All That Noise...I'm Going to Miss It Some Day

Our crew in Times Square

No, our house is no museum where everything is always orderly, clean, and quiet. It's more like a workshop! And on a Sunday afternoon when I'd like to enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet, I hear laughter, bantering, two children running around, one chasing the other, someone screaming 'stop!!', someone playing piano in the family room, all at the same time! Yes, a house with five children is no museum. So, today as I had a split second to be by myself in my bedroom, I observed, some day I will miss all this noise.

That was in my mind because earlier in the day, a friend of mine commented to me that his children are all gone now and the only thing he has left are pictures and videos. I'm sure he and his wife enjoy life in this new phase of life. But he told me he missed his children and I could tell he did. Then his wife added "when you have young children, that is your whole life!...then they leave and you don't know what to do with yourself."

So, there are at least two risks here...

On the one hand, 'putting up' with the mundane things of everyday life such as driving children around, making lunches, helping with homework, going to their activities, reminding them to put their coats up on the hanger for the 100th time, the never ending chores, etc. may keep us from truly enjoying this wonderful stage in life when the children are still at home.

On the other hand, letting that be 'life-as-we-know-it' may keep us parents from developing a relationship with our spouse independent from our children.

So, I'm determined to do a little better at both, enjoying the noise of life and more purposefully developing a relationship with my wife that is not centered around our child rearing tasks only.

After all, someday they will be gone and my house may look more like a museum, always orderly, clean, and quiet. And when that day comes, I hope to sit next to my wife and enjoy the videos, pictures, and good memories of all the noise my children make today. In the meantime, I'm happy with my workshop, noise and all!

A Child's Prayer: What I as a Father Learned From My Little One

Luke & Helaman around the time
of the incident.

Recently we read as a family the account of Nephi breaking his bow and the whole family suffering hunger because of it. It always strikes me as interesting that after he makes a new bow and arrow, he goes to his father, the patriarch, the prophet, Lehi to ask for direction "Whither shall I go to obtain food?" Lehi asked the Lord and learned a lesson that I think he always remembered.

As I thought about this event, I thought about how Lehi was humbled and learned a powerful lesson because of his son's gentle invitation. And then I remembered a similar experience that happened to me many years ago when my first son Helaman was about 4 years old.

We had been shopping. It was a late and chilly January night. Kelly, Helaman, and Luke (who was one then) waited in the car as I made one last quick purchase. When I came back I discovered that Helaman had stuck the wrong key in the ignition (what?). After a lot of effort, the key finally came out but when I try to insert the right key, the key wouldn't turn, it didn't even go all the way in as normal. I spent the next several minutes trying different things but to no avail. As each minute passed, and it kept getting late, and colder in the car, my frustration grew. And just at the wrong time (for me), Helaman said in his innocent little voice: "Dad, why don't we say a prayer?" Being in the state of mind that I was, I felt no desire to pray, so I said without really meaning it, "okay, why don't YOU pray?"

As my little boy started praying, guilt came over me and then concern. What is he going to think when he realizes that the key will not turn simply because he said a prayer? I didn't want his faith to be shaken. In truth, at that moment, it was my faith that was absent, not just shaken.

He finished his prayer.

Nervously and hesitantly I turned the key. Slowly.

This time, it didn't resist at all.

The car started!

At that moment I felt a spirit of peace come over me. Not just because the car had started. I felt relief yes. But what I felt was more like a gentle rebuke of love that reassured me that God listens to prayers, particularly those of His little ones.

That night, a child's prayer was answered in what I felt was a miraculous way. What's more, a father learned a powerful lesson that I will never forget: to trust in the Lord, seek his help, and to be patient and believing.

As Nephi did, my children also teach me many lessons. Yes, it takes humility to recognize them but fathers can and should learn from children valuable lessons for life and living. For that, I am grateful to be a dad.

Father's Blessings...Who Remembers Them?

Camille as a new born.

Today was a special day because two of my friends blessed their babies during sacrament meeting. What a great treat it was to see these faithful men use the power of the priesthood given to them to give a father's blessing to their infant babies as they begin their earthly journey.

