I have friends who do not like Halloween. They have studied its roots and feel it is based on pagan ceremonies. I checked that out a bit and found lots of theories as to how Halloween began. Some are linked to death and gloom and others to a time of harvest. If my friends feel it’s not an appropriate thing for them to celebrate, I respect that. But for me, I just think it’s a fun American holiday where kids can use their imagination and get free candy!
Have you ever watched a 10-year-old with yards of aluminum foil, 6 toilet paper rolls and duct tape? It’s amazing what that imagination can do! I’m not a fan of blood and gore and I feel adamantly that we should never allow our children to take on any persona that is not within keeping Gospel standards—even for a few hours. But I am also against store-bought costumes because I love letting the creative juices flow. I don't sew, but my kids survived. Did you know that canning lids can make awesome pirate earrings? I had a son come upstairs one day announcing he was a picnic table! Plaid shirt, black little dots from a permanent marker (ants), "Yes, I said, you are!"
We raised our children in Michigan on five acres. Halloween was cold and sometimes wet or snowy. We trick or treated by car. So few ended up coming up our driveway that we eventually started handing out king size candy bars! By the third year, no one wanted to stay home to hand out the candy, so we left a bowl on the porch that said, “Take one”. Having left 10 bars, we came home to six left and even a note that said, “Thank you”.
Years before we handed out the things we liked most—Kit Kats, Snickers, Twix--candy bars. If there were any left, we would like them. But sometimes we had to return to the store a few days before the holiday--we liked them too much. As I’ve gotten older, I buy the fruity things that I don’t really care for—suckers, Star Burst, etc. This way I the candy waits for Halloween and leftovers go to the grandkids.
Speaking of grandkids, I love to see their costumes. But I don’t want to interfere with their trick or treating time on Halloween. So five years ago we started “Indoor Trick or Treating”. The week before Halloween we do dinner at my house and then the kids put on their costumes. The adults go into a room—-bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry room—and we even put Grandpa on the front porch. No need for coats to cover up costumes, as they are trick or treating inside. They knock on the bathroom door and Aunt Julie opens it with a treat. Two-year-olds learn to practice saying “Trick or Treat” before the big night and of course, the most important “Thank you” afterwards.
I sometimes find toys instead of candy to keep the sugar levels down.
On Halloween, I love opening the door to greet the three prettiest little princesses who a week before were sitting in my primary class. They can’t wait to show me that they are wearing lip-gloss! Fun times! I see parents standing by strollers, visiting with other parents, waiting on the sidewalk. I don’t even mind the kids who look like they probably should have stopped trick treating a few years ago. If they are polite, they are safe and having fun, what’s a Tootsie Pop or two to me? In the world of “Do your homework”, “Don’t chew with your mouth open” and “Did you get your chores done?” Let them have a night of free candy!
The best fun begins when everyone is home and the porch lights are turned out. Trading time! Each family has their spot, from the living room floor, to the dining room table. Pour out the stuff you got, inventory and group it and then get down to the big trade. “Two suckers for that Snickers bar?…”and so it goes.
I never set a limit on how much Halloween candy my kids could eat. Most of my friends had a two-piece a day rule. For me, my rule was no candy in the bedrooms and teeth must be brushed before bedtime. Halloween bags stayed on the refrigerator and after a meal my kids could have what they wanted. One of my sons (he takes after his mother!) often had all his candy gone within three days. His sister saved a lot of hers almost till Easter time. They each had their own way of loving Halloween.
And admit it parents, after the kids are down, isn't it fun finding a few treats of your own? After all, as a responsible mother, you wouldn’t want your toddler to have too much chocolate, right? Careful, though, big kids know what is missing!
I’m heading out now to buy Halloween candy--fruity stuff so I will stay out of it. That’s not to say that a few days after Halloween, I just might stuff my pockets with the leftovers and go visit my grandkids. I think two Jolly Ranchers and a sucker would be a good trade for a Twix, don’t you?
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
Times Have Changed and So Must We
I grew up in the 60’s in southern California. When I was 11 the new indoor mall came to town. It was wonderful. My best friend, Margie, and I loved going to the mall. One of our parents would drop us off in the late morning and we would spend all day trying on clothes that neither one of us could afford. We’d walk around, visiting and planning our futures together. The only money we really had with us was for chocolate stars we bought at the department store candy counter—this was in the day before food courts. But we always held back a dime so that we could call the other parent to come and pick us up when our adventure was over. We would then sit outside the mall together and wait for the familiar car to pull up and take us home. We felt safe and alive and very independent.
