Unity: One in Heart and Mind

Maybe my kids aren't as far gone as I imagin. The other day, on the way to school, T preformed an act of kindness and service for D. D was have one of her typically slow mornings (although she has tried very hard to speed things up) and didn't have enough time left for her mother to "fix" her hair before leaving for school. On the way to school T braided D's hair and made it up for her. This gives me hope that maybe (finally) they are starting to think of others before themselves, at least some of the times. 

As I mentioned in my last post, I am desirous that we, as a family, become more service oriented. I see serving others as a way to unify us and bring us closer together (I know selfish reasons, but I really think it will work). As I examine the "9 Principles of Great Families", the one about recreation, "Healthy, virtuous activities that refresh and strengthen the spirit of all those involved," I see service projects as a big part of that. I want my children to think of others needs as well as they think of their own. 

T is a clever little lady. She is really happy she solved a minor problem, as she sees it. For the last month or so she started wearing two outfits to church. She puts on her regular clothes first then puts her Sunday dress on over them. She came up with the idea when grandma T mentioned that her dress was thin and when the light hit it just right you could see thru it. She, of course, wanted nothing to do with a see thru dress and started wearing shorts under it. Now, she thinks it really speeds up the whole changing after church so she does it regardless of which dress she has on. 

She also surprised me with her decision to attend church today. The Wife was feeling very sick (pregnancy) and was not attending, I was stuck working late and was only going to the last hour because I was teaching. T was up and dressed and ready to leave with me when I left. When it was time for the Beehives (a young woman's group for 12-14 year old girls) to meet, she was greeted by two amazing young girls who promptly let her know she was missed during the previous hour and then the went off together into class. I am really glad T is finding the group fun to be around and has made a few friends. 

After church she handed me a flyer from class that talked about the rules for dating, and how one shouldn't date until 16.  Then announced that class was boring, because she has no intention of dating, ever. To which I replied, that will make me very happy, but she will change her mind by the time she turns 16 (only 4 more years). After talking for a while she finally said she would probably start dating when she's 20. And for the first time ever she started to consider college, because she wants to be a kindergarten teacher. (Not that I think college is always the best and only way, sorry mom. But that's probably a rant to appear here sometime)