I just finished "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo with the kids and I have to say...It is the most adorable, heart-warming, bitter-sweet children's story I've read in a while, maybe ever. Love and loss, friendship and faith, forgiveness and compassion--Great lessons for little ones. Several times the main character, Opal, talks about her heart feeling full when she has shown love to others and accepted their love in return. I love the way she describes it. One time, she is looking around the backyard that she decorated for a party for her seemingly misfit friends and says, "It looked so pretty that it made my heart feel funny, all swollen and full..." Opal was not used to pretty things. Again at the end of the story she says" I looked around the room at all the diffferent faces, and I felt my heart swell up inside me with pure happiness."
After reading that part, Hannah stops me with her face all flushed and says, "Mom. Wait. I really, really, really need to tell you something. That's how I feel when I know Jesus is with me. When I'm riding my bike and He's with me, when I'm at school and He's with me..." Well, I can tell you that my heart felt ready to burst and I started to tear up. Alex asked me why I was crying and I told him that I was feeling the Spirit and explained what that feeling was. Jake said, "You mean like when Maren cried at her baptism? I thought it was just because she was scared to go up!" So cute! We've obviously talked about the Spirit before, (especially after their friend Maren's beautiful baptism and cousin Mason too) but this time they truly felt it and knew how to describe it and it was an awesome moment! With the twins' baptism coming up at the end of this year, it means even more to me that they understand the gift they'll recieve of having the Holy Ghost with them always. Gotta love those moments!
I heart Hannah!!
10 comments:
Precious! I love those moments where you get such a special glimpse of the spirit of your child. You are such a amazing mom, teaching your children how to recognize the spirit. Hannah being so young, feels that, It's awesome.
I love this story. I love that you got that teaching moment. What a blessing. Now if only Maren would finish writing in her journal about her baptism, so that SHE could remember feeling that spirit. hmmmm. Thanks for the reminder. Gotta do that for Sunday homework this week.
Oh, shoot. I posted as Maren.
That is one of the sweetest things I've ever heard. Cute little Hannah.
Annie! Hello! I was so happy to stumble across your blog (I think I got to it through Karen Stapley). It's great to know you're doing well and that you have a new little boy! I can't believe how big the twins are! Stay in touch- Catherine
www.savitsky5.blogspot.com
Oh my goodness, what is it about this age?? They are too sweet and eager to live the gospel. Sol is being baptized in July and I can't wait!! He is even more excited.
So glad you wrote that down to remember in the future. It's those little teaching moments that make all the 3 hour meetings worth it! Love you and can't wait to see you tonight. Happy Birthday!!
That is such a cute little story about your kids. And one that will be great to look at later, and remember. Have you rented the movie for them yet? We showed it at my Dentist office, and I just loved it. It was such a seet movie. Your kids will love it after reading the book.
That was supposed to say "sweet" movie. Nice proof reading...
What a great story! It's amazing when you can see the testimonies growing in your children...
BTW, the author of Winn-dixie write another book which is equally fantastic called "The Adventures of Edward Tulane". Victoria and I read it out loud last month and at the end I couldn't stop crying!!! She is a wonderful author.
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