"Disappointed......."

Tonight was a warm Monday evening. It's actually one of my favorite nights. It is Family Home Evening night! A night dedicated to spending with my little family, to teach one another, talk with one another, and to especially love one another. A chance to invite others over and share our love, message, and spirit with!

Tonight my Native American sisters came over and made us a wonderful fry bread dinner. My husband made dessert and I taught the lesson. In our home tonight was Gene (my lil brother), Toa (my nephew), Muzz (our friend), Billie and her husband Felipe (friends), and my husband.

Every Family Home Evening after the song, scripture, thought, and lesson my husband and I take turns speaking. It is usually about our week, how our past weekend was, how we can be better, what can we do different, discussing our goals, and than of course expressing our love for one another and whoever is in our home at the time! Well tonight as we went around the room giving everyone a chance to speak, we get to Muzz, who is a non-member, and as she spoke I could feel tears coming down. Just as they are right now. Muzz thanked us for inviting her over and for loving her no matter our differences. Differences of our Religions and beliefs. But what really got to me is when she said that it is hard for her to find friends around here who will accept her for her, a non-member!

HOW could people be so close minded!? I told Muzz I loved her because it was the right thing to do, not because of what she believes or doesn't believe! My heart ached for her, and I just started crying. I could not believe that this beautiful, smart, funny, athletic girl had a hard time finding friends JUST because of her difference in religion. If anything, WE are the ones that should be embracing her, not only her but everyone who doesn't believe in what we Latter-Day Saints believe. Our duty isn't to judge, it's just to love. How are we supposed to bring the lost sheep to the fold if we can't even love them before we know them???

All we need to know about this beautiful girl is that she is a daughter of God.

Our Heavenly Father has said in very plain terms that he who says he loves God and does not love his brother is not truthful.

There needs to be more love!

"SO INNOCENT"

I believe everything happens for a reason. If Sister Kuaea (my friend and neighbor) didn't leave town for the weekend I would have never had the AMAZING opportunity to teach the CTR 6 Class. Sweet, Little, Smart, and very VERY funny primary children, whose ages range from 6-7.

I sure did NOT know what I was in for. If I would've known class was going to be sooo entertaining I would have recorded it...hahahahha!!!!!

LESSON:

"Jesus Christ Was a Child Like Me"

PURPOSE:
To Strengthen the children's desire to be like Jesus Christ by increasing their knowledge of Jesus' childhood.

The lesson is full of discussions, questions, examples of how they have many similarities with Jesus as a child. And so it began, the spirit was definitely present, and I think the spirit was entertained, just as I was. Here we gooooooo......let me introduce these precious spirits!!

NAME: Mataira Brown
AGE: 6...says he's almost 7
PARENTS: Kohlyne and Sasha Brown
FAVORITE FOOD: Pizza
WHAT I LEARN AT HOME: "Clean my moms bed" lol. Since his mom is my cousin I told him, "your mom should clean her own bed" hahahah.
DADS OCCUPATION: Has no clue. So I told him "your dads a lawyer", in response, he just rolled his eyes..haha





NAME: Rayli Galea'i
AGE: 6
PARENTS: Mili & Raymond Galea'i
FAVORITE FOOD: Fruits
DESCRIPTION OF HOME: She says "Outside is brown, and inside is alllllll white!"
WHAT I LEARN AT HOME: "The Gospel"
DADS JOB: "My dad works at the BYU hospital"
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In the middle of class "Miss Aloha" stands up and starts doing a hula!! hahahha
At the beginning of class she says "I'm in a different class, I switched to be in this class today" OMG this girl is too funny!!
And when Konrad named the 1st Pres of the United States she raises her hand and says "I know who the 16th president is, it's Abraham Lincoln"....Rayli is so smart!


NAME: Rita Jennings
AGE: 6
PARENTS: Norma & Lucky Jennings
FAVORITE FOOD: Fruits
WHAT I LEARN AT HOME: "When me and my mom are watching tv and we see a shake in the movie my mom always says "that's what I do at work...make shakes"" lol "That's what I learn"
MY MOMS JOB: "She makes the shakes"
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Rita was so reverent in class, she raised her hand for every question, and she had lots and lots of questions!! Hmmm she must get that from her dad hahha!!!




