The latter part of Novemeber

 

    Aubree loves theatre so was excited to hear the school would do a play this year.  It was a radio to adhere social distancing guidelines and she was pleased to obtain a role.  Naturally, she did well.  Ginny exercised her privilege to vote this year. Some days, I still cannot believe is 18.

 

 

       After months of not being able to attend in person church, it was nice to return on 10/25.  It is a little awkward: only sacrament, no singing, all in masks and socially distanced but it was nice to be back.  I do miss home church too though and feel it was very beneficial. On Halloween, we hosted our first Halloween party in the cove. Although it was  small and social distanced we had an enjoyable time. Being a Saturday, daylight savings, temperature in the 70’s,  and a full moon, it made me a little sad that Covid dampened Halloween.  Many people did not participate in handing out candy nor trick or treating. I would venture to say we had less than a dozen small little groups. The families in the neighborhood that did hand out candy, many did so from a table at the end of their driveway or had pre-made baggies sat out for the children to pick up. After returning from walking with the boys and cousins’ trick or treating we sat around a fire pit in the cove and sipped hot chocolate.  Overall, despite Covid, it was a nice day.

          Aubree has now been in her 2^nd car accident. Both happened over a 12-day period with the second one happening days after receiving the car back and possibly even the first time driving it since.  The first one happened October 15^th) in a driveway as she was backing out and hit a tree.  The second one (10/27) was a little worse because another car was involved. She did measure her distance well and went to turn and another car hit her.  She was at fault and the other car totaled.  Both times, the minute she called, I knew as soon as I answered and heard her voice, she was involved in an accident.  On the 2^nd one, I had literally picked up my phone to call to see where she was when it rang.  Somehow, I remained calm and not getting upset, realizing a tree and a car are just things and our little girl was okay. In the scheme of things, those things can be replaced, and the incident could have been much worse.

          Both of my brothers flew in this weekend for a few days, so we are celebrating Thanksgiving a little early with my side of the family.  Both are here less than 5 days so I want to visit as much as I could.  The kids and I drive to Jackson yesterday afternoon to spend a few hours.  It was one of the most pleasant trips.  Due to Covid, my family and I chose to stay outdoors the entire time but had a nice visit.  My heart was full just watching the kids play and hearing all the laughs. Sandra did not make it down yesterday but plans too today.  My heart was happy and the weather perfect, it made me miss living in the country some.  

 

Our tithes

 So today as we had home church over 3 Nephi 20-26 and a part of it speaks of Malachi 3:10 ("Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.)", this week as I was studying Come Follow Me a new meaning about tithing and the windows of heaven stuck out to me in something I heard or read. I guess in my mind the windows of heaven opening was about our needs being met and we have been recipients of that when Jake was in school and somehow out bills were able to paid. But my new knowledge involves temples and temple work. It dawned on me those windows of heaven could be work done in temples (for the living and dead) that binds families forever and our tithes pay for temples. That’s the real window to heaven.

Where does time go?

 This school year has been insane as far as trying to stay afloat at school and in our home, so this fall break is much needed to re-group with our kids. Our days seem so repetitive-work, home, kid's work, dinner, bed, and repeat. There have not been too many significant one time big events that have happened besides Aubree is a licensed driver (yikes) but I am hoping in the future we look back and see the hand of the lord that changed our lives for the better during this time. Last week, as we watched conference, we realized although our life is busy, it is not hard and we must prepare for what may become.  We must fortify our family and our relationship with God.

Aubree taking her driver's test

Boys snuggle during home church

Periodic table tile shirts

Hocus Pocus Shirts

 

The Farrell Family...

will not depart from the faith, because we are firm, steadfast, and immoveable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. (see 3 Nephi 5-7)

 

SERVES GOD with diligence night & day.

 

WILL NOT DOUBT the prophet.

 

FORSAKES sin & abomination.

 

PREACHES GOD’S LOVE to all & will not oppress or persecute

 

NOTICES the great and marvelous things (the tender mercies too)

 

STRIVES TO KEEP order in the land by upholding laws that are just & equitable.

 

RECEIVES RAILINGS & persecution but does not revile against them but is humble.

 

KEEPS PEACE of the land in our family.

 

ENDEAVORS to be humble.

 

REMAINS CONVERTED to the Lord.

 

RECEIVES INSPIRATION from heaven to STAND, TEACH, & boldly TESTIFY about the Savior.

 

HAS GREAT FAITH and HOLDS FAST to personal revelation

 

TURNS TOWARDS righteousness.

HONORS & PARTICIPATES in the power of the Priesthood of God.

 

REMAINS clean with continual repentance (turning back to God).

 

BRINGS MIRACLES to others and is one.

 

WILL NOT YEILD to Satan’s powers

 

TESTIFIES of repentance through Christ.

 

WATCHES for the signs of the Savior.

