He shares our prayers

Today my children have yet again taught me something special and new.

We just returned from church and were talking about our lessons we had received. June then said, "Mom, when we sang "Families can be Together Forever" in sacrament meeting, I almost couldn't sing because I was thinking of Grandma Luana, because that was her favorite song."

(Here's a little background; my husband, Josh's, Grandma passed away a few months ago, and we sang that song at her funeral. We also sang it EVERY TIME we saw Grandma Luana. She would sing it in the middle of restaurants, basketball games and more! She suffered from Alzheimers but NEVER forgot the words and tune to the song, "Families can be together Forever." When she passed away, her coffin had "Families are Forever" with a temple embroidered on the inside lining. 

So today, June was so sweet and mentioned that while we sang that closing song, (A.K.A. Grandma Luana's song) she felt her spirit.

 (I'm glad she felt it too, because I was bawling my eyes out, I could't keep it together either)

I asked June, "Why do you think you felt that way?" 

June said, "Because she is with us."

I agreed, and said, "She is always there, it's so cool! She is like your special guardian angel!"

She said, "So can I pray to her?"

My husband then chimed in and said, "No we only pray to Heavenly Father."

Connor our 4 year old then said, "Yeah, then He shares our prayers!"

That last comment took me back and in a moment my mind when a million miles an hour. 

I thought, "Of course! That's exactly how it happens! He shares our prayers of need, comfort and trial with our deceased loved ones and dispatches them to come to our aide."

I recently gave a presentation with my sister Candace on "Angels Among Us." So my mind has been often on angels and truly how close they are to us. There is a BEAUTIFUL book called "Covenant Keepers" by, Wendy Watson Nelson. There is an excerpt in her book all about Angels. We based our presentation around that part of her book.

One quote she shared in her book was from President Joseph F. Smith. He said: “When messengers are sent to minister to the inhabitants of this earth, they are not strangers, but from the ranks of our kindred [and] friends . . . . In like manner, our fathers and mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends who have passed away from this earth, having been faithful, and worthy to enjoy these rights and privileges, may have a mission given them to visit their relatives and friends upon the earth again, bringing from the divine Presence messages of love, of warning, of reproof and instruction to those whom they had learned to love in the flesh.”

I am so thankful to know that there are truly Angels Among us. That Heavenly Father hears our prayerful pleas, and as Connor put it, "shares our prayers." He shares our prayers so He can "dispatch" our ancestors, kindred and friends to come to our aide.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for "sharing our prayers." We need thy help and the help of our loved ones who currently reside on the other side. 

Climb

WHAT A BUSY MORNING! I went to volunteer at my daughter's school this morning while my sister Candace, watched my little boy, Connor. When I was done, I met them at the community center to play queens court volleyball with some other friends for an hour. We parted exhausted ways, then came home and fixed lunch. 

As I was wolfing down my lunch, (I was STARVING after volleyball, whatever I ate for breakfast was NOT enough!) my husband called. He filled me in on his morning errands, and asked what I had planned for the rest of the day. I told him I was planning on shoveling our walks and doing some laundry. 

(We live right across from our church house. We have sort of taken on the chore of shoveling the sidewalks when it snows. Not hard, just takes time and effort around the large building.)

Josh hinted, "If you have time, you could maybe go over to the church and shovel the sidewalks; whatever you don't do, I will have to after work." 

I thought for a millisecond....I can take this two ways; 

1. Be insulted he asked me to do MORE than what I had planned for the day, or 

2. Look at it as an opportunity to get outside with our little boy and do some service. 

I decided to take it as an open invitation to do some service for my husband, our church building, and to get some added cardio to my already "cardioed" body from volleyball. 

(Everyone needs a little more cardio! Heart Healthy!)

I said we would try to get to the church, even though I fully intended to go over with Connor. I wanted it to be a little surprise; even though with the rate the snow is falling he might have to go over again anyway. We ended the conversation and Connor and I cleaned up lunch.

We got bundled up from head to toe and went outside in the continual falling snow. Connor helped shovel our driveway into what looked like a maze. It was so cute! I shoveled our side walks and "helped" him with the driveway. He's a GREAT helper for a 4 year old!

