Write My Name On It!

  

My three-year-old has been coming to me several times a day with a random treasure in her hand.  "Mom!  Can this be mine forever?"  She asks breathlessly.  Then, before I can answer, she adds, "Write my name on it, OK?"



The object she REALLY NEEDS can be as something as insignificant as a rock or a sticker, or as 'important' as the birthday present her sister just received the day before.

Sometimes I'll stop what I'm doing and write her name on the back of a snail, or dollar-store toy, and sometimes I remind her that she is holding something that belongs to someone else.  (Whereupon she will innocently persist, "Just write my name on it, OK?")  

Because once it has her name on it, the case is closed and it belongs to her forever, apparently.

I was thinking about how Jesus stated, "I have graven thee on the palms of my hands" --Isaiah 49:16  and that He also asks us to enter into His fold and take His name upon us, thus becoming Christians.


Even a three-year-old understands how important the concept is.  

It's amazing to me that my Savior would even want me to belong to Him forever, and yet He humbly asks me, waits, and never compels.  I'm honored to take His name upon me, and hope that I will never forget Who owns me.

This morning as I snuggled with Little A she said, "Mom, I sure do love you!"  I responded, "You are mine forever, and I am gonna write my name on you!"  (Maybe I should show her my stretch marks and let her see she's already left her mark on me.)

The gospel of Jesus Christ is sometimes unbearably sweet.

Standing Up for Jonas Part 2

We celebrated autism awareness day by making necklaces in Sarah's class! Each kid made two necklaces--one for Drew's friends (Drew Elliott and Friends) and one to exchange with a classmate. They also watched a video about autism. Here's a picture of half the class--the other half were "Early Birds" and they left before I could get a picture of them. We talked about being kind to EVERYONE!
You made 30 new friends today, Drew! (And Jonas knows that his class will always stand up for him, now!)

Standing up for Jonas

I haven't ever used my children's names on this blog, but today we're talking about Sarah, and I'm using her real name.

The other night she came to me terribly upset.  She was crying, and had been writing her feelings.

There is a boy in Sarah's class at school named Jonas who is autistic.  He's being tormented by some of the "cool" kids in her class, and Sarah just couldn't take it any more.

Sarah has recently been very touched by a boy named Drew who is autistic.  We were friends with the family when we lived in Idaho, and had done some respite care for him.  We've been following his story on Facebook, and he's recently been having quite an adventure with friends.

Drew's mom is one of the most Christian women that I know.  She is a devoted mother and friend, and has blessed many lives through her willingness to share the struggles, humor and hope of autism.

Sarah wrote a letter to her classmates, and then with Jonas' consent and her teacher's permission had the courage to stand before them and read it.  (Then she was embarrassed because she cried in front of her whole class.)

Here it is in her own words.  Sarah is my hero.  (Some of her facts are shaky, but that's OK.)

Standing Up for Jonas

"My family used to babysit this kid named Drew.  He broke my toys, threw tantrums and basically drove me nuts.  What I didn't know is that Drew has Autism.  Autism spectrum disorder, ASD, or normally, Autism, are terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.  This can mean that people with autism can have difficulties with interacting socially, have trouble communicating, and sometimes it is hard for them to behave.  Well, one day after we moved away, my mom told me a story about Drew.  I'll tell it as best I can.  

One day Drew went around in his class and asked kids, "Will you be my best friend if I make you a BFF necklace?"

All the kids said no.  He went home after school and told his mom.  His mom took him out to a restaurant.  They ordered and Drew's mom told the waiter what happened.  There was a group of construction workers at the restaurant and the waiter told them the story.  The construction workers came over and said, "We'll be your best friend."  Drew's mom posted it on Facebook and more than 300 people responded.  All of them said yes.  People helped make Drew bracelets and delivered them.  I got one and so did my family. 

(See pictures of us wearing our friendship necklaces below.)

Anyway, this isn't about Drew, it's about Jonas.  Jonas also has autism.  You guys didn't know that, but you still tease him.  You avoid him, talk behind his back, mock him, and it's just totally cruel.  You need to think about how he feels before you do anything to him.  He's a normal kid, too.  He's just misunderstood.  You need to stop this teasing, or you'll make the rest of his school year miserable.  So stop."

 For more about Drew's life, find and friend him on Drew Elliott and Friends.  As of today, he has 3,798 friends.

 Sarah,  we can't any of us do everything, but we can all do SOMETHING.   Because of you, one more child in the world will know he had a friend.

LIL' MAMA GETS LAGOONED!

Lil' Mama is in her first full-length play, and we finally got the pictures back:

She's the pirate on the far left.