 

RECOGNIZES God’s miracles.

 

EXPRESSES GRATITUDE for God’s hand in our lives.

 

FINDS REASONS to bless the Savior.

 

STUDIES the scriptures and words of the prophets.

 

TESTIFIES of the Spirit of God & allows the Spirit to be our guide.

 

KEEPS the COMMANDMENTS & recognizes how the Lord blesses & prospers us.

 

RECOGNIZES the POWER of the SPIRIT.

 

MINISTERS to others.

 

LIVES AS A DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ.

BELIEVES, IS LOVED, and LOVES!

Beautiful reminder

 Yesterday at 11:55 pm, Jake posted the following on facebook...it is a beautiful reminder and a part of his testimony that I want to always remember.

"Today was one of those days that I felt unworthy of my Savior’s love. I didn’t help anyone, didn’t spend quality time with my family, and was just completely selfish. And at the end of the day I thought that I probably shouldn’t pray. Why would God listen?

 

Then, I felt a prompting and a thought. All of the other days this week I did my best. I thought of others and served where I could. Those were the days that Jesus was cheering me on. But on a day like today, this is the reason why He died for me. He knew I would have these days. He knew I would need Him. He loved me so much that He would sacrifice Himself to help me overcome days like these. The thought of not praying seemed so ungrateful. Satan would have me feel guilt to the point of forgetting my Savior.

 

So I removed myself from my bed and knelt to offer a simple prayer. “Please God, help me always remember my Savior, Jesus.” I thought of His love and thanked Him for helping me on days like these.

If you ever have a day like this, please remember that Jesus died to help you overcome the bad days. He hears your prayers. Do not yield to thoughts of guilt or shame. God loves you."

Bad 4 weeks

 It seems almost nightly, I come to bed feeling like a loser of a parent or just plain exhausted.  I feel like I am barely afloat this school year. While the whole "in person" teaching and "virtual" teaching is exhausting in itself, I come home to try to make sure my boys have done their work. Will is in trouble very night for his school work not being done and his desires to watch television and be on electronics instead.  His grades (well all three that are still in regular school (not college)) are lower and it makes me feel like a terrible parent.  I am struggling to try to balance work and home right now. I feel like I always have a list a mile long to do for work and then it does not help to get messages or stopped in the hall about my kid missing work.  It really is almost more than I can take these days and I am clueless as to what to do to make it better. I wonder if I was home with them if it would be better.  Ginny has been great about being here but it is not the same. Did we make the best choice for our kids?  The kids at school do not seem to be getting sick, so would my kids be? Then I wonder if Covid is really as bad as it has been made out to be. I am really doing my best but I feel that is not enough. 

Wrapping up summer

 How our two weekends before students returning looked.

Happy Sweet Sixteen

 Our Aubree is double dating age---YIKES.  What an example of righteousness she is to our family.

Facts about Aubree, by Aubree:

You currently want to be when you grow up: A veterinarian/ veterinary assistant (but I'm also allergic to dander so... subject to change) OR Any sort of medical degree ... With that said, it's a lot of college, so I may just teach or something like that

Your favorite color is: Forest Greens, blue, & sunset yellow/ orange

Your favorite show: Parks and Recreation

Your favorite game is: The Farming Game

Your favorite toy or activity is: Theater

Your favorite boy is: Jesus

You are really good at: Ummm, I don't want to sound prideful. However, I feel like I'm pretty good at acting and painting. I've also gotten a lot better at musical instruments (the piano, ukulele, my own dang voice, and guitar) not good enough to say I'm really good at it, but it's improvement. 

Your best friend is: GINNY!! Amelia Seamen, Noah Orris, Anna Wright

You want to vacation to: Greece, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Greenland -- Somewhere with fantastic views that I could paint and write poems about

Your favorite ice cream is: Denali Moose Tracks (Private Selection/ Fancy Kroger Brand) or Talenti ice creams

Your wish is to be: Charitable, patient, serviceable, and kind

Your hero is: Jesus & Papaw & Dad

Your favorite thing to do with your friends is: Have talks in the car with one another; following going to Sonic

Your favorite holiday is: Christmas

Your favorite person in the whole world is: Jesus Christ

Your favorite song(s) is: Nothing More by Alternate Routes & Aubrey by Bread (Papa Eaton and I dance to it together) & Classics like Earth Angel (the Penguins), Fly Me to the Moon (Frank Sinatra), Teenager in Love (Dion and the Belmonts), etc.

Your favorite restaurant is: Gus's Fried Chicken

Your favorite foods are: Mom's Pork Burritos, Dad's Freddy's Burgers, and Ginny's takeout

If you had $1000 you would buy: First I would pay tithing (mom says every year that it is after I pay tithing, but I just felt the need to clarify). Then, I would probably save the money to pay for college.