It's moments like this...

That make all the other parenting struggles worthwhile. Last night's Family Home Evening started out just like every other...a few "time outs", a few hurried, tense moments with the tone of "let's get on with this, already"and lots of chatting with no one settling down long enough to listen for the opening. Finally, we make it to the lesson. Jeff's turn. He prepares on the fly but always makes the best impression (I wish I had his gift of teaching.) Now, Zachary takes center stage for a moment to teach Avery something. Oh, No. He started in with his famous "plastic bag" object lesson, referring to the likeness of the Holy Ghost. It's a stretch but he came up with himself and he uses it in every lesson he gives and at some point in every family home evening. I start to giggle (I know, not very mature) But, then only moments later my heart begins to swell and I am so touched with the spirit. Now, tears. My sweet tender boy was teaching his little sister a lesson and in the meantime bearing his testimony to her. He spoke of the "indescribable and wonderful" feeling of coming out of the waters of baptism. He also began to tear up as he told her "it's hard to explain how great it felt to be baptized" He has something very special to share and he holds it dear to his heart.

So, as I watched my little boy bear his testimony to his family I was reminded of the countless hours that we as parents have literally forced our children into 3 hours of church each and every Sunday. It is for this very reason, that they develop personal testimonies of the Savior, that they know they are children of God and they are loved. It's moments like this that make all the other's worthwhile.