I Know He Lives!

Yesterday I got to sub for our chorister Joan [who is wonderful, by the way] and realized once again, that music + children + the gospel = wonderful. The new song we are learning [which pretty much presents the theme for the year] absolutely brings an outpouring of the spirit and I know all the children could feel it.

It starts with the story of the Savior with the children [as found in 3 Nephi 17, which is one of the most tender and sweet stories in the Book of Mormon, I think], telling about how the children there were able to sit on His knee and see the tears on His face. But the thing I like best is that after telling this wonderful story, it goes on to apply those teachings to our children, here and now.

The chorus is pure and simple testimony, being borne through song by the purest and sweetest singers of all: the children. There hasn't been a time that I could get through that part of the song without tears of my own -- but yesterday, I managed to do it as I directed the children as they sang it. Their voices just soared over the chorus: "I know He lives! I will follow faithfully. My heart I give to Him -- I know that my Savior loves me!"

It doesn't get better than that and I was so thankful for the opportunity to not only be there with the children yesterday, but to take part as they sang their testimonies. What a precious gift -- and once again, I am so grateful for the blessing of the Primary in my life.

The Perfect Life

Mark just got an invitation to his high school reunion -- they've never had one and I'm 100% sure he doesn't want to go, but it has definitely made me think.

The cool part is that I already think I have the perfect life. I don't care what anyone else thinks, and I love it that I don't need to invent something different. I love what I have and that's a gift.

OLD? Really?

"To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am." ~Bernard M. Baruch

This week, I've had an [unasked for and definitely unwanted!] opportunity to think about my age. I pick up 2 neighbor children every day from school, and one day this week, the six year old looked up at me as he was getting out of my car and said, "Mrs. Mason, why are you so old?" And he said it with no malice, no teasing, no naughtiness at all - -it was just a question.

I, of course, gulped, swallowed hard and resisted the urge to smack him -- and after I gathered my thoughts and stomped on my temper and hurt feelings, managed to say, "Well, I guess it's because I was born a long time ago and I'm a grandma. You can't be a grandma without being old, right?"

And he smiled his funny little smile, shrugged and said, "Yup. I guess so!" And that was that.

I needed Miss Maya with me at that point to jump in [using her outdoor voice!] and rescue me by saying, "Grandma! You're not old. You're NEW."

It's good to be new, right? Especially since inside, I do feel new! Much better than old!!

New Outlook on Eating

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating." ~Luciano Pavarotti

I have this love-hate relationship with food. I love food -- but I have always had an issue with weight. Over the years, I have been able to balance my love of food with a love of exercise - but right now I'm sidelined with a torn ligament in my right ankle. So today it made me smile to see this quote -- by someone who obviously enjoys his food.

Maybe if I actually did stop what I was doing and devote my full attention to eating [instead of grabbing a bite on the run all the time, or reading or watching TV at the same time], I might be able to share his attitude. At any rate, I like it a lot!

And cake? Cake is necessary! Right? Right?!

Playtime

"Allow children to be happy in their own way, for what better way will they find?" ~Samuel Johnson

We now get more Sunday time with the kiddoes because of our [fabulous] new church schedule. We go from 9-12, then have choir practice, come home for lunch and a change of clothes, and then we get to have Maya and Mason here to play in the afternoon.

I was fascinated [but not surprised, because kids traditionally prefer an old cardboard box over just about anything else] to watch them having fun with not the big blocks that we store in this tub, but the tub itself.

Kids are the smartest. Ever.

Our new Primary theme this year is wonderful: "I Know My Savior Lives". Just the thought of addressing this topic [in many different ways and aspects] this year humbles me. What a blessing to be able to teach this concept to a group of Primary children that already have hold of my heart. To share my testimony and insights with them will be a gift, and to help them grasp that concept and testimony will be even better.

I do know He lives, and I know that He loves each one of us, imperfect as we are. But what I really know is that He has a special place in His heart for the children. There are so many children who don't know Him and won't be taught about Him and that thought hurts my heart when I consider it. But it makes me so grateful for the chance I have been given to work on internalizing that concept even more deeply for myself, and the chance to help the children I love so dearly learn to take it into their own lives and hearts.

I'm excited about our new Primary year!!

picture above by Liz Lemon Swindle -- and just an FYI -- it now hangs in my family room, a thoughtful and precious Christmas gift from Chris and Natalie. I kind of get a lump in my throat every time I look at it!!

