The source of my busy-ness and joy: I recently started working as a private tutor. I currently tutor several different students in math, English/grammar and reading, and I have appointments Monday-Friday. It been great to get another opportunity to teach and help them thrive and excel.
I've always enjoyed tutoring and teaching, but it never felt quite right to go into formal education/teaching. I've really enjoyed seeing the lightbulb/epiphany effect when students understand their subjects. Sometimes, it's hard when I just can't seem to help a concept stick, and it's a bit of an adventure with Little Miss tagging along and wanting to explore more, but it's nice to feel like I'm making a difference.
I've also put more of a focus on helping Little Miss grow and develop--both physically and spiritually. We have started getting her new things, and she love blocks: the texture, taste trying to help me build a tower, knocking down my towers, and whatever it is, just the sheer joy of exploring. She also loves music and bangin away on the piano, and most recently stealing new food. She loves being with us for meals and snacks and will snatch food right out of our hands.
One of the most rewarding things we've done recently initially started because I ran out of things to talk to her/myself about. (If you've had any experience with little ones, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.) I like talking to Little Miss for a variety of reasons, but it gets a little old to simply tell her I'm doing laundry (ALL THE TIME :P ) so I've started reading scriptures with/to her. Often that only lasts a verse or two, but that gives me something to talk about for a while, whether it be finishing the story or going into some of the doctrines/principles. It's been nice to be able to talk to her about the Gospel, and I think it's helped me feel closer to her, and build a stronger bond. What a wonderful daughter Mario and I have been blessed with, and even if sometimes I think she's being a stinker, she is a spirit daughter of God, who is gradually forgetting Him and her home in heaven, and it's my job to help her fill those gaps. And she definitely responds and understands the thoughts and stories I share. I just wish I was more consistent with these experiences. What a wonderful, strong spirit she brings to our family, and I haven't recognized it much before.
I love her, and I want her growing up knowing that I know my Savior lives, and He suffered, died and was resurrected that we--each of us individually--may live again. I know that we were in His and our Father in Heaven's presences before this life, and if we do our best and rely on Christ we truly have the opportunity to return to Them after this life. I know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and the Son, and through Their guidance, he was able to restore the Gospel to the earth, just as it was when Christ was on the earth. And we still have a living prophet on the earth, President Thomas S. Monson, and if we listen to his counsel, and that of the other apostles, we will be led back to our home in heaven.
I also want her to know that she can gain this same knowledge through the Spirit of the Lord after personal prayer and study.
