Sun Beams & Perfect Moments

Little kids always know exactly what to say to touch your heart. I just have to take a minute to blog about the adorable experience I had subbing for Liz today in her primary class. She teaches the CTR 5 Class. So I was sitting in sharing time with them trying to get them to listen. I was thinking to myself how crazy it was that we expect them to listen to the long lessons and torment ourselves as teachers by trying to keep them quiet. The teacher was talking about treasures and went on and on about how we keep some things and treasure them up. She was reading scriptures and talking to the kids for about ten minutes. It was a really great lesson, but I was thinking there was no way any of the kids were listening, understanding, or even getting anything out of it. She then, however, asked the children what they treasured. One little girl answered, "I have a whole bag of treasures that I keep hidden from my little sister. She tries to eat them and they are special to me so she can't." Another little girl, Hannah, raised her hand and said, "I have a little heart necklace with diamonds and an H on it. It's SO special." Then another little girl jumped up raising her hand and said, "I treasure Jesus' love!" It was so cute and perfect, I couldn't believe this little five year old came up with that on her own. Then the teacher asked how we can treasure Jesus' love since it is not something we can really keep in a hidden box. To my surprise... and everyone elses... This little sun beam boy jumped up and shouted so excitedly, "SHARE IT!" After those two sweet comments, I realized that these small little primary children were listening, and although some things seemed too advanced for them, they understood, and sometimes, they understand in a better way than we do and can teach us more than we can teach them.
I was also listening to a cd that my mother gave me for Christmas that had this song on it that really made a difference in my week this week. So here it is.

(Lyrics: Sherry Marks Walker
Music: Doug Walker)
Performed by: Doug Walker

When Faith was smaller,
she had a treasure
Made just for little girls
Though made of plastic,
she loved to wear them
Her own strand of shiny pearls
Faith had a father, kind and gentle
How he loved his little girl
One night at bedtime he asked her
Will you give me your pearls

Oh no, not my pearls, Faith said
How about my teddy instead
And he said, your Daddy loves you –
it’s okay
And with a kiss, he tucked in, his little
Faith

As Faith grew, now and then he’d ask her
To give him her precious pearls
And though she loved him
she couldn’t give up
Her favorite thing in this world
Until one night, she said through her tears
Daddy, these are for you
As she let go of her little treasure
He was crying too

As he took her worn, plastic pearls
Around her neck he placed
A beautiful strand of genuine pearls
He had saved just for his sweet Faith

For all this world may have in store
He waits with so much more
Your Father loves you, it’s okay
To let go of what you hold with Faith

Lyrics based on the story “The Treasure” by Alice Gray
from the book “More Stories for the Heart”

I guess I just felt like this song and the experience in Primary is telling me that I need to treasure things more. Especially things from my Savior, and share those with others in different ways. I know I take so much for granted and other things I love and I am selfish and don't want to give them up. Even though sometimes there are better things in store. Moving to North Carolina has really taught me how much I took for granted. It has really helped me to be more thankful and appreciative of the things I have. Not that I don't have things out here that I am grateful for. Don't get me wrong. I love being out here and learning so much. I guess I am just having one of those looking back on days when I lived at home and things were easy moments. Even though I always thought those days were SO hard. I am so glad I am living in North Carolina and learning so much. It is crazy to look back and see how much I have changed. I feel like my outlook on life has changed in the past six months. This week I hope to try to treasure things better and keep changing for the better! :)