She is fearless, brave and determined!

We are a little out of order with this post. Chronologically this event happened after all our summer travels which I have yet to blog about. But I will, I will follow Bailey's example of determination.

This week, as a family, we attended a church fireside where Elder David A Bednar and his wife Susan, from the Quorom of the 12 apostles came to speak to us. Only he didn't speak in the traditional way we expected. He held a sort of town hall meeting and asked the audience to stand up and ask questions. He did request that the question "Where is the sword of Laban?" not be asked because he didn't know the answer. He also strongly encouraged the youth to ask questions because "children ask the best questions of all".

So, Bailey took that statement and rolled with it. She turned right to me and said, "I'm going to ask a question". Instantly, my adult tendencies and insecurities that weigh me down and prevent me from acting, kicked in. I thought, "HOLD the phone", but said, "Will you please tell me what you are going to ask". She told me. We tweaked it a little and before we knew it, he looked straight at her and picked "the girl with the glasses".

Bailey's question was "What is the greatest lesson you have learned since becoming a member of the Quorum of the 12". Pretty bold eh?

His answer was intense and captivating and although I have waited too long to write about this and therefore my mind has already forgotten details, I will tell you that his stand out statement to me was this: When a member of the 12 go out into the world, they are sent to seek out the individual. Sounds a bit impossible doesn't it? But he stated they are sent out to seek out the individuals that need them. I like that. It makes them seem more real to me. He said they are not a "big corporation", but continually try to focus on the individual souls.

I love Bailey. I'll never know why Heavenly Father sent such a good soul for me to mother as I am clearly lacking in certain areas. Maybe Bailey was given to me for my sake, to set an example for me to follow. That sounds about right. She came right home and stayed up late so that she could write about the night in her journal, she told McKenna to be quiet on the way home so that she could stay in the moment of how strong she felt the Spirit. See, already setting the better example.

We got there 2 hours early to ensure that we had decent seats. So we had time to sit and visit and talk. I meant to show Bailey a picture of Elder Bednar earlier in the week, but never got around to it. Bailey will say later that while we were sitting there with the noise and hubbub that happens before meetings start, she very suddenly felt something strong within her. Then a group of people walked into the chapel and she knew before she even set eyes on him, that an apostle of the Lord was in her presence. She turned to me and said, "That's him, isn't it?"

Another take home point for me when asked about how to be a better parent is to first be a better wife, then all else will come in time. But then he said, "Parents talk too much, they need to sit back and listen and ask questions to their children to draw out their thoughts and ideas". I. talk. WAY. to. much! Or rather I talk AT way too much. He counseled to start conversations with our children by asking questions and if they don't know the answers, show them where to look. Teach them how to govern themselves. I'm going to work on that. Wish me luck.