Sunday Inspirationals

I love Sunday...its not so much the whine of my boys "It's Sunnnndaaaaay???" that they joyously cry as they see me emerge downstairs after my shower, in some sort of dress or skirt/blouse combination.  (And yes, it is a bit pathetic that they know from just the fact that my clothes don't have separated slots for the legs that it's Sunday.)  Nor is it the rush of getting 4 kids moving in the same direction, finding appropriate attire for the boys as they obviously take after their dad in that regard and "I can't FIND any black socks" (slacks, dress shirts, dress shoes, take your pick...)  Maybe I should clarify here that Tom is perfectly capable of finding his own clothes to wear, but somehow he can't seem to manage finding children their clothes to wear...and neither can the children...

And certainly its not the morning drive to our lovely house of worship, which generally is permeated with whines from all about the choice of music Mom chooses on Sunday, how it is either boring or lame, or not "A Series of Unfortunate Events" book tape.

Nope its the way things like this can just change your whole outlook on life, I present to you a couple of Alex-isms, the Spiritual side:

Every Sunday when the sacrament is being passed (for those non-LDS, this is like Christ's Supper, that is generally done around Lent, bread and water - we use water not only because it is generally available but also because we do not partake of alcoholic drinks - this is part of our regular Sunday services.)... Anyway, every Sunday while the Sacrament is being passed apparently there is a hole in the space time continuum that we fall into because for my children time stands still.  Maybe the adults are tall enough to see out of the hole or something...perhaps its more of a space time continuum indention or puddle... But whatever it is, that 10 minutes is the longest 10 minutes of their lives.

To deal with this dreaded STCIorP, we have a couple of methods.  One of my favorite I learned even before I had children.  I was sitting behind Mary Greer-Short, an old friend from Washington and her lovely family which at the time included a toddler sized girl, about age 3.  Mary bless her heart was whispering stories in her daughter's ear.  As I listened more closely she was whispering stories about Jesus and even more important, her daughter was listening intently.  So we have used that method through the years with varying degrees of success.

Today Tom was whispering to Alex:

Do you remember the story about Jesus?

Yes

The one when Jesus had all the little children come up to him?

Yes

And do you remember what He said?

No making noise.

OK so we have a little more work to do on the scripture study...

And later when I was peeking in to see how he and Jon were doing in Primary (like Sunday School for children 3-11), they were talking about the Anti-Nephi-Lehi group who chose to bury their weapons, all of the kids were given paper bows and arrows to hold, then at the appropriate time in the lesson they were to bring up their weapons to be buried.  All of the kids were doing really well, it was very cute to watch them be all excited for their turn to bury their weapons.  And I admit I thought to myself, "Great a lesson about weapons, that will keep the boys interested!"

And just as I was turning to go I heard:

Alex its your turn to bury your weapons.

But I don't want to!

Ah yes is there anything more inspirational, than the innocent violent tendencies of children, my children in particular apparently...

Lest you think all my inspirations were due to the hoydenish behavior of my disreputable children, let me reassure you we had a wonderful testimony meeting today that really caused me to reflect on the Lord's ability to "make weak thing strong unto you."  And in Sunday School we were studying the Widow of Zaraphat who gave Elijah all the meal she had although she had only enough to make a last meal for her son and herself, and then they were going to die.  And I thought about how we are stretched and challenged sometimes even in the midst of a great trial, and if we endure it well, we are thereafter blessed in abundance.  So I did reflect on some good things...

And yet, what did I rush to talk about?  Hoydens!

Comments

[Dawnyel]

I LOVE those comments by Alex. It sometimes takes a child to show us our true thoughts on the subject! He sounds like a total boy, and you have nothing to be worried about...they all start out that way! :)
Church always makes me happy, and I'm glad I'm not alone in that thought! :)

[Kathie]

Oh! The memories of the "good ole days". The days of entertaining small children during sacrament meeting. Sigh. I do remember taking my sister's kids one week. My nephew had a problem with constipation and had been to the doctor several times. . . he was about 4. The sacrament was being passed, and for once all was really quiet. (An unusual event that our bishop was always trying to attain.) My nephew, in a louder than normal voice, so that it carried REALLY well in the quiet chapel says, "can I have an enema up my butt please Aunt Kathie?" So, be grateful for the non-burying of weapons. ;-) And be sure and print out your journal entry for Alex's future wife to share when he complains of his own children's behavior during church. LOL It is good when life is never dull.

[Lei]

I love that idea for passing the time (reverently) during Sacrament with young children. Thanks!

[Thoroughly Mormon Millie]

OK, I changed my name again. Heads' up.

I LOVE Mary Greer-Short. She was the YW president when I moved over to Richland. Remember that? She is such an awesome woman. Love her.

Sacrament meeting was hard again yesterday... Roz was at her best. We had a temple recommend interview after church and we were joking around with the bishop about her... he said, "Is that YOUR kid that makes that horrible screaming noise?"

Yes. (hanging head in shame)

[Sketchy]

Kathie -- Oh my that is a good one! There are probably families still telling that story that were completely unconnected with the event!

Nat/Millie, how funny! I am tempted to drive up from our campsite (near Yahauts I gather) on Sunday morning just to verify your tales! I forget that we may know some Richlanders in common too.

[No Cool Story]

Ha ha, great post. Wish I had read it on Sunday.
Maybe not, I'd be laughing through Sacrament, just thinking about it.

"No making noise during the STCIorP"!

[Pamela]

I love the Sabbath and I love your post.