When we were 13 we would spend the summer days at the beach together. Again, one parent would drop us off at Life Guard Station #5. We’d place our towels on the sand, set up our transistor radio and start applying the baby oil or if we could afford it, cocoa butter! To this day the smell of cocoa takes me back to the beach with its sounds of seagulls and lapping waves. We never really went in the water much, except to cool off. Otherwise we soaked up all the sun, knowing that the first year’s burn would eventually bring an even tan. And each trip after that required less pain for our efforts. Our tasty treat for this adventure included either nachos or French fries from the portable snack shop on the beach. Again we held back our dime for the phone call and all too soon the time was gone and we would make the call and go back home to reality.
We never really connected with anyone else so we felt safe and secure both in our mall and beach environment. We people-watched and saw some interesting things. And yet I’m sure we had to use the restroom and go out into the water to cool down and therefore were separated from each other now and then.
Times have changed. I doubt you could even find a pay phone at the mall or the beach now-a-days, and if you did, it would probably require some sort of credit card to be used. One of the first most infamous child abductions occurred at a mall in the mid 70’s—Adam Walsh. He was younger than 11 years old, but I look back now and realize how innocent and vulnerable we really were.
The baby oil and cocoa butter that we remember so fondly has caused skin cancer for generations of people. Those sought-after sunburns have done the same. We were putting ourselves at risk and never really knew it. But there was a greater risk we were taking in those days, one that needs to be talked about, but is less known than the risk of abduction or skin cancer.
We spent nearly every weekend at each other’s home for sleepovers. We stayed up most of the night watching movies and talking and fell asleep into the wee hours of the morning and then slept in as long as we possibly could. That’s what young girls do, right?
Not anymore. Times have changed. In the course of the past 10 years, we have found out that in one of our safe LDS homes, a child molester resided and while both of us stayed safe, there were other children before and after our years of overnighters who did not. All along this person was parading as an active Priesthood holder. He had had a problem in his past and thought it was under control. But in reality, the abhorrent behavior returned because he thought he could control this on his own. He was too proud to report it to proper authorities and get the help he needed. Regardless of his options, our being in the home was a huge risk to us.
As much as baby oil being poured on white skin and 11-year olds roaming a busy mall without supervision, sleepovers need to be a thing of the past. Ecclesiastes 8:5 says, “And a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment”. Parents need to be wise. We live in a different time. We can’t do what might have been done in the past. Time and judgment screams that parents need to be much more careful in today’s world. I’m not suggesting that we mistrust active Priesthood holders. But parents are responsible to keep their children safe and there is no way they can ensure their children’s safety in another person’s home. You can probably be assured that if a fire were to come, your children would get out safe. But believe me, you do not want to deal with the wounds caused by your children’s innocence being taken away. One way to safeguard them, is to make a rule that they no longer spend the night in a home other than your own.
So what can you do? Instead of sleepovers, make it a Cinderella party. Well, children under 10 can call it that, teenagers would be appalled with that title. I do remember in my youth, a general authority saying, “Nothing good happens after midnight”. I thought he was referring to dating circumstances, and he might have been. But now I take it literally. Have the fun of movies and snacks and stories and silly times. But when midnight comes, it’s time for everyone to return to his or her own home. It’s just the safest thing we need to do in these times. It’s not worth the risk to do otherwise.
We live in a day of recalls. When we are informed about the dangers of things we thought were safe, we stop using these products. Now you have been informed. Please, for the sake of your children, no more sleepovers. Don’t think it couldn’t happen to you. Believe me, you have no idea what the ramifications can be. Parents, please discern now and because of the times, use good judgment.
When we were 13 we would spend the summer days at the beach together. Again, one parent would drop us off at Life Guard Station #5. We’d place our towels on the sand, set up our transistor radio and start applying the baby oil or if we could afford it, cocoa butter! To this day the smell of cocoa takes me back to the beach with its sounds of seagulls and lapping waves. We never really went in the water much, except to cool off. Otherwise we soaked up all the sun, knowing that the first year’s burn would eventually bring an even tan. And each trip after that required less pain for our efforts. Our tasty treat for this adventure included either nachos or French fries from the portable snack shop on the beach. Again we held back our dime for the phone call and all too soon the time was gone and we would make the call and go back home to reality.
