For Brad's birthday, his brother Andy got him a Halloween toy. You know those things that you see everywhere now - it's this old man that takes his head off and talks. Well, initially Ryan thought it was really funny and couldn't wait for Brad to set it up. Then, after a couple of nights he started having bad dreams. So Ryan and I got the thing and put it in my bedroom and covered it up with a blanket. That didn't work too well, so we finally took it out of the house and to Brad's office. However . . . the bad dreams continued. It got to the point that he was coming into my room at least 3 times at night. I had long talks with him about make believe things and I talked to him about prayer. And he said, "Yeah, but mom, Heavenly Father never answers my prayers." It about broke my heart. He was crying in my lap and I talked to him about faith and prayer, and I told him to pick out a primary song that he could sing to himself when he gets scared. He picked "Called to Serve". I tucked him into bed and put his stuffed animals all around him to guard him. Then I asked him if I could say a prayer for him. He let me and then I put primary music on, kissed him and left. But I said another silent prayer that Heavenly Father would let him see that He does answer prayers. He slept through the entire night!! We had a good talk about it the next day and thanked Heavenly Father for answering us. The next night Brad and I went on a date. When we got home, I sneaked into his room to check on him. He was still awake, and after he hugged me he whispered, "Mom, do you think you could say that good prayer for me that you did last night?" It made me teary and so full of love for him. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father that answers our prayers and shows us how much He loves us. I feel such a huge responsibility to teach my kids about prayer and the Holy Ghost. I hope I can teach them all that I am supposed to. I am so thankful that I get to raise these beautiful kids. After having 2 that are grown now, I feel the responsibility even more and am so aware at how quickly the time flies by.
