Splits and the Atonement

An interesting title you must say, but it leads to 2 funny stories and lessons all wrapped up in a weeks time. We are having ward conference this Sunday and our Staked Presidency and Bishopric do visits to as many families in the ward as possible. We were on the list for last night and waited for an hour for the Bishop and his partner to show up. Finally I called the guy who made the visit for us to see if maybe they forgot about us. I was told that they were doing splits with the stake and that something came up and they needed to cancel the visit. My kids were looking forward to it  so I explained what was going on and as I was going in the office to tell Ethan Kylie piped up " Wow! I didn't know Bishop knew how to do the splits!!!" I just started laughing and she couldn't figure out why I thought it was so funny. I still don't think she understands the term it was used in. On to our next story! Last Saturday we had our end of season volleyball party and we decided to take the girls bowling as a team for something fun. Tayler and I are the only members of the church on her team. I think we are actually everyone's real close encounter with Mormon's in which they interact directly with us quite a few times a week. It has been a lot of fun being on this team and we have gained some good friends. While at the bowling party Tayler was sitting around a table with some of her friends and talking as they drank their soda and ate pizza. Tayler moved her drink to the to the side of her not to get her drink mixed up with the others. After a few minutes she reached out in front of her forgetting she moved her drink and drank from the cup. She immediately gaged trying not to spit everywhere and said "What the heck is that I just drank?" One of her friends piped up. "It's ice tea. You don't like Ice tea?" Tayler started freaking out and blurted " I'm not suppose to drink Ice Tea." and ran towards me. I could see she was upset and pulled me aside. She told me what happened and started crying asking "What's going to happen to me!?" I told her it's okay, it was an accident, your not in trouble. Even if you purposely tried it you wouldn't be in trouble. We are advised not to drink it but, a little taste isn't that big of a deal!" She continued to say "But what is going to happen to me?" and crying harder and harder. I continued to tell her that it wasn't on purpose and Heavenly Father knows that. if you want you can say a little prayer to say you are sorry." She seemed to not be concerned with that and continued to ask what was going to happen to her. I finally picked up on it and ask why she was worried something was going to happen because nothing was going to happen! She finally said through her tears "But is says in the scriptures I will smite thee." I almost started laughing out loud and I know a big smile that I could not control came across my face. I realize she was afraid Heavenly Father was going to physically do something horrible to her and she was scared to her wits about it. I continued to reassure her that Heavenly Father was not going to hurt her and that he knew it was an accident. She calmed down and went back to her friends that asked why she was so upset. She was able to explain our beliefs and they understood but, you could see in their face that they thought it was a little crazy that we can't drink ice tea and other drinks such as alcohol. I was proud to see Tayler's will to follow the teachings of the gospel. As we drove home that night I was able to explain to my girls about the Atonement and Heavenly Father's unconditional love for us. I didn't want Tayler to be scared when she makes mistakes in her life. We all need to understand Heavenly Fathers forgiveness and love. I was grateful for that teaching moment on Saturday.

It is interesting that as I prepare for certain lessons each month that I usually end up having moments in our lives or lives of those I love that happen that coincide with my lesson. Teaching moments for me and hopefully teaching moments for those in my ward that hear my lesson.