We never really connected with anyone else so we felt safe and secure both in our mall and beach environment. We people-watched and saw some interesting things. And yet I’m sure we had to use the restroom and go out into the water to cool down and therefore were separated from each other now and then.
Times have changed. I doubt you could even find a pay phone at the mall or the beach now-a-days, and if you did, it would probably require some sort of credit card to be used. One of the first most infamous child abductions occurred at a mall in the mid 70’s—Adam Walsh. He was younger than 11 years old, but I look back now and realize how innocent and vulnerable we really were.
The baby oil and cocoa butter that we remember so fondly has caused skin cancer for generations of people. Those sought-after sunburns have done the same. We were putting ourselves at risk and never really knew it. But there was a greater risk we were taking in those days, one that needs to be talked about, but is less known than the risk of abduction or skin cancer.
We spent nearly every weekend at each other’s home for sleepovers. We stayed up most of the night watching movies and talking and fell asleep into the wee hours of the morning and then slept in as long as we possibly could. That’s what young girls do, right?
Not anymore. Times have changed. In the course of the past 10 years, we have found out that in one of our safe LDS homes, a child molester resided and while both of us stayed safe, there were other children before and after our years of overnighters who did not. All along this person was parading as an active Priesthood holder. He had had a problem in his past and thought it was under control. But in reality, the abhorrent behavior returned because he thought he could control this on his own. He was too proud to report it to proper authorities and get the help he needed. Regardless of his options, our being in the home was a huge risk to us.
As much as baby oil being poured on white skin and 11-year olds roaming a busy mall without supervision, sleepovers need to be a thing of the past. Ecclesiastes 8:5 says, “And a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment”. Parents need to be wise. We live in a different time. We can’t do what might have been done in the past. Time and judgment screams that parents need to be much more careful in today’s world. I’m not suggesting that we mistrust active Priesthood holders. But parents are responsible to keep their children safe and there is no way they can ensure their children’s safety in another person’s home. You can probably be assured that if a fire were to come, your children would get out safe. But believe me, you do not want to deal with the wounds caused by your children’s innocence being taken away. One way to safeguard them, is to make a rule that they no longer spend the night in a home other than your own.
So what can you do? Instead of sleepovers, make it a Cinderella party. Well, children under 10 can call it that, teenagers would be appalled with that title. I do remember in my youth, a general authority saying, “Nothing good happens after midnight”. I thought he was referring to dating circumstances, and he might have been. But now I take it literally. Have the fun of movies and snacks and stories and silly times. But when midnight comes, it’s time for everyone to return to his or her own home. It’s just the safest thing we need to do in these times. It’s not worth the risk to do otherwise.
We live in a day of recalls. When we are informed about the dangers of things we thought were safe, we stop using these products. Now you have been informed. Please, for the sake of your children, no more sleepovers. Don’t think it couldn’t happen to you. Believe me, you have no idea what the ramifications can be. Parents, please discern now and because of the times, use good judgment.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Oh What Do You Do In the Summertime?
When I was a young mother, we lived in California. I loved the summertime. I loved having my children home and the break from the school schedule and routine. I didn’t mind if they stayed up a little later than school days and slept in a little later than school mornings. I enjoyed trips to the beach, picnics in the park, and the longer days. But there was something that happened every Tuesday and every Friday that made summertime a little complicated.
It was the little truck that ran around the neighborhood soliciting children, playing music and expecting them (or me) to waste our money on icy treats. That’s right, the ice cream man! As my kids were young enough and I had never purchased anything from that truck, I told my children that he was a music man and was kind enough to serenade the neighborhood, and they believed me. Or at least, for a while that worked well. We would be inside completing chores and hear the “music man” and the kids would delight in his little song. They would even comment how nice he was, to just stop by and give us a musical treat for the day. Little did they know! Until one day when Grandpa was visiting and he heard the music and ran outside. The children quickly followed and when they came in the house, they all announced, “Mommy, Grandpa just bought ice cream from the music man!” My cover was blown!
Obviously, every day thereafter we had quite a different reaction to the “music man” coming around. The kids naturally wanted to get something. At first I let them use their money and they learned the hard way how quickly their money disappeared. When their money was gone, they begged for mine but I refused to pay 50 cents for a Popsicle that would cost a dime at the grocery store. At the same time, I was having trouble finding motivation for the children to practice their musical instruments, to continue reading through the summer and to get out and exercise. So that’s when I came up with an ingenious plan that worked for the next 10 years and had us all looking forward to summer for one more reason.
