Happy Father's Day to the father of my children
my dearest Christian!
In preparation for our Father's Day home church, I asked the
the Nies to find a quote or scripture about fathers that inspired them.
I wanted them to relate it to their own father with a story and their testimony.
Each Nie prepared perfectly and their words were so kind and sweet.
I could barely hold it together I felt so emotional.
Claire referenced The Family Proclamation
in her sweet testimony of fathers.
"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness,
to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them
to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God,
and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.
Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be
held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations."
Jane shared a scripture in Alma 36:17-19 about how Alma the younger's
father taught him the truth at a young age, and even though
he didn't listen at the time, he eventually remembered and changed:
"I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto
the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ,
a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world."
Oliver read a favorite primary song with these lyrics:
"The father of our home leads our family
With wisdom’s light in all that’s right;
My father’s good to me.
Fathers are so special with a very special love.
They watch us and protect us.
They guide us and direct us
Back to our home above."
Nicholas read us this sweet quote and told a story
of how Mr. Nielson helped him prepare to receive the Priesthood.
"Parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers.
The responsibility of teaching proper values and sacred truths
cannot be successfully delegated to anyone else.
We must remember the sanctity of these children;
they do not belong to us; they are children of
our Father—his spirit children come to earth."
And Lottie explained why she loved her dad and told a sweet story.
She also made an awesome poster and mixed up her "d" and "b" and
the poster read "I Love you Dab!"
Once she learned of the mistake she cried and cried,
but it was all sorted out.
I shared my feelings about my Father in Heaven, my earthly father,
and the father of my children, and how important each
of these men are in my life.
They have helped shape me and encouraged me,
and provided love, light, and support for me.
I also read out loud the
"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore
I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father;..."
One of the first words in The Book of Mormon is "father",
which to me implies the importance of fathers,
and that really spoke to me today.
I am so thankful for such a wonderful husband who fathers our
children with so much purpose, respect, and dedication.
I love you, Mr. Nielson!
We adorned the dinner table with our favorite photos
of Christian as father extraordinaire throughout the years.
And Jane and I made a fun 200 photo slideshow along
with his favorite music of him as a father and man.
Dinner:
grilled corn, lime coconut watermelon, rolls,
honey thyme glazed carrots, rosemary potatoes, green salad,
and of course a delicious peach cobbler (Mr. Nielson's favorite).
Around the table, I shared my favorite story of Mr. Nielson as a young soon-to-be
father fainting on my pregnant tummy as I was getting
an epidural in the hospital with baby Claire.