We trudged across the thick snow covered road and immediately began our task. Connor was such a good sport. Most little kids would start whining at this point, but not him! He was very much into our secret assignment. 

Push after push, step after step, we rounded one corner, then the next. I was focused on sidewalk and wasn't even looking around. Connor then said behind me, "Mom! Can I go climb that mountain?" I looked up and didn't even notice the mountain of snow 25 feet away that the tractors had piled up from the parking lot this morning. I said, "SURE! go for it!" I stood on the sidewalk watching and cheering him on. (As a mom, you know that you need to cheer for them every step of the way, or they get disappointed and keep asking to see if you're watching!)

Connor said waving me over, "Mom, you too!"

I said, "No I'm good, I'll watch." 

(I SERIOUSLY don't remember the last time I climbed a giant pile of snow! Over 15 years, at least!)

I noticed immediately after his first few attempts to get his feet into the snow, that he wasn't going to make it up without my help. His boots were not getting traction on the snow and he couldn't get a good footing. I put my shovel down and walked over to my sweet little boy. 

I held his hand and helped him up get his first step. 

Next, I climbed up next to him and realized he was going up the slick straight side. I looked over and noticed that only 12 inches to the right was a very "bumpy" easier way up, for BOTH of us. I then released my hand and started to step hard on the snow and make, "steps" for Connor to climb by himself. He could easily make the journey with the new path and knowledge of, "mom is at the top and I can climb this mountain if I can follow her footsteps."

I stood at the top, watching Connor, cheering him on and guiding him in his footing. I couldn't help but think that our Savior is at the top of our life mountain. He has gone before us and has shown us an easier path in life if we just accept it. He continually gives us guidance and assurance as we listen to the Prophet and read the scriptures. He knows how to help us along our hike, because he has made that journey himself. He wants us to follow His footsteps and keep climbing! Keep going, don't give up until you reach the top. 

I am so thankful for sweet small experiences like this that help build my testimony. They make me realize that our Savior is in EVERYTHING we do, if we just have the eyes to see Him. 

"If you are on the right path, it will always be uphill."
Henry B. Eyring

June's Optimism

Josh and I were going on a date. I was trying to shove food down my kid's throat before my niece Carly was going to be here to babysit. June was having trouble eating the ham and bean soup tonight (even though she liked it 2 weeks ago when I made it for the first time... sigh...).

Sour face after sour face as she acted like she was gagging her soup down, I told June sternly, 

"June, please eat this soup! You need to be grateful for what you have! Some kids don't even have food to eat! Can you please be grateful!? 

June sat there for a second and then replied with a HUGE smile, "YES MOM! I will be THANKFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE! I will eat this food even though I don't like it very much!"

My eyes grew 3 sizes and wondered where in the world where this optimism came from!?

 I squealed and hugged her! I said, "YES JUNE! YES! ALWAYS THINK THAT! Promise me you will always think that!"

She promised she would always be thankful for her food even though she didn't like some things I made.

My niece Carly wrote on Facebook later that evening of the experience she had with June while we were gone:

"Tonight before I put my two little cousins, June and Connor, to bed, June gave a family prayer. In it she said, "We are grateful for all of the wonderful people you created and put on this earth, even if they don't like to read your lovely scriptures. We are thankful for the food you put on the world, even if we don't like to eat some of it." It made me laugh and I am very grateful for a 6 year old cousin who sees the bright side of things and how much of a grateful heart she has."

I love our sweet girl!

"I can't even see your face"

"I can't even see your face!" Was the response of my 4 year old boy as we walked the black halls of our church checking doors and windows. My husband usually checks the building by himself, but we had just finished playing in the gym for Family Home Evening; and decided to do the rounds together.

As this sweet little hand was in mine, I couldn't help but think of us going through life hand in hand with our Savior. He teaches us and guides us through our daily life, even though we never see His face. One of my favorite scriptures came to mind:

"Be strong and of a good courage;

 be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; 

for the Lord thy God is with thee 

whithersoever thou goest."

- Joshua 1:9

Our Savior is continually encouraging us and reminding us that He is always there, in the brightness of day or the darkness of night. We can learn of Him and see His goodness in our daily lives when we read the scriptures.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."

