Awesome Bailey

Like the scripture says, there is nothing more joyful than to know that my children walk in truth.  

Last night Bailey asked to be in charge of family home evening.  She had prepared a truly amazing lesson about giving service.  She had (as part of a personal progress goal) paid special attention over a two week period to people giving small acts of service at home or at school. She kept a record of these things in her journal, which she shared with us, and she told us that she was surprised how often people did very small, kind things. She said she realized how easy it is to do small things to brighten someone's day which have a great effect on the recipient.

Bailey had us look us some scriptures about service - Matthew 25:40, Mosiah 2:17, Luke 9:24.  She talked about Jesus is our greatest example of giving service. She specifically mentioned the time He washed the feet of the apostles, showing love and humility.

She had carefully chosen the opening and closing songs: the 2nd and 3rd verses of of "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" and "I'll Walk With You" from the Children's Songbook.

Bailey shared some great quotes about service.  These are some of my favorites. They are earning a spot on our wall:

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness,
but the number of prayers we answer may be of greater importance."  Elder Uchtdorf

"A little consideration, a little thought for others makes all the difference."  Eeyore 

(we made her read this one using Eeyore's voice)

"You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you."  

Elder Eyring

"Let our hearts and hands be stretched out in compassion toward others,
 for everyone is walking his or her own difficult path."  Elder Uchtdorf

She finished the lesson by having everyone write a "get well" card to a cousin who had surgery that day.

I'm so proud of my Bailey girl - she is a remarkable young woman, and she truly exemplifies the charitable qualities she was teaching us. Almost every day I hear from someone how delighted they are with the way she is charitable to others, especially those who can "never repay" her. 

A final thought . . . . the lesson obviously had an impact, because after we sang the closing song and had the family prayer, Bailey headed upstairs to work on homework.  I mused out loud that she had forgotten to do her chore (vacuuming the hardwoods).  Joseph jumped up and volunteered to do it for her, as a "secret service."  After the chore was done, he left this note attached to the vacuum:

Then he really wanted me to "order her to come do her chore."  So, I sternly told Bailey to come down and do her chore right now.  I guess the tone and words were a little out of character for me, because she looked pretty shocked.  Until she saw the note, and then we we all laughed and she smothered her brother with kisses.