We started out by going to the grocery store and we chose four different boxes of ice cream treats. I had the kids sit down with the receipt and do the math—$1 divided by 12 Popsicles = 8 cents a Popsicle. Six drumstick ice creams bars for $2.25 came out to be 38 cents a treat. Much better than the 75 cents charged by the “music man”. On we went, doing the math, putting the individual cost on each box and putting the treats away in the freezer. I got a canning jar and put it out on the counter. Here were the rules: After chores were done, for one half hour of practicing piano/violin, or one half hour of reading or one half hour or exercise they were allowed to BUY a treat. They didn’t even have to ask. One treat per day. Just deposit the money in the jar. It worked really well. Chores were done early, books were being read and very little nagging needed for practicing or getting outside to get exercise. When the treats were almost gone, we would take our money from the jar, add it up (more math) to see how much money we had to spend for our next supply of treats and return to the store to get more. They looked for coupons to help their purchase and checked to see what ice cream novelties might be on sale to make their money go even further.
We all laughed together as the “music man” came around. One of the children made it a point to go out and check his prices, just to be able to brag a bit about what a bargain we had in our freezer! Once in a while if they were getting along really well, I would announce, Mom’s treat, have a free ice cream, and I would put the money into the jar so that it was there when we returned to the store.
This was a wonderful solution! In fact, it worked so well that we had friends visiting, bringing their money and asking, “Sister Stewart, can I buy a treat?” To which I would ask, “Have you practiced, exercised, or read today?” And they had. But first I called their mom to make sure it was okay they have the treat and also to explain why their child was paying for the treat! To this day, I wonder if their mothers thought I was a real tightwad! I really am, but in this case, I still feel it was a creative way to resolve a problem and motivate children to get things done.
My children are all grown and have children of their own. There don’t seem to be “music men” in their neighborhoods, so they may not incorporate the same solution in their homes. But they all remember with fondness our days in southern California with the “music man”.
It was the little truck that ran around the neighborhood soliciting children, playing music and expecting them (or me) to waste our money on icy treats. That’s right, the ice cream man! As my kids were young enough and I had never purchased anything from that truck, I told my children that he was a music man and was kind enough to serenade the neighborhood, and they believed me. Or at least, for a while that worked well. We would be inside completing chores and hear the “music man” and the kids would delight in his little song. They would even comment how nice he was, to just stop by and give us a musical treat for the day. Little did they know! Until one day when Grandpa was visiting and he heard the music and ran outside. The children quickly followed and when they came in the house, they all announced, “Mommy, Grandpa just bought ice cream from the music man!” My cover was blown!
Obviously, every day thereafter we had quite a different reaction to the “music man” coming around. The kids naturally wanted to get something. At first I let them use their money and they learned the hard way how quickly their money disappeared. When their money was gone, they begged for mine but I refused to pay 50 cents for a Popsicle that would cost a dime at the grocery store. At the same time, I was having trouble finding motivation for the children to practice their musical instruments, to continue reading through the summer and to get out and exercise. So that’s when I came up with an ingenious plan that worked for the next 10 years and had us all looking forward to summer for one more reason.
We started out by going to the grocery store and we chose four different boxes of ice cream treats. I had the kids sit down with the receipt and do the math—$1 divided by 12 Popsicles = 8 cents a Popsicle. Six drumstick ice creams bars for $2.25 came out to be 38 cents a treat. Much better than the 75 cents charged by the “music man”. On we went, doing the math, putting the individual cost on each box and putting the treats away in the freezer. I got a canning jar and put it out on the counter. Here were the rules: After chores were done, for one half hour of practicing piano/violin, or one half hour of reading or one half hour or exercise they were allowed to BUY a treat. They didn’t even have to ask. One treat per day. Just deposit the money in the jar. It worked really well. Chores were done early, books were being read and very little nagging needed for practicing or getting outside to get exercise. When the treats were almost gone, we would take our money from the jar, add it up (more math) to see how much money we had to spend for our next supply of treats and return to the store to get more. They looked for coupons to help their purchase and checked to see what ice cream novelties might be on sale to make their money go even further.
We all laughed together as the “music man” came around. One of the children made it a point to go out and check his prices, just to be able to brag a bit about what a bargain we had in our freezer! Once in a while if they were getting along really well, I would announce, Mom’s treat, have a free ice cream, and I would put the money into the jar so that it was there when we returned to the store.
