With Kids Like This...

When I first moved into this ward I kept hearing about this family over and over again - about all of the wonderful things that they do for others and how wonderful they are in general. I thought to myself that they were too good to be true and they must have some serious flaw- like the husband is a lousy abuser or something...oh how I was wrong (I am a lot, I'm very aware).

They are the most genuine, sweetest, most giving, loving, good-natured family I've come across in a long time (well, ok using extremes too much can head you in the direction for an out of balance view, but they are pretty darn great people). This is a family of 10 with children ranging from like 22 down to 5 years of age. My husband is the scoutmaster in our ward and they have like 4 boys in the scouts right now with one on the way and they are just the best boys. They always make it to the holidays where they have to put out flags - first thing in the morning and then again at night (yes, Mark has to do this so we can never go anywhere on the holidays unless someone fills in..which they do- the rest of the ward is pretty good too) to earn money for Scout camp. They are very funny boys who do not dress to impress and don't care (in a good way, of course) but are good to everyone. The kids love their parents and their parents are just great good people. I have witnessed no ill-conceived, flagrant self-importance from them- which is fairly unheard of these days for many that I meet (I, myself, always feel the battle)- and they seem very level-headed for their ages.

I asked the mother once how she raised such an exemplary family and she just humbly said that if her kids were good then it was only because she prayed a lot and accepted all the callings offered to her. Again, total lack of the need to be seen as magnificient in the eyes of all.

A few Sundays ago we had a Primary Program (I'm a Primary Teacher for the Valiant 10-12 girls) and we practiced the program before Sacrament began. One of their little girls is shy and was very frightened at having to get up and recite a line she was given. The first Sunday practice her mother (who is also a Primary Teacher) held her steady and she whispered it all the while trying to escape. This past Sunday her mother was absent but her brother who is older was present. When she got up to speak her line she did so alone - in a sob - then fell into the arms of her waiting brother. He cuddled her and patted her back and whispered sweet things to her for the rest of the practice. When the actual time came to recite in front of the audience, she did a great job- no problem.

This isn't the first, second, or even third time that I've personally witnessed this boy in particular looking out for other children with sincere love and humility. I told Mark about it and he added many stories to mine of the service these kids have done for one another as well as others outside their family. They are a truly inspiring bunch - definitely worthy of the praised they are often given. I hope someday to have kids that are always on the look out of what they can do for others - to others with true love and a serving heart!

I feel like there are fewer and fewer women, which I come in contact with, that I can look to for inspiration and the pure love of Christ these days, especially when it comes to child-rearing- but this mother is certainly one of them. There are a handful of others in our ward who I view as exemplary parents (the kind I have a goal to be like) and great people in general. They're the ones who are very active in the ward and in doing good to others, sacrificing some of life's little and big pleasures to meet the needs of others and carry the Spirit with them, and when you meet them out in the street or call them for parenting advice (as I have on more than one occassion thus far) they're always willing to talk to you and share with you their experiences and are concerned for you as much as for themselves. That is the genuine good stuff that society needs so much more of. How often do we see these kinds of parents or families portrayed - in an enligtening and uplifting way- these days? I cannot name one show (though, I do not yet watch Disney- maybe a few of you could recommend some shows that are ok, Slade's only got eyes for Baby Einstein).

With kids (and parents, of course) like this we can really change the world. Man, how I appreciate the worth of fantastic parents who truly love their children and fulfill their roles. That's what this life is all about! Aint it GREAT!!!