Thoughts for a Sunday

1st grade Kaj

I am home from church for the second week in a row due to sick kids. Rowan is still recovering from his sickness from the week and it is taking him a little longer to put the smack down on it. For the past month Sam and I have decided to read my grandpa's book, "Reflections." My Aunt Anita lent it to us and it finally made sense to sit down and read it on Sundays so we can, of course, finish it and then return it. We do try to read it with the boys though their attention spans last a page of two, but we feel it still important to try. However, Sam and I are loving it. I have read parts of it in the past and I would skip around the pages but I have never read it consecutively like this. As we read it this morning I felt so thankful that he took the time to do this. I am learning a lot more about him and appreciating the history that is portrayed. I also love that I can really hear his voice when we read it. 

A part that we read today Grandpa was talking about communication and the ability or inability to express feelings. He  told the story about a farmer whose wife had died and when friends and family were visiting after the funeral a friend made the comment to him: "That was a very good woman that was buried today."He replied, 'Yes, she was. I almost told her that a time or two." It reminded me of a talk I read recently from April 2014 General Conference called "What were You Thinking?" It also talked about the way we communicate with each other, and how a "soft answer can turn away wrath." I feel I am decent about communicating and expressing feelings. I also don't think that I raise my voice too much?? But, I do want to pay more attention on how I speak to my kids and others. Do I take time to answer "softly?" I definitely want to try. I want to compliment easily and hope others will  feel uplifted and positive. I want my kids to also compliment their own peers on their accomplishments knowing it does not diminish their own. That you can be happy for other people. I hope I can teach that. 

Reading my Grandpa's book made me think of my blogs and blog books. I wonder what kind of impact my words will have on them. If it will have an impact at all. I will continue to write the stories of our lives down (if I could help it) and hope for the best.