Or not...

Little update: Elena's still got something going on. We're basically watching and waiting until Monday. If she's still fevering, then we'll go in again for some more testing.

And can I just say: prayers are answered!! I know that the Lord is aware of us and that He hears our prayers even if He tells us to wait sometimes. He always provides - although sometimes it's just a step at a time in the darkness. Eric and I are so overwhelmed by the love and generosity people show to our family. I love this Christmas season where we can so plainly feel the love of our Father in Heaven through people's kindness and for the hope we have because of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I just had to get that out. And now... on to the post.

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The other day Elena and I got onto a conversation about some of the symbols of Christmas (holly, wreaths, candy canes, etc.). This led to a discussion of why we give presents, which I seized upon to try and teach her a little more about one of our traditions. On Christmas morning, before we open presents, we pause for a few minutes to start by writing down a gift that we'd like to give to the Savior. Generally it's something we want to do better that we can work on through the year (having daily personal prayers, temple attendance, speaking kindly with each other, etc, etc.). It's a personal, reflective moment and a pretty solemn "goal" we set. The physical act of writing out the "gift" and setting it on the Christmas tree and the fact that it is a real gift we are trying to give the Savior is extra good motivation as we strive throughout the year.

I was trying to help Elena understand that Jesus doesn't want toys or other physical things, but that he wants us to try and be better and follow the commandments. So I listed a few easy examples for her: speaking kindly to Lily, smiling at people, sharing. She chimed in, "Singing?"

"Yes, Jesus loves to hear us sing. So you could sing loud in church or make sure to always sing our song before bed." (We sing a church song before bed and sometimes when she's in a mood or mad at us, she won't participate.)

I wrapped it up by telling her to start thinking about what gift she would like to give the Savior and that we'd write it down on Christmas morning. Elena listed off a few more possibilities she was thinking of and I added, "Or obedience. You could work extra hard to obey mom and dad. That would be a great gift to Jesus." Obedience is something we're struggling with in a MEGA way - Elena will just not listen 80% of the time it feels like and Eric and I feel at our wits end many days.

Elena's response? "Oh, mom- you're funny!"