Keaton

Every year our church puts on a sacrament meeting where the kids get to do the program. They each have a speaking part and there are songs through out it. Today was our program. It was kind of bitter sweet because it's my daughter's last year to do it before she turns 12 and moves from primary to young woman's. So I was feeling sad and and was watching h er through out the program since it was her last year. But during one of the songs (A Child's Prayer, there are 2 parts. One part the boys sing and the other part the girls sing.) I could hear this young man's voice. I look over and it's Keaton. Standing up tall and straight and singing beautifully. He then said his part and you cold tell that he was really glad to be there and he believed what he was saying. I felt so moved by the spirit and so proud of my son. The closing song was I know that my savior loves me. And the children were to sing the first verse and the congregation join in on the 2nd verse. So they sang: A long time ago in a beautiful place, children were gathered round Jesus. He blessed and taught as they felt of His love. Each saw the tears on his face. The love that He felt for His little ones I know he feels for me. I did not touch Him or sit on His knee, yet Jesus is real to me. By this time I was bawling because Keaton was standing so tall and singing so adamantly! So I proceeded to try hard to sing the second verse. Which is: Now I am here in a beautiful place, learning the teachings of Jesus. Parents and teachers will help guide the way, lighting my path every day. Wrapped in the arms of my savior's love, I feel his gentle touch. Living each day I will follow His way, home to my father above. We have struggled some with Keaton but in that moment it felt as if everything was right with the world. The last few weeks he has been a totally different boy and I know I am not the only one that has noticed! During the song today, a woman sitting behind me leaned up and said. "Keaton is doing such a GREAT job!" And then again today after church was over, his primary teacher came up to me and said, "I LOVE having him in class! He is an absolute sweetheart! This made my heart so proud! After church I told him how proud I was of him and what a great job he did and he got a huge smile on his face but didn't say much. A couple of minutes later he walked into the kitchen and put his arm around me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. This coming from a boy that a few months ago wouldn't even let me hug him and would get angry if I tried. I don't know what had changed the last little while....maybe it's him and maybe it's just me trying to be more calm and patient with him. And maybe it's a little of both. But I am loving seeing the young man he is turning into! Now don't get me wrong! I know we'll still have some bad days, but I am going to take today and relish it!!