"Do what is right, let the consequence follow..."

Thomas came home from school on Monday and told me that his team at school (2 classes that switch for various subjects) was going to have a party on Thursday for the end of the quarter.  There were 3 movies for the students to choose from and one of them he knew he could not watch.  He voted for one of the other 2; however, was very disappointed that the movie that received the highest number of votes was the one he knew he should not watch.  He told his teacher that day he would not watch that movie.  As we were talking he also told me that other kids were trying to convince him to just watch it anyway.  Here are some of the things he was told and his responses:

OTHERS:  "Just don't tell your parents.  They'll never know because they aren't in school with you."

THOMAS:  "I don't hide things from my parents and I won't lie to them.  Anyway, I know it is wrong and that is why I am not going to watch it."

OTHERS:  "But, nobody will know you did."

THOMAS:  "I will know.  And, even if my parents never found out, there is someone else that will always know what I am doing."

OTHERS:  "But you'll really like this movie."
THOMAS:  "There's no way I would like watching something that I know I shouldn't be watching."

I was so humbled by him as he was telling me about the situation and ever so grateful that he courageously stood up for what he knew was right.  He said he told his teacher that he would not watch the movie and she told him he could go to a different room to read if he wanted to during the movie.  He was just fine with this alternative.  So, I was talking with him and asked him if he would like me to come and pick him up during this time and we could go do something fun instead and then I would take him back after the  movie was over.  He thought that sounded great. 

I emailed his teacher Monday evening and asked what time the movie would be shown so I could come and pick him up.  I was so impressed with her response the next day,

We came up with a great idea.  We will show 2 movies, one in each of the classrooms.  We will show the 2 most popular movie choices and that way more kids will be happy.  Thomas has such a fine character to stand up for himself and we want to honor the decisions you make at home .  I think our solution will work for everyone.

WOW!  Was I surprised and ever so grateful.  Thomas came home from school on Tuesday and told me of the plan because his teacher had talked to him about it already.  He was so excited.  We talked about how wonderful it is when we are blessed for doing what is right.  It reminded me of a line to a hymn, "Do what is right, let the consequence follow."  He did what was right with no worry about the consequence or what he may miss out on.  In so doing he set a powerful example and he gained a testimony that Heavenly Father will bless us when we "dare to do right." 

Today was the party and he came home so excited.  He told me there was another boy in his class that thanked him for saying something about the movie because he wasn't allowed to see it either but he was too scared to say anything.  How grateful I am for a son that inherently wants to do the right thing and really doesn't see anything else as an alternative.  And, how grateful I am for loving teachers that went out of their way to make the situation a positive experience for all involved.

Everday Blessings

My sister recently posted 5 things she is grateful for each day. I thought it was such a good idea that I would do the same. There really are so many blessings in my life but I will just list 5 for now.

1. ETERNAL FAMILIES: This includes my dear husband, our children, my parents, siblings, and all our extended family. I don't think a day goes by that I don't think of how blessed I am to know of the joy that comes from eternal families.

2. MEMORIES: I find such comfort in the wonderful memories I have from all different stages in my life. As I am still working at finding my place since we have moved here, I especially find comfort in remembering all the fun times and all the great friends and family that are part of my great memories. It helps to remind me that with time I will find that same joy in memories that I make here.

3. DISPOSABLE DIAPERS: 3 kids in diapers...need I say more! :)

4. JOEL'S JOB: It allows me to be a stay at home mom which brings such joy to me everyday as I am able to watch our children learn and grow. I also love being able to be here as soon as Thomas and Spring get home from school and hearing all the wonderful things and not so great things that happened during their day.

5. BEDTIME FOR OUR KIDS: I love spending time with our children and I also love the time after they have gone to bed. It gives Joel and I some alone time. It also gives me the opportunity to reflect on the day. As I go in to check on our kids they look like angels as they sleep and it reminds me that any struggles and frustrations of the day really aren't that big in the eternal scheme. This time rejuvenates me as I set goals to be a better mom the next day.

Grateful

I am so grateful for all the help we have received since Joshua's birth. This has been really difficult for me. It is hard for me to take it easy and my definition of taking it easy is not what I should have been doing. I did more than I should have for the first few days and it started to catch up to me. I am grateful for all the help we have received from friends and family. We have some wonderful friends in the ward that have stepped up and helped us in so many ways. What a blessing the church is in our lives. Thomas and Spring have been huge helps as well. They get Mary out of bed in the morning for me. They help her get on and off the stools. They help Sammy up and down when he needs it. They have just stepped up and really taken on so much responsibility. I was feeling guilty about it until my mom reminded me that it is good for them to feel needed and to have a sense of responsibility. Another friend spoke words of wisdom to me today as she said, "It's not a bad thing for them to help out. It is all part of being in a family." I am grateful for words of wisdom from good friends in times of need. Alanna and Brandon have also called numerous times this week to just check up on me and remind me to take it easy. I am especially grateful for Joel. He has been so good to me and really forced me to stay down the last couple days...and that is no easy task! I think I have been scared into being stricter about 'taking it easy' as I have learned the serious consequences of not letting my body get the rest I need. Thanks, Mom, for listening and for the support, encouragement, and reassurance that it is the best thing for my family for me to just stop doing things. I am stubborn about things and I am so used to doing what needs to be done. I am sure this is Heavenly Father's way of teaching me to be patient, humble, and let others help me. I am so grateful for good friends and for family. When it comes down to it...that is all that really matters here on earth as we try to help each other so we can all return to live with our Father in Heaven throughout the eternities.