I Will Be Brave!!

Dear Kiddos,
Your Mom and I try really hard to be sympathetic when you are afraid of something, but try to encourage you to be brave and overcome those fears.  We've never worried about using nightlights, and you kids have always been just fine with the dark, in fact Noah and Yemma, you two often pull a blanket over your head if it isn't dark enough!  We've also worked with you kids in an attempt to help you understand your emotions and use words instead of traditional toddler communication via tantrums and screaming....just for YOUR benefit of course ;o)

At some point, after reading Nephi 3:7 with you all, we used the phrase, "Do you have Nephi's courage?".  Well, that phrase and "I was so brave!" have been well adopted by you, Caleb, and as Noah and Yemma talk more and more, you two are following suit.

So the other day when Mom was taking you guys out to the car, she wasn't surprised that Caleb said "I will be brave, I will be brave" but she WAS surprised by the timing.  She went to the other side of the car to see why you needed to be brave, and to her surprise there was a dead cat on the garage floor!  It turns out that the cat had crawled up under the hood the previous night at Grandma and Grandpa's house and likely died on the way home.  What I love about the story though, was that when my boy was faced with something unexpected, he didn't stop, or make excuses; He decided to be brave and move forward.

Throughout your lives you'll be faced with new things.  Different things.  Unexpected things.  For some you'll be able to make the decision to be brave, and meet them head on.  Others you might need to lean on your Mom and I for added strength.  For others still,  you'll have to have Nephi's courage; A courage that can only come through faith and prayer.  A confidence that comes from knowing your Heavenly Father supports you and has charged angels to go before your face and round about you to bear you up.  Regardless of what kind of bravery or courage is required, I hope you'll know you can do it, and that you don't have to do it alone.

Love,
Daddydoo