Conference Weekend

Conference was amazing!... But really what else can you ever expect?!? I loved the focus on families, such a wonderful reminder... I always think back when i was growing up how simple life was.  We played kickball in the street, played freeze tag and red rover.  We played in the irrigation water and blind man's bluff at the park.  We could ride our bikes by ourselves down to the park and shop and have no worries about leaving our bikes unattended.  I look at the world today... full of more worldly things, and i hear these horrific stories of bullying and tormented children in schools.  It breaks my heart!!  I have been worrying ever since i had my daughter... how will my children be treated... how will they handle the stresses of life, how will i handle watching them struggle? This conference just boosted my morale!! I felt so comforted hearing the leaders of our church reassure us, that if we focus on our families, love them, support them and participate in family activities... that our homes will be a happy, nurtured,and a safe haven.  Where we can talk about what is bothering us, give each other advice, and simply just be happy!  What i heard this weekend reminded me that if i teach my children the principle of prayer, they will NEVER feel alone even when i can't be of comfort in there trials.  That they may know of their Heavenly Father's love for them... knowing that they can go to him for anything.  If i teach them the principle of kindness, they will know the power of a true friendship... and will learn that it is not always easy, but rewarding.  And if i teach them the power of forgiveness... they will learn to understand the sacrifice that our Savior and brother Jesus Christ has made... to be able to love unconditionally and accept people even when they make mistakes.  To hold family prayer, scripture study and FHE... As often as we are advised to.  It is difficult at times and almost seems redundant to do some of those things, maybe we feel our children are too young.. or it is just too much of a hassle for the same reason.  I know in my heart that regardless of age... your family will be blessed by doing these things!  Personal example... my daughter is not the most reverent child... but she is only 14 months! we try to remind her as ofter as possible when we needs to be reverent and fold your arms.  Usually she fights it when we try to get her to sit still and fold her arms for prayer... we had one night were she sat and folded her arms... that one moment made all the other difficult times worth it.  I know she does not understand, but to us as parents it reassured us that what we are doing is not redundant.  I know that our family will never be perfect... and i'm sure Heavenly Father knows that too... All we can do is our best! Make our homes and families a thing that our children WANT to be a part of... try to make it a place where they feel they can open up to us... so we can know if there are things we need to protect them from... and things that we do just need to sit back and watch them grow from. 

As parents i am sure that we will always worry... but we do need to trust that our Father in Heaven is watching over them even more that we are!