Sunday (Monday) Sermon

I've been feeling for quite some time to get back to recording more of my spiritual feelings because those are the things I really want my kids to know about me.

Last week at our YW presidency meeting, the agenda read:  

Spiritual Thought-Elise

I had written the agenda days before so it wasn't as if this was a surprise or anything. But minutes before the meeting, I remembered that I had not prepared one and I racked my brain for something to share. 

I came up completely blank. I had nothing. I was tired. Dan had been gone for 4 days. Of course Finn had been plagued by nightmares since he left and the night before, even though she hasn't missed the toilet in a few years, Ava threw up all over the tower of books beside her bed. Have you ever cleaned chunks of vomit from the metal coils of your child's precious spiral bound sketchbook in the middle of the night? I can't recommend it. 

There I stood in the kitchen before the meeting, devoid of nearly all thought and especially those of a spiritual nature, ready for the first knock of arrivals, and decided that tonight was my lucky night since I was running the meeting, we would just skip Spiritual Thought-Elise. 

And we did. 

But in the morning, my heart wasn't happy. It's not that I felt those who attended the meeting had missed out on my "valuable insight". Valuable or not, I had missed out on it. I had missed out on the opportunity to be taught by the spirit.

I like Spritual Thought Elise way better than No Spiritual Thought Elise.

Without even much effort (and probably more like a little present from God) my mind landed on a little picture I had recently seen. And I composed the following text to my dear comrades:

I woke up feeling guilty about not having a spiritual thought last night. Yesterday was not my finest day in many ways 😑 I came across this meme a week or so ago and I have thought about it off and on ever since.

 It reminds me of a quote that I heard in an institute class when I was in college-"most people only accept enough of the gospel to make themselves miserable." I have no idea who said it but it has stuck with me all these years. It has helped me maintain a perspective about the commandments, the meetings, the service, and my overall commitment to Jesus Christ. The majority of the time, I am happy for all of those things. I love the gospel and I love my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. My service to them does not feel like a burden it feels like a privilege and opportunity to express my love back to them. And to meet and love people along the way. But that is not to say that occasionally I don't have feelings of irritation or of being overwhelmed by aspects of the gospel. However, it has been helpful to me to be able to remember that quote and the idea behind that meme, and realize, if I'm feeling miserable about any of it, I'm not doing it right. Not only that, when I recommit myself, not only do I change my attitude, I open myself to more direct access to the atonement and am more fully open to receive the power I have been endowed with by God in the temple to help me accomplish my desires and feel peace along the way. So there you go. A day late spiritual thought :) 

And then I hit send. 

They were appreciative and kind. 

And best of all, I learned some things. 

A late thought is better than no thought. 

The times we feel far from the spirit are the times to dig in deeper, even, no especially, if we don't feel like it. 

 "If ye will draw near unto me, I will draw near unto you"

And with infinite patience, even if we are tired, or lazy, hurt, or obstinate, He waits for us, always. 

Merry Christmas!

Dear Friends and Family,

The fact that this card exists is its own Christmas miracle! We love you! And we have loved receiving your Christmas cards over the years.  Facebook and Instagram help us keep in touch but there is something fun about opening your mailbox and finding more than bills and advertisements.Your friendship and love, as well as the love of our Savior Jesus Christ, whose birthday we celebrate, keep and sustains us through our days.  Merry, Merry Christmas!

Dan reached his 5 year anniversary with his current company this year and earned a handheld Dyson vacuum cleaner.  He was actually really excited about it and so was I.  If that is not an indicator of the current status of our life, I don't know what is. He maintains the title of Best Dad Ever and serves in the Elder's Quorum presidency at church.  And while most of his other interests have been eaten by small children, he is still passionate about two things: Me and BYU football.  (The order varies by season.)

I am trying my darndest to keep 5 kids alive, homeschool Ava, and serve as the Young Women's president.  So far, so good.  Colorado is starting to feel like home and that is a welcome feeling.

Ava is 10.5 years old and in the fifth grade as we finish up our first full year of homeschooling.  She is simultaneously the troublemaker, the goody-goody, the class clown, and the teacher's pet.  She is an amazing artist and horseback rider and she is making my wildest dreams come true by being able to watch some of her brothers for short periods of time or while they're napping.  She's my right hand gal and I couldn't get along without her.

Luke is 8.  He is quiet and studious and loves school. He is a whiz at math, puzzles, and cup stacking.  He recently started piano lessons as his 3rd soccer season came to an end.  He got baptized this year and does a pretty good job at being the biggest brother.

Max, 6, is charming, and talkative, and oh so stubborn.  He started half day kindergarten this fall and think's it's pretty ok.  He is enjoying learning to read and write and leaves us notes taped all over the house.  He also finished up his 1st soccer season and loved it, mostly for the end-of-game treats and because it was a great arena for his pretend play.  He never knew where the ball was or what was going on, but he ran, and jumped, and yelled, and loved to watch how fast his own feet were moving.

Finn is the epitome of 2.  He's either wooing us with cutest, funniest little sayings and voice or he's making us want to pull out our hair.  He loves to pretend and sing and go to Costco.  He LOVES nursery at church and says he's ready for preschool.  He colors on the walls and still won't use the potty.

Jack is one! His first year has flown by.  He just barely started sleeping through the night.  He finds crawling very efficient and seems to have no interest in walking.  The kids keep begging for a dog and I keep trying to point out that Jack basically fits the bill.  In fact, I don't think we'd ever find one as cute.

We hope this letter finds you all well and happy.  Please know that we are sending along our best wishes!

Much Love,
The Coltons