Kids

I love kids. I really do. I love my own kids. I adore my grandkids (see Daniel, above. What a sweetheart!). I love my piano kids. I love my Primary kids. Many people who move into a new ward will use that as their opportunity to avoid Primary (as in "I'd love any calling except Primary!") but for me, it's all about starting the campaign to bust into the world of the kids. My first six months in this ward were spent teaching 16 year olds in Sunday School which, to be honest, I really enjoyed. They were a great group of kids and I always love studying the scriptures as I prepare a lesson. But -- I missed the kids! Thank goodness I was called as the Primary chorister (the ultimate calling, in my book!) 6 months later. I loved it. And now I still get to be in Primary every Sunday and am really getting to know each of the children. It's a gift.

"Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted." (Garrison Keillor) It's true. They do notice and even if they don't offer a verbal 'thank you', their hugs and smiles are tangible proof that our efforts are valuable. They are so bright, so funny and so in tune that it's really a privilege to be even a small part of their lives.

Walt Disney said, "Our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children." I agree with that but I'll take it one step further -- I think our greatest natural resource is the minds and spirits of our children. And I will continue to find joy as I spend time loving them, cherishing them, smiling with them, teaching them, enjoying them, and learning from them.