The gift of hope

Jake has many photographers. It's amazing to think someday those tiny fingers will be large man hands. The human body is incredible.

Andrea goes out with Aliza everyday to water. She is a good helper with any of the older kids projects. 

Millie painted a winter picture one Sunday. We are working to make Sundays more productive as our year of early church comes to a close. 

Jake is starting to round out on his face sporting a more square look. We search for any sign of chub on these new little ones. 

An absolute highlight of the week is talking to the kids far away. Modern technology is a blessing and a curse. In this instance I'm so thankful for teh opportunity to see my guys. 

And even better to let them see their little brothers. 

Merle adores and misses these guys a lot. They likewise adore the little ones. There's no fighting because there's no common turf just the same place called home. 

Millie is part of the leadership club they did a service activity at the nursing home. They ate lunch with the residents then played a trivia game with them. 

They also dropped off the food the school kids had donated to the local food pantry. 

Life is full of good things and hard things and sunny days and rainy days. I have so enjoyed studying the come follow me lessons this year. The overriding theme of forgiveness and mercy tempered with the need to act according to that trust and gift have seared my heart. Years ago when we studied this and I was wondering what to teach my children the phrase teach them to repent was my answer. I'm not sure that was a success but it made me change my teaching and deepen my searching to understand repentance better. It's not a shame filled avoidance but a gift to start again and renew our connection to Christ. It's about changing our thinking and behaviors. To try again and again and learn how the Lord helps us. In this Christmas season we are remotely following or thinking on the advent or the coming of Christ. This week I have been pondering hope. I love hope it gives energy and life to everything. Without it life is bleak and full of despair. We hope because we are sure that Christ is true to His promises and the words He gave us concerning eternal life are inspiring. The restored gospel is a glorious gift of understanding, love, and peace. For this I am thankful.