She was also the hilarious granny with the walker.  She stole the show!

Love that girl!  Next show is "Willie Wonka Jr." where she will play an Oompa Loompa.

New Sunday Conferencing Format

I try to chat with each child on Sundays, asking them to keep a Sunday journal as we talk.  I have kept good notes, but the kids won't use their notebooks.  

SO, I will now give each child one of these to fill out each Sunday, and then try to talk about the stuff that they thought most important.  Either way, they will be journaling, I will have an agenda, and all will be right in the world.  I usually serve candy as we conference and study Preach My Gospel.  Now, the filled out form will be the prerequisite to any candy distribution.

SUNDAY CONFERENCING WITH MOM

Name____________________Date________________

Answer all questions with at least one word, please.  Then choose 3-4 that you’d like to be sure to share.

Short journal entry of the week:

1.  What was the BEST part of your week?

2.  What was the WORST part of your week?

3.  What goal(s) did you accomplish?

4.  Tell about a healthy choice you made.

5.  Tell about a way that you served.

6.  Tell about a time when you felt the Spirit.

7.  How are you doing with scripture study, prayer, patriarchal blessing study?

8.  Personal Progress, Scouting, Faith in God.

9.  Finances—goals and accomplishments.

10.  Do you have anything you want to talk about with me or Dad?  Do you need anything?  Calendar items.

11.  What was your job this week?  How did you do?

12.  What are your jobs this week?

13.  How is school?

14.  What do you hope to accomplish this week?

*In Dec of 2014 I modified this, and now I write each child a short note at the beginning of their conference sheet each week. I also personalized each child's sheet with the questions I ask, and I add comments to some of the questions.  All the stuff I add is in read.  Then, as we conference, I can personalize things better.  I also punch holes in the paper and am saving them all in a binder.  I have a conference sheet for myself, and I introduce an 'organizing minute' and a little theme and message.

Good News!

                             
At the beginning of each year, during Family Night, we pass around a copy of our thoughts on the Book of Mormon from the previous year.  Each child is encouraged to review his/her testimony, and to make any changes they wish for the new year.  I update it, and then we have something to place in any Book of Mormon copies that we feel impressed to give to friends.  I decided to post the page this year.  Anyone who wants to know more, comment with your address, and we'll send you one.  (Then I'll quickly erase your personal information.  Or you could e-mail me jerianna@msn.com.)  Their real names are used, but not on the blog.

If you had good news, wouldn't you want to share it?

Jesus Christ has restored His gospel, with all of the pieces that have been changed or removed throughout the years since His death.  His authority to minister is on the earth again; and as we prepare for the 2^nd coming of Christ, we would like to share with you a record that has been translated by a Latter-Day Prophet—another witness of Him—given by people who lived on the American continent.  Our family loves the Book of Mormon!

We want to share the peace, hope and joy that we have found from the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Liz (19 yrs) 

“The Book of Mormon is a wonderful book.  It is another testament of Jesus Christ that is tied with the Holy Bible.  It tells about the people on the American continent.  It tells about the Lord's "other sheep which are not of this flock."

I know that it is true and was really written by the Lord's prophets that lived in those times.  I know that if you study it and ponder what it has to say, then your lives will be blessed and you will have a greater understanding on God's love for you and all his children.  The Book of Mormon has blessed my life and made me a more wonderful person than I would have been without it.  If you read it and then pray to the Lord, then you will find a great happiness and will know it is true.  We love you and hope that you will have happy, blessed lives; even if you choose not to read it.”

Mr. Cool (17 yrs)  

“The Book of Mormon is a true account of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Americas, and recounts how Jesus came and visited his, “Other Sheep” from the house of Joseph.  The Book of Mormon is a good book.  It is the most true book ever and it inspires me.  Joseph Smith restored the gospel.  Jesus came to the Americas.  Families can be together forever. It is true.”

Lil' Mama (15 years)

“I am a child of God.  He lives and loves us.  I know His arms are open to all, and we can communicate with Him through prayer.  The Book of Mormon is God’s words to us.  It is a testimony of Christ, alongside the Bible.  Joseph Smith restored the Book of Mormon and the Priesthood through God.  President Monson is now the prophet and he really does get revelation from God.  Through Christ’s infinite atonement we can return to be with our Heavenly Father through faith, diligence and love.”

Mr. Lamadingdong (13 years)

“I know the Book of Mormon is true, and I know it is another testimony of Jesus Christ like the Bible.  I know that they were prophets.  I also know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us and I love them, and I know the Bible is true, if translated correctly.”