-Psalm 119:105

Reading the scriptures continuously will give us the light that can brighten our path along our sometimes dark and troubled life. When we read and study we receive the light He pours out on us. We can begin to see His hand holding ours, and the blessings He showers on us daily. 

I am thankful for the scriptures and the study that brings me closer to Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. I can see His hand print in my life daily. My wonderful husband, my children, family and friends bless me beyond measure.

He is always holding our hand even when we can't see His face. But I'm sure if you look around, you can see His handprint all over your heart!

Brothers who erase our mistakes

Today my 4 year old son and I were playing down stairs and I quickly stopped when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. I spotted something on the side of our brick fireplace that is usually unseen unless at the right angle. I see " JUNE     CONNOR     HANSEN " written in chalk on three bricks all in a row. 

We had just had a BIG lesson learned 2 weeks ago when we found that June had been writing on her walls in her room and closet. She had to clean her walls and understand that we DON'T WRITE ON ANYTHING but PAPER! For heaven sakes, she's 6 and learned this when she was 2! I don't know what's gotten into her recently! Being in school this past year she has learned to write more and more and obviously can't contain her excitement long enough to grab a piece of paper. (sigh...)

I looked at the brick and asked Connor (who can't write), what happened here?

He said softly with his head down, "June wote our names on the wall."

At that moment, my phone started to ding upstairs. I turned and started walking up the stairs and I said aloud, "somebody's in trouble." I grabbed my phone and came back down to June's crime scene.

As I walked down the steps, I looked at Connor who was still looking at the brick, but instead of the frown I left, was a bright smile. I turned the corner and looked at the scene. He had quickly wiped as much of the chalk off the brick as he could, erasing most of the the evidence that convicted his sister. The mistake was still visible but 80% of the error was corrected.

I was overcome as tears started to fill my eyes. What a sweet brother helping his sister erase her mistakes. 

My mind was taken in thought of my older brother Jesus, who has helped me erase many of my mistakes. I have gone to Him for help, guidance and added strength in hard times. He doesn't judge me; He teaches me, heals me, and lifts me up. There will always be a small mark left behind from past mistakes. They are a reminder of how merciful He is, and an admonition to try to never make that mistake again.

He has ALWAYS been there for me, to help me dig myself out of the hole I've made. 

He has helped heal my heart, feed my soul and erase my mistakes with His grace. 

Countless times I have fallen to my knees, begging for added strength; and innumerable times, He has blessed me with the help I needed to go on. 

Thank you for being my older brother. Thank you for your sacrifice for me, and all of our brothers and sisters. Thank you is not enough, I can never repay you for all you've blessed me with and the many mistakes you have helped erase over the years. I pray I can be more like you every day and help others find your light. 

Keep Him in your pocket

This past year our 3 year old boy has been given different patches at different events he has attended with dad. He went to father & sons campout and received a patch. He went to an honors night and received 2 more patches. He LOVES his patches! One patch in particular he loves the most. It's a patch that was given just to my husband's scout troop because they were the only ones at this particular camp that passed off "a scout is reverent." The patch they received simply said, "WWJD What Would Jesus Do?" Connor thought this patch was the coolest. He can't read yet but he knew this one of all patches was the coolest! 

The day after he was given this patch, he was readying himself for preschool. He said, "Mom, tan I tate my patch to school?!" I thought for a second, knowing it would NOT make it back, I said, "Let's leave it here so we don't lose it." Connor got sad, and my husband said, "How about he keeps it in his pocket? It won't fall out of this velcro pocket."

I said, ok... knowing for sure the patch would be forever lost; and my husband would have to be the one to go find him another patch, because life as we know it through Connor's eyes would cease to exist without this patch!

Well... to my surprise, the second Connor got home from school, Connor stepped into the kitchen and opened his pocket and took out his patch to show me he hadn't lost it.

I watched him place it ever so carefully back in his pocket and then run of to go play in the house.

I couldn't help but think of my kid's favorite primary song we sing daily right now. 

"If the Savior stood beside me, would I do the things I do..."

