Deep Thoughts of the Week

Elder Eyring, one of the apostles, recently said in a talk about teaching Christ's doctrines, "we have the greatest opprtunity with the young. The best time to teach is early, while children are still immune to the temptations of their mortal enemy and long before the words of truth may be harder for them to hear in the noise of their personal struggles.
A wise parent would never miss a chance to gather children together to learn of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Such moments are too rare in comparison with the efforts of the enemy. For every hour the power of doctrine is introduced into a child's life, there may be hundreds of hours of messages and images denying or ignoring the saving truths.
The question should not be whether we are too tired to prepare to teach doctrine or whether it would be better to draw a child closer by just having fun or whether the child is beginning to think that we preach too much. The question must be, "With so little time and so few opportunities, what words of doctrine from me will fortify them against the attacks on their faith which are sure to come?" The words you speak today may be the ones they remember. And today will soon be gone.

On our drive to South Carolina last week Russ and I talked alot about the future. He randomly asked, "so what will our life be like in 2020, about ten years from now." As we thought ahead I realized in 2020 McKay will be serving a mission, Lauren will be graduating from high school, Emma will be getting her drivers license, Sierra will be going to her first Stake Dance and Savannah will be graduating from Primary. We also commented that as McKay turns 9 next month it will mark that 1/2 of his life at home will be over. All these thoughts have really impressed me that I need to make the most of every minute to teach them all they need to know, and to build close relationships now, because the time is going so fast.
I have felt impressed to simplify my life as much as possible, and focus on the important things now. When I'm an empty nester there will be plenty of time for hobbies and leisure, right now I've got little one's to focus on.

P.S. During our drive we also planned our funerals. Just so I don't forget, Russ says he wants the songs "Consider the lilies of the field", and "Lead Kindly Light" sung. I want all our grandchildren to wear white. And I want pretty spring flowers, lillies and tulips, (no red roses) on the casket.