Recovered, Refreshed, and Refilled
After finishing up antibiotics for my ear infection and clearing up the bronchitis with inhalers, I am back in business! By the end of the week I woke up with enough energy to get up, exercise, and play with the girls endlessly all day long. What a great feeling! The highlights of my week will be shared in photos. Because photos are worth a thousand words.
Girls Night / Froyo Night at Orange Leaf
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DFe2AfVcapCnCGoA8 (Gwen & Abby dancing)
Nature walk near the house
Gwen chasing all the birds
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nCGEDL2L4DEeTNtn9
On the Leon Creek Greenway nature trail last night while Amber and Weston were at the temple:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/W5h1Sw776jQcwR6j7
We saw about 25 deer in the 2 1/2 miles that we walked. See if you can spot the deer behind me - - -
Science as a family in the form of homemade slime:
And lots of fun conversations with Papi: (Scott)
(Teaching Abby how to make the Superman symbol)
Scott recently sent me a very thoughtful gift. He ordered a necklace in Arabic that says, "Beautiful Michele." He wanted to see it on me, so I showed him over a video chat. He helped point out the letters and how to pronounce what it says. The two words say, "Jamila Michele" - pronounced jah-mee-lah Michele.
Scott also had some interesting missionary opportunities this past week. A young man that he works with from North Carolina, named Morris (his last name), asked what makes Mormons different from other religions. So they had a great discussion about that. Morris thought that our religion (or religious leaders) tell us exactly what to do all the time. About everything. Scott was able to clear that up by explaining agency and how we are taught what is right and then we choose to do what is right because we want to.
Then, the next day at work, Captain Ibrihim (Arabic version of Abraham), had several questions about what we believe. Scott let Captain Ibrihim read the Articles of Faith. After reading Article of Faith #1, about God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, he asked: "So you believe that they are all separate beings?" YES. They are taught that Allah is God, and that Muhammed is the Great Prophet. They believe in Jesus, or Jehovah, but that he was merely a prophet, nothing more.
They also discussed temples and their purposes, garments, missions, and how "Mormons" are different from other Christians. Scott said in a text to me, "He made me take off my head phones to ask me questions." I am glad Scott is living what he believes, to the extent that some of his colleagues are comfortable asking questions.
When I asked Scott if they are genuinely interested or just merely curious, he said, "I think they are just curious at this point." To which I replied, "That is a good start." Morris works at the same place as Captain Ibrihim, so as Scott discussed all those topics with the Captain, Morris was also interested and listened in too.
I'm so grateful for the things I am learning with Come Follow Me this year as we study the Book of Mormon. Scott and I are working with his schedule and finding ways to connect over what we've read and studied, and then have a meaningful discussion. Today we were able to include Amber and Weston in our discussion. Amber contributed a deep thought as we've been learning about the Vision of the Tree of Life. Even though the scriptures define the Tree as the Love of God, it is also implied in other scripture (1 Nephi 11:22) that it is actually the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It makes a lot of sense that we desire (and need) the Atonement more than any other thing, and that the Atonement of our Savior brings the most joy, the most fulfillment, and the most peace. And it is a Gift from our Loving God that made it all possible.
I am so grateful for so much in my life. My family, answered prayers, my health, opportunities to learn patience through long-suffering, quiet scripture time morning and night, and for the gifts and talents that Heavenly Father has blessed me with.
Perhaps as you take a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for this week, you will find peace in your circumstances and joy in your purpose.
Girls Night / Froyo Night at Orange Leaf
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DFe2AfVcapCnCGoA8 (Gwen & Abby dancing)
Nature walk near the house
Gwen chasing all the birds
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nCGEDL2L4DEeTNtn9
On the Leon Creek Greenway nature trail last night while Amber and Weston were at the temple:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/W5h1Sw776jQcwR6j7
We saw about 25 deer in the 2 1/2 miles that we walked. See if you can spot the deer behind me - - -
Science as a family in the form of homemade slime:
And lots of fun conversations with Papi: (Scott)
(Teaching Abby how to make the Superman symbol)
The real treat today was being here for Abby's assignment to give a talk in Primary. She started off strong and confident, but quickly noticed all the eyes looking at her and then got scared. Amber kindly took over and helped finish up the talk, while Abby regained a smidgen of confidence by the end. I pointed out to her later, showing her this picture that I took, "Look who was right behind you, Abby." She smiled and acknowledged, "Jesus!" I shared with her that even if she gets scared because people are looking at her, they are genuinely interested in what she has to say. They are looking at her because they want her to teach them something. "And Jesus will always be right there to help you, just like your Mommy did." I told her. She liked that idea very much.
Scott recently sent me a very thoughtful gift. He ordered a necklace in Arabic that says, "Beautiful Michele." He wanted to see it on me, so I showed him over a video chat. He helped point out the letters and how to pronounce what it says. The two words say, "Jamila Michele" - pronounced jah-mee-lah Michele.
Scott also had some interesting missionary opportunities this past week. A young man that he works with from North Carolina, named Morris (his last name), asked what makes Mormons different from other religions. So they had a great discussion about that. Morris thought that our religion (or religious leaders) tell us exactly what to do all the time. About everything. Scott was able to clear that up by explaining agency and how we are taught what is right and then we choose to do what is right because we want to.
Then, the next day at work, Captain Ibrihim (Arabic version of Abraham), had several questions about what we believe. Scott let Captain Ibrihim read the Articles of Faith. After reading Article of Faith #1, about God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, he asked: "So you believe that they are all separate beings?" YES. They are taught that Allah is God, and that Muhammed is the Great Prophet. They believe in Jesus, or Jehovah, but that he was merely a prophet, nothing more.
They also discussed temples and their purposes, garments, missions, and how "Mormons" are different from other Christians. Scott said in a text to me, "He made me take off my head phones to ask me questions." I am glad Scott is living what he believes, to the extent that some of his colleagues are comfortable asking questions.
When I asked Scott if they are genuinely interested or just merely curious, he said, "I think they are just curious at this point." To which I replied, "That is a good start." Morris works at the same place as Captain Ibrihim, so as Scott discussed all those topics with the Captain, Morris was also interested and listened in too.
I'm so grateful for the things I am learning with Come Follow Me this year as we study the Book of Mormon. Scott and I are working with his schedule and finding ways to connect over what we've read and studied, and then have a meaningful discussion. Today we were able to include Amber and Weston in our discussion. Amber contributed a deep thought as we've been learning about the Vision of the Tree of Life. Even though the scriptures define the Tree as the Love of God, it is also implied in other scripture (1 Nephi 11:22) that it is actually the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It makes a lot of sense that we desire (and need) the Atonement more than any other thing, and that the Atonement of our Savior brings the most joy, the most fulfillment, and the most peace. And it is a Gift from our Loving God that made it all possible.
I am so grateful for so much in my life. My family, answered prayers, my health, opportunities to learn patience through long-suffering, quiet scripture time morning and night, and for the gifts and talents that Heavenly Father has blessed me with.
Perhaps as you take a moment to reflect on what you are grateful for this week, you will find peace in your circumstances and joy in your purpose.
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