More Ethiopian friends

Yesterday, we were introduced to the most wonderful Ethiopian family. We spent several hours together and in the evening, I learned how to make injera! Yum! We learned more vocabulary and pronunciations. One of the brothers took the time to explain the language to Thomas and gave him his very first lesson in Amharic! It's all making much more sense now. Faith made fast friends with their 2 little girls right away. The language barrier seemed to melt away into games and fun with the girls. Faith is much more motivated to learn the language now that her friends don't speak English. She is such a fast learner! Good job Faith! This family is so loving and generous! Lots of hugs and kisses and hand shaking. Most of all, there's lots of food! My hands were full of food and I was still being offered more. When I couldn't take more, it was set in front of me on the floor!
There is an Ethiopian festival in Salt Lake City on Saturday and the kids are dancing in the show! There will be food, music, dance and a fashion show! We're excited to go experience more culture.

Humbled

Today, as I lie in bed pondering the direction my life has taken, the doorbell rings. It's missionaries of another denomination.
I make goals and try to keep to them but lately seem to always fail. I have made the goal to study the scriptures daily a thousand times since I've been married but never seem to keep with it. I was religious about it when I was single. Anyway, I think the Lord had something to tell me today and since I wouldn't come to Him, He came to me. These 2 women shared a scripture with me from 2 Timothy. I was struck to the core. How would they know exactly what I needed to hear? Of course! The Lord knows and He certainly works in mysterious ways. I am so grateful to the 2 women who felt strongly enough about something to bring it to me. This not only taught me the lesson the Lord wanted me to learn, it also strengthened my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so glad that I didn't turn these wonderful ladies away. I often think of our missionaries and the excuses people give them to not hear what they have sacrificed to bring them.

Rockbands and boyfriends

Faith was talking to herself today (not an unusual thing for Faith) and told me when I asked who she was talking to that it was her fake boyfriend. What?!? She has an imaginary boyfriend now?! Man! I thought that wasn't for a few more years!

While doing mommy chores, I heard a bunch of noise in the living room and wasn't sure what was going on. Upon investigating, I caught Faith putting on a show. Hilarious! Where does she come up with these things? We are in for big trouble with this girl!

(My hand is in front of the camera at first because I am sneaking up on Faith so she won't stop)

Court date

Our court date is October 6. We've been told that we will definitely pass this time. Yay! (I'm not sure I want to get my hopes up though). We got a new picture of Rahel in her traditional outfit - too cute! They just finished celebrating Ethiopian New Year. She is such a doll. We can't wait to meet her. We love her so much!
Faith started preschool for the year and already loves it! They are learning letters this year. Faith and I started piano lessons and she really likes it.
Thomas' grandma is in the hospital and is on her way out so we went down to say our goodbyes and decided to look at homes while we were down there. I'm not sure how I'm going to make living in the city work! A new challenge - bring it! Thomas finished the windows in our house and we now can focus on cleaning up our yard which looks more like the landfill than a yard right now (: I'll hate to leave beautiful Mendon but I know that the Lord has better plans for me. - He always does. My Mom just told me that we may not know our path, but the Lord does and He's got it covered. He won't just dump us. We'll be better off following in faith than holding onto what we love now.
p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! We love you!

Faith's talk

Faith gave a talk on Sunday in Primary on how listening to the prophets can strengthen our family. She wrote the talk all by herself!

Prophets talk to Jesus and then talk to us. Prophets write scriptures for us to read. Nephi was a prophet. He taught his brothers that they should be obedient to their father Lehi. To be obedient means to listen and do what you are told to do. Nephi wrote this in the scriptures for us to read. The scriptures also say to take care of each other in our family. We can do what the scriptures tell us. We can listen carefully (she insisted on carefully) to our mommy and daddy and take care of our family.
The prophets and scriptures teach me I can be with my family forever. When we get my new sister Rahel, we can go to the temple and be a family forever. This will make me super-duper happy. I love my family. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Faithy's eventful week

Today was Faith's primary program. She recited her line perfectly and during a quiet time, when speakers were changing, Faith stands up and shouts "Hi sister Thorne!" while waving her hands in the air. - I think she made Sister Thorne's day (: Thomas, on the other hand was pretty embarassed!

Last week in Sacrament meeting, Faith clearly stated in a loud voice "I can see that guy's butt!" referring to a small boy playing on the floor infront of us.

This week Faith decided it was time for her to perform her own haircut! I knew it was coming. Every kid does this right? Well at least most kids only cut off a chunk of their hair. Faith cut it all off.

To finish off our wonderful week of Faith's silliness, she and her friend were dancing on the car singing "Jump shake your boobies" - they got a little mixed up. I had to laugh. We set it straight and hopefully it will stick.