But, who really remembers these blessings? I must admit that I don't; and today I wished that I had documented my children's blessings better. But the infant is too young to remember. And the parents, even if they write the blessing, probably seldom review it or are likely to misplace it and never see it again.

But that doesn't' matter! What matters is that a father pronounced a blessing by the power of God. What matters is that the blessing is binding and in full force, even when the child isn't aware of it. What matters is that the blessings pronounced are fulfilled even when we don't remember them, even when we take them for granted.

But today, as my friends pronounced these very special blessings on their respective children, I was reminded of the importance of a father's blessing. They matter, even if we don't remember them.

Out of Small Things...

Amidst a lot of important activity, Joseph and many of the church leaders in Kirtland received the following instruction:

"Wherefore, as ye are agents, ye are on the Lord’s errand; and whatever ye do according to the will of the Lord is the Lord’s business...Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." (Doctrine & Covenants 64:29, 33).

This is excellent counsel for us as fathers. We are indeed on the Lord's errand. In fact, we are doing the Lord's business. The work of fatherhood (and of motherhood) is laying the foundation of a great work. Let us not forget or neglect the small things such as:

• Studying the scriptures with our families
• Praying together every day
• Having family meals
• Worshiping together and keeping the sabbath of the Lord
• Showing respect for one another
• Fostering family unity
• Having fun together
• Setting a good example of righteous living for our children to see and follow

These and many other small things can easily be crowded out by other seemingly important and urgent matters of daily life such as meetings, business travel, school functions, hobbies, sporting events, deadlines, even church activities and callings. Let us focus on what really matters to the Lord and be not weary in these things. For out of small things proceedeth that which is great!

Christmas Time...Family Time

The end of the year can be a very busy time. Shopping, sending cards, planning vacations, wrapping presents, sending presents, closing business cycles, setting goals, traveling, get togethers with friends and family, etc.

All good endeavors, but none more important than spending time focusing on Christ and family. After all, the only reason we have Christmas is because Christ was born to fulfill His divine mission. And the purpose of His mission is to 'bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' And eternal life is only to be achieved in family units.

Then, let us at Christmas time, celebrate and remember Christ and the hope that is in His infinite atonement. Let us spend quality time with our families and focus on how to make them more 'fit for the kingdom' and happier in this life.

As fathers, that is our most important charge. All other things will then come into their proper focus at the appropriate time.

Merry Christmas!!

Meet Bill, a Father Indeed

A garbage man, coin collector a fisherman, father of three girls and a special son, and the husband of a dear beloved wife with multiple sclerosis. This is the inspiring story of a devoted husband and father. Take a look.

"It is an honor to be a father!"

For more inspiring messages visit the Mormon Channel on YouTube.

10 Great Christmas Gifts Ideas for Fathers

Photo by Naito8

Christmas is a time of gift giving. And what child (or adult) does not get excited about what Santa will bring on Christmas morning? For parents (and grandparents) Christmas time means lots of shopping for that special gift. People go to great lengths to obtain that cherished gift or get the bargain that comes once a year only. It can be time consuming and stressful. But parents do it for their loved children even when they know that the excitement of that special surprise on Christmas morning will too soon fade away and the new shiny coveted gift will take its place among the collection of gifts from years past long forgotten.

But there are gifts all fathers can give their children that are priceless, enduring, and far more valuable than anything money can buy. These gifts may not be received with the excitement and anticipation of a nicely wrapped gift on Christmas morning. These gifts may not even be desired when they are given. But I'm convinced that they will be appreciated long after they are given. So, what are those gifts any father can give their children that have lasting value?

1. The gift of time
2. The gift of unconditional love
3. The gift of knowing they are loved
4. The gift of happiness
5. The gift of patience
6. The gift of hope in the future
7. The gift of gratitude
8. The gift of hard work
9. The gift of righteousness
10. The gift of faith in God and Jesus Christ

Those are some of the gifts I've received from my father. What gifts have you received from your dad that are of enduring value?