September

School, Austin's baptism, Leah starts Kindergarten

October was football....

Priesthood Preview

This last Sunday was Jake's Priesthood Preview at church - an introduction to what his responsibilities will be when he turns 12 later this year and is ordained a deacon.  During the meeting , the Bishop called all the boys up front and asked their Primary teacher to join them.  Jake's teacher is Ned, the husband of my good friend Lori and I have been so happy he is Jake's teacher. Unbeknownst to me, every year Ned has his class memorize the following section of the Doctrine and Covenants.  and during this meeting they all stood and recited it together by heart:

Doctrine and Covenants Section 4

Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.

 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.

 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;

 4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;

 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

 6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

 7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.

This mama shed more than one tear, watching my almost 12 year old stand before me, white shirt and tie, and say these powerful verses from memory.  It was not hard to imagine him 6 years down the road with a black name tag on his pocket, sharing his strong testimony with the world.  I'm so proud of him, the example he is to all of us and to his friends, and for the good choices he continues to make in his life.