, but it felt different. We cleaned all up and got ready for our last day of school party we have always done since Emma was in Kindergarten.  All of the kids got to pick a friend to invite. We played with some new summer toys, did some squirt gun art, had hamburgers and hot dogs with fries and watermelon, played the taffy game (like charades, password, and catch phrase, but the kid's got a candy when they guessed right first), did some shadow stories, had snow cones, and a couple of the friends spent the night, so we had a movie and the girls did feet baths and painted nails.  Emma had Anders, Cal had Nolan, Lucy had Summer and Cov had Bryce. Their friends are good kids and it was a blast being with them!

The kids were really so blessed with amazing teachers! It has definitely been a crazy year for us all, no? This Covid-19 school closure and distance learning has been different for sure.  We have had great home school days and ones full of tears. We have had days where we really loved the flexibility and more family time and ones where we wished for more regular schedules. We have had fun days filled with peace and others where it seemed the kids were fighting like cats and dogs all day. Some days everyone worked hard and well to get things done quickly and others some of our kiddos just had no motivation.   But overall it has been a good experience. Grateful for our sweet kids! Next year, we will have a high schooler, middle schooler, two elementary kiddos and one at home. Crazy! 🤯 "Come what may and love it " -Elder Joseph B. Worthlin 😊