NAME: Luke Atuaia
AGE: 7
PARENTS: Sara & Donny Atuaia
FAVORITE FOOD: Chicken
DADS JOB: "He's a teacher, and he teaches Spanish"
WHAT I LEARN AT HOME: "I learn the scriptures, and my dad teaches me Spanish too"
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We talked about not doing bad things because Jesus didn't do bad things. One of the bad things Luke said we shouldn't do is COMMIT ADULTERY!
LUKE: "Can I tell the class what that means?"
ME: Ummm sure. (lol)
LUKE: Committing adultery means that when you get married you should only love the person that you get married to and no one else".....aww this was so sweet!! Great job Luke!
As soon as Luke asked to explain, Konrad yells "Nooottttt again!", while Rayli plugs her ears!! Hahahha

Luke knew every answer, and Konrad said it was because "He has a lot of church movies and he watches them alllllllllllllll the time" (while rolling his eyes) hahahahah

NAME: Konrad Taotua
AGE: 6
PARENTS: Eugenia & Fui Taotua
FAVORITE FOOD: Bruce Lee Cake
WHAT I LEARN AT HOME: The scriptures and Bruce Lee.
MY DADS JOB: "He makes lots and LOTS of money", "I'm poor so I want a job so I can be rich" hahhahaha
DESCRIPTION OF HOME: "My house looks like an aquarium, it's where all the animals come"
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ME: "Who is the Prophet?"
KONRAD: "Thomas S Monson, AND I know George Washington was the first President of the United States, and Barrack O Bama is the United States president right now"
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ME: Class what treats would you like next Sunday since you guys were so good today?
Kids: Cupcakes, candy, rice krispies, etc
Konrad: "I don't want treats, I don't want to be diabetic" hahahahahah
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These kids have probably taught me more than they know. In the process of teaching them, they taught me so many things. I understand more fully Mosiah 3:19 "...........becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father."

These precious gifts from Heaven are just so perfect to me. I do believe we should all be like little children. For they love without question, forgive without hesitation, answer questions honestly, and strive to be just like Jesus .

Through all the laughter and shouting of "I WILL CHOOSE THE RIGHT", I found myself shouting "I WILL CHOOSE THE RIGHT". These little children learned that they have parents like Jesus, they eat foods like Jesus, they learn in the home like Jesus, they have hard working parents like Jesus, they have a bed to sleep in like Jesus, they have friends like Jesus, and that they definitely love like Jesus.

I am forever grateful for the opportunity I had to teach them. I can just imagine the love and care they add to each and every one of their homes to make it a little piece of Heaven! I love these kids and admire their parents and teachers who have taught them well!!!

"......BECOMETH AS A CHILD......."

"Hypnotic Eyes"

Getting ready for bed tonight I fell on my knees to get ready for prayer, which is our usual routine. And as usual my husband is still on the bed waiting for me to say "Knees hunny!". As I looked up at him to tell him, his eyes caught my eye! The light was shining on those beautiful caramelish-walnut eyes! The eyes that I fell in love with. I just stared at him and I asked him NOT to move so I can keep staring at him. And of course he moved....LOL!I mean seriously.....LOOK at those beautiful eyes!! ^^^^^^^^^

We said prayer and right before turning off the lights I held his face in my hands and just stared into his eyes. I guess I love them so much not only for the beauty of them but for the memories that it gives me.

When my husband and I first started dating there was this moment that I will never forget. We were driving around West Valley one day (his hometown). It was a sunny, beautiful day. I loved looking at him while he drove, which drove him nuts LOL. As he turned to tell me to stop staring at him, the sun hit his eyes and it was the first time I realized just how light brown his eyes were. They were absolutely beautiful. If silky caramel was a color THAT is what it would look like!

From that day I would always stare into his eyes. There's something about those eyes that hypnotizes me every time! My knees get weak and my heart skips a beat! I just LOVE those eyes of mine!