Sing Praises Unto Him

Last week, my sister mentioned that their family will be speaking in Sacrament Meeting on July 20th. The topic they were given was "Gratitude". Her 8 year old daughter, Ems (alias name), is a bit on the shy side & doesn't talk much around other people. However, she loves to sing and has a beautiful voice. She takes singing lessons and enjoys singing solos in Sacrament Meeting when asked. She asked her mom if she could just sing a song instead of giving a talk. Of course her mom said that she could!! When she asked Ems if she had a song in mind, her response was "I Am Glad for Many Things". When my sister told me this, she expressed concern about how short the song is. It is a two liner song with ony two verses. Very short. After I got past the disappointment of missing their Talk Date by 2 days, I thought about various Primary songs where other people have written their own additional verses for the needs of their own Primary children. I suggested that she write her own verses to help lengthen the song. Maybe Ems could write down a list of things that she's grateful for & I could help her write a couple of verses? It sounded fun to me!! I've not really ever done this before (other than "Once There Was a Pumpkin" in place of the "Snowman" lyrics, but that wasn't difficult) and I felt excited for the challenge.

A few nights later, I was attempting to go to sleep. I'd had a very busy day & had already taken my sleeping pill. As I was trying to drift off, the song started going through my mind. I tried to shut my mind off. I hadn't thought about the song at all that day & I was pooped. I wanted to go to sleep. The harder I tried, the more the words began to tumble through my mind. I knew what was happening. It has happened many, many times before. I was receiving inspiration. I have often received answers to prayers when I am trying to sleep. Sometimes I just wake up in the night with the answer running through my head. Even knowing this, I still tried to talk myself into staying in bed & hoping I'd remember the words in the morning. Nope, the words continued to come. I knew I couldn't ignore them any longer. I got up & began to write. My writing was barely legible. My sleeping pill had fully kicked in by now!! But within 30 minutes, I had three verses written. Yeah!!! I could finally go to sleep!!

In the morning, I read through the words again. I struggled with the last verse that I had written. So I called Bri in to see if she could help me come up with something that would work better. She did!! As I read through the entire song, we felt goose bumps. I knew it was right. My only concern now was that if Ems had actually written her list, would I be able to put something together that would work for her? All I knew was that what I had been guided to write was through inspiration. I knew that if it wasn't for my neice's song, then it was definitely for me & my Primary Children's Choir. So with a bit of anxiety, I called my sister to see if Ems had come up with a gratitude list yet. No, she hadn't. She didn't seem interested in writing her own list. I was relieved! Maybe this was why I was given the inspiration without her list. So I told my sister of my experience & read to her the words that were given to me & Bri. It is a simple testimony of gratitude from a child's perspective. I have been encouraged to post it on my blog. I know that it wasn't my words that were written down. They are the words that Heavenly Father placed into my mind for the purpose of things that only He knows. It was a wonderful experience & I will treasure it always. Thanks, Ems, for giving me the opportunity to put my trust in Him to help you share your testimony with others by singing praises unto Him. I love you!!

I Am Glad for Many Things

Primary Children’s Songbook pg. 151

(Lyrics only)

Verse 1

I am glad for many things, Many things, many things.

I am glad for many things That are mine today.

Verse 2

I am glad for eyes that see & ears that hear when summer’s near.

I am glad for eyes and ears that are mine today.

Verse 3

God gave me my family, family, family.

We are sealed for eternity. His name I praise today!

Verse 4

Heavn’ly Father loves me so, He sent His Son for all to know

How to live and how to grow.  I trust in Him each day. 

Verse 5

Thank you, thank you, my heart sings, My heart sings, my heart sings.

Thank you for the many things That are mine today.

Lyrics for verses 2-4 written by Tifany & Bri, June 2008. On these verses, you will need to insert an eighth note here & there to fit the added lyrics to the timing of the song.                                                                                        

Lyrics for verses 1 & 5 are the original 2 verses published in the Songbook.

30 Days!!!

We did it!   We have read from the Book of Mormon as a family for 30 consecutive days!   Thankfully, the last 16 days have not proved as difficult to accomplish this task as the first 14 days did.  

With the warmer weather, sometimes we read in the shade out in our backyard.  

As we take turns reading, Munchy likes to look at the pictures of the story in her own "Book of Mormon".

The squirrels have done a fantastic job with reminding us all to stay on task.  They are even willing to take a break from playing in the water so that we can read!

A few nights ago, we were busy enjoying the summer weather.  As Terry & I were ready to get the squirrels into their bed time routine, Marie reminded us that we still needed to read.  We had all forgotten about it!!  Thanks Marie!

For the last week and a half, we have been reading in 3 Nephi.  This was a request of Bri's. She loves reading about Christ's visit to the America's after His crucifixion.  Tonight we talked about the Beattitudes.  That's always a great discussion!

Tonights 30 consecutive days reward was Wendy's Frosty's.  It was a perfectly hot day to enjoy the cold treat!!  Chocolate Frosty's are a favorite for all, except Bri & I.  We love the vanilla!

Our Four "Pig Pens"

It's an adjustment the first week or so after school is out in figuring out how to NOT be soooooo bored! By 6:00 tonight, the squirrels FINALLY figured it out.  

Notice all the dust clouds?    

BODY SLAM!!!!

The Squirrel Park

Our Four "Pig Pens"