WoW!!!

I have been really impressed with my kids lately. Ok yeah I know as a parent you sometimes wonder if you are being bias. But really they have been so impressive. Some might even say half grown up. With Malcolm and Cole being so willing to donate their Saturday bright and early to volunteer to work the Marathon.
As I watch them grow in stature and wisdom I watch them handle their responsiblities with a new since of duty.
Last night as I was getting ready for work Malcolm was trying to prepare his talk. I look up from the bathroom door and see Malcolm walk into Eve's room. "What are you doing?" His response " I need a quiet place to pray" . Wow.
Then before I left he says.
Mom I really don't know if this is right. It ended up more general for every one not just aaronic priesthood holders.
I read the talk I was blown over. I never realized my 15 year old could write something like this without help.
I read the talk and explained to him that as you prepare a talk or a lesson if you have prayed and really felt this is what you need to write or say it is because Heavenly Father is guiding you to what others need to say.
I learned a long time ago while teaching Relief society that sometimes the direction you start to go isn't the direction the Lord needs you to go with your lessons, talks etc. I have even had the strong feeling to change the morning of my lesson after preparing my lesson prior. Letting the spirit guide you allows the most people to get what they need from the talks. He just smiled.
Malcolm is currently serving as the Teacher's quorum President and Cole was set apart as the 1st counselor in the Deacon's quorum today. Eve also received a call today I just can't say yet until she is set apart also. I watch them and look at the energy and desire to really serve in their special areas and do whatever the Lord needs them too. Making sure to include the ones sitting on the outside. Today sitting in Sacrament meeting I think it hit me how lucky and blessed I am to be trusted by the Lord with the children I have. Each their own person and each so willing to serve.
You know as I watch Malcolm and Cole pass the sacrament along with the other boys you are just in awe of these young men. But as Malcolm gave his talk and seemed to talk to effortlessly I was trying not be beaming ear to ear. I wanted to yell that is my boy. However totally realizing I can't take the credit on this one. I think this is who he was when he was sent from Heaven. I just have managed not to mess it up to bad.:) No seriously he was able to add the gospel and humor to it.
What can I say I am beaming with how lucky I am today to have all of my children. As they grow I find that each one has such a special spirit and duty here on earth. Yes I have always thought they were special to me. But they really will make a difference to someone one day.
I am copying and pasting his talk here. More so I have it saved for later. Enjoy.....
Warming it is kinda long....

I was asked to give a talk today on obtaining as much education as possible. I think this was a perfect subject for me to speak about since currently my grades aren't as good as they could be. Its mostly my fault too. I forget to turn things in and sometimes I daydream. My mom gets on to me and I get to it. The thing is I love to learn about things that are interesting to me but I learn fast and end up ahead of the class and get easily bored. So I'm glad I had to do all the research into this subject.
Knowledge is one of the few things that we will get to take with us after death and is greatly encouraged by the Lord. And, verily I say unto you, that it is my will that you should hasten to translate my scriptures, and to obtain a knowledge of history, and of countries, and of kingdoms, of laws of God and man, and all this for the salvation of Zion. Doctrine and covenants 93:53. Unfortunately a good formal education is by no means cheap and often time consuming but mos. things worth it aren't easy. A lot of people might use the excuse that they don't have the money or the time. So I'm going to read a story about a Woman who used that excuse.

One woman, for example, once complained to Dr. Louis Agassiz, a distinguished scientist, that she had never really had a chance to learn. She told him that she and her sister ran a boardinghouse and that she did not have time for anything else. He asked what type of work she did, and she replied:
“ ‘I skin potatoes and chop onions.’
“He asked, ‘Madam, where do you sit during these interesting but homely duties?’
“ ‘On the bottom step of the kitchen stairs.’
“ ‘Where do your feet rest?’
“ ‘On the glazed brick.’
“ ‘What is glazed brick?’
“ ‘I don’t know, sir.’
“He said, ‘How long have you been sitting there?’
“ ‘Fifteen years.’
“ ‘Madam, here is my personal card,’ said Dr. Agassiz. ‘Would you kindly write me a letter concerning the nature of a glazed brick?’ ”
She took him seriously. She looked up “brick” in the dictionary but felt that the definition was too simple to send to a famous scientist. So she looked in the encyclopedia. As she read about bricks, she came to words that she did not understand. So she looked them up. And then, because she really became interested in what she was learning, she visited a brickyard. When she finished her studies, she sat down and wrote Dr. Agassiz a 36-page letter on the subject of glazed brick.
Back came a letter from Dr. Agassiz informing her that with just a few minor changes he had published her letter and was sending her $250. At the bottom of the letter he asked, “What was under those bricks?”
She found ants under the bricks, so she began to study ants. She found there were between 800 and 2,500 different kinds. She became fascinated by the many varieties of ants and how and where they lived. After wide reading and careful study, she wrote 360 pages on the subject to Dr. Agassiz. He published it as a book and sent her more money.
With the money she had received she went to visit all the lands of her dreams.
Sometimes the chance to learn is right under our nose and we just don't see it this woman learn a ton just because one man asked a simple question and she took it seriously. If we seek to learn we will find answers. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that givethth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5 all we have to do is the hard part, take the initiative. Ask the question seek the answer.
He told us to learn more than just the things of our world but also the things of the gospel.
Teach ye diligently and my agrace shall attend you, that you may be binstructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Doctrine and covenants 88:78
That's why I get up at 4:30 in the morning to learn about the scriptures in seminary. I'm very fortunate to have a great seminary who is excited to be there every morning or at least acts like it. I enjoy seminary its a great thing to start the day with now only if my day would start later. And honestly I have learned about things I never realized were there. It amazes me what you learn in seminary. Unfortunately for my family I like to share my knowledge and they don't always want to hear it.
We are asked to gain knowledge for a lot of reasons but one big one is to better serve our fellow man.
That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to amagnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the bmission with which I have commissioned you. Doctrine and covenants 88:80


The lord has instructed us to gain knowledge in order for as a young man personally to provide for my family to better serve those who I lead as teachers president and to just be a better older brother. We can do this by praying, studying the scriptures, attending school and other classes and taking interest in other things. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.