That Thine Alms May be in Secret

As I was reading in 3 Nephi 13, I was struck by the Savior's words on doing alms to the poor and how sometimes we do alms In order to be seen of men. So I started thinking about all the things I do and wondered at the reasons I do them. I think that sometimes I have thoughts in the back of my mind that as I do these things, I am waiting for others to tell me what a wonderful person I am for doing all these things. It made me stop and think, "why am I teaching this lesson"' "why am I teaching my children?"... Am I spending so much time on this lesson so that in will receive compliments and accolades from the students and everyone will know what a great teacher I am, or am I doing so because I want the girls to feel the Spirit and learn the same truths that on have learned from studying this lesson? Do I want my children to be good people and have strong testimonies of the Gospel because I want others to think I am a wonderful mother and teacher or do I do the best I can because I love them and know that they are heavenly Father's children and I want us to be together forever with our Heavenly Father? I would like to think that I do it for the right reasons but, I think that sometimes I do those things for the wrong reasons. So it made me stop and think and examine my motives. I know that I do the things I do for good reasons and sometimes bad, simply because I am human. I also realized that my Heavenly Father loves me and wants to teach me and that he did so through the scriptures. That is why it is so important to study the scriptures so that He can teach me and help me to become more like Him. I know I will try harder to do things for the right reasons.

Random Ramblings

I wish I had the gift of gab like my daughters who seem to be able to blog about anything and everything, but I don't, so I will quit wishing for something I don't have... ha ha fat chance! I have been trying to keep a journal lately because as a presidency we set some goals to do PJS on a personal level (Prayers, Journal, Scriptures) everyday. I have been working hard at doing that and it has been going pretty well. So I think I will just share some things from my journal lately:

March 12: We went to the temple today with our youth. It was really nice. All but one of our active girls were there, so that was cool. We had set a goal to get everyone there, so we came pretty close. The kids had donuts and milk in the cafeteria afterwards and seemed to enjoy that, even when they dropped a chocolate donut on the carpet. Yikes! Good thing we had Mike Grant to clean up.

March 13: We had Ward Conference today. Bishop Hyde talked about tithing and how important it is. He told us of the blessings of paying tithing and some experiences of paying tithing. It was a good talk. President Caldwell talked about being pure and making good choices. President Steenbakkers talked to the youth about dating and relationships. He had some really good information about it. We had a good time visiting with the kids tonight. I am really blessed with wonderful kids! They have such a good grasp on the Gospel and I can see their testimonies growing each day. I am very thankful to the Lord for sending such great children.

March 14: Keesha and Sean have been home for Spring Break. Keesha decided to paint a mural on Savanna's wall with a BYU theme (big surprise there). It is looking really good. Sean did the BYU logo, which turned out really good. I'll post a picture of it when I get a minute. For FHE, we filled out March Madness brackets and Doug gave the lesson. He talked about enjoying life the good times, because we all know there will be bad times so that we can grow and become stronger because of our weaknesses. That kind of worries me a little, because our life is really good right now, no major problems or anything like that.

March 20:  Mat has been playing little league basketball and having lots of fun. They haven't won any games yet.

March 21: Today was kind of boring.

March 22: I didn't do much today.

March 23: We had mutual and the kids practiced their skit for the Stake Talent show. I think it is going to be good. Not much else is going on.

I can see by some of my entries that I need to do more so life won't be so boring. I'm sure I bored all with this, but I thought I should say something on here once in a while. Well, life is good and I hope it stays that way for a long, long time!

Goin' to the Zoo...

A long, long time ago... in the age of summer, the Savage family took a trip to Colorado to enjoy some fun with the family. We went to a Braves/Rockies game which didn't turn out so well! but, we did have lots of fun watching and enjoying the family. The next morning before driving home, we went to the Denver Zoo. The kids had a great time and the weather was just right... not too hot, not too cold.

Coming into the BIG CITY :)

Coor's Field

J-Hey

I think they are very intent on the Game...

Our awesome signs

A.J. thought it was great :)

Jax not so much...

Ranee` and Jax

The ever picture happy Mat...

These are just pic from the Zoo...

The Middle School had a lip sync contest last Thursday night.... I just wanted to share what my very talented daughter and her friends did to earn a 3rd place finish. Let it be said, that 'I' think they deserved 1st place, however, to be fair the other acts were good.... :) I don't think anything else needs to be said.... Let the video speak for itself :)

My Post

I would post some awesome pictures of our trip to Colorado.... but someone lost my memory stick adapter, so I have to wait til the new one comes.... But, we did have a great time! :)

Homecoming :)

Well, it's finally time to blog again… I've been waiting the mandatory 2 months J

Seriously, though, we had a great time going to the airport to pickup Sean. It was great to see him again after 2 whole years. He didn't change much in looks, (he told us he was fat) but, I saw a huge change inside him. He had to speak to the missionary prep class on the Sunday following his return and I'm not even saying this just because I'm his mom… But, he gave the best talk I have heard in a long time (at least since one of my other boys came home from a mission). He gave a great lesson and talk. After he spoke, Brother Simmons ask doug and I to say a few words about how Sean's mission has affected our family. All I could say was that everything was good. I also told them that this was NOT the same boy I sent out… I had sent out a boy and a man had returned. I'm sounding too much like a proud mom, but hey… this is my blog and I can say what I want J

We made t-shirts that spelled WELCOME HOME on them… Sean was kind of embarassed…

"Is he really coming? He'd better not pull a Jordan!"

Cheering, clapping…. I think I was a little shakey when I took this pic…

And here, too… J

He's looking a little embarrased by the t-shirt show…

"Can I get back on the plane and go back to Indy?"

"Who are all these people, anyway?"

Now, that's a great smile…

"Ok, mom, you can quit taking pictures, now"

He still has the laugh…

It has been great having him home. He has the usual missionary preachiness… ha, ha, but I think we'll keep him.

So, it's time to let go... Not a fun thing to do! Someone asked me if graduation got any easier with the younger kids... I said NO! It actually gets harder because you house is getting emptier. They also asked me if Keesha was the 3rd or 4th one to graduate... ha, ha, ha, ha... I said she was number 6! Oh, yeah, you do have lots of other kids! :) Maybe that means they aren't around enough... But, it is easier knowing that Keesha will be at Powell for a year, so she'll be around a lot. It also makes it double hard to lose her because she is my Laurel President (make that was) and she really did her job well. She was like my 4th counselor ;) and now I have to train someone new! I guess that comes with the territory :) 

She's just lovin' it :)

  

Her two escorts.... I think she's cuter than them :)

They're just really excited to get their picture taken :)

(Mykel & Keesha)

So Proud :)

 

Now that's how she really feels!