If the children are ever arguing over anything, particularly over lunch I start to sing that song. They immediately join in and whatever the fight was about disappears! It's seriously MAGIC! No, I know better, it's not magic, it's the spirit. When the spirit is invited into the home through words and songs, the atmosphere is turned from negative to positive, and anxious to peaceful.

When we act and do things with the constant reminder in our pocket of "What Would Jesus Do" we behave very differently. Simply asking ourselves throughout the day, "if the Savior was beside me, would I act the way I act? Would I say the things I say? Think the things I'm thinking? etc." We invite the spirit into our hearts and homes to brighten the world. Give kindness instead of judgement, help instead of pity, and love instead of hate.

Remind yourself that the Savior IS always watching you, and keep His reminder patch in your pocket to try to be kinder every day. Be kinder to those you come in contact with, and those who notice you without knowing you. 

Broken Jars of Jam

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are a staple at the Hansen house. If we don't have bread, peanut butter and jam in stock at all times, there is bound to be an uprising. I've been trying to teach my children how to be independent/self reliant in small things. They enjoy helping and holding small responsibilities. If lunch time is busy I will say, "I am busy right now can you make yourself a sandwich?' They then get excited and hurry to get their own ingredients. My little boy loves all things the color orange. He loves peanut butter and honey sandwiches best, but on occasion he loves "orange jam" aka apricot jelly/preserves simply because it's the color orange. My daughter June went through a phase of "grape jelly only" and now she has been on a raspberry kick for a few months. 

About 2 months ago I was busy with something in the kitchen and Connor came saying the usual, "Mom, I'm hundry, tan you mate me a sanwich? 

I said, "Get out the ingredients and I will make you a sandwich." 

I started to finish up my chore then jumped at the sound of a large crash and turned around to see the fridge door open with Connor on a stool and our large jar of apricot jam broken in 20 pieces and glass scattered across the tile and hardwood floor. I was glad Connor was on the stool I instantly told him not to move as I cleaned up the mess. I was frustrated and asked him, "Why didn't you ask for help!? I would have gotten the jam for you. If you can't reach something, let me help!"

I cleaned up the mess, we had a talk, we hugged, and life went on without 'orange' jam for a while.

Today for lunch before church June asked for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and Connor wanted ramen noodles. I said I would start Connor's noodles and June can make her own sandwich. She has made her own sandwich for a couple months here and there and I was confident she could do it on her own again. 

I grabbed a pan and started to fill it with water and then jumped to a crash of the jam jar covering the floor with sticky red jam and glass. I looked over at June's shocked face and instantly was angry and sad. I raised my voice, feeling a sense of dejavu, and said, "June! What happened?! If you couldn't reach the jar why didn't you just ask?!" I took a few deep breaths then felt the sting of tears. I started to cry as I looked at the glass and jam all over the floor. June started to cry as she saw me cry. She kept saying through her tears, "Mom, I am SO SORRY! I am so so so sorry..." 

I didn't say anything as I grabbed our small trash can and the paper towels. Through my tears and frustration I had a fleeting thought as I was on my hands and knees cleaning up the jam and glass with paper towel after paper towel, that I was like the Savior and June was like me. 

I had made a mistake. I was confident at the time that I could do something on my own, but I was very wrong. I broke something and had to rely on my older brother Jesus to help me clean up my mess. I could see myself crying at His face when He would ask as tears stained His cheeks, "Why didn't you just ask for help?! I was right here and could have prevented all of this from happening if you would have just asked." I could see Him on His hands and knees cleaning up my scarlet jam sins with His pure white clean paper towels, being scratched and cut with the shards of my glass. I watched as He worked and toiled to clean up my mistake. I could feel the pain and frustration He would have as He cleaned up the mess I had made. And yet, when the mess was cleared and the anger gone, the unconditional love was still there and always would be. And just as I put June into my arms and embraced her after the mess was cleared, I could visualize the Savior doing that same thing to me.

"..I beseech of you..that you would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you.. his arm of mercy is extended toward you.." Jacob 6:5

"For he is the same yesterday, today, and forever; and the way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world, if it so be that they repent and come unto him." 1 Nephi 10:18

"..though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18