The Most Important Work....

Last Sunday my daughter was assigned the Scripture for Primary Sharing Time.  She was so excited.  I thought that her excitement would blow over and she would forget about it throughout the week, as is her custom.  I was pleasantly surprised to be reminded about this responsibility daily.  Then Saturday night came, and just before bedtime, she came up to me and asked me to help her find the Scripture assigned.  The Scripture was Matthew 22: 37.  She is so used to reaching for the Book of Mormon that she was a little confused when I said that the verse she was looking for is actually in the Holy Bible - New Testament.  I taught her how to look up the book and then find the right chapter and verse.  Let me mention here how happy I am that she is finally able to read, and actually enjoys it.  When we found the verse, she read:  

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."  Matthew 22: 37

I asked her if she understood what that verse meant to her.  She said she had no idea.  There were a few confusing words to her:  shalt, thou and thy.  I should have expected that, those are Old English words.  I explained that the Primary Commandment that God has given is that we love Him with all our hearts, souls and minds!  That everything we do, think, and say be based in our deep love for Him.  It was during this wonderful, peaceful teaching moment that I realized the true beauty and importance of my role as her Mother. 

It is not by chance that the Book of Mormon opens with the Prophet Nephi declaring the nature of his upbringing:

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father..."    1 Nephi 1: 1

As parents, our primary responsibility is the spiritual formation of the children entrusted to our care.  We are commanded to teach our children by word and example to seek out the Lord in all things.  That our children may learn of His commandments, His promises, and Our covenants.  There is a quote going around and sadly I do not know who initially said it, but regardless its message is overwhelming:  "If we don't teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to."  

There is a terrible idea going around that was told to my face some time ago, that children's education primarily comes from the School System.  Apparently the reasoning is that since they have the teaching degree they are the ONLY ones who hold the right to teach your children.  Do not fall for that lie!  If you don't believe me, take it to the Lord in prayer.  He will show you the way that you need to go!  This is not me necessarily promoting Homeschooling, although I am far from against it.  We seriously considered homeschooling my son who has High Functioning Autism just recently.  His teachers worked out the situation in a way that was nothing short of miraculous, so he has remained in school.   

Just a reminder that you have been blessed with the children that you have for a reason.  You are in charge of their spiritual and physical welfare.  We have been blessed with countless aids NOT replacements.  You know your child best! Even his physician has to ask you what his symptoms and behaviors look like in order to adequately treat him for any potential ailments.   C.S. Lewis puts it perfectly:  "Children are not a distraction from more important work, they are the most important work." 
His words are reiterated and strengthened by those of the Prophet Harold B Lee:  "The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own Home."  I encourage you to ponder those words and take them seriously. 

Just remember that usually the one doing the teaching is the one who is doing the most learning and growing.  To teach you must already be doing.  So seek the Lord first in all you do.  Show by example that you truly love the Lord your God with all your heart, your soul, and your mind!  And like with everything else, your children will want to be like you and follow in the way they should go!

The days are long, the years are short, and words of the Lord are forever!

Double-Sided Burp Cloths

These burp cloths are a quick sew.  They are very easy to make!  What makes them special, however, is that they are usable for whichever gender!  The would make a beautiful Baby Shower gift, especially if the Mama-to-Be plans on eventually expanding her family at a future date.  Why buy new when you have gender appropriate ones already on hand?  One of the biggest reasons why I have always "found" out the gender of every baby as soon as I could is because I have never been one to like anything "neutral."  I always wanted to be prepared with the gender appropriate everything!  This way, you can be, especially if you are the mama that prefers to leave gender reveal for Birth Day!

Step 1:  Finding the Right Pattern

I have a couple websites that I frequent when looking for pretty much anything.  I will generally seek out Pinterest.  I generally look for something easily printable.  I do not know what y'all's budgets look like, but being that we are a Military Family of almost 7, finances are not often on our side. Therefore, I prefer to seek out free printables.  (Be sure to send a note of appreciation to whomever worked very hard to make that printable available for your use.)  If, for whatever reason you cannot find what you are looking for on Pinterest or you choose not to use that website, Google is my second best friend.  

Step 2:  Buying the Perfect Material

www.homemadebyjill.blogspot.com

For this particular project, I was specifically looking for flannels.  Considering you will be buying two separate prints, be sure that the materials feel similar.  Not all flannels have the same weight and feel to them.  I steer clear of the silky flannels, the absorption will be less than desirable and render the purpose of the burp cloths pointless.  I search for the heavier weight flannels.  Trust me, absorption will be much better. 

Step 3:  Cut Out the Pattern

This part generally is the easiest part.  Quite self-explanatory.

Step 4:  Sewing

For this project, line the pieces wrong sides together!  Stitch approximately 1/2 inch from edges - all the way around.  And then I stitched down the middle (narrowest part) so that the pieces wouldn't bubble too much in the very frequent washes to come.  

Step 5:  Ragging

Snip every 1/4 inch or so around the perimeter of your project.  Be sure to not snip your actual stitching.  Wash a couple times to get the ragged look.  And voila, you are done!

* If you made these as a gift, I would refrain from washing to allow mama-to-be to wash them in her desired detergent.    

You can make as many or as few as your heart desires!  I like to make things in sets of four, personally!  I hope you enjoy this project!  Make it your own!