This is a song from Sons of Provo (which I think is one of the funniest movies EVER made- hey, it's just my opinion) which I have been thinking about today. I feel like my shorties running around the house have been humming it as they play.
The other day Jo got out her doll with a Velcro body- you know, one of those you can dress yourself. She carefully thumbed through the available clothes and pulled out a little tennis outfit.
The other day Jo got out her doll with a Velcro body- you know, one of those you can dress yourself. She carefully thumbed through the available clothes and pulled out a little tennis outfit.
"Now my doll needs to go to the temple!"
"She does?"
"Yeah. She needs to go to the temple and get married." I guess since the tennis outfit had a skirt it could double as a wedding gown.
So Jo gallops Ms. doll over to our bookcase behind Maggie's swing. This bookcase is wonderful. I love it. Ryan made if for me a couple of years ago. The chillins also love the bookcase. It serves as anything and everything they might need. The doctor's, school, work, hiding place, the long level plains in which their dinosaurs roam. ETC. This particular day it was the temple. Jo said a few words for her doll and then announced, "She needs a prince!"
Well of course she does! So Jo rummaged through her toys and came bounding back out with a prince.
There's the handsome devil. All ready for his wedding of the century. Jo is no respecter of species.
I couldn't hear the ceremony but after it was over Jo announced that her doll could go home. And she did, leaving her prince forgotten at the temple. I'm not sure she understands marriage... we'll keep working on that! All laughs aside, I was so happy that she knows people should be married in temples. That's where she plans to get married. And she can absolutely recognize a picture of a temple.
Yesterday evening we watched The Testaments together as a family. The kids really paid attention, asking very important questions which Ryan and I answered as best we could. We were impressed at the light their spirits came with and the light they eagerly seek already. This morning after Jo woke up and had breakfast she turned to me, "Can we watch the Jesus movie?"
Of course they could. I turned it on and they watched almost the entire thing without moving. Again, they would occasionally ask me questions. They were especially concerned when the Nephite prophet was murdered and, even more so, when the Savior was crucified. Why were the people hurting them? It is a difficult thing to explain to myself let alone my young children. I feel so strongly the need to teach Jo and Atticus who Christ is, what He did for us, and why we need Him. For them to know He loves us. That He loves them. I am grateful to have the gospel. We have every answer available. The Truth available. My hope is that I can come to know that Truth more fully, that I may teach these sweeties Who to look to.
I couldn't hear the ceremony but after it was over Jo announced that her doll could go home. And she did, leaving her prince forgotten at the temple. I'm not sure she understands marriage... we'll keep working on that! All laughs aside, I was so happy that she knows people should be married in temples. That's where she plans to get married. And she can absolutely recognize a picture of a temple.
Yesterday evening we watched The Testaments together as a family. The kids really paid attention, asking very important questions which Ryan and I answered as best we could. We were impressed at the light their spirits came with and the light they eagerly seek already. This morning after Jo woke up and had breakfast she turned to me, "Can we watch the Jesus movie?"
Of course they could. I turned it on and they watched almost the entire thing without moving. Again, they would occasionally ask me questions. They were especially concerned when the Nephite prophet was murdered and, even more so, when the Savior was crucified. Why were the people hurting them? It is a difficult thing to explain to myself let alone my young children. I feel so strongly the need to teach Jo and Atticus who Christ is, what He did for us, and why we need Him. For them to know He loves us. That He loves them. I am grateful to have the gospel. We have every answer available. The Truth available. My hope is that I can come to know that Truth more fully, that I may teach these sweeties Who to look to.
I love Jo's temple story--and I love the way you tell it! (There's a writer hidden in there!) And more importantly, I love your desire to be the great mother you are. I'm so proud of you. Jo, Atticus and Maggie are blessed to have you.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post! Loved, loved, loved! Especially the ditching the dinosaur prince at the temple after the wedding was over, haha. It's so sweet that your kids love the "Jesus movie". Way to find an awesome teaching opportunity!
ReplyDeleteYou are a good Mama. I love reading your thoughts. It's amazing to me how excited your kids are to learn about the Savior. Children truly are born with the light of Christ. Reading your post reminded me of something someone once explained to me (a seminary teacher perhaps)? He said that the gospel will feel familiar to people because they knew it in the life before. Pretty cool. Anyways, I love your not-so-little family.
ReplyDeleteHaha... I love the dinosaur-groom. Funny Jo. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to watch little kids! Julie's right - children truly are born with the Light of Christ - it's amazing to see it. I love those moments when their very special, tender little spirits shine through. That reminds me of a quote that I heard in sacrament meeting recently from a conference talk about teaching our children: basically that we don't have to put the flame of faith into our children's hearts - because they were born with it. What we have to do is to help fan the flame with the Gospel, Testimony of Jesus, etc which can be like a mighty, rushing wind over the burning embers in their hearts. Sounds like you're doing just that.
Lately Elena's been talking about death and I've found it's a very difficult concept to explain to a 3 year old. And it makes me a little squirmy trying to talk to her about it. Yesterday, it was specifically that she was wondering about Jesus dying (we were talking about the Resurrection). It's a heavy subject to talk about, but I'm confident that the Spirit will help communicate what's important when we have good desires to teach our children righteous, faith-building things.
Love you guys and your cute churchlynns!
we've started reading the book of mormon reader with sophie and you really realize how violent it all is when you're explaining it to a kid. "so then laman and lemuel tried to kill nephi." yikes! i like that quote briana talked about. children do have such faith. we are so lucky to have them as part of our lives and get to teach them the gospel. the best missionary work there is! thanks for the stories, ames. loved it.
ReplyDeleteoh, and i need to know where churchlynns comes from. i'm feeling out of the loop.
ReplyDelete