Sammy is 8!

My dear, sweet Samwise Gamgee turned 8 last week!

We, of course, started with the breakfast of birthday children: donuts in bed!

My kids don't get a "real" birthday party until they turn 10 (ya know, the kind that you actually plan for), but we did meet a bunch of homeschooling friends at our church building for some sock dodge ball and lunch. As is always the case, Elise made his cake--actually, two different cakes, she is that awesome. The kids played and we moms talked and planned. Gotta love good friends!

This is kind of a lame picture, and it only shows the older girls of the 26 kids there...

And then, the most exciting part about turning 8! Better than a party, better than a Scout uniform, better than new scriptures!

On Tuesday night, when I was tucking Sammy in, he told me, "I've been looking forward to being baptized my whole life!" He paused in thought, "Well, not my whole life...only as long as I have known about it."

We held his baptism early Wednesday morning since Stephen's parents didn't get into town until Tuesday evening, our bishop was flying out of town around noon and I was leaving later in the afternoon. We got permission to Skype with my parents since they couldn't be in town, and that was pretty special!

Many of our same friends from Sammy's party made the trek to the church for his baptism, and around 16 of them sang in a special musical number. He listened to the speakers in rapt attention as Grandma Jones told how Jesus had to walk about 60 miles (or to ballet three times!) to go to John the Baptist to be baptized, and Stephen told the story of Elijah on the mountain and how the Spirit of the Lord was not in the tempest or earthquake or fire, but in a still small voice.

Sammy wanted to bear his testimony, and nothing could prepare me for his sincere tears and thankful heart as he bore a brief, sincere testimony. He turned to me at the end of the baptism and told me, "I'm so glad I could make these promises with Heavenly Father. I'm so glad I can always have the Spirit." This boy is ready to keep his covenants!

After the baptism and confirmation (which Grandpa Jones performed--Sammy thought since Stephen got to do the baptism that Grandpa should get to do the confirmation) we had a light brunch, and then the kids all went off to play and we moms did more talking. Then home and off to the airport for me!

High aspirations

Do you see Trevor? He's looking up to some fantastic young men.

Surprise!

This weekend was our Stake Conference, and for the main session (this morning) we had a broadcast from Salt Lake. Each building also had an opening and closing song and prayer, and I was asked to play organ for our building.

Let me say something about me and the organ. I LOVE to play the organ. I first started playing it when I was 14--over 18 years ago. There was a woman in our ward who taught my younger brother and I how to play, so I got started off right. I've played organ in every ward I've lived in since then, and as soon as my piano students are able to play a couple of hymns I get them on the organ. I think one reason I love to play the organ in Sacrament meeting is because I love being an accompanist. I would much rather accompany a musician or choir than perform a solo piece. Which leads back to today...

I played around 45 minutes of prelude this morning, played the opening hymn and was just getting off the bench to go down and sit with my family when our Stake Presidency member announced, "When we are finished with Stake business we will listen to an organ interlude until the broadcast begins." Wait, what? I looked up at the countdown on the screen-- over 5 minutes to go. I pulled out my music and quickly changed the stops. And then, "Please listen reverently to the organ interlude until the broadcast begins." He turned to smile at me and mouth, "Thank you."

Well then. I guess I'll play some solo organ music while these hundreds of people listen silently to me.

Today I am thankful for easy organ music that sounds nice. :)

Why I wore pants to church on Sunday

Some Mormon feminists encouraged Mormon women to wear pants to church last Sunday in support of the Mormon feminist movement. After much reflection, I decided to wear my nicest slacks instead of a skirt to church. I didn't do it because I want women to be ordained to the Priesthood. I also don't feel unequal to men in the church. I don't have an inferiority complex and I do fully sustain my church leaders and have a strong testimony of the gospel. Wearing slacks goes against Mormon culture, but not Mormon doctrine, plus, I love my slacks!

There were two main reasons that I chose to wear slacks instead of a skirt:

1) I support people being different, especially those who are different in a Mormon culture that too often emphasizes uniformity. I believe there is lots of room for all sorts of people, especially in the church. Liberals, conservatives, gays, democrats, republicans, homeschoolers, working moms, stay-at-home moms, people with mental disabilities, the poor, the rich, women who wear pants to church and those who choose to wear a skirt. Which leads to...

