First Time Bearing Testimony In Church For Gabriel

Dear Gabriel,

The story for today is about you.

Today was the first Fast Sunday that you joined Dad and I with fasting. You decided to go through breakfast to lunch time, and fasted for Heavenly Father to help you with your thoughts (you have been having really scary thoughts lately at night, mainly about zombies from a commercial you saw on dad's phone while you were playing a game. Needless to say, you haven't played that game again since this time).

In sacrament meeting, a bunch of the primary kids from our ward jumped up to say their testimonies very first. One of your friends got up, and you were like, "Look, that's Miles! He's giving a talk!" Then I told you that you could go up and bear your testimony as well.

You looked at me with surprise and said, "Really?? I can go up there??"

I hadn't realized that you had no idea you could do that. I feel actually bad about it, because you had no idea that fast Sunday was for anyone to get up and share their feelings.

As soon as you realized this, you said, "I'm going up!". You immediately got up, walked with determination up to the pulpit, chest out, with your confident walk, not afraid at all. You said you were grateful for Heavenly Father helping you with everything you need in your life, and then you sat back down. You forgot to say "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"... but that just added to the feeling of it.

You got up there, said what you needed to say, and then got back down. I loved it. Natalia went up with me to bear her testimony, but she needed help and didn't want to say things on her own, she is much more aware of when people are looking at her and watching her than you are. You don't care at all (and both characteristics have their own strengths and weaknesses with them).

Your dad turned to me and said, "You HAVE to write that in your journal tonight."

I love you. I love being your mom. I love your tender heart. I love that you are so aware of everything around you that has to do with the spirit and thoughts. I love that you are determined and know what you want and you aren't afraid to go after it. I love that about you. I'm so grateful for you.

I love you,

Your Mom