It is days like today where I feel alone.  Everyone I know is gathered with friends to watch the Super Bowl and out little family is here alone with no invites. It is perfectly fine and we are not huge NFL football fans but sometimes thinking you have friends who would want you around is nice.  Fortunately, we have each other and when Jake gets home from his church responsibilities we will eat dinner and most likely play a game or watch a show.  There are no other people I prefer to be with anyways besides my crew. 

On a happy note though, we were able to attend the temple with the boys and youth on February 10th.  It was Christopher's first time, so I wanted to be there as well.

Helping neighbors

 Ice storms are beautiful but this was not pleasant for many.  We were fortunate and did not lose power except for the occasional blink and about 20 minutes once, so we did our best to open our homes to others for showers, warm meals, and to warm their bodies.  Saturday afternoon, Jake, the boys, and I went and help move broken limbs that had fallen from members yards.  it was great what a small group of people (2 families- us and the Young's) could do. Jake told the boys that is how things get accomplished in the world by small groups or individuals just doing it. I am sad for those without power still. 

 

Yesterday (Sunday) was the first time I felt like I had seen the weight of being a bishop on Jake's face.  I could tell that there was a lot on his mind or many things he may be dealing with. He did not get home from church until late (I was already gone for a camp meeting), then he took sacrament to a couple families, and came home to prepare a meal since we had people coming at 6:00 for dinner (no electricity of them still).  However, dinner was filled with the family complaining about things at church (classrooms, music, primary, teachers, etc.), so I felt that did not help Jake's day.  There is nothing I can do except be supportive and try to handle things outside of church such as home and school assignments but it makes me sad to see him weighed down.

Ice, Ice baby....

I love a beautiful blossoming, green, or multi-colored leave tree  but for the first time I can recall, I am thankful we do not have trees (one pictured is one of our neighbors). We have heard and seen trees snapping too much yesterday in our neighborhood with the build up of ice (it’s beautiful but dangerous- reminds me of the devil can try to be sly). School has been out the last two days (Thursday and Friday) due to a small ice storm.  We are very fortunate as many have been without power but we did not lose it all Thursday. It did go off Friday evening for about 15 minutes but was quickly restored.  I feel bad for those whom have not had it now for over 36 hours.  We have tried very hard to be diligent checking on people, especially the elderly and disabled.

 After church, we decided to make a quick trip to Jackson since Jake was going to have a late day.  We were not there long but I felt like I needed to go see my parents and check on them.  I am fortunate that it is only an hour and a half drive and we can make quick trips. We also decided that we cannot get our pose right with Jake and Ginny not in the pictures with us.

Christopher's 1st Talk

 Once upon a time a young boy was learning to ride a bike. He fell many times but each time his brother or sister was there to help him get back up and try again. That young boy was me.  I am Christopher Farrell, the youngest son of Jake and Renee’. I have two older sisters and one older brother.

The topic of my talk is love at home. First things first, let’s talk about love. Love  is the ability to care for someone.  

Love is the most powerful force of nature. Love will always over-power hate no matter how strong you hate someone, love will always still be there. At home there is family’s love for you, but the person that shows me the most love out of everybody in the whole wide world besides Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father is my brother.  In 1 Corinthians it says, “love is patient love is kind”.   My brother shows love to me is whenever I’m having a bad day or anything bad that has happened to me. To me my brother is a beacon of hope and love.

The most common theme of many tv shows and books is family. I don’t blame them,  that is a very good theme all around the world. Family, the people you love the most and at times dislike the most. The people that should always love you and not turn their back on you. My family helps me. Aubree takes me places, Ginny used to let me sleep with her when I was younger, and Will plays games with me. My dad helps me craft, during cub scouts, he helped me make my car for a race. My mom cooks and cleans for me. We have scripture and prayer together and have to share.

The song I am a child of God says: “I have a family here on earth and the they are so good to me.” My family is good to me.   In Colossians 3:13 it says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you as a grievance with someone. Forgive as the lord forgave you.”  There have also been multiple times I have to forgive my family members, like when my brother and I get upset and say mean things to each other.

Family will always love you no matter how far away you are, how many sins you committed, or no matter how old you are. One example of this is my sister Ginny. She is in college and my family always tries to call her every week to make sure she is okay and doing everything good. Mom and dad check up on her.

Some family does not live with you and may not be your birth family but they can still be family. We are all family to Heavenly Father and he wants us to come back to him.  We are here to love people, help people and share the gospel. Parents help us learn to serve.

My point is family will always love you and love never dies out. We can help all people feel love at home by comforting them when they have a bad day, serve them, and just be there in our house and in our communities.

Special Sunday

 This week has been busy but good for our little house, with the exception of Will not feeling well.  I kept him home from church Thursday and Friday because had a temperature but had stated Wednesday that he didn't feel good and had a headache. Aubree has been in her school play, Frozen Jr and as always does a fantastic job. She has the voice of an angel. We do not know how she manages her time as well as she does, but she does. She also found out this week, she is ranked 8/597 in her class, which is EXCELLENT.  Last night was a rough night for her as one of her friends tried to overdose, so she was up well into the night worrying about that and in tears. Jake and I are grateful that she woke us up and we were able to pray with her and I slept with her. 

Aubree also received her patriarchal blessing before church today.  She was promised many beautiful blessings based on her faithfulness and developing a relationship with the Savior.  She strives to be righteous and does an overall great job.  

Christopher passed the sacrament for the first timer today. He was very nervous but made it.  One of the little kids sneezed all in the water tray, so he had to bring it back up which I think was kind of embarrassing for him but he was a trooper. The man blessing the sacrament had a hard time hearing/understanding what he was saying but finally took the tray. My heart was a little sad that I could not ask him and interpret but it was a good experience for him.

Priesthood Ordinations

 Sunday, January 9, 2022 was a wonderful day for our family because Christopher was ordained a deacon by his father.  My parents were also able to drive up so my dad could stand in on the blessing.  I had been sick for a couple weeks but was feeling better just not 100%, but what a blessing to now be able to say that all the Farrell household boys are holders of the priesthood.

 We also received a text from Charity that day, stating that Riley wanted Jake to ordain him. So we made a plan to meet in Nashville the following Saturday (January 15, 2022).  We were fortunate to be able to keep that plan as Jake ended up sick Thursday but felt somewhat better Saturday to ride up.  Jake gives me the most beautiful blessings and as he gives them, I tend to feel the Spirit, it is a beautiful feeling. I am also grateful that my parents are able to be a part of these experiences.  

Today, we woke up to a little snow and the boys have enjoyed playing in it.  Many of the local congregations cancelled church due to the winter storm warning, including us, although Jake waited until morning to make the call since we have 11:30 church.  I may be a little selfish because I enjoyed home church so much.