Sunbeams

Sunday was Joel and my last Sunday teaching the Sunbeams (kiddos ages 3-4 years old) in our ward. We've had this calling since January and now we're finally moving to our house in Columbus for Joel to starts dental school in just 8 DAYS! So anyway- we've been teaching these 7 children for about 9 months.

Has it always been enjoyable? No!!! Did I get a little teary eyed saying good-bye to the kids yesterday? Most definitely YES!!!

Every Sunday these kids wiggle, whine, not follow instructions or listen, and a few occasionally cry! (No- we're not mean teachers... at least Joel isn't.) But so many times these kids will just melt my heart the way the care about one another when they hear one of the kids isn't there b/c they're sick. Or when they seem to not be paying attention at all to what we're trying to teach them & then one of their parents tells me they came home from church asking questions about what we've taught them.

Example: Carmen went home and asked her mom where Heavenly Father & Jesus live. Her mom replied 'Heaven'. Carmen then says, "Okay, good! That's what Sis. Skousen taught us!"

And most of all I'm going to miss their sweet spirits and loving smiles each Sunday. Because even when I'm having a bad morning and I'm a bit down b/c I don't have my own children yet (for some reasons Sundays seem to be the most difficult days in regards to this)... they give me this BIG SMILE or HUG and it truly makes me feel better, even if just for a minute or two.

I don't think I truly took advantage of the blessing and wonderful opportunity it was to teach these sweet children. Luckily when we visit Joel's parents we'll be able to see them again.

I LOVE THESE KIDS SO MUCH!!!

Joel, me, Griffin "my buddy", Carmen, Adra (she's related to us), Dean, & Ella

(we're missing Roman b/c he got sick during class & Zach b/c he wasn't there that day)

I'm especially thankful for this calling b/c it helped Joel completely jump on the "ADOPTION BANDWAGON"! We've had many conversations about adoption and even though Joel said we could fill the papers out I knew he wasn't ready. But after we had this calling for a month or so, Joel said to me, "Let's adopt! I was always fine with the idea, but after teaching these kids, I know how much I can love a child that isn't my biological child!" (this isn't word for word b/c it was a while ago)

Anyway, we had a low-key last Sunday with them b/c we wanted to just enjoy spending time with them. We gave quick lesson, colored our bunny pictures & stuck cotton balls on their tails, and then we had CUPCAKES!!! I made them as a "special treat" for the kiddos. They loved them of course. Then they gave me lots of hugs and they were gone!

Get the kiddos all hopped up on sugar before I send them home w/ their parents... 
aren't we such great teachers?

Griffin, Roman, Dean, Ella, Carmen & Adra

I love all those kids so much but my special little buddy, Griffin, seriously broke my heart yesterday! He's literally the sweetest, nicest, cutest kid ever! I'm just glad he was clinging to me yesterday and sat on my lap all through sharing time in primary. Thanks kids for helping me grow! (especially in patience... even though I'm still not the best at this)