{peace}

I've had time to think lately, and it's been rejuvenating. 

Our little family is coming to 'a bend in the road' as one friend has termed the phrase, meaning change is just around the corner...

We're growing.  Spritualy.  Physically.  Mentally.  Emotionally.  Each one of us in this teeny, tiny apartment, is learning, growing, and working towards a common goal:  Being an Eternal Family.

Some days we do better than others.  Some days I downright feel like a failure.  Lately, I feel peace when my simple chores are done, things are picked up, and I'm playing with my boys, teaching them, learning from them.  I feel most at peace when the Spirit is in our home. 

We have done a pretty good job at holding regular and consistent Family Home Evenings, along with family prayer each evening.  However, we've been missing out on many blessings because of our lack of family scripture study.  Who am I kidding...it's probably my lack of personal study, too.  I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's true; I've been slacking.

I recently read the following from the Visiting Teaching Message for March. 

President Thomas S. Monson said,

"A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them."

Just thinking about the tigers my children are going to have to wrangle in the coming years honestly scares me silly.  Both Tanner and Taylor are at such impressionable ages, now is the perfect time to do what we've known we should have been doing all along.  Not only participating in personal study and reflection of the Savior and the Scriptures, but sharing these plain and simple truths with our children...by reading to them, being an example, and by sharing our own testimonies.

I have fond memories growing up of watching my mother and father not only read, but study, pray, ponder, teach, and testify of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Even now, during a weekend visit, my mother can be found at the kitchen table with her scriptures before her.  I look forward to being THAT kind of parent to my own children.  Even the kind of parent who drags sleeping children from their beds to read as a family before the day begins and everyone gets too busy getting ready, eating breakfast, and off to activities. 

So in keeping it real, my goal this coming week, is to participate in my personal scripture studies the way I know I should.  No more skimming.  No more quick reads.  Really studying. 

I have no doubt that after doing this for my own growth, I will feel even more {peace}.