This morning I studied Mosiah 18 and read in verse 9....

"Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort..."

And then Angela was a perfect example of this today.  Carolyn got her hand stuck in the window when it was rolling up. It hurt and she was crying. Angela reacted to Carolyn with such an amazing heart of mourning with her and wanting to comfort her. She cried with Carolyn the moment she understood what had happened. And then, as I was hugging Carolyn (after I pulled the car over)...I saw Angela sitting next to her sister...in tears...and saying a prayer for her sister to feel comforted. Perfect example of the scripture to me. How neat I read it this morning and then witnessed it.

Today we went to Waterworld. Angela got sunblock in her eye before getting to "Wally World." It was painful for her and her eyes were red. So, there she was in the midst of shooting water from the ground and slides all over the place...and she had stopped her play to say a prayer. I asked her what she was praying for and she said her eye. What a beautiful example of always remembering to turn to the Lord in times of need...no matter what distractions or circumstances are around us. We always need to pray.

Today I received this email from Carolyn's Director of Wizard of Oz:

Hi Jannie!

I just wanted to take a minute to let you know how well Carolyn is doing in Oz right now.  She is one of our youngest cast members, but she is doing just as well, if not better than some of my older actors.  A lot of my little ones usually take a little longer to get comfortable with their choreography as well as being "in" the scene, rather than twirling their hair, playing with their clothes, or putting their hands in their pockets.  Yesterday when we were running the Munchkin scene she knew exactly what she was doing, and was dead on even with our more difficult choreography at the end of the number.  I've been really impressed at how well she is doing, so I wanted to make sure I share with you.  I know that a lot of the time kids are told what they're doing wrong (especially when it comes to giving performance notes); so I try to make sure that I point out when they are doing great as well.  You should be proud mama, you have quite the performer on your hand.  :)

Toni Stratton

Director

Wizard of Oz

Emily and Angela pick out pictures of their Savior to color during Sacrament Meeting. We talk about the significance of the pictures that they are going to color so hopefully their thoughts are turned to Him during Sacrament Meeting.

Today at Carolyn's play practice for Wizard of Oz, Carolyn's director had Carolyn come to the front to demonstrate to everyone how to act during the scene. Apparently Carolyn's acting and expressions and movements were exactly what the Director wanted and wanted all to follow.

Tonight after Carolyn asked me jokenly (because she knew I wouldn't say "yes") if we could swing by McDonalds and get an icecream cone. Angela said, "I am not going to take my kids to McDonalds very much. I am going to use my money to go to the temple."

I sure love you, Angela! :)

**In church on Sunday in Relief Society, we were challenged to set a temple goal. In the lesson a story about our stake president's wife where she set a goal and didn't let anything interfere with the temple goal was shared. She said that one key thing she did to ensure that she would accomplish her goal is vocalizing her goal. Once she said it, she had to do it. I knew I should share my goal with my children. What a blessing, I thought, to have them  help me accomplish my goal. My goal? Go to the temple two times a month. Once with Andrew and once on my own. I shared the goal with my kids on Sunday and invited them to share a goal to me about preparing themselves for the temple. I wasn't sure how much Angela was listening. However, tonight I was shown a great blessing I have already received because of that goal setting. Angela was listening. When we were sharing goals, we discussed people who sacrificed MUCH for the temple. About Sarah Evans (our ancestor) she walked across the plains in barefeet. So much sacrifice. What can we sacrifice? Elder Scott ("Temple Worship - a source of strength and power) teaches us that we can be JUST as bless as those who sacrifice for years to get to the temple. My blessing this week? Angela's testimony and faith in the temple. What greater thing can a 6 year old think to sacrifice than a McDonald's icecream cone? Seriously? Angela was so willing to sacrifice ice creams cones for the temple. What a beautiful latter-day example of being a pioneer.

Today Angela shared her testimony in Sacrament Meeting today for the first time. It was very special. At the beginning of Fast and Testimony Meeting, Angela came over and whispered that she wanted to share her testimony. She shared, "I like to bare my testimony. I know the church is church. I know Heavenly Father is real because I feel it in my heart." Thank you, Angela ;)