"I am a Child of God" Soothing Babies

Tony, who came to us as a baby, and is now almost four

Doing foster care the past four plus years, and during that time mostly fostering babies and toddlers, (32 foster children and 25 under three) I am an expert at what songs are most soothing for young ones.  The best song of all is "I am a Child of God."  My daughter Natalia actually discovered this with the two-year-old twins who were with us several years back.

We took them on a long trip to Arkansas.  As such the were confined to their car seats for extended periods of time.  They could not last the entire song, when they were tired, without being asleep at the end.  When they were not asleep i would at least calm them down.

I am a child of God,
And he has sent me here,
Has given me an earthly home
With parents kind and dear.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

I am a child of God,
And so my needs are great;
Help me to understand his words
Before it grows to late.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will
I'll live with him once more.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

I am a child of God.
His promises are sure;
Celestial glory shall be mine
If I can but endure.
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

This version adds the fourth verse.  This verse is not in the hymn book as it was added after the book was published.  Sometimes the fourth verse is needed to get a  sleeping.  This song hasn't worked as well with all of our children to get them to sleep, but it always works to calm them down.

It works better than any other song, "Rock-a-bye Baby," "Hush Thee my Babe," (a song I wrote) "Lullaby and Good Night" and "Go to Sleep" all seem to pale in comparison.  "I am a Child of God" seems to stand alone.

I ask myself, "Why is this song so effective, is it the melody or the lyrics?"  The melody draws attention, but I think the spirit of the song emanating from the message, touches little souls who have only recently left Heavenly Father's presence.  The spirit of the message, coming from the singer, emanates the little spirits, who are sometimes so close to the veil having just recently left the Spirit World.

Charity's Wedding: Reception Dance

This may be the last of Charity's wedding pictures.

Anthony's brother and sister and spouses

Our Offer for a House has been Accepted

http://tour.previsite.com/mls/0355/11003039.html

This site takes you to a virtual tour of the house for which our offer has been accepted.

Coming to Christ: Book of Mormon Studies 3; Laman and Lemuel

One of the more intriguing stories of the  Book of Mormon, and one that is exposed to light in 1 Nephi chapter 8, is the relationship between Laman and Lemuel and their father.  This plays out in the dream Lehi has of the Tree of Life.  After he takes of the fruit of the tree, he asks his family to also come and partake.  We remember that the fruit represents God's love, and the atonement of Jesus Christ.

In contrast to the tree of life, was the large and spacious building.  While the tree of life represented Jesus Christ and His atonement, the large building represented the pride and vain imaginations of the world.  “The large and spacious building stands in opposition to the Savior, who is the tree of life.” (BOM student manual p 22)

To set the stage for Lehi’s concern for his sons, we must understand what was at stake.  Lehi saw four different types of people.  There were those who were desirous to reach to tree, but became lost in the dark mist. There were those who desired to reach the tree, held to the rod of iron, reach the tree and partake of the fruit, but then observed those in the large and spacious building mocking them, and became ashamed and fell away.  There were also those who had no desire to reach the tree, but instead head towards the large and spacious building.  Lastly there are those who pursue the tree, hold to the rod of iron, and partake of the fruit, and do not fall away.  Glen L. Pace made this comment on those who are headed towards this building:

To those of you who are inching your way closer and closer to that great and spacious building, let me make it completely clear that the people in that building have absolutely nothing to offer except instant, short-term gratification inescapably connected to long-term sorrow and suffering.  The commandments you observe were not given by a dispassionate God to prevent you from having fun, but by a loving Father in heaven who wants you to be happy while you are living on this earth as well as in the hereafter.  (Glen L. Pace quoted in BOM student manual p 23)

So Lehi, having partaken of the fruit of the tree of life desired his family to partake.  “…And I beheld that it was most sweet, above all that I ever before tasted... And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore, I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also; for I knew that it was desirable above all other fruit.”  (1 Nephi 8:11-12)

Lehi called to his wife and Sam and Nephi, and they all come and partook of the fruit and received the joy that Lehi had felt.  He looked for Laman and Lemuel, and upon seeing them, called them to the tree, but they would not heed him, and instead were amongst those heading to the large and spacious building. 

Lehi also observed a rod of iron which lead to the tree.  Through Nephi's own vision, and the interpretation he gives we know that the rod of iron represents the word of God.  And so we are given the key to reaching the tree of life, and being able to take of the fruit, of Christ's redemtion.  To study the word of God by reading the scriptures.  I have found Book of Mormon study is most important to overcome the mocking of  those world.  Scripture study, prayer and church attendance help us maintain our grip on the rod of iron.

Nephi concludes telling of his father’s dream in this fashion.  “…He exceedingly feared for Laman and Lemuel; yea, he feared lest they should be cast off from the presence of the Lord.  And he did exhort them then with all the feeling of a tender parent…”  (1 Nephi 8:36-37)

And so I am desirous to approach my children, with the same tenderness as Lehi, and encourage them to partake of this fruit.  Also quoted in the institute manual is Robert D. Hales.  “We too must have the faith to teach our children and bid them to keep the commandments.”  (Robert D. Hales as quoted in BOM student manual p 23)  And so I call to my children.  “Come take of the fruit; come take of the joy that is the atonement of Jesus Christ.”   

Charity's Wedding: Friends (more reception pictures)

Charity's Wedding: Wedding lunch

The lunch was handled by Anthony's family and was held at his church, The Grant Building.  It featured a potato bar with all the trimmings, lots of desserts (Tony's favorite were the little brownies) and a nice salad.

Charity's Wedding, Her Dress

Charity purchased her dress in Rexburg, Idaho at a store "Circle of Love."  She wasn't even engaged when she purchased it, but she had lots of faith.  She's lucky it still fit, but Charity has always maintained her weight.

Charity's Wedding: Extended Family

my brothers Weldon and Charles

Jeremy with cousing Travis and Charles

cousin, Mike and Lori's daughter Katie

Vern, Travis and Charles

cousins, Amber and Jared, Anna and Shelly in background Dante and Lori

cousin Natalie and Caleb

Anne of Green Gables with Jeremy and Charity

Jeremy and Charity were in the 2005 youth production of Sunnyvale Community Players, "Anne of Green Gables."  Jeremy portrayed Gilbert Blythe, and was cast opposite Megan Haley, who later became a member of the church.

 This is not Megan Haley in the flyer

This is the biography for Charity and Jeremy

Miranda and Caleb: Dr Devereaux

These pictures are back stage shots of the young men young women production in our ward form last year.  It was pretty fun.  Linkof the previous blog has the first 8 minutes of the play on You Tube.