Princess (10 years)  

“I’m recently reading the scriptures myself, and I’m not even halfway done, but wow!  It’s changed my life, and I’m sure that if I read more, I’ll get so many blessings and more life changes.  I know the Book of Mormon is true and it teaches about Jesus.  I love the Book of Mormon and it has great stories!  My favorite scripture is “with the power of the Holy Ghost, you will know the truth of all things.”  --Moroni 10:3-5

I know it is true, because I have the Holy Ghost with me, too.  I would love to see you read the Book of Mormon.”

Sweet P (7 years)   

“I believe that God is real.  I will be baptized when I’m eight years old.  I like the story about Samuel testifying of Jesus Christ from the wall, and the story of Jesus visiting the people in the Americas.”

Little K (5 years)

Is full of balonie and hard to pin down.  She is learning that she is a Child of God, and that she is never alone.  She speaks as a trusting child when she prays, and her prayers are heard.  God keeps his promises.  Obedience brings blessings.  Every family needs a Kate!

Little A (3 years)

Has the attention span of a gnat, but likes to dance around and "hop on pop" during family scripture time.

But even a 3 year-old can feel the Savior’s love for her, and Anna has.  Once in a while when the Spirit of God is strong in our home, Anna will say reverently, “Mom!  I feel like Jesus.”

Anna enjoys the blessings of parents who love her, who are trying to teach her that her life has a purpose and plan.  We want every child to feel the security that she takes for granted. 

THE K FAMILY 2013

Where would I stand?

12/25/2013

I’m reading an insightful little book that a neighbor brought over for us that suggests ways our families can put the Joy of the season back into our homes.

At one point, the author poses the question, “If you could be one character from the Nativity story, who would you want to be?’

 

I went through each character, and even some of the animals in my mind, and none seemed to fit.  After some pondering, here is my answer:

I want to be the lady next door.  The one who gave Mary cookies when she was little, who was her youth-group leader;  taught her about chastity and honesty and truth.  I want to be the one she confided her news to, the one who accepted her story and loved her and gave her a reassuring hug. Who rejoiced with her, cried with her and worried about her.

 

I want to help her pack and get ready for her journey, show her the latest trend in newborn swaddling, pray for her and her new husband, watch over her house while she’s gone, and then prepare it for her return.

I don’t want my name, or even my acts recorded in the scriptures.  I just want to hold the tiny Christ-child while Mary bathes and naps after her journey. 

I’ll bring her dinner one night when he’s three-months old and all the hoopla has died down, when Mary is surely exhausted and discouraged and can’t even brush her teeth.  I'll listen quietly to her story.

 

Then, if she let me, I'd rock Him while she ate, and bury my face in his hair, inhale his Heavenly sweetness, and secretly wish he were mine, as I do with every other baby on the planet. 

And I’d have the wordless joy of one who is an instrument in His hands.  I’ll feel the sacred delight of holding one of God’s children, fresh from His presence.  THE CHILD.

And like the accompanist who knows that if she has done her job, chances are that no one will have noticed her at all, I will honored to be like so many other angels around us, who serve and build and bless in small ways each day, and change the world one little act at a time. 

Christmas Newsletter

2013 Keeley Family Newsletter

In the spirit of Lemony Snicket’s picture book, “13 Words” which we highly recommend, each of us has summarized the story of our year in 13 words.  Truth in advertizing:  Each person was allowed to give some input, and then the MOTHER chose the 13 words. 

 

Prince:  Family history, scout-master, Ancestry.com, hiking, biking, garden, service, wrapped around little fingers

Hot Mama:  The big 4-0, Zupas, goodreads.com, jerianna.blogspot.com, HEALTHY!, content, important, snuggly, amorous, laundry

L:  College, artistic, hilarious, music, bookworm, fangirl, smartical, animal lover, dancer, survivor, insightful, friend

Mr. Cool:  Casanova, unemployed, university student, football, basketball, stud-muffin, “Strong, silent type,” rarely home

Lil' Mama:  StuCo (Student Council—counts as one word), A Capella, “Lagooned”  actress--Granny/Pirate, hiker, chef, aspiring phone owner, socialite

Mr. Lamadingdong:  Dominion board game Supreme Champion, pizza lover, football, night games, aspiring Eagle, scholar

Princess:  kitty-maker, horse riding, reading, writing, Great American 5^th Grade Challenger, piano, artist

Sweet P:  math genius, choir, preparing for baptism, styles own hair, piano, fun with friends

Little K:  Kindergarten, biking, gardening, Daddy’s Girl, crocheting, hilarity, My Little Pony, delicious, hysterical, fishing

Little A:  Princess, potty, cross-eyed, swimming, kitties, big-girl bed, “You’re my BEST friend!”