Pitty Party

I feel so grateful to be blessed with the gift of patience. I’m usually pretty level tempered. Maybe too much sometimes. Kids do not normally stress me out beyond my tolerance level. I obviously love my own kids, but I think I love other people’s kids more than most. In my patriarchal blessing it says, “I feel to bless you that you will be a teacher wherever you may be. The greatest teacher was the Savior. May you emulate His life and be kind to your children and others. Teach them, read to them and tolerate their tantrums, that they will recognize your sincere love for them and your patience will be another blessing to you.”
I will never forget one of my most stressed out Monday nights. I was losing control and starting to freak out a little...or maybe alot. Awhile ago, as usual, I was getting the kids ready for bed alone because Tyler was at work. It had been a very hectic evening and the kids were all hyped up. It had been a fairly normal day of very little sleep, baths, clipping 80 fingernails + toenails, redoing the girls hair after she cried and cried about how she hates braids, working with 25 toddlers and trying to keep them all entertained while I clean up one of their messes in the bathroom which somehow managed to be everywhere but the toilet, mountains of laundry, babysitting, carpooling, helping kids with homework, getting a snack for the littlest one to make him happy after he wiped out and screamed ridiculously loud while cleaning up his owie, quickly tidying up for a primary meeting, cooking cereal for dinner, arguing about the oldest ones Halloween costume that isn’t until 10 months away, unclogging the toilet, grocery shopping with 4 hyper kids, wiping up messes, listening to the 3rd child sobbing dramatically about her itchy pajamas, and trying to explain for the three thousand four hundredth and eighteenth time why we can’t go to the Disneyland tomorrow, etc etc. All of course with my head pounding with a headache I had since I woke up before the sun even came up. I know all you Moms can relate. My trash had been kicked. I was exhausted. I was pooped. Completely worn out. Mentally, emotionally, and physically. I felt like I was drowning. I gathered the kids around and the normal Monday plan was to do Family Home Evening and scripture study and family prayer and finally bed time. My stress level felt like it was going to make my brain explode. I could not handle all the noise. My to-do list that needed to get done after the kids were in bed was playing through my mind. I knew it was going to be hours before my head hit my pillow that I so missed. I was fed up with the day. I just wanted it to be over. I quickly changed my mind and we just said prayers and I snapped for them to quickly get into their beds. They questioned why we weren’t going to do FHE and I just said “Cause. Get in bed.” As I watched them walk away I decided to just sit for a second and take a deep breath before following them to give goodnight kisses. I collapsed on the floor and pulled my knees up and buried my face in my hands and said a quick prayer pleading with my Heavenly Father for just an ounce of patience. That second changed my entire attitude. I had an impression come over me so gently but so firmly saying, “Don’t let Lucifer win." I burst into tears and my burdens immediately felt so much lighter. I quickly called them all back and had one of the most spiritual family nights we have ever had. I bore my testimony to them and talked about fast and testimony Sundays. I then had each of them get up and bare their testimony. Their simple child like faith is beautiful to me. I don’t want them to ever lose that. I want to do all I can to help them hold onto that throughout their lives.
I know our prayers are answered. “God’s holy angels are ever on call to help us. The Lord so declared: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” What a promise! When we are faithful, He and His angels will help us. If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. D&C 98: “Your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord…and are recorded with this seal and testament-the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted…and all things where with you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and my name’s glory, saith the Lord.” -Elder Russell M. Nelson Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

{Branson}
"I know this church is true. I know that the prophets are true. And I know they tell the truth. And I know the ten commandments are true. And I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus and the temples are true. I know the gospel and the Holy Ghost is true. I know that families can always be together. I know that Jesus died for us. And that he made the plan of salvation."
{Shyann}
"I know the church is true. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus are true. I know that they love me. I know that the church and the temple are true. I know the prophets are true. And what they say is true. I know that Jesus died for us. And I love Him. And I know he loves me."
{Trulie}
"I know that Jesus died for us. I know the church is true. I know I can be nice and go to Heaven. I know I can say prayers and read scriptures. I know the temple is true. I love Jesus and Heavenly Father."
{Jarvis}
"Everyone can be nice. Jesus will come back alive. Heavenly Father and Jesus are going to be staying alive. I love Jesus. I love Him super much. I go to primary. And I sit down. I read the scriptures. I read a lot. I say the prayer."

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.