Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven. - Henry Ward Beecher -

Last Sunday Gillian was asked to sing a Christmas song during Sacrament Meeting. She chose an English traditional carol titled The Holly and The Ivy. Since we are not encouraged to record during church services, I asked Gillian if she would sing it for us at home so I could record it and allow the extended members of her family to hear it as well. She happily agreed.





This Sunday was my last Sunday with my Primary class. In two weeks, it will be 2012, and they will be moving up one level with a new teacher. I felt tears in my eyes as I shared my testimony and love for them today in class. I told them of my faith in them for always choosing the right and the special spirit I feel when I'm around them. We've had such a great year learning about the Savior and getting acquainted with the scriptures. My motto with my own children, as well as with these particular children has always been to have high expectations for them and then help them achieve those themselves. Lady Bird Johnson once said, "Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them," and I found that to be true with my Primary class. I will sincerely miss their bright spirits. When I greeted my class today, one of my sweet girls gave me a little present accompanied by a note that she wrote herself. I read it later, and it filled my heart with gratitude. Here is the note: