Entering the World of Shirts and Ties

Every time I see a primary program (a program put on by children in my church) I tear up. I have been fully expecting to cry during Josh's first program for years now. The big day came on Halloween, and Josh dressed up in his new red tie. He looked adorable, and I was excited. However, after wrestling with Andrew for 2 meetings, ending up sitting in the very back of the congregation for the program, and facing an hour of wrestling Andrew AND Noah by myself, my enthusiasm was drained right out of me. I thought if I was lucky Josh would catch my eye long enough for me to smile at him, and we'd all make it through.

Right before Josh was to go up for the program, he said, "Mom, look at my lips." I turned, and saw lip gloss covering nearly his whole face below his nose. I said, "Oh, my gosh!" and he immediately was embarrassed - and started wiping it on his sleeve. Luckily there are so many kids in our congregation I'm sure not many noticed his sleeve, but had they looked, they'd have noticed he looked good. Josh started out the program with his arms inside his shirt, but not in his sleeves. I sighed and struggled to find something new for
Andrew to do. Then the children began to sing I Know That My Savior Loves Me. Josh sang with all of his little might, and when he saw me, grinned his million dollar smile. Everything else melted away, and I started bawling. This song is so beautiful, and is exactly what I want my son to know. The love that the Savior shows for the people in the scriptures is the same love he feels for Josh. And Noah, and Andrew. If they can truly know this, they're going to make it.


Here he is, fresh off his success of his first primary program. For some reason, after the program was over, all of the children received "Future Missionary" tags. Josh adored his, and displayed it proudly. He thought standing in the corner for this photo would be best.



Josh wanted Noah to have a turn wearing the badge.





I like these boys.

One night a couple of weeks ago, I was putting the boys to bed, and somehow we got talking about going on missions. Josh was interested in the fact that some missionaries walk, some drive cars, and some ride bikes. He wanted to know how he would find out what he would do on his mission. I told him the process, and he said okay, he could wait 14 and a half years. But later I went in to check on him and he was still awake. "Mom," he said, "I prayed to ask Heavenly Father what I'm going to ride on my mission, but he didn't tell me yet."

Noah, however, had no such uncertainties. He'll be serving in the rocket ship mission.

Did I mention I like these boys?