First Week of School DL

Dear Calder, You were so sweet last week to text and ask how everyone's first week of school went. I think everyone felt good about it. Jane has transitioned well to going to school all day. Some of the kids in the neighborhood who are in 1st grade with her have been crying and running away from school. Super grateful that's not the experience we are having with Jane. There's a little 6th grade drama going on with Gwen and Eden. This is the first time Gwen has ever been in the same school with Eden. They are different grades and Eden is a little bossy with Gwen. Gwen has seriously grown up so much and wants nothing to do with being bossed around, so she's kind of giving Eden a slightly cool shoulder and needing a bit more space. It's a really tricky spot to be in for me. I am hoping things work themselves out. Henry and McKay just seem to already be on cruise control. I can feel that life is just a bit more dramatic and emotional when you are a 6th grade girl versus a 6th grade boy. Am I up for it??? We had a really great week. My Monday felt really strange with everyone going off to school. I think I spent some time mouring the summer ending, the kids going back to school, etc. My heart tugged when I hugged McKay and sent him off to his senior year. I am already missing the fact that he will be gone before I know it. And Jane going to first grade was a tear jerker. We've just been in such a sweet spot for so long in our home and I see our family growing up so fast. I wouldn't change things but every now and then I have to take some time and think, process and work through feelings. That's what Monday was for me. Plus, I was so dang tired because Gwen wakes up at 6am and takes AN HOUR to get ready for school. Again, this is a very big change from what I'm used to. This weekend was a lot of fun with the bike race. I really missed you. Everyone asked about you. You've got to love the Pogues. They are just a total class act! Whitney told me it was her last year coaching. That's a big loss for CCHS. We already told you about the race. I was so proud of McKay and super thankful that he didn't have any mechanical issues. Saturday night Dad and I were on a panel for the adult stake conference meeting. It was a little stressful to get asked. President Lee asked us to participate and we of course said yes. He also asked us to send him a couple of questions. That was stressful. On Monday night - after a very strange day of sending the kids off to school - I worked on my questions and this was the email I sent to President Lee: Thank you President Lee for this opportunity. I’m going to take this from a different angle. Maybe it’s selfish, but these are some of MY concerns, thoughts and feelings as a mother. This opportunity is similar to those times when you are the coach of a team that your child is playing on and although your child is not the best on the team, you have the opportunity to play them because you’re the coach. So, because I was asked to be on the panel, here are some of MY questions. That being said, I’m not sure how to answer these questions, so take that into consideration… 1) Sometimes I feel discouraged and exhausted as a mother when it comes to combating the evils of this day. I know the Lord is by my side and I’ve received many spiritual promptings that have led me to discover sins and lies that are infiltrating our home/the lives of our children. I’m grateful for the opportunity I have to work through these issues with my children while they are still living at home but it feels like an uphill, never ending battle and that as much as I try to fortify our home, evil makes its way in. I will never give up the fight but I’d love to hear what you have to say to all the parents on the front lines to rally/encourage them during these tough times. 2) My son has close friends who are LGBT+ and one of his great characteristics is loyalty and love. He is struggling to understand how to be a loyal and loving friend AND understanding the church’s stance. As his parents we feel like we need better word balls or ideas on how to communicate the LOVE that our prophet/leaders of the church/church members/etc. have for those in the LGBT+ community while explaining the church's stance. We have deeply rooted testimonies but struggle when this conversation comes up because it can be so full of misunderstandings and contention. But it feels like one of the most important conversations to be having with our youth right now. How do we have these conversations more effectively with our youth with words that they understand? Good luck! I hope my thoughts and questions help in some small way. Catherine This process was extremely interesting for me. It was emotional to write my thoughts down. It's also very vulnerable to let those feelings out. My mind continued to return to these questions and it really felt like I was led all week and given personal revelation. Both of my questions were actually used. One for the Saturday night panel and one for the Sunday leadership training. Here are the questions they gave us for the saturday night panel: Theme: What can we do as adults to strengthen our youth? Questions: 1) We desire our youth to spend their time wisely, especially in regards to technology, and their devotion to religious practices that bring the Spirit into their busy lives. Are we, as adults and parents, leading by example when it comes to those things we desire most for our youth and their happiness? What can we do better? 2) Everyone needs to feel welcome, accepted, needed, and appreciated. What are we doing, as adults and parents, to show genuine and sincere interest in the youth? How can we do better? 3) We live in a world of comparisons, and often find ourselves lacking. This environment often leads to anxiety and depression amongst our youth. What can we do as adults and parents to help our youth be more resilient and confident? 4) Our homes and families are being bombarded with evil and deception. What can we do as adults and parents to counter the infiltration of the adversary in the lives of our youth? 5) How do we help our youth, as the Prophet has taught, to truly “Hear Him,” and to receive revelation that will assist them in their lives? I wish I could have picked your brain as I prepared to answer these questions. If you have any thoughts you'd like to share, I would love to hear! Because the bishop asked us to lead a discussion with our answers next Sunday (5th Sunday). I still don't know all the answers but I've thought a lot about the questions. One answer that came to me for #4 came as clear as day. I think it is studying the Book of Mormon. I came across a compilation of promises from prophets about what happens when you study the Book of Mormon. Here's a few that really pointed to the answer to my question: You will have greater discernment, insight, conviction, and spirit than those who do not. The spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Faith, hope, and charity--the pure love of Christ--will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness. It will fortify you against the evils of our day. I've learned through this experience that there is A LOT of value in actually writing down our questions. I've prayed many times before and asked questions, but actually writing them down brought it a lot deeper. I also had the opportunity to hear from the good old Bishop Robinson in the leadership meeting this morning. He is simply awesome. I absolutely love the man. I thought a lot about him and the amazing communicator he is. I've come to the conclusion that he is an amazing communicator because he writes in his journal! Every time I hear him speak he shares a piece of a journal entry. Again, there is great power in writing thoughts and feelings down. I think it makes us a better communicator and a better prayer. I also think it helps us receive greater revelation. So, I've got to think about how I can use this in my life to make me a better communicator, prayer, revelation seeker, etc. This weekend built me and exhausted me. I feel like my brain is a little achy. We also had a Horsley Sunday gathering today. It was great to be together. Ethan is on his drive home from Philly with his girlfriend, so we missed him. Can't wait to hear all about his summer. Everyone seems to be doing really well. Here's a run down on the pics: Henry flexing...like always right now. Henry's answer to HOCO....pretty funny and disgusting. He could hardly pick it up to throw it away because of his strange aversion to anything besides chicken nuggets. Gwen and Kapri Warnock on Kapri's awesome bike/riding toy. Gwen on her second day of school, first day riding a bike mad that I wanted to take a pic. Welcome to the tweens. Henry's first day pic Mckay's first day pic Jane's first day pic Mountain bike race pics Kevin linkous photoshop A pic of McKay and Henry singing in the youth choir. McKay looked like a missionary. They sang "If you could hie to kolob" and it was amazing. You would have loved it. And the best part is they felt it. Hope you have a great week. I can't believe all the crazy things going on. You're learning so many great things. Continue to be flexible and roll with it like you've been doing. When you have a question or something you need to work through or something you need to communicate well, write it down. The power of the written word is amazing. I'm going to work on that this week. Keep up the great work. I'll be praying for you and your zone. You make me happy. I love and miss you! And I'm praying for you! Love you tons! MOM :)