Guest Blogger, Christy Dorrity

Christy is another author who contributed to A Circle of Sisters. For her story, she interview her mother and grandmother. When she suggested interviewing her daughter for the blog, I got excited. What would be better than a child's perspective on Relief Society?Here's a little about Christy and her interview with her daughter. I hope you enjoy it.
 
Christy Dorrity loves to cook and dance, and write about both. She was taught early to have a discriminating taste for both books and food. Christy grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming. She taught elementary school and lives in the mountains with her husband Devon and their five young children. When Christy's not Irish dancing or writing, she's probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen. Christy is the author of The Book Blogger's Cookbooks and her debut YA novel comes out July 2013. 


Mom:  What is Relief Society?
Amberlee:  I don’t know. A mom’s class?
 
Mom:  Is visiting teaching a part of Relief Society?
Amberlee:  Uhuh.
 
Mom:  What do we do when we visit teach?
Amberlee:  Teach them a lesson
 
Mom:  About what?
Amberlee:  Being kind to others.
 
Mom:  Who do we visit teach to?
Amberlee:  People in our ward.
 
Mom:  What do you do when your mom is visiting teaching?
Amberlee:  Mom brings us. If there is toys we will go over and play with them.
 
Mom:  What is charity?
Amberlee:  Cherries(shrugs shoulders)? Relief Society?
 
Mom:  What does it mean to increase faith and personal righteousness?
Amberlee:  Faith--loving somebody.
 
Mom:  How can we strengthen home and family?
Amberlee:  By caring about each other, and loving each other.
 
Mom:  How can we seek out and help people in need?
Amberlee:  Well, what if someone needs help getting a tramp in their backyard? You could help them put the tramp in the yard.
 
Mom:  What do the ladies do at Relief Society?
Amberlee:  Have fun together!
 
Mom:  Do you want to be in Relief Society?
Amberlee:  Yes.
Mom: Why?
Amberlee:  Because I’m imagining that it’s going to be fun, even if I’ve never been there.
 
Mom:  What do you want to know about Relief Society?
Amberlee:  Everything. I don’t know what you do there.
 
Mom:  Is Relief Society for girls or boys?
Amberlee:  Girls!!!
 
Mom:  Why are there no boys in Relief Society?
Amberlee:  Because they don’t go to Relief Society, they have their own class, and have the priesthood.
 
Mom:  What would you tell someone who is nervous to go to Relief Society?
Amberlee:  It’s fun, it’s ok, it’s safe, and you’ll learn more things about the gospel.

Wow, has it really been that long?

Yes, I am still here.

Living.

Cleaning.

Driving a van.

Making meals kids don't like.

Doing 20 plus loads of laundry in a week.

Teaching times tables, sight words, and ABCs.

Wondering when I'm going to get into see my eye doctor about more contacts and if I really need to get my hair cut.

Cleaning up puke.

Waking up every hour in night with a sick kid.

Running into things trying to get to the hall when I hear someone crying in the dark.

Tickling little arm pits and feet until they stop complaining about going to school every day.

Forgetting to lock doors, and close doors, and do all the homework before it's due.

Watching pinewood derby races.

Catching snot spraying down a face right before the sacrament and not having any tissues.

Buying little packs of tissues.

Sneaking out to go wedding dress shopping with a friend. (Why do I feel a little guilty?)

Going stir crazy wanting to write, but not having time, and then being tired.

Doing Easter egg hunts, giving baths, reading books, wishing it would stop snowing, and re-pulling out coats I keep putting away in hopes that winter will end.

I think I remembered to breath in all this. Does anyone ever feel like they're in the spin cycle of a washing machine? I love these kids. I might have started calling them "My boys." When I think about everything, I get this urge to giggle. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's a gift from God.

And who can begrude all the work when a sick little boy, up for the forth time that night, reaches out.

"Mommy?"

"Yeah, baby."

"I love you."

Guest Blogger Stacy J Coles, Small Moments Big Lessons

Stacy is an editor and author who has several stories included in "A Circle of Sisters" coming out in April. She blogs at www.saythiswrite.blogspot.com.

Welcome Stacy!


I will never forget the day I found out my first book was going to be published. The excitement and sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. All the years of writing and submitting and waiting ... and repeating the process after receiving another rejection letter ... had finally paid off. I felt like I was on top of the world. Then my daughter said, "Mom, now I know I can go after my dreams and do whatever I put my mind to. You didn't give up and your dream came true."

Tears came to my eyes as I realized that I had accomplished something even bigger than getting my book published. I taught my kids a life lesson. Not only did I teach them, I SHOWED them. I showed them that by working hard and not giving up, even when it feels like the odds are piled against you, that you can make your dreams come true.


My husband and I have always told our children that they can do and be anything they want, they just have to be willing to work hard. And I have always been a firm believer in making your own dreams come true. You can't wait for them to come to you or for someone else to make it happen for you. If you want it ~ make it happen!

Since that day, no matter how many books I've sold and no matter how many congratulations I've received, (although, all of that is wonderful!), nothing can be better than knowing that your own children are excited about following their dreams because they saw yours come true. It was a simple comment that my daughter made, but it had a huge impact on how I will tackle future goals.

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