A Child's Prayer

I love praying with my children. I love finding my children praying. And I love hearing the sweet desires of their hearts through prayer.

Last night Draco was saying the prayer before we had our dinner. It was so sweet. He prayed Dad could come home safely. I love that we pray for family members. I often pray that Dad can come home safely. We always want our family safe. And especially when they aren't with us. I am so glad that he picked up on this important lesson: Dad needs our prayers. And I love that his 7 year old heart wants his dad to be safe and is thinking about him when he is not there.

He prayed for baby Ruthie. I met Ruthie's mom on Facebook. Her daughter has Ostepetrosis, a horrible condition we once thought baby girl had. Last month Ruthie received her bone marrow transplant. We prayed for her and her surgery. And we have been continuing to pray for her. But with family prayers (morning and night) and blessings on our meals, I don't always remind my children who needs our prayers. It softens my heart to know Draco is thinking about Baby Ruthie. And still praying for her. My children's prayers are usually fairly short (Yoda was just complaining that mine are always too long) I am so happy Draco is thinking of others.

He prayed for our dear friend's daughter Sofi. She was adopted over a year ago by my dear friend. They thought she had spina bifida, like their son, but her medical conditions were were actually much different. Poor Sofi has been in the hospital and dealing with infections and surgeries.

He prayed for the polar bears. This he learned from our oldest son Gandalf. Apparently Polar Bears are in trouble. Following his brothers example he prayed for the polar bears to be okay.

And he prayed and thanked Heavenly Father that baby girl is learning to walk.

Other things he will pray for is having a yummy dinner, that we can play and have fun, for the apostles who are sick, and that are happy baby sister isn't in the hospital. He will pray we can play the game he wants or have the dessert he wants. He prays that he can be resurrected someday and not have to have insulin anymore. He prays for Kycie, a girl who has type 1 diabetes and is having a hard time with it.

A child's prayer is so sweet and sincere. I love listening to their faith. I love hearing the desires of their heart. And I love the lesson we can learn when we pray for others. I love how our love for others grows when we pray for them. We need to teach our children to pray. Even from a young age. I love that my kids turn to prayer when they loose things. I love that they are learning and practicing who to turn to when things are hard. And when things are good.

I know all our prayers are heard. Heavenly Father cares about the small things. He knows how important Pokemon, Star Wars, and polar bears are to my children. And He listens. And my children's hearts are more fully turned to Him when they pour out their hearts. I know he hears my prayers. And no request or feeling is too small or too unimportant. I know my heart is more turned to him when I pray. I am so thankful for prayer. And the answers that come. I am thankful for the prayers of my children, said and unsaid. I am thankful they are learning to think of others and show their faith.

Sunday Thoughts

Lately I have been reflecting on the blessings of fasting. In my faith we fast on the first Sunday of the month. We abstain from food and drink for 2-3 meals. We also give a fast offering, money that goes towards the poor or persons in need. Fasting isn't just about not eating. During this time we should pray and have our hearts open towards what we are fasting for. And you don't have just fast on the first Sunday.

It's best not to fast when you are pregnant or nursing. That being said, in the last 10 years I have only been able to fast for two years or so. It's hard to remember to fast or get back in the habit in between children. I have been trying to improve in that area because sometimes I would get to church only to realize it was the 1st Sunday. I have had wonderful experiences fasting since I was a youth but I am so thankful that I have been reminded of how much I love fasting. Not that I love not eating. I absolutely love food. But I love the peace I feel and the increased love I have for others when I fast.

Fasting blesses lives and gives us an opportunity to sacrifice and show our Heavenly Father that we want to do our part in helping others. I have been blessed to fast for those around me in the past months. Our ward, or church group, held a fast for a ward member whom I have never met. It was amazing the love I felt for this person as we fasted as a family.

