Blessed

As you know we had our first guests on Friday night, but I didn't get to see the kids until Saturday morning. My partner (Miss Holly Woods -- no joke) and I set up our flag at around 9:30 and waited for children to file towards us. I for some reason didn't expect it, but most of the children had a huge problem with separation anxiety. There was one particular little boy named Ben, his mother was the one of the first to drop him off, but one of the lasts to leave. He didn't want anything to do with me, and would sort of moan anytime I got closer than 6 feet. I was a little worried, but I figured I would give him some space. So I left him with his mother and went back to the other kids.  Five minutes later we're getting ready to depart and I look around -- I had completely forgotten Ben-- but there he was sitting on a bench by himself 20-30 feet away. Seeing him was blessing number one!

I went over there with him and sat on the other end of the bench. I tried to engage him by asking him all about his favorite things. In response I was given soft moans from little Ben. Like my very presence was torturing. I said a quick prayer in my head, asking Heavenly Father to help me. It wasn't even a minute later that a small moth flew down in from of Ben and landed on the bench between us. Finally his eyes lit up, and he started to stare at the moth instead of just ahead. I asked him if he was scared of the moth -- I got a head nod. I don't know what else I was able to say, but because of that little moth I was able to engage Ben in conversation and eventually to willingly come with us over to the room. I considered this experience a direct answer to my prayer and I'm so glad I was able to see it for what it was!

Today we had a wonderful day at Church and I was humbled by the testimonies of the guests. This weekend was unique at Aspen Grove, because it was a weekend dedicated to single parent families that have been invited by their bishops to attend AG at a reduced rate. They are usually chosen because the last year has been especially difficult. I was so impressed with the way the mothers were able to stand today and sincerely be grateful for their trials. I do not understand how they came to that point in their lives, but I do know I was blessed to hear the things they said! The main message of the meeting was that God knows us and watches over us all. It was great! I hope everyone else had equally amazing days!

p.s. I got my Church assignment (we are a group so no callings are given -- just assignment) -- I'm teaching CTR 5 -- so I spend all week with four-year-olds, and Sunday with the 5 year olds. I'm not sure how I feel about this yet, but I am grateful that I don't have to teach Sunday School to the Apostles... Can you even imagine?