2) We should not be as judgmental as we sometimes are. We are all at different places in our progression, and that is okay, in fact, it is to be expected. I hope that all who come to our church feel welcome, whatever their manner of dress. It so happened that there were 3 women investigators who attended our ward in pants, and I was glad that they weren't the only ones not wearing a skirt.

Will I wear slacks go church again? Probably not. I think I can show the most respect and draw the least amount of attention to myself in a nice skirt. But I will definitely think twice before judging others because of the choices that they make, whatever they may be.

QOTD (last Sunday)

In Primary on Sunday Sammy's teacher was talking about searching, pondering and praying to receive answers. She started telling about a 14-year-old boy who had a question so he searched the scriptures, pondered what he should do and then went to pray in a grove of trees near his house. She asked, "What do you think happened?"

Sammy shot his hand into the air (which is unusual for him--usually he likes to think of an answer first), and when he was called on, paused for a moment in thought, and then said,

"Joseph Smith went into the forest and prayed to ask what church was true. He prayed in the forest and a pillar of darkness came around him and then he saw two Personages in a pillar of light! And one said to the other, "This is my Beloved Son, hear Him." Jesus said none of the churches were true, so he joined none of the churches. Read on in the scriptures!"

(Here is the link, if you are so inclined to do as Sammy suggested)

Elise's primary talk

If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

One day my Mom, brothers, and I  were at Target shopping for clothes in the girls section. There was a big picture  close to the ceiling where everybody in the store could see it. The picture was of an immodest girl who looked about 13 and she was only wearing a bra and underwear.  I thought about my little brothers standing by it, so I took my brothers over to a rack full of clothes away from the picture, and we played hide-and-go-seek in it. Later, I thought about what I had seen in the picture. One night I was talking to my Mom about it, and she said I should write a letter to Target. I was a bit nervous at first, and I had to go through five pieces of paper to get it right and perfect. Then I brought it to activity days and had all of the girls sign it. Then we sent it off to Target.

Every time you see something bad you should tell a parent,  If you see your friend being immodest, you can tell your friend that you think they should wear something that covers them more.

I know some times it is really hard and sometimes you feel too scared to tell your parents about it. Just be bold and tell them about it, or ask your friend to stop.

My mom always turns off the radio when there is bad music, and we always cover the screen and mute the computer whenever there is a bad commercial when we are watching a show. I know that if you are good and do good things that are pleasing to Heavenly Father then you will be happy.

Sammy's primary talk

I know that we should look at good things and spend our time on good things.

13th Article of Faith

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

It's good to watch General Conference

It's good to look at pictures of family or Jesus

It's good to listen to tape stories about prophets

If we watch, look at, or listen to good things, then the spirit stays with us, and we feel good.

It's bad to watch commercials or movies with killing and bad stuff

It's bad to look at pictures with people that are immodest or naked

It's bad to listen music with swear words in it

If we watch, look at, or listen to bad things, then we break our covenants, the spirit goes away, and it makes us feel bad.

I know that Jesus Christ is real. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know this church is the true church of Jesus Christ.

Why I do what I do

"To be a righteous woman during the winding-up scenes on this earth, before the Second Coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home--which is society's basic and most noble institution. Other institutions in society may falter and even fail, but the righteous woman can help to save the home, which may be the last and only sanctuary some mortals know in the midst of storm and strife."

The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 326-27

Sammy's primary talk

Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

I’ve been doing things for Mason when he was sick. I filled up the water bottle for him because Dad didn’t do it—I just noticed it would be something to do, so I did it! And I’ve still been helping out. It makes him feel good. I like to help out because he feels sick, and I like to do it.

I know Jesus Christ is the Savior. I know he can help you like you can help others.

Mason is getting baptized!

Sammy-ism

This morning, after getting all ready for church, Stephen commented, "Sammy--you look great!"

Sammy replied in his matter-of-fact manner, "I do."

QOTD

In Sacrament meeting today the speaker asked us to think about some things before she began her talk. One of them was, "Think of a time when you have set a long-term goal to do something, like finish a difficult project, and started out really excited and energetic about it, only to not complete it for some reason."

Elise leans over to me and says,

"You don't even have to think about that one, Mom!"

Oh dear. She's noticed!

Mason's primary talk today

On this day almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus entered Jerusalem for the last time before he was killed.

The scriptures say:

And the disciples brought a colt, and put on it their clothes; and Jesus took the colt and sat thereon; and they followed him.

