THAT family!

When I was a new convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I was in awe of some of the Mormon families I met.  I remember a couple in particular.  We were newly married and the parents of these families were much older than us - probably in their FIFTIES - really old.

On occasion we would see the parents and their children - some of them grown up and married - all together at church.  Sometimes they would sing a song during church.  They were large families and they seemed to like each other! I remember thinking how amazing those families were.  I couldn't imagine being that old with grown-up awesome children like these families, but I would sure like it.  It seemed like a very long time away... And it seemed impossible.

Over the years, Hubby and I have paid attention to some of the counsel we have received from wise leaders.  Some of that counsel included having a meaningful family home evening each week, reading the scriptures together, having family prayer, going to church together as a family.  I won't say we were perfect at it.  Far from perfect.  Far far.  But we did these things more than we didn't.  We told our kids we love them.  We encouraged honesty and integrity and doing their best.

How amazed I was a couple of Sundays ago when I walked by our living room and heard singing.  It wasn't the singing that was amazing, although it was coming along.  All the kids wanted to prepare a song to sing when their little brother, B, returned home from his 2 year mission and spoke in our church.  The song wasn't yet perfect.  The parts weren't completely memorized.  There was still work to be done.

But

I looked in and saw something wondrous.  All the kids except for two were gathered around that small room while a friend played the piano.  They were trying hard to learn the song so that they could present it when B came home after two long years.  I thought of that family that I admired over 30 years ago.  And that family, well that family was my family!  There was that united, wonderful, loving group in my living room.  I walked into the other room where Hubby was and told him this with tears streaming down my eyes.

We're still not perfect, far from it, but we do love each other.  We even LIKE each other!  We get together often and all the little cousins are becoming friends at Nana and Grandpa's house! 

So, now that I'm the OLD fifty-something woman with the grown-up kids, I can give some advice to anyone who looks up to us.

Make your family the most important thing in your life.  Pay attention to what your wise church leaders tell you will make your family special and wonderful.  Do it.  There really aren't 100% guarantees except when it comes to God.  So far, it looks like he is coming through on his promises!