"I want to talk."
We have the missionaries from our church over to dinner every week. After dinner, we have a gospel-based discussion, usually with scriptures perched on our laps.
Shaelyn has gotten very used to these weekly discussions. Which is why she interrupted us 2 weeks ago and said, "I want to talk."
So we all got quiet, and Shaelyn reached over and grabbed Michael's scriptures off his lap. Her face became serious and she began.
"Mommy and Daddy love us all. These are the scriptures."
And then she was done. What struck me was how she looked at each one of us in the face as she spoke. She was confident and adorable.
I asked her later what made her want to share while the missionaries were over. She said, "It's what the kids do in Primary when they talk in the microphone."
Fast-forward a few days and I'm leaving Relief Society to go pick up Shaelyn from Primary. I find her standing on the little stairs behind the podium, talking in the microphone. The Primary secretary informs me that as soon as Primary is over, Shaelyn is always the first to charge up to the front to get her turn at the podium. I tell her about our most recent missionary dinner and Shaelyn's "talk."
The following week, Shaelyn comes home with a sticker on her dress that says, "Shaelyn is asked to give a talk during Primary Opening Exercises on July 11th. The theme for July is 'I can follow Jesus Christ's example.'" I'm pretty sure I know the reason for the assignment.
The rest of the day, Shaelyn and I talked about different things she can do and already does that are like Jesus. We come up with things like listening to Mommy and Daddy, sharing with sister, being nice to her friends, and praying. All very good things.
The next morning, we load the girls up in the car and drive for 2 1/2 hours to see my grandparents. We haven't seen them in about a year, and my grandmother (Ahma) has recently been released from the hospital after extensive surgery and radiation treatments for cancer. My grandfather (Papa) has been in and out of the hospital himself and has open-heart surgery scheduled for later this month. Shaelyn and I had made some paper flowers for Ahma while she was in the hospital and she is excited to finally deliver them.
I was worried the whole drive. One of the reasons we don't go see my grandparents very often is that their house is NOT very-young-children-friendly, and very active little ones can be a bit overwhelming for them in their fragile state of health. I was worried that Shaelyn would either be scared of Ahma (I hadn't seen her since the surgery and didn't know how she looked), or would be too rambunctious. I prepped her as best I could in the car about what to expect and what I expected of her.
I left Ahma and Papa's house beaming with pride for my very sensitive, very sweet 3-year-old. She has always had a sensitivity to those in need of love or help, and this visit was no different. She sang for them, showed them all her princesses, told them about her ballet class, danced, and brought big smiles to their faces.
At the end of the visit, Ahma asked for a hug and kiss. Shaelyn was a little reluctant, and I was afraid she would squirm and hurt Ahma. I quickly whispered in her ear that we were there to make Ahma happy and to be gentle. Her expression immediately changed, and she gave Ahma a big, but gently placed, kiss on the cheek and said, "I love you, Ahma."
I knew in that moment what her talk should be about. She had just taught me, through her example, how to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
That's my favorite video of picking up fruit. Jesus and helping others.
He's helping.
I can be like Jesus and help others. And there's Ahma and Papa. Ahma just got sick.
I'm standing by Ahma. I'm showing her my toys.
I'm giving Papa a BIG hug.
I'm giving Ahma a BIG hug.
I can be like Jesus and help Mommy. I'm doing the silverware.
I can be like Jesus and help sister.
I'm giving Rachelle a big kiss and I've got a book.
I know I can be like Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
To see the video Shaelyn refers to in her talk, click here. She loves it - it truly is her favorite video about Jesus (and picking up fruit).