2010

"I complain that the years fly past, but then I look in a mirror and see that very few of them actually got past."~ Robert Brault

Happy New Year!! It seems to me that 2009 has been a rough year in many ways: unemployment, illness, family problems, *(and the list goes on!) but there has been so much to be grateful for as well. We have a wonderful family, we've been pretty healthy, the Church is still true and in general, life is a happy time for all of us.

My hopes for 2010 includes more time with Mark, our family and especially the precious little grandkiddoes we already have - and enjoying a brand new little girl who will arrive sometime in May. Also to continue to be blessed by the gift of Primary - I love and appreciate the opportunity I have to be with some of the most outstanding leaders and teachers in our ward (you know who you are - -love you!), and especially our Primary children. There truly is a spirit there that you won't find anywhere else. I honestly believe that if the Savior came to church, he'd check in at the Bishop's office and then head down to the Primary room to be with the kids. I am so thankful that I still get to be a part of Primary in our ward. Other things? A visit to see my parents in Alberta, a Mason reunion in Missouri - -and who knows what else? Hopefully a new house that we can love and never have to move again.

I just know that I am richly blessed, I am utterly grateful and can't wait to see what happens next. Except on my face, of course!! (*see above quote!) Ha!

Belonging

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." ~Mother Teresa

Happy New Year to each one of my friends, in-person or blogging friends. It doesn't matter -- I do feel that we all belong to each other. My wish and hope is that we all remember that. We truly are all family.

Love you all!

** The above pic is exactly how I feel about New Year's Eve parties -- this year, we are doing a movie and dinner with family and early to bed. That's my idea of fun!

It's Christmas??

Holy cow, the time has flown [again!]. And in 2 days, it will be Christmas. I'm not sure how it happened. There has been plenty going on: we had Maya, Mason and Simon with us for 5 days while their mom and dad took a trip to Utah and we had a wonderful time. They were very glad to see mom and dad when they returned, but I like to think they felt pretty comfortable here too.

Our ward choir did a truly beautiful program on Sunday. I have the privilege of playing for the choir and privilege is the right word. Our director Becky is amazing. She gets things out of this volunteer ward choir that no one else could - and I will tell you that the program and the music were both touching and beautiful.

Then on to Primary, where I did Sharing Time. I wanted it to be so special, since it was the Sunday before Christmas. I got an inspiration and went with it and the spirit was so strong. Music makes such a difference, and I know the children feel it too. Again, the word 'privilege' is the one that comes to me -- it is such a gift to be with our precious Primary children every week. I love them all.

Then it was our anniversary -- a big one. I have no idea how we got to this point but on December 21, we celebrated our 35th [gulp!] anniversary. We have had such years of adventure together and I'm always grateful for the blessing that Mark is in my life. I love him so much and am so thankful that I got so lucky all those years ago. He's definitely a keeper. Add to that the family we have together, and again, I feel so blessed. We have wonderful children, in-laws and grandchildren who are the frosting on that cake for sure.

Dinner at Chuy's with the Primary presidency [minus Kristen, who was having her baby -- a little girl, as yet unnamed] is another wonderful tradition. I love these 3 women that I have the privilege [there's that word again] of working with. They are dedicated, dependable, creative, funny and loving -- and they put up with me. It doesn't get better than the 3 of them. Do you hear that word again? What a privilege it is to be with them.

So in the middle of all the shopping, celebrating, planning, preparing, I need to make sure I don't forget why we are doing all this. Because that baby was born so long ago, who came to live His life so we could follow Him. And then he willingly gave up that life so that we could live with Him again. I am so grateful.

No greater blessing than that. Merry Christmas, everyone!

[pic is our Senior Primary doing their nativity program several weeks ago]

The Love of a Child

"It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us." ~Charles Dickens

The love of a child is a precious thing. I am thinking of the times I arrive at the homes of our grandchildren and am greeted at the door with a shining face and the world's biggest smile and a huge hug with "Grandma's here!" ringing in my ears. I am thinking of the times when I run into our Primary children somewhere other than church and see the light in their faces as someone says, "It's Sister Mason!" I am remembering the smiles of the neighbor children that I spend each weekday afternoon with. I am thinking of the sweetness of the feelings I have for each of those wonderful children that are such an important part of my life.

They are, even as they grow older, so much nearer to the presence of God than I, at my age am. I feel that divinity in them as I work with them, grow to know them and love them. It's such a blessing and gift to me to be able to be part of the lives of these precious little ones.

And it is surely not a slight thing to be loved by them.