This was a wonderful solution! In fact, it worked so well that we had friends visiting, bringing their money and asking, “Sister Stewart, can I buy a treat?” To which I would ask, “Have you practiced, exercised, or read today?” And they had. But first I called their mom to make sure it was okay they have the treat and also to explain why their child was paying for the treat! To this day, I wonder if their mothers thought I was a real tightwad! I really am, but in this case, I still feel it was a creative way to resolve a problem and motivate children to get things done.
My children are all grown and have children of their own. There don’t seem to be “music men” in their neighborhoods, so they may not incorporate the same solution in their homes. But they all remember with fondness our days in southern California with the “music man”.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
THY CALLING SHALT BE FOR A COMFORT TO THY HUSBAND
For 19 years we lived in the Midwest. The year after my husband was called to be the branch president, the last of our five children followed her brothers and sisters out to BYU, some 2000 miles away. It was hard having her gone, but even harder because he was gone so much. I worked hard to have dinner on the table when he got home, and a white shirt ready for him. Our branch was small, but the borders were large—200 square miles. So even just a trip to the building to meet with someone usually took up the entire evening. I found myself home alone quite often. When he returned home, he would often be exhausted or elated, but either way, he couldn’t share what had gone on and I understood that. But I needed to be needed more. Eventually our branch became a small ward and his responsibilities as bishop increased his time away from home. Sunday was probably the longest, loneliest day for me.
I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 25. Everyone knows that’s the section where Emma is given direction to write the hymns. But for some reason, I read deeper this time. I related to Emma whose husband was gone for much longer periods of time than mine. She didn’t even have a telephone. I’m not sure why, but I began replacing her name with my own as I read the scriptures. I found great counsel and comfort in the Lord’s words to her and to me.
“Thou art an elect lady whom I have called. Murmur not because of the things which thou has not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me….The office of thy calling shall be fore a comfort unto thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness. And thou shalt go with him at the time of his going…
“Thou needest not fear, for thy husband shall support thee in the church…
“Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice and cleave unto the covenants which thou has made. Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride. Let thy soul delight in thy husband, and the glory which shall come upon him. Keep my commandments and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive…”
I realized there was so much more I could be doing to support Ken in his calling. My husband is hypoglycemic which means that there are times when his blood sugar drops. It happens most with stress or lack of sleep. So I took literally the part where it said, “thou shalt go with him at the time of his going”. On Sundays, when possible, I became his driver. If he were out visiting the ward members, I would drive and let him sleep the half hour that he needed in transit. I would sit in the car and read a book while he made the visit and then have my time with him on the half hour drive back home. There were days with several visits in a row and because I was the “designated driver”, he could put more of them in the same day, and therefore that left an evening free for our time. During the week there were many times when he had interviews with single sisters and someone else needed to be in the building. I took on that role. I can’t count the hours I spent reading or cross stitching on the couch outside his office. Again, when he was exhausted, I would be the one driving home and I knew he appreciated the support and the company, although we never spoke about what went on in his office.
We had the opportunity to attend a retreat for bishops and their wives and I was given the chance to share my personal experience with Section 25. Knowing I was going to be sharing with other bishop’s wives, I also wrote the following fun little essay:
10 ways to Know You are the Bishop’s Wife:
1. You are sitting in Sacrament meeting and you hear for the first time,
that a fireside is being held tonight AT YOUR HOUSE!
2. A two-hour video takes you 4 ½ hours to get through because of phone calls, or else your husband has never seen the middle part of a video because you finally gave up waiting!
3. By mistake, as your husband moves through to the back of the chapel after Sacrament meeting, he gives you a handshake just like everyone else.
4. You envy those in the east with a five-hour drive and overnight stay to the temple, just to have had that much time alone with your husband.
5. You are the only member in the ward who thinks those new couches in the foyer are neither all that beautiful nor all that comfortable.
6. The cell phone bill seems to be approaching the size of your house payment.
7. When planning a romantic evening with your husband, you first phone call is not to a restaurant, theater or hotel, but to his executive secretary.
8. The day of the youth temple trip you are secretly happy that the brakes in the car went out and you will have to take the truck, leaving no room for the others who were going in your car.
9. You can’t remember what was so busy about the month of December before he had “Tithing Settlement Declaration”.
10. Your husband comes home extremely late at night, puts his arms around you and says, “Tonight was wonderful. I’m sorry I can’t share anything with you. But I wouldn’t be able to do any of this, if it weren’t for your support. I’m so glad I have you to come home to both on the difficult nights and on the good ones like this.”
