Weekend recap

So this weekend was a busy one. Scott and I were asked a few months ago to be in charge of our Ward Variety Show. After many weeks of planning, Saturday was the big day. I have to say, I thought it was a success, although a little rough around the edges. Scott's personality has always been-"You can't stress, I'll handle it! It will all work out." And mine is more "Yes, I can and will stress. I will oversee you to make sure you are handling it. And it will all work out if you make it work out." So, we are a good match. He worries tremendously too much about how stressed I am, and I stress that he is not worrying enough about what actually needs to be done. Win, win. And I'm pretty much glad that's over.

Onto Sunday, where I was asked to speak in church. Apparently the rest of the ward was busy this weekend? ;) I felt ok about it even though I told them Scott works for a water supply company and he doesn't. I don't even know what that is, except maybe the Sparkletts man. I loved my topic "Loving God's children", although I feel like it was sort of hard to go wrong. It was a good reminder that I needed. I'm posting my talk because I don't know why. I felt the itch to blog. I think this post might be a bit narcissistic. Sorry. You can insert a few sniffles and crying below where you think is appropriate. 

Good afternoon Brothers and Sisters. My name is Bonnie Sorensen and I have been in this ward for 7 years. I originally moved in the ward with my parents, Terry and Donna Colyar and my two children Grace and Tucker.  I met my husband Scott in the singles ward 4 years ago and after 3 years of being glued at the hip, although not dating, I decided his bad jokes were tolerable and  we could make it official. We were married in April of last year and welcomed a baby girl in March of this year, June Charlotte. Our oldest daughter Grace is 9 and in the 4th grade and our son Tucker is 7 and just started 2nd grade. Scott works for a water supply company as a Service Technician and I am an RN, although currently not working.

I am a Child of God, and He has sent me here

Has given me an Earthly home, with parents kind and dear

Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, Help me find the way

Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday.

I am a Child of God, and so my needs are great

Help me to understand his words before it grows too late

Lead me, Guide me, Walk beside me, Help me find the way

Teach me all that I must do to live with him someday

How familar are those words to us? It is one of the first songs we learn to sing as little children and is quickly memorized by most. And yet, I find myself singing along most often times, without giving thought to the words. What a humble request from a child for us to help them succeed and grow in the life they were given.

The topic I was given was “Loving God’s Children.” How does our Heavenly Father love us? Through blessings, the Plan of Salvation, families, physical bodies, sending his Son to die for us and more. Although, I focused my talk mainly on raising and loving our own children, it is very clear to me how we can use this same concept in our callings, with our neighbors, friends and in our communities. They say it takes a village to raise a child and I can certainly attest to the truth in that saying.

 

When I was 20, I gave birth to my daughter Grace. I felt a love that I never had felt before and a confirmation that this was my divine calling here on earth. This is what I was meant to do.

When I was 21, I suddenly found myself as a single mother with two children under the age of two. Things seemed very bleak at that time, and I struggled with the burden of raising my babies alone. I thank the Lord my children were young enough that they could not see the constant weight on my shoulders, my often tear filled eyes or my heavy broken heart. They only saw their mother-a familar face, their nurturer and comforter. To them, at that time, that is all they simply needed. I was and still am, the closest thing to the parents they knew in Heaven. As they have gotten older, their needs have changed. The physical demands have lessened as the mental and emotional demands have increased. Our conversations have changed from black and white and yes and no answers, to longer, more detailed, often Spirit dependant discussions. I often feel like this is the time where I really have to roll up my sleeves and get to work as a parent. Since deciding not to return back to work after my baby, I am home more during the day and find myself watching the news more frequently than I ever have. My eyes have been opened to the ever growing presence of the Adversary in this world and the need to protect my own children and family.  My children are not always in my sight and often times, not even in the same city  as I am for many days. I feel restless when they are gone and worry constantly about their well being and what temptations they are around. When they are home, I am constantly second-guessing my decision on whether or not I handled that situation the best way, or if I’m speaking to them as I should or paying enough attention to things they may not be telling me. How do I teach them about the gospel and what our expectations are in the home without taking away their agency? How do I help them build a testimony? How do I keep them safe from the temptations of the world?  How do I love them in a way that they see daily?

President Hinckley has said: “You need more than your own wisdom in rearing [your children]. You need the help of the Lord. Pray for that help and follow the inspiration which you receive” (“The Fabric and Faith of Testimony,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 89).

Thankfully, our Heavenly Father has provided us a foundation. In studying for my talk, I was overwhelmed, uplifted and humbled many times by the sheer amount of help we have been given to guide us in raising our families.  From the scriptures, the Family Proclamation, words from our Prophets and Apostles, training videos, to manuals. We are not alone.

Our family-centered perspective should make Latter-day Saints strive to be the best parents in the world. It should give us enormous respect for our children, who truly are our spiritual siblings, and it should cause us to devote whatever time is necessary to strengthen our families. Indeed, nothing is more critically connected to happiness—both our own and that of our children—than how well we love and support one another within the family.

M. Russell Ballard/Oct 2005 Conference

So what is our foundation?

In Helaman 5:12 it reads:

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

I hold this promise close to my heart because I know those mighty winds will come. They have come already for me and my children. They will come again, and again and again. But I know we will be protected if we stay close to our Savior, our foundation.

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.     Family Proclamation

Our children look to us as parents, as leaders, as friends, to lead by example. Even if they don’t seem like they’re paying attention, they see when we are kneeling in personal prayer, going out of our way to serve someone, treating people kindly, dressing modestly, studying our scriptures, honoring our priesthood and being obedient to the commandments, even when it is hard. They remember that for years after.

If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.” (Journal of Discourses,14:192.) L. Tom Perry

When I was younger and in college, I went through a period of time where I struggled with my choices, and along with that, struggled on whether I was going to remain active in the church. As much as I tried to stay away from the church, my thoughts always turned to the things I had been taught, the blessings I had seen, the Spirit I had felt growing up, the Foundation that I knew was true. My dad was a Bishop during my high school and college years and his example of patience, love, kindness and forgiveness taught me I had worth despite my weaknesses. My parents loved me when I was most unlovable. They were both an example of service and obedience through the time they dedicated to the members of our ward in their callings. I had YW leaders that were examples of patience and love as they navigated through the rollercoaster of teenage girls emotions. I had seminary teachers that were examples of perseverance, faith and knowledge as they struggled to touch the hearts of sleepy eyed high schoolers. So yes, Brothers and Sisters, it takes a village, but it starts at home.

President Spencer W. Kimball said: “Our Heavenly Father placed the responsibility upon parents to see that their children are well fed, well groomed and clothed, well trained, and well taught. Most parents protect their children with shelter—they tend and care for their diseases, provide clothes for their safety and their comfort, and supply food for their health and growth. But what do they do for their souls?” (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball [1982], 332).

I pray that we as parents, as grandparents, Aunts and Uncles and leaders can work to help lift the souls of our Heavenly Father’s children. That we can be guided by the Spirit to teach our children the Foundation of this gospel. That we can keep our homes safe havens from the perils of the world. That we can remember the worth of these souls that grace our homes, schools and church hallways. That we can love our children the way that our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother love us.

Testimony