The best gift you can give to your children

Last night we were gathered on the couch for scripture study. We all nestle down at the end of a long day, and we had a "rose-colored glass" moment with our children. You know, those moments when the lights are low, and the Spirit is bright? 

After we finished with our scriptures, the children began asking questions, really good question -- the kind of questions that I LOVE to hear them asking. The older kids were asking deep doctrine questions, while William (my 6 year old) was asking about family history. 

Sammi (age 12) and Daniel (age 10) sat with us while we discussed the signs of the Second Coming. They were a little scared discussing it at first, because some of the signs are pretty frightening. But as we kept talking, they were put at ease, and we discussed the council to "be not troubled". If you are prepared you have no need to fear. One of the points brought up was if you ARE afraid, then maybe you need to consider your relationship with the Lord, and draw closer to Him. Fear can melt away and be replaced with great faith. 

You know, I think discussing the signs of the times is possibly one of my favorite subjects? It is fascinating and wondrous to consider, and behold. And we have to remember that after all the awful, will come the awesome. 

(Awesome as in: breathtaking, awe-inspiring, magnificent, wonderful, amazing, stunning, staggering, imposing, stirring, impressive.) 

Again, if you haven't read The Book of Revelations in the Bible lately, you really should. It is powerful. Read it out loud, with someone you can discuss it with -- that is even better! 

There are frightening events to take place, but also tremendous and glorious events, too. 

One of my favorite signs of the times is Family History work (turning hearts of the children to the fathers). I have felt the energy from this work myself.  And now, it is trickling down to my children. William (age 6) has taken an interest.  He wanted to know all about his great grandpas on both sides. He is particularly fascinated with Captain William van Ormer, a Captain in the Civil War. (Who I did not know about when we chose the name William.) The other day he had me print off a picture of Captain William, and I found it carefully placed underneath his pillow. 

Last night, he asked if he could write a note so we could place it by his grave. His heart is very turned to his fathers. It is amazing to behold in someone so young. But it is also the topic of many of our conversations, and he has been with us on some of our grave site searches -- he has been soaking it in. It is adorable. Children WANT to know who they come from. Tell them the stories, make it fun, be excited about it when you tell them! 

I had a very meaningful moment with William. He sat on my lap, and he looked at me with his big blue eyes and said, "Mom, I'm going to be a soldier like my grandpa." I was taken back for a moment, and then I asked him, "Who would you fight?" he answered, "The bad guys." I took a long look at William with his thick, adorable, blonde hair, and big, innocent, thoughtful, blue eyes, and my heart burned for a moment. I realized in that moment, that eventually, I would have to send my William out into the big world, to find his way. In a unexpected swirl of emotion, I imagined what the mothers of soldiers must feel like when they send their children off to battle. My heart ached. And I felt as if I had an 18 year old man starring back at me for just a moment, through the eyes of my 6 year old. He was telling me that one day he will have to go away from me, and live his own life. Perhaps to fight a battle, perhaps to be a soldier. My precious William. 

In that moment, I felt a sense of urgency as a mother.  

After our deep conversations I wondered . . .what can I teach these beautiful boys of mine? 

What do I teach my beautiful girl? 

What can I do to prepare them for the dangerous world they have to face? How do I best prepare them for the future that awaits? 

My heart opened, and as I had the children gathered around me, it was time to rise-up to my motherly duties and share my testimony of truth with them. These moments come and go, and you HAVE to take them when they are in front of you, even if you are too tried, or not ready for them.  

The thought was rekindled in my mother heart:

The greatest gift I can give to my children is to help them have their own relationship, and testimony, of Jesus Christ. 

As their mother, they are my responsibilty. It is up to me to teach them the things that really matter. 

And though I have done "OK" with this in the past, I feel a renewed sense of urgency to teach them in a more diligent and purposeful way. They are growing too quickly, and the time I have with them is precious to me. Their time under my protective wing is beginning to wane, and I had better teach them to fly on their own. 

I need to do better. I need to be more diligent. 

This new school year will bring with it activities, music, sports, grades, homework, friends, etc. But in all the hustle and bustle of life, I had better take care, and take the time to teach my children the greatest lessons. In all their learning, I had better teach them what is really important. 

Because without a knowledge of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ -- nothing else matters. 

There is no greater gift I can give to my children than my testimony of Jesus Christ.