We have moved back to the west now. Our children are closer. My husband’s calling is as a teacher in Priesthood and he also is a home teacher. Of course, here, he walks to most of those appointments. He certainly doesn’t need me to drive him. Nevertheless, I work to make sure that my “soul delights in him, and the glory that shall come upon him”. I might bake for his home teaching families, or suggest a picture or idea for one of his lessons.
I’m just very grateful to know that the scriptures can take on such a personal meaning. That made a huge difference in being able to support my husband in his calling then and now.
I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants, Section 25. Everyone knows that’s the section where Emma is given direction to write the hymns. But for some reason, I read deeper this time. I related to Emma whose husband was gone for much longer periods of time than mine. She didn’t even have a telephone. I’m not sure why, but I began replacing her name with my own as I read the scriptures. I found great counsel and comfort in the Lord’s words to her and to me.
“Thou art an elect lady whom I have called. Murmur not because of the things which thou has not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me….The office of thy calling shall be fore a comfort unto thy husband, in his afflictions, with consoling words, in the spirit of meekness. And thou shalt go with him at the time of his going…
“Thou needest not fear, for thy husband shall support thee in the church…
“Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice and cleave unto the covenants which thou has made. Continue in the spirit of meekness, and beware of pride. Let thy soul delight in thy husband, and the glory which shall come upon him. Keep my commandments and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive…”
I realized there was so much more I could be doing to support Ken in his calling. My husband is hypoglycemic which means that there are times when his blood sugar drops. It happens most with stress or lack of sleep. So I took literally the part where it said, “thou shalt go with him at the time of his going”. On Sundays, when possible, I became his driver. If he were out visiting the ward members, I would drive and let him sleep the half hour that he needed in transit. I would sit in the car and read a book while he made the visit and then have my time with him on the half hour drive back home. There were days with several visits in a row and because I was the “designated driver”, he could put more of them in the same day, and therefore that left an evening free for our time. During the week there were many times when he had interviews with single sisters and someone else needed to be in the building. I took on that role. I can’t count the hours I spent reading or cross stitching on the couch outside his office. Again, when he was exhausted, I would be the one driving home and I knew he appreciated the support and the company, although we never spoke about what went on in his office.
We had the opportunity to attend a retreat for bishops and their wives and I was given the chance to share my personal experience with Section 25. Knowing I was going to be sharing with other bishop’s wives, I also wrote the following fun little essay:
10 ways to Know You are the Bishop’s Wife:
1. You are sitting in Sacrament meeting and you hear for the first time,
that a fireside is being held tonight AT YOUR HOUSE!
2. A two-hour video takes you 4 ½ hours to get through because of phone calls, or else your husband has never seen the middle part of a video because you finally gave up waiting!
3. By mistake, as your husband moves through to the back of the chapel after Sacrament meeting, he gives you a handshake just like everyone else.
4. You envy those in the east with a five-hour drive and overnight stay to the temple, just to have had that much time alone with your husband.
5. You are the only member in the ward who thinks those new couches in the foyer are neither all that beautiful nor all that comfortable.
6. The cell phone bill seems to be approaching the size of your house payment.
7. When planning a romantic evening with your husband, you first phone call is not to a restaurant, theater or hotel, but to his executive secretary.
8. The day of the youth temple trip you are secretly happy that the brakes in the car went out and you will have to take the truck, leaving no room for the others who were going in your car.
9. You can’t remember what was so busy about the month of December before he had “Tithing Settlement Declaration”.
10. Your husband comes home extremely late at night, puts his arms around you and says, “Tonight was wonderful. I’m sorry I can’t share anything with you. But I wouldn’t be able to do any of this, if it weren’t for your support. I’m so glad I have you to come home to both on the difficult nights and on the good ones like this.”
We have moved back to the west now. Our children are closer. My husband’s calling is as a teacher in Priesthood and he also is a home teacher. Of course, here, he walks to most of those appointments. He certainly doesn’t need me to drive him. Nevertheless, I work to make sure that my “soul delights in him, and the glory that shall come upon him”. I might bake for his home teaching families, or suggest a picture or idea for one of his lessons.
I’m just very grateful to know that the scriptures can take on such a personal meaning. That made a huge difference in being able to support my husband in his calling then and now.
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