I am thankful I was able to fast for another friend with hard medical problems. Our family was praying for him daily. And we were able to fast for him and his upcoming surgery. We prayed and fasted for certain things like guiding the surgeons to make the best choices for him. What a blessing and great cause for rejoicing when we could see him making great progress. I don't think my personal fasting changed the course of his life, for I know there were many people praying and fasting on his behalf. But my love for him increased. My compassion increased. My heart was turned more towards my Savior. And I am thankful for that experience.

Some times life doesn't end with a miracle. Or at least not the one we were hoping for. Someone who I really admired, and whom are family was praying for, went home early to our Father in Heaven. And some might think that fasting maybe doesn't work. Or it didn't make a difference. But I know The Lord hears our prayers. And sometimes His will must be done. There are hard things on this earth. I am thankful that I was able to fast for him. My love for him and his wife increased.

I know fasting is personal. And I am not trying to boast or say how great I am because I am finally fasting again. But I wanted to share that I am glad to remember what a blessing fasting is. I encourage you to fast and see the power and love that comes from it. I know fasting can help us spiritually prepare. I can help us to be more in tune with the Holy Ghost. It can help us overcome additions and hard things. It can help miracles to come to pass. We can fast for our children, spouse, family, friends, and neighbors. We can fast to express our gratitude. We can seek guidance and help. We can fast as an extended family or a group of friends.

I hope that you will find fasting a blessing in your life no matter what faith you have.
Happy Sunday!

Baby Girl's 1st Cookie and Sunday Thoughts

Tonight seemed like the perfect night to have my baby girl try her first cookie. I thought she might enjoy a gingersnap and seeing how my friend Judy makes the best Gingersnaps we had to use her recipe.

Ginger loved it! When I tried to pull it away, she tugged it back. Her older brothers were so excited she got to eat her first cookie. And they were excited to eat some as well. Some how as I was taking pictures of my girl little Yoda got a cookie even though he didn't eat his dinner.

Last week our Bishop (our local leader of my church) asked us to join him in fasting for a family in our ward that has some pretty big things going on right now. He shared how he has personally felt strength when others have prayed and fasted for him.

I have no idea who this family is. But my heart was touched. Because I too have felt the quiet strength that comes when you are being sustained by the prayers of others I knew our family should join. The first time I can remember feeling supported by others was when our second son was admitted to CHOC. He was 3 years old and we were pretty sure he had diabetes. I knew his numbers weren't good and our good friend told us we needed to get him there. 

While in the hospital room I was reflecting on what was happening. I thought about how much my husband and I were praying for him. And then I felt it. The quiet power when others, who love you, are offering prayers on your son's behalf. And not just mentioning it as a after thought at the end of their prayer, but sincerely petitioning on his behalf with full heart. In the coming weeks, people were telling me how they are praying for our brave son. I remember my dear Stake President telling me he put his name on the prayer roll at the temple. I know he is so busy and has stewardship over hundreds and yet he was concerned about my little 3 year old. It made me love and appreciate them so much more. It made me want to be better about sincerely praying as a family for others.

And of course I felt the peace, love, and prayers when we were in the NICU with our baby girl. She was so loved. So many prayers offered for her from all faiths. People who had never met her seeking the Lord to heal and care for her. My heart was so touched. And I know it made a difference.

Our experiences help us to have more compassion and love for others. I am so thankful for all those who have offered prayers for myself and my family. And I was more than happy  to extend my love to this family that I never met. My oldest son is having a hard time with fasting. And he promised last week he would join us (for at least 1 meal).

Before we started our fast I asked my husband to find a video to help our children prepare and understand this great work that we were doing by fasting. I hope this video inspires you as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qQApICCALo


This video above was perfect to invite the spirit and testify that we can all do good things and look for service. I am so thankful for so many people who have served and prayed for me. Our eldest had a good experience with his fast. It was hard, but I think he felt good. And, extra blessings arrive tonight by way of yummy brownies from a member of our church who wanted to welcome us to the ward.  I know that we can look for ways to serve and help others and find true happiness. I know praying and fasting for others can bring strength and peace. I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who hears our prayers and answers them.