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

The people in Jerusalem spread branches and their clothing—similar to putting a red carpet on the floor—to show respect and honor to Jesus.

We can show respect and honor to Jesus today by following the commandments and saying prayers.

I know Jesus is my Savior and he loves all of us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Day Six (Sunday 2 August): Sibu

Elise woke up a little crazy today. I wasn’t sure if she was happy or upset all morning – it kept changing. It was kind of nice to only have her to get ready for church. I decided that patience isn’t like charity – pure love. A little charity is given to me for each of my children; I don’t have to split it up to share between my children. Not so with patience. I only have a finite amount of it and it has to be shared around. So when I only have Elise, she gets all of my patience. :o) Anyhow, she woke up tired again, and was moody all morning, which was unfortunate, because we had to leave the house at 8am and attend 2 branches. Everyone here loves my sweet Elise – she is so different than anybody they have ever seen with her soft, golden hair and fair skin. Everyone touches her hair and strokes her cheeks and says “cantik”. The kids line the halls and just stare at her. She looked like a little princess today – Ann had a blessing dress made for Deanna’s new baby…but the woman who made it must have missed the “newborn” dress part, and the dress fits Elise. :o) It is white and sparkly, and combined with her new fancy shoes, she makes quite the picture!

I played the piano in Sacrament meeting today for both branches, because they normally just use CDs. It was fun, except I don’t know Malay numbers (with the exception of tuju), or any Malay, so I just guessed when I was supposed to play, and looked for others to help me with the numbers. :o) It worked! Oh yeah, I almost passed out just before the 1st branch began. I had been playing prelude for about 15 minutes, when 10 minutes before the meeting was to begin my pulse started racing, I started sweating and then felt all tingly and started seeing spots. With 5 minutes until the meeting began I decided it would be better to get up and walk to the back of the chapel (where Stephen was) than pass out on the piano bench in front of everyone. I made it back there, and apparently was rather pale, had a couple apples and water and sat with my head down for a minute. I was able to go back and play for the meeting. Sheesh. Dumb piano bench cut off my circulation! I was kind of glad that I had passed out before (in the temple, go figure) so that I knew what was coming and could prevent it. :o)

With new branches they only meet for 2 hours, so we went to Sacrament meeting and then I went to Primary with Elise and Ann. Ann taught the CTR class (3-8 year olds) and spoke in Malay! She is amazing with her Malay – she was translating the testimonies for us during testimony meeting, and is, of course, fantastic with the kids. It is so fun to see her in action, and not just teaching, but speaking another language! She even texts in Malay!

Everyone wanted to meet us, I think especially Elise. I know another word: chu-chu means grandchild. What wonderful, welcoming people! It was fun to recognize some of them from our previous visits. Stephen talked with one young man who got his email so that he could write to him. Sister Daong gave me a beautiful beaded necklace. She said that she didn’t make it because she didn’t have enough time and she was leaving town today. So kind.

After the 1st Branch meeting Elise and I sat in the library and had a little snack. She was very tired and a little pouty, and didn’t want to talk to anyone. We had a little chat where I told her how excited everyone was to meet us – especially her – and how sometimes we have to put aside out weariness and grumpiness to make others happy. Sometimes you just have to smile and forget about yourself. A pretty heavy lesson for adults, let alone a 7-year-old, I know, but she did it, and I was so proud of her! She came out of hiding and shook hands with everyone who came by, let them touch her hair, and smiled while she did it. Many adults haven’t learned that lesson – I really am proud of her. She has been amazing this entire trip.

This afternoon was spent relaxing. Stephen, Elise and I came home after 2nd Branch’s Sacrament meeting (Ann went back when she saw that Stephen was going to stay home with me – she didn’t want to leave me alone after my exhausting morning). We all took naps and when I woke up Stephen had biscuits and gravy all made up. Yum! We spent the evening at home, mostly being entertained by Elise, who was soaking up all the attention. We went on a little walk and I saw coconut, dragon fruit, mango and eyeball (that isn’t the name, but I can’t remember the real one right now, and that it what the fruit looks like when it is peeled) trees.







We just finished talking to my boys!!! I’ve been missing them terribly every morning – it gets better as the day goes on. They are happy and don’t miss us at all, which really is a good thing. They have been having so much fun with Grammy and Papa – making boats, selling lemonade, playing with cousins…it was so good to hear their little voices. I’m so glad Elise is here with us – I only have 2 to miss instead of all of them!