Introducing....

Proud but tired Mom

Our fourth great grandchild, Gabriel Cleveland Goodwin! Such a cute baby. He weighed 9 lb. 11 oz. and is 22 inches long.

Aunt Robin holding Gabriel

Stephanie introducing Gabriel to big sister, Annabelle

Just for fun

So I bought a new couch for the front room. It looks like a regular run-of-the-mill couch. It was made in Portland, by the way.

But then you recline in it and it's flat enough to sleep on. The grandkids will enjoy sleeping on it. It replaces the hide-a-bed.

Eldon and Jim pretending to nap

Perspective

The time in Nauvoo prepared me for this next phase of my life, a time of watching my children and grandchildren go through struggles--some minor and some major.  Several of my older grandchildren are preparing themselves to serve missions.  As I watch them struggle with their testimonies, whether they still have one, or whether what they have is enough to serve a mission, it makes me grateful for mine. I know a testimony is fragile and can shrink if it's not nourished.

My new calling is helping, both to strengthen my testimony and keep my mind off of worries. Now my mind is full of songs to sing with the children. It's harder to memorize at this age and it's taking a lot of work! But the songs are testimony building. Lines like "my life has a plan,"  "holding fast to his word and his love," "I came to earth with power to choose," "I know my Father lives and loves me too," and "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me." And how about this one: "I feel so safe and happy because such feelings of peace come from family love."

"I will work and I will pray; I will always walk in his way." And I will always love my children and grandchildren! Because "as a child of God, I have learned this truth: a family is forever."